Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to expand the legal definition and penalties associated with fourth-degree assault in Minnesota. It specifically targets individuals who commit assaults against healthcare workers, including nurses and physicians.

Main Provisions

• The bill modifies existing laws to include physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers within the category of individuals protected under the fourth-degree assault statute when they are working in a hospital's emergency department.
• Individuals who physically assault these healthcare workers, causing bodily harm while they are performing their duties, will be committing a felony.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The current legislation already categorizes assaults against firefighters and emergency medical personnel leading to bodily harm as a felony.
• This bill extends these protections to include nurses, physicians, and other healthcare personnel working in hospital emergency departments, thereby enhancing their legal protection against assaults.
• The penalty for committing such an assault includes imprisonment for up to two years and/or a fine of up to $4,000.

Relevant Terms

• Fourth-degree assault
• Healthcare workers
• Nurses and physicians
• Emergency department
• Felony