Alzheimer’s Patient Protection Debated At WI State Capitol
1 In 4 Nurses Have Been Assaulted On The Job
A Wisconsin Penalty Proposal for Assaults on Wisconsin Nurses Should Exclude Alzheimer’s and Dementia Patients, According to the Alzheimer’s Association.
The measure, which addresses assaults on nurses and is sponsored by Senator Dale Kooyenga, R-Brookfield and Rep. Gae Magnafici, R-Dresser, has a bipartisan group of co-sponsors. Under the proposal recently debated at the state Capitol, the group seeks to elevate assaults on a nurse, a licensed practical nurse (LPN), or an individual working under the supervision of an RN or LPN in Wisconsin, from a misdemeanor to a felony. “Under current law, anyone found guilty of intentionally hurting a nurse is charged with a Class A misdemeanor. Penalties for that crime are a fine of up to $10,000 or up to nine months in jail. The proposed change would elevate the crime to a Class H felony, which is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and up to six years in prison. The state already extends that elevated penalty to individuals in certain professions, including firefighters and jurors.”
Several groups, including the Wisconsin Nurses Association, support the proposal. According to the American Nurses Association, 1 in 4 nurses have been attacked at their workplace, and only 20 and 60 percent of those assaults are reported to law enforcement. The intent is that increasing the penalty would encourage nurses to report the crime.
Several groups, including the Alzheimer’s Association and the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Disability Rights Wisconsin raised concerns about the plan. These organizations are concerned about the possibility of someone experiencing a mental health crisis or an individual with dementia or a developmental disability being unfairly charged with a felony. “Tami Jackson of the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities said some individuals may be violent without intending to harm someone.” The sponsors of the bill said they would be willing to amend the proposal to protect those populations from being unfairly charged. The proposal has yet to be voted on in an Assembly or Senate committee. To read more CLICK HERE.
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