An Act relative to assault and battery against healthcare personnel, school officials, and first responders

This bill amends Massachusetts law to increase penalties for assault and battery committed against specific groups of workers while they are performing their official duties. It directly affects healthcare personnel, school officials, and first responders by adding them to the list of individuals whose attackers face stricter punishments. Under the new provisions, anyone who assaults these workers while they are on the job could be sentenced to up to five years in state prison or fined up to $5,000. The law also extends these protections to police dogs actively engaged in their duties. These changes aim to provide stronger legal consequences for violence targeting essential public service roles.