1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to public safety; prohibiting the use of unmanned aerial vehicles near 
1.3 	public safety helicopters;proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, 
1.4 	chapter 609.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. [609.5001] INTERFERING WITH PUBLIC SAFETY HELICOPTERS; 
1.7 	UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES.
1.8 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the terms in this 
1.9 	subdivision have the meanings given them.
1.10 	(b) "Public safety helicopter" is a helicopter operated by a law enforcement agency, 
1.11 	fire department, or emergency medical service provider.
1.12 	(c) "Unmanned aerial vehicle" means a powered, aerial vehicle that:
1.13 	(1) does not carry a human operator;
1.14 	(2) can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely;
1.15 	(3) uses aerodynamic forces to provide vehicle lift;
1.16 	(4) can be expendable or recoverable; and
1.17 	(5) can carry a lethal or nonlethal payload.
1.18 		Subd. 2.Crime. Whoever knowingly operates an unmanned aerial vehicle within 
1.19 	one mile of a public safety helicopter during operations is guilty of a crime and shall 
1.20 	be punished as provided in subdivision 3.
1.21 		Subd. 3.Penalty. (a) A person who violates subdivision 2 is guilty of a misdemeanor.
1.22 	(b) A person who violates subdivision 2 a second or subsequent time is guilty of a 
1.23 	gross misdemeanor.
2.1 		Subd. 4.Exception. A person does not violate subdivision 2 if the person receives 
2.2 	permission to operate an unmanned aerial vehicle within one mile of a public safety 
2.3 	helicopter during operations from the law enforcement agency, fire department, or 
2.4 	emergency medical service provider operating the public safety helicopter.