Bill > SB431

This bill amends California's Penal Code to expand legal protections for utility workers by making it a crime to commit assault or battery against employees of water, electrical, gas, or electric cooperative corporations while they are performing their job duties. Specifically, the bill defines a "utility worker" as a person employed by or contracting with an investor-owned or publicly owned utility corporation who performs construction, maintenance, repair, or installation of water, electrical, or gas infrastructure. Under the proposed changes, anyone who assaults or batters a utility worker during the performance of their duties could be punished by up to one year in county jail, a fine of up to $2,000, or both. This is similar to existing legal protections for other professionals like peace officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. The bill does not require local governments to be reimbursed for implementing these changes, as it is considered a modification to criminal penalties. The goal appears to be protecting essential infrastructure workers from workplace violence by creating specific legal consequences for those who assault them.

Budget and Finance, Justice

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