Housemaid opening the door to the room for cleaning

A new bill, Senate Bill 360 (SB360), known as the Hotel Safety Act, has been introduced in the Nevada Legislature, proposing to mandate daily room cleaning and inspections at hotels in Clark and Washoe counties. The bill, introduced by Republican State Sen. Lori Rogich, has garnered the support of the Culinary Union.

The legislation stems from policies implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, when daily room cleaning became a standard practice to ensure guest safety. As the pandemic's severity decreased, some hotels began to reduce or eliminate daily cleaning services, prompting the Culinary Union to advocate for its continuation.

SB360 aims to codify daily room cleaning into state law, requiring hotels with more than 200 guest rooms or suites to provide this service. The bill also grants hotels the authority to conduct room inspections at least every two days during a guest's stay, regardless of the guest's preference, to ensure safety.

The Culinary Union, which strongly supports the bill, emphasizes the importance of protecting the health and safety of guest room attendants. The union's endorsement comes after they withdrew support from Democrats in the previous legislative session when the daily cleaning requirement was relaxed.

In addition to mandating cleaning and inspections, SB360 includes provisions to protect hotel workers from retaliation for reporting safety concerns or issues discovered during room inspections.

This legislation highlights the ongoing tension between labor unions and the hospitality industry regarding cleaning standards and worker protections. It also reflects the lasting impact of the pandemic on hygiene protocols in high-traffic environments. The bill's emphasis on mandatory inspections underscores the focus on maintaining safety standards and addressing potential hazards in hotel rooms.

This news is relevant to the commercial cleaning industry as it demonstrates the influence of legislative actions and labor unions on cleaning standards within the hospitality sector. It also emphasizes the importance of worker safety and the evolving expectations for hygiene in public accommodations.