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A bill introduced in the California Assembly seeks to prevent violent acts against healthcare workers.

Assembly Bill 30 (AB 30) would bolster existing laws that require hospitals to have safety and security plans.

The measure is in response to the October death of Cynthia Palomata, an RN. Palomata died three days after she was attacked at a California detention center.

If it becomes law, AB 30 would require:

• certain types of security measures when hospitals update their security plans
• employees to receive proper violence prevention and response training
• hospitals to improve reporting of violent incidents, and
• The California Correctional Standards Authority to establish standards for safety to protect healthcare workers in correctional facilities.

Medical workers would also have the right to involve local law enforcement in cases of workplace violence if necessary.

The state would be able to impose fines against hospitals that don’t comply.

Bonnie Castillo, RN, government relations director for the California Nurses Association, partly attributes violence against healthcare workers to drastic cuts in psychiatric programs and understaffing in medical facilities.

Do you think this legislation would cut down on workplace violence in healthcare facilities? Let us know what you think in the Comments Box below.

Tags: California, healthcare facilities, workplace violence