This bill introduces felony-level offenses for assaults against emergency room personnel, amending existing laws regarding assault and related offenses. Specifically, it modifies RSA 631:1 and RSA 631:2 to include new provisions that classify knowingly causing serious bodily injury or bodily injury to emergency room personnel as a first and second degree assault, respectively. The bill defines "emergency room personnel" to encompass a wide range of individuals working in hospital emergency departments, including healthcare professionals, clerks, technicians, students, and volunteers who provide or assist in medical care.

The amendments replace previous language that specified law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical care providers as the only protected individuals under these assault provisions. The new legal language inserted into the law includes definitions and protections specifically for emergency room personnel, thereby expanding the scope of individuals who are safeguarded under these assault laws. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 631:1, 631:2
Version adopted by both bodies: 631:1, 631:2
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 631:1, 631:2