,i #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #each ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,november #ah1 #bjai,ms4 ,brownley of ,california 7for herself and ,ms4 ,stefanik7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,education and ,labor1 and in addition to the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to authorize the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services to award grants to ,states to provide safety measures to social workers1 health workers1 and human services professionals performing services placing such individuals in high-risk and potentially dangerous situations1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,protecting ,social ,workers and ,health ,professionals from ,workplace ,violence ,act of #bjai4 #b4 ,workplace safety grant program 7a7 ,grants authorized 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall award grants to ,states1 ,indian ,tribes1 ,tribal organizations1 and urban ,indian organizations to provide safety measures to social workers1 health workers1 and human services professionals 7as designated by the ,secretary71 performing services placing such individuals in high-risk and potentially dangerous situations4 7#b7 ,consultation ,in awarding grants under this subsection1 the ,secretary may consult with the ,secretary of ,labor and the heads of other relevant ,federal agencies4 7b7 ,use of funds ,a grant awarded under subsection 7a7 may be used to provide or support the following safety measures3 7#a7 7,a7 ,the procurement and installation of safety equipment1 including communications or recording systems1 such as cell phones1 wearable tracking devices with ,,gps_/,bluetooth locator1 or panic buttons1 such as the equipment used for supervised foster care visits and other client visits1 to assist agencies in ensuring staff safety4 7,b7 ,technical assistance and training for safety communications4 7#b7 ,training sessions and exercises for self-defense and crisis management1 provided together with such organizations as local law enforcement4 7#c7 ,facility safety improvements1 such as barrier protection and security cameras4 7#d7 ,training in cultural competency1 including linguistic training1 and training on strategies for de-escalating conflict situations4 7#e7 ,training to help social workers1 health workers1 and human services professionals1 work with clients who-- 7,a7 have serious mental and substance use disorders2 or 7,b7 have behavioral problems and need help coping4 7#f7 ,resources and materials to inform and educate staff on safety and awareness measures4 7#g7 ,support services1 counseling1 and additional resources for social workers1 health workers1 and human services professionals1 who have experienced safety issues or trauma-related incidents in the workplace4 7#h7 ,installation of a local data incident tracking system to monitor1 prevent1 and mitigate violence against social workers1 health workers1 and human services professionals4 7#i7 ,other prevention and mitigation measures determined appropriate by the ,secretary for safety training1 resources1 and support for social workers1 health workers1 and human services professionals4 7c7 ,application 7#a7 ,in general ,a ,state seeking a grant under subsection 7a7 shall submit an application to the ,secretary at such time1 in such manner1 and accompanied by such additional information as the ,secretary may require4 7#b7 ,contents ,each application submitted pursuant to paragraph 7#a7 shall-- 7,a7 describe the type of agencies that will receive funding through the grant and type of work to be done by such agencies2 7,b7 describe the specific activities for which the grant is sought and include a program budget2 and 7,c7 contain an assurance that the applicant will evaluate the effectiveness of the safety measures provided through the grant4 7d7 ,priority ,in awarding grants under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall give priority to applicants that-- 7#a7 7,a7 demonstrate the greatest need based on documented incidents of violence against social workers1 health workers1 and human services professionals2 and 7,b7 seek to provide assistance to multiple agencies employing social workers1 health workers1 and human services professionals performing services placing such individuals in high-risk and potentially dangerous situations2 or 7#b7 seek to enhance existing efforts by the applicant 7existing on the date on which the applicant submits the application7 to improve the safety of social workers1 health workers1 and human services professionals4 7e7 ,quality assurance and cost effectiveness ,the ,secretary shall establish guidelines for ensuring the quality and cost effectiveness of the safety measures funded under this section4 7f7 ,technical assistance ,the ,secretary shall provide technical assistance to recipients of a grant under this section with respect to planning1 developing1 implementing1 reporting1 and sustaining safety measures through the grant4 7g7 ,report requirement ,each ,state receiving a grant under this section shall submit to the ,secretary1 not later than #b years after receiving such grant1 a report that includes-- 7#a7 an assessment of the effectiveness of the activities funded in whole or in part with funds awarded through the grant2 7#b7 the range and scope of training opportunities provided through training programs funded in whole or in part with such funds1 including the numbers and percentages of social workers1 health workers1 and human services professionals1 engaged in such training programs2 and 7#c7 the incidence of threats to social workers1 health workers1 and human services professionals1 if any1 and the strategies used to address their safety4 7h7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,the term health worker includes-- 7,a7 a ,community ,health ,representative that has completed training under the ,community ,health ,representative ,program of the ,indian ,health ,service under section #ajg of the ,indian ,health ,care ,improvement ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #afaf72 7,b7 a health aide or community health practitioner certified under the ,community ,health ,aide ,program of the ,indian ,health ,service under section #aai of that ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #afafl72 and 7,c7 other behavioral health aides and mental health aides4 7#b7 ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services4 7#c7 ,the term social work means-- 7,a7 the applied science of helping individuals1 groups1 or communities to enhance or restore capacity for social and psychosocial functioning1 and effecting societal changes favorable to such enhancement or restoration for all people2 and 7,b7 the professional application of social work values1 principles1 and techniques related to the activities described in subparagraph 7,a71 including-- 7i7 diagnosing mental and emotional disorders and providing counseling and psychotherapy services to individuals1 families1 or groups for such disorders2 and 7ii7 helping individuals1 families1 or groups to obtain tangible services1 including personal1 protective1 informational1 advisory1 community1 housing1 education1 health1 and mental health services in order to improve the overall well-being of individuals4 7#d7 ,the term social worker means an individual1 with a baccalaureate1 master's1 or doctoral degree in social work from an institution of higher education1 who uses knowledge and skills to provide social work services for individuals1 families1 groups1 communities1 organizations1 or society in general4 7#e7 ,the term urban ,indian organization has the meaning given such term in section #d of the ,indian ,health ,care ,improvement ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #afjc74 7i7 ,authorization of appropriations ,to carry out this section1 there is authorized to be appropriated #aj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjba through #bjbe4