A bill sponsored by state Sen. Patty Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, to ban civilian drone use within 1,000 feet of a correctional facility has been approved by the Senate.

The measure stems from recent incidents in which drones were used to drop off contraband, including weapons and drugs, in correctional facilities, a statement from Ritchie’s office said. Recently, the statement said, a drone was found inside a correctional facility in Auburn.

Under the legislation (S.2125), violators would face a $1,000 penalty for the first offense and each additional offense is punishable as a misdemeanor. However, the restrictions would not apply to the operation of a drone approved by the Federal Aviation Administration for commercial purposes.

“Every day, corrections officers put their safety on the line in order to protect us,” said Senator Ritchie. “As the daughter of a former corrections officer, I know how important–and dangerous their work can be.”

Drone use has grown in popularity, including in law enforcement, land surveillance, wildlife tracking, search and rescue operations, disaster response, border patrol and photography.

The legislation now heads to the Assembly.