CA AB1959

Extends existing assault penalties to include emergency medical technicians (EMTs) alongside peace officers and firefighters when the assailant knows or reasonably should know the victim is an EMT performing official duties.

Applies the same tiered penalty structure based on weapon type: deadly weapons (2-4 years), firearms (2-4 years), semiautomatic firearms (3-6-9 years), and machineguns/assault weapons/.50 BMG rifles (4-8-12 or 6-9-12 years).

Requires courts to confiscate and dispose of any deadly weapon or firearm used in assault convictions if the weapon is owned by the perpetrator.

Makes minor grammatical changes to Penal Code Section 245 replacing "Any" with "A" throughout.

States no state reimbursement is required for local agencies under the California Constitution because the act only changes penalties for existing crimes.