S.B. 2491 Summary

• Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 707-711 to add assault against health care workers as a second-degree assault offense when intentionally or knowingly causing bodily injury.

• Defines "a person who is engaged in the performance of duty at a health care facility" to include health care professionals, administrators, students, volunteers, and other workers supporting health care facility functions.

• Extends criminal penalties for assaulting persons providing home health care services as defined in Section 431:10H-201.

• Creates felony-level penalties for intentional or knowing bodily injury to health care workers, consistent with existing protections for correctional workers, educational workers, emergency medical services providers, and firefighters.

• Effective date: July 1, 2035.