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Key: (1) language to be deleted (2) new language

CHAPTER 241--S.F.No. 1740

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

Presented to the governor May 12, 2014

Signed by the governor May 14, 2014, 10:07 a.m.

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes