AR HB1839

Amends Arkansas Code § 5-13-213 to expand the offense of aggravated assault to include public transit employees in addition to first responders.

Defines aggravated assault as knowingly causing physical contact through spitting, throwing bodily fluids or pathogens, human waste, or dangerous objects such as bricks, rocks, bottles, projectiles, fireworks, chemical agents, or explosive devices.

Requires the physical contact to result in serious physical injury, involve a deadly weapon, involve display of a firearm creating substantial danger, or involve strangulation or attempted strangulation.

Establishes the offense as a Class C felony with a mandatory fine of $10,000 and a mandatory minimum sentence of at least 90 days imprisonment that must be served before release.