MN SF2687

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

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; UAV use in public areas requires court order based on reasonable suspicion of criminal activity with 48-hour initial authorization and maximum 30-day extensions.

Governmental entities must comply with Federal Aviation Administration requirements, obtain legislative body approval for UAV acquisition, limit data collection to clearly defined targets, prohibit facial recognition technology without court order, and cannot equip UAVs with weapons.

Incidentally collected data on non-targets must be deleted within 24 hours and cannot be used or disclosed; information obtained in violation of this section is inadmissible in criminal prosecutions; subjects of surveillance must receive notice within three days unless court delays notification for up to ten additional days.

Each governmental entity must report annually to the legislature on UAV usage frequency, criminal investigations aided, program costs, and data collection on non-targets; judges must report annually to the State Court Administrator on warrant and order applications, grants, modifications, and denials.