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Bill

A 124

Upgrades simple assault to aggravated assault for State-employed civil investigators.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Al Barlas and 2 co-sponsors

Extends aggravated assault protections to state civil investigators, upgrading simple assault to aggravated when they’re acting in duties or identified by status.

Reported and Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 124

Overview

A 124 (Session 222, New Jersey) would upgrade simple assault to aggravated assault when the target is a State-employed civil investigator who is clearly identifiable as acting in the performance of duties, or exhibiting authority, or because of the investigator’s status. The measure expands the list of professionals protected from simple-to-aggravated assault upgrades to include civil investigators employed by a State department or agency.

Purpose and intent

  • The main aim is to extend enhanced penalties for assault to civil investigators who work for state agencies, aligning their protection with other high-risk or essential workers already covered under existing aggravated assault provisions.
  • The bill mirrors existing protections that already apply to categories such as law enforcement officers, judges, corrections staff, healthcare workers, utility workers, school personnel, and certain first responders.

Key provisions

  • Definition of aggravated assault remains substantively the same as in current law, including:
    • Causing or attempting to cause serious bodily injury, with or without a weapon, under various mental states (purpose, knowingly, recklessly with extreme indifference, etc.).
    • Pointing a firearm at or in the direction of a person under qualifying circumstances.
    • Attacking certain listed professionals or persons while performing duties or due to status (with enumerated categories in subsection b(5)).
  • A new category (paragraph (l) of subsection b) adds:
    • Any civil investigator employed by a State department or agency who is clearly identifiable as acting in the investigator’s duties, or showing evidence of authority, or because of status as a civil investigator, to the set of individuals who, when simple assault is committed against them, the offense is upgraded to aggravated assault.
  • The criminal classification scheme for aggravated assault remains detailed (second, third, fourth-degree offenses depending on the specific paragraph triggered; with some provisions increasing severity if bodily harm is significant, or if special victim categories apply).
  • Effective date: immediate upon enactment.

Who would be affected

  • State-employed civil investigators and, by impact, their colleagues and supervisors within state agencies who perform investigative duties.
  • Offenders who commit simple assaults against civil investigators could face upgraded charges to aggravated assault, potentially increasing sentencing severity.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Immediate effect upon enactment (no phase-in period).
  • The bill follows the same legislative structure as current aggravated assault provisions, including the tiered penalties tied to the specific subsections cited.

Practical impact

  • Provides heightened legal protection for state investigators, aiming to deter assaults against them and to standardize protections with other protected professionals.
  • Sends a clear public safety signal that assaults on civil investigators performing official duties are serious offenses with potentially substantial penalties.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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