2025 Regular Session
HB 2628
To make an attack on a K-9 officer a felony
In Committee
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House of Delegates
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill increases the penalties for attacking a law enforcement officer. Specifically, it defines ‘police service canine’ as including dogs used by law enforcement agencies to assist in duties and amends the state’s criminal code to make attacking a K-9 officer a felony. The bill also clarifies that law enforcement officers include police service canines when considering offenses against them.
Key provisions
- Defines ‘police service canine’ as a dog used by law enforcement for assistance.
- Expands the definition of ‘law enforcement officer’ to include police service canines.
- Classifies malicious assault against a law enforcement officer (including a police service canine) as a felony.
- Classifies unlawful assault against a law enforcement officer (including a police service canine) as a felony.
- Defines battery against a law enforcement officer (including a police service canine) as a misdemeanor, with escalating penalties for repeat offenses.
- Addresses assault attempts involving law enforcement officers (including police service canines).
- Specifies that sentences for offenses against correctional employees may not run concurrently with other sentences.
- Establishes definitions for related terms such as ‘government representative,’ ‘health care worker,’ ‘utility worker,’ and ‘emergency service personnel.’
Who is affected
- Law enforcement officers
- Police service canines and their handlers
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