The Sacramento City Council approved a new ordinance that requires hotel operators to provide panic buttons to employees.
The ordinance impacts 80 hotels and motels within Sacramento city limits.
The panic buttons are portable devices worn by workers and easily accessible in case an employee feels threatened and needs urgent help. The device would sound an alarm and alert security and management of a worker’s location.
Under the ordinance, the devices would be provided for any employee assigned to work in guest rooms and restrooms.
New York City, Chicago, Seattle and Miami Beach are among cities that require the emergency alerts.
The city ordinance would take effect on July 14.