Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands penalties for rioting and certain public demonstrations.

Highlights:

• Defines “riot” as the assemblage of 5 or more individuals engaging in conduct that creates an immediate danger of/and or results in damage to property or injury to individuals (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that an individual shall be guilty of rioting if they receive an order to disperse by law enforcement officers or when in violation of a curfew (Sec. 5).

• Establishes rioting as a Class A misdemeanor with a term of imprisonment of up to 30 days without consideration of probation, parole, good time, credits, or any other reduction in time (Sec. 5).

• Requires defendants pay restitution, including, but not limited to, all of the following (Sec. 5):

• The costs of any and all medical treatment by any victim of the violation, including physical, and occupational therapy and rehabilitation;

• The cost of any damage to property, or full value of property if destroyed or damaged beyond repair; and

• The cost of any and all other losses suffered by any victim as a result of a violation.

• Specifies that if an individual is arrested for assault on a first responder they shall be held in custody for a period of 24 hours, and if not brought before a judge within 24 hours be allowed bail and release (Sec. 7).

• Prohibits a political subdivision of this state from reducing law enforcement budgets by 50 percent or more unless the following applies, including (Sec. 8):

• The political subdivision reallocated a substantial majority of the money for another law enforcement purpose;

• The budget reduction was a fiscally appropriate decision as a result of a decrease in revenue in the previous fiscal year; or

• The law enforcement agency is sufficiently funded to provide law enforcement services to the political subdivision regardless of the budget reduction.

Full Bill Text