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MN SF3072: An act relating to public safety; ... regulating the use of unmanned aerial vehicles by law enforcement ... (Laws 2020, chapter 82)

Effective Aug 1, 2020 Minnesota · 2019–2020 session

Last verified Oct 12, 2026 · official bill text

SF3072 · where it stands

All steps complete
  1. Introduced Complete
  2. Passed first chamber Complete
  3. Passed both chambers Complete
  4. Enacted Complete
  5. Effective Since Aug 1, 2020
What do these statuses mean?
Introduced
Filed in the legislature; may be waiting for a committee hearing.
Passed a chamber
Approved by one or both chambers; awaiting further action.
Enacted
Signed into law, or became law without a signature or over a veto.
Effective date
The date the law says it takes effect. Once it has passed, the page shows "Effective" and the date. A court order can still block a law; if we know of one, the summary says so.
Dead / vetoed
Vetoed, failed, or the session ended without action.

In one paragraph

Minnesota's Laws 2020, chapter 82 created Minn. Stat. 626.19 on law enforcement use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones). Drones generally require a warrant, with listed exceptions, and under subdivision 4(b) an agency must not deploy a drone with facial recognition or other biometric-matching technology unless expressly authorized by a warrant. Agencies also may not arm drones or use them to collect data on protests without a warrant, evidence gathered in violation is inadmissible, and agencies must adopt written policies by Feb. 15, 2021. Section 626.19 took effect Aug. 1, 2020.

Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.

What it means for business

Drone and facial recognition vendors selling to Minnesota police must expect biometric matching on drones to be used only under a warrant that expressly authorizes it.

Key provisions

  1. Minn. Stat. 626.19, subd. 4(b): no law enforcement drone may be deployed with facial recognition or other biometric-matching technology unless expressly authorized by a warrant
  2. Drone use generally requires a warrant, subject to listed exceptions (subd. 3)
  3. Drones may not be armed or used to collect data on public protests or demonstrations without a warrant
  4. Information obtained in violation is inadmissible against the data subject
  5. Chief law enforcement officers adopt written drone policies by Feb. 15, 2021; reporting and data classification rules apply

Latest legislative action

May 16, 2020. Governor approval; filed with the Secretary of State as Chapter 82 (May 16, 2020)

Topics and industries

Related topics

Facial RecognitionAI in Law Enforcement

Affected industries

GovernmentLaw EnforcementTechnology

This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error

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Same topic in other states

Montana SB397 Generally revise laws related to privacy and facial recognition technology Virginia HB1496 Law-enforcement agencies; surveillance technology reporting. Utah SB231 Public Surveillance Prohibition Amendments Vermont S0124 An act relating to governmental structures protecting the public health, safety, Maine LD1585 An Act To Increase Privacy and Security by Regulating the Use of Facial Surveill Washington SB6280 Concerning the use of facial recognition services.