New York Governor Signs New Protections for Retail Workers and Small Business Owners

The new laws signed by Governor Kathy Hochul in New York are set to provide much-needed protections for small business owners and retail workers. The highlight of these laws is the tougher criminal penalties for anyone who assaults a retail worker, which will now be considered a felony in the state.

At an event celebrating the new laws, Governor Hochul emphasized the seriousness of the consequences for assaulting a retail worker. She stated, “You think it’s OK to walk in and assault a retail worker? You’ll be charged with a felony. There are serious consequences to this, serious consequences, and that was important to me.”

In addition to the felony charge for assaulting a retail worker, prosecutors will now have the ability to combine the value of stolen goods when bringing down larceny charges. It will also be illegal to sell stolen goods through third-party sellers.

Governor Hochul’s anti-theft plan also includes allocating millions of dollars to small businesses to invest in security measures. This includes $25 million for a retail theft unit within the New York State Police, $15 million for district attorneys and local law enforcement, and $5 million to cover costs for businesses.

The legislation was supported by a New York City boutique owner, Deborah Koenigsberger, who stressed the importance of providing protections for stores dealing with rising retail theft. Koenigsberger stated, “The state legislature needs to act so that these stores get the protections they need and so that workers and consumers feel safe.”

Overall, the new laws aim to ensure the safety and security of small business owners and retail workers in New York, sending a strong message that assaults on retail workers will not be tolerated.