Bill > S1313

This bill requires "health care employers," defined as entities operating a "health care facility" (which includes hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and certain state-operated facilities) and employing five or more people, to develop and implement comprehensive programs to prevent workplace violence. These programs must begin with an annual risk assessment conducted in cooperation with employees and their representatives, identifying factors that could lead to assaults or homicide, such as working in public areas, late hours, or areas with uncontrolled access or known security problems. Based on this assessment, employers must create a written violence prevention plan that details how they will mitigate these risks through measures like employee training, job design, staffing, security, equipment, or facility changes, and establish a system for reporting and monitoring violence incidents. The plan must also include training on reporting to public safety officials and filing criminal charges, and be made available to all employees and their labor organizations. Furthermore, employers must designate a senior manager to oversee an in-house crisis response team for victims of workplace violence, offering services like counseling and support groups. The Commissioner of Labor will establish rules and regulations for these programs, and violations can result in fines of up to $2,000 per offense, with enforcement by the Attorney General. Importantly, employees cannot be penalized for reporting workplace violence risks.