Save Healthcare Workers Act

Key Points

• Creates a new federal crime for assaulting hospital workers while they’re doing their jobs, if it interferes with their work.
• Sets penalties up to 10 years in prison, and up to 20 years if a weapon is used, someone is hurt, or it happens during a declared emergency.
• Adds a legal defense when the person accused has a disability and the conduct was a clear, direct result of that disability.
• Lets the Justice Department give hospitals grants for security and training, like de-escalation training, better access control, and panic buttons.
• Authorizes $25 million each year from 2025 through 2034 for hospital safety grants, with priority for hospitals that show need and limited funds.