WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION BILL TO RECEIVE PUBLIC HEARING

Senator Lachowicz sponsors bill to establish a workplace violence prevention and crisis response plan for social workers and others providing direct services

AUGUSTA – Senator Colleen Lachowicz (D-Waterville) is sponsoring a bill to prevent workplace violence. The measure would require all programs providing direct services under the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a workplace violence prevention program, create a violence prevention and crisis response team, and to train direct service providers in ways to reduce the risk of workplace violence.

“Social social workers and others providing direct services come into contact with individuals in crisis or people with known histories of violent behavior on a regular basis, and they often work alone and at unusual hours,” said Senator Lachowicz, a social worker. “They are caring for our most vulnerable residents, and they should have the training and support they need to protect their safety so that they can focus on doing their job.”

The bill is based on similar legislation in Massachusetts that was signed into law last month. According to a recent report by the Maine Department of Labor, there were over 1,000 reported cases of workplace violence and aggression towards service providers in health and mental health care, residential care, social assistance, and disability rehabilitation services in 2011.

The measure, LD 1165, “An Act To Improve the Safety of Workers Who Provide Direct Mental Health and Social Services,” will receive a public hearing at 1 p.m. tomorrow before the Health and Human Services Committee in room 209 of the Cross Building.

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