It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Chapter 11-5 of the General Laws entitled "Assaults " is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

11-5-16. Assault of health care providers - Emergency medical services personnel. -- (a) Any person who shall knowingly and willfully assault a health care provider or emergency medical services personnel, while said provider is engaged in providing health care services shall be deemed to have committed a felony, and may be imprisoned no more than three (3) years and fined not more than fifteen hundred dollars ($1,500) or both.

(b) The following terms, as used herein shall be defined as follows:

(1) "Health care provider" shall have the same meaning as defined in section 5-37.3-3 and shall include any personnel directed by them.

(2) "Emergency medical services personnel" shall mean anyone who provides emergency medical transportation services and anyone directed by them.

(3) "Health care services" shall have the same meaning as defined in section 5-37.3-3 and shall include any personnel directed by them.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.