HF 2285 (LSB 5939YH (4) 86)

HOUSE FILE 2285

BY  RUNNING-MARQUARDT

A BILL FOR

An Act requiring the racing and gaming commission to conduct a study on the impact on employees of allowing smoking in casinos.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  RACING AND GAMING COMMISSION —— STUDY.
   1.  The state racing and gaming commission shall conduct a study concerning the impact of the exemption for the gaming floor of a premises licensed pursuant to chapter 99F from Iowa’s smokefree air Act, chapter 142D, on the health and safety of employees employed at a gambling structure, excursion gambling boat, or racetrack enclosure.
   2.  In conducting the study, the commission shall do all of the following:
   a.  Survey employees who have been employed at a gambling structure, excursion gambling boat, or racetrack enclosure over the last twenty-five years and since the enactment of Iowa’s smokefree air Act to determine, for each applicable period of time, the percentage of employees surveyed who have contracted respiratory illness or retired or changed jobs due to a medical condition developed while employed, and to determine the average yearly health care costs for employees surveyed.
   b.  Compare data received pursuant to paragraph “a” to data or surveys of employees in this state who have been employed at businesses that are not exempt from Iowa’s smokefree air Act over the last twenty-five years and since the enactment of Iowa’s smokefree air Act to determine, for each applicable period of time, the information described in paragraph “a” for such employees.
   c.  Examine the effectiveness of ventilation systems utilized by gambling game licensees and health and safety consequences to employees as a result of exposure to smoke.
   3.  The commission shall submit a written report on its findings to the general assembly by December 1, 2016.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with

the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill requires the racing and gaming commission to conduct a study on the impact of the exemption for the gaming floor of a premises licensed pursuant to Code chapter 99F from Iowa’s smokefree air Act, Code chapter 142D, on the health and safety of employees at those licensed premises. The racing and gaming commission shall submit a written report on its findings to the general assembly by December 1, 2016.