NEVADA STATE LAWS
LAW CONFIRMATION
Senate Bill 165 — Behavioral Health and Wellness Practitioners
Law: SB 165 / Chapter 379, Statutes of Nevada 2025
Official Title: An Act relating to behavioral health; providing for the licensure and regulation of behavioral health and wellness practitioners; requiring the establishment of a Behavioral Health and Wellness Practitioner Advisory Group; authorizing the Board of Psychological Examiners to investigate and impose discipline on a behavioral health and wellness practitioner; prohibiting the unlicensed practice of behavioral health promotion and prevention; establishing a privilege for certain confidential communications; requiring Medicaid to cover certain behavioral health promotion and prevention services; providing penalties; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Status: Approved by Governor Joe Lombardo on June 6, 2025.
Effective Date: Major provisions became effective January 1, 2026; additional provisions became effective July 1, 2026.
Primary Source: Nevada Legislature.
LAW SUMMARY
WHAT IT DOES
Creates a state licensing framework for behavioral health and wellness practitioners.
Establishes a Behavioral Health and Wellness Practitioner Advisory Group.
Prohibits people from practicing behavioral-health promotion and prevention without the required authorization.
Gives the Board of Psychological Examiners authority to investigate and discipline practitioners.
Establishes confidentiality protections for certain communications between patients and behavioral health and wellness practitioners.
Requires Nevada Medicaid to cover specified behavioral-health promotion and prevention services provided by qualified practitioners.
Establishes penalties for violations.
Cost to taxpayers/employers:
The law creates licensing, regulatory, and administrative responsibilities for the state. It also requires Medicaid coverage of specified services, which can affect state Medicaid expenditures.
Who it affects:
Behavioral-health practitioners, patients, Medicaid recipients, health-care organizations, professional licensing boards, and the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services.
Who sponsored/initiated it:
SB 165 was sponsored by Senators Roberta Lange, Dallas Harris, and Rochelle Nguyen, with Assemblymember sponsors also listed in the legislative record.
Who opposed/concerns raised:
I could not verify a single unified opposition position from the official legislative record, so I will not attribute specific concerns to all opponents.
✅ PROS
Creates a formal regulatory structure for behavioral-health promotion and prevention.
Establishes professional standards and disciplinary authority.
Expands access to qualifying behavioral-health services through Medicaid.
Provides confidentiality protections for certain patient communications.
Gives consumers clearer information about who is authorized to provide these services.
❌ CONS
Creates additional licensing and compliance requirements.
Practitioners must meet state requirements to provide covered services.
Medicaid coverage creates additional program responsibilities and potential costs.
The new regulatory structure may increase administrative work for providers and state agencies.
WHAT IT DOES
SB 165 establishes licensing and regulation for behavioral health and wellness practitioners, creates an advisory group, prohibits unlicensed practice, and requires Medicaid to cover specified behavioral-health promotion and prevention services provided by qualified practitioners. Major provisions took effect January 1, 2026, with additional provisions taking effect July 1, 2026.
WHY THIS MATTERS TO YOU
If you are a Nevada resident seeking behavioral-health services, this law establishes a clearer regulatory framework for practitioners providing these services. If you are a practitioner, it creates new licensing and professional requirements.
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY
SB 165 expands Nevada's behavioral-health system by creating a regulated practitioner category and Medicaid coverage for qualifying services, while adding professional licensing and oversight requirements.
LAW CONFIRMATION
Assembly Bill 533 — Public-School Open Enrollment Transportation Grants
Law: AB 533 / Chapter 486, Statutes of Nevada 2025
Official Title: An Act relating to education; authorizing a pupil to attend a public school outside the zone of attendance the pupil is otherwise required to attend in certain circumstances; requiring the Department of Education to establish a program to award grants of money for the purpose of providing transportation to such pupils; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Status: Approved by Governor Joe Lombardo on June 10, 2025.
Effective Date: July 1, 2026 for the primary provisions. Preparatory provisions became effective upon passage and approval.
Primary Source: Nevada Legislature.
