Bill Toughens Penalty for Officer Assaults

Under this bill, anyone found guilty would have to serve at least two years of their sentence, with certain exceptions.

State lawmakers are considering a bill that would require a mandatory minimum prison sentence for someone who assaults a police officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, paramedic and a host of other officials.

The General Assembly's Public Safety and Security Committee has scheduled a hearing for Thursday to discuss the proposal.

Assaulting a public safety, emergency medical, public transit or health care worker is currently a class C felony. Under this bill, anyone found guilty would have to serve at least two years of their sentence, with certain exceptions.

The state's Department of Correction supports the bill.

In written testimony, Commissioner Leo Arnone said prisoners often throw bodily fluids at the guards.

This bill would discourage inmates from committing such assaults because they'd risk more prison time, he said.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us