Press Release: Texas Nurses Applaud Passage of Workplace Violence Prevention Bill

For Immediate Release

May 1, 2023

Contact: Lisa Maxwell
Texas Nurses Association
lmaxwell@texasnurses.org
512.452.0648 x 130

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Texas Nurses Applaud Passage of Workplace Violence Prevention Bill for Healthcare Workers

Bill provides new avenues to stop on-the-job assaults and protections for those who report

Austin, TX — The Texas Nurses Association applauds the passage of SB 240, the workplace violence prevention bill.

“This bill will extend important protections to Texas healthcare workers, including providing them a more active role in the development of facility policies, anti-retaliation protections, and oversight from state licensing agencies, among other things,” said Jack Frazee, JD, TNA’s Director of Government Affairs.

In response to an alarming increase in incidents of workplace violence against nurses and other healthcare workers over recent years, TNA designated this bill as one of its top priorities for the session, and, recognizing the severity of the problem, so did the Legislature. “We greatly appreciate our champions in the House and Senate, Rep. Donna Howard, and Sen. Donna Campbell,” said Frazee. “These two legislators came across party lines to work together on this issue and brought their experience as a nurse and a physician to their advocacy to unite providers behind this important piece of legislation. We also want to thank Speaker Dade Phelan and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick for guiding these bills through their respective chambers in collaboration with the legislative authors. Lastly, we want to thank all of our members who have advocated for this issue, all of our partners in the Nursing Legislative Agenda Coalition, and our colleagues at the Texas Hospital Association, Texas Health Care Association, LeadingAge Texas, and the Texas Medical Association.”

“This bill brought together stakeholders from across the healthcare spectrum to address the pressing issue of violence in the workplace,” said Serena Bumpus, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CEO of TNA. “We look forward to advising public and private entities on proper implementation and further empowering nurses to speak out against violence in institutions of healing.”

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About Texas Nurses Association
The Texas Nurses Association (TNA) is a statewide membership-based professional association of registered nurses. Our vision is to empower Texas Nurses to advance the profession. Founded in 1907, TNA is the oldest and largest nursing association in Texas.

Contact us at tna@texasnurses.org. Follow TNA on Facebook  and Twitter for updates.