Bill > HB1810

This bill, known as the Retail Worker Safety and Preparedness Act, establishes comprehensive workplace violence prevention standards for retail employers with 15 or more employees. The legislation requires retail employers to develop and maintain a written workplace violence prevention plan that identifies potential risks, outlines response procedures, designates a responsible supervisor, and includes emergency contact and evacuation information. Employers must provide annual employee training on recognizing workplace violence, de-escalation techniques, and reporting procedures, ensuring training is provided in a language understood by each employee. For retail locations with 40 or more on-site employees, employers must install and maintain panic buttons or emergency communication devices at key locations like checkout counters and customer service desks, which can immediately notify on-site managers and emergency services. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry will administer and enforce the act, with an initial focus on education and technical assistance during the first year. Enforcement mechanisms include issuing warnings for first-time violations and potential civil penalties up to $2,000 for subsequent violations within a 24-month period. The department is required to develop guidance materials, conduct inspections, and promulgate implementing regulations within 180 days, with the entire act set to take effect one year after passage.

Labor and Employment

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1810