Arizona 2023 Regular Session

Arizona Senate Bill SCR1006 Compare Versions

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11 Senate Engrossed death benefit; assault; first responders. State of Arizona Senate Fifty-sixth Legislature First Regular Session 2023 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1006 A Concurrent Resolution enacting and ordering the submission to the people of a measure relating to first responders. (TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
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610 State of Arizona Senate Fifty-sixth Legislature First Regular Session 2023
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5965 Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring: 1. Under the power of the referendum, as vested in the Legislature, the following measure, relating to first responders, is enacted to become valid as a law if approved by the voters and on proclamation of the Governor: AN ACT amending title 12, chapter 1, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 12-116.12; repealing section 12-116.12, Arizona Revised Statutes; Amending section 13-1204, Arizona Revised Statutes; amending section 13-1204, Arizona Revised Statutes, as amended by section 3 of this resolution; Amending Title 38, chapter 8, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding article 4; repealing title 38, chapter 8, article 4, Arizona Revised Statutes; relating to first responders. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona: Section 1. Title 12, chapter 1, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 12-116.12, to read: START_STATUTE12-116.12. Penalty fee; first responder's supplemental death benefit A. Beginning from and after June 30, 2025, in addition to any other penalty, fine, fee, surcharge or aSSESSMENT authorized by law, a person shall pay a penalty fee of $20 on every conviction for a criminal offense. B. The court shall transmit the penalty fee collected pursuant to this section to the county treasurer, except that municipal courts shall transmit the penalty fee to the city or town treasurer. C. The city, town or county treasurer shall transmit the penalty fees to the state treasurer. The state treasurer shall deposit the penalty fees, pursuant to sections 35-146 and 35-147, in the state supplemental benefit fund established by section 38-1173. D. The court may not waive or mitigate the penalty fee. END_STATUTE Sec. 2. Delayed repeal Section 12-116.12, Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act, is repealed from and after December 31, 2032. Sec. 3. Section 13-1204, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read: START_STATUTE13-1204. Aggravated assault; classification; definitions A. Until January 1, 2033, a person commits aggravated assault if the person commits assault as prescribed by section 13-1203 under any of the following circumstances: 1. If the person causes serious physical injury to another. 2. If the person uses a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument. 3. If the person commits the assault by any means of force that causes temporary but substantial disfigurement, temporary but substantial loss or impairment of any body organ or part or a fracture of any body part. 4. If the person commits the assault while the victim is bound or otherwise physically restrained or while the victim's capacity to resist is substantially impaired. 5. If the person commits the assault after entering the private home of another with the intent to commit the assault. 6. If the person is eighteen years of age or older and commits the assault on a minor under fifteen years of age. 7. If the person commits assault as prescribed by section 13-1203, subsection A, paragraph 1 or 3 and the person is in violation of an order of protection issued against the person pursuant to section 13-3602 or 13-3624. 8. If the person commits the assault knowing or having reason to know that the victim is any of the following: (a) A peace officer first responder or a person summoned and directed by the officer first responder. (b) A constable or a person summoned and directed by the constable while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the constable's official duties. (c) A firefighter, fire investigator, fire inspector, emergency medical technician or paramedic engaged in the execution of any official duties or a person summoned and directed by such individual while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the official duties of the firefighter, fire investigator, fire inspector, emergency medical technician or paramedic. (d) (c) A teacher or other person employed by any school and the teacher or other employee is on the grounds of a school or grounds adjacent to the school or is in any part of a building or vehicle used for school purposes, any teacher or school nurse visiting a private home in the course of the teacher's or nurse's professional duties or any teacher engaged in any authorized and organized classroom activity held on other than school grounds. (e) (d) A health care worker while engaged in the health care worker's work duties or a health care practitioner who is certified or licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13, 14, 15, 17 or 25, or a person summoned and directed by the licensed health care practitioner while engaged in the person's professional duties. This subdivision does not apply if the person who commits the assault does not have the ability to form the culpable mental state because of a mental disability or because the person is seriously mentally ill, as defined in section 36-550. (f) (e) A prosecutor while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the prosecutor's official duties. (g) (f) A code enforcement officer as defined in section 39-123 while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the code enforcement officer's official duties. (h) (g) A state or municipal park ranger while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the park ranger's official duties. (i) (h) A public defender while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the public defender's official duties. (j) (i) A judicial officer while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the judicial officer's official duties. 9. If the person knowingly takes or attempts to exercise control over any of the following: (a) A peace officer's first responder's or other officer's firearm and the person knows or has reason to know that the victim is a peace officer first responder or other officer employed by one of the agencies listed in paragraph 10, subdivision (a), item (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) of this subsection. (b) Any weapon other than a firearm that is being used by a peace officer first responder or other officer or that the first responder or other officer is attempting to use, and the person knows or has reason to know that the victim is a peace officer first responder or other officer employed by one of the agencies listed in paragraph 10, subdivision (a), item (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) of this subsection. (c) Any implement that is being used by a peace officer first responder or other officer or that the first responder or other officer is attempting to use, and the person knows or has reason to know that the victim is a peace officer first responder or other officer employed by one of the agencies listed in paragraph 10, subdivision (a), item (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) of this subsection. For the purposes of this subdivision, "implement" means an object that is designed for or that is capable of restraining or injuring an individual. Implement does not include handcuffs. 