A bill that increases penalties for those who assault health care workers was signed into law by Gov. David Ige.
House Bill 1906 passed final readings in the House and Senate in May. It is now Act 147.
The legislation amended the statute defining second-degree assault to include a person who causes bodily injury to someone performing duties at a health care facility, a person providing home health care services or a person providing case management services to an individual in a hospital, health care provider’s office or home.
In regard to assault on medical professionals, the statute previously was more limited, stating it was second-degree assault if a person knowingly injured emergency medical services providers in the emergency room of a hospital.
Christina Ranan, nurse manager for Hilo Medical Center’s obstetrics unit, said they don’t see issues often, but “every once in a while,” if Child Welfare Services takes custody of a newborn, “the significant other may retaliate against the staff because we do report those cases.”
Ranan said she’s been at HMC more than 20 years and hasn’t encountered physical violence, but rather threats that are made to staff and verbal attacks, “and we don’t know if they’re going to come back and do (something).”
“(I am) glad that we have this now as protection,” she said. “That way, it keeps the nurses safe and reassured that if something were to happen, there (are) repercussions.”
Harold Wallace, CEO of Bay Clinic, which has nine locations in East Hawaii, said his organization likes the new law.
Although Wallace said Bay Clinic has not experienced any assaults by patients, steps were taken to prevent it — having security and locked facilities, as well as a dismissal policy in place.
However, “this layer of support by the Legislature will definitely help us out by providing warning to the general public that these kinds of (actions) won’t be tolerated.”
The new law went into effect last month.
Email Stephanie Salmons at ssalmons@hawaiitribune-herald.com