Safe Workplaces Act (H.R. 8669)

Original title: Safe Workplaces Act

Last action · June 7, 2024: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.Sponsors: Joe Neguse and 3 others

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Introduced

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Floor Vote

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What This Bill Would Do

This bill directs the Department of Labor to study workplace violence and issue for employers on how to reduce these risks. The guidance would be tailored to specific industries, such as retail, healthcare, and schools, and would focus on physical security measures and staff training.

Why it matters

If passed, this bill would require the federal government to create official, non-binding recommendations for employers across various industries to help them implement security measures and safety protocols to reduce workplace violence.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Employers

Employers in the listed industries will receive federal guidance on safety practices and security controls.

Directly affected

Employees

Employees may be subject to new workplace procedures or safety training if their employers choose to adopt the federal guidance.

Key Facts

The bill requires the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to conduct a study on reducing workplace violence.
A report on the study's findings and recommendations must be submitted to the Secretary of Labor and relevant Congressional committees within 15 months of enactment.
The Secretary of Labor, through OSHA, must issue non-mandatory guidance on workplace violence prevention within 4 years of enactment.
The guidance must be differentiated to account for unique risks in various industries, including retail, healthcare, schools, and religious facilities.

Show all 9 facts

The Secretary must consider engineering controls (e.g., barriers, weapon detectors) and environmental risk factors when developing the guidance.
Workplace violence is defined as any act or threat of violence occurring at a workplace or during service performance, excluding lawful self-defense.
Engineering controls are defined as physical barriers or devices, such as shatter-resistant glass, security cameras, and electronic access controls.
Work practice controls are defined as procedures like staffing levels, security personnel, and de-escalation training.
The guidance is explicitly non-mandatory for employers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this bill force my employer to change their security policies?

No. The guidance issued under this bill is explicitly non-mandatory, meaning employers are not legally required to implement the recommendations.

What industries are covered by this bill?

The bill mentions several, including grocery and retail stores, movie theaters, hospitals, office buildings, restaurants, bars, religious facilities, manufacturing, mail centers, community centers, child care centers, and schools.

What is considered a 'dangerous weapon' under this bill?

Any instrument capable of inflicting death or serious bodily injury, regardless of whether it was originally designed for that purpose.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

2 actions

Jun 7, 2024HouseCommittee
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Jun 7, 2024HouseIntroduced
Introduced in House

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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