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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 59th Legislature (2023)
HOUSE BILL 2159 By: Ford
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to crimes and punishments; amending
21 O.S. Section 1992, which relates to the Laser
Safety Act; increasing penalties; updating language;
and providing an effective date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 21 O.S. 2021, Section 1992, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 1992. A. This section sha ll be known and may be cited
as the "Laser Safety Act".
B. Any person who knowingly and maliciously projects a laser,
as defined in this section, on or at a law enforcement officer
without the consent of the officer while the officer is acting
within the scope of the official duties of the officer shall , upon
conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be
punished punishable by a fine of not more than One Hundred Dollars
($100.00) Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) , or by imprisonment in the
county jail for a period of no t more than one (1) year, or by both
such fine and imprisonment. Any person who commits a second or
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subsequent violation of this section shall , upon conviction, be
guilty of a misdemeanor felony punishable by a fine of not more than
Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) One Thousand Dollars ($1, 000.00), a
term of or by imprisonment in the county jail custody of the
Department of Corrections for a period of not more than six (6)
months two (2) years, or by both such fine and impris onment.
C. Anyone who knowingly aims the beam of a laser pointer at a n
aircraft in flight or at the flight path of an aircraft shall , upon
conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be
punished felony punishable by a fine of not more than One Hundred
Dollars ($100.00) One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by
imprisonment in the custody of the Depar tment of Corrections for a
period of not less than three (3) months nor more than two (2)
years, or by both such fine and impr isonment. Any person who
commits a second or subsequent violation of this section s hall, upon
conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor felony punishable by a fine
of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) Five Thousand
Dollars ($5,000.00), a term of or by imprisonment in the county jail
custody of the Depar tment of Corrections for a period of not less
than one (1) year nor more than six (6) months five (5) years, or by
both such fine and imprisonment.
D. This section does not prohibit aiming a beam of a laser
pointer at an aircraft, or the flight path of such an aircraft by:
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1. An authorized individual in the conduct of researc h and
development or flight test operations conducted by an aircraft
manufacturer, the Federal Aviation Administration, or any other
person authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct
research and development or flight test operations;
2. Members or elements of the Department of Defense or
Department of Homeland Security acting in an official capacity for
the purpose of resea rch, development, operations, testing or
training; or
3. By an individual using a laser emergency signaling device to
send an emergency distress signal.
E. As used in this section:
1. "Laser" or "laser pointer" means any device designed or used
to amplify electromagnetic radiation by stimulated emission that
emits a beam designed to be used by the operator as a point er or
highlighter to indicate, mark or identify a specific position,
place, item or object; and
2. "Law enforcement officer " means any police officer, peace
officer, sheriff, deputy sheriff, correctional offic er, probation or
parole officer, emergency man agement employee, judge, magistrate, or
any employee of a governmental agency who is authorized by law to
engage in the investigation, arres t, prosecution, or supervision of
the incarceration of any person for any violation of law and has
statutory powers of arrest.
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SECTION 2. This act shall become effective November 1, 2023.
59-1-5136 GRS 11/10/22