A bill that would increase penalties for intentionally exposing a law enforcement officer to bodily fluids or bodily waste was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday with a 7-0 vote.
House Bill 193 intends to “fill the gap” in the law for protection of Kentucky law enforcement officers.
Under the bill, exposing an officer to bodily fluids or waste would be a misdemeanor, although felony charges could be applied if the bodily fluids or waste carry a communicable disease that could likely be transmitted.
Senator Whitney Westerfield, of Hopkinsville, raised concerns that a felony may be too strong of a charge for such an offense, saying there’s a possibility the penalty may be lowered to a misdemeanor when the bill is considered in the full Senate.
The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
