Los Angeles County Seeks to Protect Hotel Workers

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Patricia Tsipras

March 24, 2026

In a significant move to enhance workplace safety and protect the rights of hotel workers, Los Angeles County has enacted the Hotel Worker Protection Ordinance (HWPO), codified as Chapter 8.21 of the Los Angeles County Code.  The ordinance applies to hotel employers in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County[1] and introduces robust measures aimed at safeguarding hotel workers, particularly those working in guest rooms or other isolated areas, from potential harm and exploitation.

Key Provisions of the HWPO
The HWPO establishes several critical protections for hotel workers, including:

• Personal Security Devices: Hotel employers are required to provide personal security devices, such as panic buttons, to workers who work alone in guest rooms or restroom facilities. These devices must be provided at no cost to the workers and are designed to summon immediate assistance in case of emergencies, such as violent or threatening conduct by guests.
• Incident Reporting and Recordkeeping: If a hotel worker activates a personal security device due to a guest’s violent or threatening behavior, the hotel must allow the worker paid time off to report the incident to law enforcement. Upon a hotel worker’s request, the hotel also must provide a worker who has been subjected to violent or threatening conduct with reasonable accommodations, like a modified work schedule or reassignment to a vacant position.  Additionally, hotel employers are required to retain records of incidents for a period of three years.
• Notices to Workers and to the Public: A hotel employer must provide written notice to workers of their rights under this ordinance upon the ordinance’s effective date or at the time of hire, whichever is later.  Such notice must be provided in English, Spanish, and any other language spoken by five percent or more of the hotel’s workers.

A hotel employer also must place on the back of the entrance door to each guest room and restroom facility a sign written in no less than 18-point font that includes the heading “The Law Protects Hotel Workers From Threatening Behavior,” provides a citation to Chapter 8.21 of the Los Angeles County Code, and notifies guests that the hotel provides personal security devices to its workers.

• Training Requirements: Within one month of October 1, 2026, or within one month of the hotel worker’s hire date, whichever is later, hotel employers must provide training to covered workers. This training, conducted by a County-certified trainer, will focus on the use and maintenance of personal security devices, as well as workplace safety protocols.
• Workload and Hourly Limits: The ordinance imposes workload caps based on the size of the hotel. For instance, hotels with at least 40 guest rooms are limited to assigning no more than 3,500 square feet of cleaning tasks per eight-hour workday, while smaller hotels have a cap of 4,500 square feet.  Additionally, workers cannot work more than 10 hours in a single workday without their written consent.
• Anti-Retaliation Protections: The HWPO prohibits adverse employment actions against hotel workers who exercise their rights under the ordinance, including protections for reporting unsafe working conditions or activating personal security devices.
• Civil Remedies and Penalties: Workers who experience violations of the HWPO may file civil actions seeking remedies, such as injunctions, statutory damages of $100 per aggrieved individual per day, treble damages for willful violations, and attorney’s fees and costs. These remedies are cumulative and do not preclude criminal prosecution.

Implementation Timeline
The HWPO will become operative on April 1, 2026, with certain provisions, such as the training requirements, taking effect on October 1, 2026.  This phased implementation allows hotel employers time to comply with the new requirements.

Broader Context and Implications
The HWPO closely mirrors similar ordinances enacted in neighboring jurisdictions, such as Santa Monica, West Hollywood, and the City of Los Angeles, reflecting a growing trend toward prioritizing the safety and well-being of hotel workers across the region.  While the ordinance has been praised for its focus on worker protections, some industry representatives have expressed concerns about the financial impact on hotel operations, including potential increases in hotel rates.

Employer Takeaways
The enactment of the HWPO underscores Los Angeles County’s commitment to creating safer and more equitable working conditions for hotel workers.  Hotel employers in unincorporated areas of the County should begin preparing for compliance by reviewing their policies, training programs, and operational practices to align with the ordinance’s requirements.

The author of this article, Patricia Tsipras, is a member of the Bar of Pennsylvania.  This article is designed to provide one perspective regarding recent legal developments, and is not intended to serve as legal advice in Pennsylvania, California, or any other jurisdiction, nor does it establish an attorney-client relationship with any reader of the article where one does not exist.  Always consult an attorney with specific legal issues.

[1]  Within Los Angeles County, there are 88 incorporated cities, each with its own city council.  The areas that are not part of these cities are unincorporated.  For these unincorporated areas, the Board of Supervisors is their “city council” and the Supervisor representing the area is their “mayor.”