Bill > H1199

This bill proposes to amend Chapter 265 of the General Laws by adding a new section, 13D¾, which defines "responding to criminal activity" broadly to include actions like traveling to, safeguarding, investigating, or patrolling an area where suspected criminal activity has occurred or is occurring, as well as apprehending or questioning suspects. The core provision of this bill is to establish that any assault and battery against a police officer who is performing their official duties while responding to criminal activity, and which results in injury to the officer, will be prosecuted as a felony, punishable by up to 10 years in state prison or a fine of up to $1,000 and imprisonment in a jail or house of correction for up to 2 and a half years.