REPORT TITLE:
Laser Pointing Devices


DESCRIPTION:
Prohibits sale of laser pointing devices to minors and possession
of laser pointing devices by minors; prohibits adults from using
laser pointing devices to harass or alarm other persons or
animals; specifies penalties. (SB365 CD1)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        365
THE SENATE                              S.B. NO.           S.D. 1
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 1999                                H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII                                            C.D. 1
                                                             
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                   A  BILL  FOR  AN  ACT

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.
 


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

 1      SECTION 1.  The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding
 
 2 a new chapter to be appropriately designated and to read as
 
 3 follows:
 
 4                             "CHAPTER
 
 5                      LASER POINTING DEVICES
 
 6         -1  Definitions.  As used in this chapter, "laser
 
 7 pointing device" means any hand-held laser device, which is not
 
 8 designed as a sighting device for a weapon nor for use in a
 
 9 medical procedure.  This term includes the commercially-available
 
10 device, which is commonly known as a "laser pen" or "laser
 
11 pointer".
 
12         -2  Harrassment; prohibited.  No person eighteen years
 
13 of age or over shall intentionally focus, point, or shine a laser
 
14 pointing device directly or indirectly into the eye or eyes of
 
15 another person, or upon another person or animal, in such a
 
16 manner as would reasonably be expected to annoy, harass, or alarm
 
17 the person or animal.
 
18         -3  Sale to minors; prohibited.  It shall be unlawful to
 
19 sell or furnish a laser pointing device to any minor.
 

 
Page 2                                                     365
                                     S.B. NO.           S.D. 1
                                                        H.D. 1
                                                        C.D. 1

 
 1         -4  Possession of laser pointing devices by minors
 
 2 prohibited.  It shall be unlawful for any minor to possess a
 
 3 laser pointing device.
 
 4         -5  Exemptions.  Sections    -3, and    -4 shall not
 
 5 apply to any hand-held laser devices used in a recreational
 
 6 activity commonly referred to as "laser tag," and which activity
 
 7 is offered for a fee by an amusement or recreation facility,
 
 8 provided that the devices shall be collected by the operator of
 
 9 the facility following their use.
 
10         -6  Penalties.(a)  Any violation of section    -2 is
 
11 punishable by a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $500
 
12 or imprisonment for a definite term to be fixed by the court not
 
13 to exceed thirty days, or both.
 
14      (b)  Any violation of section    -3, or    -4 is punishable
 
15 by a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $500."
 
16      SECTION 2.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.