Senator Golden Leads Senate Passage Of Legislation To Protect Nurses

Brooklyn- State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C, Brooklyn) is announcing that this week the State Senate passed legislation he sponsored, (S. 3441), that will protect nurses from assault on the job, a crime estimated at to impact 500,000 individuals annually by the United States Department of Justice. The legislation adds registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to the professions protected under current law which charges those who assault, in an attempt to prevent the performance of duty, with a Class D violent felony. An assault resulting in serious injury would be charged as a Class C violent felony.

Senator Marty Golden stated, "Those who have chosen to become a nurse by profession have answered a very important and critical calling by choosing to stand on the front lines of medical care. Each year, countless acts of violence are inflicted upon emergency medical professionals while in the line of duty. They are subject to intimidation, harassment, physical assault and numerous other forms of emotional, verbal and physical abuse that include choking, stabbing and threatening. We must protect those who are there to help us and provide us with great care."

Golden continued, "By allowing such behavior to go unpunished, the morale of nurses throughout the State of New York has significantly declined. This lack of job satisfaction has caused severe staff shortages in hospitals so it is imperative that this legislation becomes law. By making such behavior a Class C felony, we are saying to all medical professionals that this is not acceptable and will no longer be tolerated."

The bill was sent to the Assembly. Assemblyman David Koon (D-Monroe) is the sponsor.