The Courtroom Employee Protection Act proposes significant amendments to section 2903.13 of the Revised Code, primarily aimed at increasing penalties for assault against judges, magistrates, prosecutors, and court officials or employees. The bill reclassifies such assaults from a first-degree misdemeanor to a fourth-degree felony, which carries a higher maximum fine of $7,500, up from the previous $5,000 for misdemeanors. This change underscores the need for enhanced protection for individuals working within the judicial system, acknowledging the unique risks they encounter while fulfilling their official duties.

In addition to the changes regarding courtroom personnel, the bill introduces new definitions related to emergency service responders and their families, clarifying terms such as "emergency service responder," "family or household member," and "co-worker." It specifies criteria for identifying family members, including spouses and children, and defines "person living as a spouse" in the context of common law relationships. Furthermore, the bill repeals the existing section 2903.13, which may have contained previous provisions on these topics, thereby streamlining the legal framework to better protect emergency service responders and their families.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 2903.13