AZ HB2538

Amends section 13-1204 to add "health care worker" as a protected category, making assault on a health care worker while engaged in work duties a felony offense, with an exception for perpetrators who are seriously mentally ill or have Alzheimer's disease or related dementia.

Requires health care employers with more than 50 employees to develop and implement a written workplace violence prevention plan within six months that includes reporting procedures, emergency response protocols, and hazard-specific components.

Mandates posting of 18-by-18 inch signs in public areas and emergency facilities stating that assault on a health care worker may be prosecuted as a felony.

Requires health care employers to investigate workplace violence incidents, maintain violent incident logs, provide training to exposed workers, and file annual incident reports with the Department of Health Services.

Prohibits discrimination or retaliation against health care workers for reporting violence to employers or law enforcement, seeking assistance, or acting in self-defense during workplace violence incidents.