Petition: Enact "Laurel’s Laws"

National Protection for Registered Nurses

Target: The United States Congress and State Legislatures of all 50 States
Goal: To establish uniform federal and state felony protections for active Licensed Registered Nurses (RNs) who are victims of assault, battery, domestic violence and systemic abuse, whether on or off duty.

Statement of Intent

Registered Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system, yet they face disproportionate rates of violence and targeted abuse. Current laws vary wildly by state and often fail to account for the unique vulnerabilities of RNs—especially those targeted in their personal lives or while on travel assignments. Laurel’s Laws ensure that those who dedicate their lives to caring for others are shielded and protected by the law, regardless of where they practice. These laws extend protection beyond the workplace to include domestic environments, travel assignments, and off-duty status, recognizing that the safety of our nursing workforce is a matter of national security and public health. Laurel’s Laws seeks to bridge this gap by mandating strict felony classifications for crimes against RNs across all 50 states, ensuring that those who harm healers face justice that reflects the severity of their actions.

Why We Need Laurel’s Laws

Healthcare workers are five times more likely to experience abuse and physical violence in the workplace than those in other occupations. Approximately one in four nurses report experiencing physical abuse, yet many incidents go unreported because violence is often viewed as “part of the job”. In 2023 alone, there were nearly 17, 000 documented assaults against nurses, a 5% increase from the previous year. The impact of work trauma, physical violence and intimate partner abuse causes long term psychological harm such as PTSD, depression and burnout. This compromises patient care. A traumatized or injured nurse cannot provide the attentive, high-quality care patients require. By protecting nurses on duty and in their private lives, we can ensure they remain fit to serve the public. 

Staffing Crisis, Nurse Retention and Systemic Stability

Violence is a leading cause of job dissatisfaction and nurse turnover rates. Up to 60% of RNs have considered leaving the profession due to workplace violence. Nurses who experience violence at work and at home suffer significantly. Without strict, uniform consequences for perpetrators, the nursing shortage will worsen, potentially leading to a collapse in essential healthcare services. Current laws vary wildly by state; while 45 states have some form of penalty for healthcare worker assault/battery, only a few classify it as a high-level felony. While 38 states have established or increased penalties for assaulting a nurse, the classifications are inconsistent. 30 states treat certain assaults on nurses as felonies, while others classify these attacks as simple misdemeanors. By elevating these crimes to serious felonies, we provide the legal deterrent necessary to protect those who dedicate their lives protecting us. The absence of a federal law like Laurel’s Laws is directly contributing to a national healthcare staffing collapse. Under Laurel’s Laws, the following sentencing guidelines shall apply based on the severity and frequency of the offenses.

Closing the “Travel Nurse” Protection Gap

Travel nurses face unique safety challenges, often working in unfamiliar cities with varying hospital protocols. These nursing professionals fly into the storm during hospital strikes and crisis shortages, often having to navigate themselves in high-risk areas, taking ride shares at odd hours and live in temporary housing. Some states allow nurses to use first names only on badges to prevent stalking and off-duty harassment. This should be mandated across all 50 states.

Laurel's Laws

The Proposed Statutory Framework and Mandates

Condition: The offender/perpetrator must have known the victim’s status as an active licensed RN and/or the nurse has identified themselves while on duty-for ALL Level I through Level V Protections.

Level I Protection

1. Protection Against Single Act of Violence and Assault (Class E/6 Felony)
Any single act of Assault and Battery against a licensed RN—on-duty, off-duty, or on a travel contract assignment—shall be classified as a Class E (Federal) /Class 6 (State) Felony. This includes domestic violence and intimate partner abuse. Punishment by law DEPENDS ON the SEVERITY of acute or chronic long-term damages to all parties affected. 

Penalty and Sentencing: 1 to 5 years in prison (or up to 12 months in jail) and fines up to $2,500, depending on the severity of damages.  

Level II Protection

2. Protection Against Repeat Offenders (Class D/5 Felony)
Two or more acts of Assault and Battery against an RN shall be elevated to a Class D (Federal)/Class 5 (State) Felony. Punishment by law DEPENDS ON the SEVERITY of acute or chronic long-term damages to all parties affected. 

Penalty and Sentencing: 2 to 10 years in prison, depending on local statutes and fines up to $5,000.

Level III Protection

3. Protection Against Aggravated Neglect and Deprivation of Basic Needs (Class C/4 Felony)
Repeated acts of Assault and Battery coupled with evidence of negligence, probable cause or intentional deprivation of basic human needs (air, food, water, shelter, sanitation, clothing or healthcare) shall be a Class C (Federal)/Class 4 (State) Felony. Punishment by law DEPENDS ON the SEVERITY of acute or chronic long-term damages to all parties affected. 

Penalty and Sentencing: 10 to 20 years in prison and a fine of $100,000.

Level IV Protection

4. Protection Against Complex Violence, Aggravated Neglect, and Child/Animal Endangerment or Abuse (Class B/3/2 Felony).
Repeated acts of violence, Assault and Battery against an RN involving combined deprivation of basic human needs (air, food, water, shelter, sanitation, clothing or healthcare), neglect AND a SINGLE count (evidence) of child and/or animal abuse and neglect shall be classified as a Class B (Federal)/Class 3 or Class 2 (State) Felony. Punishment by law DEPENDS ON the SEVERITY of acute or chronic long-term damages to all parties affected. 

Penalty and Sentencing: 10-25+years in prison and fines up to $100,000.

Level V Protection

5. Protection Against Chronic Violence, Extreme Systemic Violence and Multiple Aggravating Factors (Class A/2/1 Felony)
Repeated acts of violence, Assault and Battery, deprivation of basic human needs, and MULTIPLE counts of child or animal abuse that has resulted in death shall be classified as a Class A (Federal)/Class 2 or 1 (State) Felony. Punishment by law DEPENDS ON the SEVERITY of acute or chronic long-term damages to all parties affected. 

Penalty and Sentencing: 25 years to Life imprisonment, life without parole, or the death penalty (where applicable), and a $100,000 fine.

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