26:2H-5.18 Findings, declarations relative to prevention of violence against health care workers.

2. The Legislature finds and declares that:

a. Violence is an escalating problem in many health care settings in the State and across the nation, and although violence is an increasing problem for many workers, health care workers are at a particularly high risk;

b. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the incidence of injury from nonfatal assaults of health service workers is significantly higher than that of other workers;

c. The actual incidence of violence is likely higher than reported for various reasons, including inadequate reporting mechanisms and because victims under-report incidents out of fear of reprisal, isolation and embarrassment;

d. Violence against health care workers exacts a significant toll on victims, their co-workers, patients, families and visitors;

e. Insurance claims, lost productivity, disruptions to operations, legal expenses and property damage are only a few of the negative effects that workplace violence has on health care facilities;

f. Preventing workplace violence is essential for creating a safe and therapeutic environment for patients;

g. Health care professionals who leave their occupations because of assaults or threats of assault contribute to the general shortage of health care professionals; and

h. It is possible to reduce and mitigate the effects of violence in health care settings through employer-based violence prevention programs.

L.2007,c.236,s.2.