House passes greater protection plan for all hospital workers, firefighters

Firefighters and emergency medical personnel trying to help someone can be put in a tough spot when that victim or patient lashes out.

Rep. Matt Grossell (R-Clearbrook) believes violence against them should not be part of their jobs.

He sponsors HF1481, which seeks greater protection and ensures recourse for all hospital workers and firefighters.

Passed 125-0 by the House Wednesday, the bill now goes to the Senate, where Sen. Karin Housley (R-St. Marys Point) is the sponsor.

“Attacks have left these people injured, out of work or afraid to go back to work and they shouldn’t be,” Grossell said. “These people are putting themselves in volatile positions to help others. We need to give them more protection.”

The bill would toughen penalties for someone who assaults firefighters or certain medical personnel by:

• expanding the class of protected persons from just emergency room personnel to all medical workers in a hospital;
• making it a felony to intentionally throw or transfer bodily fluids or feces onto a firefighter or medical provider who works in a hospital;
• creating a gross misdemeanor penalty for a physical assault on a firefighter or medical provider working in a hospital that does not cause demonstrable bodily harm; and
• increasing the maximum prison time from two to three years and the maximum fine from $4,000 to $6,000 for someone who assaults a firefighter or medical provider who works in a hospital when the assault causes demonstrable bodily harm.