By Bob Katzen
The Senate on a voice vote, without a roll call, approved legislation that supporters said would support the safety of frontline health care workers by improving vital security protocols at hospitals and doctors’ offices across the state; help law enforcement make timely arrests for assaults at health care facilities; extend new supports to health care employees who are assaulted on the job; and shield victims’ personal information from assailants.
A key section would establish that employees who suffer workplace violence are entitled to paid leave for any time spent seeking medical treatment and aiding in the prosecution of their attacker, without using any vacation, sick or personal time.
“Every 36 minutes, a health care worker in Massachusetts is assaulted or threatened on the job,” said Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem), Senate sponsor of the legislation. “That is not [in] the job description, and it never should be a reality for any professional. The bill the Senate passed today is built on legislation I have filed session after session on behalf of our nurses, our front-line caregivers and our hospitals. It requires every facility to assess its own risks with its own workers, build a real prevention program and ensure accountability. It gives an assaulted worker paid leave, privacy and a lawful response.”
“No health care worker should ever be subjected to violence in the course of their duties, working long hours to selflessly care for their patients,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport), chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “It’s alarming that almost seven out of ten nurses have reported workplace violence, an unacceptable statistic that must end now. Our dedicated health care workers will now have updated workplace violence prevention programs and a stronger support system to ensure a safe and professional workplace environment.”
“Health care workers show up every day to take care of us,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “The least we can do is make sure they’re safe while they do it. Today we are giving hospitals and law enforcement the tools they need to prevent violence before it happens and respond quickly when it does, so our nurses, doctors and health care staff can focus on what they do best: caring for patients.”
The House has already approved a different version of the bill and a conference committee will likely be appointed to craft a compromise version.