The "Healthcare Workplace Security Act" aims to enhance protections for healthcare workers in South Carolina by amending Section 16-3-600 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. The bill introduces definitions for "healthcare facility" and "healthcare worker," and specifies that the address of a healthcare facility will be used as the address for healthcare workers who are victims of assault and battery within these facilities. The act categorizes various assault and battery offenses, particularly those committed against healthcare workers, and establishes stricter penalties for such offenses, including mandatory minimum sentences and fines.

Key provisions include the classification of assault and battery against healthcare workers as a felony, with penalties that may include imprisonment for up to fifteen years and fines up to fifty thousand dollars. The bill also outlines lesser offenses and their corresponding penalties, ensuring that acts of violence against healthcare workers are treated with the seriousness they warrant. The act is set to take effect upon approval by the Governor, reinforcing the commitment to safeguarding healthcare professionals in their work environments.

Statutes affected:
12/05/2024: 11-7-70, 1-3-240, 11-7-10
12/06/2024-A: 16-3-600
02/05/2025: 16-3-600
Latest Version: 16-3-600