Senate Bill 233 Summary

• Prohibits smoking in public places and places of employment effective July 1, 2010, with specified exceptions including private residences, up to 20% of hotel sleeping rooms, family-owned businesses, retail tobacco establishments, outdoor patios, and certain clubs.

• Requires proprietors to post "No Smoking" signs at entrances and conspicuous locations, remove ashtrays from prohibited areas, and prevent smoke migration through entrances, windows, and ventilation systems.

• Establishes the state department of health as enforcement agency with authority to adopt civil penalty schedules ranging from $100-$2,500 for violations, with doubled penalties for intentional violations and progressive penalties for repeat offenders.

• Prohibits employers from firing, refusing to hire, or retaliating against individuals for reporting violations or exercising rights under the law.

• Bans smoking on school buses during school weeks and within 24 hours before transporting minors, and allows local governments to adopt more restrictive ordinances than state law.