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CS/CS/SB 1386 — Assault or Battery on a Utility Worker
by Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice; Criminal Justice Committee; and Senators Yarborough and Leek
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Criminal Justice Committee (CJ)
The bill amends s. 784.07, F.S., to reclassify offenses of assault or battery one degree higher, when a person knowingly commits an assault or battery against a utility worker while such utility worker is engaged in work on critical infrastructure, as defined in s. 812.141(1), F.S., and is engaged in the lawful performance of his or her duties.
“Utility worker” means a person who bears at least one patch, emblem, organizational identification, or other clear marking that is intended to be plainly visible, that identifies the employing or contracting utility, and that clearly identifies the person as a utility worker under contract with or employed by an entity that owns, operates, leases, or controls a plant, property, or facility for the generation, transmission, distribution, or furnishing to or for the public, of electricity, natural or manufactured gas or propane, water, wastewater, telephone, or communications service, including two or more utilities rendering joint service.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect October 1, 2025.
Vote: Senate 37-0; House 113-0