MN HF2552

Governmental entities must obtain a search warrant under chapter 626 to operate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with limited exceptions for emergency situations involving imminent threats to life or safety.

UAVs may operate in public areas without a warrant if a court determines specific and articulable facts demonstrate reasonable suspicion of criminal activity, with orders limited to 48 hours initially and extensions not exceeding 30 days total.

Emergency UAV deployment requires documentation of factual basis on a Bureau of Criminal Apprehension form and submission of a sworn statement to district court within 48 hours of operation commencing.

Data collected on unintended individuals, homes, or areas must be deleted within 24 hours and cannot be used or disclosed; facial recognition and biometric matching technology are prohibited unless expressly authorized by court order; UAVs cannot be equipped with weapons.

Governmental entities must report annual UAV usage to the legislature including deployment frequency, types of incidents, criminal investigations aided, costs, and data collection on unintended targets; judges must report warrant applications and decisions to the State Court Administrator.