The Washoe County School District released a statement after Nevada lawmakers voted to shield certain industries from virus-related legal liability and require hotels, resorts and casinos enact virus-prevention measures
Senate Bill 4 ensures businesses can reopen safely without worrying about potential lawsuits.
The combined worker protection-liability protection bill passed with convincing majorities, although members of neither party were satisfied with the final proposal.
It grants legal immunity to most businesses, nonprofits and government agencies from coronavirus-related lawsuits as long as they follow health standards set by local, state and federal authorities and don’t exhibit “gross negligence.”
It now heads to Gov. Steve Sisolak, who is expected to sign it.
WCSD released this statement:
The 32nd Special Session adjourned this week, where lawmakers passed several bills including Senate Bill 4 (SB4). This legislation provides additional liability protections for nearly all businesses and local governments. The original bill included school districts, but ultimately, districts were removed from the bill.
While the Washoe County School District (WCSD) had hoped to be included in the additional protections, the district continues to operate under the same legal framework that was in place before the Special Session began. Student and staff safety are always at the forefront of our decision-making process, and we intend to follow all pertinent health and safety guidelines as we work to reopen for the 2020-2021 school year.
Original Story: Nevada lawmakers are considering a bill that would establish protocols and change liabilities with regards to the pandemic.
Senate Bill 4 passed the Senate in a vote of 16 to 5 and is being considered by the Assembly.
It would remove schools from liability protections for sickness or death from the result of exposure to COVID-19.
It also establishes requirements for health districts in larger counties including Washoe to conduct inspections of public places.
The health district says it would put a greater burden on their limited resources. "It does require us to do inspections and enforcement and respond to complaints at public accommodations and resort properties. It's just another burden being placed upon the health district when we're already overextended on our response to COVID-19,” says Kevin Dick.
