The Louisiana Behind the Counter Protection Act aims to enhance protections for employees working in regulated retail and food service establishments by prohibiting workplace violence against them. The bill amends existing laws regarding simple battery and simple assault, introducing enhanced penalties for offenders who commit these crimes against employees in regulated establishments. Specifically, the bill stipulates that a person committing simple battery against such an employee may face fines of up to $2,000 or imprisonment for up to two years, while those committing simple assault may incur fines of up to $1,000 or imprisonment for up to six months.

Additionally, the Act establishes definitions for key terms such as "employee" and "workplace violence," and mandates that regulated establishments display signage warning that workplace violence is a crime that will not be tolerated. The Louisiana Works department is tasked with creating and distributing these signs to ensure compliance. Overall, the Act seeks to create a safer working environment for employees by imposing stricter penalties for acts of violence and raising awareness through signage.

Statutes affected:
HB1238 Original: 14:35(B), 14:38(B)