[Adopted 2-3-2015 by L.L. No. 8-2015]
This Legislature hereby finds and determines that global positioning systems ("GPS") are commonly used for mapping, directional and tracking purposes all over the world. This Legislature also finds that while GPS devices have many legitimate and useful purposes, some people use these devices to improperly invade the privacy rights of others, or worse, utilize them in furtherance of criminal activity. This Legislature further determines that the courts have found that persons operating a motor vehicle have a legitimate right to privacy and, therefore, law enforcement agencies must obtain a warrant before placing a GPS device on a motor vehicle. This Legislature further finds that other states have enacted legislation that restricts the use of GPS devices for tracking purposes and the State of New York recently enacted a law making it a misdemeanor to use a GPS device to stalk a person. This Legislature also finds that it is appropriate to enact local legislation to restrict the use of GPS devices in order to protect the privacy rights and safety of Suffolk County residents. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to prohibit any person or entity from placing a GPS tracking device on a motor vehicle without the knowledge and consent of the motor vehicle's owner.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ELECTRONIC TRACKING DEVICE
Any electronic device which permits the tracking of the movement of a person or thing by means of a global positioning system or by any other means.
OWNER
The titled owner(s) of a motor vehicle. In the case of a leased vehicle, this term shall mean the person or entity authorized by the title owner to register the vehicle with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. This term shall not include a motor vehicle's lienholder.
PERSON
Any natural person, corporation, unincorporated association, proprietorship, firm, partnership, joint venture, joint-stock association, or other entity or business or any kind.
No person shall install or place an electronic tracking device in or on a motor vehicle within the County of Suffolk without the knowledge and consent of all owners of the motor vehicle or track the location of a motor vehicle with an electronic device tracking device within the County of Suffolk without the knowledge and consent of all owners of the motor vehicle.
This article shall not apply to any member of a law enforcement agency acting within the scope of his or her employment.
Violations of this article shall constitute an unclassified misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine of $1,000.
This article shall apply to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this article.
This article shall take effect on the 60th day immediately subsequent to filing in the Office of the Secretary of State.