Warrant for Metadata Act

Summary

Requires law enforcement to obtain a judicial warrant to get electronic communications metadata or contents that previously could be obtained without a warrant under the old 180‑day rule and related exceptions. The change amends 18 U.S.C. § 2703, removes language allowing certain non‑warrant disclosures, and preserves compelled disclosures that already occurred before the law takes effect while treating later or expanded requests as new and subject to the warrant rule.

• Requires a judicial warrant to obtain electronic communications metadata and contents previously obtainable under the old 180‑day rule.
• Amends 18 U.S.C. § 2703 by removing language that allowed certain non‑warrant disclosures.
• Eliminates the storage‑duration (180‑day) distinction as a basis for different legal standards.
• Preserves compelled disclosures that occurred before enactment (not retroactive to past disclosures).
• Treats any subsequent or expanded disclosure requests after enactment as new and subject to the warrant requirement.
• Shifts the burden on law enforcement to seek warrants more often for electronic records formerly obtainable through lesser process.
• Likely increases judicial involvement and could raise operational or procedural impacts for providers and investigators.
• Does not provide new funding or create other new investigatory authorities; it modifies the statutory disclosure standard.