HBA-EDN H.B. 319 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 319
By: Tillery
Criminal Jurisprudence
3/4/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law does not provide a penalty for the direction of  light from a
laser pointer at a uniformed safety officer.  Laser pointers have been
found to mimic sighting lasers on firearms, so an officer who cannot
distinguish between the two is at risk and in a potentially dangerous
situation.  House Bill 319 provides that a person who knowingly directs
light from a laser pointer at a uniformed safety officer commits a Class C
misdemeanor. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 319 amends the Penal Code to provide that a person commits a
Class C misdemeanor if the person knowingly directs a light from a laser
pointer at a uniformed safety officer, including a peace officer, security
guard, firefighter, emergency medical service worker, or other uniformed
municipal, state, or federal officer.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.