NJ A1271

Adds employees of retail mercantile establishments to the list of protected persons whose assault is automatically upgraded to aggravated assault under N.J.S.2C:12-1

Defines "employee of a retail mercantile establishment" as any person engaged in the sale, display, or offering for sale of consumer commodities at any retail business where merchandise is sold to the public

Assault of a retail worker causing bodily injury would be a third degree crime, punishable by 3-5 years imprisonment, a fine up to $15,000, or both

Assault of a retail worker not resulting in bodily injury would be a fourth degree crime, punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine up to $10,000, or both

Places retail workers in the same protected category as law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, teachers, and healthcare workers for assault penalty purposes