1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to public safety; creating a gross misdemeanor for assaulting a utility 
1.3 	employee or contractor;amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 609.2231, 
1.4 	by adding a subdivision.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 609.2231, is amended by adding a 
1.7 	subdivision to read:
1.8 		Subd. 8.Public utility employees and contractors. (a) A person is guilty of a 
1.9 	gross misdemeanor who:
1.10 	(1) assaults an employee or contractor of a utility while the employee or contractor 
1.11 	is engaged in the performance of the employee's or contractor's duties;
1.12 	(2) knows that the victim is a utility employee or contractor (i) performing duties of 
1.13 	the victim's employment or (ii) fulfilling the victim's contractual obligations; and
1.14 	(3) inflicts demonstrable bodily harm.
1.15 	(b) As used in this subdivision, "utility" has the meaning given it in section 609.594, 
1.16 	subdivision 1, clause (3).

1.17 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2008, and applies to 
1.18 	offenses committed on or after that date.