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Senate Engrossed House Bill
lasers; assault; peace officers; penalty (now: lasers; peace officers; aircraft; penalty) |
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State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-fifth Legislature Second Regular Session 2022
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CHAPTER 260
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HOUSE BILL 2251 |
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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:
13-1213. 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 a 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.
APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR MAY 27, 2022.
FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE MAY 27, 2022.