Bill > S2370

This bill upgrades the penalties for assaulting certain health care support staff and security guards at health care facilities, as well as those at human services and veterans' facilities, by reclassifying simple assault to aggravated assault under specific circumstances. Specifically, if someone assaults health care support staff who do not provide direct patient care or security guards employed by a licensed health care facility, a State or county psychiatric hospital, a State developmental center, or a veterans' memorial home, and these individuals are clearly identifiable as performing their duties, the assault will be considered aggravated assault. This enhanced penalty does not apply to patients or residents of psychiatric hospitals, developmental centers, or veterans' homes who have been classified as having a mental illness or developmental disability. If the victim of such an assault suffers bodily injury, the crime is classified as a third-degree crime, punishable by three to five years in prison, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. If no bodily injury occurs, it is a fourth-degree crime, punishable by up to 18 months in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.