What's happening
This bill increases the penalties for directing a laser at an aircraft, making these offenses higher-level felonies.
Why it matters
Significantly increases the legal consequences for laser strikes on aircraft. , moving the penalty for a second-degree offense from a misdemeanor to a class D felony, and for a first-degree offense from a class E felony to a class B felony—this means much longer potential prison sentences and more severe criminal records.
Aims to deter dangerous behavior that can endanger pilots, passengers, and people on the ground. by treating laser strikes as more serious crimes, reflecting their potential to cause catastrophic accidents.
May impact how law enforcement and prosecutors prioritize and pursue cases. involving lasers and aircraft, leading to more aggressive investigation and prosecution of these incidents.
Could have broader deterrent effects and raise public awareness. about the seriousness of pointing lasers at aircraft, potentially reducing the frequency of these dangerous acts.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Increase Laser Penalties
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
11 Co-sponsors
3 Multi-sponsors
History
- Enacting clause stricken
- Referred to codes
- Referred to codes
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Increase Penalties for Laser Strikes
In Senate Committee · Rules · Sponsor Joseph A. Griffo
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3162
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 27, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. SEPULVEDA, M. G. MILLER, GUNTHER, SIMON, MOSLEY, MONTESANO, RAIA, MURRAY, McDONOUGH, CROUCH, SALADINO, COOK, McLAUGH- LIN, GIGLIO -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. BLANKENBUSH, GALEF, McKEVITT, RAMOS -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to increasing the severity of the penalties for directing a laser at an aircraft offenses
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The closing paragraph of section 240.76 of the penal law, as added by chapter 98 of the laws of 2014, is amended to read as follows:
Directing a laser at an aircraft in the second degree is a class [A misdemeanor] D felony.
§ 2. The closing paragraph of section 240.77 of the penal law, as added by chapter 98 of the laws of 2014, is amended to read as follows:
Directing a laser at an aircraft in the first degree is a class [E] B felony.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05701-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.