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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | April 9, 2015 04:38 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Judy Ward |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Co-sponsorship of Legislation -- Assault of a Health Care Practitioner |
In the near future, I will be introducing legislation that will add health care practitioners to a protected class in the event of assault. This bill will raise the penalty for an assault on a health care practitioner in a health care facility from a misdemeanor of the second degree to a felony. Title 18 provides that assault against specific individuals is considered aggravated assault. A simple assault is graded as a misdemeanor of the second degree, but an assault against an individual within those enumerated protected classes is treated as an aggravated assault. The grading of an aggravated assault under Title 18 is a felony of either the first or second degree. Title 18 already provides that EMS personnel and psychiatric aides are members of this protected class. I believe it is important to protect those who are trying to care for patients. I hope you will join me in co-sponsoring this legislation. |
Introduced as HB1219