NJ S3601

Amends N.J.S.2C:12-1 to prevent automatic upgrade of simple assault to aggravated assault when the assailant is a person undergoing psychiatric screening at a psychiatric screening center

Current New Jersey law automatically elevates simple assault on health care workers to aggravated assault (a third or fourth degree crime), with exceptions for patients at State or county psychiatric hospitals, State developmental centers, and veterans' memorial homes

Adds psychiatric screening centers to the list of facilities where patients who commit simple assault against health care workers are not automatically charged with the more serious aggravated assault offense

Addresses gap in existing law where psychiatric screenings occurring at local facilities (rather than State or county hospitals) could result in elevated charges for patients who may be agitated after long wait times

Maintains protections for direct care workers by preserving the aggravated assault upgrade for assaults committed by non-patients at psychiatric screening centers