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Feb. 11, 2019St. Joseph, MO |  By: AP

Drone legislation near prisons to be introduced

Missouri lawmakers are expected to consider legislation
to restrict the use of drones near state prisons.

Republican Rep. Mike Henderson
introduced a bill to make it a misdemeanor for anyone to knowingly fly a drone
within 300 vertical feet and near the furthest perimeter of prisons. The
legislation would add felony charges for attempting to drop contraband onto
state prison grounds.

The move comes after Missouri Department of Corrections officials expressed
fear that weapons or drugs are being dropped inside prison grounds. The
department has reported 11 drone sightings near state prisons since 2016.

Henderson says the proposed legislation includes exemptions so law enforcement
can fly drones over the facilities.
Legislators will consider the bill in the coming weeks.