The bill amends section 4561.50 of the Revised Code and enacts a new section, 4561.54, to prohibit the operation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, over schools in Ohio. The definition of "school" is expanded to include various types of educational institutions, such as city and local school districts, community schools, and chartered nonpublic schools. The bill specifies that no person shall knowingly operate a UAV over a school, with certain exceptions, including individuals acting under government contracts, those using UAVs for legitimate commercial purposes with proper FAA authorizations, and individuals who have obtained prior written consent from school authorities.

Additionally, the bill outlines the enforcement measures for violations, allowing school officials to temporarily seize UAVs observed over schools and provide them to law enforcement as evidence. It also includes provisions for dismissing charges against individuals under seventeen years of age if they did not intend to cause harm or damage, along with a requirement for educational programs on UAV safety. Violators face penalties ranging from a minor misdemeanor for first offenses to a fourth-degree misdemeanor for subsequent offenses. The existing section 4561.50 is repealed as part of this legislative update.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 4561.50