AL HJR37

Requires written notice to be posted in patient waiting areas across Alabama informing that attacking a nurse or health care worker in clinical settings is a felony under Section 13A-6-21, Code of Alabama 1975.

Alabama State Nurses Association will design a poster that may be utilized by health care practitioners and health care facilities to provide notice of the felony status.

Notes that over 100,000 licensed nurses serve Alabama's health care needs and an Alabama State Nurses Association survey found 88 percent of respondents experienced or witnessed violent behavior in their practice.

Acknowledges that more than half of survey respondents did not know that attacking a nurse or health care worker in a clinical setting was a felony, with over 91 percent indicating such protective laws should be known and strengthened.

Legislature acknowledges the extraordinary work of Alabama nurses, health care workers, and institutions in providing healing and life-saving care to the people of Alabama.