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SF 1740

3rd Engrossment - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 05/16/2014 02:41pm

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.
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A bill for an act
relating to telecommunications; consumer protection; requiring antitheft
functionality for smart phones to deter theft; establishing requirements for
acquisition and resale of wireless communications devices; proposing coding for
new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 325E; 325F.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

ARTICLE 1

SMART PHONE ANTITHEFT PROTECTION

Section 1.

new text begin [325F.698] SMART PHONE ANTITHEFT PROTECTION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms
have the meanings given them.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Smart phone" means a cellular phone or other mobile device that: (1) is built on
a smart phone mobile operating system; (2) possesses advanced computing capability; (3)
enables network connectivity; and (4) is capable of operating on a long-term evolution
network and successor wireless data network communication standards. Capabilities a
smart phone may possess include, but are not limited to, built-in applications, Internet
access, digital voice service, text messaging, e-mail, and Web browsing. Smart phone
does not include a phone commonly referred to as a feature or messaging phone, a laptop
computer, a tablet device, or a device that has only electronic reading capability.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Antitheft functionality required. new text end

new text begin Any new smart phone manufactured on
or after July 1, 2015, sold or purchased in Minnesota must be equipped with preloaded
antitheft functionality or be capable of downloading that functionality. The functionality
must be available to purchasers at no cost.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2015.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin REPORT ON SMART PHONE ANTITHEFT FUNCTIONALITY.
new text end

new text begin Wireless telecommunications equipment manufacturers, operating systems
providers, and wireless telecommunications service providers must either individually
or jointly, by January 15, 2015, submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over telecommunication
issues. The report must describe the principle functions of a baseline antitheft tool that
manufacturers and operating system providers will utilize on new models of smart phones
in order to comply with section 1, and must describe the technology or functions included
to ensure the baseline antitheft tool is easily operable by individuals with disabilities.
new text end

ARTICLE 2

RESALE OF CELLPHONES

Section 1.

new text begin [325E.319] WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES;
ACQUISITION FOR RESALE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms
have the meanings given them.
new text end

new text begin (b) "CMRS provider" means a provider of commercial radio service, as defined in
United States Code, title 47, section 332, and includes its authorized dealers.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Internet marketplace" or "online platform" means a digitally accessible platform
that facilitates commercial transactions between buyers and community-rated sellers where
the operator or the platform does not take possession of, or title to, the goods bought or sold.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Law enforcement agency" or "agency" means a duly authorized municipal,
county, campus, transit, park, state, or federal law enforcement agency.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Repair and refurbishment program" means a program, offered by a CMRS
provider, manufacturer, or retailer who is not primarily engaged in purchasing personal
property of any type from a person who is not a wholesaler, through which used or
previously owned wireless communications devices are restored to good working order.
new text end

new text begin (f) "Trade-in program" means a program offered by a CMRS provider, manufacturer,
or retailer who is not primarily engaged in purchasing personal property of any type
from a person who is not a wholesaler, pursuant to which used wireless communications
devices are accepted from customers in exchange for either (1) a noncash credit usable
only for the purchase of goods or services from the CMRS provider, manufacturer, or
retailer, or (2) a rebate from a manufacturer on the purchase of one of the manufacturer's
wireless communications devices.
new text end

new text begin (g) "Wireless communications device dealer" or "dealer" means an individual,
partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, corporation, or other entity
engaged in the business of buying or selling used wireless communications devices.
new text end

new text begin (h) "Wireless communications device" has the meaning given in section 169.011,
subdivision 94.
new text end

new text begin (i) "Wireless communications device manufacturer" or "manufacturer" means an
individual, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, corporation, or
other entity engaged in the business of manufacturing wireless communications devices.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Purchase or acquisition record required. new text end

new text begin (a) Every wireless
communications device dealer, including an agent, employee, or representative of the
dealer, but not an internet marketplace, shall keep a written record at the time of each
purchase or acquisition of a used wireless communications device for resale. The record
must include the following and may be kept in electronic form:
new text end

new text begin (1) an accurate account or description of the wireless communications device
purchased or acquired;
new text end

new text begin (2) the date, time, and place or the online platform the wireless communications
device was purchased or acquired;
new text end

new text begin (3) the name and address of the person selling or delivering the wireless
communications device;
new text end

new text begin (4) the number of the check or electronic transfer used to purchase the wireless
communications device;
new text end

new text begin (5) the number of the seller's driver's license, Minnesota identification card number,
or other identification number from an identification document issued by any state,
federal, or foreign government if the document includes the person's photograph, full
name, birth date, and signature; and
new text end

new text begin (6) a statement signed by the seller, under penalty of perjury as provided in section
609.48, attesting that the wireless communications device is not stolen and is free of any
liens or encumbrances and the seller has the right to sell it.
new text end

new text begin (b) Records required to be maintained under this subdivision shall be retained by the
wireless communications device dealer for a period of three years.
new text end

new text begin (c) The record, as well as the wireless communications device purchased or received,
shall at all reasonable times be available for inspection by any law enforcement agency.
new text end

new text begin (d) No record is required for wireless communications devices purchased from
merchants, manufacturers, or wholesale dealers having an established place of business,
but a bill of sale or other evidence of open or legitimate purchase of the wireless
communications device shall be obtained and kept by the wireless communications device
dealer, which must be shown upon demand to any law enforcement agency.
new text end

