Lawmakers have introduced legislation that would set federal criminal penalties for assaulting hospital employees.
Five things to know:
1. U.S. Sens. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and Angus King, I-Maine, introduced the Save Healthcare Workers Act (S.1600) in the Senate on May 5. U.S. Reps. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., and Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, have also introduced a companion bill in the House (HR. 3178).
2. The Save Healthcare Workers Act comes amid growing concern over violence in hospitals. Becker’s has reported more than five hospital shootings in 2025, and several states have passed or are considering workplace violence legislation.
3. Under the legislation, individuals convicted of assaulting hospital personnel would face fines and a federal prison term of up to 10 years, according to a news release from lawmakers. There are also increased penalties for circumstances such as the use of deadly or dangerous weapons or infliction of bodily harm.
4. Lawmakers noted that if the bill passes, hospital staff would receive the same federal protections currently given to flight attendants and airport workers. It would also mark the first federal law to protect threatened hospital employees.
5. Multiple organizations and healthcare groups have endorsed the Save Healthcare Workers Act. Among them are the American Hospital Association, Emergency Nurses Association, Mississippi Hospital Association, Mississippi Healthcare Collaborative, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Mississippi State Medical Association, Maine Hospital Association, Vizient, Catholic Health Association of the United States, American Organization for Nursing Leadership, America’s Essential Hospitals, American College of Emergency Physicians, Healthcare Workforce Coalition, and Premier.