Bill > H3429

This bill amends Chapter 90 of the General Laws to add a new section regulating the use of unmanned aerial systems (UASs) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The key provisions of the bill include: 1) prohibiting municipalities from enacting their own ordinances regulating UASs and UAVs, except as authorized by federal or state law; 2) prohibiting the operation of UASs/UAVs in violation of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and regulations, with penalties for violations; 3) prohibiting the use of armed UASs/UAVs, with exceptions for public safety personnel; 4) prohibiting the operation of UASs/UAVs in a manner that interferes with manned aircraft or first responders, with penalties for violations; 5) prohibiting the use of UASs/UAVs for surveillance of individuals or private property without consent, with exceptions for law enforcement with a warrant or in emergency situations; and 6) requiring law enforcement to destroy any images, footage, or data collected from UASs/UAVs within 120 days, unless it contains evidence of a crime or is relevant to an ongoing investigation or judicial proceeding.