Senate panel hears bill to ban latex gloves in Nevada restaurants, medical settings

Senator Jeff Stone opened the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services hearing on Senate Bill 184 on March 3, 2025, proposing a statewide prohibition on the use of latex gloves in food establishments and specified medical facilities to reduce the risk of latex-allergic reactions.

Supporters, including Lisa Kramer of Minden and callers with latex allergies, described severe life disruptions from repeated latex exposure and urged legislative action. Kramer said repeated exposures have made ordinary activities — from wearing elastic-waist clothing to eating at restaurants — difficult, and recounted a reaction after strawberries were harvested with latex gloves. "This bill means everything to me," she told the committee. Lindsay Carr, calling in, described frequent medical care and said the bill would reduce the burden of repeatedly asking medical staff about latex-containing products.

Senator Stone described the bill as aimed at reducing allergic reactions after peer-reviewed and occupational-health literature showed elevated rates of latex sensitivity among healthcare workers. He said the bill would require food establishments to ensure employees do not use latex gloves, authorize health authorities to suspend food permits for violations, and make violations misdemeanors. In medical settings, Section 2 would require covered facilities to ensure employees, contractors and volunteers do not use latex; sections 5–7 and 9 provide administrative and civil enforcement; section 4 lists exemptions for certain facilities (including those operated by religious denominations and U.S. government facilities); and section 8 prohibits health-care providers from using latex gloves where care is provided and defines terms used in the bill. Stone proposed three amendments limiting the scope to gloves (not implements), allowing a health-care professional exemption when clinically necessary, and permitting the HHS director to stay the prohibition for 120 days during national shortages, renewable in 120‑day increments.

Opponents included the Nevada Restaurant Association, represented by Peter Saba, and the Energy and Convenience Association of Nevada, represented by Charley de la Paz. Saba said restaurants already accommodate allergies, argued there is no Nevada-specific data showing severe reactions caused by latex gloves in restaurants, and proposed disclosure on menus or signage instead of a ban. De la Paz cited existing state food-safety statutes and warned the bill would add costs and regulatory complexity for convenience stores and food vendors. The Nevada Hospital Association, hospital representatives Blaine Osborne and Lisonbee Herzik, and other health-care stakeholders testified in neutral or said the sponsor’s amendments addressed their principal concerns.

Committee members pressed the sponsor on prevalence, costs and precedent. Senator Titus raised whether banning latex sets a precedent for banning other allergens; Lisa Kramer and Senator Stone replied that latex differs because it is present in gloves and several common contact points, can be transferred to food, and some affected people do not know they are sensitized until exposed. Stone cited multiple figures in his testimony (he referenced studies and visitor counts) and said many restaurants and hospitals have already moved to non-latex gloves. Senator Taylor and others asked about the economic impact; Stone and several health-care witnesses said alternatives (nitrile, polyethylene, vinyl) are FDA‑approved and widely available, though committee members noted higher per-box costs in some procurement channels.

No formal vote was taken. The committee received written and verbal exhibits, and the sponsor closed by urging committee support to make Nevada the next state to restrict latex gloves in these settings.

Votes at a glance: none — the hearing was informational; no motion or final action was recorded.