Announcements

  • HR 1309 - Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act

    HR 1309 passed in the House on Nov. 21, 2019 and goes to the Senate next for consideration.

    The bill ensures that healthcare and social service employers, including hospitals, take specific steps to prevent workplace violence and ensure the safety of patients and workers. H.R. 1309 directs the Secretary of Labor to require these employers to develop and implement workplace violence prevention plans that are worker-driven and comprehensive.

    Specifically, Labor must promulgate an occupational safety and health standard that requires certain employers in the health care and social service sectors, as well as employers in sectors that conduct activities similar to the activities in the health care and social service sectors, to develop and implement a comprehensive plan for protecting health care workers, social service workers, and other personnel from workplace violence.

    In addition, those employers must

    • investigate workplace violence incidents, risks, or hazards as soon as practicable;
    • provide training and education to employees who may be exposed to workplace violence hazards and risks;
    • meet record keeping requirements; and
    • prohibit acts of discrimination or retaliation against employees for reporting workplace violence incidents, threats, or concerns.