Save Healthcare Workers Act

Increased protection for healthcare workers: By making the assault of hospital personnel a crime punishable by fines and up to 10 years in prison, the bill provides a legal deterrent to protect those working in medical facilities. (Sec. 2(a))

Stricter penalties for severe violence: The bill increases imprisonment to 20 years for assaults involving firearms, dangerous weapons, or those that cause serious bodily injury, which addresses high-risk violence. (Sec. 2(b)(1))

Additional protections during crises: Enhanced penalties are applied to assaults committed during declared public emergencies, providing extra security for workers during high-stress disaster periods. (Sec. 2(b)(2))

Protections for individuals with disabilities: The bill includes an affirmative defense that can prevent prosecution if the defendant has a disability that made them unable to appreciate the wrongfulness of their conduct. (Sec. 2(c)(1))

Accountability and evaluation: The requirement for a GAO study ensures that the government evaluates whether the law actually reduces workplace violence and how it affects prosecutions. (Sec. 3)

Severe legal penalties: Individuals who commit an assault on hospital grounds could face significant prison sentences of up to 10 or 20 years and fines. (Sec. 2(a), 2(b))

Burden of proof on the disabled: For those seeking the affirmative defense based on a disability, the defendant carries the burden of proving the defense by a preponderance of the evidence. (Sec. 2(c)(2))