SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1083

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: DECEMBER 16, 1996

      The Senate Judiciary Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 1083.

      This bill would amend N.J.S.2C:12-1 (Assault) by adding a new paragraph providing that a person commits aggravated assault if the person intentionally starts a fire or causes an explosion which results in bodily injury to any emergency service personnel involved in fire suppression activities; in rescue operations; in rendering emergency medical services or any other necessary assistance at the scene of a fire or explosion. Aggravated assault under these circumstances would be graded as a crime of the second degree if serious bodily injury results and as a crime of the third degree if bodily injury results.