Virginia Foxx: “While the amendment is well- intentioned, there are Federal agencies other than OSHA that would be better equipped to…”

“While the amendment is well- intentioned, there are Federal agencies other than OSHA that would be better equipped to handle this type of regulatory requirement for the education of healthcare workers who work with the individuals identified in the amendment. The question of whether employer education programs governed by OSHA are appropriate to address the objectives of the amendment should be thoroughly vetted and discussed during the rulemaking process before decisions impacting employers are made. Unfortunately, H.R. 1309 bypasses the opportunities for that conversation to take place, such as a small business panel and public hearings, and this amendment does nothing to change that. A question of additional education for specific employees is exactly the kind of issue that should be addressed by receiving feedback from affected stakeholders in the rulemaking process, but this opportunity is foreclosed by H.R. 1309. Amendments like the one we are debating don't change the fact that H.R. 1309 fails to allow for the development of a feasible and effective workplace violence prevention standard. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.”