LAW SUMMARY
WHAT IT DOES
Allows certain students to attend a public school outside their normal attendance zone.
Establishes circumstances under which a student may attend another public school.
Requires the Nevada Department of Education to establish a transportation-grant program.
Provides grants intended to help transport qualifying students to schools outside their normal attendance zones.
Creates a state framework for supporting transportation associated with this expanded school choice.
Cost to taxpayers/employers:
The transportation-grant program requires state funding. School districts may also experience additional transportation and administrative costs, although the law provides grants for qualifying transportation expenses.
Who it affects:
Nevada students and parents, public schools, school districts, the Nevada Department of Education, and school transportation providers.
Who sponsored/initiated it:
AB 533 was introduced by the Assembly Committee on Education.
Who opposed/concerns raised:
I could not verify a reliable official source establishing a unified opposition position, so I will not present an unverified list of objections.
✅ PROS
Gives qualifying students additional public-school options.
Can help families access schools outside their normal attendance zones.
Provides transportation funding to make the option more practical.
May improve access to schools that better meet a student's educational needs.
❌ CONS
Creates additional transportation costs for the state and participating school districts.
School districts may need to adjust transportation planning and capacity.
Moving students between attendance zones can create administrative challenges.
Grant funding may not cover every transportation cost in every situation.
WHAT IT DOES
AB 533 allows qualifying Nevada students to attend a public school outside their regular attendance zone and requires the Department of Education to create grants to help provide transportation for those students. The main provisions take effect July 1, 2026.
WHY THIS MATTERS TO YOU
If you have a school-age child in Nevada, this law may give your child additional public-school options outside the school's normal attendance zone, with state-supported transportation assistance in qualifying situations.
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY
AB 533 expands certain public-school choice options in Nevada and pairs that option with a state transportation-grant program designed to make attending a school outside the normal attendance zone more accessible.
LAW CONFIRMATION
Law or Bill: AB 221
Official Title: An Act relating to health care; exempting certain offices of physicians or other health care facilities from certain permitting requirements relating to anesthesia and sedation
Effective Date: October 1, 2025
Primary Sources: Nevada Legislature – AB 221; Legislative tracking records (LegiScan – AB 221)
LAW SUMMARY
What it does:
• Exempts certain physician offices and healthcare facilities from specific state permit requirements when administering anesthesia or sedation to dental patients.
• Updates Nevada health facility licensing rules involving sedation and anesthesia procedures.
Cost to taxpayers or employers: NOT SPECIFIED IN PUBLIC RECORDS
Who it affects: Physicians, dentists, outpatient healthcare facilities, healthcare administrators, and patients receiving dental sedation services in Nevada
Who sponsored or initiated it: Nevada Assemblymember Rebecca Edgeworth.
Who opposed it or concerns raised: No major formal opposition recorded in final legislative votes. The bill passed unanimously in both chambers.
✅ PROS
• Reduces permit requirements for qualifying healthcare facilities
• May simplify administrative licensing for providers
• Clarifies sedation and anesthesia rules under Nevada law
❌ CONS
• Could reduce some layers of regulatory review
• May require providers to update compliance policies
• Could create interpretation questions for qualifying facilities
WHAT IT DOES
• Exempts certain physician offices and healthcare facilities from specific anesthesia and sedation permit requirements.
• Updates licensing rules for facilities providing sedation to dental patients.
WHY THIS MATTERS TO YOU
• If you operate a medical or dental practice → this means your facility may qualify for fewer permit requirements
• If you receive sedation during dental treatment → this means your provider may operate under updated facility rules
• Because the law changes permit requirements → this changes how certain healthcare offices are regulated
• If you manage healthcare compliance → this means licensing and procedural requirements may need review
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
Nevada AB 221 updates healthcare licensing rules by exempting certain physician offices and facilities from specific anesthesia and sedation permit requirements starting October 2025.
LAW CONFIRMATION
Law or Bill: AB 221
Official Title: An Act Relating to Health Care (Anesthesia/Sedation Permit Requirements)
Effective Date: July 1, 2025
Primary Sources: Nevada Legislature – AB 221
LAW SUMMARY
What it does:
• Removes the requirement for certain medical offices to obtain multiple permits when providing anesthesia or sedation.
