BOSTON — Beacon Hill lawmakers are moving to increase protections for health care workers in response to skyrocketing acts of violence against nurses and other hospital staff in recent years.
A proposal approved by the state House of Representatives last week would set new criminal charges specifically for violence and intimidation against health care workers and require hospitals and state public health officials to establish new standards for dealing with security risks at medical facilities.
Under the legislation, anyone who commits “bodily injury” against a health care worker could be charged and face up to five years prison and $5,000 in fines. Those charged with “serious” bodily injury could land offenders in prison for up to 10 years, as well as $5,000 in fines.
The legislation would also require the state Department of Mental Health to set standards for evaluating and addressing security risks at healthcare facilities, and require hospitals to develop a workplace violence prevention plan and file annual reports to the state on worker assaults.
It would also allow victims of assault and battery or aggravated interference to take paid leave to address criminal proceedings or pursue legal action.
“Health care workers are heroes who are responsible for saving lives and for improving the overall health of our commonwealth, which is why we owe it to them to ensure that they are able to do their jobs without fear for their wellbeing,” House Speaker Ron Mariano, D-Quincy, said in a statement.
A recent report released by the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association found that every 36 minutes a health care worker in the state is physically assaulted, verbally abused or threatened.
The report found that about 96% of violent incidents at hospitals are carried out by either patients, visitors, or non-hospital employees. Most of the victims are nurses, followed by security personnel and other healthcare workers. Of those incidents, 33% were committed by repeat offenders.
“Abusive incidents do more than harm those who have devoted their careers to saving lives; they affect access to compassionate, timely care for patients in need,” the report’s authors wrote.
Reported assaults against healthcare workers leveled out throughout most of 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic led to a drop in patient and visitor volume at hospitals, but rose steadily throughout 2021 and 2022, the report’s authors noted.
Nationwide, health care workers are nearly four times as likely to be injured on the job as the general working population, according to federal Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Those most at risk work in emergency rooms, psychiatric units, long-term care facilities and nursing homes.
Non-fatal acts of violence against health care workers accounts for as many injuries as in all other industries combined, more than police or corrections officers, according to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration.
“This legislation is a commitment to every frontline healthcare employee to provide a safer working environment to treat their patients, Health and Hospital Association President & CEO Steve Walsh said in a statement. “We are grateful to the House for making this effort a priority and helping us to deliver on the pledge to offer our workers the protections they deserve.”
The House bill must still be approved by the Senate before heading to Gov. Maura Healey’s desk for consideration. Lawmakers recessed last Wednesday for a long winter break.
Christian M. Wade covers the Massachusetts Statehouse for North of Boston Media Group’s newspapers and websites. Email him at cwade@cnhinews.com