new text begin (e) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a wireless communications device
dealer or the dealer's agent, employee, or representative may not disclose personal
information received pursuant to paragraph (a) concerning a customer without the
customer's consent unless the disclosure is made in response to a request from a law
enforcement agency. A wireless communications device dealer must implement
reasonable safeguards to protect the security of the personal information and prevent
unauthorized access to or disclosure of the information. For purposes of this paragraph,
"personal information" is any individually identifiable information gathered in connection
with a record under paragraph (a).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Records; prohibitions. new text end

new text begin A wireless communications device dealer,
including an agent, employee, or representative of the dealer, shall not:
new text end

new text begin (1) make any false entry in the records of transactions involving a used wireless
communications device;
new text end

new text begin (2) falsify, obliterate, destroy, or remove from the place of business the records,
books, or accounts relating to used wireless communications device transactions;
new text end

new text begin (3) refuse to allow the appropriate law enforcement agency to inspect records or
any used wireless communications device in the dealer's possession during the ordinary
hours of business or other times acceptable to both parties;
new text end

new text begin (4) fail to maintain a record of each used wireless communications device transaction
for three years; or
new text end

new text begin (5) purchase a used wireless communications device from a person under the age of
18 years.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Payment for used wireless communications devices. new text end

new text begin A wireless
communications device dealer shall pay for purchases of all used wireless communications
devices by check mailed to a specific address or by electronic transfer.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Investigative holds; confiscation of property. new text end

new text begin (a) Whenever a law
enforcement official from any agency has probable cause to believe that a wireless
communications device in the possession of a wireless communications device dealer is
stolen or is evidence of a crime and notifies the dealer not to sell the item, the dealer shall
not (1) process or sell the item, or (2) remove or allow its removal from the premises.
This investigative hold must be confirmed in writing by the originating agency within 72
hours and will remain in effect for 30 days from the date of initial notification, until
the investigative hold is canceled or renewed, or until a law enforcement notification to
confiscate or directive to release is issued, whichever comes first.
new text end

new text begin (b) If a wireless communications device is identified as stolen or as evidence in a
criminal case, a law enforcement official may:
new text end

new text begin (1) physically confiscate and remove the wireless communications device from the
wireless communications device dealer, pursuant to a written notification;
new text end

new text begin (2) place the wireless communications device on hold or extend the hold under
paragraph (a), and leave the device at the premises; or
new text end

new text begin (3) direct its release to a registered owner or owner's agent.
new text end

new text begin (c) When an item is confiscated, the law enforcement agency doing so shall provide
identification upon request of the wireless communications device dealer, and shall
provide the name and telephone number of the confiscating agency and investigator, and
the case number related to the confiscation.
new text end

new text begin (d) A wireless communications device dealer may request seized property be
returned in accordance with section 626.04.
new text end

new text begin (e) When an investigative hold or notification to confiscate is no longer necessary,
the law enforcement official or designee shall notify the wireless communications device
dealer.
new text end

new text begin (f) A wireless communications device dealer may sell or otherwise dispose of the
wireless communications device if:
new text end

new text begin (1) a notification to confiscate is not issued during the investigative hold; or
new text end

new text begin (2) a law enforcement official does not physically remove the wireless
communications device from the premises within 15 calendar days from issuance of a
notification to confiscate.
new text end

new text begin (g) If a wireless communications device dealer is required to hold the wireless
communications device at the direction of law enforcement for purposes of investigation
or prosecution, or if the device is seized by law enforcement, the wireless communications
device dealer and any other victim is entitled to seek restitution, including any
out-of-pocket expenses for storage and lost profit, in any criminal case that may arise from
the investigation against the individual who sold the wireless communications device to
the wireless communications device dealer.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Video security cameras required. new text end

new text begin (a) Each wireless communications
device dealer shall install and maintain at each physical location video surveillance
cameras, still digital cameras, or similar devices positioned to record or photograph a
frontal view showing a readily identifiable image of the face of each seller of a wireless
communications device who enters the physical location.
new text end

new text begin (b) The video camera or still digital camera must be kept in operating condition and
must be shown upon request to a properly identified law enforcement officer for inspection.
The camera must record and display the accurate date and time. The video camera or still
digital camera must be turned on at all times when the physical location is open for business
and at any other time when wireless communications devices are purchased or sold.
new text end

new text begin (c) Recordings and images required by paragraph (a) shall be retained by the wireless
communications device dealer for a minimum period of 30 days and shall at all reasonable
times be open to the inspection of any properly identified law enforcement officer.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Criminal penalty. new text end

new text begin A wireless communications device dealer, or the
agent, employee, or representative of the wireless communications device dealer, who
intentionally violates a provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin (a) This section does not apply with respect to a wireless
communications device returned to the store where it was originally purchased pursuant
to the return policies of the wireless communications device dealer, CMRS provider,
manufacturer, or retailer.
new text end

new text begin (b) This section does not apply with respect to wireless communications devices
acquired by a: (1) CMRS provider as part of a trade-in or a repair and refurbishment
program; (2) manufacturer as part of a trade-in program; or (3) retailer whose trade-in
program: (i) reports records to the Minnesota Automated Property System in an
interchange file specification format maintained by the system; (ii) reports to other national
or regional transaction reporting database available to law enforcement; or (iii) reports
as required by local ordinance.
new text end

new text begin (c) This section does not apply to wireless communications device dealers regulated
under chapter 325J.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2014.
new text end