Florida Legislature passes bill cracking down on hidden trackers

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida lawmakers gave final approval to legislation on Tuesday targeting those who try to secretly track others.

The proposed law would target individuals who uses devices such as Apple AirTags, which allows someone to view on a smartphone or other device the exact location of the gadget attached to another person’s property.

The proposal equips law enforcement with more authority to investigate such actions by letting them get into the suspected tracker’s devices, by hiking the penalty from a misdemeanor to a felony.

“Law enforcement generally needs a warrant to do so this provides that opportunity,” Martin previously said. “You really can’t get those with misdemeanors.”

The Florida House of Representatives approved the bill Tuesday 113-0. The legislation passed the Senate in February 37-0.

Sen. Jonathan Martin, R-Fort Myers, is the bill sponsor in the Senate. Rep. Toby Overdorf, R-Palm City, filed the House version.

“With the ease of being able to track individuals now, this bill adds language to not just deal with installation of a tracking device, but also placing a tracking device, which encompasses air tags and other small devices that don’t require installation,” Martin said.

If Gov. Ron DeSantis signs the bill, it would take effect Oct. 1.