CT HB05274

Prohibits any person except law enforcement officers from operating unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) to remotely release tear gas, control deadly weapons, or deploy explosive devices; violators face class C felony charges (effective August 1, 2016).

Prohibits law enforcement officers from operating drones equipped with tear gas, deadly weapons, or explosive devices, with an exception for officers authorized to detect and dispose of explosives (effective August 1, 2016).

Establishes requirements for law enforcement drone operations including: warrant authorization, written consent from individuals and property owners, probable cause with exigent circumstances, imminent threat to life/safety, search and rescue, training, crime scene documentation, or public property surveillance at special events (effective October 1, 2016).

Requires law enforcement agencies to review drone-collected information within 90 days and destroy or modify identifying information if no probable cause exists; agencies may retain modified information for up to 5 years and must submit annual reports on drone usage to the public (effective October 1, 2016).

Expands voyeurism statute to include use of electronic technology or drones to obtain images not otherwise obtainable and increases penalties for using drones to smuggle contraband into correctional facilities to class B felony (effective October 1, 2016).

Prohibits municipalities from enacting ordinances regulating the ownership, possession, operation, purchase or sale of unmanned aerial vehicles (effective from passage).