BATON ROUGE — Some employees across the state have more protections against angry customers thanks to a bill that was just signed into law by Governor Landry.
The new law creates tougher punishments for people who threaten or attack employees while they’re working at certain businesses like fast food workers, store clerks, gas station workers, pharmacy employees, and others working “behind the counter.”
Under the new “Louisiana Behind the Counter Protection Act,” if someone physically attacks an employee at one of these businesses, they could face harsher criminal penalties than they normally would. A person who threatens to attack an employee could also see harsher punishments.
Under the new law, simple battery, which means someone actually hits or physically harms a protected employee, could lead to up to a $2,000 fine, up to two years in prison, or both.
Simple assault, which involves threatening or attempting violence without making contact, could lead up to a $1,000 fine, six months in jail, or both.
Businesses can also put up signs warning customers that violence against its employees could lead to an arrest and felony conviction.
The new law was signed Wednesday morning at the McDonald’s on Dawnadele Avenue in Baton Rouge.
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