As a result for the meeting we had last year on Emergency Services, this week, the WVHA introduced in the Senate and House, legislation protecting healthcare workers from acts of violence by inclusion as a named protected group in West Virginia Code 61-2-10b. The Code currently includes police officers and other public safety workers and the WVHA is advocating for the inclusion of hospital workers. Bill numbers are:

SB 590 – This bill has been single referenced to the Senate Judiciary Committee

HB 4437 – This bill has been single referenced to the House Judiciary Committee

CALL TO ACTION

We anticipate that if this issue is going to move this session, it will likely begin on the Senate side in the Judiciary Committee. We are continuing to work proactively to ensure that this legislation attracts the interest of key legislators, particularly those in the Senate Judiciary Committee. We ask that you too join us in our advocacy by contacting your local legislators on the Senate Judiciary Committee by visiting: http://www.legis.state.wv.us/committees/senate/SenateCommittee.cfm?Chart=JUD

Here you will find all contact information for each member of the committee. Please use the WVHA’s related position on emergency department usage to communicate the importance of passing this legislation. It is critical that legislators not only here from WVHA but also those health care workers impacted by the bill. It is important you "tell the hospital story."

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT USAGE