Healthcare Workers Applaud State Legislators for Passing Workplace Violence Prevention Legislation
For immediate release: June 12, 2025
Contact: Andrea Penman-Lomeli | press@nysna.org | 347-559-3169
Rose Ryan | Rose.Ryan@1199.org | 212-814-2778
HEALTHCARE WORKERS APPLAUD STATE LEGISLATORS FOR PASSING WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION LEGISLATION
New Legislation Amends Public Health Law to Protect Healthcare Workers and Require Hospitals and Nursing Homes to Develop Workplace Violence Safety and Security Prevention Programs
New York, NY – Healthcare workers from New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) and 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East (1199SEIU) applaud the New York state legislature for passing bills (A203B/S5294B) to amend Public Health Law to require hospitals and nursing homes to develop and implement comprehensive workplace violence safety and prevention programs and improve security in emergency rooms. This legislation, sponsored by Assembly Member Catalina Cruz and Senator Luis Sepulveda, takes critical steps toward improving the health and safety of our hospitals and nursing homes.
Workplace violence is an epidemic and is only getting worse. This legislation will help ensure nurses and other frontline caregivers are protected, and that patients and their families are able to receive care in safe environments. Healthcare workers thank Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for prioritizing this crucial legislation, and we will continue to advocate for policies that ensure that hospitals and nursing homes remain places of health and healing where all can receive care without fear.
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The New York State Nurses Association represents more than 42,000 members in New York State. We are New York’s largest union and professional association for registered nurses. NYSNA is an affiliate of National Nurses United, AFL-CIO, the country's largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses, with more than 225,000 members nationwide.
1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in New York and nationwide. We represent over 450,000 members throughout New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, Florida, and Washington, D.C. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.