H.R. 3178 — Save Healthcare Workers Act

This section amends 18 U.S.C. Chapter 7 by adding a new section (§120) that prohibits knowingly assaulting hospital personnel (i.e., individuals employed by or contracting with a hospital) during the performance of their duties if the assault interferes with or limits those duties, punishable by a fine, imprisonment for not more than 10 years, or both. It imposes enhanced penalties of a fine, imprisonment for not more than 20 years, or both, for such assaults that (1) involve a deadly or dangerous weapon or result in bodily injury or (2) occur during a public emergency declaration for the area. It provides an affirmative defense if the defendant has a physical, mental, or intellectual disability and the conduct was a clear and direct manifestation of the disability.