Retail Worker Safety Act Signed

On Sept. 5, 2024, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the Retail Worker Safety Act (A.8947/S.8358). The law will require certain New York retailers to adopt safety measures to address and prevent workplace violence in retail settings. Covered employers include “any person, entity, business, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or an association employing at least ten retail employees.” The “retail employees” must work in a retail store that “sells consumer commodities.” Retailers who primarily “sell food for consumption on the premises” are excluded so it does not cover restaurants, taverns, and bars, but it addresses concerns that are at times also expressed about licensed premises, so we’ve been monitoring it. The State Department of Labor will be developing model policies and training. We’ll keep you up to date on their activity implementing this new law.