IV 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 909 
Expressing support for healthcare personnel and condemning assaults on 
healthcare personnel as the U.S. healthcare system faces unprecedented 
staffing shortages and increased workplace-related stressors. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 4, 2022 
Mr. CARTER of Louisiana submitted the following resolution; which was re-
ferred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to 
the Committees on the Judiciary, and Education and Labor, for a period 
to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consider-
ation of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
concerned 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for healthcare personnel and condemning 
assaults on healthcare personnel as the U.S. healthcare 
system faces unprecedented staffing shortages and in-
creased workplace-related stressors. 
Whereas, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), healthcare personnel refers to all paid 
and unpaid persons serving in healthcare settings who 
have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to pa-
tients or infectious materials, including body substances 
(e.g., blood, tissue, and specific body fluids); contami-
nated medical supplies, devices, and equipment; contami-
nated environmental surfaces; or contaminated air; 
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Whereas these healthcare personnel may include, but are not 
limited to, emergency medical service personnel, nurses, 
nursing assistants, physicians, technicians, therapists, 
phlebotomists, pharmacists, students and trainees, and 
contractual staff not employed by the healthcare facility; 
Whereas the United States Department of Labor, Occupa-
tional Safety and Health Administration defines work-
place violence as any act or threat of physical violence, 
harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive 
behavior that occurs at the worksite; 
Whereas workplace violence ranges from threats and verbal 
abuse to physical assaults and homicide; 
Whereas acts of violence and other injuries are currently the 
third leading cause of fatal occupational injuries in the 
United States; 
Whereas, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Census 
of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), of the 5,333 fatal 
workplace injuries that occurred in the United States in 
2019, 761 were cases of intentional injury by another 
person; 
Whereas, in November 2020, National Nurses United sur-
veyed 15,000 registered nurses across the U.S. and found 
that 20 percent reported increased workplace violence; 
Whereas, according to the American Nurses Association, one 
in four nurses are assaulted while on the job; 
Whereas the Joint Commission found workers in healthcare 
settings are four times more likely to be assaulted than 
workers in private industry; 
Whereas, according to the Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration (OSHA), approximately 75 percent of 
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nearly 25,000 workplace assaults are reported annually 
in healthcare and social service settings; 
Whereas the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that 
healthcare workers and those who work in social assist-
ance are five times more likely to experience workplace 
violence than other workers; 
Whereas the Joint Commission found that approximately 30 
percent of nurses report incidents of violence and only 26 
percent of emergency department physicians report vio-
lent incidents; 
Whereas the National Crime Victimization Survey showed 
healthcare workers have a 20-percent higher chance of 
being the victim of workplace violence than other work-
ers; and 
Whereas the American College of Emergency Physicians re-
ported that 70 percent of emergency physicians have re-
ported acts of violence against them, yet approximately 
less than 3 percent pressed charges: Now, therefore, be 
it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) condemns workplace violence, harassment, 
or assault against healthcare personnel; 
(2) reaffirms that acts of violence, harassment, 
or assault against healthcare personnel will not be 
tolerated; 
(3) calls on the U.S. Department of Justice to 
inquire into assaults on healthcare personnel and 
provide adequate resources and support to ensure 
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that justice is given to those that have faced or will 
face assault; 
(4) calls on the U.S. Department of Labor to 
increase workplace violence resources, specifically for 
healthcare personnel; 
(5) 
continues 
to 
support 
hospitals 
and 
healthcare workers and the work they do to ensure 
our health and well-being; 
(6) acknowledges the increased work stress and 
strain on mental health that healthcare personnel 
face; and 
(7) supports providing healthcare personnel 
with mental health information and resources. 
Æ 
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