The bill would amend the Penal Code by changing the offense of attack on assistance animal to assault on assistance animal.  Assault on assistance animal would be punishable as either a state jail felony or a felony of the third degree.  The current offense of attack on an assistance animal is punishable by either a Class A misdemeanor, a state jail felony, or a felony of the third degree.  

A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by confinement in county jail for a term not to exceed one year, a fine not to exceed $4,000, or both fine and imprisonment.

A state jail felony is punishable by confinement in a state jail for any term of not more than two years or less than 180 days, or, in addition to confinement, a fine not to exceed $10,000.

A third degree felony is punishable by imprisonment in the institutional division for any term of not more than 10 years or less than 2 years, or, in addition to confinement, a fine not to exceed $10,000.

It is assumed that the number of offenders convicted under this statute would not result in a significant impact on the programs and workload of state corrections agencies or on the demand for resources and services of those agencies.