Senate Bill 17 aims to amend existing statutes regarding special circumstances battery by including community service officers (CSOs) among those protected under the law. Currently, individuals who intentionally cause or threaten bodily harm to certain officials, such as judges and law enforcement officers, face enhanced penalties, specifically a Class H felony. The proposed legislation extends this protection to community service officers, making it a Class H felony to harm or threaten them in response to actions taken in their official capacity.

The bill modifies the legal language in section 940.203 (2) by removing references to only law enforcement officers and inserting community service officers into the statute. This change reflects a recognition of the role of community service officers and aims to provide them with similar legal protections as other officials. The bill may also prompt a review by the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties due to the creation of a new crime and the revision of penalties.