Bill > A00203

This bill requires hospitals in New York to establish comprehensive workplace violence prevention programs designed to protect healthcare workers, patients, and visitors. Starting January 1, 2027, general hospitals must conduct annual workplace safety and security assessments that identify potential violence threats, considering factors like incident reports, employee concerns, hospital layout, access points, and security systems. Hospitals must develop a detailed safety and security plan that outlines methods to reduce identified risks, which may include employee training, increased staffing, security enhancements, engineering controls like barriers and communication systems, and other relevant measures. The bill also mandates that hospitals provide employees and collective bargaining representatives with a written summary of the safety plan and information on reporting workplace violence incidents. Additionally, the bill requires hospitals in cities or counties with populations over one million to have an off-duty law enforcement officer or trained security personnel present in the emergency department at all times, while hospitals in smaller populations must prioritize security personnel near the emergency department. Hospitals designated as critical access, sole community, or rural emergency hospitals may be evaluated individually if they experience increased rates of violence. The act will take effect 280 days after becoming law.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A203