Reps. Weinstein announces legislation to protect healthcare professionals from workplace violence

COLUMBUS– State Rep. Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) announced a plan today to introduce legislation addressing workplace violence in healthcare settings. This announcement was made during a nurse rally at the Ohio Statehouse this morning to mark the conclusion of National Nurses Week, which was held from May 6-12 this year.

Violence against healthcare workers has been on the rise in recent years and was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Nurses Association reports that 1 in 4 nurses is assaulted while on the job, and in 2018, healthcare workers accounted for 73% of all workplace violence injuries.  

“Our doctors and nurses care for us and our families at our most vulnerable moments. They give so much of themselves to their patients, and it’s time we show them that we have their backs,” said Rep. Weinstein. “Everyone deserves to feel safe in the workplace, and this bill is a step in the right direction.”

This bill would:

·  Instruct healthcare employers to create and maintain workplace prevention plans;

· Require violence prevention and de-escalation training for healthcare setting employees, volunteers, and contracted security personnel; 

·   Instruct the Ohio Department of Health to create system for statewide workplace violence reporting and compile regular statistical reports of all incidences for review.

This bill will be formally introduced next week.