Bill > S3201

This bill upgrades penalties for assaulting certain public safety and service professionals, with a particular focus on law enforcement officers. The legislation modifies New Jersey's existing assault statutes to include specific provisions for aggravated assault against various professionals, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, school employees, judges, utility workers, healthcare workers, and corrections staff. Notably, the bill introduces new provisions that make it a crime of the second degree if serious bodily injury results from an assault on a law enforcement officer, and explicitly states that such a conviction cannot be merged with other criminal offenses. The bill also addresses a specific scenario where throwing bodily fluids at these professionals is considered aggravated assault, with graduated severity based on the level of injury. Additionally, the legislation requires that when someone is charged with throwing bodily fluids at a professional, they must be tested for communicable diseases, with a court-issued warrant if necessary, and any positive results must be disclosed to the victim. The biological sample can only be used for disease testing and must be destroyed after testing. These changes aim to provide enhanced protection and legal recourse for public service professionals who are at higher risk of assault in the course of their duties.

Budget and Finance, Justice, Military Affairs and Security

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S3201