Upgrades penalties for assaulting certain health care support staff and security guards at health care facilities and human services and veterans' facilities.

S 3493 (Sponsored by Senators Beach & Corrado) upgrades penalties for assaulting healthcare workers at New Jersey facilities. The bill amends the assault statute to classify attacks on "health care workers employed by a licensed health care facility to provide direct patient care" and "health care professionals licensed to practice" as aggravated assault - rather than simple assault - when committed at healthcare, human services, or veterans' facilities. This change increases potential penalties for such assaults by elevating the offense level under New Jersey law. The bill directly affects healthcare staff (including direct patient care workers and licensed professionals) working in covered facilities. It does not address security guards specifically, as the text only expands protections to defined healthcare workers.