Schmitt Bill to Protect Police Officers Sent to House for a Vote
HARRISBURG – The House Judiciary Committee today approved legislation by Rep. Lou Schmitt (R-Blair) to protect police officers from being assaulted with bodily fluids, such as spit. The bill also carries a heavier penalty for people who have an infectious disease and are convicted of assaulting an officer with bodily fluids.
House Bill 2016 would create a new criminal offense for people who assault police officers with bodily fluids. Officers in jails and prisons and officers transporting prisoners already were protected, but there was no protection for cops on the street.
“My bill changes that and includes a harsher penalty for people who essentially weaponize an infectious disease they have when they assault an officer with bodily fluids,” Schmitt said. “The people who carry out these disgusting and degrading acts against law enforcement deserve to be behind bars for a long time, and that’s just where my bill will put them.”
Should the bill become law, the offense would be classified as a first-degree misdemeanor, which carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and up to $10,000 fine; and an enhanced third-degree felony, which includes up to seven years and up to $15,000 fine, if the person knows or has reason to know they have an infectious disease.
House Bill 2016 now goes to the full House for consideration.
Representative Lou Schmitt
79th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Greg Gross
717.260.6374
ggross@pahousegop.com
RepLouSchmitt.com /
Facebook.com/RepSchmitt