Illinois Lawmaker Introduces Bill To Regulate Drones

By Samantha Abernethy in News on Feb 25, 2013 11:20PM

Credit: Adam Berry/Getty Images

State Sen. Daniel Biss (D-Skokie) introduced a bill that would require law enforcement to obtain a search warrant before using drones to gather information, while forbidding law enforcement agencies from owning drones equipped with weapons, lethal or nonlethal.

The Freedom from Drone Surveillance Act would require law enforcement agencies to use drones only if Homeland Security says it would "counter a high risk of a terrorist attack," or if the judge authorizes the use of a drone by providing a warrant.

The Tribune writes:

With the possibility of drones becoming the latest aircraft traversing the skies, Biss said this is "the exact moment states should be looking into" unmanned aircraft legislation.

"We're heading into a world where technology surveillance is unreal," the Evanston lawmaker said.

The measure would also require information collected by drone be deleted if it is not part of the relevant investigation.