CA AB977

Expands penalties for assault and battery to include physicians, nurses, and other health care workers in hospital emergency departments, making such offenses punishable by up to one year in county jail and/or fines up to $2,000.

Authorizes hospital emergency departments to post notices warning that assaults and batteries against staff are crimes that may result in criminal conviction.

Amends Penal Code Sections 241 and 243 to add emergency department health care workers to the list of protected persons receiving enhanced assault and battery penalties (previously only covered emergency medical personnel outside hospitals).

Defines "health care worker" as any person performing duties directly associated with care and treatment in a hospital's emergency department or the department's security.

Exempts the state from reimbursing local agencies for costs, as the bill creates new crime definitions under California's constitutional mandate.