Conn. lawmakers to hold public hearing on bill on unmanned aircraft crimes, regulations

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

HARTFORD, Connecticut — Connecticut lawmakers will hold a public hearing on a bill that would impose lengthy prison sentences on people who commit crimes with drones.

The Judiciary Committee has scheduled the hearing for Monday morning in the Legislative Office Building on a bill that also would require the state Department of Transportation to develop unmanned aircraft regulations.

The legislation would make it a felony carrying up to 20 years in prison for committing a crime using an unmanned aircraft equipped with a deadly weapon, and up to 10 years in prison for other crimes with a drone.

Police could operate drones, but only for legitimate law enforcement purposes. Officers would have to get warrants, unless there’s an emergency.

The DOT would have to develop regulations for operating drones in Connecticut airspace not governed by federal regulations.