The bill, known as the Drone Regulation Over Alabama Prisons Act, aims to regulate the use of unmanned aircraft systems (drones) over and around correctional facilities in Alabama. It introduces new legal provisions that make it unlawful for a person to operate a drone within a horizontal distance of 500 feet or a vertical distance of 200 feet from a correctional facility, or to use a drone to conduct surveillance or record images of such facilities. Exceptions are provided for the Alabama Department of Corrections, authorized federal operators, the Armed Forces, the Alabama National Guard, and certain other entities with written permission from the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections. Violations of these provisions are classified as Class C felonies, with mandatory minimum fines and imprisonment terms.

The bill also addresses the introduction of contraband into correctional facilities via drones, making it a Class C felony to use a drone to introduce or attempt to introduce contraband. Additionally, it allows for the confiscation and civil forfeiture of drones and any attached property, weapons, or contraband used in violation of the act. The Department of Corrections is tasked with adopting regulations to implement the act, which is set to become effective on June 1, 2024. The bill includes an insertion marking the date it passed the Senate, which is April 30, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Enrolled: 13A-7-90