House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session

Posted:	December 13, 2013 10:23 AM
From:	Representative Gordon Denlinger
To:	All House members
Subject:	Prohibit the Use of Drones by Government Agencies Engaged in Law Enforecement Activities

I will be introducing legislation that would amend Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by creating a new section that would prohibit the use of drones by government agencies engaged in law enforcement activities. This legislation would make it a misdemeanor for a government official to use a drone except for certain delineated exceptions, such as where that use has previously been approved by a court, in connection with an Amber Alert, in connection with a state emergency operation, for a search and rescue operation, to prevent imminent threat of death or grave injury, or as authorized under federal law. The bill also requires annual reporting by government agencies on their use of drone technology. The purpose of my legislation is to protect Pennsylvanians from invasions of privacy by law enforcement officials. Unmanned aircraft, or what are more commonly referred to as “drones,” are currently being used by hundreds of police and other government agencies throughout the United States. As this technology spreads, it will inevitably be used here as well. I believe we should enact reasonably limits on its use before an abuse occurs. This legislation ensures that drones cannot be misused in Pennsylvania by law enforcement.
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Introduced as HB2158