Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a new bill into law that requires hospitals to develop safety plans to minimize workplace violence, according to a Sacramento Business Journal report.
The plans have to include security risks by unit and availability of security personnel, according to the report. The law also requires hospitals to document and report incidents of workplace violence to Cal/OSHA.
The bill was supported by the California Nurses Association. "At a time when we have seen far too many disturbing incidents of violence in California Health facilities, this legislation will go a long way to assuring a safe and healing environment for patients, families, visitors and RNs and other hospital staff," said Deborah Burger, RN, co-president of the CNA.
California hospitals opposed the bill, according to the report.