Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13.

Present law provides that a person who commits an assault against a nurse must be punished by a mandatory fee of $5,000 and a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 days. Additionally, a person who commits an aggravated assault against a nurse must be punished by a mandatory fee of $15,000 and a mandatory minimum sentence of 90 days. Under present law, a nurse is defined as a person who is licensed, registered, or obtains a certificate as a nurse. <br /> <br /> This bill enacts the "Dr. Benjamin Mauck Act," which amends the present law above to apply to healthcare providers instead of only nurses. This bill defines a healthcare provider as the following:<br /> <br /> (1) A licensed nurse;<br /> <br /> (2) A licensed physician; or<br /> <br /> (3) A hospital employee who is discharging or attempting to discharge the employee's official duties in a hospital emergency department.<br />