Bill > HB1524

This bill strengthens workplace safety standards for isolated employees in specific industries like hotels, motels, retail, security, and property services by mandating comprehensive protections. Employers must now adopt a sexual harassment policy, provide mandatory training to managers, supervisors, and isolated employees (defined as workers who spend significant time alone or in areas where immediate assistance is not readily available), and offer a list of resources for reporting harassment. A key requirement is providing panic buttons to isolated employees, which must be simple to activate, provide an effective emergency signal, and allow responders to quickly identify the employee's location. The bill also introduces enforcement mechanisms, allowing the Department of Labor and Industries to investigate complaints and issue citations with civil penalties ranging from $1,000 for a first willful violation to up to $10,000 for repeat willful violations. Employers must document their training efforts and maintain records of panic button purchases. The definition of "isolated employee" is specifically expanded to include workers like janitors, security guards, hotel housekeepers, and room service attendants who work alone or with limited supervision. The bill aims to protect vulnerable workers by ensuring they have clear mechanisms to seek help and report workplace violations, with the law set to take effect on January 1, 2026, subject to specific funding provisions.