House committee adopts substitute to broaden workplace‑violence bill, votes to recommend passage

The House Health and Mental Health Committee adopted a committee substitute to House Bill 3,401 and voted the substitute “do pass,” 16–0.

Chair opened the executive session and moved that House Bill 3,401 be voted due pass. Representative Phelps explained the committee substitute during the session, saying it removes the phrase “bodily fluid” to broaden the offense so prosecutors and law enforcement can more easily pursue workplace‑violence cases involving hospital security staff. "We were trying to broaden it up," Phelps told the committee.

Representative Whaley and other members thanked Phelps for the clarification and cleanup. The committee then voted to adopt the substitute and, by roll call, recorded 16 ayes and 0 no's; the chair announced that the committee had voted that the House Committee substitute for House Bill 3,401 do pass.

The committee took no additional public testimony on HB 3,401 in the recorded segments and moved on to other agenda items.

Next steps: The committee's recommendation that the substitute do pass will be reflected in the bill’s committee report as it moves to further House consideration.