SB 2968: DLIR; Hotelkeepers; Hospitality Workers; Safety; Panic Buttons; Rules

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that hospitality workers frequently work in isolated conditions, placing the workers at increased risk of harassment and assault.  Media reports have documented cases in which workers were targeted due to a lack of adequate protections.  In 2019, the State of Washington enacted legislation to address these concerns, including by requiring employers in the hospitality industry to equip certain vulnerable workers with panic buttons.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to implement similar protections for hospitality workers in Hawaii.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 486K, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§486K-    Safety of workers; panic buttons; training.  (a)  Each hotelkeeper shall supply a panic button and provide annual training on the proper use and limitations of the panic button to each hospitality worker who works in guest rooms, restrooms, or other isolated conditions.  The panic button shall be portable and shall:

     (1)  Immediately summon assistance from a security guard, another worker, or a supervising employer; and

     (2)  Be designed to function effectively in the worker's physical environment.

     (b)  For the purposes of this section:

     "Hospitality worker" means an individual employed by a hotelkeeper or by a person or entity licensed in the State to operate a hotel or similar lodging, to:

     (1)  Clean guest rooms or restrooms;

     (2)  Deliver meals to private rooms; or

     (3)  Perform maintenance or front desk operations.

     "Panic button" means a portable emergency communication device that allows a hospitality worker to immediately summon on-site assistance if the worker reasonably believes they are in danger."

     SECTION 3.  The department of labor and industrial relations shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to effectuate the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2077; provided that all hotelkeepers shall be in compliance with this Act no later than January 1, 2027.

Report Title:

DLIR; Hotelkeepers; Hospitality Workers; Safety; Panic Buttons; Rules

Description:

Requires hotelkeepers to supply and provide annual training on the proper use and limitations of a panic button to certain workers no later than 1/1/2027.  Effective 1/1/2077.  (SD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to Employment.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that hospitality workers frequently work in isolated conditions, placing the workers at increased risk of harassment and assault.  Media reports have documented cases in which workers were targeted due to a lack of adequate protections.  In 2019, the State of Washington enacted legislation to address these concerns, including by requiring employers in the hospitality industry to equip certain vulnerable workers with panic buttons.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to implement similar protections for hospitality workers in Hawaii.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 486K, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§486K-    Safety of workers; panic buttons; training.  (a)  Each hotelkeeper shall supply a panic button and provide annual training on the proper use and limitations of the panic button to each hospitality worker who works in guest rooms, restrooms, or other isolated conditions.  The panic button shall be portable and shall:

     (1)  Immediately summon assistance from a security guard, another worker, or a supervising employer; and

     (2)  Be designed to function effectively in the worker's physical environment.

     (b)  For the purposes of this section:

     "Hospitality worker" means an individual employed by a hotelkeeper or by a person or entity licensed in the State to operate a hotel or similar lodging, to:

     (1)  Clean guest rooms or restrooms;

     (2)  Deliver meals to private rooms; or

     (3)  Perform maintenance or front desk operations.

     "Panic button" means a portable emergency communication device that allows a hospitality worker to immediately summon on-site assistance if the worker reasonably believes they are in danger."

     SECTION 3.  The department of labor and industrial relations shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to effectuate the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that all hotelkeepers shall be in compliance with this Act no later than January 1, 2027.

Report Title:

DLIR; Hotelkeepers; Hospitality Workers; Safety; Panic Buttons; Rules

Description:

Requires hotelkeepers to supply and provide annual training on the proper use and limitations of a panic button to certain workers no later than 1/1/2027.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2321

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:     S.B. No. 2968

        S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Labor and Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 2968 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require hotelkeepers to supply and provide annual training on the proper use and limitations of a panic button to certain workers.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women.

     Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and Kohala Coast Resort Association.

     Your Committee finds that hospitality workers often work alone and may face heightened risks of harassment or assault; furthermore many hospitality workers are women and panic buttons may serve as an important tool to prevent and respond to workplace violence.  Your Committee further finds that similar protections to those proposed in this measure have been adopted in other jurisdictions.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of January 1, 2077, to encourage further discussion.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor and Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2968, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2968, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor and Technology,