BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 463 89R3036 KKR-F By: Campbell Health & Human Services 4/7/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, workplace violence against healthcare workers has increased, as previously established violence prevention programs have become ineffective. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that workplace violence requiring time away from work is four times more common in the healthcare industry than in private sectors such as retail, construction, and manufacturing. S.B. 240, which passed the Senate unanimously (31-0), is landmark legislation aimed at protecting healthcare workers from workplace violence. However, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) legal department has determined that S.B. 240 applies only to home health services, inadvertently exempting all other provider types. S.B. 463 addresses this oversight by removing the restrictive language, ensuring that all service categories under the Home and Community Support Services Agency (HCSSA) license are covered. Amends Section 331.001(3) of the Health and Safety Code by striking the language that inadvertently narrowed the scope of S.B. 240. The bill amends the definition of "facility" to remove the requirement that home and community support services agencies must specifically provide home health services to be covered. Agencies that meet the other criteria, such as employing at least two registered nurses, will now be subject to workplace violence prevention regulations under Chapter 331. As proposed, S.B. 463 amends current law relating to the definition of facility for purposes of workplace violence prevention requirements. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 331.001(3), Health and Safety Code, to redefine "facility." SECTION 2. Requires a home and community support services agency that becomes subject to Chapter 331 (Workplace Violence Prevention), Health and Safety Code, under Section 331.001 (Definitions), Health and Safety Code, as amended by this Act, to comply with the requirements of that chapter. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 463
89R3036 KKR-F By: Campbell
Health & Human Services
4/7/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 463
89R3036 KKR-F
By: Campbell
Health & Human Services
4/7/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, workplace violence against healthcare workers has increased, as previously established violence prevention programs have become ineffective. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that workplace violence requiring time away from work is four times more common in the healthcare industry than in private sectors such as retail, construction, and manufacturing.
S.B. 240, which passed the Senate unanimously (31-0), is landmark legislation aimed at protecting healthcare workers from workplace violence. However, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) legal department has determined that S.B. 240 applies only to home health services, inadvertently exempting all other provider types.
S.B. 463 addresses this oversight by removing the restrictive language, ensuring that all service categories under the Home and Community Support Services Agency (HCSSA) license are covered.
Amends Section 331.001(3) of the Health and Safety Code by striking the language that inadvertently narrowed the scope of S.B. 240.
The bill amends the definition of "facility" to remove the requirement that home and community support services agencies must specifically provide home health services to be covered.
Agencies that meet the other criteria, such as employing at least two registered nurses, will now be subject to workplace violence prevention regulations under Chapter 331.
As proposed, S.B. 463 amends current law relating to the definition of facility for purposes of workplace violence prevention requirements.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 331.001(3), Health and Safety Code, to redefine "facility."
SECTION 2. Requires a home and community support services agency that becomes subject to Chapter 331 (Workplace Violence Prevention), Health and Safety Code, under Section 331.001 (Definitions), Health and Safety Code, as amended by this Act, to comply with the requirements of that chapter.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.