Please VOTE NO on HB1159 -We have concerns about HB1159 which would make an oral threat to kill or to do bodily harm to a social service worker a Class 1 misdemeanor. While we all value the work of social workers and people in call centers, this is a redundant bill and not necessary.
People who are working with social workers or who are calling a call center- are in distress and are frequently in crisis. They may make statements that would not be seen by a reasonable person to be threatening but under this bill, could be considered a misdemeanor. Someone calling a call center cannot carry out a threat like this over the phone. But this bill overcriminalizes statements made during a period of stress, fear or desperation.
Additionally, there are times when a social service worker may insist upon a meeting face to face to be able to check a box for state-required meetings within a certain time period. If the individual is having a bad day, that might not be a good time for the meeting. However the meeting is insisted upon and required by the regulations- if the individual makes a statement that is viewed as threatening, that will criminalize conduct that they are not able to control. This overcriminalizes vulnerable populations and is not necessary since there are laws that cover conduct that would be criminal in nature and this is bill is redundant and unnecessary.
Please VOTE NO on HB1159 -We have concerns about HB1159 which would make an oral threat to kill or to do bodily harm to a social service worker a Class 1 misdemeanor. While we all value the work of social workers and people in call centers, this is a redundant bill and not necessary. People who are working with social workers or who are calling a call center- are in distress and are frequently in crisis. They may make statements that would not be seen by a reasonable person to be threatening but under this bill, could be considered a misdemeanor. Someone calling a call center cannot carry out a threat like this over the phone. But this bill overcriminalizes statements made during a period of stress, fear or desperation. Additionally, there are times when a social service worker may insist upon a meeting face to face to be able to check a box for state-required meetings within a certain time period. If the individual is having a bad day, that might not be a good time for the meeting. However the meeting is insisted upon and required by the regulations- if the individual makes a statement that is viewed as threatening, that will criminalize conduct that they are not able to control. This overcriminalizes vulnerable populations and is not necessary since there are laws that cover conduct that would be criminal in nature and this is bill is redundant and unnecessary.