A bill for an act relating to criminal acts against persons in certain occupations, including testing for communicable diseases for certain persons who have committed an assault against a member of a protected occupation, certain public safety personnel, including confidentiality of peer support communications for public safety officers and civilian employees, and obstructing first responders, and providing penalties.
What changed between versions
Added protection for a wide array of occupations including correctional staff, health care providers, revenue agents, and national guard members, not just traditional first responders.
Replaced the specific definition of 'first responder' with a new definition of 'member of a protected occupation' that lists numerous specific job roles.
Added new provisions allowing law enforcement to seek warrants to test assaulters for communicable diseases if the victim was exposed to bodily fluids.
Established specific sentencing guidelines, including minimum jail terms for assaults causing contact with saliva and felony charges for assaults involving weapons or bodily injury.
Added a confidentiality clause protecting peer support communications for public safety officers and civilian employees from disclosure in investigations.