BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1083
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Date of Hearing: May 20, 2009
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Kevin De Leon, Chair
AB 1083 (John A. Perez) - As Amended: May 6, 2009
Policy Committee: Health Vote:19-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill expands requirements established by AB 508 (Speier),
Chapter 936, Statutes of 1993 to require hospitals to update
security and safety assessments and plans each year. This bill
also requires hospitals to consult with employees, including
recognized collective bargaining agents, and to make safety
plans available upon request.
FISCAL EFFECT
Unknown annual costs, likely less than $50,000 to UC medical
centers, combined, to update safety assessments each year and to
increase employee access to safety plans.
COMMENTS
1) Rationale . This bill is sponsored by the Service
Employees International Union (SEIU) to enhance violence
prevention planning in hospitals across California. According
to the author and sponsor, hospital workers are at distinct
risk due to violence in the workplace. Federal data shows
more than 2,500 assaults are made on hospital workers each
year across the country. The rate of workplace violence in
the hospital setting is almost five times higher than other
workplaces. Within the hospital setting, workers with direct
care responsibilities are at higher risk than other employee
groups. This bill builds on current law requirements that
hospitals conduct a safety assessment and use the assessment
to develop a security plan. By requiring greater access to
hospital safety plans and more frequent updating of these
plans, this bill may increase hospital employee and patient
safety.
AB 1083
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2) Federal Recommendations . The Centers for Disease
Control's National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) conducts research and makes recommendations to
prevent work-related illness and injury. NIOSH recommends
hospitals develop comprehensive violence prevention programs
and form multidisciplinary committees that include direct-care
staff as well as employee representatives to identify risk
factors in specific work scenarios and to develop strategies
for reducing risks. NIOSH indicates risk factors vary from
hospital to hospital and from unit to unit and suggests
employees participate in safety training programs and be
familiar with their employers' policies, violence prevention.
Analysis Prepared by : Mary Ader / APPR. / (916) 319-2081