Bill > HB2562

This bill establishes statewide requirements for health care facilities to prevent and address workplace violence, aiming to protect health care workers from harm and retaliation. It mandates that these facilities implement a zero-tolerance policy for workplace violence, develop comprehensive prevention programs led by designated individuals and multidisciplinary teams, and create detailed standard operating procedures for responding to incidents, which must be provided to employees and leadership. The bill also grants health care workers the right to refuse assignments that pose a serious risk of harm without fear of reprisal, and prohibits leadership from discouraging or retaliating against those who report incidents. Furthermore, it requires facilities to conduct investigations, assess risks, provide support to victims, and implement protective measures after an incident. For larger facilities (those with 30+ beds for acute/specialty care or 50+ beds for long-term care), it mandates access control measures like minimizing public entrances, establishing security checkpoints, and using screening equipment, with these duties assigned to trained security personnel rather than direct care staff. All staff and leadership will receive training on workplace violence prevention, reporting, de-escalation, and security protocols, with the understanding that workplace violence is not an acceptable condition of employment. Facilities must also conduct regular worksite analyses to identify and mitigate risks. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, in coordination with the Department of Health, will enforce these provisions, with violations potentially leading to administrative penalties, fines, or corrective action plans, and requiring facilities to compensate employees for losses due to retaliation or non-compliance, including treble damages for lost wages and benefits.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2562&year=2026