Minnesota Session Laws - 2009, Regular Session

CHAPTER 73--S.F.No. 1408

An act

relating to public safety; securing aircraft cockpits against lasers; providing for penalties;

proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 609.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [609.857] DISCHARGING A LASER AT AN AIRCRAFT. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) As used in this section, the following terms have the meanings given. new text end

new text begin (b) "Aircraft" means any contrivance now known or hereafter invented, used, or designed for navigation of or flight in the air, but excluding parachutes. new text end

new text begin (c) "Laser" means both of the following: new text end

new text begin (1) any device that utilizes the natural oscillations of atoms or molecules between energy levels for generating coherent electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet, visible, or infrared region of the spectrum and when discharged exceeds one milliwatt continuous wave; new text end

new text begin (2) any device designed or used to amplify electromagnetic radiation by simulated emission that is visible to the human eye. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Crime. new text end

new text begin Whoever knowingly aims and discharges a laser or other device that creates visible light into the cockpit of an aircraft that is in the process of taking off or landing or is in flight is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Exceptions. new text end

new text begin This section does not apply to the following individuals who aim and discharge a laser or other device at an aircraft: new text end

new text begin (a) an authorized individual in the conduct of research and development or flight test operations conducted by an aircraft manufacturer, the Federal Aviation Administration, or any other person authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct such research and development or flight test operations; or new text end

new text begin (b) members or elements of the Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security acting in an official capacity for the purpose of research, development, operations, testing, or training. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Defense. new text end

new text begin It is an affirmative defense to a charge under this section if the defendant proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant intended to send an emergency distress signal. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2009, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date. new text end

Presented to the governor May 8, 2009

Signed by the governor May 12, 2009, 10:18 p.m.