LABOR: Enacts the Behind the Counter Safety Act (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 422, the Behind the Counter Safety Act, requires retail stores, restaurants, pharmacies, and similar food service or retail establishments in Louisiana to create written workplace violence prevention plans. These plans must include risk assessments, safety measures (like panic buttons or bullet-resistant counters), employee training, and incident reporting procedures. The bill also mandates visible warning signs stating "Violence against employees is a crime," prohibits retaliation against employees who report violence, and requires businesses to report incidents to law enforcement and Louisiana Works. Additionally, the state department must provide public resources on workplace violence prevention and maintain anonymized incident data.