The bill amends Section 11-42-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-42, entitled "Threats and Extortion," to expand the definition of "public official" to include state government caseworkers and investigators. This change means that threats to take the life of or to inflict bodily harm upon these individuals or their immediate family members, due to their public duty performance or nonperformance, their status or position, or other factors related to their public existence, would constitute a felony. The penalty for such an offense includes imprisonment for not more than five years, a fine of not more than five thousand dollars, or both.

The bill clarifies that the term "public official" covers a range of individuals who are elected or appointed to office according to the constitution, statutes, or city or town charters, as well as judges, magistrates, attorneys general, law enforcement officers, and those who have filed for nomination or election to elective office. Additionally, the term "immediate family" is defined as a public official’s spouse, child, or children. The bill would take effect immediately upon passage, thereby providing these additional protections to state government caseworkers and investigators without delay.

Statutes affected:
8223: 11-42-4