Bill > HR3178

This bill, known as the "Save Healthcare Workers Act," aims to protect hospital personnel from violence by establishing federal criminal penalties for assaulting hospital workers and creating a grant program to improve hospital workforce safety. The legislation recognizes that healthcare workers face significant workplace violence risks, with statistics showing they are five times more likely to experience workplace injuries compared to workers in other industries. The bill creates a new federal criminal offense that makes it illegal to knowingly assault a hospital employee during the performance of their duties, with potential penalties ranging from fines to up to 10 years in prison, and enhanced penalties of up to 20 years for assaults involving dangerous weapons or occurring during public emergencies. Additionally, the bill establishes a grant program administered by the Attorney General, with $25 million annually from 2025 to 2034, to help hospitals implement violence prevention strategies such as staff training in de-escalation techniques, coordination with law enforcement, and security technologies like metal detectors and panic buttons. The grants will prioritize hospitals with demonstrated security needs and financial constraints, and require recipients to maintain detailed reporting on how funds are used. Importantly, the bill defines "hospital" broadly to include various medical facilities like long-term care hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and critical access hospitals, ensuring comprehensive coverage of healthcare settings.

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https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3178/all-info