The city of Sacramento is following a national call to action for hotel staff, mandating panic buttons for staff that enter guestrooms. Vice Mayor Eric Guerra proposed the ordinance, which cleared the Law Legislation Committee on Tuesday. It now moves to the city council for a final vote. “We’re growing as a city, and the fact that we will be growing more hotels, means we are going to have more workers, and that we’ll have more visitors,” Guerra said. The ordinance is similar to the one the county passed and enacted last year. Hotels or motels with 25 rooms or more are required to purchase panic buttons for staff who enter guest room floors. The city, however, has more hotels and motels than unincorporated Sacramento County. The county has approximately 24 hotels and motels, compared to roughly 80 within city limits. The labor union Unite Here, which represents hotel employees across the country, was a driving force in New York, Chicago, Seattle -- among other cities -- which implemented similar ordinances. “It’s very important for all housekeeping -- not just where I work -- because we come across many situations that are very uncomfortable,” hotel housekeeper Enriqueta Layune said. “My coworkers and I think it will help. Because if we encounter something like that, immediately we can push the button and get help during a difficult situation.”Layune has worked as a hotel housekeeper in Sacramento for a decade. Through a translator, she testified about her dangerous encounters to city council. “I’ve been in situations where I knock on the door three or four times, and if they don’t answer, I open the door,” Layune said. “I’ve seen men nude, masturbating, and it’s very uncomfortable. And it’s not just that, personally, they’ve asked me, 'come here, touch me’ and they offer me money.”However, some hotels within city limits have already rolled out panic buttons. “For all of our staff who are up on the guest floors, we make sure that they have this option, so they have a chance to ask for help if they need it,” said Dustin Dietel with Hyatt Regency Sacramento. “It emits a high-frequency that deters anybody up to no good, but also gives signal to others nearby that help is needed.”Hyatt is among 17 major hotel chains that committed to panic buttons at all properties by 2020, according to the American Hotel and Lodging Association. Other brands include Marriott, Best Western, Hilton, Four Seasons and Radisson. The California Hotel and Lodging Association also voiced support for the city ordinance. However, they want it to also apply to hotels and motels smaller than 25 rooms. “I don’t have any rational belief, and actually would say it could go the other way, in terms of those housekeepers being any more safe than a housekeeper at a larger property,” said Lynne Mohrfeld with the CHLA. If city council approves the ordinance, Guerra said it will likely take effect Jan. 1.