• Allows qualified providers (such as those licensed as both physician and dentist) to avoid duplicate permitting requirements.
Cost to taxpayers or employers: NOT SPECIFIED IN PUBLIC RECORDS
Who it affects: Physicians, dentists, healthcare facilities, and regulatory agencies in Nevada
Who sponsored or initiated it: Nevada Legislature
Who opposed it or concerns raised: No major opposition detailed in official bill text; general concerns may relate to regulatory oversight
✅ PROS
• Reduces duplicate licensing requirements
• Simplifies regulatory process for providers
• Improves administrative efficiency in healthcare settings
❌ CONS
• May reduce oversight layers in certain cases
• Requires regulatory adjustments by state agencies
• Could create interpretation challenges in enforcement
WHAT IT DOES
• Removes duplicate permit requirements for certain providers offering anesthesia or sedation.
• Allows qualified professionals to operate under a single permitting framework.
WHY THIS MATTERS TO YOU
• If you are a healthcare provider → this means you may not need multiple permits for the same service
• If you are both a physician and dentist → this means you can avoid duplicate licensing requirements
• Because the law removes duplicate permits → this changes how anesthesia services are regulated
• If you receive care → this means providers may have fewer administrative steps to offer services
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
Nevada AB 221 removes duplicate permitting requirements for anesthesia services, simplifying regulations for certain healthcare providers.
LAW CONFIRMATION
Law or Bill: AB 221
Official Title: Health Care Affordability and Quality Act
Effective Date: July 1, 2026
Primary Sources: Nevada Legislature – AB 221 enrolled bill text
LAW SUMMARY
What it does: Creates a new state oversight system to monitor and control health care costs, set spending targets, and improve quality.
Cost to taxpayers or employers: NOT SPECIFIED IN PUBLIC RECORDS; implementation may involve new administrative costs.
Who it affects: Health care providers, insurers, employers, and patients.
Who sponsored or initiated it: NOT SPECIFIED IN PUBLIC RECORDS
Who opposed it or concerns raised: Some provider groups raised concerns about state control over costs and care decisions.
✅ PROS
• Aims to reduce overall health care spending growth
• Encourages quality improvements
• Brings cost transparency
❌ CONS
• Implementation costs may be high
• Could increase administrative burden for providers
• Possible resistance from insurers
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
Nevada will implement a health care cost oversight program beginning July 2026.
LAW CONFIRMATION
Law or Bill: SB 41
Official Title: Minimum Wage Increase Act
Effective Date: July 1, 2026
Primary Sources: Nevada Legislature – SB 41 enrolled bill text
LAW SUMMARY
What it does: Increases Nevada’s statewide minimum wage in steps, targeting a rate up to about $14/hour by mid-2026.
Cost to taxpayers or employers: NOT SPECIFIED IN PUBLIC RECORDS; employers will pay higher wages.
Who it affects: Workers earning minimum wage and their employers.
Who sponsored or initiated it: NOT SPECIFIED IN PUBLIC RECORDS
Who opposed it or concerns raised: Some business groups raised concerns about wage costs and pricing.
✅ PROS
• Raises wages for low-income workers
• Helps workers keep pace with inflation
• Applies statewide
❌ CONS
• Higher labor costs for employers
• Potential impact on small businesses
• Could lead to increased prices
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
Nevada’s minimum wage rises further in July 2026, boosting earnings for low-wage workers.
LAW CONFIRMATION
Law or Bill: SB 322
Official Title: Nevada Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program
Effective Date: January 1, 2026
Primary Sources: Nevada Legislature – SB 322 enrolled bill text
LAW SUMMARY
What it does: Establishes requirements for building and supporting EV charging infrastructure across the state. May include funding mechanisms and grid support rules.
Cost to taxpayers or employers: NOT SPECIFIED IN PUBLIC RECORDS; EV infrastructure programs may involve state or private investment.
Who it affects: Electric vehicle owners, infrastructure developers, and utilities.
