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Bill

HB 398

Public Safety - Persistent Aerial Surveillance

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Robin Grammer

Maryland HB 398 establishes warrant requirements and oversight rules for law enforcement use of continuous aerial surveillance technology to monitor large geographic areas.

Hearing 2/24 at 1:00 p.m.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 398

Legislative bill overview

HB 398 would establish regulations governing the use of persistent aerial surveillance (PAS) systems by law enforcement and other authorized entities in Maryland. The bill creates oversight mechanisms, warrant requirements, and data handling protocols for drone and aerial monitoring technologies that can continuously track large geographic areas over extended periods.

Why is this important

Persistent aerial surveillance technology has advanced significantly, enabling authorities to monitor entire neighborhoods or cities continuously—creating unprecedented tracking capabilities that raise privacy concerns. The bill addresses a regulatory gap by establishing legal guardrails before widespread adoption, affecting how police departments, federal agencies, and potentially private entities can deploy surveillance infrastructure.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy vs. Public Safety Balance: Civil liberties advocates may argue warrant requirements are insufficient safeguards, while law enforcement may contend restrictions hamper crime prevention and emergency response capabilities
  • Scope and Definition: Disputes over what qualifies as "persistent" surveillance and which entities are covered could create loopholes or overly broad restrictions depending on final language
  • Data Retention and Sharing: Disagreement about how long aerial footage can be stored, who can access it, and whether data can be shared with federal agencies without additional authorization

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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