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Happening Today: U.S. House of Representatives to Vote On Workplace Violence Bill


Today, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on H.R. 1309, a workplace violence prevention bill for healthcare and social workers.

Currently, there is no nationwide law in place that requires employers to have violence prevention protections in place for these workers.  Of note, there has been a 70% increase in intentional injuries toward nurses by their patients from 2012 to 2018.  H.R. 1309 would require the Labor Department to issue a rule that requires healthcare and social service employers to implement workplace violence prevention plans.  The legislation defines workplace violence as any act or threat of force against an employee that could result in physical injury, psychological trauma, or stress.  Of note, any instance in which a firearm or improvised weapon is used would “qualify” as workplace violence.

I would expect H.R. 1309 to find enough support in the House of Representatives to pass during today’s vote.  Whether this legislation gets very far in the Senate remains to be seen.


For additional information:  https://www.google.com/amp/s/ctmirror.org/2019/11/20/courtney-bill-to-protect-health-workers-from-violence-set-for-house-vote/amp/

For text of H.R. 1309:  https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-116hr1309ih/pdf/BILLS-116hr1309ih.pdf

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