SENATE LABOR COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2478

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 12, 2020

      The Senate Labor Committee reports favorably Senate Bill, No. 2478.

      The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the closure of casinos and hotels across the State to protect the public and employees during the public health emergency.  This bill sets sanitization standards and protocols for casino operators in the State to promote public health and keep employees and guests safe when operations at casinos and hotels resume.

      Under the bill, the Department of Health will establish written cleaning standards designed to reduce the transmission of the virus.  The standards will be implemented and maintained by the operators.  The standards will provide for the timely and consistent disinfection of porous and non-porous surfaces using EPA-registered disinfectant products.  The cleaning standards will, at a minimum, include highcontact areas, guest rooms, public areas, front desks, elevators, restrooms, dining and bar facilities, meeting rooms, kitchen and food preparation areas, non-public areas, fitness centers, laundry, casino floors, and employee dining rooms.  Copies of the cleaning standards will be posted conspicuously on bulletin boards where employees commonly receive information from operators.

      The department will also establish control measures to reduce potential transmission of the virus and promote public health through social distancing and other safety measures.  Such measures will include implementing social distancing protocols for employees and guests, ensuring easy access to alcohol-based hand sanitizer and N95 masks, and scheduling employees in teams.  Signage will be placed throughout the establishments to encourage guests to practice social distancing and safe sanitary practices.  Signage will also be placed regarding contactless tipping to further minimize contact between guests and employees.

      To monitor and respond to instances and potential instances of COVID-19 among employees or guests, the department will establish a written response plan.  Among other things, the plan will designate key persons responsible for overseeing on-site enforcement of the plan, require antibody tests for all employees, and require daily contactless temperature checks of all employees.  Employees who believe they cannot safely return to work will remain on layoff with pay.  The measures also provide steps for employees and guests who report a diagnosis or symptoms of COVID-19.  The response plan will also be posted conspicuously on bulletin boards where employees commonly receive information from operators.  Training will be required for all managerial and non-managerial employees.  The training will cover COVID-19, the prevention of COVID-19, and the cleaning standards and response plan in this bill. 

The training will be conducted remotely.

      No operator, manager, or other person will take adverse action against any employee for opposing any provision of the bill.  The department will have the authority to enforce the bill.  The department will enforce fines against operators for any violations of this bill.

      The department will issue a report to the Legislature within six months of the effective date of the bill on the initial implementation and effectiveness of the provisions of the bill.  A second report will be issued within six months of the first report.  Each subsequent report will be issued annually thereafter.