OLYMPIA – Rep. Tami Green (D-Lakewood) has spent years talking with correctional employees about how to improve their workplace. That’s why she continues to sponsor legislation to provide additional support and protection for those who work in correctional facilities.
Today, the Governor signed into law Green’s House Bill 1290, which prohibits the Department of Corrections from requiring members of the nursing staff to work overtime.
“Being overworked and overly fatigued in a prison setting is a dangerous combination that we must address to keep our nurses safe,” Green said.
Recognizing that health care workers in correctional facilities are working around violent offenders, Green introduced legislation this year to help ensure they have a safer work environment.
“Errors typically occur at a much higher rate when nurses work overtime, and there’s no room for error in a dangerous prison setting,” Green said.
Earlier this week, a measure sponsored by Green to support correctional employees while off-duty was signed into law. House Bill 1041 allows correctional personnel and community corrections officers who have completed government-sponsored law enforcement firearms training to be exempt from certain firearm restrictions.