Safeguarding Privacy and Fostering Aerospace Innovation Act of 2013

To prohibit the use of unmanned aircraft systems by private persons to conduct surveillance of other private persons, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Safeguarding Privacy and Fostering Aerospace Innovation Act of 2013 2. Protection of privacy from surveillance by civil unmanned aircraft systems (a) In general Part I of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after chapter 13 the following: 14 Civil unmanned aircraft systems Sec. 261. Definitions. 262. Prohibition on surveillance using civil unmanned aircraft systems. 263. Identification of civil unmanned aircraft systems. 261. Definitions In this chapter— (1) the term civil unmanned aircraft system (2) the term governmental entity (A) an agency (as defined in section 551 (B) an agency of a State; and (C) an agency of a unit of local government of a State; (3) the term public unmanned aircraft system (4) the term State (5) the term surveillance (6) the term unmanned aircraft system (A) has the meaning given the term in section 331 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 ( 49 U.S.C. 40101 (B) does not include— (i) an unmanned aircraft system used in mapping or resource management; or (ii) a model flying airplane that is used only for sport or recreational purposes. 262. Prohibition on surveillance using civil unmanned aircraft systems (a) Prohibition (1) In general It shall be unlawful for any person to use a civil unmanned aircraft system to willfully conduct surveillance of another person (referred to in this subsection as a targeted person (2) Exceptions Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the use of a civil unmanned aircraft system to conduct surveillance of a targeted person— (A) if the person conducting the surveillance obtains the prior express written consent of the targeted person; (B) in an emergency situation in which the life of an individual is threatened; or (C) if the targeted person is in a place of public use (as defined in section 2332f(e)) where surveillance would not be highly offensive to a reasonable person. (b) Penalties Any person who violates subsection (a)— (1) shall be fined not more than $10,000; and (2) in the case of a second or subsequent violation, shall be fined not more than $15,000. (c) Enforcement Any aggrieved party may in a civil action obtain all appropriate relief to prevent or remedy a violation of subsection (a). 263. Identification of civil unmanned aircraft systems The owner of a civil unmanned aircraft system shall clearly mark the civil unmanned aircraft system with the name, address, and telephone number of the owner. . (b) Technical and conforming amendment The table of chapters for part I of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter 13 the following: 14. Civil unmanned aircraft systems 261 . 3. Severability If any provision of this Act, an amendment made by this Act, or the application of such provision or amendment to any person or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act, the amendments made by this Act, and the application of the provisions of such to any person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby.

Summary: Safeguarding Privacy and Fostering Aerospace Innovation Act of 2013 - Amends the federal criminal code to make it unlawful for any person to use a civil unmanned aircraft system (drone) to willfully conduct surveillance of another person (targeted person), unless: (1) the person conducting the surveillance obtains prior express written consent of the targeted person, (2) there is an emergency situation in which the life of an individual is threatened, or (3) the targeted person is in a public place where surveillance would not be highly offensive to a reasonable person. Prescribes penalties for violations of these requirements. Requires the owner of a drone to clearly mark it with the owner's name, address, and telephone number.