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2020 SPECIAL SESSION I

20200609D
HOUSE BILL NO. 5080
Offered August 18, 2020
Prefiled August 18, 2020
A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-57.01 of the Code of Virginia, relating to projecting laser at another person unlawful; penalties.
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Patrons-- Webert, Avoli, Batten, Fowler, Gilbert, LaRock, Marshall, Ransone, Runion, Walker, Wright and Wyatt
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Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 18.2-57.01 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 18.2-57.01. Projecting laser at another person unlawful; penalties.

A. If any person intentionally projects a beam or a point of light from a laser, a laser gun sight, or any device that simulates a laser at another person with the intent to cause bodily injury, such person is guilty of a Class 6 felony.

B. If any person, knowing or having reason to know another person is a law-enforcement officer as defined in § 18.2-57, a probation or parole officer appointed pursuant to § 53.1-143, a correctional officer as defined in § 53.1-1, or a person employed by the Department of Corrections directly involved in the care, treatment, or supervision of inmates in the custody of the Department engaged in the performance of his public duties as such, intentionally projects at such other person a beam or a point of light from a laser, a laser gun sight, or any device that simulates a laser, shall be such person is guilty of a Class 2 1 misdemeanor.

2. That the provisions of this act may result in a net increase in periods of imprisonment or commitment. Pursuant to § 30-19.1:4 of the Code of Virginia, the estimated amount of the necessary appropriation cannot be determined for periods of imprisonment in state adult correctional facilities; therefore, Chapter 1289 of the Acts of Assembly of 2020 requires the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission to assign a minimum fiscal impact of $50,000. Pursuant to § 30-19.1:4 of the Code of Virginia, the estimated amount of the necessary appropriation cannot be determined for periods of commitment to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice.