New Jersey Passes Law Requiring Out-of-State Agencies to Report Surveillance Activities in the State
Not the feds, natch
When the NYPD was revealed to be running a surveillance operation targeting Muslims not just in New York City but across the river in New Jersey as well, politicians said they were infuriated but eventually, however, the state determined no laws were broken. New Jersey lawmakers have now tried to respond to that.
Gov. Chris Christie today signed legislation requiring out-of-state law enforcement agencies to notify New Jersey authorities before conducting counter-terrorism operations within its borders.
The bill (A2948), which was passed by the Legislature in response to the New York Police Department's surveillance of Muslims in the Garden State, requires out-of-state agencies to notify the local county prosecutor 24 hours before conducting surveillance.
The law does not appear to forbid out-of-state agencies from performing surveillance, and those agencies still do not need state permission to conduct surveillance. Rather, they are required to report their activities in advance, and can face a court injunction if they don't. Naturally the law doesn't cover federal agencies that are spying on New Jerseyan. You can read the whole bill here.
Follow this story and more at Reason 24/7 and don't forget you can e-mail stories to us at 24_7@reason.com and tweet us at @reason247.