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Law that requires quarterly reporting of violence against health workers eyed for continuation; DOJ and nursing groups support repeal of sunset
Summary
Supporters urged repeal of the sunset on the reporting requirement created by 2023’s law so the Department of Justice can continue compiling workplace violence data for health care facilities; nurses and physician groups said the data help target training and policy changes.
Representative Ed Buttrey asked the Senate Public Health Committee to repeal the sunset on a 2023 law that requires health care employers to document and report quarterly incidents of violence against health care workers. The sponsor said the Department of Justice has implemented a reporting portal and that the system is running and producing useful data.
Vicky Byrd, CEO of the Montana Nurses Association, told the committee the association strongly supports repealing the sunset and provided a one‑year summary of reports (October 1, 2023–October 1, 2024). Byrd said nurses accounted for roughly half of reported violent events in the period and that the data are already being used to inform training and prevention: “This law is slated to sunset. We hope that you'll vote in favor to lift that sunset. This should be data that we collect ongoing forevermore.”
The Department of Justice testified that the reporting portal now operates with minimal cost and automation; DOJ staff reported the tool is functioning and hospital administrators are accustomed to it. The Montana Medical Association and Billings Clinic/Logan Health also testified in favor of maintaining the program, saying reporting is an essential first step to measuring and reducing workplace violence.
No opponents were recorded at the hearing. Representative Buttrey emphasized that continuing the statutory requirement carries no new fiscal impact because the portal and reporting processes are already in place.
