SC H3548

Expands the definition of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature to include cases where a victim is intentionally selected based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or homelessness

Requires the trier of fact to determine beyond a reasonable doubt that the victim was intentionally targeted based on these protected characteristics for the enhanced charge to apply

Maintains the existing felony penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment for assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature

Preserves pending actions, rights, and prosecutions under existing law that were initiated before the act's effective date