Skip to main content
HR 2381 111th Congress House Labor and Employment Administrative law and regulatory procedures Civil actions and liability Department of Labor Employment discrimination and employee rights Health facilities and institutions Health personnel Health programs administration and funding Health technology, devices, supplies Musculoskeletal and skin diseases Nursing Worker safety and health

Nurse and Health Care Worker Protection Act of 2009

Introduced: May 13, 2009 See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 7 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 11, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.
May 14, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
May 13, 2009
Referred to House Energy and Commerce
May 13, 2009
Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
May 13, 2009
Referred to House Education and Labor
May 13, 2009
Referred to House Ways and Means
May 13, 2009
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Nurse and Health Care Worker Protection Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Labor to propose a standard on safe patient handling and injury prevention to prevent musculoskeletal disorders for direct-care registered nurses and all other health care workers that requires the use of engineering controls to lift patients and the elimination of manual lifting of patients through the use of mechanical devices, except where patient care may be compromised.

Requires health care employers to: (1) develop and implement a safe patient handling and injury prevention plan; (2) provide their workers with training on safe patient handling and injury prevention; and (3) post a uniform notice that explains the standard and the procedures to report patient handling-related injuries. Requires the Secretary to conduct unscheduled inspections to ensure compliance with safety standards.

Allows health care workers to: (1) refuse to accept an assignment in a health care facility that violates safety standards or for which such worker has not received required training; and (2) file complaints against employers who violate this Act. Prohibits employers from taking adverse actions against any health care worker who in good faith reports a violation, participates in an investigation or proceeding, or discusses violations.

Authorizes health care workers who have been discharged, discriminated, or retaliated against in violation of this Act to bring legal action for reinstatement, reimbursement of lost compensation, attorneys' fees, court costs, and other damages.

Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a grant program for purchasing safe patient handling and injury prevention equipment for health care facilities.

What's happening now June 11, 2009

Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

 Committees of jurisdiction 5