In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Health care facility” means: a hospital; or a State residential center. “Health care facility” includes: a subacute care unit of a hospital; and a State–operated hospital. “Health care worker” means an individual employed by a health care facility. “Hospital” has the meaning stated in § 19–301 of the Health – General Article. “State residential center” has the meaning stated in § 7–101 of the Health – General Article. “Workplace safety” means the prevention of any physical assault or threatening behavior against a health care worker in a health care facility.

A health care facility shall establish a workplace safety committee to establish and administer a workplace safety program. The workplace safety committee established under subsection (a) of this section shall be composed of an equal number of employees who work in management and employees who do not work in management.

The workplace safety committee shall establish a workplace safety program that is appropriate for the size and complexity of the health care facility. The workplace safety program established under subsection (a) of this section shall include: a written policy describing how the health care facility provides for the safety of health care workers; an annual assessment to: identify hazards, conditions, operations, and situations that could lead to workplace injuries; and be used to develop recommendations to reduce the risk of workplace injuries; a process for reporting, responding to, and tracking incidences of workplace injuries; and regular workplace safety training for health care workers.