A group of state lawmakers announced their support for the Retail Workers Protection Act on Tuesday.

The bill would make assaulting a retail employee or owner a Class D felony, which could land someone in prison for up to seven years.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said in her 2024 State of the State address that she was committed to addressing violence against retail workers.

Assemblyman Manny De Los Santos, one of the supporters, said 93% of businesses across the state have suffered due to shoplifters.

Nurses and police officers are included as protected workers by the state.