NV Governor Approves Bill Removing COVID-19 Protocols For Public Accommodation Facilities!

Yesterday, Governor Lombardo approved Senate Bill 441 which removes the COVID-19 protocols imposed upon public accommodation facilities in Clark and Washoe counties during the pandemic. The Bill is now effective, and public accommodation facilities can officially stop following those protocols which were set forth in Nevada Revised Statutes 447.300-447.355. Those provisions of Nevada law have now been repealed and no longer exist.

This common-sense legislation was sponsored by Senator Marilyn Dondero Loop who explained that the public accommodation COVID-19 protocols “served [their] purpose but outlived [their] necessity.” Testimony further showed that the metrics for continuation of the COVID-19 protocols, set forth in NRS 447.325, are outdated and based upon data that is no longer gathered. The Nevada Resort Association testified in support of SB 441 as did several casino/hotels and the Las Vegas and Henderson Chambers of Commerce.

The Culinary Union and several other unions strenuously opposed SB 441, contending that the law was needed to protect daily room cleaning. The Culinary Union had no objection to the removal of the other requirements of the law but urged legislators to “step up” and support daily room cleaning. Fortunately, only 12 legislators voted against SB 441.

The passage and approval of SB 441 is extremely welcome news for public accommodation facilities that were greatly burdened by SB 4’s COVID-19 protocols, and KZA congratulates them. The discussion over daily room cleaning will certainly continue but can continue in its proper context – at the bargaining table and/or at the next legislative session in a bill that is unrelated to a national health emergency.

If you have questions about SB 441, please contact a KZA attorney. 

KZA Employer Report articles are for general information only; they are not intended and should not be construed to be legal advice. Reading or replying to such articles does not establish an attorney-client relationship. In addition, because the subject matters and applicable laws discussed in Employer Report articles are often in a state of change and not always applicable to every type of business entity or organization, readers should consult with counsel before making decisions based on the same.