Posted: | April 26, 2024 09:33 AM |
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From: | Representative Leanne Krueger and Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Co-Sponsorship: Healthcare Workplace Violence Prevention Act |
Violence occurring in the workplace is more prevalent in the healthcare industry than in any other industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare workers accounted for 73% of all non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses due to violence in 2018 alone (the most recent year for which these statistics are available). In addition, workplace violence has also been linked to a reduction in the quality of patient care in an essential field already stressed by the reduction of qualified healthcare professionals due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Sixty-six percent of members of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP) responding to a 2024 internal survey said they have personally experienced violence in their workplace – that’s up from 50% in 2021. Seventy-two percent of respondents said their hospital or facility does NOT do a good job of protecting them from workplace violence. As such, with these alarming statistics in mind, we intend to introduce legislation that will create the Healthcare Workplace Violence Prevention Act. In essence, our legislation does the following:
It is important to note that an overwhelming percentage of respondents to the aforementioned survey support the Healthcare Workplace Violence Prevention Act. Consequently, we have a duty to ensure that healthcare workers of this great Commonwealth are afforded a safe, violence free workplace where these heroes and heroines can work and perform their duties without the fear of bodily harm or fear for their personal safety. To that end, please join us by co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Takesha Latham in Rep. Krueger’s office at tlatham@pahouse.net. |
Introduced as HB2247