ASSEMBLY JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5155

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JUNE 1, 2026

      The Assembly Judiciary Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 5155.

      This bill amends the New Jersey Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Control Act to require expedited response for communications providers served with search warrants for documents, records, or other information from the communications provider in investigations involving domestic violence or stalking.

      Under the bill, “communications provider” is defined as Internet service providers, cellular telephone service providers, voice over Internet protocol service providers, social media platforms, electronic communication service providers, digital communications companies, and other entities that provide telecommunications or electronic communications services in this State.

      The bill applies to search warrants seeking documents, records, or other information from a communications provider when the warrant pertains to an investigation involving domestic violence, stalking, or violations of court orders related to domestic violence or stalking.

      The bill requires an applicant seeking such a warrant to specify in the application that the warrant is subject to the bill’s provisions.  The proposed warrant is required to include the words “Immediate Response Required” in both the title and body of the warrant, state that the warrant is subject to the bill’s provisions, and direct the communications provider to produce the requested information within the timeframe established under the bill.

      Under the bill, a social media platform is required to respond to the warrant within 72 hours of proper service, while all other communications providers are required to respond within five business days of proper service.

      The bill is modeled after Oregon House Bill 4045, also known as “Kristil’s Law,” which was enacted in honor of Kristil Krug, a Colorado woman who endured months of stalking, harassment, and digital impersonation before being murdered by her husband.  The Oregon law established expedited response timelines for communications providers served with search warrants in investigations involving domestic violence and stalking offenses.