The bill amends sections 4561.01 and 4561.11 of the Revised Code and enacts new sections 4561.60 to 4561.64, establishing regulations for the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by law enforcement and expanding the definition of aviation facilities to include seaplane bases, heliports, vertiports, and spaceports. The amendments clarify the definitions of various aviation-related terms and require that all aviation facilities be approved by the Department of Transportation before commercial use. Additionally, the bill mandates that any person operating aircraft must hold a valid aviator's license issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The new sections specifically outline the conditions under which law enforcement agencies can utilize UAVs for surveillance, including the requirement to obtain a search warrant in certain situations. It prohibits the use of armed UAVs and establishes guidelines for the collection and retention of surveillance data. The bill also ensures that individuals have rights regarding the use of UAVs for surveillance, including the need for consent when surveilling private individuals. Overall, the legislation aims to balance law enforcement's use of technology with the protection of individual privacy rights.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 4561.01, 4561.11