as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/01/2024 09:40am
A bill for an act
relating to public safety; authorizing use of unmanned aerial vehicles for risk of
fleeing suspect or actual fleeing suspect; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022,
section 626.19, subdivision 3.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 626.19, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
A law enforcement agency may use a UAV:
(1) during or in the aftermath of an emergency situation that involves the risk of death
or bodily harm to a person;
(2) over a public event where there is a heightened risk to the safety of participants or
bystanders;
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(3) in risk of, or for purposes of, the lawful pursuit of a fleeing suspect;
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deleted text begin (3)deleted text end new text begin (4)new text end to counter the risk of a terrorist attack by a specific individual or organization if
the agency determines that credible intelligence indicates a risk;
deleted text begin (4)deleted text end new text begin (5)new text end to prevent the loss of life and property in natural or man-made disasters and to
facilitate operational planning, rescue, and recovery operations in the aftermath of these
disasters;
deleted text begin (5)deleted text end new text begin (6)new text end to conduct a threat assessment in anticipation of a specific event;
deleted text begin (6)deleted text end new text begin (7)new text end to collect information from a public area if there is reasonable suspicion of criminal
activity;
deleted text begin (7)deleted text end new text begin (8)new text end to collect information for crash reconstruction purposes after a serious or deadly
collision occurring on a public road;
deleted text begin (8)deleted text end new text begin (9)new text end over a public area for officer training or public relations purposes; and
deleted text begin (9)deleted text end new text begin (10)new text end for purposes unrelated to law enforcement at the request of a government entity
provided that the government entity makes the request in writing to the law enforcement
agency and specifies the reason for the request and proposed period of use.