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HF 310

A bill for an act relating to assaults on persons engaged in certain occupations including a health care provider, and making penalties applicable.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Expands who counts as a health care provider under Iowa’s assault statute to include EMS and hospital staff, plus a presumption attackers know victims are providers and penalties.

Signed by Governor.
#assault #health-relatedprofessions
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Bill Summary · HF 310

Summary — HF 310 (2025): Assaults on Health Care Providers

Status: Signed by Governor (approved May 28, 2025)
Introduced: February 10, 2025

Purpose

HF 310 expands the statutory definition of “health care provider” for purposes of Iowa’s assault statute (Iowa Code § 708.3A). The bill is intended to extend enhanced protections and penalties to a broader set of persons working in, volunteering at, or training in certain health care settings.

Key provisions

  • Amends Iowa Code § 708.3A(5)(d) to redefine “health care provider” to include:
    • Emergency medical care providers (chapter 147A); and
    • Persons licensed or registered under chapters 148 (medicine/osteopathic medicine), 148C (physician assistants), 148D (resident physicians), or 152 (nursing) who are:
    • providing or attempting to provide emergency medical services (per §147A.1), or
    • working, volunteering, or participating in an educational course of instruction while at a hospital or rural emergency hospital (chapter 135B), or at a nursing facility (chapter 135C).
  • Adds a legal presumption: an assailant who commits an assault against a health care provider in a hospital, at the scene, or during out‑of‑hospital patient transport in an ambulance is presumed to know the victim is a health care provider.
  • Existing penalty structure under § 708.3A remains applicable (offense severity depends on circumstances).

Penalties (as referenced in the bill/explanatory text)

  • Serious misdemeanor: up to 1 year confinement; fine $430–$2,560.
  • Aggravated misdemeanor: up to 2 years confinement; fine ~$855–$8,540.
  • Class D felony: up to 5 years confinement; fine $1,025–$10,245.

Who is affected

  • Emergency medical personnel and licensed/registered physicians, PAs, residents, and nurses when providing/attempting emergency medical services.
  • Individuals (paid or unpaid) working, volunteering, or training (students) at hospitals, rural emergency hospitals, and nursing facilities who are providing or attempting to provide health services as defined in §10A.711.
  • Potentially increases number of prosecutions or charging under § 708.3A where assaults involve those newly covered.

Fiscal and correctional impact

  • Fiscal note: the change may increase admissions under § 708.3A, but the magnitude is unknown; therefore total DOC/General Fund cost is indeterminate.
  • Reported average State cost per offense (estimates):
    • Class D felony: $11,900 – $19,100
    • Aggravated misdemeanor: $6,800 – $11,800
    • Serious misdemeanor: $420 – $5,000
  • Correctional impact could not be estimated due to uncertainty about how many additional convictions will result. Fiscal assumptions referenced include a six‑month lag to first system entry and various marginal daily costs (e.g., jail $50/day).

Legislative history (selected)

  • Introduced: 02/10/2025
  • Passed House (89–0): 03/10/2025
  • Passed Senate (47–0): 04/08/2025
  • Signed by Governor: 05/28/2025

This law broadens the class of persons statutorily protected as “health care providers” in assault prosecutions and creates a presumption of knowledge in certain hospital and pre‑hospital settings.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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