Bill Text: NH HB240 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Prohibiting law enforcement agencies from using a drone to collect evidence.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 8-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-07-27 - Died on Table [HB240 Detail]

Download: New_Hampshire-2016-HB240-Introduced.html

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HB 240 - AS INTRODUCED

 

2015 SESSION

15-0129

04/05

 

HOUSE BILL 240

 

AN ACT prohibiting law enforcement agencies from using a drone to collect evidence.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Duarte, Rock 2; Rep. Spillane, Rock 2; Rep. Tamburello, Rock 5; Rep. Pitre, Straf 2; Rep. Hill, Merr 3; Rep. Rappaport, Coos 1; Rep. McLean, Hills 15; Rep. Lachance, Hills 8

 

COMMITTEE: Criminal Justice and Public Safety

 

 

ANALYSIS

 

This bill prohibits the use of drones to obtain evidence unless authorized in certain circumstances.

 

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

 

15-0129

04/05

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Fifteen

 

AN ACT prohibiting law enforcement agencies from using a drone to collect evidence.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

1  New Chapter; Use of Drones.  Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 644 the following new chapter:

CHAPTER 644-A

Use of Drones

644-A:1  Definitions.  In this chapter:

I.  “Drone” means a powered, aerial vehicle that:

(a)  Does not carry a human operator;

(b)  Uses aerodynamic forces to provide vehicle lift;

(c)  Can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely;

(d)  Can be expendable or recoverable; and

(e)  Can carry a lethal or nonlethal payload.

II.  “Law enforcement agency” means a lawfully established state, county, or municipal agency that is responsible for the prevention and detection of crime, local government code enforcement, and the enforcement of criminal laws.

644-A:2  Use of Drone.  Except as provided in this chapter, no law enforcement agency shall use a drone for the purpose of obtaining evidence.  No evidence obtained in violation of this chapter shall be admissible in a criminal prosecution in any court in this state.

644-A:3  Exceptions.  Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the use of a drone:

I.  To counter a high risk of a terrorist attack by a specific individual or organization if the United States Secretary of Homeland Security determines that credible intelligence indicates that there is such a risk.

II.  If the law enforcement agency first obtains a search warrant signed by a judge authorizing the use of a drone.

III.  If the law enforcement agency possesses reasonable suspicion that, under particular circumstances, swift action is needed to prevent imminent danger to life or serious damage to property, to forestall the imminent escape of a suspect or the destruction of evidence, or to achieve purposes including, but not limited to, facilitating the search for a missing person.

644-A:4  Civil Action.  A party aggrieved by the unauthorized use of a drone may initiate a civil action against a law enforcement agency to obtain all appropriate relief in order to prevent or remedy a violation of this chapter.

2  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect January 1, 2016.