Section 4561.64
(A) A law enforcement agency shall do both of the following relative to its use of unmanned aerial vehicles:
(1) Ensure that the agency and any applicable peace officer employed by the agency documents all flight data for each surveillance flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle taken by or on behalf of the agency;
(2) Verify that the flight data for each surveillance flight is accurate and complete.
(B) A law enforcement agency shall retain any surveillance data or flight data that is relevant to an ongoing investigation, trial, or litigation until it is determined that such data is no longer necessary for that purpose.
(C)(1) Except as provided by division (C)(2) of this section, a person accused of a crime that includes evidence gathered through the use of an unmanned aerial vehicle may obtain, via the subpoena and discovery process available during court proceedings, information relating to that person acquired in the course of surveillance of that person by the unmanned aerial vehicle.
(2) The operational capabilities of the unmanned aerial vehicle and unmanned aerial vehicle system or other operational information strictly related to the technical conduct and physical security of the surveillance operation is not evidence subject to subpoena or discovery under division (C)(1) of this section.
(D) The flight and surveillance data required and retained in accordance with this section is a public record for purposes of section 149.43 of the Revised Code, unless the content of that flight data or surveillance data qualifies for an exemption under that section.
Last updated July 16, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Available Versions of this Section
- October 6, 2026 – Enacted by House Bill 251 - 136th General Assembly [ View October 6, 2026 Version ]