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HR 3871 114th Congress House Crime and Law Enforcement Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation Evidence and witnesses Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information Telephone and wireless communication

Stingray Privacy Act of 2015

Introduced: November 2, 2015 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 114th Congress ended
It never became law before the 114th Congress (2015–2016) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Dec 4, 2015
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
Nov 2, 2015
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Nov 2, 2015
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Stingray Privacy Act of 2015

This bill prohibits the use of cell-site simulators by law enforcement agencies. Cell-site simulators are surveillance devices designed to capture data from cell phones.

Law enforcement agencies must obtain warrants for the use of cell-site simulators. However, agencies are permitted to use the devices without a warrant under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act or in emergency situations. Evidence obtained from a cell-site simulator unlawfully cannot be used in any legal or official proceeding.

Use of a cell-site simulator outside the scope of this bill is punishable by a fine and/or up to 10 years in prison.

What's happening now December 4, 2015

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Democratic 1
D
Welch, Peter
Vermont · Nov 2, 2015
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3871: Stingray Privacy Act of 2015. 114th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-3871/
MLA
"H.R. 3871: Stingray Privacy Act of 2015." 114th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-3871/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3871, 114th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-3871/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3871: Stingray Privacy Act of 2015](https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-3871/)
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