Grants peace officer status to certain security officers employed by Highland Hospital

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

• Democratic5
• Republican1

This bill has cosponsors from more than one party.

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Samra Brouk says this is needed

The ongoing and escalating violence in and around hospitals in the U.S. is a danger to hospital staff and visitors. Health care workers locally and across the nation have experienced a sharp increase in incidences of workplace violence, with no sign that this trend is receding. Health care workers remain five times more likely than any other type of worker to be physically attacked on the job, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Highland Hospital is facing increasing incidences of violence, drug-re- lated activities, and presence of weapons which pose significant chal- lenges to maintaining a secure and safe environment for Highland Hospi- tal staff, patients, and visitors. Violent Incidents with criminal intent have increased 100% over the past 2 years at Highland Hospital. Weapon Confiscation has increased dramatically over the last decade and in 2024, there were 36 weapons confiscated in total at Highland Hospi- tal. Highland Hospital is now the only hospital in the City of Rochester without peace officer status for its public safety officers. Peace offi- cer status was granted to Rochester Regional Health in 2024 and to Strong Memorial Hospital in 2017. Therefore, they are requesting this legislation to better protect patients and staff amidst an increase in workplace violence, and the threat of violence towards health care work- ers.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.