FL S1712

Defines "health care provider" as a physician, registered nurse, employee, agent, or volunteer of a hospital who is employed by, under contract with, or otherwise authorized by a hospital to perform duties directly associated with patient care and treatment.

Reclassifies assault or battery offenses against health care providers to increase criminal penalties: assault reclassified from second-degree misdemeanor to first-degree misdemeanor, and battery reclassified from first-degree misdemeanor to third-degree felony.

Authorizes law enforcement officers to arrest without a warrant any person with probable cause of committing assault upon a health care provider as defined in the bill.

Updates background screening requirements for employees and volunteers of juvenile justice programs to include convictions related to assault or battery of health care providers under section 784.07.

Becomes effective October 1, 2017.