Fourth-degree assault crime expansion provision

A bill for an act

relating to public safety; expanding the fourth-degree assault crime; amending

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 609.2231, subdivision 2.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 609.2231, subdivision 2, is

amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Firefighters and emergency medical personnel.

(a) Except as provided in

paragraph (b), whoever physically assaults any of the following persons is guilty of a gross

misdemeanor:

(1) either:

(i) a member of a municipal or volunteer fire department in the performance of the

member's duties; or

(ii) a member of an emergency medical services personnel unit in the performance of

the member's duties; or

(2) a physician, nurse, or other person
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providing health care services
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working
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in a hospital

emergency department.

(b) Whoever physically assaults a person described in paragraph (a), is guilty of a felony

and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than three years or to payment of a

fine of not more than $6,000, or both, if the assault inflicts demonstrable bodily harm.

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EFFECTIVE DATE.

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This section is effective August 1, 2026, and applies to crimes

committed on or after that date.

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