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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
aggravated assault; utility workers
Purpose
Adds outlined on-duty utility workers as protected persons in the criminal classification of aggravated assault.
Background
A person commits assault by: 1) intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing any physical injury to another person; 2) intentionally placing another person in reasonable apprehension of imminent physical injury; or 3) knowingly touching another person with the intent to injure, insult or provoke such person. Assault is a class 1, 2 or 3 misdemeanor depending on the circumstances of the offense (A.R.S. § 13-1203).
A person commits aggravated assault if a person commits assault and certain aggravating circumstances apply, including if the person causes serious physical injury to another or uses a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument in the commission of the offense. A person also commits aggravated assault if the person commits assault on a person knowing or having reason to know that the victim is: 1) a constable; 2) a teacher or other school employee as outlined; 3) a health care worker while engaged in official duties as outlined; 4) a prosecutor; 5) a code enforcement officer; 6) a park ranger; 7) a public defender; 8) a judicial officer; or 9) until January 1, 2033, a first responder, an employee of a law enforcement agency other than a peace officer, a public transit employee as outlined, an airport employee or a railway worker while engaged in official duties as outlined. The penalty for aggravated assault ranges from a class 2 felony to a class 6 felony depending on the circumstances of the offense (A.R.S. § 13-1204).
A utility is any public service corporation, licensed cable television system or video service network, telephone line or telegraph line corporation or person engaged in the generation, transmission or delivery of electricity, gas, telephone, cable television, telegraph or water service, including the state or any state agency or political subdivision (A.R.S. § 40-491).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Classifies, as aggravated assault, committing assault while knowing or having reason to know that the victim is an employee of a utility, public utility or a licensed telecommunications or video service provider who is engaged in the employee's work duties.
2. Makes technical changes.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by the House of Representatives
· Adds, to the list of protected persons in the criminal classification of aggravated assault, an employee of a utility who is engaged in the employee's work duties.
Senate Action House Action
PS 2/11/26 DP 7-0-0 JUD 3/11/26 DPA 6-1-1-1
3rd Read 2/26/26 23-4-3 3rd
Read 4/13/26 41-13-6
Prepared by Senate Research
April 13, 2026
KJA/SDR/hk