Effective March 5, 2024, the Michigan legislature’s Public Act 271 was signed by Governor Whitmer. For years, MCEP has advocated for the safety of emergency physicians and the staff they work with based on clear evidence of ever-increasing risks to healthcare providers, as compiled by ACEP and the ANA. Briefly, the Public Act now imposes a greater fine and re-emphasizes consequences, including jail time, for friends and family of patients who assault health professionals or volunteers in the emergency department. Additionally, hospitals and psychiatric facilities shall now post a sign that corresponds with this bipartisan law. We thank Representatives Mike Mueller of Linden, Michigan and Kelly Breen from Oakland County for helping bring this bill to the state legislature.
Moving forward, Representative Natalie Price is planning to introduce a bill, supported by the MCEP Legislative Committee, which would expand the scope of the original bill to include violence by patients.
We welcome input from our MCEP members online and in-person!
