HB2592: Trespass with an unmanned aircraft system; penalties.

Legislative Summary

Trespass with an unmanned aircraft system; penalties. Increases the penalty for knowingly and intentionally causing an unmanned aircraft system to (i) take off or land in violation of current Federal Aviation Administration Special Security Instructions or UAS Sensitive Airspace Restrictions, including the airspace over any state or local correctional facility or a juvenile correctional center or (ii) (a) drop any item within the boundaries of or (b) obtain any videographic or still image of any identifiable inmate or resident at any state or local correctional facility or juvenile correctional center from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class 6 felony. The bill creates a Class 4 felony for any person who knowingly and intentionally causes an unmanned aircraft system to enter the property of any public services or utilities or critical infrastructure, as defined in relevant law. The bill states that any person who does such action and subsequently obtains and shares any videographic or still image of such public services, utilities, or critical infrastructure with the intent to commit espionage is guilty of a Class 3 felony. The bill clarifies that such offenses shall not apply to any person who causes an unmanned aircraft system to enter any prohibited property if such person is an employee of the property and is conducting official business.