Health care providers and custodial agencies operating in Illinois are now subject to new obligations under the Health Care Violence Prevention Act (210 ILCS 160/1 et seq.)(“HCVPA”), which went into effect on January 1, 2019. The HCVPA, which was enacted in response to two 2017 incidents involving inmates who assaulted hospital nurses, seeks to reduce the growing rates of violence against health care workers.

The HCVPA establishes both preventive and curative measures to protect health care workers. Health care providers are required to create an OSHA-compliant workplace violence prevention program. Each program must include:

(1) descriptions of the four classifications of workplace violence under the HCVPA;

(2) commitment by management and health care worker participation;

(3) worksite analysis and identification of potential hazards;

(4) hazard prevention and control;

(5) safety and health training (with required hours determined by rule); and

(6) recordkeeping and evaluation of the violence prevention program.

Hospitals and retail health care facilities are also required to provide resources to workers harmed by patients or their associates. Under the HCVPA’s guidelines, workers directly involved in an incident of workplace violence caused by a patients or their visitors have a right to employer-provided services, including acute treatment and access to psychological evaluation. Additionally, employers of health care workers must post notices in their facilities that detail zero tolerance for verbal aggression or physical assault. Notices must also inform violators that any physical assault will be reported to law enforcement. Rules detailing the requirements of the Notice (including size, format, etc.) have not yet been promulgated and no template Notice is currently available. The HCVPA prohibits management from preventing workers from reporting workplace violence to law enforcement, and any worker that contacts law enforcement or files a report with law enforcement must notify management of the underlying incident within three days. (Pursuant to 45 C.F.R. 164.512 (f)(5) and (j)(1), employees likely would not violate their obligations under HIPAA in directly reporting such an incident to law enforcement). A whistleblower provision further protects employees seeking to ensure the Act is enforced.

Hospitals and health care facilities are encouraged to collaborate with custodial agencies like the Department of Corrections to establish a protocol for committed patients that require treatment outside of custody. Custodial agencies must also comply with new guidelines under the law. Among these rules, custodial agencies must notify hospitals or medical treatment facilities of any significant medical, mental health, or violent safety concerns regarding a committed patient. Additionally, the HCVPA tasks custodial agencies with ensuring that guards or escorts accompany high-risk committed patients and that committed patients have the most comprehensive medical records practicable. The HCVPA also requires the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board to establish curriculum for custodial agency training.

Health care providers are encouraged to post the required notices and update/create policies that comply with the HCVPA while awaiting additional rules and regulations from Illinois lawmakers.