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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 11, 2017 02:57 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Dom Costa |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Aggravated Assault: Crossing Guards, Firefighters, and Public Utility Workers |
| In the near future, I will re-introduce legislation – former House Bill 120 of the 2015-2016 Legislative Session – that would add volunteer firefighters, special fire police, crossing guards, public utility employees and employees of electric cooperatives to the protected classes of individuals under the aggravated assault statute. In June of 2009, a Pittsburgh crossing guard was assaulted while acting in her official capacity. The charge in that case was reduced to simple assault because crossing guards are not one of the protected classes set forth by the aggravated assault statute. In 2010, a Philadelphia motorist who left a crossing guard’s eyes swollen shut after a brutal altercation was sentenced to mere probation after a judge found the motorist guilty of the lesser offense of simple assault. Moreover, there are several other classes of professionals who sometimes encounter hostile members of the public in the course of performing their official duties. As such, in addition to crossing guards, my legislation also includes protections for public utility employees, employees of electric cooperatives, volunteer firefighters, and special fire police. It is imperative that we protect those who may encounter danger while performing important services. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation. |
Introduced as HB295