The Overview

If you've ever flipped a light switch during a storm, you've depended on the crews who keep the power on, and California has now given them the same legal protection as police and firefighters. Under Senate Bill 1330, which Gov. Gavin Newsom signed on Sept. 27, assault or battery against a utility worker performing their duties carries the same penalties as assault on a police officer or firefighter: up to one year in county jail, a fine of up to $2,000, or both. ​

California's Senate Bill 1330, the utility worker protections bill, became law after Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed it Sept. 27. On March 12, a PG&E worker and two El Dorado County deputies were shot in Camino. The Senate Public Safety Committee later advanced the bill after a utility worker was shot in Camino. The governor approved the bill on Sept. 27, and it became law that same day.

What the Law Does

Under existing California law, assault or battery against peace officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel while on duty is punishable by up to one year in county jail, a fine of up to $2,000, or both. The law adds utility workers performing their duties to that same protected category, making an assault or battery against them punishable by up to one year in county jail, a fine of up to $2,000, or both.

That means a meter reader, lineworker, or field technician on the job gets the same legal shield that has long covered first responders. Because the law expands existing crimes, it adds new work for local agencies, though the bill says the state does not have to reimburse them for the cost. In practice, that means county prosecutors and courts absorb any added workload from new cases without extra funding from Sacramento.

Legislative Status

Sen. Jesse Arreguín (D-CA-7) sponsored the bill, with five coauthors: Sen. Megan Dahle (R-CA-1), Asm. Juan Alanis (R-CA-22), Asm. Lisa Calderon (D-CA-56), Asm. Heather Hadwick (R-CA-1), and Asm. Maggy Krell (D-CA-6). The bill drew sponsors from both parties in both chambers, a rare alignment in Sacramento's often divided legislature.

The Senate passed the bill 39 to 0 on May 28, after earlier committee votes of 6 to 0 on April 7 and 7 to 0 on May 14. The Assembly passed it 78 to 0 on Aug. 31. Not a single recorded no vote was cast at any stage.

IBEW Local 1245, the electrical workers union that backed the bill, celebrated the signing. Legislative advocate Hunter Stern said: "This has been a long time coming." CBS News Sacramento and The Business Journal both reported on the signing and the law's increased penalties.

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