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Committee advances bill to protect workers behind counters, with signage optional in first year
Summary
Representative McMakin’s HB 1238 would create 'behind‑the‑counter' protections for retail and food‑service workers after sponsors cited local incidents; the bill was reported favorably and requires only a 'may' for signage in the first year.
Representative McMakin presented House Bill 1238 as the 'behind‑the‑counter protection act,' saying it would cover employees who work behind counters in restaurants, malls and retail stores and respond to local incidents of threats or violence against counter staff. He said the bill passed the House 95–0 and came to the committee with broad support.
McMakin said the measure would initially encourage signage by including a 'may' in the first year rather than a mandatory sign requirement; senators asked whether signage would be required in later years and the sponsor said the bill starts with a 'may' to allow evaluation. The sponsor described the bill’s genesis in hospital signage that warned against assaulting workers and said the intent is to protect workers across various venues.
Multiple supporters filed cards in favor; with no objection the committee reported HB 1238 favorably. The transcript records the committee action but does not include a roll‑call tally for this item.
