§ 11-69-1. Electronic tracking of motor vehicles.
(a)(1) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, it is an offense for a person
to knowingly install, conceal, or otherwise place or use an electronic tracking device
in or on a motor vehicle without the consent of the operator and all occupants of
the vehicle for the purpose of monitoring or following the operator, occupant, or
occupants of the vehicle.
(2) Definitions. As used in this section:
(i) The term "dealerâ€� has the same meaning as set forth in § 31-5-5 and includes, for purposes of this section, an assignee of the dealer;
(ii) The term "person� does not include the manufacturer of the motor vehicle, provider
of telematics equipment and services, or entities that rent motor vehicles; and
(iii) The term "starter interrupt technology� means technology used to remotely disable
the starter of a motor vehicle.
(b)(1) It shall not be a violation if the installation, concealment, placement, or use of
an electronic tracking device in or on a motor vehicle is by, or at the direction
of, a law enforcement officer in furtherance of a criminal investigation and is carried
out in accordance with the applicable state and federal law.
(2) If the installation, concealment, placement, or use of an electronic tracking device
in or on a motor vehicle is by, or at the direction of, a parent or legal guardian
who owns or leases the vehicle, and if the device is used solely for the purpose of
monitoring the minor child of the parent or legal guardian when the child is an occupant
of the vehicle, then the installation, concealment, placement, or use of the device
in or on the vehicle without the consent of any or all occupants in the vehicle shall
not be a violation, unless the person utilizing the tracking device has an active
restraining order or no contact order against them for the protection of any vehicle
occupant.
(3) It shall not be a violation of this section if an electronic tracking device is attached
to stolen goods for the purpose of tracking the location of the stolen goods, whether
or not they may be transported in a vehicle, or if installed, concealed, placed, or
used in or on a vehicle as a vehicle theft recovery device.
(4) It shall not be a violation of this section if an electronic tracking device, including
but not limited to devices also containing technology used to remotely disable the
starter of a motor vehicle, is installed and/or used by a motor vehicle dealer in
connection with the credit sale, loan, or lease of a motor vehicle with the express
written consent of the vehicle's purchaser, lessor, or lessee.
(5) It shall not be a violation of this section if an electronic tracking device is installed
and/or used by a business that is authorized to transact business in this state and
the tracking device is used by the business for the purpose of tracking vehicles that
are owned or leased by the business and driven by employees of that business, its
affiliates, or contractors of that business or its affiliates.
(c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a tracking system installed by the
manufacturer of a motor vehicle, a provider of telematics equipment and services,
or installed and/or used by an entity renting out vehicles, or installed or provided
by an insurance company with the vehicle owner's or vehicle lessee's permission to
monitor driving habits for insurance rating purposes.
(d) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison,
or up to a one thousand dollar ($1,000) fine, or both.