MinnesotaAssaults on emergency department workers would carry criminal penalties
People who physically assault hospital emergency department workers would face criminal penalties, with up to three years in prison if they cause provable bodily harm.
What it does
Physical assaults on emergency department workers and on-duty firefighters or emergency medical personnel would be gross misdemeanors. Assaults causing provable bodily harm would be felonies.
Argument forCriminal penalties could discourage physical attacks on emergency department workers, including staff whose jobs do not involve providing health care.
Argument againstFelony penalties could put people in prison for up to three years for physically assaulting nonmedical emergency department workers and causing provable bodily harm.
More detail
People who physically assault covered workers would face a gross misdemeanor, a crime below a felony. The provision covers hospital emergency department workers, municipal or volunteer firefighters, and members of emergency medical services units. Firefighters and emergency medical personnel must be performing their duties. An assault causing provable bodily harm would be a felony, punishable by up to three years in prison, a fine of up to $6,000, or both. If enacted, the section would take effect August 1, 2026, and apply to crimes committed on or after that date.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 12Authors added PerrymanLatest
- Apr 7Introduction and first reading, referred to Public Safety Finance and PolicyIntroduced
Criminal JusticePublic Safety