Bills Would Limit Use of Drones But Preserve Insurance Uses
Bills working their way through the 2015 legislative session would limit the use of drones with imaging devices, but would allow legitimate uses such as for insurance underwriting or claims activity. SB 766 and HB 649 are moving through their respective chambers and would amend Florida’s Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act. The bills would restrict private and public persons from using drones with imaging devices and would establish a presumption that individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy on their privately held or occupied property.
The bills contain exemption that would allow parties engaged in businesses or professions that are licensed by the state to use drones for reasonable tasks within the scope of their licenses. This exemption is intended to allow legitimate uses of drones such as for underwriting purposes or for assessing the condition of properties in claims scenarios. The exemption does not, however, allow licensees to use drones if their professions involve obtaining information about individuals’ identities, habits, lifestyles or similar characteristics (i.e., drones may not be used as a tool in priviate investigation or surveillance situations).