Pennsylvania Advances Health Care Workplace Violence Prevention Act to Protect Clinic and Hospital Staff

In Pennsylvania—where recent headlines have exposed alarming assaults on hospital staff—lawmakers are taking action. On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania House passed the Health Care Workplace Violence Prevention Act, a bold step toward protecting frontline workers and holding healthcare systems accountable. The bill is part of a growing wave of legislation aimed at tackling the nationwide crisis of violence in healthcare settings.

What’s Required Under the Health Care Workplace Violence Prevention Act?

Passed with bipartisan support, the bill aims to create safer environments for nurses, clinicians, and support staff by mandating comprehensive workplace violence prevention programs across hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other health organizations statewide.

Compliance requirements set forth by this bill include:

• Formation of violence prevention committees with equal representation from management and non-management staff.
• Annual risk assessments to identify and evaluate threats across departments.
• Written violence prevention programs are created and updated yearly to reflect current or emerging threats. Plans must identify risks, establish incident tracking protocols, create a system to identify and flag anyone with a violent history, and provide specific methods to address identified risks.
• Transparent reporting and tracking systems to document every workplace violence incident.
• Post-incident care, including medical and mental health services for affected employees.
• Quarterly reviews of incidents by the violence prevention committee to evaluate the effectiveness of safety plans and make adjustments as needed.
• Mandatory training for all employees at the time of hire and annually thereafter.

These actions are part of a broader strategy to enforce workplace violence prevention and empower frontline workers to report incidents without fear of retaliation, while also providing management with actionable data to make system-wide improvements.

Technology’s Role in Risk Mitigation in Hospitals

While the Act stops short of requiring specific technologies, such as panic buttons or emergency alert systems, many facilities are proactively exploring these solutions to enhance their workplace violence prevention programs.

A nurse duress system or wearable panic button allows staff to silently call for help when faced with aggression, without escalating the situation. These tools can significantly reduce response times and potentially prevent injuries when paired with real-time location tracking and mass notification capabilities.

For health systems aiming to meet the spirit of this legislation—and truly prioritize healthcare worker protection—these technologies offer a fast, effective layer of defense.

Balancing Safety and Operational Costs

Opponents of the bill argue that the requirements add regulatory and financial burdens to an already strained healthcare system. However, proponents—and healthcare workers themselves—counter that clinic staff protection is long overdue.

“The assault of a nurse should never be accepted as ‘part of the job,’” said one advocate in an interview with CBS 21. “We need real systems in place—not just reactionary training sessions after someone gets hurt.”

The law includes provisions for fines and court action if facilities fail to comply. It also protects employees who report violence from retaliation and requires health systems to keep violence-related records for a minimum of three years.

A Path Forward for Safer Healthcare Environments

As the legislation moves to the Senate, healthcare administrators across the state should begin preparing for compliance. Hospitals and clinics that go beyond the minimum—by investing in real-time alert systems, conducting thorough risk assessments, and empowering staff—will not only comply with the law but also create safer, more resilient workplaces that attract the best and brightest staff.

Looking to upgrade your facilities’ safety plan? Our team of experts is here to help you strategize what tools make the most sense for your needs. Schedule a demo today!