1. (1)

   1. (a) As used in this section:

      1. (i) "Chokehold" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-5-102.
      2. (ii) "Targeting a law enforcement officer" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-5-202.
   2. (b) Terms defined in Section 76-1-101.5 apply to this section.

2. (2) An actor commits aggravated assault if:

   1. (a)

      1. (i) the actor attempts, with unlawful force or violence, to do bodily injury to another;
      2. (ii) the actor makes a threat, accompanied by a show of immediate force or violence, to do bodily injury to another; or
      3. (iii) the actor commits an act, committed with unlawful force or violence, that causes bodily injury to another or creates a substantial risk of bodily injury to another; and

   2. (b) the actor's conduct described in Subsection (2)(a) includes:

      1. (i) the use of:

         1. (A) a dangerous weapon; or
         2. (B) a motor vehicle;

      2. (ii) any act that intentionally or knowingly impedes the breathing or the circulation of blood of another individual by the actor's use of unlawful force or violence by:

         1. (A) applying pressure to the neck or throat of an individual; or
         2. (B) obstructing the nose, mouth, or airway of an individual; or
      3. (iii) other means or force likely to produce death or serious bodily injury.

3. (3)

   1. (a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b) or (c), a violation of Subsection (2) is a third degree felony.

   2. (b) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(c), a violation of Subsection (2) is a second degree felony if:

      1. (i) the act results in serious bodily injury; or
      2. (ii) an act under Subsection (2)(b)(ii) produces a loss of consciousness.
   3. (c) A violation of Subsection (2) is a first degree felony if the conduct constitutes targeting a law enforcement officer and results in serious bodily injury.

4. (4) This section does not apply to an actor's use of a chokehold on another individual if:

   1. (a) the chokehold is done as part of training for, or participating in, a practice or sport in which a chokehold is a known and acceptable practice, including martial arts, wrestling, or mixed martial arts; and
   2. (b) the other individual is also training for, or participating in, the same practice or sport in which a chokehold is a known and acceptable practice.

Amended by Chapter 251, 2026 General Session