The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Alden A. Clement Jr.
DIGEST
SB 78 Original 2018 Regular Session Gatti
Proposed law creates the crime of battery of a utility service employee. Proposed law defines battery
of a utility service employee as a battery committed without the consent of the victim when the
offender has reasonable grounds to believe the victim is a utility service employee acting in the
performance of his employment duties.
Proposed law provides the following definitions:
(1)"Utility service" means any electricity, gas, water, broadband, cable television, or
telecommunications service.
(2)"Utility service employee" means any uniformed, readily identifiable employee of any utility
service.
Proposed law provides that whoever commits the crime of battery of a utility service employee is
to be fined up to $500, or imprisoned for between 15 days and six months, or both. Proposed law
further provides that at least 72 hours of any sentence of imprisonment must be served without
benefit of suspension of sentence. However, proposed law provides that if the battery produces an
injury requiring medical attention, the offender is to be fined up to $5,000, or imprisoned with or
without hard labor for between one and five years, or both.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 14:34.5.2)