10. If the person meets both of the following conditions: (a) Is imprisoned or otherwise subject to the custody of any of the following: (i) The state department of corrections. (ii) The department of juvenile corrections. (iii) A law enforcement agency. (iv) A county or city jail or an adult or juvenile detention facility of a city or county. (v) Any other entity that is contracting with the state department of corrections, the department of juvenile corrections, a law enforcement agency, another state, any private correctional facility, a county, a city or the federal bureau of prisons or other federal agency that has responsibility for sentenced or unsentenced prisoners. (b) Commits an assault knowing or having reason to know that the victim is acting in an official capacity as an employee of any of the entities listed in subdivision (a) of this paragraph. 11. If the person uses a simulated deadly weapon. B. Until january 1, 2033, a person commits aggravated assault if the person commits assault by either intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing any physical injury to another person, intentionally placing another person in reasonable apprehension of imminent physical injury or knowingly touching another person with the intent to injure the person, and both of the following occur: 1. The person intentionally or knowingly impedes the normal breathing or circulation of blood of another person by applying pressure to the throat or neck or by obstructing the nose and mouth either manually or through the use of an instrument. 2. Any of the circumstances exists that are set forth in section 13-3601, subsection A, paragraph 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. C. A person who is convicted of intentionally or knowingly committing aggravated assault on a peace officer first responder pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2 of this section shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not less than the presumptive sentence authorized under chapter 7 of this title and is not eligible for suspension of sentence, commutation or release on any basis until the sentence imposed is served. D. It is not a defense to a prosecution for assaulting a peace officer or a mitigating circumstance that the peace officer was not on duty or engaged in the execution of any official duties. E. Except pursuant to subsections F and G of this section, aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2, paragraph 9, subdivision (a) or paragraph 11 of this section is a class 3 felony except if the aggravated assault is a violation of subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2 of this section and the victim is under fifteen years of age it is a class 2 felony punishable pursuant to section 13-705. Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 3 or subsection B of this section is a class 4 felony. Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 9, subdivision (b) or paragraph 10 of this section is a class 5 felony. Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 or paragraph 9, subdivision (c) of this section is a class 6 felony. F. Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2 of this section committed on a peace officer first responder is a class 2 felony. Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 3 of this section committed on a peace officer first responder is a class 3 felony. Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 8, subdivision (a) of this section committed on a peace officer first responder is a class 5 4 felony unless the assault results in any physical injury to the peace officer first responder, in which case it is a class 4 3 felony. G. Aggravated assault pursuant to: 1. Subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2 of this section is a class 2 felony if committed on a prosecutor. 2. Subsection A, paragraph 3 of this section is a class 3 felony if committed on a prosecutor. 3. Subsection A, paragraph 8, subdivision (f) (e) of this section is a class 5 felony if the assault results in physical injury to a prosecutor. H. For the purposes of this section: 1. "First responder" MEANS: (a) A peace officer. (b) a firefighter, a fire marshal, a fire inspector, an emergency medical care technician or a paramedic who is engaged in the execution of any official duties. (c) A tribal police officer. 1. 2. "Health care worker" means: (a) A person who is employed by or contracted to work at a health care institution that is licensed pursuant to title 36. (b) A person who is employed or contracted to provide health care or related services in a fieldwork setting, including: (i) Home health care, home-based hospice and home-based social work, unless the worker is employed or contracted by an individual who privately employs, in the individual's residence, the worker to perform covered services for the individual or a family member of the individual. (ii) Any emergency services and transport, including the services provided by firefighters and emergency responders. 2. 3. "Judicial officer" means a justice of the supreme court, judge, justice of the peace or magistrate or a commissioner or hearing officer of a state, county or municipal court. 3. 4. "Mental disability" means a disabling neurological condition, or brain injury, or involuntary impairment as a result of a medication that is administered by a health care provider or a medical procedure that is performed at a health care treatment site. 4. 5. "Prosecutor" means a county attorney, a municipal prosecutor or the attorney general and includes an assistant or deputy county attorney, municipal prosecutor or attorney general. END_STATUTE Sec. 4. Section 13-1204, Arizona Revised Statutes, as amended by section 3 of this resolution, is amended to read: START_STATUTE13-1204. Aggravated assault; classification; definitions A. Beginning from and after December 31, 2032, a person commits aggravated assault if the person commits assault as prescribed by section 13-1203 under any of the following circumstances: 1. If the person causes serious physical injury to another. 2. If the person uses a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument. 3. If the person commits the assault by any means of force that causes temporary but substantial disfigurement, temporary but substantial loss or impairment of any body organ or part or a fracture of any body part. 4. If the person commits the assault while the victim is bound or otherwise physically restrained or while the victim's capacity to resist is substantially impaired. 5. If the person commits the assault after entering the private home of another with the intent to commit the assault. 6. If the person is eighteen years of age or older and commits the assault on a minor under fifteen years of age. 7. If the person commits assault as prescribed by section 13-1203, subsection A, paragraph 1 or 3 and the person is in violation of an order of protection issued against the person pursuant to section 13-3602 or 13-3624. 