Occupational safety and health standards: workplace violence prevention plan: hospitals.

Existing law, the California Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1973, imposes safety responsibilities on employers and employees, including the requirement that an employer establish, implement, and maintain an effective injury prevention program, and makes specified violations of these provisions a crime. Existing law also requires the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board to adopt standards developed by the Division of Occupational Safety and Health that require specified types of hospitals to adopt a workplace violence prevention plan as part of the hospital's injury and illness prevention plan to protect health care workers and other facility personnel from aggressive and violent behavior. This bill would require the standards board, by March 1, 2027, to amend the standards to include a requirement that a hospital implement a weapons detection screening policy that requires the use of weapons detection devices that automatically screen a person's body at specific entrances of the hospital, a requirement that a hospital assign appropriate personnel who meet specified training standards, a requirement that a hospital have reasonable protocols for alternative search and screening for patients, family, or visitors who refuse to undergo weapons detection device screening, and a requirement that a hospital adopt reasonable protocols addressing how the hospital will respond if a dangerous weapon is detected, as specified. Among other provisions, the bill would require that the standards include a requirement that a hospital post, in a conspicuous location, within reasonable proximity of any public entrances where weapons detection devices are utilized, a notice notifying the public that the hospital conducts screenings for weapons upon entry but that no person shall be refused medical care, pursuant to specified federal law. The bill would require the Division of Occupational Safety and Health to set an effective date that is no longer than 90 days after the standard is adopted for hospitals to comply with these requirements. By expanding the scope of an existing crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.