Tallahassee, FL — Legislation in Florida that might strengthen felony penalties for assault or battery on hospital staff has superior out of two Senate committees.
Sponsored by Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez (R-Doral), S.B. 568 would make assault on any hospital employee a first-degree misdemeanor. Currently, Florida legislation defines the crime as a second-degree misdemeanor.
In addition, the bill would elevate:
- Battery to a third-degree felony (from a first-degree misdemeanor).
- Aggravated assault to a second-degree felony (from a third-degree felony).
- Aggravated battery to a first-degree felony (from a second-degree felony).
The bill would cowl cases of workplace violence anyplace in a hospital. In a printed report, Rodriguez stated present Florida legislation covers assault or battery solely in ER settings.
According to knowledge from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, well being care and social providers staff expertise the very best workplace violence harm charges and are 5 occasions extra possible than all different staff to undergo an harm from workplace violence.
The Senate Health Policy Committee authorized the bill with a 10-0 vote on March 20. Twelve days earlier, the Criminal Justice Committee authorized the bill, 5-1. At press time, the laws was earlier than the Senate Rules Committee.
If signed into legislation by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), the bill would go into impact Oct. 1.
