The legislation would carry stiffer penalties if the bodily fluids or waste carry — or could carry — a communicable disease, including hepatitis C virus or HIV. Under the proposal, both crimes would be considered felony assault.
Kentucky jailers and some other officials are protected against someone intentionally causing them to come in contact with bodily fluids or waste, but the bill's sponsor Republican Representative Stan Lee, of Lexington, says there is a gap in the law that does not protect police officers.
After some lawmakers, including Republican Representative Jason Nemes, of Louisville, expressed concerns with the felony provisions, Lee stated he would be willing consider floor amendments that would ratchet down some of the bill's penalties to misdemeanors.
The bill now moves to the full House for consideration.
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