NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A7208
SPONSOR: Chandler-Waterman TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the civil rights law, in relation to imposing limita-
tions on the use of drones within the state
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL::
An act to amend the civil rights law/ in relation to imposing limita-
tions on the use of drones within the state
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS::;
(1) IF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY FIRST OBTAINS A VALID SEARCH WARRANT
THAT AUTHORIZES THE USE OF A DRONE AND THE USE OF THE DRONE IS USED ONLY
TO OBTAIN EVIDENCE ON THE PERSON NAMED IN THE WARRANT; AND
(2) THAT IS ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF ARTICLE TWO HUNDRED
TWENTY OF THE PENAL LAW.
(3) TO PATROL NATIONAL BORDERS TO PREVENT OR DETER ILLEGAL ENTRY OF ANY
PERSONS OR ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES; OR
(4) TO COUNTER A HIGH RISK OF A TERRORIST ATTACK BY A SPECIFIC INDIVID-
UAL OR ORGANIZATION BASED ON CREDIBLE INTELLIGENCE DETERMINED BY THE
COMMISSIONER OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY SERVICES; OR. BY A
PERSON FOR LAWFUL PURPOSE:S, INCLUDING RECREATIONAL OR HOBBY
JUSTIFICATION::
This bill seeks to impose limitations on the use of drones in order to
protect the privacy rights of New York State Residents. impose limita-
tions on the use of drones in order to protect the privacy rights of New
York State residents.. Law enforcement agencies in New York State
recently announced that they would consider evaluating the use of drones
as a surveillance tool. For police departments, drones are more afforda-
ble than helicopters. The potential increased use of drones by law
enforcement, state, county, and municipal agencies have prompted local
and state Lawmakers to outline how drones can be used by these entities
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::
2024-2025: A6467 Referred to government operations
2019-2020: A280
2015-2016: A1247, 5411
2013-2014: A6370, 54537
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS::
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE::
This act shall take effect immediately
