Legislation calling to increase punishment for assaulting nurses has passed the Tennessee House Criminal Justice Committee.

House Bill 0864 would give nurses the same protection as a first responder who is assaulted while they are doing their job.

Under the measure, the penalty for assaulting a nurse on duty will be a $15,000 fine and a mandatory minimum of 90 days in jail. The companion bill has already passed the Senate and is now headed to the House floor for a vote next week.