Alabama House Bill HB527

Alabama 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/29/22
• Refer: 3/29/22

Caption

Crimes and offenses, criminal surveillance, crime further provided to include operation of unmanned aircraft system in manner to invade reasonable expectation of privacy, possession of unmanned aircraft system, certain persons prohibited from possession or operation under certain conditions, Secs. 13A-11-30, 13A-11-32 am'd.

Impact

The enactment of HB527 will amend Alabama's existing laws relating to privacy and surveillance. By outlining clear definitions for terms like 'criminal surveillance' and 'unmanned aircraft systems', the bill enhances legal protections against unauthorized observation and intrusion. Moreover, the bill recognizes potential financial implications for local governments but asserts that it meets specified exceptions outlined in the state constitution. This allows the bill to bypass additional approval requirements that might normally be necessary for legislation resulting in increased local expenditures.

Summary

House Bill 527 addresses the issue of privacy by prohibiting the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to conduct surveillance that invades a person's reasonable expectation of privacy. Specifically, the bill prohibits the operation of drones in a manner that captures images, video, or audio of individuals or their properties without consent. The bill also sets forth conditions under which certain individuals, such as registered sex offenders or those with convictions related to theft, are barred from operating UAS. Violations of these provisions would result in criminal penalties, categorizing such offenses as Class B misdemeanors or Class C felonies depending on the specifics of the violation.

Contention

While HB527 primarily aims to safeguard individual privacy, there may be points of contention regarding its enforcement and implications for civil liberties. Critics might argue that the bill could limit legitimate uses of drone technology, such as in commercial applications or by hobbyists. Furthermore, the restrictions on who can operate such devices may raise concerns about fairness and the potential for disproportionate impacts on certain populations. Balancing the need for privacy with the freedoms of technology use could be a significant concern as the bill is debated.