Healthcare workers will have further protections against threats of violence under legislation signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer this week. According to one of the bill sponsors, Representative Mike Mueller (R-Linden), Michigan hospitals have reported a significant increase in the number of violent encounters. The bills aim to combat that problem and help further ensure the safety of medical professionals.
Key Points:
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- The new laws add healthcare professionals and medical volunteers to a protected group of workers that already includes police officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel.
- Fines against those who assault a health care worker or medical volunteer, with or without a weapon, will increase.
- Healthcare facilities must post signs informing the public of the enhanced penalties.
