Health Care Facilities Workplace Violence Prevention Act Introduced in Pennsylvania

To promote a "culture of safety" in health care facilities and help protect health care workers from incidents of workplace violence in the state of Pennsylvania, the 'Health Care Facilities Workplace Violence Prevention Act' (House Bill 1992) was recently introduced in the Pennsylvania House, according to a report from HealthCanal.com. HB 1992 - a joint effort by the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP) and State Representative Nicholas Micozzie (R-163) - requires Pennsylvania hospitals and other health care facilities to take steps to protect health care workers from suffering from workplace violence that include security risks assessments, finding ways to create a safer workplace, and helping workplace violence victims report incidents.

Specifically, the 'Health Care Facilities Workplace Violence Prevention Act' would provide for "violence prevention committees" in health care facilities, for their powers and duties, and for remedies. HB 1992 helps health care facilities develop a plan addressing risk factors, train security personnel, build staffing, and create a hospital "culture of safety."

The full text of Pennsylvania House Bill 1992 (HB 1992) the 'Health Care Facilities Workplace Violence Prevention Act' is available at http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=PDF&sessYr=2011&sessInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=B&billNbr=1992&pn=2761. According to the text, "this act shall take effect in 180 days."