8. If the person commits the assault knowing or having reason to know that the victim is any of the following: (a) A first responder peace officer or a person summoned and directed by the first responder officer. (b) A constable or a person summoned and directed by the constable while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the constable's official duties. (c) A firefighter, fire investigator, fire inspector, emergency medical technician or paramedic engaged in the execution of any official duties or a person summoned and directed by such individual while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the official duties of the firefighter, fire investigator, fire inspector, emergency medical technician or paramedic. (c) (d) A teacher or other person employed by any school and the teacher or other employee is on the grounds of a school or grounds adjacent to the school or is in any part of a building or vehicle used for school purposes, any teacher or school nurse visiting a private home in the course of the teacher's or nurse's professional duties or any teacher engaged in any authorized and organized classroom activity held on other than school grounds. (d) (e) A health care worker while engaged in the health care worker's work duties or a health care practitioner who is certified or licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13, 14, 15, 17 or 25, or a person summoned and directed by the licensed health care practitioner while engaged in the person's professional duties. This subdivision does not apply if the person who commits the assault does not have the ability to form the culpable mental state because of a mental disability or because the person is seriously mentally ill, as defined in section 36-550. (e) (f) A prosecutor while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the prosecutor's official duties. (f) (g) A code enforcement officer as defined in section 39-123 while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the code enforcement officer's official duties. (g) (h) A state or municipal park ranger while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the park ranger's official duties. (h) (i) A public defender while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the public defender's official duties. (i) (j) A judicial officer while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the judicial officer's official duties. 9. If the person knowingly takes or attempts to exercise control over any of the following: (a) A first responder's peace officer's or other officer's firearm and the person knows or has reason to know that the victim is a first responder peace officer or other officer employed by one of the agencies listed in paragraph 10, subdivision (a), item (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) of this subsection. (b) Any weapon other than a firearm that is being used by a first responder peace officer or other officer or that the first responder or other officer is attempting to use, and the person knows or has reason to know that the victim is a first responder peace officer or other officer employed by one of the agencies listed in paragraph 10, subdivision (a), item (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) of this subsection. (c) Any implement that is being used by a first responder peace officer or other officer or that the first responder or other officer is attempting to use, and the person knows or has reason to know that the victim is a first responder peace officer or other officer employed by one of the agencies listed in paragraph 10, subdivision (a), item (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) of this subsection. For the purposes of this subdivision, "implement" means an object that is designed for or that is capable of restraining or injuring an individual. Implement does not include handcuffs. 10. If the person meets both of the following conditions: (a) Is imprisoned or otherwise subject to the custody of any of the following: (i) The state department of corrections. (ii) The department of juvenile corrections. (iii) A law enforcement agency. (iv) A county or city jail or an adult or juvenile detention facility of a city or county. (v) Any other entity that is contracting with the state department of corrections, the department of juvenile corrections, a law enforcement agency, another state, any private correctional facility, a county, a city or the federal bureau of prisons or other federal agency that has responsibility for sentenced or unsentenced prisoners. (b) Commits an assault knowing or having reason to know that the victim is acting in an official capacity as an employee of any of the entities listed in subdivision (a) of this paragraph. 11. If the person uses a simulated deadly weapon. B. Beginning from and after December 31, 2032, a person commits aggravated assault if the person commits assault by either intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing any physical injury to another person, intentionally placing another person in reasonable apprehension of imminent physical injury or knowingly touching another person with the intent to injure the person, and both of the following occur: 1. The person intentionally or knowingly impedes the normal breathing or circulation of blood of another person by applying pressure to the throat or neck or by obstructing the nose and mouth either manually or through the use of an instrument. 2. Any of the circumstances exists that are set forth in section 13-3601, subsection A, paragraph 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. C. A person who is convicted of intentionally or knowingly committing aggravated assault on a first responder peace officer pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2 of this section shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not less than the presumptive sentence authorized under chapter 7 of this title and is not eligible for suspension of sentence, commutation or release on any basis until the sentence imposed is served. D. It is not a defense to a prosecution for assaulting a peace officer or a mitigating circumstance that the peace officer was not on duty or engaged in the execution of any official duties. E. Except pursuant to subsections F and G of this section, aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2, paragraph 9, subdivision (a) or paragraph 11 of this section is a class 3 felony except if the aggravated assault is a violation of subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2 of this section and the victim is under fifteen years of age it is a class 2 felony punishable pursuant to section 13-705. Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 3 or subsection B of this section is a class 4 felony. Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 9, subdivision (b) or paragraph 10 of this section is a class 5 felony. Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 or paragraph 9, subdivision (c) of this section is a class 6 felony. F. Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2 of this section committed on a first responder peace officer is a class 2 felony. Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 3 of this section committed on a first responder peace officer is a class 3 felony. Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 8, subdivision (a) of this section committed on a first responder peace officer is a class 4 5 felony unless the assault results in any physical injury to the first responder peace officer, in which case it is a class 3 4 felony. G. Aggravated assault pursuant to: 1. Subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2 of this section is a class 2 felony if committed on a prosecutor. 