Rep. Howrylak’s Fourth Amendment Protection Act signed into law

State Rep. Martin Howrylak’s legislation safeguarding the Fourth Amendment rights of Michigan residents was signed into law today by Gov. Rick Snyder.

Under House Bill 4430, now Public Act 71 of 2018, state and local governments are prohibited from assisting or providing support to the federal government in the collection of data unless there is a search warrant or the approval of the targeted party.

“This reform safeguards the fundamental rights of all Michigan residents, who are guaranteed protection of their property and privacy rights by the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution,” said Rep. Howrylak, of Troy.

In January, Congress voted to extend the federal government’s warrantless surveillance program, an action Howrylak said illustrates the need for Michigan to take a stand.

“This new law guarantees no state resources will be used to help the federal government execute mass warrantless surveillance programs that violate the Fourth Amendment protections enshrined in the U.S. Constitution,” Rep. Howrylak said. “Michigan will not assist the federal government with any data collection unless it is consistent with the constitution.”