SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Legislative Assembly passed groundbreaking workplace violence legislation aimed at keeping frontline healthcare workers safe in hospitals, and home health and hospice settings across Oregon. Senate Bill 537 B (SB 537) was passed by the House just three days after it was passed by the Senate and heads to Governor Kotek for her signature.
“I applaud the work by our State Legislature and the thousands of frontline caregivers who spoke out on this important legislation,” said Richard Botterill, a nurse from Providence Portland Medical Center. “SB 537 is another critical contribution to promoting safety for all of us on the frontlines of healthcare and will go a long way to maintaining a safe workplace for the people who care for Oregonians. While our work to improve our healthcare system is never done, a safer workplace means safer staffing levels so patients can get the care they need and deserve.”
What SB 537 Accomplishes
SB 537 focuses on pragmatic, prevention-oriented solutions that protect frontline nurses and caregivers in hospitals and in home health and hospice settings.
- A definition of workplace violence will be included in state law.
- Health care employers must provide annual workplace violence prevention training to employees and any contracted security personnel.
- Employees have the right to have only their first name on an employee badge in hospitals, home health agencies, and home hospice programs.
- Hospitals, home health agencies, and hospice programs must set up “flagging” systems for potentially violent individuals.
- New or remodeled emergency departments must install bullet-resistant barriers or enclosures at the intake window.
- Home health care entities must collect information at intake to identify and assess health and safety-related risks.
- Improved responses to workplace violence when it occurs by utilizing trauma-informed care and stronger reporting.
Violence against healthcare workers has reached alarming levels in Oregon and across the country. Nationally, between 2007 and 2022, hospital staff experienced a 181% increase in workplace violence injuries. In Oregon, a staggering 92% of ONA members reported incidents of violence last year—far above national averages.
The impact extends beyond personal injury: workplace violence disrupts patient care, causes staff shortages, impedes care delivery, and contributes to burnout. Frontline healthcare professionals are missing work due to violence-related injuries or trauma, and many are considering leaving the profession.
Next Steps
SB 537 B will head to the desk of Oregon Governor Tina Kotek who is expected to sign the legislation into law. The bill will take effect on January 1, 2026.
The 24,000 ONA represented caregivers across Oregon are continuously working to improve our healthcare system in Oregon. SB 537 B was one of ONA’s priority pieces of legislation and builds on the historic safe staffing legislation passed in the 2023 legislative session.
The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) represents a diverse community of more than 23,000 nurses and healthcare professionals throughout Oregon. Together, we use our collective power to advocate for critical issues impacting patients, nurses and healthcare professionals including a more effective, affordable and accessible healthcare system; better working conditions for all healthcare professionals; and healthier communities. For more information visit www.OregonRN.org.
