Act No. 26 (S.30). Crimes and criminal procedure; assault of a health care worker

This act establishes a criminal penalty enhancement for assaulting a health care worker. A person convicted of a simple or aggravated assault may face from 1 to 10 years imprisonment in addition to the penalty for the underlying crime if the victim was a health care worker performing his or her lawful duty.

For purposes of this act, the terms "health care facility" and "health care worker" are defined. Finally, this act directs the law enforcement advisory board to adopt a model policy to address enforcement of the criminal code as it related to an assault of a health care worker while he or she is engaged in his or her official duties providing patient care.

Effective Date:  May 12, 2011