Existing law prescribes periods for rest and meals for employees during work hours. (NRS 608.019) Section 2 of this bill clarifies that these periods for rest and meals apply to an agricultural employee. Existing law authorizes wages and compensation to include lodging and meals under certain circumstances and prohibits the lodging and meals from being valued more than certain amounts for purposes of computing the wages and compensation. Existing law, however, exempts agricultural employees from these prohibitions on the computable value of the lodging and meals. (NRS 608.154, 608.155) Sections 3 and 4 of this bill remove these exemptions for agricultural employees, thereby providing that the prohibitions on the computable value of lodging and meals apply to agricultural employees. Section 1.3 of this bill defines the term “agricultural employee” for the purposes of this bill. Sections 1.7, 4.3 and 4.7 of this bill make conforming changes related to the applicability of the definition contained in section 1.3. Existing law also prohibits various employment practices. (Chapter 613 of NRS) Sections 6-20 of this bill establish the Agricultural Workers' Bill of Rights. Section 9 defines “agricultural worker” as a worker engaged in certain agriculture or farming services or activities described in section 203(f) of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Section 11 entitles an agricultural worker who lives in housing provided by an agricultural employer to reasonable access for visitors. Section 12 entitles an agricultural worker to reasonable access to key service providers at certain times during working hours. Section 14 prohibits persons from taking certain actions that restrict the ability of an agricultural worker to enter or leave the residence of the agricultural worker. Additionally, section 15, with certain exceptions, prohibits certain conduct related to weeding or thinning by hand or using a short-handed hoe in a stooped, kneeling or squatting position. Section 16 requires agricultural employers to post certain notices related to the provisions established in sections 11-15. Section 17 requires agricultural employers, during periods of emergency or disaster, to: (1) meet certain requirements related to housing provided to agricultural workers; and (2) supply certain information to the agricultural workers. Section 19 authorizes agricultural workers to organize and form collective bargaining units. Section 20 establishes a civil remedy for certain persons who are aggrieved by violations of the Agricultural Workers' Bill of Rights.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 608.018, 608.019, 608.154, 608.155
Reprint 1: 608.007, 608.019, 608.154, 608.155, 608.180, 608.195
Reprint 2: 608.007, 608.019, 608.154, 608.155, 608.180, 608.195
Reprint 3: 608.007, 608.019, 608.154, 608.155, 608.180, 608.195
BDR: 608.018, 608.019, 608.154, 608.155