Representative Mercer carried House Bill 532 on behalf of the Department of Justice’s elder‑justice initiative. Mercer told the committee that current statutory language scattered in Title 52 creates prosecutorial difficulties and that moving those provisions to Title 45 and aligning definitions with assault would improve accountability. The sponsor moved and described an amendment that removed redundant references to law enforcement officers and added clarifying repealer references; the amendment passed on a 100‑vote roll call and the bill as amended also passed on second reading with 100 ayes.

Representative Baum thanked the sponsor and described the recodification as “greatly appreciated” for bringing related offenses into the same criminal code sections, noting it will help prosecutors and investigators with clearer definitions and evidentiary rules. The bill as amended was recommended do pass on second reading by unanimous recorded vote.