Bills dealing with workplace violence and workforce challenges clear committee

Legislation supporting safer workplaces by giving employers a voluntary tool to prevent workplace violence passed through the House Economic Development and Workforce Investment Committee Thursday.

House Bill 739, sponsored by Rep. Adam Bowling, seeks to address instances of workplace violence. Bowling said the legislation would provide a new and optional tool for employers to protect their workers as workplace violence continues to be a significant issue with 1.3 million instances of violence in the workplace reported annually between 2015-2019.

The bill would allow an employer to petition a court for a workplace violence protective order against an individual who has caused or threatened workplace violence. The protective order would seek to work alongside or in support of other measures like no-trespassing notices or terroristic threatening charges. The new and voluntary option offered in the bill would provide employers a stronger and more efficient layer of protection.

Bowling said at least 14 other states have moved to provide similar options for employers seeking to protect workplaces from violence, including Indiana and Tennessee. The state of Utah passed legislation authorizing a workplace violence protective order in 2023.  

Meanwhile, looking to increase workforce participation is the aim of House Concurrent Resolution 104, sponsored by Rep. Robert Duvall, which also passed in committee Thursday.

The legislation would create a task force to study workforce participation in Kentucky and find solutions that will lead to growth. Duvall noted the state is consistently in the bottom 10 states for workforce participation and has experienced a steady decline over the years.

Duvall stressed it is critical for Kentucky to have a strong workforce that meets the needs of businesses as it is a top determining factor when deciding where to locate or relocate a business and make significant investments.

Similarities to another proposal, Rep. Kulkarni’s House Concurrent Resolution 79, were pointed out. Both representatives said they have been in conversation about any overlap and how to move forward with legislation that addresses all concerns.

Both measures heard in the committee Thursday passed unanimously.

Stay tuned to The Bottom Line for more updates.