Bill Text: AZ HB2251 | 2022 | Fifty-fifth Legislature 2nd Regular | Chaptered


Bill Title: Lasers; peace officers; aircraft; penalty

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2022-05-27 - Chapter 260 [HB2251 Detail]

Download: Arizona-2022-HB2251-Chaptered.html

 

 

Senate Engrossed House Bill

 

lasers; assault; peace officers; penalty

(now:  lasers; peace officers; aircraft; penalty)

 

 

 

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-fifth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2022

 

 

 

CHAPTER 260

 

HOUSE BILL 2251

 

An Act

 

amending section 13-1213, Arizona Revised Statutes; relating to aiming a laser pointer.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 


Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Section 13-1213, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE13-1213. Aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer or an occupied aircraft; classification; definitions

A. A person commits aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer if the person intentionally, or knowingly or recklessly directs the beam of light from a laser pointer or laser emitting device at another person and the person knows or reasonably should know that the other person is a peace officer.

B. A person commits aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft if the person intentionally, or knowingly or recklessly directs the beam of light from a laser pointer or laser emitting device at an aircraft and the person knows or reasonably should know that the aircraft is occupied.

C. Intentionally or knowingly aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer is a class 5 felony. Recklessly aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer is a class 1 misdemeanor.

D. Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft is a class 2 felony if the act causes the pilot to crash the aircraft or perform an emergency landing. Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft is a class 3 felony if the act renders the pilot unable to safely operate the aircraft. Intentionally or knowingly aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft is a class 6 felony. Recklessly aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft is a class 1 misdemeanor. If the act renders the pilot unable to safely operate the aircraft or causes serious physical injury to any person on board the aircraft it is an assault pursuant to this chapter.

E. For the purposes of this section:

1. "Aircraft" means any vehicle that is designed used for flight in the air by buoyancy or by the dynamic action of air on the vehicle's surfaces, including powered airplanes, gliders and helicopters.

2. "Laser pointer or laser emitting device" means any device that is designed or used to amplify electromagnetic radiation by stimulated emission that emits an intense beam designed to be used by the operator as a pointer or highlighter to indicate, mark or identify a specific position, place, item or object of light amplified by stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation. END_STATUTE


 

 

 

APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR MAY 27, 2022.

 

FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE MAY 27, 2022.

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