Bill > A4073

This bill establishes rules for how law enforcement agencies and fire departments can use drones, which are defined as "unmanned aerial vehicles" (UAVs) that can fly autonomously or be remotely piloted. For law enforcement, using a drone for surveillance or evidence gathering generally requires a search warrant, probable cause with exigent circumstances (meaning it's unreasonable to get a warrant), or the written consent of the person or property owner. However, drones can be used without these restrictions for search and rescue missions, such as locating missing persons or children, or by the State Office of Emergency Management to assess emergencies. Fire departments, including forest firefighters, can use drones to survey and monitor fires, and county or municipal emergency management coordinators can use them to assess the extent of emergencies. The bill also mandates that any unrelated recorded communications from drone use must be discarded within 14 days, and such information must be kept confidential unless shared with courts or other law enforcement agencies for investigations. Evidence gathered in violation of these rules cannot be used in legal proceedings. Furthermore, all agencies using drones must maintain records, conduct annual inspections, and are prohibited from equipping drones with "anti-personnel devices," which are defined as weapons or projectiles designed to harm people.