AUGUSTA - Rep. Steve Moriarty, D-Cumberland, introduced a bill to strengthen Maine people's privacy rights before the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety on Monday.
LD 1021, as amended, alters the section of Maine Criminal Code concerning privacy violations. The new language would include violations of privacy that could occur as a result of unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones, operating in private locations. Specifically, it changes the law to prohibit the unauthorized use of a device for both audio and visual recording where an individual would have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as in their home or on their property. As the statute is currently written, only audio recording in a private location is prohibited.
"This bill tightens up the right to privacy in an era when violations of privacy are increasingly common due to evolving technology and new information sharing capabilities," said Moriarty.
"My bill ensures that when your kids are playing in the yard, when you're relaxing in your home or spending time with friends and loved ones on your porch, you can rest assured that you will be protected from unknown and unwanted recording. This addresses a truly modern problem that would have been unimaginable when this statute was written. Technology is changing and our laws must reflect that."
The committee will hold a work session on the bill in the coming weeks.
Moriarty, who represents Cumberland and part of Gray, is serving his third non-consecutive term in the Maine House of Representatives. He sits on the Judiciary Committee.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Moriarty], c. 812-1111