Overview

S.F. No. 1098 amends the criminal damage to property crime to more specifically address damaging/tampering with public safety motor vehicles.

Section 1 makes it a felony (maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and/or $10,000 fine) to intentionally damage a public safety motor vehicle if the offender knew the type of vehicle it was and the damage caused a substantial interruption or impairment of public safety or a reasonably foreseeable risk of bodily harm.

Section 2 makes it a gross misdemeanor to intentionally damage a public safety motor vehicle if the offender knew the type of vehicle it was. Under current law, low-level damage to property is generally a misdemeanor.

Section 3 defines “public safety motor vehicle” and “damage.” Of note, “damage” includes tampering and other acts that obstruct or interfere with the use of a public safety motor vehicle.