H5566

	2021 -- H 5566
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	LC001122
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	STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
	IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
	JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021
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	A N A C T
	RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES - ASSAULTS

	Introduced By: Representatives Perez, Vella-Wilkinson, Williams, and Shanley
	Date Introduced: February 12, 2021
	Referred To: House Judiciary
	It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
1	SECTION 1. Section 11-5-3.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-5 entitled "Assaults" is
2	hereby amended to read as follows:
3	11-5-3.1. Assault or battery upon delivery person.
4	(a) "Delivery person" means any person engaged in the commercial delivery of any item,
5	food product, or anything else of value to any home, residence, or business.
6	(b) "Taxi driver" means any person who is engaged as a common carrier, driver, or operator
7	of a taxicab as those words are defined in § 39-14-1.
8	(b)(c) Every person who shall make an assault or battery upon any delivery person or taxi
9	driver in the execution of the delivery person's their duty shall be imprisoned not exceeding three
10	(3) years or fined not exceeding three thousand dollars ($3,000), or both.
11	(c)(d) Every person who shall make an assault or battery, or both, with a dangerous weapon,
12	or with acid or other dangerous substance, or by fire, or an assault or battery that results in serious
13	bodily injury, to any delivery person or taxi driver shall be punished by imprisonment for a period
14	of not less than five (5) years, but not more than twenty (20) years.
15	SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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	LC001122
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	EXPLANATION
	BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
	OF
	A N A C T
	RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES - ASSAULTS
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1	This act would make an assault on taxi drivers a felony punishable by up to three (3) years
2	imprisonment and an assault with a dangerous weapon punishable by five (5) to twenty (20) years
3	imprisonment.
4	This act would take effect upon passage.
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	LC001122
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