Legislation introduced in six states to protect healthcare workers against violence

To combat violence against healthcare workers, lawmakers in several states have introduced or passed legislation aimed to punish those who knowingly injure, assault, or threaten hospital staff while they are performing their official duties.   .   

The following states have introduced legislation:

• Maryland: A House bill is under consideration that would make it a misdemeanor to threaten a public health official "with the intent to intimidate, interfere with, or impede a public health official from performing the official's duties." Those guilty of this would face a fine of up to $500 and/or 90 days of imprisonment.
• Michigan: A House bill introduced would make it a misdemeanor to assault an emergency room worker, which would be punishable by up to 93 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. If the assault is committed without a weapon and inflicts serious harm without an intent to kill, it would be punishable by up to one year in prison and/or a $2,000 fine. A second House bill would allow employers to post signage stating it's a felony to assault emergency room staff.
• New Jersey: The Health Care Heroes Violence Prevention Act would make threatening healthcare workers punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and/or six months of imprisonment. Also, anyone who attacks a healthcare worker would be required to serve 30 days of community service or take an anger management course.
• Oregon: A House bill is under consideration to make injuring a hospital worker punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a $125,000 fine.
• Utah: A House bill has been passed and is awaiting the governor's signature. It would make assault or threat of violence against healthcare facility workers a class A misdemeanor. Such an act would be a third-degree felony if the perpetrator does so " intentionally or knowingly" and the attack "causes substantial bodily injury."
• Wisconsin: A bill passed by the Wisconsin Assembly and awaiting passage by the state Senate would make assaulting or threatening a healthcare worker a felony. The action would need to be done in response to something that happens in a healthcare facility or to the actions of a healthcare provider in their official capacity.

Source: Becker's Hospital Review