DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 441 Engrossed 2023 Regular Session Bryant
Abstract: Amends definitions of "utility service" and "utility service employee".
Present law provides for the crime of aggravated assault upon a utility service employee with a
firearm and provides for penalties.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides for 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 identified employee of any utility
service.
Proposed law amends the present law definition of "utility service" to include heat, steam, and sewer
services. Further amends the present law definition of "utility service employee" to include any
person employed under contract, or an employee of any utility service that provides electricity, gas,
water, broadband, cable television, heat, steam, telecommunications services, or sewer services,
whether privately, municipally, cooperatively, or investor-owned.
(Amends R.S. 14:37.5(B)(2) and (3))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Administration of Criminal
Justice to the original bill:
1. Extend the definition of "utility service employee" to encompass an individual who
works for a utility service that is investor-owned.