Vermont Senate Bill S0122

Vermont 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/14/23
• Refer: 3/14/23

Caption

An act relating to creating health care facility safety policies

Impact

The bill will require all health care facilities to develop written violence prevention and crisis response policies that meet specific minimum standards. These policies must be prepared with input from healthcare employees and should outline measures to respond to threats, record incidents, and provide staff training on safety procedures. The focus on collaboration with stakeholders—including labor unions and healthcare associations—indicates an effort to create a thorough and compliant policy framework that could significantly enhance employee safety across the sector.

Summary

Bill S0122, introduced by Senator Perchlik, aims to enhance safety policies for health care facilities in Vermont by establishing a standardized model for workplace violence prevention and crisis response. The bill mandates that health care facilities conduct comprehensive safety evaluations by January 1, 2026, identifying potential violence factors against employees and reporting their findings to the Commissioner of Health. Furthermore, the Department of Health is tasked with creating a model policy that aligns with federal and state guidelines on workplace safety.

Contention

Though the bill is designed to improve safety for healthcare workers, discussions may emerge regarding the feasibility and effectiveness of its implementation. Potential debates could center around the adequacy of resources for facilities to comply with new requirements and the effectiveness of standardized policies in meeting the diverse needs of different healthcare environments. There may also be concerns regarding the balance between regulatory compliance and the operational flexibility of health care facilities, particularly in addressing specific local safety concerns.