1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to public safety; increasing criminal penalties for assaulting utility 
1.3 	company employees; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 609.2231, by 
1.4 	adding a subdivision.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 609.2231, is amended by adding a 
1.7 	subdivision to read:
1.8 		Subd. 8.Utility employees. (a) As used in this subdivision, "utility company" has 
1.9 	the meaning given in section 609.6055, subdivision 1, paragraph (d), clauses (1) to (3).
1.10 	(b) A person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor who:
1.11 	(1) assaults an employee of a utility company while the employee is engaged in 
1.12 	the performance of the employee's duties;
1.13 	(2) knows that the victim is a utility company employee engaged in the performance 
1.14 	of the employee's duties; and
1.15 	(3) inflicts demonstrable bodily harm.

1.16 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2008, and applies to crimes 
1.17 	committed on or after that date.