Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Chair, I want first to recognize the hard work of my colleague from Connecticut, Congressman Joe Courtney, on the underlying bill and for making workplace safety a priority.

Workplace violence is a serious problem and occurs more often than we may realize. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, incidents of serious workplace violence were 12 times higher among healthcare and social service workers, and 70 percent of nonfatal workplace assaults occurred in the healthcare and social assistance sectors.

Nurses, physicians, emergency responders, medical assistance, and social workers care for our families in our times of need, and violence against them has reached epidemic proportions.

The range of patients, clients, and demands these workers encounter on any given day can expose them to occupational risks with little training on what they should do if those interactions turn violent.

With uneven Federal enforcement, States are leading the way to address this issue, establishing a process for recording, responding to, and tracking incidents of workplace violence and requiring regular workplace violence prevention training.

Similarly, the underlying bill addresses training needs for employees who may be exposed to workplace violence, hazards, and risks. However, each situation is not always the same. Not all circumstances and patients are the same. We must adjust our training to reflect all communities and situations that professionals may face on the job.

My amendment ensures additional training for employees who work with victims of torture, human trafficking, and domestic violence. As a result of trauma, many survivors develop emotional and mental health problems that require timely, comprehensive, and compassionate treatment, even if the situation involved physical or psychological assaults.

These factors necessitate a different approach from our medical professionals and must be a part of workplace violence trainings, particularly in healthcare settings.

Proper training on best practices like de-escalation can help ensure the safety of both the patient and the healthcare worker. In doing so, we can prevent further trauma that could be detrimental to the survivors' recovery.

I have long been a champion for survivors of abuse and will continue to do so. Safe work environments and quality care are mutually reinforcing; both must be considered in order to promote positive outcomes for patients in our communities.

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Chair, I seek time in opposition to the amendment.

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Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Madam Chair, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney).

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Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

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