ArizonaArizona law treats assaults on utility and communications workers as aggravated assault
Arizona law treats assaults on certain utility and communications employees as aggravated assault when they are working and the attacker knows their role.
What it does
Assaults on employees of specified utilities, licensed phone or video providers, and other utilities qualify as aggravated assault when the employees are doing their jobs and the attacker knows, or has reason to know, their role.
Argument forThis rule may give workers who keep utility and communications services running added protection when they are assaulted on the job.
Argument againstA person could face an aggravated assault charge based on the victim’s work role even when the assault does not cause serious injury.
More detail
An assault qualifies as aggravated assault when the victim is a covered provider’s employee doing work duties and the attacker knows, or has reason to know, the victim’s role. Covered employees work for a public utility, a licensed phone or video service provider, or another utility defined by state law. The employee must be doing work duties when assaulted. The attacker must know, or have reason to know, that the victim is a covered employee. One version applies until January 1, 2033; the other begins January 1, 2033.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 19Signed by Governor Katie HobbsBecame Law
- Jun 10Transmit to GovernorTo Governor
- Jun 9PASSEDMajor
- Vote recorded Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 9PASSEDMajor
- Apr 13Transmit to Senate
- Vote recorded Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 13PASSEDPassed House
- Mar 24DPAMajor
- Vote recorded do pass amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 11DPAMajor
- Mar 5House Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 4House First Reading.Minor
- Feb 27Transmit to House
- Feb 26PASSEDPassed Senate
- Vote recorded Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 11DPMinor
- Jan 28Senate Second ReadingMinor
- Jan 27Senate First ReadingIntroduced
Criminal JusticePublic Safety