WNA-supported legislation will provide criminal penalties for perpetrators who cause battery to RegisteredNurses and other nursing personnel.
The Wisconsin Nurses Association (WNA) wishes to convey its sincere appreciation and thanks to Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers for signing into law Senate Bill 163 and the lead authors who championed this legislation: State Senator Dale Kooyenga (R-Brookfield) and Representative Gae Magnafici (R-Dresser).
The legislation provides a Class H Felony, for individuals who cause bodily harm to a nurse and other health care providers. This action provides another avenue of support for the 105,000 nurses and the over 60,000 certified nurse assistants in Wisconsin who experience this type of violence in the workplace.
“If nurses do not feel safe they cannot practice safely”, stated Pam Macari Sanberg, President of the,Wisconsin Nurses Association. “This newly enacted law is an important part of a larger campaign of educating and empowering nurses to report workplace violence and hopefully avoid life threatening situations.”
According to the American Nurses Association one in four nurses are assaulted at work. Data from the Wisconsin Nurses Association show that there is an increase in workplace violence against nurses in Wisconsin. Workplace violence includes physical, verbal and sexual assault. Workplace violence against nurses can come from patients, family members and/or visitors.
The year 2020 has been declared by the World Health Organization as the “Year of the Nurse.”
