HB 101 Summary: Assault or Battery on Health Care Providers

• Defines "health care provider" as physicians, registered nurses, employees, agents, or volunteers of hospitals or nursing homes performing care and treatment duties.

• Reclassifies assault and battery offenses against health care providers (when engaged in lawful duties) to the same severity levels as offenses against law enforcement officers and firefighters.

• Imposes mandatory minimum sentences: 3 years for aggravated assault on a health care provider and 5 years for aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer; enhanced penalties for possession of firearms during battery (3-8 years minimum).

• Adds health care providers to Florida statutes governing warrantless arrest authority, criminal HIV testing procedures, and rape crisis and domestic violence surcharges.

• Takes effect October 1, 2018.