Highway workers: assault and battery.

Existing law establishes the offense of assault against a highway worker engaged in the performance of his or her duties, where "highway worker" is defined as an employee or contractor of the Department of Transportation engaged in specified activities related to state highways. This bill would expand the definition of highway worker for that offense to include employees of a city, county, or city and county, as well as employees of a contractor while working under contract with the Department of Transportation, contractors and employees of contractors while working under contract with a city, county, or city and county, and volunteers, as defined, and to include additional specified activities related to local roads or streets. Existing law establishes the offense of battery against a highway worker engaged in the performance of his or her duties, where "highway worker" is defined as an employee or contractor of the Department of Transportation engaged in specified activities related to state highways. This bill would expand the definition of highway worker for that offense to include employees of a city, county, or city and county, as well as employees of a contractor while working under contract with the Department of Transportation, contractors and employees of contractors while working under contract with a city, county, or city and county, and volunteers, as defined, and to include additional specified activities related to local roads or streets. By expanding the scope of existing offenses, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.