Who sponsored or initiated it: NOT SPECIFIED IN PUBLIC RECORDS
Who opposed it or concerns raised: Some concerns about implementation costs and coordination with local governments.
✅ PROS
• Expands electric vehicle charging access
• Supports cleaner transportation
• Encourages EV adoption
❌ CONS
• Implementation and funding may be costly
• Requires coordination across jurisdictions
• Utility grid challenges may arise
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
Nevada begins implementing EV infrastructure requirements starting January 2026 to support transportation electrification.
LAW CONFIRMATION
Law or Bill: Assembly Bill 4
Official Title: Nevada Safe Streets and Neighborhoods Act
Effective Date: January 1, 2026
Primary Sources: Nevada Governor’s Office press release; statewide reporting on 2026 effective laws
LAW SUMMARY
What it does: Revises various criminal justice and public safety statutes, including sentencing provisions and enforcement standards aimed at reducing repeat offenses and addressing certain violent and property crimes.
Cost to taxpayers or employers: May increase state and local enforcement and incarceration costs depending on implementation. No single statewide fiscal total is publicly summarized.
Who it affects: Defendants, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, courts, and communities across Nevada.
Who sponsored or initiated it: Nevada Legislature; signed by Governor.
Who opposed it or concerns raised: Debate centered on criminal sentencing policy, prison capacity, and long-term public safety impact.
✅ PROS
• Strengthens certain criminal penalties
• Expands public safety enforcement tools
• Applies statewide
❌ CONS
• Potential increase in incarceration costs
• Debate over effectiveness of sentencing changes
• Implementation burdens on courts and agencies
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
Nevada enacts broad public safety and sentencing reforms effective January 1, 2026.
LAW CONFIRMATION
Law or Bill: Assembly Bill 305
Official Title: An Act Relating to Fees for FMLA Certification Forms
Effective Date: January 1, 2026
Primary Sources: State legislative summaries of laws effective January 1, 2026
LAW SUMMARY
What it does: Limits or regulates fees charged for completing medical certification forms required under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Cost to taxpayers or employers: May reduce out-of-pocket costs for employees obtaining required medical certification forms. Compliance required for medical providers.
Who it affects: Employees seeking FMLA leave and medical providers completing certification forms in Nevada.
Who sponsored or initiated it: Nevada Legislature; signed by Governor.
Who opposed it or concerns raised: Some medical providers raised concerns about administrative cost recovery.
✅ PROS
• Reduces financial burden on employees seeking leave
• Standardizes certification fee practices
• Applies statewide
❌ CONS
• Potential administrative cost impact on providers
• Requires compliance monitoring
• May limit provider fee flexibility
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
Nevada caps or regulates FMLA medical certification fees starting January 1, 2026.
LAW CONFIRMATION
Law or Bill: Assembly Bill 376
Official Title: An Act Revising Provisions Governing Homeowners Insurance Coverage
Effective Date: January 1, 2026
Primary Sources: State legislative summaries of laws effective January 1, 2026
LAW SUMMARY
What it does: Allows or clarifies homeowners insurance policy provisions related to wildfire coverage exclusions and disclosure requirements.
Cost to taxpayers or employers: May affect insurance premiums and policy coverage options. Specific fiscal impact amounts are not publicly summarized.
Who it affects: Homeowners, insurers, and insurance agents in Nevada.
Who sponsored or initiated it: Nevada Legislature; signed by Governor.
Who opposed it or concerns raised: Concerns raised about insurance availability and wildfire risk coverage.
✅ PROS
• Clarifies insurance coverage terms
• Addresses wildfire risk policy structure
• Applies statewide
❌ CONS
• Possible coverage exclusions for wildfire damage
• Potential premium changes
• Consumer understanding challenges
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
Nevada updates homeowners insurance rules related to wildfire coverage beginning January 1, 2026.
