The Oregon Legislative Assembly unanimously passed House Bill 4045 A, known as “Kristil’s Law,” a measure designed to significantly shorten the time communications companies have to respond to search warrants in domestic violence and stalking investigations.
The bill passed the Senate with a unanimous vote on, March 2, 2026, and is now on the Governor’s desk awaiting a signature.
Key Provisions of Kristil’s Law
If signed into law, the bill will establish strict deadlines for providers to turn over data once a warrant is served:
- Social Media Platforms: Must respond to search warrants within 72 hours.
- Other Communications Providers: Must provide the requested information within five days.
- Warrant Requirements: Applicants must explicitly state in the warrant that these new expedited deadlines apply and that an immediate response is required.
The measure includes an emergency clause, making it effective immediately upon passage, though the new warrant requirements would not officially become operational until May 1, 2026, to allow companies time to prepare their systems.
Tragic Origins: The Case of Kristil Krug
The legislation is named in honor of Kristil Krug, who was murdered on December 14, 2023. Leading up to her death, Krug was stalked by an individual posing as an ex-boyfriend who sent distressing messages and photos suggesting she was being followed.
While authorities issued search warrants to communications providers to track the source of these messages, several companies did not respond until after Krug was killed. The data eventually provided by those warrants revealed that the “stalker” was actually Krug’s husband, who had been posing as the ex-boyfriend.
Legislative Context
Under current Oregon law (ORS 133.525 to 133.703), search warrants must be issued by judges and applied for by law enforcement or district attorneys. Proponents of HB 4045 A argued that the existing process lacks the urgency needed to protect victims in active stalking or domestic violence scenarios.
Legislators noted that the discrepancy between the 72-hour and five-day deadlines accounts for the different operational capacities of various communication service providers.
Legacy
Oregon is the first state to pass legislature of this kind. Rep. Mannix championed this bill during the 2026 legislative session and worked closely Krug’s family to ensure that law enforcement is able to quickly access information that could save lives. Mannix believes his bill can easily be passed by other legislatures:
“Time matters when someone is being stalked or abused, and Oregon’s passage of HB 4045, Kristil’s Law, recognizes that every day of delay can put lives at risk. Requiring communication companies to respond to search warrants within 5 business days turns what use to take weeks or months into action that can help prevent further harm – and even save lives. With unanimous support in both the House and the Senate, Oregon has created model legislation for other states to follow. Kristil’s Law is real homicide prevention.”
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