Bill > SB431

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.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB431