Laser Safety Act Exposed

The Laser Safety Act was adopted by ALEC's Criminal Justice Task Force at the States and Nation Policy Summit on December 9, 1999, approved by the full ALEC Board of Directors in January, 2000. ALEC has attempted to distance itself from this piece of legislation after the launch of ALECexposed.org in 2011, but it has done nothing to get it repealed in the states where it previously pushed for it to be made into law.

ALEC Bill Text

Summary

This act penalizes the use of a laser pointing device when a person knowingly projects it on or at a law enforcement officer, firefighter, EMT, without that persons’ consent. Model Legislation

Section 1. {Short Title}

This Act may be cited as the “Laser Safety Act.”

Section 2.

Any person who knowingly projects a laser, as defined in Section 5, on or at a law enforcement officer without the officer’s consent while the officer is acting within the scope of his or her duties, shall be guilty of a (low classification felony).

Section 3.

Any person who commits a second or subsequent violation of Section 2 shall be guilty of a (higher-classification felony) punishable by a fine of not less than ($__) nor greater than ($__), and mandatory imprisonment for a term not less than (____ months) nor more than (___ years).

Section 4.

Any person who, while committing a violent felony, projects a laser, as defined in Section 5, on or at another person, shall be guilty of a separate (high classification) felony punishable by mandatory imprisonment for a term not less than (__ years) nor more than (__ years).

Section 5. {Definitions}

For the purposes of this Act:

(a) The term “laser” means any device that projects a beam or point of light by means of light amplification by stimulated emissions of radiation; or, a device that emits light which stimulates the appearance of a laser

(b) The term “law enforcement officer” means: police officer; peace officer; sheriff; sheriff’s deputy; corrections officer; parole officer; judge; magistrate; or, any employee of a governmental agency who is authorized by law to engage in the investigation, arrest or prosecution of, or to supervise the incarceration of any person for any violation of law, and has statutory powers of arrest.

Adopted by ALEC's Criminal Justice Task Force at the States and Nation Policy Summit December 9, 1999.

Approved by full ALEC Board of Directors January, 2000.