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New YorkS 7402025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Requires retail worker employers to develop and implement programs to prevent workplace violence

Sponsored By: Jessica Ramos (Democratic)

Became Law

RULESCODES

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

Silent help buttons at big retailers

Beginning January 1, 2027, retailers with 500 or more retail employees statewide must give each retail worker a silent response button. The button lets a worker call a guard, manager, or supervisor for immediate help. It can be a fixed device, a wearable, or on a phone. Phone buttons can be on employer devices only, and wearables or phone buttons cannot track a worker unless the button is pressed.

Regular safety training for retail workers

The Department of Labor provides a model training program. Employers must use it or a program that is just as strong. Training must be interactive and cover de‑escalation, active‑shooter drills, alarms, and emergency steps. It must include supervisor duties and any past security issues. Most employers must train at hire and every year; those with fewer than 50 retail employees train at hire and every two years. Employers must show each worker the site’s emergency exits and meeting places.

Retail employers must adopt safety policies

The Department of Labor publishes a model retail workplace violence policy and guidance. Employers must adopt the model or a policy that is at least as strong. The policy must list risk factors, reporting steps, prevention methods, laws and remedies, and say retaliation is illegal. Employers must give the policy in writing at hire and each year, in English and in the worker’s primary language when a state template exists. The state posts policy and training templates in English and the 12 most common non‑English languages.

Who is covered: retail stores and workers

The law covers private retail employers with 10 or more retail employees. It excludes state and local government agencies. A retail store sells consumer goods and is not mainly a place to eat. A retail employee is anyone who works at a retail store. “Workplace” means any place away from home where job duties are done.

Dates, rulemaking, and updates for rollout

The law takes effect on the 270th day after it becomes law. The silent response button rule starts January 1, 2027. The labor commissioner may set rules before the effective date. Starting in 2027 and every four years after, the department reviews and updates the model policy and guidance.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jessica Ramos

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 77 • No: 7

Senate vote • 2/3/2025

FLOOR Vote

Yes: 57 • No: 6

committee vote • 1/13/2025

Rules Committee Vote

Yes: 20 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. SIGNED CHAP.72

    2/14/2025Senate

  2. DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR

    2/12/2025Senate

  3. RETURNED TO SENATE

    2/4/2025House

  4. PASSED ASSEMBLY

    2/4/2025House

  5. ORDERED TO THIRD READING RULES CAL.80

    2/4/2025House

  6. SUBSTITUTED FOR A1678

    2/4/2025House

  7. REFERRED TO CODES

    2/3/2025House

  8. DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY

    2/3/2025Senate

  9. PASSED SENATE

    2/3/2025Senate

  10. ORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.15

    1/13/2025Senate

  11. REFERRED TO RULES

    1/8/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Original

    1/6/2025

    PDF

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