HB 2249
Initials LC/JH Page 1 Judiciary
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-fifth Legislature
Second Regular Session
HB 2249: aggravated assault; biting; bodily fluid
Sponsor: Representative Finchem, LD 11
Committee on Judiciary
Overview
Modifies the classification of aggravated assault to include biting another person or projecting
bodily fluids at another person.
History
Assault occurs when a person causes physical injury to another person, a person touches another
with the intent to injure or a person places another in imminent danger of physical injury (A.R.S.
§ 13-1203). For sentencing and classification purposes, some crimes have mitigating or
aggravating circumstances that either increase or decrease the severity of the crime.
Aggravated assault occurs when someone commits an assault involving specific factors and
circumstances. Causing another person serious physical injury is an aggravating factor that
constitutes a class 3 felony (A.R.S. § 13-1204).
Prisoner assault with bodily fluids is classified as a class 6 felony. Prisoner assault with bodily
fluids is defined as an instance in which a prisoner throws or projects a bodily fluid at a correctional
facility employee or private prison security officer. Bodily fluids means saliva, blood, seminal fluid,
urine or feces (A.R.S. § 13-1212).
Provisions
1. Expands the classification of aggravated assault to include biting another person or projecting
bodily fluids at another person. (Sec. 1)
2. Classifies aggravated assault by means of biting another person or projecting fluids at another
person as a class 6 felony. (Sec. 1)
3. Defines the terms bodily fluids and health professional. (Sec. 1)
4. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1)