House Votes Unanimously For Cell Tracking Curbs

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Restrictions on cellphone tracking by law enforcers have won the unanimous support of the Minnesota House.

By a 120-0 vote, House lawmakers passed a bill Friday that would require court orders before government agencies can access location information on devices. They would have to establish probable cause that the information would aid an active investigation. The authorization to collect data would be limited to 60 days unless it is renewed by a court.

Some narrow exceptions are when authorities are acting in an emergency situation.

A person who is the subject of the probe would eventually learn their data was retrieved.

The House bill varies from a Senate version, so it will require at least one more vote before reaching Gov. Mark Dayton.

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