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HB 503 - Laser beams and pointers; prohibitions

Hugley, Carolyn F (133rd)	Taylor, Maretta M (134th)

Status Summary	HC:	SJudy	SC:		FR:	02/08/99	LA:	02/09/99	H - Read 2nd Time

First Reader Summary

A BILL to amend Part 1 of Article 4 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions concerning dangerous instrumentalities and practices, so as to provide for definitions; to provide that it shall be unlawful for a person intentionally and without legal justification to focus, point, or aim a laser beam directly or indirectly at another person or animal in such a manner as to harass, annoy, or injure such person or animal; and for other purposes.

Code Sections - 16-11-111

HB 503                                              LC 9 9916 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                        A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 
                               AN ACT 
 
 
  1- 1  To amend Part 1 of Article 4 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of 
  1- 2  the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general 
  1- 3  provisions concerning dangerous instrumentalities and 
  1- 4  practices, so as to provide for definitions; to provide that 
  1- 5  it shall be unlawful for a person intentionally and without 
  1- 6  legal justification to focus, point, or aim a laser beam 
  1- 7  directly or indirectly at another person or animal in such a 
  1- 8  manner as to harass, annoy, or injure such person or animal; 
  1- 9  to provide that it shall be unlawful for a person under 18 
  1-10  years of age to possess a laser pointing device; to provide 
  1-11  for exceptions; to provide for a penalty; to repeal 
  1-12  conflicting laws; and for other purposes. 
 
  1-13       BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: 
 
  1-14                           SECTION 1. 
 
  1-15  Part 1 of Article 4 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the 
  1-16  Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general 
  1-17  provisions concerning dangerous instrumentalities and 
  1-18  practices, is amended by adding following Code Section 
  1-19  16-11-110 a new Code Section 16-11-111 to read as follows: 
 
  1-20    "16-11-111. 
 
  1-21    (a) As used in this Code section, the term: 
 
  1-22      (1) 'Laser' means a maser that can generate or amplify 
  1-23      light waves. 
 
  1-24      (2) 'Laser pointer' means a compact instrument 
  1-25      consisting of a low-power, visible light laser, designed 
  1-26      to be used primarily for pointing out features on a 
  1-27      projected visual display. 
 
  1-28      (3) 'Maser' means any of various devices that generate 
  1-29      electromagnetic waves of precise frequency or that 
  1-30      amplify such waves while maintaining frequency and phase 
  1-31      by using the excess energy of a resonant atomic or 
  1-32      molecular system. 
 
 
 
                                 -1- 
 
 
 
  2- 1    (b) It shall be unlawful for a person intentionally and 
  2- 2    without legal justification to focus, point, or aim a 
  2- 3    laser beam directly or indirectly at another person or 
  2- 4    animal in such a manner as to harass, annoy, or injure 
  2- 5    such person or animal. 
 
  2- 6    (c) It shall be unlawful for a person under 18 years of 
  2- 7    age to possess a laser pointing device unless the 
  2- 8    possession of such device is necessary for his or her 
  2- 9    employment, trade, or occupation and it is necessary that 
  2-10    such device be carried on his or her person. 
 
  2-11    (d) This Code section shall not apply to peace officers 
  2-12    carrying out law enforcement functions. 
 
  2-13    (e) Any person who violates subsection (b) or (c) of this 
  2-14    Code section is guilty of a misdemeanor." 
 
  2-15                           SECTION 2. 
 
  2-16  All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are 
  2-17  repealed. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                 -2-