H.R.2531 - Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2531, the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act, directs the Secretary of Labor to issue an occupational safety and health standard requiring covered employers in the health care and social service industries to develop and implement a comprehensive workplace violence prevention plan. The bill mandates the creation of an interim final standard within one year of enactment, followed by a proposed and final standard within two and 42 months, respectively. It also includes amendments to the Social Security Act to apply the workplace violence prevention standard to certain facilities receiving Medicare funds.
Expected Effects
The Act aims to reduce workplace violence in healthcare and social service settings by requiring employers to implement comprehensive prevention plans. This includes risk assessments, hazard prevention measures, incident reporting procedures, and employee training. The amendments to the Social Security Act would further incentivize compliance by linking it to Medicare funding.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced safety for healthcare and social service workers.
- Reduction in workplace violence incidents.
- Improved employee morale and retention.
- Increased accountability for employers to address workplace violence risks.
- Better data collection and analysis of workplace violence incidents.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased compliance costs for healthcare and social service employers.
- Potential for bureaucratic delays in implementing the standards.
- Possible legal challenges to the scope and application of the standard.
- Risk of unintended consequences or loopholes in the regulations.
- Concerns about patient privacy when reporting violent incidents.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it aims to improve the safety and well-being of healthcare and social service workers. Specifically, the bill falls under Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce, as healthcare and social service industries often operate across state lines and involve the exchange of goods and services. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or liberties.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).