Senate Bill No. 223, introduced by Senator Bouie, aims to establish the "Retail Service Worker Health and Safety Act" in Louisiana, which will take effect on August 1, 2025. The bill enacts Chapter 5-B of Title 23 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, comprising sections R.S. 23:491 through 497. It defines key terms such as "employer," "employee," "panic button," "retail store," and "workplace." The legislation mandates that employers evaluate their workplaces for factors that may expose employees to risks of workplace violence and develop a written workplace violence prevention program that includes various safety measures and employee training.

Additionally, the bill requires employers to provide annual training on workplace violence risks and mandates that those with a certain number of violent incidents, as determined by the Louisiana Workforce Commission, must hire a security guard during operational hours. Importantly, the bill specifies that state entities and government agencies are not classified as "employers" under this act. The Louisiana Workforce Commission is authorized to create necessary regulations for the implementation of the act.