Bill to increase penalties for assaults on hospital security officers laid over after definition questions
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Summary
House File 3504, which would add hospital security officers to the fourth‑degree assault statute, drew testimony from hospital security staff about workplace violence and questions from lawmakers about statutory definitions and scope; the committee laid the bill over for further drafting.
ST. PAUL — The House Public Safety Committee on Feb. 25 considered House File 3504, a proposal to extend fourth‑degree assault protections to hospital security officers. The bill was laid over after testimony and legal discussion about the proper statutory language.
Representative Duran, the bill sponsor, said assaults on hospital security staff have increased and cited a recent fatal incident involving a hospital security employee. "We want our medical staff to go into work and care for the people who need care," Duran said, arguing for stronger legal protections for security staff who frequently confront violent situations.
Donovan Michael Comer, a hospital security officer, described frontline experiences in emergency departments and behavioral health units and cited national data on workplace violence, telling lawmakers stronger penalties would demonstrate that violence in health care settings is unacceptable.
Members queried whether the bill should use an existing statutory definition (security guard) or the term security officer, and whether current law already covers some security personnel under emergency personnel or health care provisions. Nonpartisan counsel said there is no definition of "security officer" in the cited section and suggested using a defined term such as "security guard" or otherwise clarifying the text.
Several lawmakers expressed support for protecting people who work in high‑risk positions but cautioned about broadening assault enhancements without a consistent statutory approach. Representative Duran said he would work with colleagues on narrowing or clarifying the scope. The committee laid the bill over for further work.
