An Illinois lawmaker has introduced a bill that has sparked controversy, with some critics arguing that it would effectively legalize attacks on police officers by individuals undergoing mental health crises.

Democratic State Representative Lisa Davis, who also works as an attorney with the Cook County Public Defender’s Office, proposed House Bill 3458 in February. The bill stipulates that “it is a defense to aggravated battery when the individual battered is a police officer and the officer responded to an incident where the officer interacted with a person whom a reasonable officer could believe was having a mental health episode and the person with whom the officer interacted has a documented mental illness and acted abruptly.”

The legislation has gained support from two other lawmakers, Representatives Marcus Evans and Kelly Cassidy. Under current Illinois law, a person can be charged with aggravated battery for attacking someone they know to be a police officer or other specified types of public safety or security personnel.

The bill was first highlighted by Second Cop City, a blog that covers policing issues in Chicago. The blog criticized the bill, suggesting, “If this passes, mental illness will be an excuse to attack and beat police officers,” and speculated that it could lead to an increase in such defenses.

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According to a report by CWB Chicago, the bill would not extend this defense to other first responders, such as firefighters, one of whom is Davis’ husband. This has led to further scrutiny and debate over the proposed legislation.

The bill has been sent to the Illinois General Assembly Rules Committee, a common destination for legislation that may not advance. Fox News Digital has reportedly reached out to Representative Davis and the Chicago chapter of the Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police for comments on the matter.