2023 -- H 5046

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LC000517

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- ASSAULTS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Perez, Vella-Wilkinson, Diaz, Batista, Noret, Corvese,
Lima, Costantino, and Cardillo

     Date Introduced: January 11, 2023

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 11-5-3.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-5 entitled "Assaults" is

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hereby amended to read as follows:

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     11-5-3.1. Assault or battery upon delivery person.

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     (a) “Delivery person” means any person engaged in the commercial delivery of any item,

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food product, or anything else of value to any home, residence, or business.

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     (b) "Taxi driver" means any person who is engaged as a common carrier, driver, or operator

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of a taxicab as those words are defined in § 39-14-1.

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     (b)(c) Every person who shall make an assault or battery upon any delivery person or taxi

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driver in the execution of the delivery person's their duty shall be imprisoned not exceeding three

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(3) years or fined not exceeding three thousand dollars ($3,000), or both.

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     (c)(d) Every person who shall make an assault or battery, or both, with a dangerous weapon,

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or with acid or other dangerous substance, or by fire, or an assault or battery that results in serious

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bodily injury, to any delivery person or taxi driver shall be punished by imprisonment for a period

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of not less than five (5) years, but not more than twenty (20) years.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- ASSAULTS

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     This act would make an assault on taxi drivers a felony punishable by up to three (3) years

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imprisonment and an assault with a dangerous weapon punishable by five (5) to twenty (20) years

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imprisonment.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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