On February 4, 2025, the New York State Legislature passed an anticipated amendment to the New York Retail Worker Safety Act. Governor Kathy Hochul is expected to sign the amendment into law in the coming days.
The amendment includes the following key changes:
- Replaces the term “panic button” with “silent alarm button” throughout the Act.
- Modifies employer coverage by requiring businesses with 500 or more retail employees statewide (previously nationwide) to provide each retail employee with a silent response button for immediate assistance from a security officer, manager, or supervisor (previously law enforcement) in case of an emergency. The button may be installed in an accessible location, in a wearable, or on mobile phone.
- Adjusts training requirements so that employers with fewer than 50 retail employees must provide workplace violence prevention training upon hire and once every two years (previously required annually).
- Directs the commissioner to develop model workplace violence prevention program templates in the 12 most common non-English languages spoken by limited-English-proficient individuals in the state.
If signed by the Governor, the Act will take effect on June 2, 2025 (instead of March 4, 2025), while the silent response button requirement maintains an effective date of January 1, 2027.
Even if the amendment is signed into law, employers’ written plans will not require significant changes. We recommend that employers continue with their current compliance efforts as planned.
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