S911

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored Senate Assistant Majority Leader John A. Girgenti, which would upgrade the offense of assaulting a nurse or other healthcare profession to aggravated assault today was approved by the General Assembly.

“Existing New Jersey Statute enumerates the assault of individuals holding certain occupations that are inherently ‘high risk’ and have the potential for violence as aggravated assault,” said Senator Girgenti, Chairman of the Senate Law & Public Safety Committee, D-Passaic and Bergen. “However, an assault against a nurse, or other healthcare professional, while in the performance of his or her duties, only constitutes a simple assault.”

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senate Assistant Majority Leader John A. Girgenti that would upgrade the offense of assaulting a nurse or other healthcare professional to aggravated assault was today unanimously passed by the Senate.

“While state law protects individuals holding certain occupations that are inherently ‘high risk’ and have the potential for violence as aggravated assault, violence against an on-duty nurse or healthcare professional only constitutes simple assault,” said Senator Girgenti, Chairman of the Senate Law & Public Safety Committee, D-Passaic and Bergen. “Upgrading penalties for assaulting healthcare professionals will send a clear message that we are serious about protecting the safety of the men and women who spend their time caring for the needs of others.”

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senator John Girgenti, aimed at deterring assaults against healthcare professionals by upgrading the penalties for such an offense, was unanimously approved today by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.

“Roughly 30 percent of nurses report having been assaulted while on duty at one time or another,” said Sen. Girgenti (D-Bergen, Passaic). “We’re talking about some of the hardest working professionals out there, people who devote their entire career to saving the lives of others. They should not have to worry about putting their own life at risk while going about their job. Hopefully this bill will serve as a deterrent and make some would-be assailants think twice before acting.”