Committee hears hours of testimony on bill to make assaulting hospital workers a felony; advocates and opponents clash over scope

The Senate Judiciary Committee heard extensive testimony on House Bill 13‑41, which would expand the current classification that elevates assault to a class C felony in emergency rooms to cover all hospital workers across a hospital facility. Supporters from hospitals and medical groups urged the change as a workforce and safety measure; opposition witnesses said the proposal is too broad and raised concerns about prosecutorial discretion and unintended consequences.

Representative Heiner (presenting HB 13‑41) said a similar emergency‑room felony enacted several years ago appeared to reduce assaults in emergency departments and that staff across the hospital—nurses, phlebotomists, dietary and security workers—cannot always retreat from violent situations. “These people are entering rooms and not only with patients but with people who are visiting the patients,” Heiner said, arguing expansion to the whole hospital would give staff parity with existing protections.

Melissa Howard, general counsel for the North Dakota Hospital Association, and Angie Sircia, vice…