(Sacramento) – Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona) knows the dangers of working in the emergency medical field. He was an EMT for many years before being elected to serve the people of the 52nd Assembly District as their legislator. Assemblymember Rodriguez wrote Assembly Bill 172 to close a dangerous loophole in the law that puts emergency room personnel in danger. Under current law, an assault or battery against a physician or nurse rendering emergency medical care outside of a hospital, clinic or health care facility is punishable by a fine of up to $2,000, and/or one year in jail. However, if an assault or battery occurs inside the health care facility, the crime is punishable with no more than six months in jail. AB 172 would close this loophole by increasing the penalties for violence committed against all health care workers engaged in providing services within the ER. Here’s more in this Assembly Web Report.