Assembly Bill 53 seeks 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 judges, prosecutors, or law enforcement officers in response to their official actions face penalties classified as a Class H felony. The proposed bill expands this definition to include community service officers, thereby imposing the same felony classification for similar offenses against them.

The specific legal language changes include the insertion of "or community service officer" in the relevant sections of the law, while the term "law enforcement officer" is deleted in certain contexts to accommodate this addition. This amendment aims to enhance the protection of community service officers, recognizing their role in public safety and the potential risks they face while performing their duties. 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.