ASSEMBLY PUBLIC SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5914

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 11, 2025

      The Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 5914.

      This bill revises the definition of health care professional under N.J.S.A.2C:12-1 regarding aggravated assault to match the definition in the “Health Care Heroes Violence Prevention Act,” P.L.2023, c.48 (C.2C:12-1a et al.).

      Under current law, N.J.S.A.2C:12-1 provides that aggravated assault of a health care worker occurs when a person commits an assault on “any health care worker employed by a licensed health care facility to provide direct patient care, any health care professional licensed or otherwise authorized pursuant to Title 26 or Title 45 of the Revised Statutes to practice a health care profession, except a direct care worker at a State or county psychiatric hospital or State developmental center or veterans' memorial home, while clearly identifiable as being engaged in the duties of providing direct patient care or practicing the health care profession.”

      The “Health Care Heroes Violence Prevention Act” requires a person convicted of assaulting a health care professional to complete an anger management course and community service.  Under the act, a health care professional includes “any health care professional, volunteer working for a health care professional or working at a health care facility, supportive services staff member working for a health care professional or working at a health care facility, or employee of a health care professional or health care facility, while the health care professional, volunteer, supportive services staff member, or employee is performing official duties.” 

      This bill would amend the definition of health care professional under N.J.S.A.2C:12-1 regarding aggravated assault to align with that of the “Health Care Heroes Violence Prevention Act.”