HB 2231 — An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, providing for interference with aircraft operations.

PRINTER'S NO.   2924

                      THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                          HOUSE BILL
                          No. 2231
                                                 Session of
                                                   2026

     INTRODUCED BY MAKO AND GILLEN, FEBRUARY 19, 2026

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, FEBRUARY 20, 2026


                                      AN ACT
 1   Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
 2      Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and
 3      related offenses, providing for interference with aircraft
 4      operations.
 5      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 6   hereby enacts as follows:
 7      Section 1.     Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
 8   Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
 9   § 5518.    Interference with aircraft operations.
10      (a)    Offense defined.--A person commits a misdemeanor of the
11   first degree if the person intentionally or knowingly aims the
12   beam of a laser pointer or other light-emitting device at an
13   occupied aircraft and the person knows or recklessly disregards
14   that the aircraft is occupied.
15      (b)    Defense.--It is a defense to prosecution under this
16   section if the person aiming the beam of the laser pointer or
17   other light-emitting device was, at the time, any of the
18   following:
19             (1)   An authorized individual in the conduct of research
 1      and development or flight test operations conducted by an
 2      aircraft manufacturer, the Federal Aviation Administration or
 3      any other individual authorized by the Federal Aviation
 4      Administration to conduct the research and development or
 5      flight test operations.
 6            (2)   A member of a law enforcement agency acting in an
 7      official capacity for the purpose of research, development,
 8      operations, testing or training.
 9            (3)   An individual using a laser emergency signaling
10      device to send an emergency distress signal.
11      (c)   Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
12   words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
13   subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
14      "Aircraft."    As defined in 74 Pa.C.S. § 5102 (relating to
15   definitions).
16      "Laser pointer."    A device designed or used to amplify
17   electromagnetic radiation by stimulated emission that emits a
18   beam designed to be used by the operator as a pointer or
19   highlighter to indicate, mark or identify a specific position,
20   place, item or object.
21      "Light-emitting device."    A device that emits a light of an
22   intensity sufficient to impair or compromise the ability of an
23   operator to control an aircraft.
24      Section 2.    This act shall take effect in 60 days.




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