Michigan legislature advances health care safety bill
Michigan's House of Representatives on Wednesday approved legislation to pump up penalties against those convicted of assaulting professionals and volunteers in health care facilities.
H.B. 5682 doubles the fines for those who assault health care workers in any setting. It also requires the posting of signage in health care facilities warning of the penalty for violations.
The enhanced penalties would not apply "if the defendant is a patient who is receiving treatment from the victim," according to an analysis of the bill.
Under current state law, one who is convicted of simple assault on a medical professional has committed a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail and/or a fine of $500. That fine would double to $1,000 under the new law.
Cases of aggravated assault would result in a penalty of imprisonment for up to a year and a fine of $2,000, double the current dollar amount.
Assault with a deadly weapon is currently publishable by up to four years behind bars and a $2,000 fine. Under the new law, the fine would double to $4,000.
H.B. 5682 was sent to the Senate for further consideration and would take effect 90 days after enactment with the governor's signature.
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