House committee advances bill requiring safety devices for hotel workers

House Bill 13-58, a measure that would require hotel employers to provide employees who work alone in guest rooms with safety devices that allow them to summon immediate assistance, was favorably reported as committed by the House Labor and Industry Committee on Oct. 11, 2025.

The bill would also create an employee-education program covering the devices and related topics and establish penalties for violations. Committee staff opened the discussion by summarizing the bill’s provisions and scope.

Supporters said the measure responds to high rates of harassment and assault in the hospitality industry. Representative Joanna Green, the bill’s prime sponsor, cited survey findings and worker feedback and argued the measure addresses an urgent safety gap. “Everyone deserves to work in an environment that is safe and free from harassment,” Green said. She told the panel she has family members who worked in the industry and urged members to “let workers know that we care and that we are concerned about their safety.”

The sponsor presented survey figures during the hearing: a Chicago survey reported that 58 percent of hotel workers had been harassed by guests, 49 percent of housekeepers reported guests exposing themselves, and 56 percent of workers who experienced harassment said they did not feel safe returning to work. The sponsor also said 96 percent of housekeepers in that survey said they would feel safer with panic buttons and that about 60 member companies have pledged to improve hotel safety but only roughly 5,000 properties had implemented employee safety devices.

Opponents and some committee members raised drafting and scope concerns. Representative Grove questioned basing statewide legislation on a single Chicago survey, saying, “I just don't think we should be legislating based on 1 single survey.” Committee members asked whether the bill’s definitions could unintentionally include homeless shelters and whether collective bargaining agreements could be allowed to supersede statutory protections in ways that might leave employees with less protection. A member also argued penalties in the bill were “far too steep” and recommended they be aligned with consumer-rate penalties.

Committee members discussed technology alternatives. One member listed freely available mobile apps with SOS features and asked whether those options had been considered. Supporters and the sponsor replied that in many assault scenarios a wearable or body-mounted panic button can be faster and more reliable than pulling out a phone and opening an app. The committee also heard a cost estimate for panic buttons, which the sponsor said typically range from about $18 to $50.

The committee did not adopt any substantive amendments during the hearing. After questions and debate, members took a roll call and the committee voted to report House Bill 13-58 favorably as committed.

The bill will proceed to the full House for further consideration.