Unprovoked random acts of violence against first responders and healthcare workers within New Jersey have been on the increase within recent years. In response to this growing and worrisome trend, Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law the “Health Care Heroes Violence Prevention Act” this week.
The new legislation makes it a crime to intentionally threaten or physically assault healthcare professionals or volunteers in an effort to intimidate them or interfere with their healthcare duties.
Under bill (A-3199), any individual who knowingly and willfully threatens a healthcare worker either in person or by message is guilty of a disorderly person’s offense, which is punishable by up to six months in prison and/or a fine of up to $1,000. Moreover, if an individual is convicted of physically assaulting a healthcare worker, that individual may also be required to complete an anger management course of up to 12 months and community service of up to 30 days.
Protecting Workers
“If there’s one thing the COVID-19 pandemic made abundantly clear, it is the essential role health care workers play in our society,” said Murphy. “Growing threats and attacks against these courageous heroes are unacceptable.”
“We owe health care workers, including volunteers and employees in health care settings, our gratitude and respect. This law will provide greater protections for health care workers in our state to help deter both physical and verbal acts of violence against these professionals.”
New Law Details
Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said that “protecting health care workers is essential to maintaining a strong and viable workforce and ensuring public health. Their tireless commitment to improving healthcare delivery and saving lives should be without the additional worry of their physical and mental well-being.”
The law applies to all healthcare professionals, volunteers, and anyone performing their official duties as a healthcare provider while employed within a healthcare facility.
The bill also requires all healthcare facilities along with designated physician’s to prominently display a written notice informing the public that it’s a crime to threaten, harass, and or assault healthcare workers and volunteers, punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or both.
Dramatic Increase Since Pandemic
Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald (D-6), one of the sponsors, noted frontline healthcare heroes have reported a dramatic increase in violent acts that coincided with the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.
“We could not have gone through the past several years without the dedication of our frontline healthcare workers. They are truly heroes in this pandemic,” said Greenwald. “These repeated acts of violence against our health care heroes are simply unacceptable. This law will strengthen protections for these frontline workers by enhancing penalties and awareness about violence in the workplace.”
Hospitals and their employees noted that violence and verbal abuse against healthcare workers has become all too common.
Measures Sought by Healthcare Industry
“It is crucial that we do all we can to ensure that these frontline heroes are able to do their jobs safely and free from physical harm, threats, or intimidation,” said Rhina Molina, Executive Vice President of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. “Every worker has the right to a safe workplace, and in the field of healthcare—where often every second counts to save a life—patients are also put at risk when a caregiver is maltreated.”
The law comes less than a year after the New Jersey Hospitals Association reported a nearly 15% increase in physical and verbal abuse against staff between 2019 and 2021 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than half of the incidents reported were acts of violence and 44% were verbal abuse, an increase of 11% and 25%, respectively.
Cathleen Bennett, president & CEO of the New Jersey Hospital Association said the new law gives “protections for healthcare workers. These healthcare workers provide critical services for their patients.”
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