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Panel approves bill extending felony protections to emergency-room staff after debate over mental‑health exception
Summary
Representative Rhodes moved that House Bill 667 'ought to pass' to extend protections for EMS and medical staff into emergency rooms; debate focused on an amendment to exempt people with a formal mental‑health diagnosis, but the bill passed 10-3. Members urged consultation with prosecutors and stakeholders.
Representative Rhodes moved that House Bill 667 "ought to pass," saying the measure extends protections passed last year for EMS personnel into emergency rooms where assaults on staff were not previously captured.
Representative Prue recounted witnessing a nurse being cornered and said the law would help prosecutors and serve as a deterrent: "So I think this will help with the prosecution of it, and eventually the word will get out." Representative Juris and another member described instances of workplace violence and administrative burdens that follow assaults on staff.
Representative Sher offered an amendment to exempt from the statute people who are…
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