2. Subsection A, paragraph 3 of this section is a class 3 felony if committed on a prosecutor. 3. Subsection A, paragraph 8, subdivision (e) (f) of this section is a class 5 felony if the assault results in physical injury to a prosecutor. H. For the purposes of this section: 1. "First responder" means: (a) A peace officer. (b) a firefighter, a fire marshal, a fire inspector, an emergency medical care technician or a paramedic who is engaged in the execution of any official duties. 2. 1. "Health care worker" means: (a) A person who is employed by or contracted to work at a health care institution that is licensed pursuant to title 36. (b) A person who is employed or contracted to provide health care or related services in a fieldwork setting, including: (i) Home health care, home-based hospice and home-based social work, unless the worker is employed or contracted by an individual who privately employs, in the individual's residence, the worker to perform covered services for the individual or a family member of the individual. (ii) Any emergency services and transport, including the services provided by firefighters and emergency responders. 3. 2. "Judicial officer" means a justice of the supreme court, judge, justice of the peace or magistrate or a commissioner or hearing officer of a state, county or municipal court. 4. 3. "Mental disability" means a disabling neurological condition, or brain injury, or involuntary impairment as a result of a medication that is administered by a health care provider or a medical procedure that is performed at a health care treatment site. 5. 4. "Prosecutor" means a county attorney, a municipal prosecutor or the attorney general and includes an assistant or deputy county attorney, municipal prosecutor or attorney general. END_STATUTE Sec. 5. Title 38, chapter 8, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding article 4, to read: ARTICLE 4. FIRST RESPONDERS START_STATUTE38-1171. Definitions In this article, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. "First responder": (a) has the same meaning prescribed in section 13-1204. (b) Includes a member of the Arizona national guard who is on state active duty in this state and a correctional officer who is employed by the state department of corrections. 2. "Killed in the line of duty" means killed as the result of another person's criminal act while in the performance of the first responder's official duties. END_STATUTE START_STATUTE38-1172. State death benefit In addition to any other death benefit, beginning from and after June 30, 2025, if a first responder is killed in the line of duty, on written notice to the state treasurer from the first responder's employer this state shall pay a state death benefit of $250,000 to the first responder's surviving spouse. If the first responder does not have a surviving spouse but has children, this state shall pay a state death benefit of $250,000, divided equally among the first responder's children. The state shall pay the death benefit within thirty days after receiving the written notice from the first responder's employer. END_STATUTE START_STATUTE38-1173. State supplemental benefit fund The state supplemental benefit fund is established consisting of monies deposited pursuant to section 12-116.12 and monies appropriated by the legislature. The state treasurer shall administer the fund for the purposes specified in section 38-1172. Monies in the fund are continuously appropriated. If at any time the monies in the fund exceed $2,000,000 the legislature may appropriate those excess monies for peace officer training, equipment and other benefits, including assistance to first responders who are seriously injured in the line of duty and the first responder's family. END_STATUTE Sec. 6. Delayed repeal Title 38, chapter 8, article 4, Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act, is repealed from and after December 31, 2032. Sec. 7. Finding; intent; purpose A. The people of this state find and declare that: 1. Arizona's first responders are on the front lines for public safety and the peaceful enjoyment of this state's civil society. 2. First responders nationally and in this state have increasingly become targets for criminal assault, causing their injury and death. This has resulted in both heightened early retirements of first responders and difficulty in recruiting new first responders. B. The intent of this act is to increase the criminal penalties against persons who assault first responders in this state and to increase the death benefits for the families of first responders who are killed in the line of duty in this state. C. The purpose of this act is: 1. To stem the violence against first responders in this state. 2. To help retain and recruit first responders in this state by better providing for the families of first responders who are killed in the line of duty in this state. Sec. 8. Severability If a provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or application of the act that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this act are severable. Sec. 9. Short title This act may be cited as the "Back the Blue Act". 2. The Secretary of State shall submit this proposition to the voters at the next general election as provided by article IV, part 1, section 1, Constitution of Arizona.
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6167 Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring:
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6369 1. Under the power of the referendum, as vested in the Legislature, the following measure, relating to first responders, is enacted to become valid as a law if approved by the voters and on proclamation of the Governor:
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6571 AN ACT
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6773 amending title 12, chapter 1, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 12-116.12; repealing section 12-116.12, Arizona Revised Statutes; Amending section 13-1204, Arizona Revised Statutes; amending section 13-1204, Arizona Revised Statutes, as amended by section 3 of this resolution; Amending Title 38, chapter 8, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding article 4; repealing title 38, chapter 8, article 4, Arizona Revised Statutes; relating to first responders.
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6975 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
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7177 Section 1. Title 12, chapter 1, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 12-116.12, to read:
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7379 START_STATUTE12-116.12. Penalty fee; first responder's supplemental death benefit
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7581 A. Beginning from and after June 30, 2025, in addition to any other penalty, fine, fee, surcharge or aSSESSMENT authorized by law, a person shall pay a penalty fee of $20 on every conviction for a criminal offense.
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7783 B. The court shall transmit the penalty fee collected pursuant to this section to the county treasurer, except that municipal courts shall transmit the penalty fee to the city or town treasurer.
