The bill aims to enhance workplace violence prevention in health care settings by amending existing regulations and introducing new requirements. It mandates that each health care setting develop and implement a workplace violence prevention plan, which must be monitored by a safety or workplace violence committee composed of both employee-elected and employer-selected members. The plan should address various factors contributing to workplace violence, including security measures, staffing patterns, job design, emergency procedures, and employee training. Additionally, the bill requires that the workplace violence prevention plan be reviewed and updated at least once per calendar year.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a new requirement for health care settings to conduct timely investigations of workplace violence incidents. These investigations must assess the contributing factors of each incident, including details of the event and the adequacy of staffing levels at the time. Health care settings are also required to submit quarterly reports to the designated committee, summarizing investigation findings and providing recommendations for improving the workplace violence prevention plan. Critical access hospitals have a modified reporting frequency, submitting reports twice a year instead.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 49.19.020