NY Passes Law Requiring Retail Panic Buttons

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed the Retail Worker Safety Act, requiring large retailers with more than 500 employees to install panic buttons in all state locations by 2027. The law aims to enhance safety for retail workers, mandating the development of violence prevention plans and training on de-escalation and emergency procedures. This makes New York the first state to have such specific panic button requirements, although similar broader measures exist in California. Retail organizations such as Walmart and the National Retail Federation have expressed concerns about false alarms and the high costs associated with implementing the new safety measures. The law will take effect in 180 days, with the panic button provision commencing on January 1, 2027. Unions have championed the law, citing increasing incidents of retail crime and worker assaults.