The bill introduces a new section, 18 V.S.A. 1911b, which mandates that hospitals in Vermont establish and implement a comprehensive security plan aimed at preventing workplace violence and managing aggressive behaviors. Each hospital is required to form a security plan development team that includes health care employees, representatives from local agencies, and law enforcement. The security plan must be based on a thorough security risk assessment and include provisions for employee identification, training in de-escalation and trauma-informed care, and guidelines for law enforcement involvement during violent incidents. Additionally, hospitals must create a workplace violence incident reporting system and adopt a policy prohibiting discrimination against employees who report such incidents.

The bill also amends existing statutes to ensure that costs associated with implementing the security plan are accounted for in hospital budgets and reviews. Specifically, it excludes these expenditures from certain financial assessments and requires hospitals to demonstrate that their budgets consider the costs of the security plan. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 18-9435, 18-9454, 18-9456
As Passed By the House -- Official: 18-9435, 18-9454, 18-9456
As Passed By the House -- Unofficial: 18-9435, 18-9454, 18-9456
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Official: 18-9435, 18-9454, 18-9456
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Unofficial: 18-9435, 18-9454, 18-9456
As Enacted: 18-9435, 18-9454, 18-9456