HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1371
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO WORKPLACE VIOLENCE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that state agencies in Hawaii have varying policies for handling workplace violence incidents.  Furthermore, other states have already codified policies to both prevent and properly address incidents of workplace violence.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the department of human resources development to:

     (1)  Collect data and information on incidents and reports of workplace violence;

     (2)  Summarize the data and make recommendations to the legislature twenty days prior to each regular session; and

     (3)  Establish procedures for reporting incidents of workplace violence and ensure confidentiality.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 27, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Part    .  Workplace violence

§27-    Workplace violence policy; statewide; report.  (a)  The department of human resources development shall collect:

     (1)  All state department and agency policies related to workplace violence complaints and investigations; and

     (2)  Data and reports of workplace violence incidents.

     (b)  Not later than twenty days prior to each regular session, the department of human resources development shall submit a report to the legislature that:

     (1)  Summarizes the workplace violence incidents occurring during the previous fiscal year and recommends corrective actions to deter the reoccurrence of such incidents; and

     (2)  Recommends language for a statewide workplace violence policy or amendments, as necessary, to the existing statewide workplace violence policy."

     SECTION 3.  Chapter 78, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§78-   Workplace violence protection. (a)  The department of human resources development shall provide procedures to:

(1) Enable state agencies and employees to report incidents of workplace violence to the department of human resources development;

(2) Ensure the confidentiality of information obtained about an incident or complaint of workplace violence, including identifying information about any individuals involved;

(b)  For the purposes of this section:

"Violence" means any act by a person that causes or threatens to cause an injury to another person.

"Workplace" means any site, premises, location, or place where an employer conducts business operations or activities, regardless of the employer's ownership or tenancy status and regardless of the employer's right to exclusive use or non-exclusive use, operation, or control of the site, premises, location, or place.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

Public Safety; Workplace Violence

Description:

Requires the Department of Human Resources Development to collect statewide data on workplace violence, report to the legislature, and recommend statewide workplace violence policies.  (HB1371 HD1)

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