Bill > A07833

This bill mandates that every city or county social services district must provide a panic button to employees whose jobs require them to interact directly with clients outside of an office, such as in a client's home or other service locations. This panic button can be a physical wearable device or a mobile phone application, but if it's a mobile app, it must be installed on employer-provided equipment. The bill clarifies that these panic buttons will not be used to track employee locations unless the button is activated during an emergency, and employees will not have to pay for this equipment. A "panic button" is defined as a tool that, when activated, immediately contacts either 9-1-1 or a security service that can alert 9-1-1, providing the employee's location and dispatching law enforcement or emergency services. Additionally, social services districts must create plans for employees working in areas where panic button functionality might be unreliable, ensuring they can still get timely help from law enforcement. The Commissioner of the Office of Children and Family Services will be responsible for creating the necessary rules and regulations to put these provisions into effect, with the law taking effect one year after it becomes official.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7833