New Jersey § 26:2h-5

§ 26:2h-5.

The Legislature finds and declares that: a. Violence is an escalating problem in many health care settings in the State and

across the nation, and although violence is an increasing problem for many workers,

health care workers are at a particularly high risk; b. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the incidence of injury from nonfatal

assaults of health service workers is significantly higher than that of other workers; c. The actual incidence of violence is likely higher than reported for various reasons,

including inadequate reporting mechanisms and because victims under-report incidents

out of fear of reprisal, isolation and embarrassment; d. Violence against health care workers exacts a significant toll on victims, their

co-workers, patients, families and visitors; e. Insurance claims, lost productivity, disruptions to operations, legal expenses

and property damage are only a few of the negative effects that workplace violence

has on health care facilities; f. Preventing workplace violence is essential for creating a safe and therapeutic

environment for patients; g. Health care professionals who leave their occupations because of assaults or threats

of assault contribute to the general shortage of health care professionals; and h. It is possible to reduce and mitigate the effects of violence in health care settings

through employer-based violence prevention programs.