A new law aimed at protecting healthcare workers from violence is set to take effect in California hospitals this January. Assembly Bill 977 will strengthen penalties for anyone who intentionally harms healthcare staff, bringing hospital assaults on medical professionals in line with those against emergency responders in other settings.
Ryan Stevens, ER Director at Lompoc Valley Hospital, has witnessed firsthand the increasing violence healthcare workers face. “One second, the patient is cooperative, and the next, they’re taking action,” Stevens explained, highlighting the unpredictability of emergency room work. After 13 years in the field, he says that while staff are aware of the risks, the new law offers much-needed protection.
Under the new law, patients who assault healthcare workers in hospitals will face felony charges and up to a year in jail. This measure applies to intentional harm, with exemptions for individuals with mental illness. “This law is for those who intentionally hurt the staff,” said Yvette Cope, CEO of Lompoc Valley Hospital.
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Santa Barbara County District Attorney John Savrnoch emphasized that the law acknowledges the essential role of healthcare professionals in providing medical services. According to the Lompoc Police Department, officers were called 395 times this year to Lompoc Valley Medical for incidents including combative patients and medical clearance for prisoners.
In response to growing violence, hospitals like Cottage Hospital have implemented increased security and weapon screenings, reducing workplace violence by 10% in the past year. Cope hopes the new law will further deter violent behavior toward staff, with offenders facing the same penalties as those who assault law enforcement or emergency medical staff in other settings.
For Stevens, the law offers reassurance. “It’s a huge retention value, knowing that our staff can work in a safer environment and that individuals will be held accountable for their actions,” he said. The law is seen as a major step toward ensuring healthcare workers are better protected on the job.
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