A Frederick County delegate is asking colleagues to form a work group that would look at enhancing penalties against those who assault doctors, nurses and other employees at hospitals and similar facilities.
Del. Barrie Ciliberti (R-Frederick and Carroll) originally introduced — along with several other delegates — the bill as House Bill 1302. If a person were to attack a doctor or nurse, they could be charged with felony second-degree assault, which calls for up to 10 years in prison, a $5,000 fine or both. Currently, it is treated as a misdemeanor.
The bill would add hospital workers to an existing list of protected employees that includes police officers and firefighters.
In a hearing on the bill, however, Ciliberti asked the House Judiciary Committee to help create a work group that would examine his legislation in the interim, and hopefully help draft a bill for consideration next session.