Bill > S3493

This bill upgrades the penalties for assaulting certain health care support staff and security guards at health care facilities, as well as those at human services and veterans' facilities, by reclassifying simple assault to aggravated assault under specific circumstances. Specifically, if someone assaults health care support staff who do not provide direct patient care, or security guards employed by a licensed health care facility, a State or county psychiatric hospital, a State developmental center, or a veterans' memorial home, and these individuals are clearly identifiable as performing their duties, the assault will be considered aggravated assault. However, this upgraded penalty does not apply to patients or residents of psychiatric hospitals, developmental centers, or veterans' homes who have been diagnosed with a mental illness or developmental disability. The bill further defines aggravated assault as a crime of the third degree if the victim suffers bodily injury, which carries a penalty of three to five years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $15,000, and a crime of the fourth degree if no bodily injury occurs, punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $10,000.

Justice

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S3493