Preserving American Privacy Act of 2013
Latest action (13 Feb 2013): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 637, the Preserving American Privacy Act of 2013, would create a legal framework governing the use of unmanned aircraft systems (drones) by adding a new chapter to federal criminal law. Government agencies operating "public" drones would generally need a warrant, court order, border-security justification, individual consent, or an emergency to collect "covered information" — data that could identify a person or reveal details about their property not in plain view — and would have to minimize such collection. Agencies would also have to file public data collection statements describing how their drones are used, and information gathered outside these rules could not be used as evidence in court. The bill also creates a separate offense for private individuals who use drones to capture highly offensive images or recordings of people in situations where they had a reasonable expectation of privacy, and it bans arming any drone with a firearm.
The bill would primarily affect federal, state, and local government agencies that operate drones (such as law enforcement), as well as private drone operators and the general public whose privacy could be affected by drone surveillance. It requires reporting to Congress and the courts on drone-related warrants and orders, and allows for disciplinary action against officials who violate the law. State laws on drone use within a single state would not be preempted.
The bill was introduced in the House on February 13, 2013, by Rep. Ted Poe and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. According to official records, it did not receive a vote and did not advance further in that Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Preserving American Privacy Act of 2013 - Amends the federal criminal code to require a governmental entity operating a public unmanned aircraft system to minimize the collection or disclosure of covered information. Defines "covered information" as: (1) information that is reasonably likely to enable identification of an individual, or (2) information about an individual's property that is not in plain view.
Requires such entity to submit to the Attorney General, with an application for a certificate or license to operate such a system in national airspace, a data collection statement that describes the purpose for which the system will be used, the length of time the collected information will be retained, the entity responsible for operating the system, the data minimization policies barring the collection of information unrelated to the investigation and requiring the destruction of information that is no longer relevant, and applicable audit and oversight procedures. Authorizes the Attorney General to request that the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) revoke such a certificate or license if the operator's activity contravenes such statement. Directs the Attorney General to issue regulations to establish a database indexing such certificates, licenses, and statements.
Prohibits a government entity from operating a public unmanned aircraft system and collecting or disclosing covered information for a law enforcement purpose, except: (1) pursuant to a warrant or court order meeting specified requirements; (2) for the purpose of patrolling or securing the border within 25 miles from any external land boundary of the United States; (3) with the prior written consent of the individual to whom the covered information pertains; or (4) where an emergency situation exists that involves immediate danger of death or serious physical injury to any person, or conspiratorial activities threatening the national security interest or characteristic of organized crime, and that requires action before a warrant or order can be obtained. Bars covered information obtained otherwise from being received as evidence in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding.
Requires federal judges and state and local prosecuting attorneys to report on such warrants or orders issued or denied each year to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, which shall report a summary of such information to Congress.
Provides for administrative discipline proceedings when there is a serious question about whether a U.S. officer or employee acted intentionally with respect to a violation of this Act.
Prohibits: (1) intentionally operating a private unmanned aircraft system to capture, in a manner that is highly offensive to a reasonable person, any type of visual image, sound recording, or other physical impression of an individual engaging in personal or familial activity under circumstances in which the individual had a reasonable expectation of privacy; and (2) any investigative or law enforcement officer or private individual from operating an unmanned aircraft system that is armed with a firearm within U.S. airspace.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 637 do?
- H.R. 637, the Preserving American Privacy Act of 2013, would create a legal framework governing the use of unmanned aircraft systems (drones) by adding a new chapter to federal criminal law. Government agencies operating "public" drones would generally need a warrant, court order, border-security justification, individual consent, or an emergency to collect "covered information" — data that could identify a person or reveal details about their property not in plain view — and would have to minimize such collection. Agencies would also have to file public data collection statements describing how their drones are used, and information gathered outside these rules could not be used as evidence in court. The bill also creates a separate offense for private individuals who use drones to capture highly offensive images or recordings of people in situations where they had a reasonable expectation of privacy, and it bans arming any drone with a firearm. The bill would primarily affect federal, state, and local government agencies that operate drones (such as law enforcement), as well as private drone operators and the general public whose privacy could be affected by drone surveillance. It requires reporting to Congress and the courts on drone-related warrants and orders, and allows for disciplinary action against officials who violate the law. State laws on drone use within a single state would not be preempted. The bill was introduced in the House on February 13, 2013, by Rep. Ted Poe and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. According to official records, it did not receive a vote and did not advance further in that Congress.
- Has H.R. 637 become law?
- Not yet. As of 13 Feb 2013, H.R. 637 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 637?
- H.R. 637 was sponsored by Rep. Ted Poe [R-TX2, 2005-2018] (Republican-TX), with 34 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 637?
- Introduced (13 Feb 2013).
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