Workplace Violence Prevention Laws by State
California led the way. Now other states are following. Track which states have active laws, pending legislation, or bills introduced.
| State | Status | Law / Bill | Effective Date | Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | Active | SB 553 (Labor Code §6401.9) | July 1, 2024 | $18,000 – $150,000 |
| New York | Active | S2572B (Retail Worker Safety Act) | June 2, 2025 | $500 – $1,000/day |
| Connecticut | Introduced | HB 6557 | Pending | TBD |
| Illinois | Introduced | HB 3301 | Pending | TBD |
| Maryland | Introduced | SB 527 | Pending | TBD |
| Massachusetts | Introduced | HD 3429 | Pending | TBD |
| Minnesota | Introduced | HF 1234 | Pending | TBD |
| New Jersey | Introduced | A4402 | Pending | TBD |
| Oregon | Introduced | SB 593 | Pending | TBD |
| Washington | Introduced | HB 1788 | Pending | TBD |
27+ additional states have introduced similar legislation
This tracker shows states with the most advanced legislation. We're monitoring all 50 states and will update as bills progress. WVPReady is built for multi-state compliance from day one.
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Check Your Exposure →State Legislation FAQs
Which states require workplace violence prevention plans?
As of 2025, California (SB 553, effective July 2024) and New York (S2572B for retail, effective June 2025) have active workplace violence prevention laws. At least 27 other states have introduced similar legislation. OSHA's general duty clause also applies nationwide.
Is there a federal workplace violence prevention law?
There is no specific federal workplace violence prevention law as of 2025. However, OSHA's General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1)) requires employers to maintain a workplace free from recognized hazards, which includes workplace violence. Several federal bills have been introduced but not yet passed.
Will my state pass a workplace violence prevention law?
The legislative trend is strongly toward requiring workplace violence prevention plans. With California and New York leading, and 27+ states introducing bills, experts expect the majority of states to have some form of requirement within the next 3-5 years. Building compliance infrastructure now positions you for multi-state requirements.