This bill proposes significant enhancements to the penalties for assaults against law enforcement officers and designated emergency responders, including firefighters and medical personnel. It reclassifies the crime of assaulting a law enforcement officer from a third-degree to a second-degree offense, which carries a potential prison sentence of five to ten years and a fine of up to $150,000. The bill prohibits plea deals to lesser charges and ensures that convictions for this offense do not merge with other criminal charges. Additionally, mandatory incarceration terms under the No Early Release Act (NERA) will only apply if the assault results in bodily injury or serious bodily injury to the officer.

Moreover, the bill upgrades the penalties for throwing bodily fluids at public safety officials, categorizing it as aggravated assault. If the victim suffers bodily injury, the offense is classified as a second-degree crime; otherwise, it is a fourth-degree crime. The legislation mandates that individuals charged with this offense undergo testing for communicable diseases, with any positive results disclosed to the victim. These changes aim to strengthen protections for law enforcement and emergency service personnel while ensuring accountability for offenders.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:12-13