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S 3287 112th Congress Senate Crime and Law Enforcement Aviation and airports Civil actions and liability Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation Criminal procedure and sentencing Evidence and witnesses Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information

Preserving Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act of 2012

Introduced: June 12, 2012 Introduced by: Paul, Rand Republican · Kentucky See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 112th Congress ended
It never became law before the 112th Congress (2011–2012) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 12, 2012
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Jun 12, 2012
Introduced in Senate
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Preserving Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act of 2012 - Prohibits a person or entity acting under the authority of (or funded in whole or in part by) the federal government from using a drone to gather evidence or other information pertaining to criminal conduct or conduct in violation of a statute or regulation except to the extent authorized in a warrant satisfying the requirements of the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution.

Defines a "drone" as any powered, aerial vehicle that: (1) does not carry a human operator; (2) uses aerodynamic forces to provide vehicle lift; and (3) can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely, be expendable or recoverable, and carry a lethal or nonlethal payload.

Exempts from such prohibition the use of drones to: (1) patrol national borders to prevent or deter illegal entry of any persons or illegal substances, (2) prevent imminent danger to life when drones are used by law enforcement under exigent circumstances, or (3) counter a high risk of a terrorist attack by a specific individual or organization based on credible intelligence determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS).

Authorizes civil actions by aggrieved parties.

Prohibits evidence obtained or collected in violation of this Act from being admissible in a criminal prosecution in any court in the United States.

What's happening now June 12, 2012

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 3287: Preserving Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act of 2012. 112th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/112-S-3287/
MLA
"S. 3287: Preserving Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act of 2012." 112th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/112-S-3287/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 3287, 112th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/112-S-3287/.
Markdown link
[S. 3287: Preserving Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act of 2012](https://openamerica.io/bill/112-S-3287/)
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