The legislation also establishes protections for casino industry workers and outlines enhanced cleaning policies that large casino companies must follow, provisions the politically powerful Culinary Union has been long pushing for. Adolfo Fernandez, a Caesars Palace utility porter and Culinary Union member, died after contracting the virus in June.
Democratic Sen. Yvanna Cancela directly invoked Fernandez during a floor speech, saying it was incumbent upon lawmakers to ensure that hospitality employees are guaranteed high safety and protection standards that not only ensure their safety, but to also send a signal that the state’s tourism industry is following the highest standards.