OLYMPIA, Wash.- A bill which would increase penalties for assaulting a member of law enforcement has passed the Washington Senate and is progressing through the state House.
SB 5299 would categorize the targeted assault of an off-duty officer due to their status as law enforcement as a felony.
The bill would also increase the sentencing enhancement which is applied to assault of on-duty officers with firearms or objects that look like guns to include other deadly weapons like knives. SB 5299 does not list what objects specifically would be categorized as deadly weapons.
The policy passed the Senate with just one dissenting vote and awaits an executive session before the House Committee on Community Safety, Justice and Reentry.
