LASER SAFETY ACT

Section 1. 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 emission of radiation; or, a device that emits light which simulates 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.