This bill establishes the criminal offense of aggravated assault upon a healthcare worker in Arkansas. It defines "healthcare worker" to include a wide range of individuals involved in the delivery and support of healthcare services, such as physicians, nurses, paramedics, technicians, pharmacists, and various support staff. The bill specifies that aggravated assault occurs when a person, with extreme indifference to the safety of a healthcare worker, purposely causes them to come into contact with bodily fluids, thereby creating a potential danger of infection. This offense is classified as a Class D felony.

Additionally, the bill amends existing definitions in Arkansas law, replacing the term "first responder" and expanding the definition of "healthcare worker" to encompass a broader array of roles within healthcare settings. It also modifies the language regarding battery offenses to include healthcare workers providing services in support of medical treatment. The bill ensures that it does not alter existing provisions related to juvenile case transfers or the determination of a defendant's fitness to proceed in criminal cases.

Statutes affected:
SB 435: 5-13-101, 5-13-202(a)
Act 753: 5-13-101, 5-13-202(a)