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7985 C. The city, town or county treasurer shall transmit the penalty fees to the state treasurer. The state treasurer shall deposit the penalty fees, pursuant to sections 35-146 and 35-147, in the state supplemental benefit fund established by section 38-1173.
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8187 D. The court may not waive or mitigate the penalty fee. END_STATUTE
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8389 Sec. 2. Delayed repeal
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8591 Section 12-116.12, Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act, is repealed from and after December 31, 2032.
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8793 Sec. 3. Section 13-1204, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
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8995 START_STATUTE13-1204. Aggravated assault; classification; definitions
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9197 A. Until January 1, 2033, a person commits aggravated assault if the person commits assault as prescribed by section 13-1203 under any of the following circumstances:
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9399 1. If the person causes serious physical injury to another.
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95101 2. If the person uses a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument.
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97103 3. If the person commits the assault by any means of force that causes temporary but substantial disfigurement, temporary but substantial loss or impairment of any body organ or part or a fracture of any body part.
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99105 4. If the person commits the assault while the victim is bound or otherwise physically restrained or while the victim's capacity to resist is substantially impaired.
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101107 5. If the person commits the assault after entering the private home of another with the intent to commit the assault.
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103109 6. If the person is eighteen years of age or older and commits the assault on a minor under fifteen years of age.
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105111 7. If the person commits assault as prescribed by section 13-1203, subsection A, paragraph 1 or 3 and the person is in violation of an order of protection issued against the person pursuant to section 13-3602 or 13-3624.
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107113 8. If the person commits the assault knowing or having reason to know that the victim is any of the following:
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109115 (a) A peace officer first responder or a person summoned and directed by the officer first responder.
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111117 (b) A constable or a person summoned and directed by the constable while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the constable's official duties.
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113119 (c) A firefighter, fire investigator, fire inspector, emergency medical technician or paramedic engaged in the execution of any official duties or a person summoned and directed by such individual while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the official duties of the firefighter, fire investigator, fire inspector, emergency medical technician or paramedic.
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115121 (d) (c) A teacher or other person employed by any school and the teacher or other employee is on the grounds of a school or grounds adjacent to the school or is in any part of a building or vehicle used for school purposes, any teacher or school nurse visiting a private home in the course of the teacher's or nurse's professional duties or any teacher engaged in any authorized and organized classroom activity held on other than school grounds.
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117123 (e) (d) A health care worker while engaged in the health care worker's work duties or a health care practitioner who is certified or licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13, 14, 15, 17 or 25, or a person summoned and directed by the licensed health care practitioner while engaged in the person's professional duties. This subdivision does not apply if the person who commits the assault does not have the ability to form the culpable mental state because of a mental disability or because the person is seriously mentally ill, as defined in section 36-550.
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119125 (f) (e) A prosecutor while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the prosecutor's official duties.
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121127 (g) (f) A code enforcement officer as defined in section 39-123 while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the code enforcement officer's official duties.
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123129 (h) (g) A state or municipal park ranger while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the park ranger's official duties.
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125131 (i) (h) A public defender while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the public defender's official duties.
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127133 (j) (i) A judicial officer while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the judicial officer's official duties.
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129135 9. If the person knowingly takes or attempts to exercise control over any of the following:
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131137 (a) A peace officer's first responder's or other officer's firearm and the person knows or has reason to know that the victim is a peace officer first responder or other officer employed by one of the agencies listed in paragraph 10, subdivision (a), item (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) of this subsection.
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133139 (b) Any weapon other than a firearm that is being used by a peace officer first responder or other officer or that the first responder or other officer is attempting to use, and the person knows or has reason to know that the victim is a peace officer first responder or other officer employed by one of the agencies listed in paragraph 10, subdivision (a), item (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) of this subsection.
134140
135141 (c) Any implement that is being used by a peace officer first responder or other officer or that the first responder or other officer is attempting to use, and the person knows or has reason to know that the victim is a peace officer first responder or other officer employed by one of the agencies listed in paragraph 10, subdivision (a), item (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) of this subsection. For the purposes of this subdivision, "implement" means an object that is designed for or that is capable of restraining or injuring an individual. Implement does not include handcuffs.
136142
137143 10. If the person meets both of the following conditions:
138144
139145 (a) Is imprisoned or otherwise subject to the custody of any of the following:
140146
141147 (i) The state department of corrections.
142148
143149 (ii) The department of juvenile corrections.
144150
145151 (iii) A law enforcement agency.
146152
147153 (iv) A county or city jail or an adult or juvenile detention facility of a city or county.
148154
149155 (v) Any other entity that is contracting with the state department of corrections, the department of juvenile corrections, a law enforcement agency, another state, any private correctional facility, a county, a city or the federal bureau of prisons or other federal agency that has responsibility for sentenced or unsentenced prisoners.
150156
151157 (b) Commits an assault knowing or having reason to know that the victim is acting in an official capacity as an employee of any of the entities listed in subdivision (a) of this paragraph.
152158
153159 11. If the person uses a simulated deadly weapon.
