The "Healthcare Workplace Security Act" aims to enhance the legal 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 degrees of assault and battery offenses, particularly emphasizing those committed against healthcare workers, and establishes specific penalties for such offenses, including mandatory minimum sentences.

Key provisions include the classification of assault and battery against healthcare workers as a felony with severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the injury caused. The bill also stipulates that healthcare workers who are victims of certain offenses will have their addresses listed as that of their workplace on legal documents, thereby providing an additional layer of privacy and security. Overall, the act seeks to deter violence against healthcare professionals and ensure that they are afforded the necessary legal protections while performing their duties.

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