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Bill > SB431
CA SB431
Assault and battery: public utility employees and essential infrastructure workers.
summary
Introduced
02/18/2025
02/18/2025
In Committee
05/23/2025
05/23/2025
Crossed Over
06/02/2025
06/02/2025
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act to amend Sections 241 and 243 of the Penal Code, relating to crimes.
AI Summary
This bill amends California's Penal Code to expand legal protections for public utility employees and essential infrastructure workers by making it a crime to commit assault or battery against these workers while they are performing their job duties. Specifically, the bill adds public utility employees and workers engaged in essential infrastructure work (such as those maintaining electricity, water, natural gas, telecommunications, transportation, roads, bridges, or waste management services) to the list of professionals who receive enhanced legal protection. Under this bill, if someone commits an assault or battery against these workers, knowing or reasonably should know that the victim is a public utility or essential infrastructure worker, they can be punished by up to one year in county jail, a fine of up to $2,000, or both. The bill defines "public utility employee" broadly to include not just direct employees but also contract workers and employees of utility contractors. By expanding the scope of these criminal offenses, the bill aims to provide additional legal safeguards for workers in critical infrastructure sectors, recognizing the essential nature of their work and the potential risks they face while performing their job responsibilities.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk. (on 06/03/2025)
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