Pennsylvania's House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill that would make assault on healthcare workers a felony, according to the York Dispatch.
Here are four things to know:
1. House Bill 1219 adds healthcare workers to a list of protected individuals in the event of an assault, raising the penalty for the assault from a misdemeanor to a felony.
2. The bill, which passed Feb. 10 with a vote of 177 to 0, would cover physicians, residents, nurses, nurse aids, paramedics and hospital security.
3. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Judy Ward (R-Blair).
4. In February alone there were two cases in York County, Pa., in which suspects allegedly assaulted hospital employees.