Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter for has signed into law a bill that makes it a felony to assault or batter emergency nurses. Violators could face up to three years in state prison if convicted.

"The quick action by Gov. Otter and Idaho's legislature and the fact that Idaho is the 30th state to enact felony legislation on violence against emergency nurses shows the growing recognition of this problem," said Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) President Deena Brecher, MSN, RN, APN, ACNS-BC, CEN, CPEN.