1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, before any person, firm or corporation commences work under any contract with the State or any political subdivision thereof, or a metropolitan police department, the contractor shall furnish to the state agency, political subdivision or metropolitan police department having charge of the letting of the contract a certificate of the insurer certifying that the contractor has complied with the provisions of this chapter. A state agency, political subdivision or metropolitan police department may furnish coverage under this chapter for a contractor as specified in the contract.

2. In lieu of furnishing a certificate of an insurer pursuant to the provisions of subsection 1, a sole proprietor who does not use the services of his or her employees, if any, in the performance of a contract with the State or any political subdivision thereof, or a metropolitan police department, may submit to a state agency, political subdivision or metropolitan police department an affidavit indicating that the sole proprietor:

(a) In accordance with the provisions of NRS 617.225, has not elected to be included within the terms, conditions and provisions of this chapter; and

(b) Is otherwise in compliance with those terms, conditions and provisions.

3. If a sole proprietor submits an affidavit specified in subsection 2 to a state agency, political subdivision or metropolitan police department specified in subsection 1, the state agency, political subdivision or metropolitan police department shall not require the sole proprietor to obtain coverage for himself or herself under this chapter during any period in which the sole proprietor performs work under the contract for which he or she submitted the affidavit.

4. A state agency, political subdivision or metropolitan police department that lets a contract to a sole proprietor pursuant to subsection 1:

(a) Shall be deemed not to be the employer of the sole proprietor or the employees of the sole proprietor, if any; and

(b) Is not liable as a principal contractor to the sole proprietor or the employees of the sole proprietor, if any, for any compensation or other damages as a result of an industrial injury or occupational disease incurred in the performance of the contract.

[20:44:1947; 1943 NCL § 2800.20] — (NRS A 1981, 1500; 1985, 665; 1993, 550; 2001, 611)