Signed by Governor Dave Heineman

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits smoking in public places and places of employment.

Highlights:

- Exempts guest rooms and suites that are designated as smoking areas, research facilities, and tobacco retail outlets from the smoking ban (Sec. 15). - Prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who report violations [sec. 17 (2)]. - Allows the Department of Health and Human Services to suspend provisions of this act if public health and safety requirements are still met [sec. 17 (3)]. - Finds that first time violators are guilty of a class V misdemeanor, and subsequent violators are guilty of a class IV misdemeanor [sec. 18 (1)]. - Allows individuals charged under this act to undergo a smoking cessation program approved by the Department of Health and Human Services to have the charge dismissed [sec. 18 (1)]. - Finds that business owners who fail to enforce the law are guilty of a class V misdemeanor for the first offense, and a class IV misdemeanor for all subsequent violations [sec. 18 (2)]. - Establishes the effective date of the bill as June 1, 2009 (Sec. 20).

Full Bill Text