New York Senate Bill S00694

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/8/25
• Refer: 1/8/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Relates to prohibiting civilian drone use within 500 feet of a correctional facility except when in use under the Federal Aviation Administration's authorization.

Summary

This bill would amend the New York Correction Law to create a new section prohibiting private individuals from operating a drone within 500 feet of a correctional facility or local correctional facility. The bill defines “drone” broadly to include powered or unpowered aerial devices that can be remotely piloted or autonomous and that may capture images, intercept communications, or carry payloads. The bill establishes a civil penalty of $500 for a first violation and for each subsequent violation. It also creates an exception for drone operations authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration for commercial purposes, so long as the drone is operated in compliance with that authorization. The measure would take effect immediately upon enactment.

Impact

The bill would add a new restriction to the Correction Law governing conduct near state and local correctional facilities, creating a specific no-fly buffer zone for civilian drone use. It would give correctional facilities and law enforcement an additional enforcement tool through civil penalties, while preserving FAA-authorized commercial drone activity that complies with federal rules. The affected parties are private drone operators, commercial drone operators with FAA authorization, and correctional institutions seeking to limit surveillance, contraband delivery, or other security risks.

Sentiment

The available context suggests generally supportive sentiment, with the bill advancing through introduction and amendment without recorded opposition in the provided materials. The caption and structure indicate a security-focused measure aimed at protecting correctional facilities from unauthorized drone activity. No committee transcript or vote record is provided, so there is no evidence of formal debate or division in the available record.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is the breadth of the 500-foot restriction and whether it could affect legitimate drone use near correctional facilities, including commercial operations or incidental flights. Another possible issue is the interaction between state restrictions and federal aviation authority, though the bill attempts to address this by exempting FAA-authorized commercial drone operations. Security advocates would likely favor the restriction, while drone operators and commercial users may be concerned about compliance burdens and the scope of the buffer zone.