Drones banned over correctional facilities

Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill Monday outlawing drone flights over state prisons, jails, and juvenile facilities.

State Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, introduced Senate Bill 1355 earlier this year after several state prisons reported drugs and other contraband that were smuggled into the facilities via drones.

Hill said:

“SB 1355 updates current law to make clear that using drones to smuggle contraband into correctional facilities is also unlawful.”

The bill will go into effect in January, making any infractions punishable by a $500 fine. Employees of the prisons who are authorized to operate drones as part of their job will be exempt from the restrictions of the bill.