COLUMBUS — After struggling unsuccessfully to save two victims of a firebombing, Dr. Maureen Hirthler broke the news of the children's deaths to family members gathered in the emergency room.

        One relative was so distraught she knocked Dr. Hirthler to the floor and kicked her repeatedly.

        A bill in Ohio would expand laws protecting paramedics, police and firefighters on the job to include emergency room workers.

        It also increases the penalty for disorderly conduct from a fine of $100 to a 30-day jail term and a $250 fine if the conduct is committed in front of an emergency room employee in an emergency room.

        The House and Senate have approved the bill, which was sponsored by Sen. Jim Jordan, a Republican from Urbana. The Senate now must agree with technical changes made by the House.

        The crimes described in the legislation are already illegal — such as stalking and assault. But the bill would give prosecutors more options in charging people, according to the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association.

        “We tend to be treated poorly much of time, and we accept that because of the stress people are under,” Dr. Hirthler said. “But there's a line that's not acceptable — violence against someone who's trying to help you is not acceptable.”

        Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics data for 1993 showed health care and social service workers had the highest incidence of assault injuries.

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