The legislature finds that:

(1) Violence is an escalating problem in many health care settings in this state and across the nation;

(2) Based on an analysis of workers’ compensation claims, the department of labor and industries reports that health care employees face the highest rate of workplace violence in Washington state;

(3) The actual incidence of workplace violence in health care settings is likely to be greater than documented because of failure to report or failure to maintain records of incidents that are reported;

(4) Patients, visitors, and health care employees should be assured a reasonably safe and secure environment in health care settings; and

(5) Many health care settings have undertaken efforts to assure that patients, visitors, and employees are safe from violence, but additional personnel training and appropriate safeguards may be needed to prevent workplace violence and minimize the risk and dangers affecting people in health care settings.