The bill amends the definition of "health care provider" in Iowa law to include individuals who are working, volunteering, or participating in an educational course of instruction at a hospital or rural emergency hospital. This change broadens the scope of individuals protected under the law against assaults, specifically targeting those engaged in emergency medical services. The bill also establishes a presumption that individuals committing assaults against health care providers in specified settings are aware of the victim's status as a health care provider.

In addition to the expanded definition, the bill outlines the penalties for assaulting a health care provider, which can range from a serious misdemeanor to a class D felony. A serious misdemeanor carries a potential penalty of up to one year of confinement and fines between $430 and $2,560, while an aggravated misdemeanor can result in up to two years of confinement and fines between $855 and $8,540. A class D felony may lead to a maximum of five years of confinement and fines ranging from $1,025 to $10,245.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 708.3A