Oregon bill aimed at curbing workplace violence in hospitals

Salem, OR — Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in Oregon would strengthen the penalty for assaulting a hospital worker and require hospitals to work harder on preventing violence.

Sponsored by Rep. Travis Nelson (D-Portland), who has been a nurse for 20 years, H.B. 4088 would make assaults on hospital workers a third-degree felony. It also would direct hospitals to develop comprehensive workplace violence prevention plans and provide adequate training for staff.

“During my time at the bedside, I’ve been hit, spit on and punched too many times to count,” Nelson said during a Feb. 13 hearing before the House Judiciary Committee. “I consistently hear from nurses and hospital staff that they do not feel safe. It’s time we stand up for them.”

If the bill became law, hospitals would have to submit a copy of workplace violence reports to the state’s Department of Consumer and Business Services within 90 days of an incident. They also would be required to display signage within 15 feet of entrances alerting visitors that injuring health care workers is a crime, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $125,000 fine.

The Oregon Health Authority would be tasked with developing and administering a grant program that provides financial assistance to eligible hospitals for workplace violence prevention efforts such as staff training and purchasing metal detectors.

Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis (R-Albany), co-sponsor of the bill, noted during the hearing that the protections provided under the bill are the same as those currently afforded by state law to public transit workers, emergency medical service personnel, taxi drivers and highway flaggers.

Hospitals that provide inpatient treatment to adults and adolescents would be exempt under the bill, which was referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Feb. 19.