HB 1533 - DIGEST

     Requires that, by July 1, 2000, each health care setting shall develop and implement a plan to reasonably prevent and protect employees from violence at the setting.

     Requires that, before the development of the plan required under this act, each health care setting shall conduct a security and safety assessment to identify existing or potential hazards for violence and determine the appropriate preventive action to be taken.  The assessment shall include, but is not limited to, a measure of the frequency of, and an identification of the causes for and consequences of, violent acts at the setting during at least the preceding five years.

     Provides that, in developing the plan required by this act, the health care setting shall consider any guidelines on violence in the workplace or in health care settings issued by the department of health, the department of social and health services, the department of labor and industries, the federal occupational safety and health administration, medicare, and health care setting accrediting organizations.

     Provides that, by July 1, 2001, and on a regular basis thereafter, each health care setting shall provide violence prevention training to all its employees.