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House File 198 - IntroducedA Bill ForAn Act 1relating to assault involving a laser emitting a visible
2light beam and making penalties applicable.
3BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
1 Section 1. Section 708.1, subsection 2, Code 2021, is
2amended by adding the following new paragraph:
3 NEW PARAGRAPH. d. (1) Intentionally points a laser
4emitting a visible light beam at another person with the intent
5to cause pain or injury to another. For purposes of this
6paragraph, “laser” means a device that emits a visible light
7beam amplified by the stimulated emission of radiation and any
8light which simulates the appearance of a laser.
9(2) This paragraph does not apply to any of the following:
10(a) A law enforcement officer who uses a laser in
11discharging or attempting to discharge the officer’s official
12duties.
13(b) A health care professional who uses a laser in providing
14services within the scope of practice of that professional or
15any other person who is licensed or authorized by law to use a
16laser or who uses a laser in the performance of the person’s
17official duties.
18(c) A person who uses a laser to play laser tag, paintball,
19and other similar games using light-emitting diode technology.
20EXPLANATION
21The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
22the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
23This bill relates to assault involving a laser emitting a
24visible light beam.
25The bill adds intentionally pointing a laser emitting
26a visible light beam at another person with the intent to
27cause pain or injury to another to the definition of assault
28in Code section 708.1. This definition does not apply to
29a law enforcement officer who uses a laser in discharging
30or attempting to discharge the officer’s official duties,
31to a health care professional who uses a laser in providing
32services, or to any other person who is licensed or authorized
33by law to use a laser or uses it in the performance of
34the person’s official duties, or to a person who uses a
35laser to play tag, paintball, and other similar games using
-1-1light-emitting diode technology.
2A person who commits an assault is guilty of a simple
3misdemeanor, aggravated misdemeanor, serious misdemeanor,
4class “D” felony, or a class “C” felony depending upon the
5circumstances of the offense.
-2-as/rh
2light beam and making penalties applicable.
3BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
1 Section 1. Section 708.1, subsection 2, Code 2021, is
2amended by adding the following new paragraph:
3 NEW PARAGRAPH. d. (1) Intentionally points a laser
4emitting a visible light beam at another person with the intent
5to cause pain or injury to another. For purposes of this
6paragraph, “laser” means a device that emits a visible light
7beam amplified by the stimulated emission of radiation and any
8light which simulates the appearance of a laser.
9(2) This paragraph does not apply to any of the following:
10(a) A law enforcement officer who uses a laser in
11discharging or attempting to discharge the officer’s official
12duties.
13(b) A health care professional who uses a laser in providing
14services within the scope of practice of that professional or
15any other person who is licensed or authorized by law to use a
16laser or who uses a laser in the performance of the person’s
17official duties.
18(c) A person who uses a laser to play laser tag, paintball,
19and other similar games using light-emitting diode technology.
20EXPLANATION
21The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
22the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
23This bill relates to assault involving a laser emitting a
24visible light beam.
25The bill adds intentionally pointing a laser emitting
26a visible light beam at another person with the intent to
27cause pain or injury to another to the definition of assault
28in Code section 708.1. This definition does not apply to
29a law enforcement officer who uses a laser in discharging
30or attempting to discharge the officer’s official duties,
31to a health care professional who uses a laser in providing
32services, or to any other person who is licensed or authorized
33by law to use a laser or uses it in the performance of
34the person’s official duties, or to a person who uses a
35laser to play tag, paintball, and other similar games using
-1-1light-emitting diode technology.
2A person who commits an assault is guilty of a simple
3misdemeanor, aggravated misdemeanor, serious misdemeanor,
4class “D” felony, or a class “C” felony depending upon the
5circumstances of the offense.
-2-as/rh