JESSICA HEERINGA ACT:  OVERNIGHT SECURITY

AT GAS STATIONS AND CONVENIENCE STORES

House Bill 5189

Sponsor:  Rep. Collene Lamonte

Committee:  Commerce

Complete to 11-10-14

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5189 AS INTRODUCED 12-11-14

The bill would require the owner or operator of a convenience store or gas station to ensure that, between the hours after 11 p.m. and before 5 a.m., at least two employees are on duty at all times or, if there is only one employee on duty, that there is a security camera system in good working order operating continuously at all times.

A violation would be a state civil infraction carrying a civil fine of not more than $200 per infraction.

The bill provides definitions of "convenience store", "gas station", and "security camera system".   To be a convenience store an establishment must have one employee on the premises during operating hours.  The definition has multiple exclusions, including grocery stores, pharmacies, supermarkets, retail businesses with more than 10,000 square feet of retail, farmers markets or similar activities or operations, and hotels, taverns, and restaurants.  The camera system definition requires a digital security camera capable of producing a retrievable image on film or tape that can be enlarged through projection or other means.

The bill would create a new act to be cited as the Jessica Heeringa Act and would take effect January 1, 2015.  [The act would be named for a young woman believed to have been abducted from a gas station where she worked in Norton Shores in Muskegon County.]

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have no fiscal impact on state and local government other than the collection of civil fines for violations.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Chris Couch 

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.