Bill would make it a felony to hurt a nurse

Providers asked lawmakers Wednesday to expand the scope of a bill that would make it a felony to hurt a nurse, and advocates said they’d like to see the plan be amended to guarantee protections for patients with disabilities and mental illness.

Under the proposal

, those that harm a licensed registered nurse, a licensed practical nurse or someone working under their supervision could face up to six years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Similar protections in state law exist for firefighters, jurors, emergency medical care providers and others.

Bill author Rep. Gae Magnafici, R-Dresser, told members of the Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety that she saw a number of violent encounters in the 35 years she worked as a registered nurse.

“In spite of all these intense, violent and disturbing situations, it was not until my work on this bill that I took time to really reflect on all the workplace violence that I have faced,” she said. “The work that I did was too important. I ignored the dangers to myself because the care of my patients was my only focus. Such is the case with many of my colleagues – reporting workplace abuse was a low priority compared to caring for our patients.”

Gina Dennick-Champion, Wisconsin Nurses Association CEO, said that one in four nurses are assaulted in the workplace. She said the proposal could provide a tool that nurses can use to defuse situations.

“This legislation will help empower nurses to speak up,” she said. “Nurses can’t practice safely if they’re not feeling safe.”

Ann Zenk, Wisconsin Hospital Association vice president of workforce and clinical practice, asked that lawmakers expand the bill to include the entire healthcare team. An amendment

offered Wednesday would include any healthcare professional in the bill.

“This legislation is an important part of the toolkit we want to put together to reduce violence against healthcare workers,” she said.

Advocates for those with Alzheimer’s disease, disabilities or mental illness warned that the bill could criminalize actions that are the result of someone’s disability or illness.

Tami Jackson, public policy analyst and legislative liaison at the Board for People with Developmental Disabilities, said they’re worried that the bill could have unintended consequences.

She said they’d like to work with lawmakers on drafting an amendment that ensures “folks aren’t being dragged into a criminal procedure because that is about the worst place” for those with mental illness and disabilities.

This article first appeared in the Wisconsin Health News daily email newsletter. Sign up for your free trial here.