Bill > AB394

This bill expands legal protections for public transportation workers and employees by modifying existing laws regarding workplace violence and battery. Specifically, the bill broadens the definition of unlawful violence to include battery committed against public transportation providers, employees, and contractors, in addition to existing protections for bus operators, drivers, and passengers. Under the new provisions, if someone commits battery against a public transportation worker while knowing or reasonably believing the victim is performing their duties, they can be punished by a fine up to $10,000, imprisonment in county jail for up to one year, or both. If the battery causes an injury, the penalties increase to potentially include state prison time of 16 months to three years. The bill also clarifies that for the purposes of seeking workplace restraining orders, the definition of "employer" now explicitly includes joint powers authorities and public transit operators. By expanding the scope of existing criminal statutes, the bill aims to provide greater legal recourse and protection for workers in the public transportation sector. The bill does not require additional state reimbursement since it primarily modifies existing criminal definitions and penalties.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB394