Lawmaker proposes increased penalties for medical provider assaults

An Oklahoma lawmaker has prefiled legislation to increase penalties against individuals who assault health care providers.

S.B. 1290, slated to be introduced Feb. 3 by Republican Sen. Darrell Weaver, would create the Medical Care Provider Protection Act. Under the proposed law, any individual convicted of assaulting a provider performing medical care duties could face up to two years in prison and a $1,000 fine.

The bill also expands the definition of “emergency medical care providers” to include not only doctors, nurses, aides and emergency response technicians, but also lab technicians, pharmacists, physical therapists, students, chaplains, volunteers and hospital security staff.

If signed into law, the Act would take effect Nov. 1, 2020.