Bill > SB2294

This bill amends the Health Care Violence Prevention Act and the Freedom of Information Act to enhance workplace safety and protection for health care workers. The bill defines workplace violence as any act or threat of violence against a health care worker on a health care provider's premises, and requires health care providers to create comprehensive workplace violence prevention programs in consultation with direct care employees. These programs must include detailed risk assessments, identification of potential hazards, implementation of security measures like additional alarms and monitoring systems, and procedures for reporting and investigating violent incidents. Health care providers must now submit their workplace violence prevention programs to the Department of Public Health for approval and are prohibited from discouraging workers from reporting violent incidents to law enforcement or the Department. The bill mandates that health care providers document and investigate violent incidents within 48 hours, maintain confidential logs of such incidents, and submit annual reports summarizing workplace violence. Additionally, the bill exempts these workplace violence records from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Failure to comply with the Act's requirements can result in daily penalties of $500, with escalating consequences for repeated violations. The goal is to create safer working environments for health care workers by establishing clear protocols for preventing, reporting, and addressing workplace violence.

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2294&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104