154160
155161 B. Until january 1, 2033, a person commits aggravated assault if the person commits assault by either intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing any physical injury to another person, intentionally placing another person in reasonable apprehension of imminent physical injury or knowingly touching another person with the intent to injure the person, and both of the following occur:
156162
157163 1. The person intentionally or knowingly impedes the normal breathing or circulation of blood of another person by applying pressure to the throat or neck or by obstructing the nose and mouth either manually or through the use of an instrument.
158164
159165 2. Any of the circumstances exists that are set forth in section 13-3601, subsection A, paragraph 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.
160166
161167 C. A person who is convicted of intentionally or knowingly committing aggravated assault on a peace officer first responder pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2 of this section shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not less than the presumptive sentence authorized under chapter 7 of this title and is not eligible for suspension of sentence, commutation or release on any basis until the sentence imposed is served.
162168
163169 D. It is not a defense to a prosecution for assaulting a peace officer or a mitigating circumstance that the peace officer was not on duty or engaged in the execution of any official duties.
164170
165171 E. Except pursuant to subsections F and G of this section, aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2, paragraph 9, subdivision (a) or paragraph 11 of this section is a class 3 felony except if the aggravated assault is a violation of subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2 of this section and the victim is under fifteen years of age it is a class 2 felony punishable pursuant to section 13-705. Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 3 or subsection B of this section is a class 4 felony. Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 9, subdivision (b) or paragraph 10 of this section is a class 5 felony. Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 or paragraph 9, subdivision (c) of this section is a class 6 felony.
166172
167173 F. Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2 of this section committed on a peace officer first responder is a class 2 felony. Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 3 of this section committed on a peace officer first responder is a class 3 felony. Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 8, subdivision (a) of this section committed on a peace officer first responder is a class 5 4 felony unless the assault results in any physical injury to the peace officer first responder, in which case it is a class 4 3 felony.
168174
169175 G. Aggravated assault pursuant to:
170176
171177 1. Subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2 of this section is a class 2 felony if committed on a prosecutor.
172178
173179 2. Subsection A, paragraph 3 of this section is a class 3 felony if committed on a prosecutor.
174180
175181 3. Subsection A, paragraph 8, subdivision (f) (e) of this section is a class 5 felony if the assault results in physical injury to a prosecutor.
176182
177183 H. For the purposes of this section:
178184
179185 1. "First responder" MEANS:
180186
181187 (a) A peace officer.
182188
183189 (b) a firefighter, a fire marshal, a fire inspector, an emergency medical care technician or a paramedic who is engaged in the execution of any official duties.
184190
185191 (c) A tribal police officer.
186192
187193 1. 2. "Health care worker" means:
188194
189195 (a) A person who is employed by or contracted to work at a health care institution that is licensed pursuant to title 36.
190196
191197 (b) A person who is employed or contracted to provide health care or related services in a fieldwork setting, including:
192198
193199 (i) Home health care, home-based hospice and home-based social work, unless the worker is employed or contracted by an individual who privately employs, in the individual's residence, the worker to perform covered services for the individual or a family member of the individual.
194200
195201 (ii) Any emergency services and transport, including the services provided by firefighters and emergency responders.
196202
197203 2. 3. "Judicial officer" means a justice of the supreme court, judge, justice of the peace or magistrate or a commissioner or hearing officer of a state, county or municipal court.
198204
199205 3. 4. "Mental disability" means a disabling neurological condition, or brain injury, or involuntary impairment as a result of a medication that is administered by a health care provider or a medical procedure that is performed at a health care treatment site.
200206
201207 4. 5. "Prosecutor" means a county attorney, a municipal prosecutor or the attorney general and includes an assistant or deputy county attorney, municipal prosecutor or attorney general. END_STATUTE
202208
203209 Sec. 4. Section 13-1204, Arizona Revised Statutes, as amended by section 3 of this resolution, is amended to read:
204210
205211 START_STATUTE13-1204. Aggravated assault; classification; definitions
206212
207213 A. Beginning from and after December 31, 2032, a person commits aggravated assault if the person commits assault as prescribed by section 13-1203 under any of the following circumstances:
208214
209215 1. If the person causes serious physical injury to another.
210216
211217 2. If the person uses a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument.
212218
213219 3. If the person commits the assault by any means of force that causes temporary but substantial disfigurement, temporary but substantial loss or impairment of any body organ or part or a fracture of any body part.
214220
215221 4. If the person commits the assault while the victim is bound or otherwise physically restrained or while the victim's capacity to resist is substantially impaired.
216222
217223 5. If the person commits the assault after entering the private home of another with the intent to commit the assault.
218224
219225 6. If the person is eighteen years of age or older and commits the assault on a minor under fifteen years of age.
220226
221227 7. If the person commits assault as prescribed by section 13-1203, subsection A, paragraph 1 or 3 and the person is in violation of an order of protection issued against the person pursuant to section 13-3602 or 13-3624.
222228
223229 8. If the person commits the assault knowing or having reason to know that the victim is any of the following:
224230
225231 (a) A first responder peace officer or a person summoned and directed by the first responder officer.
226232
227233 (b) A constable or a person summoned and directed by the constable while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the constable's official duties.
228234
229235 (c) A firefighter, fire investigator, fire inspector, emergency medical technician or paramedic engaged in the execution of any official duties or a person summoned and directed by such individual while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the official duties of the firefighter, fire investigator, fire inspector, emergency medical technician or paramedic.
