HB 5215 Summary

• Expands protection from threats and assault to include Department of Health and Human Services employees and home health care workers, replacing the previous "family independence agency" language.

• Creates new felony offense for assaulting or battering these workers causing bodily injury requiring medical attention, punishable by up to 2 years imprisonment or up to $2,000 fine.

• Increases penalties for assault causing bodily injury requiring medical attention from 2 years to 4 years imprisonment and from $1,000 to $5,000 maximum fine.

• Increases penalties for assault causing serious impairment of body function from 5 years to 15 years imprisonment and from $5,000 to $10,000 maximum fine.

• Adds new offense of assault or battery causing death of these workers, punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment or up to $20,000 fine, and allows consecutive sentencing for violations.