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Bill

Bill

SB 667

relative to the assault of emergency room personnel.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kevin Avard and 4 co-sponsors

Bill strengthens criminal penalties for assaults on emergency room personnel to enhance workplace safety for hospital ER staff in New Hampshire.

Signed by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 277; Effective 01/01/2027
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 667

Legislative bill overview

SB 667 addresses criminal penalties for assaulting emergency room personnel in New Hampshire. The bill appears designed to enhance protections for ER staff by establishing or modifying assault statutes specific to hospital emergency department workers.

Why is this important

Emergency room violence has increased nationally, creating safety concerns for healthcare workers who regularly face aggressive patients and visitors. Strengthening legal protections may deter assaults and provide clearer recourse for affected medical staff, though enforcement and deterrent effectiveness depend on implementation details not specified in the available action summary.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition scope: Whether "emergency room personnel" includes only doctors/nurses or extends to security, administrative, and janitorial staff—affecting how broadly the law applies
  • Penalty proportionality: Whether enhanced penalties for ER assault versus general assault are justified or constitute unequal treatment under law
  • Mental health considerations: Balancing victim protection with appropriate handling of assaults by patients experiencing mental health crises or substance intoxication
  • Resource allocation: Whether law enforcement and prosecutors have capacity to enforce enhanced statutes without diverting resources from other priorities

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

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