Press Releases

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today joined Congressmen Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Congressman John Kline (R-MN), Collin Peterson (D-MN), Steve Chabot (R-OH), and Robert Hurt (R-VA) in introducing the Safe Harbor for Reporting Violent Behavior Act (H.R. 4532), legislation to provide a “safe harbor” for reports to potential employers by current or former employers of an employee’s violent or threatening behavior.  Currently, employers may refrain from reporting such information out of fear of defamation or other lawsuits by those employees, particularly when the employee’s behavior does not result in a police report, criminal charge, conviction, etc. 

Griffith said, “The circumstances surrounding the tragic incident at Smith Mountain Lake in August made very apparent the need to address mental health policy and revisit laws that expose previous employers to liability for disclosing information about a potentially violent former employee.  As my colleagues and I on the Energy and Commerce Committee are continuing our work to reform our nation’s mental health system, I am pleased to support the Safe Harbor for Reporting Violent Behavior Act, a first step toward encouraging employers to disclose information on employees’ dangerous or threatening behavior.  I am optimistic that we can work together with the Senate to advance important strategies such as the Safe Harbor for Reporting Violent Behavior Act.”

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