Michigan House Passes Bills Increasing Penalties for Assaulting Health Care Professionals

The Michigan House of Representatives passed with overwhelming support two bills that increase penalties for assaulting health care professionals and medical volunteers. House Bill 4520 passed by a vote of 97-11 and HB 4521 passed by a vote of 99-9. The Michigan Senate will now consider the bills.

Current law imposes a fine for simple assault of $500. HB 4520 would increase the fine to $1,000 for assaulting health professionals while they are performing their jobs. The fine for aggravated assault would increase from $1,000 to $2,000.

Under HB 4521, the fine for assault with a deadly weapon upon a health care professional would increase from $2,000 to $4,000.