NY Governor Signs Law Requiring Panic Buttons at Major Retailers

New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday signed a new law requiring retailers to boost what it says are safety protections for store workers, including mandating that major retailers add panic buttons in all state locations. Dubbed the “Retail Worker Safety Act,” the state Senate’s website indicated that the Democratic governor signed it on Thursday. According to the text of the bill, the panic button refers to an actual “physical button” that will be installed in “easily accessible locations throughout the workplace” or a wearable or mobile phone-based button that would immediately call the local 911 answering point. It would then provide the dispatcher with employee location information and dispatch law enforcement to the workplace....