230236
231237 (c) (d) A teacher or other person employed by any school and the teacher or other employee is on the grounds of a school or grounds adjacent to the school or is in any part of a building or vehicle used for school purposes, any teacher or school nurse visiting a private home in the course of the teacher's or nurse's professional duties or any teacher engaged in any authorized and organized classroom activity held on other than school grounds.
232238
233239 (d) (e) A health care worker while engaged in the health care worker's work duties or a health care practitioner who is certified or licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13, 14, 15, 17 or 25, or a person summoned and directed by the licensed health care practitioner while engaged in the person's professional duties. This subdivision does not apply if the person who commits the assault does not have the ability to form the culpable mental state because of a mental disability or because the person is seriously mentally ill, as defined in section 36-550.
234240
235241 (e) (f) A prosecutor while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the prosecutor's official duties.
236242
237243 (f) (g) A code enforcement officer as defined in section 39-123 while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the code enforcement officer's official duties.
238244
239245 (g) (h) A state or municipal park ranger while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the park ranger's official duties.
240246
241247 (h) (i) A public defender while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the public defender's official duties.
242248
243249 (i) (j) A judicial officer while engaged in the execution of any official duties or if the assault results from the execution of the judicial officer's official duties.
244250
245251 9. If the person knowingly takes or attempts to exercise control over any of the following:
246252
247253 (a) A first responder's peace officer's or other officer's firearm and the person knows or has reason to know that the victim is a first responder peace officer or other officer employed by one of the agencies listed in paragraph 10, subdivision (a), item (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) of this subsection.
248254
249255 (b) Any weapon other than a firearm that is being used by a first responder peace officer or other officer or that the first responder or other officer is attempting to use, and the person knows or has reason to know that the victim is a first responder peace officer or other officer employed by one of the agencies listed in paragraph 10, subdivision (a), item (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) of this subsection.
250256
251257 (c) Any implement that is being used by a first responder peace officer or other officer or that the first responder or other officer is attempting to use, and the person knows or has reason to know that the victim is a first responder peace officer or other officer employed by one of the agencies listed in paragraph 10, subdivision (a), item (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) of this subsection. For the purposes of this subdivision, "implement" means an object that is designed for or that is capable of restraining or injuring an individual. Implement does not include handcuffs.
252258
253259 10. If the person meets both of the following conditions:
254260
255261 (a) Is imprisoned or otherwise subject to the custody of any of the following:
256262
257263 (i) The state department of corrections.
258264
259265 (ii) The department of juvenile corrections.
260266
261267 (iii) A law enforcement agency.
262268
263269 (iv) A county or city jail or an adult or juvenile detention facility of a city or county.
264270
265271 (v) Any other entity that is contracting with the state department of corrections, the department of juvenile corrections, a law enforcement agency, another state, any private correctional facility, a county, a city or the federal bureau of prisons or other federal agency that has responsibility for sentenced or unsentenced prisoners.
266272
267273 (b) Commits an assault knowing or having reason to know that the victim is acting in an official capacity as an employee of any of the entities listed in subdivision (a) of this paragraph.
268274
269275 11. If the person uses a simulated deadly weapon.
270276
271277 B. Beginning from and after December 31, 2032, a person commits aggravated assault if the person commits assault by either intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing any physical injury to another person, intentionally placing another person in reasonable apprehension of imminent physical injury or knowingly touching another person with the intent to injure the person, and both of the following occur:
272278
273279 1. The person intentionally or knowingly impedes the normal breathing or circulation of blood of another person by applying pressure to the throat or neck or by obstructing the nose and mouth either manually or through the use of an instrument.
274280
275281 2. Any of the circumstances exists that are set forth in section 13-3601, subsection A, paragraph 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.
276282
277283 C. A person who is convicted of intentionally or knowingly committing aggravated assault on a first responder peace officer pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2 of this section shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not less than the presumptive sentence authorized under chapter 7 of this title and is not eligible for suspension of sentence, commutation or release on any basis until the sentence imposed is served.
278284
279285 D. It is not a defense to a prosecution for assaulting a peace officer or a mitigating circumstance that the peace officer was not on duty or engaged in the execution of any official duties.
280286
281287 E. Except pursuant to subsections F and G of this section, aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2, paragraph 9, subdivision (a) or paragraph 11 of this section is a class 3 felony except if the aggravated assault is a violation of subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2 of this section and the victim is under fifteen years of age it is a class 2 felony punishable pursuant to section 13-705. Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 3 or subsection B of this section is a class 4 felony. Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 9, subdivision (b) or paragraph 10 of this section is a class 5 felony. Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 or paragraph 9, subdivision (c) of this section is a class 6 felony.
282288
283289 F. Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2 of this section committed on a first responder peace officer is a class 2 felony. Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 3 of this section committed on a first responder peace officer is a class 3 felony. Aggravated assault pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 8, subdivision (a) of this section committed on a first responder peace officer is a class 4 5 felony unless the assault results in any physical injury to the first responder peace officer, in which case it is a class 3 4 felony.
284290
285291 G. Aggravated assault pursuant to:
286292
287293 1. Subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2 of this section is a class 2 felony if committed on a prosecutor.
