Akron to increase penalties for violence against health care workers

Violence against health care workers while they're on the job will now be a first-degree misdemeanor with mandatory jail time in the city of Akron.

Akron City Council passed legislation Monday adding health care workers to its existing menacing ordinance, which outlines penalties for violence against public employees and utility workers.

Assaults and other violence against health care employees have increased across the country in recent years, said Tracy Carter, director of government relations at Summa Health.

“By taking this action, you are signaling the city of Akron’s unwavering commitment to ensuring health care workers can care for the citizens of Akron and the surrounding communities without fear of violence,” Carter said during council’s public safety committee meeting Monday.