H.B. 444 Summary

• Removes the requirement that perpetrators know or reasonably should know a victim is 60 years of age or older for crimes including assault in the first and second degree, unauthorized entry in a dwelling, theft, and forgery.

• Amends Section 706-660.2 to establish mandatory minimum imprisonment for felonies causing death or serious bodily injury to persons 60 or older, blind, paraplegic, quadriplegic, or 8 years old or younger.

• Modifies Section 706-662 to add disability status (for blind, paraplegic, or quadriplegic persons and minors 8 or younger) as criteria for extended terms of imprisonment, requiring knowledge or reasonable awareness of the disability.

• Expands assault charges: first degree assault now includes substantial bodily injury to seniors 60 or older; second degree assault includes bodily injury to seniors without requiring knowledge of age.

• Increases penalties for theft and forgery targeting seniors by eliminating the knowledge requirement while maintaining enhanced penalties for crimes against elderly victims.