288294
289295 2. Subsection A, paragraph 3 of this section is a class 3 felony if committed on a prosecutor.
290296
291297 3. Subsection A, paragraph 8, subdivision (e) (f) of this section is a class 5 felony if the assault results in physical injury to a prosecutor.
292298
293299 H. For the purposes of this section:
294300
295301 1. "First responder" means:
296302
297303 (a) A peace officer.
298304
299305 (b) a firefighter, a fire marshal, a fire inspector, an emergency medical care technician or a paramedic who is engaged in the execution of any official duties.
300306
301307 2. 1. "Health care worker" means:
302308
303309 (a) A person who is employed by or contracted to work at a health care institution that is licensed pursuant to title 36.
304310
305311 (b) A person who is employed or contracted to provide health care or related services in a fieldwork setting, including:
306312
307313 (i) Home health care, home-based hospice and home-based social work, unless the worker is employed or contracted by an individual who privately employs, in the individual's residence, the worker to perform covered services for the individual or a family member of the individual.
308314
309315 (ii) Any emergency services and transport, including the services provided by firefighters and emergency responders.
310316
311317 3. 2. "Judicial officer" means a justice of the supreme court, judge, justice of the peace or magistrate or a commissioner or hearing officer of a state, county or municipal court.
312318
313319 4. 3. "Mental disability" means a disabling neurological condition, or brain injury, or involuntary impairment as a result of a medication that is administered by a health care provider or a medical procedure that is performed at a health care treatment site.
314320
315321 5. 4. "Prosecutor" means a county attorney, a municipal prosecutor or the attorney general and includes an assistant or deputy county attorney, municipal prosecutor or attorney general. END_STATUTE
316322
317323 Sec. 5. Title 38, chapter 8, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding article 4, to read:
318324
319325 ARTICLE 4. FIRST RESPONDERS
320326
321327 START_STATUTE38-1171. Definitions
322328
323329 In this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
324330
325331 1. "First responder":
326332
327333 (a) has the same meaning prescribed in section 13-1204.
328334
329335 (b) Includes a member of the Arizona national guard who is on state active duty in this state and a correctional officer who is employed by the state department of corrections.
330336
331337 2. "Killed in the line of duty" means killed as the result of another person's criminal act while in the performance of the first responder's official duties. END_STATUTE
332338
333339 START_STATUTE38-1172. State death benefit
334340
335341 In addition to any other death benefit, beginning from and after June 30, 2025, if a first responder is killed in the line of duty, on written notice to the state treasurer from the first responder's employer this state shall pay a state death benefit of $250,000 to the first responder's surviving spouse. If the first responder does not have a surviving spouse but has children, this state shall pay a state death benefit of $250,000, divided equally among the first responder's children. The state shall pay the death benefit within thirty days after receiving the written notice from the first responder's employer. END_STATUTE
336342
337343 START_STATUTE38-1173. State supplemental benefit fund
338344
339345 The state supplemental benefit fund is established consisting of monies deposited pursuant to section 12-116.12 and monies appropriated by the legislature. The state treasurer shall administer the fund for the purposes specified in section 38-1172. Monies in the fund are continuously appropriated. If at any time the monies in the fund exceed $2,000,000 the legislature may appropriate those excess monies for peace officer training, equipment and other benefits, including assistance to first responders who are seriously injured in the line of duty and the first responder's family. END_STATUTE
340346
341347 Sec. 6. Delayed repeal
342348
343349 Title 38, chapter 8, article 4, Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act, is repealed from and after December 31, 2032.
344350
345351 Sec. 7. Finding; intent; purpose
346352
347353 A. The people of this state find and declare that:
348354
349355 1. Arizona's first responders are on the front lines for public safety and the peaceful enjoyment of this state's civil society.
350356
351357 2. First responders nationally and in this state have increasingly become targets for criminal assault, causing their injury and death. This has resulted in both heightened early retirements of first responders and difficulty in recruiting new first responders.
352358
353359 B. The intent of this act is to increase the criminal penalties against persons who assault first responders in this state and to increase the death benefits for the families of first responders who are killed in the line of duty in this state.
354360
355361 C. The purpose of this act is:
356362
357363 1. To stem the violence against first responders in this state.
358364
359365 2. To help retain and recruit first responders in this state by better providing for the families of first responders who are killed in the line of duty in this state.
360366
361367 Sec. 8. Severability
362368
363369 If a provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or application of the act that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this act are severable.
364370
365371 Sec. 9. Short title
366372
367373 This act may be cited as the "Back the Blue Act".
368374
369375 2. The Secretary of State shall submit this proposition to the voters at the next general election as provided by article IV, part 1, section 1, Constitution of Arizona.
370-
371- PASSED BY THE HOUSE MARCH 7, 2023. PASSED BY THE SENATE FEBRUARY 28, 2023. FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE MARCH 9, 2023.
372-
373-
374-
375-
376-
377-
378-
379-PASSED BY THE HOUSE MARCH 7, 2023.
380-
381-
382-
383-PASSED BY THE SENATE FEBRUARY 28, 2023.
384-
385-
386-
387-FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE MARCH 9, 2023.