Part 7: Sentencing and release Chapter 3: Assaults on those providing a public service etc Section 156: Assaults on those providing a public service etc
This section inserts new section 68A into the Code. New section 68A(1) provides that the aggravating factor applies where the court is considering the seriousness of the assault offences listed in subsection (3) for the purposes of sentencing and the aggravating factor under section 67(2) of the Code, which applies where the offence was committed against an emergency worker acting in the exercise of functions as such a worker, does not apply.
	New section 68A(2) provides that if the offence listed in subsection (3) was committed against a person: (i) providing a public service, (ii) performing a public duty, or (iii) providing services, goods or facilities to the public, the court must treat that fact as an aggravating factor, and must state in open court that the offence is so aggravated.
	New section 68A(4) provides that references to providing services to the public in the section include providing goods or facilities to the public, and that references to the public include a section of the public.
	New section 68A(5) ensures that the courts are not prevented from treating the fact that an offence was committed against a person providing a public service, performing a public duty or providing services to the public as an aggravating factor in relation to offences that are not listed in subsection (3).
	New section 68A(6) provides that the aggravating factor will apply only where the person is convicted of an offence listed in subsection (3) on or after the date on which the section comes into force.