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Central Florida Lawmaker’s Bill Would Limit Drone Use By Sexual Predators

SB 510 would ban sexual predators from photographing children with drones in certain public areas.
ackab1
/
The Florida Channel
Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.

A Central Florida Senator is pushing a bill that would limit use of photographic drones by convicted sexual predators.

Port Orange Republican Senator Dorothy Hukill’s bill would ban the use of drones by sexual predators in areas frequented by children: their homes, schools, playgrounds and parks. Hukill says the bill would protect the privacy of minors, even in public.

SB 510 would ban sexual predators from photographing children with drones in certain public areas.
Credit ackab1
/
The Florida Channel
SB 510 would ban sexual predators from photographing children with drones in certain public areas.

“We came across several instances where people were being recorded outside of their condominium window, outside their front door, that kind of thing, on their property etc. etc. So it’s not a stretch of the imagination to think that at some point an offender is going to use this to track a child,” she said.

The plan would not limit the commercial and recreational use of drones, which is federally regulated. The bill adds to a long list of sanctions for unmanned aircrafts, some of which stem from lawmakers’ concerns about invasions of privacy.

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As a Tallahassee native, Kate Payne grew up listening to WFSU. She loves being part of a station that had such an impact on her. Kate is a graduate of the Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts. With a background in documentary and narrative filmmaking, Kate has a broad range of multimedia experience. When she’s not working, you can find her rock climbing, cooking or hanging out with her cat.