Assault and battery: transit employees.

(1) Existing law defines an assault as an unlawful attempt, coupled with present ability, to commit a violent injury on the person of another. Under existing law, an assault committed against specified individuals, such as a peace officer or a lifeguard, is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, by a fine not exceeding $2,000, or by both that fine and imprisonment. This bill would also make an assault committed against a transit employee punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, by a fine not exceeding $2,000, or by both that fine and imprisonment. By expanding the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (2) Existing law defines a battery as any willful and unlawful use of force or violence upon the person of another. Under existing law, a battery committed against specified individuals, such as a peace officer or a lifeguard, is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, by a fine not exceeding $2,000, or by both that fine and imprisonment. Under existing law, if an injury is inflicted the battery is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, by a fine of $2,000, or by both that fine and imprisonment, or by imprisonment in a county jail for 16 months, or 2 or 3 years. This bill would also make a battery committed against a transit employee punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, by a fine not exceeding $2,000, or by both that fine and imprisonment. The bill would, if the battery results in an injury, make the battery punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, by a fine of $2,000, or by both that fine and imprisonment, or by imprisonment in a county jail for 16 months, or 2 or 3 years. By expanding the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (3) 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.