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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 25, 2021 10:06 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Ed Neilson |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Aggravated Assault of Local Code Enforcement Officials (Formerly HB 545) |
| Code enforcement officers are one of many classes of public officials placed in the sometimes contentious position of having to say, “no.” As such, these officers who are responsible for the enforcement of local laws and ordinances may find themselves confronted with hostility in the line of duty. Title 18 designates certain public officials, such as constables, teachers, parking enforcement officers and public utility employees, as a protected class under the grading of aggravated assault. This means that an aggravated assault on any official protected under this designation is considered a felony of the second degree. I believe code enforcement officers should be granted an equal level of protection. Therefore, I will be re-introducing HB 545 of the 2019-2020 Legislative Session. What this proposal intends is to add code enforcement officers to the protected class in the event of an assault causing bodily injury while carrying out the business of the office. This would raise the penalty for the offense from a misdemeanor of the second degree to a felony of the second degree. I ask that you please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation to help provide much-needed protection to local code enforcement officers throughout the Commonwealth. |
Introduced as HB1135