A new law signed by Gov. Chris Sununu mandates New Hampshire healthcare facilities to implement and maintain workplace violence prevention programs under a new law.

Senate Bill 459 requires violence prevention programs and establishes a healthcare workplace safety commission.

Lawmakers began working to create the new requirements after the death of a hospital security guard who was assaulted at work in December 2020. Richard Semo, 64, of Farmington, died from injuries sustained in an attack in the parking lot of Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester. The man who attacked him pleaded guilty to negligent homicide in 2021.

Sununu held a bill signing Friday outside the hospital.

Tim Jones, chief executive officer of Frisbie Memorial Hospital, spoke about Semo. Jones also told the governor that healthcare workers deal with abuse far too often, and there has been an increase in verbal and physical assaults nationwide during the pandemic, according to Fosters Daily Democrat.

Health facilities that are considered urgent care centers must comply with the new state requirement by July 1, 2024.