Feb. 10, 2016
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today approved legislation authored by Rep. Judy Ward (R-Blair) that would increase the protection of health care workers who are assaulted during the performance of their duties.
House Bill 1219 would add health care practitioners, including physician assistants, social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists and others, to a protected class of individuals in the event of an assault. The bill would raise the penalty for an assault on a health care practitioner in a health care facility from a second-degree misdemeanor to a felony.
“As a nurse, I know the struggles health care workers face every day. They are dealing with patients and family members in often high-stress situations and are, unfortunately, sometimes the focus of frustration and anger from these individuals,” said Ward. “Our health care workers do a tremendous job at seeing to the health care of the patients they treat and should never be subject to physical harm or fear for their safety. By increasing the grading of the offense of assault on a health care worker, we can further protect these individuals and allow them to do their jobs.”
Ward noted that according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 60 percent of all nonfatal assaults and violent acts by persons occur in the health care and social assistance industry.
“Passage of this bill demonstrates the importance we place on those whose life work is dedicated to helping to care for others,” said Ward. “I also wish to make clear that there is a large number of patients suffering from dementia and other mental or psychological problems, and this bill is not aimed at those individuals. The bill is clearly written to address those assaults that are carried out with intent.”
House Bill 1219 is supported by both the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association and the Pennsylvania Medical Society. It now goes to the state Senate for consideration.
Representative Judy Ward
80th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives