2015 -- S 0179

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LC000565

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE - AERIAL PRIVACY PROTECTION ACT

     Introduced By: Senators Kettle, Archambault, and Morgan

     Date Introduced: February 05, 2015

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 12 of the General Laws entitled "CRIMINAL PROCEDURE" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 5.3

AERIAL PRIVACY PROTECTION ACT

     12-5.3-1. Legislative findings. -- (a) The general assembly finds and declares the

following:

     (1) The right to privacy is fundamental in a free and civilized society;

     (2) Persons within the state of Rhode Island have a reasonable and justifiable expectation

of privacy and that they will not be monitored with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by law

enforcement agents of the state of Rhode Island without a warrant based on probable cause

having first issued;

     (3) The potential benefit to law enforcement and criminal justice from the use of UAVs

without a warrant first issuing is far outweighed by the degradation to the fundamental right to

privacy secured by the constitution of the United States and the constitution of the state of Rhode

Island that will result from law enforcement's use of UAVs without first obtaining a warrant;

     (4) The use of UAVs by law enforcement without first obtaining a warrant is repugnant

to a free society.

     12-5.3-2. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Restrictions. -- (a) A law enforcement agent of the

state of Rhode Island or its municipalities shall first obtain a warrant prior to utilizing a UAV for

any purpose whatsoever, including but not limited to, the monitoring, recording or otherwise

observing persons, places or things, and also including the interception of wire, electronic or oral

communications, within the airspace of the state of Rhode Island.

     (b) The failure of a law enforcement agent to obtain a warrant as specified herein shall

constitute an unreasonable and actionable violation and invasion of privacy.

     (c) Any information or evidence gathered by a UAV without a warrant, and any

information or evidence derived as a result of the use of a UAV without a warrant, is declared

inadmissible in any civil or criminal court of law in the state of Rhode Island.

     12-5.3-3. Definitions. -- As used in this chapter:

     (1) "Unmanned aerial vehicle" (UAV) means any aircraft without a human pilot on

board.

     (2) "Law enforcement agent of the state of Rhode Island or its municipalities" means any

officer, employee or agent of the state of Rhode Island, or any officer employee or agent of a

branch, department or agency of the state of Rhode Island or its municipalities, or any person or

entity acting under contract with the state of Rhode Island or its municipalities or any branch,

department or agency thereof, for the purpose of law enforcement.

     12-5.3-4. Issuance of warrant. -- A warrant shall be issued by a duly authorized state

magistrate or judge, or a federal magistrate or judge, using the procedures established by

applicable law. Any such warrant shall be based on probable cause established by oath or

affirmation, shall be obtained prior to the use of a UAV, and shall expire forty-eight (48) hours

after issuance.

     12-5.3-5. Construction and severability. -- (a) This section shall be construed broadly

to the effect the legislative intent of requiring a warrant prior to the use of UAVs within the state

of Rhode Island by law enforcement, and requiring a warrant in order for any information or

evidence obtained by a UAV, or as a result of the use of a UAV, to be admissible in a court of

law.

     (b) Severability: If any provision, portion or subdivision of this chapter is or becomes

illegal, such illegality shall not affect the remainder of this chapter.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE - AERIAL PRIVACY PROTECTION ACT

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     This act would prohibit law enforcement from using unmanned aerial vehicles without a

proper warrant.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC000565

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