Bill For Protection Of Healthcare Personnel During Epidemics Receives Presidential Assent [Read Notification]

It prohibits commission/ abetment of an act of violence against a healthcare service personnel or any damage/ loss caused to any property during an epidemic.

Contravention of the provisions of the Act constitutes a cognizable and non-bailable offence, punishable with imprisonment between three months and five years, and a fine between Rs 50,000 and two lakh rupees.

The Amendment Act also expands the powers of the Central Government to prevent the spread of such diseases by making provision for inspection of any vehicle, detention of travellers, etc.

It was passed by the Rajya Sabha on September 19, 2020and by the Lok Sabha on September 21, 2020.

Click Here to read salient features of the legislation and Parliamentary debate on it.

Important Definitions

1. Healthcare service personnel refers to:

• public and clinical healthcare providers such as doctors and nurses
• any person empowered under the Act to take measures to prevent the outbreak of the disease
• other persons designated as such by the state government.

2. Act of violence committed against a healthcare service personnel includes:

• harassment impacting living or working conditions
• harm, injury, hurt, or danger to life
• obstruction in discharge of duties
• loss or damage to the property or documents of the healthcare service personnel.

3. Property includes:

• clinical establishment
• quarantine facility
• mobile medical unit
• any other property in which a healthcare service personnel has direct interest, in relation to the epidemic.

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