The bill amends Section 11-42-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-42, which is titled "Threats and Extortion," to expand the definition of "public official" within the context of threats made against such individuals. The new legal language inserted specifies that the term "public official" now includes school superintendents, central office officials, school principals, and all other school employees, in addition to those previously covered such as elected or appointed officials, judges, magistrates, attorneys general, law enforcement officers, and candidates for elective office.
The bill establishes that knowingly and willfully delivering a threat to harm or take the life of a public official or their immediate family member, due to their public duty, status, or related factors, is a felony. The penalty for such an offense is imprisonment for not more than five years, a fine of not more than five thousand dollars, or both. The definition of "immediate family" is clarified to mean the spouse, child, or children of the public official. The act is set to take effect upon passage.
Statutes affected: 2683: 11-42-4