House Bill 5623 Summary

• Requires local health departments and health facilities/agencies to establish violence prevention committees with at least 50% care-providing employees and develop annual written violence prevention plans addressing risk factors, security assessments, and reporting procedures.

• Mandates annual violence prevention training for all employees covering workplace policies, de-escalation techniques, restraint procedures, reporting requirements, safety device operation, and employee rights, with new employees trained within 60 days of hire.

• Requires identification badges to display only first names for employees providing direct patient care and posting conspicuous signs and admission form statements indicating violent acts are not tolerated.

• Requires facilities to create and maintain records of all violent acts for minimum 5 years and report incidents to the state department and local law enforcement within 24 hours if resulting in injury, involving weapons, or presenting emergent threats.

• Requires the state department to post annual reports beginning January 1, 2020 on its website documenting total violent acts reported, inspection/investigation outcomes, and violations, while protecting employee and patient confidentiality.