Retail Stores and Restaurants
The New York Retail Worker Safety Act became active on June 2, 2025. The law is now part of the consolidated Laws of New York State, Article 2, Section 27-E, Prevention of workplace violence. The law puts the burden on retail store and restaurant owners and managers to implement workplace violence prevention programs, with a compliance deadline of June 2, 2025. The state's Department of Labor has issued guidance and a model policy to help businesses comply at https://dol.ny.gov/retail-worker-safety.
The New York Food Allergy Awareness Law became effective May 21, 2025. New York State now requires all food service establishments to have a designated food safety manager who has completed an approved allergen awareness training course. The new law also requires the posting of a food allergy notice in multiple languages for the safety of customers with food allergies. The law also requires menus to inform customers to notify their server about any food allergies. Additional information can be found on the NY Department of Agriculture and Markets website https://agriculture.ny.gov/news/new-york-state-announces-new-initiative-increase-allergy-awareness-restaurants-and-food.
Hotel Safety Laws and Legislation
New York City's Safe Hotels Act became effective May 3, 2025, and requires panic buttons and security coverage for hotels. The 2019 Illinois Hotel and Casino Employee Safety Act already requires panic buttons for lone workers in that state.
Pennsylvania House Bill 1286 was filed in August 2025 to require employers at hotels and short-term rentals to provide human trafficking awareness training to their employees. The bill is currently before the House Tourism, Recreation and Economic Development Committee.
Firearms in Workplace Parking Lots
New Hampshire's Guns at Work Law (HB 1336) became effective January 1, 2025. The new law prohibits certain employers from banning employees from storing legal firearms and ammunition in their locked vehicles in the workplace parking lot.
Keeping these measures in check helps safeguard both your staff and property from seasonal hazards. Fire and electrical safety often go hand in hand, so it goes without saying that taking proper electrical safety precautions reduces risks and keeps your restaurant running smoothly during the colder months.
Fire Sprinkler Systems
A Massachusetts bill called An Act Relative to Fire Protection (HB2644) will require fire sprinkler systems in most new and significantly altered residential buildings with four or more dwelling units, including apartments, dorms, and hotels. The bill was referred to the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on February 27, 2025, https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2644.
Flood Preparedness
The Texas Heaven's 27 Camp Safety Act became law in September 2025 and requires overnight youth camps to create detailed emergency plans to address flood preparedness. The bill was passed in response to the July 2025 floods in Texas that killed at least 135 people.