Bill A08647 Summary

• Creates new crime of "forcible touching of a correction officer" as a Class E felony, defined as intentionally squeezing, grabbing, or pinching the sexual or intimate parts of a correction officer for degradation, abuse, or sexual gratification while acting in course of employment.

• Elevates criminal penalties by one felony class for sexual misconduct, rape, criminal sexual acts, sexual abuse, aggravated sexual abuse, female genital mutilation, and facilitating sex offenses with controlled substances when committed against a correction officer during employment.

• Increases penalty for predatory sexual assault from Class A-II felony to Class A-I felony when committed against a correction officer during employment.

• Modifies persistent sexual abuse statute to classify as Class D felony (instead of Class E) when committed against a correction officer during employment.

• Takes effect immediately upon enactment.