SC H5005

Expands assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature to include threatening, intimidating, harassing, stalking, or injuring specific protected classes of workers during or because of their official duties

Protected classes include federal, state, or local law enforcement officers; corrections officers; healthcare professionals and workers; emergency response employees; and educational professionals such as administrators, principals, counselors, and teachers

Establishes a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment for this offense, with a maximum of 20 years (previously had no minimum)

Retains existing provisions that assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature also applies when great bodily injury results or when the act is accomplished by means likely to produce death or great bodily injury