VT H0259

Licensed hospitals must establish and implement security plans for preventing workplace violence, developed with input from direct care employees, designated mental health agency representatives, and law enforcement

Security plans must be based on risk assessments of high-risk areas including emergency departments, require at least one de-escalation trained employee present at all times in patient care areas, and allow staff to use ID badges with only first names

Hospitals must create workplace violence incident reporting systems to track and analyze incidents, and adopt policies prohibiting retaliation against employees who report violence or seek assistance

Required employee training covers de-escalation techniques, defensive tactics, crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, physical restraint procedures, and responding to weapons

Expenditures to implement security plans are excluded from certain hospital budget regulations, and the Green Mountain Care Board must consider security plan costs in budget reviews; effective July 1, 2025