Upgrades penalties for assaulting certain health care support staff and security guards at health care facilities and human services and veterans' facilities.
The proposed changes will amend existing New Jersey law (N.J.S.2C:12-1), allowing for aggravated assault charges to carry significant consequences. If a health care worker or security guard sustains bodily injury during an assault, it will be classified as a crime of the third degree, which could result in imprisonment for three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. If no bodily injury occurs, the offense remains a fourth-degree crime punishable by up to 18 months of imprisonment and fines up to $10,000.
Senate Bill S2370 introduces stricter penalties for individuals who assault health care support staff and security guards at health care facilities, human services, and veterans' facilities. The bill aims to upgrade what constitutes a simple assault to an aggravated assault if the crime is committed against these specific employees while they are engaged in their official duties. This change reflects a growing concern for the safety of personnel working in these often high-stress environments where they may be vulnerable to violence.
Notably, the bill excludes patients or residents at psychiatric hospitals and veterans' homes who are classified as having mental health or developmental disabilities, reducing potential backlash from mental health advocates concerned about the rights of these individuals. The introduction of this bill has sparked discussions around the balance between ensuring the safety of health care personnel and maintaining the rights and dignity of vulnerable patients, highlighting the broader societal challenges of addressing workplace violence in health care settings.