Fourth-degree assault crime expansion related to nurses, physicians, and other persons providing health care services

This bill expands Minnesota's fourth-degree assault law to protect healthcare workers more broadly. It adds a new provision (subd. 2b) making it a felony to physically assault and cause demonstrable bodily harm to physicians, nurses, or other healthcare providers in *any* setting - not just hospital emergency departments as currently protected. The law increases penalties for such assaults to a maximum of two years in prison or a $4,000 fine. It applies to all healthcare services provided by these professionals and takes effect August 1, 2025.