Assaulting a transit operator or metro vehicle operator while that person is on duty or operating their vehicle could soon be a more serious crime.

The Special Committee on Urban Issues voted “do pass” by a 9-1 count Wednesday for a bill sponsored by State. Rep. Theodore Hoskins (D-Berkeley). House Bill 116 would expand the crime of assaulting a law enforcement officer, emergency personnel and probation and parole officer to include assault on the vehicle operators.

Supporters during the hearing said Missouri has had incidents where public transit drivers were assaulted. Such attacks are currently only a misdemeanor, but the bill would make those assaults a felony.