Unmanned aircraft systems: correctional facilities.

Existing federal law, the Federal Aviation Administration Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, provides for the integration of civil unmanned aircraft systems, commonly known as drones, into the national airspace system by September 30, 2015. Existing federal law generally requires an aircraft to be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) , prohibits a person from operating a United States registered aircraft unless that aircraft displays specified nationality and registration marks, and, unless authorized by the FAA, prohibits a person from placing on any aircraft a design, mark, or symbol that modifies or confuses those nationality and registration marks. Existing federal law establishes an online and paper-based registration process for specified types of unmanned aircraft systems. Existing state law generally prohibits a person from bringing, possessing, distributing, or selling certain devices and substances, including, among other things, alcoholic beverages, controlled substances, and deadly weapons, in state prison or a jail. Existing law also prohibits unauthorized communication with inmates in state prison or a jail. Existing law provides criminal penalties for violations of these provisions. This bill would make a person who knowingly and intentionally operates an unmanned aircraft system on or above the grounds of a state prison, a jail, or a juvenile hall, camp, or ranch guilty of an infraction punishable by a fine of $500. The bill would make these provisions inapplicable to a person employed by the prison, jail, or county department that operates the juvenile hall, camp, or ranch acting within the scope of that employment, or a person who receives prior permission from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the county sheriff, or department that operates the juvenile hall, camp, or ranch. By creating a new crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.