The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 609.2231, subdivision 1, to enhance the penalties for assaulting a police officer. It redefines the consequences for physically assaulting a peace officer from a gross misdemeanor to a felony, allowing for a maximum sentence of two years in prison or a fine of up to $4,000, or both. Additionally, the bill specifies that more severe actions, such as inflicting demonstrable bodily harm or intentionally throwing bodily fluids at a peace officer, will result in a felony charge with a potential sentence of up to three years in prison or a fine of up to $6,000, or both.

The bill also includes an effective date, stating that the new provisions will take effect on August 1, 2023, and will apply to violations committed on or after that date. This legislative change aims to strengthen the legal framework surrounding the protection of peace officers and deter assaults against them.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 609.2231