Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
The bill creates a new federal offense for knowingly assaulting hospital personnel while they perform their duties, with penalties up to 10 years and enhanced penalties (up to 20 years) for use of a weapon, bodily injury, or acts during declared emergencies. It provides an affirmative defense for conduct that is a clear manifestation of a physical, mental, or intellectual disability.
Progressives emphasize risks of criminalizing mental-health crises
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is primarily a substantive policy change that creates a new federal offense protecting hospital personnel and establishes a grant program administered by the Attorney General, and it includes substantial statutory detail and cross-references to existing law.
The bill creates a new federal offense for knowingly assaulting hospital personnel while they perform their duties, with penalties up to 10 years and enhanced penalties (up to 20 years) for use of a weapon, bodily injury, or acts during declared emergencies.
It provides an affirmative defense for conduct that is a clear manifestation of a physical, mental, or intellectual disability.
The bill also authorizes a Department of Justice grant program to fund hospital violence-prevention measures, including training, coordination with law enforcement, and security technologies, with $25 million authorized per year for 2025–2034.
Modest cost and protective goals aid support, but expansion of federal criminal jurisdiction and significant penalties reduce consensus.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is primarily a substantive policy change that creates a new federal offense protecting hospital personnel and establishes a grant program administered by the Attorney General, and it includes substantial statutory detail and cross-references to existing law.
Progressives emphasize risks of criminalizing mental-health crises
These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.
Progressives emphasize risks of criminalizing mental-health crises
Generally supportive of stronger protections for health care workers and funding for violence-prevention training.
Concerned that criminal penalties might unintentionally punish people in mental-health crises or marginalized communities despite the affirmative defense.
Favors protecting hospital workers and supporting targeted federal grants, while seeking clear oversight, measurable outcomes, and respect for state criminal jurisdiction.
Sees this as a pragmatic response if implemented with accountability.
Likely to support stronger penalties for violent actors and federal assistance protecting essential workers, but wary of expanding federal criminal jurisdiction and recurring federal spending for local security measures.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Modest cost and protective goals aid support, but expansion of federal criminal jurisdiction and significant penalties reduce consensus.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Progressives emphasize risks of criminalizing mental-health crises
Modest cost and protective goals aid support, but expansion of federal criminal jurisdiction and significant penalties reduce consensus.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is primarily a substantive policy change that creates a new federal offense protecting hospital personnel and establishes a grant program administered by the Attorney…
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