State SealARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 

HB 2503: assault; health care practitioner; classification

PRIME SPONSOR: Representative Shah, LD 24

BILL STATUS: House Engrossed

                               

 

Overview

Classifies aggravated assault against fire and emergency medical personnel, a medical facility employee, or a healthcare practitioner as a class 5 felony if it involves physical injury.

History

An assault may become an aggravated assault if committed against the following individuals in the course of their employment:

1.       Peace officers;

2.       Constables;

3.       Fire personnel;

4.       School personnel;

5.       Healthcare practitioners;

6.       Prosecutors;

7.       Code enforcement officers;

8.       Park rangers;

9.       Public defenders; and

10.   Judicial officers (A.R.S. § 13-1204(A)(8)).

Aggravated assaults against these individuals are generally punished as class 6 felonies, though assaults against peace officers and prosecutors range from class 6 to class 2 felonies, depending upon the circumstances (A.R.S. § 13-1204(F),(G)).

Depending upon the circumstances of the offense, a class 6 felony assault is punishable by a presumptive term of approximately 1 to ­2.25 years in prison. A class 5 felony assault is punishable by approximately 1.5 to 3 years in prison (A.R.S. §§ 13-702, 13-704).

Provisions

1.       Classifies aggravated assault against the following individuals engaged in professional duties as a class 5 felony if the offense involves physical injury:

a.       Fire personnel and emergency medical technicians; and

b.       Anyone summoned and directed by fire personnel or an emergency medical technician.

 

2.       Classifies aggravated assault against the following individuals engaged in professional duties as a class 5 felony if the offense involves physical injury, unless the assailant is seriously mentally ill or afflicted with Alzheimer's disease or dementia:

a.       Medical facility employees or contractors;

b.       Health care practitioners; and

c.        Anyone summoned and directed by a health care practitioner.

3.       Makes a conforming change.

 

 

 

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Fifty-fourth Legislature                               HB 2503

First Regular Session                    Version 3: House Engrossed

 

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