Senate approves bill allowing employers to seek protective orders for workplace threats

The Senate passed Fourth Substitute House Bill 324, which creates a mechanism for employers to seek workplace-focused protective orders when employees or the workplace face credible threats. Sponsor Senator Wyler said the change responds to situations where an assailant threatens an employee at the workplace and there is currently no tool for an employer to seek a protective order that covers the workplace.

"If a workplace is threatened like that, this would allow the employer to get a protective order against that person's threat," Wyler said on the floor, adding that a person found lurking near the workplace "could be asked to leave or be arrested." The sponsor noted the measure builds on prior legislative efforts and expands protections to cover employer sites.

There were no recorded questions from the floor and the bill was moved under suspension of the rules. A roll-call recorded 27 yea votes, 0 nay votes and 2 absent; the bill passed and will be returned to the House for further consideration.

The bill directs courts and enforcement officers on the use of protective orders in workplace settings; the transcript does not include implementing rules or a fiscal note discussion beyond the sponsor's floor explanation.