Provides that conviction of assault on a social worker which prevents them from performing a lawful duty is a felony

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Andrew Lanza

Creates a felony for assault on a social worker when the assault prevents the worker from performing a lawful duty, strengthening protections for frontline public services.

REFERRED TO CODES

Overview

Bill Number: S 7355

Title: Provides that conviction of assault on a social worker which prevents them from performing a lawful duty is a felony

Sponsor: Andrew J. Lanza (primary)

Status: Referred to Codes (introduced April 10, 2025)

Committee: Codes

Related Bills (prior sessions): S 3489, S 4158, S 2947, S 6687, S 6291, S 1772, S 4578, S 4122

Purpose and Intent

The bill seeks to enhance penalties for assaults on social workers when such assault prevents the worker from performing a lawful duty. By elevating the offense to a felony under the state’s criminal code, the bill aims to provide stronger protection for social workers who perform essential public services and to deter violence against front-line professionals who interact with vulnerable populations.

Key Provisions (as indicated by the title and status)

Creation of a new felony offense: Conviction for assault against a social worker if the assault prevents the worker from performing a lawful duty.

Scope of offense: Applies specifically to assaults suffered by social workers while engaged in the performance of their official duties.

Determination of penalties: While the exact sentencing framework is not provided in the summary, the bill would classify this offense as a felony, thereby subjecting offenders to the corresponding felony penalties and sentencing ranges under existing law.

Elements (inference from the title):

The victim is a social worker.
The assault occurs during the social worker’s official duties.
The assault results in the social worker being prevented from performing a lawful duty.

Who Is Affected

Primary: Social workers and their employers/agencies.

Secondary: Offenders who commit the protected assault, law enforcement, and the broader public that relies on social services.

Administrative/Implementation: State prosecutors, defense counsel, and the judiciary, which would apply the felony classification and related sentencing rules.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduced and referred to the Codes Committee on April 10, 2025.

No further committee votes or floor actions are listed in the provided information; the bill remains at the early committee stage.

The presence of multiple related bills from prior sessions indicates ongoing legislative interest in strengthening protections for social workers.

Additional Context

Related bills from prior sessions (S 3489, S 4158, S 2947, S 6687, S 6291, S 1772, S 4578, S 4122) suggest a broader, ongoing effort to address violence against social service professionals and to codify enhanced penalties for such assaults.

Note: The summary is based on the bill’s title, sponsor, and status. Specific statutory language, elements, and exact penalties would be clarified in the text of the bill and accompanying fiscal notes once formally released by the sponsor and committee.

Bill