Bill > S1603

This bill requires healthcare facilities to develop and implement programs to prevent workplace violence. The key provisions include: 1. The Department of Public Health will develop statewide standards for evaluating and addressing known security risks at healthcare facilities, in consultation with an advisory committee. 2. Each healthcare facility must develop and implement a program to minimize the danger of workplace violence to employees, based on the statewide standards, including appropriate employee training and a system for reporting and monitoring incidents. 3. Healthcare facilities must designate a senior manager responsible for developing an in-house crisis response team to support employee-victims of workplace violence. 4. The bill increases the penalties for assaulting or battering a healthcare employee in the course of their duties, and allows employees to choose alternative addresses for legal documents related to the incident. 5. The bill provides unpaid leave for healthcare employees who are victims of assault or battery, allowing them to seek services, obtain protective orders, or attend legal proceedings. 6. The Executive Office of Health and Human Services and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security will develop regulations to allow healthcare providers to access reports on individuals maintained by various agencies, in order to improve treatment and diagnosis.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S1603