Bills signed by Whitmer double penalties for those who assault health care workers

LANSING — Addressing a crowd of health care workers at the hospital where she was born, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law bipartisan bills Wednesday doubling the maximum fines imposed on those who harass and assault doctors, nurses and other medical professionals and volunteers.

"It's a shame that we have to take actions like this, but we do and so we are," Whitmer said at a bill signing ceremony at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. She acknowledged and thanked health care workers who risked exposure to COVID-19 during the global pandemic to save lives. "We owe them a debt of gratitude. They busted their butts and now it's time for us to have their backs," she said.

Jessica Lannon, a registered nurse at Sparrow Hospital, said too many health care workers have left their jobs due to workplace violence. She described a threat against her when she was helping deliver a baby. The father "pulled out the largest wrench" she said she's ever seen. He "made it very clear ... if the baby did not come out perfect, we would all pay," she said.

"Nurses and health care workers have a tough job. We do. We accept it. What we shouldn't have to accept is putting up with violence against us when we're just trying to care for our community. But it happens day in and day out," Lannon said.

House Bill 4520 introduced by state Rep. Mike Mueller, R-Linden, amends the Michigan penal code to increase the financial penalty for individuals — with the exception of patients receiving care — who assault health professionals or medical volunteers doing their jobs. Those who assault or assault and battery an individual face a charge of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to 93 days, a fine up to $500 or both. But for victims who are health professionals or medical volunteers, the financial penalty increases to up to $1,000 under the new law.

Those who assault health professionals or medical volunteers without a weapon and inflict "serious or aggravated injury ... without intending to commit murder or to inflict great bodily harm less than murder" will face a misdemeanor charge punishable by up to one year in prison, up to a $2,000 fine or both. That's more than the one-year maximum prison sentence and maximum $1,000 penalty for other victims.

House Bill 4521 introduced by state Rep. Kelly Breen, D-Novi, similarly enhances the penalties for those who assault health professionals and medical volunteers with a weapon, keeping the felony punishment to a maximum prison term of four years but doubling the maximum financial penalty from $2,000 to $4,000.

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"For a decade, we've been trying to protect doctors and nurses, other medical professionals and their volunteers for simply trying to help their patients," she said while noting past attempts by lawmakers to reduce workplace violence at health care facilities has faltered.

Both bills signed by Whitmer require health facilities, agencies and hospitals to post signs describing the new penalties. The legislation passed with wide bipartisan support in the state House. In the state Senate, every Democratic lawmaker voted for the bills in addition to GOP Sens. Ruth Johnson, of Holly, and Michael Webber, of Rochester Hills.

Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on X, previously called Twitter, @clarajanehen.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan laws target violence targeting health care workers