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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 8, 2021 12:30 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Anthony M. DeLuca |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Aggravated Assault - Vulnerable Individuals |
| Currently, Pennsylvania law on aggravated assault does not include protections for some of the most vulnerable individuals in this Commonwealth – such as individuals who are blind, pregnant, over age 60, or who have a physical or intellectual disability. To close this gap, I will be introducing legislation making aggravated assault against one of these individuals a first-degree felony. It has also come to my attention that the offense of “Simple Assault” unnecessarily confuses victims and sometimes diminishes the injury that they have suffered. As such, my legislation would rename “Simple Assault” to “Assault.” Finally, my legislation would also provide for cases where an individual attempts to cause, or intentionally or knowingly causes, “substantial bodily injury” to another. This change would provide for a middle ground between the current standards of “bodily injury” and “serious bodily injury” that are found in the offenses of assault and aggravated assault. Please join me in sponsoring this important and victim-centered piece of legislation. |
Introduced as HB450