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HR 6617 115th Congress House Crime and Law Enforcement Administrative law and regulatory procedures Aviation and airports Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation Criminal justice information and records Criminal procedure and sentencing Department of Justice Evidence and witnesses Firearms and explosives Government information and archives Homeland security Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information Organized crime Right of privacy

Preserving American Privacy Act of 2018

Introduced: July 26, 2018 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 115th Congress ended
It never became law before the 115th Congress (2017–2018) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 1, 2018
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
Jul 26, 2018
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jul 26, 2018
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Preserving American Privacy Act of 2018

This bill restricts the use of public unmanned aircraft systems (i.e., drones) to limit, to the maximum extent practicable, the disclosure of information collected by drones that is reasonably likely to enable identification of an individual or information about an individual's property that is not in plain view (covered information).

The bill requires a governmental entity applying for a license to operate a drone to submit to the Department of Justice a data collection statement describing the purpose for which the drone will be used.

The bill also prohibits the use of covered information collected by drones in legal proceedings and limits its use for law enforcement purposes. A governmental entity may only disclose such information for law enforcement purposes pursuant to a warrant, a court order, or in emergency circumstances.

The bill prohibits: (1) the use of private drones to capture images of individuals in private activities who have a reasonable expectation of privacy, and (2) any investigative or law enforcement officer or private individual from operating a drone that is armed with a firearm.

What's happening now October 1, 2018

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Democratic 1
D
Lofgren, Zoe
California · Jul 26, 2018
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 6617: Preserving American Privacy Act of 2018. 115th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-6617/
MLA
"H.R. 6617: Preserving American Privacy Act of 2018." 115th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-6617/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 6617, 115th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-6617/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 6617: Preserving American Privacy Act of 2018](https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-6617/)
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