Bill > HR3598

This bill establishes a pilot program for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to explore the use of small, nonlethal unmanned aircraft (drones) by law enforcement during active shooter events. The program will review and validate nonlethal weapons that can be attached to drones, develop training and safety protocols, and assess the effectiveness of these drones in indoor active shooter situations. The bill specifically defines an "active shooter event" as a scenario where an individual is actively killing or attempting to kill people using explosives or weapons, and where responding poses significant risk to human life. The drones would be limited to nonlethal equipment like sound distraction devices, cameras, sensors, speakers, and strobe lights, with a strict prohibition on lethal weapons. The FAA must collaborate with law enforcement agencies, solicit input from stakeholders, and submit a report to Congress within 3 months of the pilot program's conclusion. Additionally, the bill requires that these drones be manufactured in the United States and mandates that the FAA initiate a rulemaking process to create approval mechanisms for law enforcement drone use and manufacturer testing. The goal is to provide law enforcement with a tool that can help de-escalate dangerous situations while minimizing risks to human life.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3598/all-info