Sec. 384. Unsafe operation of unmanned aircraft

364 words·~2 min read·/bill/115/hr/302/eah/section-384

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Chapter 2 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 39A the following: Any person who operates an unmanned aircraft and: Knowingly interferes with, or disrupts the operation of, an aircraft carrying 1 or more occupants operating in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States, in a manner that poses an imminent safety hazard to such occupants, shall be punished as provided in subsection (c). Recklessly interferes with, or disrupts the operation of, an aircraft carrying 1 or more occupants operating in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States, in a manner that poses an imminent safety hazard to such occupants, shall be punished as provided in subsection (c).

Any person who, without authorization, knowingly operates an unmanned aircraft within a runway exclusion zone shall be punished as provided in subsection (c). In this subsection, the term runway exclusion zone means a rectangular area— centered on the centerline of an active runway of an airport immediately around which the airspace is designated as class B, class C, or class D airspace at the surface under part 71 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and the length of which extends parallel to the runway’s centerline to points that are 1 statute mile from each end of the runway and the width of which is ½ statute mile.

Except as provided in paragraph (2), the punishment for an offense under subsections

(a)or

(b)shall be a fine under this title, imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or both. Any person who: Causes serious bodily injury or death during the commission of an offense under subsection (a)(2) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for a term of up to 10 years, or both. Causes, or attempts or conspires to cause, serious bodily injury or death during the commission of an offense under subsections (a)(1) and

(b)shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both. . The table of contents for chapter 2 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 39A the following: 39B. Unsafe operation of unmanned aircraft. .