Draft legislation would allow expanded drone use by police departments
By TIFFANY BROOKS
Senator Greg Ball, R-Patterson, has proposed a bill that would allow the use of unmanned aircraft systems for commercial and law enforcement use in New York state.
The bill would create "specific lawful uses" of drones such as in spaces designated as Federal Aviation Administration test sites and use in connection with warrant searches. The bill would also create two new crimes connected with drone use, the illegal use of drones to take images and the offense of the possession and distribution of the image. Ball notes that drone use would be heavily restricted with this legislation.
"This is an amazing piece of technology that will change the way we operate on a daily basis," said Ball. "While this technology presents vast benefits, we must ensure that we protect the public safety and privacy of our residents."
According to the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, the first three years of integration of drones would create 70,000 jobs in the U.S. with an economic impact of $13.6 billion.
http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2014-01-29-86574.113122-Draft-legislation-would-allow-expanded-drone-use-by-police-departments.html
