Posted: | May 13, 2019 04:19 PM |
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From: | Senator John P. Sabatina, Jr. |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Adding School Crossing Guards Under the Protected Class for Aggravated Assault |
Soon, I plan to introduce legislation amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses), adding school crossing guards as a protected class, under the grading of aggravated assault. School crossing guards play an important part in ensuring the safety of children who walk or bicycle to and from school. They help children safely cross the street at key locations and remind drivers of the presence of pedestrians. Their role is even more essential in urban school districts, where there are more students who walk to school, more vehicles on the roadway, and more points of conflict at intersections. Currently, under Title 18 certain public officials, such as police officers, firefighters, teachers, and parking enforcement officials are a protected class under the grading of aggravated assault. Therefore, aggravated assault on any official protected under this classification is considered a felony of the second degree. My legislation will provide school crossing guards that same level of protection. Whereas, an assault causing bodily injury while carrying out their role as school crossing guards, would now be raised from a misdemeanor of the second degree to a felony of the second degree. I hope you will join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation. |
Introduced as SB685