S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
1670
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 12, 2017
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Introduced by M. of A. ZEBROWSKI, GOTTFRIED, JAFFEE, TITONE, SIMOTAS,
STECK, STIRPE, DINOWITZ, MOSLEY, MONTESANO, McDONOUGH, GUNTHER,
CROUCH, COLTON, PEOPLES-STOKES, GALEF -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of
A. ABBATE, BRAUNSTEIN, COOK, DenDEKKER, GLICK, HIKIND -- read once and
referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to unlawful use of a drone
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 240.00 of the penal law is amended by adding three
new subdivisions 7, 8 and 9 to read as follows:
7. "DRONE" MEANS AN UNMANNED AIRCRAFT WHICH IS OPERATED REMOTELY WITH-
OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF DIRECT HUMAN INTERVENTION FROM WITHIN OR ON THE
AIRCRAFT.
8. "RESTRICTED AIRSPACE" MEANS ANY AIRSPACE OVER THE PROPERTY OF A
CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AS DEFINED IN SECTION FORTY OF THE CORRECTION LAW
OR AIRSPACE WITHIN FIVE MILES OF AN AIRPORT.
9. "PERSONAL USE" MEANS THE OPERATION OF A DRONE SOLELY FOR THE
PURPOSE OF PLEASURE OR RECREATION.
§ 2. The penal law is amended by adding a new section 240.80 to read
as follows:
§ 240.80 UNLAWFUL USE OF A DRONE.
A PERSON IS GUILTY OF UNLAWFUL USE OF A DRONE WHEN DURING THE PERSONAL
USE OF SUCH DRONE, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY FEDERAL LAW, HE OR
SHE KNOWINGLY OPERATES A DRONE:
1. MORE THAN FOUR HUNDRED FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL; OR
2. WEIGHING MORE THAN TEN POUNDS; OR
3. WITHOUT A VISUAL LINE OF SIGHT OF SUCH AIRCRAFT; OR
4. WITHIN A RESTRICTED AIRSPACE; OR
5. IN A RECKLESS MANNER WHEREIN SUCH OPERATION CREATES A RISK OF HARM
TO THE PUBLIC; OR
6. WITH THE INTENT TO HARASS OR ANNOY AN INDIVIDUAL OR INDIVIDUALS; OR
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00380-01-7
A. 1670 2
7. BELOW ONE HUNDRED FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL ON PRIVATE PROPERTY WITH-
OUT THE OWNER'S CONSENT.
UNLAWFUL USE OF A DRONE IS A VIOLATION.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeed-
ing the date upon which it shall have become a law.