The proposed bill aims to establish 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 healthcare services, such as physicians, nurses, paramedics, technicians, pharmacists, and various support staff. The bill amends existing definitions in Arkansas Code 5-13-101 and 5-13-202 to incorporate this new classification and clarify the roles of healthcare workers in the context of assault and battery.

Under the new section 5-13-215, a person commits aggravated assault upon a healthcare worker if they intentionally create a potential danger of infection by causing the healthcare worker to come into contact with bodily fluids. This offense is classified as a Class D felony. The bill also specifies that it does not alter existing provisions regarding juvenile case transfers to circuit court or the determination of a defendant's fitness to proceed in a criminal case.

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