S.1600 - Save Healthcare Workers Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1600, the Save Healthcare Workers Act, aims to protect hospital personnel from violence by establishing federal penalties for assaulting hospital employees. It amends Title 18 of the United States Code to include a new section addressing assault of hospital personnel, defining offenses, and outlining penalties, including increased punishments for acts involving dangerous weapons or occurring during public emergencies. The bill also includes an affirmative defense for individuals with disabilities and mandates a GAO study to assess the Act's impact on workplace violence in healthcare settings.
Expected Effects
The Act, if passed, would create a federal crime for assaulting hospital personnel, potentially deterring violence in healthcare settings. It could lead to increased prosecutions for such assaults and provide additional protection for healthcare workers. The GAO study will provide data on the effectiveness of the law and inform future policy decisions.
Potential Benefits
- Increased Protection for Healthcare Workers: Provides legal recourse and potential deterrence against violence.
- Federal Involvement: Addresses a nationwide issue with federal law, ensuring consistent enforcement.
- Data Collection: The GAO study will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of the Act.
- Affirmative Defense: Offers a legal defense for individuals with disabilities who may not fully understand their actions.
- Enhanced Penalties: Deters violence with increased penalties for severe acts.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential Overreach: Federalizing assault cases that could be handled at the state level.
- Increased Burden on Federal Courts: May increase the workload of federal courts.
- Limited Scope: Only addresses violence against hospital personnel, not other healthcare settings.
- Difficulty in Proving Intent: Establishing the 'knowingly assaults' element can be challenging.
- Potential for Abuse: The affirmative defense could be exploited.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) as it regulates activities involving hospitals engaged in interstate commerce. The establishment of federal crimes and penalties falls under the Necessary and Proper Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 18), allowing Congress to enact laws necessary for carrying out its enumerated powers. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights, such as those protected by the Bill of Rights.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).