Preserving American Privacy Act of 2015
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (31 Mar 2015): Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
What this bill does
The Preserving American Privacy Act of 2015, if enacted, would establish rules for how government entities can use public unmanned aircraft systems (drones) to collect information. It would require these entities to minimize the collection of "covered information," which includes details that could identify an individual or information about private property. The bill also mandates that government entities submit a data collection statement to the Attorney General when applying for a license to operate a drone, outlining the system's purpose, data retention policies, and oversight procedures.
The bill would affect government entities operating drones, requiring them to obtain warrants or court orders for law enforcement purposes, except in specific border security, consent, or emergency situations. It also prohibits the armed operation of drones by law enforcement or private individuals and restricts private drone use for capturing images of individuals in private settings. Federal judges and prosecuting attorneys would need to report on warrants or orders related to drone surveillance.
As of its introduction in March 2015, this bill is in the early stages of the legislative process. It was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. For the bill to become law, it would need to be passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and then signed by the President.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Preserving American Privacy Act of 2015
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 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.
Timeline
31 Mar 2015
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 1385 do?
- The Preserving American Privacy Act of 2015, if enacted, would establish rules for how government entities can use public unmanned aircraft systems (drones) to collect information. It would require these entities to minimize the collection of "covered information," which includes details that could identify an individual or information about private property. The bill also mandates that government entities submit a data collection statement to the Attorney General when applying for a license to operate a drone, outlining the system's purpose, data retention policies, and oversight procedures. The bill would affect government entities operating drones, requiring them to obtain warrants or court orders for law enforcement purposes, except in specific border security, consent, or emergency situations. It also prohibits the armed operation of drones by law enforcement or private individuals and restricts private drone use for capturing images of individuals in private settings. Federal judges and prosecuting attorneys would need to report on warrants or orders related to drone surveillance. As of its introduction in March 2015, this bill is in the early stages of the legislative process. It was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. For the bill to become law, it would need to be passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and then signed by the President.
- Has H.R. 1385 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 1385. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 1385?
- H.R. 1385 was sponsored by Rep. Poe, Ted [R-TX-2] (R-TX), with 8 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 1385?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. (31 Mar 2015).
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More bills from Rep. Poe, Ted [R-TX-2]
Encouraging edge providers, broadband providers, and data brokers to include certain data protections in their policies.
Preserving American Privacy Act of 2018
End Warrantless Surveillance of Americans Act
Preserving American Privacy Act of 2013
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