Bill > SB172

This bill establishes the Agricultural Workers' Bill of Rights, which provides comprehensive protections and rights for agricultural workers in Nevada. The bill clarifies existing labor regulations by extending rest and meal period requirements to agricultural employees and removing previous exemptions regarding the valuation of lodging and meals. It defines an agricultural worker as someone engaged in services or activities described in the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, and introduces several key provisions: agricultural workers are entitled to reasonable access for visitors in employer-provided housing, access to key service providers like healthcare workers, teachers, and attorneys during work breaks, and protection from interference with their ability to enter or leave their residence. The bill also prohibits the use of short-handed hoes and certain manual weeding practices that require prolonged stooping or kneeling, requires agricultural employers to provide protective equipment like gloves and knee pads, and mandates special housing and informational requirements during public health emergencies. Additionally, the bill authorizes agricultural workers to form collective bargaining units and allows workers or key service providers to file civil actions for violations, with potential remedies including injunctive relief, damages, and attorney's fees. The provisions will become fully effective on October 1, 2025, with preparatory administrative tasks allowed to begin immediately.