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Minutes for HB2023 - Committee on Judiciary
Short Title
Creating the crime of interference with the conduct of a hospital, providing criminal penalties for violation thereof and increasing the criminal penalties for battery of a healthcare provider who is employed by a hospital.
Minutes Content for Fri, Mar 24, 2023
Chairwoman Warren opened the hearing on HB2023. Jason Thompson, Revisor's Office, gave an overview of the bill and stood for questions. (Attachment 7)
Tara Mays gave testimony in support of HB2023. She stated hospitals want to support strong sanctions that provide opportunities for the employee and the hospital to seek legal recourse in the instances that need to be addressed through the criminal process. (Attachment 8)
Elijah Thompson provided testimony in support of HB2023. He stated the bill would increase criminal penalties for the intentional assault of healthcare workers. This Bill also clearly outlines that the person charged with maintaining order of that hospital environment may sign the complaint, taking some of the burden off front line staff. This allows care team members to focus upon patient care. , (Attachment 9)
Monica Natzke provides testimony in support of HB2023. She stated 1 in 4 nurses are assaulted at work, however it is estimated that this number could be double due to failure to report. Federal law requires hospitals treat all who walk through our Emergency Department doors. Acts of violence interfere with our ability to deliver critical emergency services. This is a national problem and many states have taken similar action to increase penalties., (Attachment 10)
Chris Buesing gave testimony in support of HB2023. He stated that they have made many changes in an effort to reduce the frequency of workplace violence and listed them in his testimony. Even with all the processes and programs in place they still experience workplace violence. HB2023 is one step in the process of helping everyone feel supported in the healthcare setting. (Attachment 11)
Ed Klumpp gave testimony in support of HB2023. He stated it enhances the penalty for misdemeanor battery of a health care worker . This is the equivalent of the enhancement for battery to a school employee. (Attachment 12)
Written-only testimony in support of HB2023 was submitted by:
- Steve Kearney, Kansas County and District Attorneys Association (Attachment 13)
- Val Gleason, President and CEO NMC Health (Attachment 14)
- Reagan Cussimanio, The University of Kansas Health System (Attachment 15)
There being no further conferees, the hearing on HB2023 was closed.
