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HF561 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Law enforcement use of unmanned aerial vehicles to find missing persons, persons fleeing arrest, and incarcerated persons authorized.

Related bill: SF625

AI Generated Summary

This legislative bill allows law enforcement agencies in Minnesota to use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, for various purposes including:

  1. Searching for missing persons such as children or vulnerable adults during emergencies that pose a risk of death or bodily harm.
  2. Providing surveillance over public events where there's a significant risk to safety.
  3. Addressing terrorism threats based on credible intelligence.
  4. Assisting in natural or man-made disaster situations to save lives and aid in recovery efforts.
  5. Conducting threat assessments for specific events.
  6. Gathering information in public areas when there is a reasonable suspicion of criminal activity.
  7. Tracking persons who have fled from law enforcement or those escaping from correctional facilities.
  8. Investigating serious traffic collisions for crash reconstruction.
  9. Use in officer training or public relations activities.
  10. Employing drones for non-law enforcement activities as requested by other government entities, provided the request is formally documented.

This expansion of drone use aims to enhance public safety, improve law enforcement efficiency, and support emergency and disaster management.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 12, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toTransportation Finance and Policy
March 12, 2025HouseFloorActionMotion to recall and re-refer, motion prevailedPublic Safety Finance and Policy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Authorization for UAV use to find missing persons, those fleeing arrest, and escaped incarcerated persons."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill modifies the conditions under which law enforcement agencies may use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by amending section 626.19.",
      "modified": [
        "Broadens authorized UAV use in emergencies, public events, threat assessments, and post-crash reconstructions."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "626.19"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill references section 241.021 regarding escaped incarcerated persons.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "241.021"
  }
]

Sponsors