What does Preamble of HR 2531 do?

This bill directs the Secretary of Labor to issue an occupational safety and health standard. The standard would require covered employers within the health care and social service industries to develop and implement a comprehensive workplace violence prevention plan. The bill is referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and additionally to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means.

What does SHORT TITLE. of HR 2531 do?

This bill is formally titled the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act.

What does TABLE OF CONTENTS. of HR 2531 do?

This Act includes a table of contents.

What does Application of the workplace violence prevention standard to of HR 2531 do?

This section addresses the application of the workplace violence prevention standard to certain facilities. These facilities are those receiving Medicare funds.

What does WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION STANDARD. of HR 2531 do?

This section mandates the Secretary of Labor to issue an interim final standard on workplace violence prevention within one year of the Act's enactment. The standard applies to employers in the health care and social service sectors, and those conducting similar activities, requiring them to develop and implement a workplace violence prevention plan. The interim final standard must be based on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's 2015 Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Healthcare and Social Service Workers. The Secretary will prioritize technical assistance for employers during a period not exceeding one year after the standard's issuance. Certain provisions of law and executive orders, including those related to occupational safety standards, chapter 5 and 6 of title 5, the Paperwork Reduction Act, and Executive Order No. 12866, do not apply to the interim final standard's issuance. The interim final standard will take effect within 30 days of issuance, potentially including a phase-in period for engineering controls. If the interim final standard is not issued within one year, existing provisions of this title will be in effect. Within two years of enactment, the Secretary must promulgate a proposed final standard, incorporating requirements from the interim final standard. The final standard, to be issued within 42 months of enactment, must provide at least as much protection as state-approved workplace violence standards, if deemed feasible.

What does SCOPE AND APPLICATION. of HR 2531 do?

This section defines the scope and application of the legislation, establishing terms like 'covered facility,' 'covered service,' 'covered employer,' and 'covered employee.' A 'covered facility' includes a wide range of healthcare and treatment settings, such as hospitals, residential treatment facilities, clinics, and community care settings, but excludes physician offices not physically located within a covered facility. ‘Covered services’ encompass field work settings like home health care, emergency services, and transport, but exclude child day care services. A 'covered employer' is any person employing individuals at a covered facility or to perform covered services, excluding individuals privately employing someone in their residence. A 'covered employee' is an individual employed by a covered employer to work at a covered facility or perform covered services. Facilities operated by Federal agencies and required to comply with specific occupational safety and health standards are included as 'covered facilities' and 'covered services'. The Secretary has the authority to determine additional facilities and services that should be covered under the standards.

What does REQUIREMENTS FOR WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION STANDARD. of HR 2531 do?

This section establishes requirements for workplace violence prevention standards. Covered employers must develop, implement, and maintain a written workplace violence prevention plan within six months of the interim final standard's promulgation. The plan must be tailored to specific conditions and hazards, developed with employee participation, and may involve stakeholder consultation. The plan must include procedures for risk assessment, hazard prevention, incident reporting, emergency response, and employee training. Employers are required to investigate workplace violence incidents and document findings. Annual training is mandated for covered employees, including supervisors and those with changed job circumstances. Employers must maintain violent incident logs and submit annual summaries to the Secretary. Each covered employer shall adopt a policy prohibiting retaliation against employees for reporting workplace violence concerns.

What does RULES OF CONSTRUCTION. of HR 2531 do?

This section establishes rules of construction for the title. It clarifies that nothing in the title shall limit the Secretary's existing authority under other laws. Covered employees' rights, privileges, and remedies are supplemental to those provided by other federal or state laws and collective bargaining agreements. Health care workers, social service workers, and other personnel are not restricted from reporting violent incidents to law enforcement. The title does not limit or diminish protections related to domestic violence, stalking, dating violence, and sexual assault.

What does OTHER DEFINITIONS. of HR 2531 do?

This section defines key terms related to workplace violence. “Workplace violence” is defined as any act of violence or threat of violence, without regard to intent, occurring at a covered facility or while a covered employee performs a covered service, excluding lawful self-defense. The term “type 1 violence” refers to workplace violence directed at a covered employee by someone without legitimate business at the facility. “Type 2 violence” involves violence directed at employees by customers, clients, patients, or similar individuals. “Type 3 violence” is violence directed at an employee by a present or former employee. “Type 4 violence” is violence directed at an employee by someone with a personal relationship or connection to a customer or patient. A “threat of violence” is a statement or conduct causing fear of physical injury with no legitimate purpose. “Engineering controls” are aspects of the built space or devices that remove hazards or create barriers, including security measures like weapon detectors and shatter-resistant glass. “Work practice controls” are procedures and rules used to reduce workplace violence, such as employee training and assigning sufficient staff.

What does APPLICATION OF THE WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION STANDARD TO of HR 2531 do?

This section amends Section 1866 of the Social Security Act. It adds a requirement for hospitals and skilled nursing facilities not otherwise subject to the Occupational Safety and Health Act to comply with the Workplace Violence Prevention Standard. The amendment includes failure to comply with the Workplace Violence Prevention Standard as a violation under subsection (b)(4). The amendments will take effect one year after the date of issuance of the interim final standard on workplace violence prevention required under section 101.

Back to bills

Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act — HR. 2531

Last updated: 4/1/2025 · Introduced: 4/1/2025

Author: Joe Courtney (D-CT)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill directs the Secretary of Labor to establish a workplace violence prevention standard for employers in the health care and social service industries.
Covered employers must develop and implement a written workplace violence prevention plan tailored to their specific hazards, involving employee participation.
The plan must include procedures for risk assessment, incident reporting, emergency response, and annual employee training.
The bill expands the definition of 'covered facilities' and 'covered services' to include a wide range of healthcare and treatment settings, as well as field work like home health care.
Hospitals and skilled nursing facilities not already covered by OSHA must comply with the new Workplace Violence Prevention Standard.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

Verified Votes

No verified votes yet.

Community Votes

No community votes yet. Be the first!

Voting as guest · Sign in for verified votes

Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 1 more.

3 sections

Click "Show details" to explore individual sections. Use the community vote above or visit All Sections to vote per section.

Read official text

TITLE II

-AMENDMENTS TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT

2 sections

Click "Show details" to explore individual sections. Use the community vote above or visit All Sections to vote per section.

Read official text

TITLE I

-WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION STANDARD

5 sections

Click "Show details" to explore individual sections. Use the community vote above or visit All Sections to vote per section.

Read official text

Want the full experience?

Create a free account to cast verified votes on each section, get a personalized summary, and track your voting history.

Create Free Account