This bill amends Iowa's assault laws to enhance penalties for assaults against individuals in certain occupations, including the addition of juvenile detention staff to the list of protected persons. It reclassifies the penalties for various types of assaults, increasing them by one degree. Specifically, an assault against a person in one of the listed occupations, committed with knowledge of their role and intent to inflict serious injury, is now classified as a class C felony. Additionally, using or displaying a dangerous weapon during such an assault also results in a class C felony charge. Causing bodily injury or mental illness during an assault will now be classified as a class D felony, while other forms of assault, including those involving saliva, are classified as aggravated misdemeanors, with a mandatory minimum sentence of seven days.

Furthermore, the bill addresses assaults committed by inmates against employees of correctional facilities. It specifies that assaults resulting in contact with bodily fluids, including saliva, will be classified as class D felonies. The inclusion of saliva in the definition of bodily fluids expands the scope of the law to cover more potential assault scenarios. The penalties for class C and D felonies include significant confinement periods and fines, reinforcing the seriousness of these offenses and the state's commitment to protecting individuals in these critical roles.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 708.3A