Rabb: Deterrence and prevention can co-exist when protecting public sector workers
“In a time of increased political violence, for those workers employed by our government in any capacity, we must invest in all reasonable measures to ensure workplace safety.”
Rep. Christopher M. Rabb July 1, 2025 | 4:20 PM
HARRISBURG, July 1 – State Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., issued the following statement today in response to House passage of H.B. 956:
“I commend my colleague, Representative Malcolm Kenyatta, on passage of his bipartisan bill to address rampant violence against public sector workers, especially municipal workers who function in non-traditional workplaces across Philadelphia who are overwhelmingly Black, underpaid and most exposed to violence.
“Should this bill become law, it is my sincere hope that it will be a true deterrent to the kind of violence no one should be subject to at work or elsewhere.”
As a complement to that bill, Rabb and state Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, have introduced H.B. 1629, a bill centered on violence prevention toward reducing incidents of harassment, intimidation, and violence.
Rabb said the legislation is supported by all House Democrats and would help prevent violence and physical threats against public sector employees on the municipal, county and state levels by:
- Requiring public employers to implement workplace violence prevention plans tailored to outdoor and nontraditional work environments;
- Mandating training on de-escalation, safety, and reporting for outdoor public workers;
- Ensuring access to incident reporting systems, counseling, and legal support after threats or assaults; and
- Establishing a grant program to provide funding -- through partnerships with neighborhood associations, business improvement districts, and community-based organizations -- for safety gear, communication devices, and infrastructure improvements.
Rabb said, “In a time of increased political violence, for those workers employed by our government in any capacity, we must invest in all reasonable measures to ensure workplace safety.”
House Bill 1629 advanced out of the House Judiciary Committee by a 14-12 vote on Monday.