AB 527 — SCHOOL BUS “STOP-ARM” CAMERAS
Statute / Bill: AB 527 (2025)
Effective: July 1, 2025. (KSNV)
Primary Sources: Nevada Legislature bill page & enrolled text; statewide news explainer. (Nevada Legislature)
What it does (5th-grade level): Lets school districts put cameras on school bus stop signs to catch cars that don’t stop. Police must review the video before a ticket is sent. No driver’s license points, just a citation. (Nevada Legislature)
Cost to taxpayers / employers: Systems can be paid with fine revenue and vendor contracts; minimal state cost. (School Transportation News)
Who it helps / affects
Helps: Kids getting on/off buses; families and bus drivers.
Affects: Drivers who pass stopped school buses (they’ll get ticketed). (KSNV)
Who sponsored / supported vs. who opposed
Sponsor: Assembly Growth & Infrastructure (committee introduction).
Support/Opposition: Safety advocates supportive; some civil-liberty/driver groups wary of automated enforcement. (LegiScan)
✅ PROS
Safer bus stops; clear rules; police review adds fairness.
❌ CONS
Cameras raise privacy/accuracy concerns; fines can hit lower-income drivers.
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
Nevada okayed bus stop-arm cameras starting July 1, 2025—aiming to keep kids safe, with tickets (not points) for violators. (KSNV)
SB 201 — RELIGIOUS/CULTURAL ITEMS ON DOORS & WINDOWS
Statute / Bill: SB 201 (2025)
Effective: July 1, 2025 (associations/landlords must update their rules by Oct 1, 2025). (Nevada Legislature)
Primary Sources: Legislature bill text & overview; local coverage. (Nevada Legislature)
What it does (5th-grade level): HOAs and landlords can’t ban small religious or cultural displays (like a mezuzah or toran) on doors/windows. The allowed size is up to 1 foot by 3 feet; obscene/unsafe items still not allowed. (Nevada Legislature)
Cost to taxpayers / employers: No state cost noted. (It’s a rights/permissions law.) (Nevada Legislature)
Who it helps / affects
Helps: Residents wanting to display modest religious/cultural items.
Affects: HOAs/landlords (must allow these displays). (Nevada Legislature)
Who sponsored / supported vs. who opposed
Sponsor: Senate (see bill history); faith-rights orgs backed it. Some HOAs raised rule-consistency concerns. (Nevada Legislature)
✅ PROS
Protects religious expression at home; clear size limits.
❌ CONS
HOAs lose some control over uniform appearance; possible disputes about what qualifies.
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
Nevadans can display small religious/cultural items on doors/windows statewide—faith expression protected, with size and safety limits. (Nevada Legislature)
AB 406 — “NO AI REPLACING SCHOOL COUNSELORS” (STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH)
Statute / Bill: AB 406 (2025)
Effective: July 1, 2025. (KSNV)
Primary Sources: Enrolled bill text (PDF) and committee exhibits/overview. (Nevada Legislature)
What it does (5th-grade level): Public schools cannot use AI to do the job of a counselor, psychologist, or social worker for students’ mental health. The state must write a policy on how school staff may use AI for non-therapy tasks (like paperwork or data). Puts rules on AI marketing/programming and bans unlicensed people/AI from acting like mental-health providers. (Nevada Legislature)
Cost to taxpayers / employers: Some admin cost to create policies and train staff; no big program spending. (Nevada Legislature)
Who it helps / affects
Helps: Students and families—real humans must handle mental-health care.
Affects: School districts, EdTech vendors (must follow the rules). (Nevada Legislature)
Who sponsored / supported vs. who opposed
Sponsor: Assembly (see bill record). Support: student-safety and counselor groups.
Concerns: EdTech/AI advocates about over-limits. (Nevada Legislature)
✅ PROS
Keeps human pros in charge of student mental health; sets guardrails for AI.
❌ CONS
Could slow useful AI tools; districts need time/training to comply.
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
Nevada says “No AI-as-counselor.” Students’ mental-health care must be handled by licensed people; AI can help with admin tasks under state policy. (Nevada Legislature)
SB 293 — COLLEGES MAY COMPENSATE STUDENT-ATHLETES (NIL / REVENUE SHARING)
Statute / Bill: SB 293 (2025)
Effective: July 1, 2025 (ties into national NIL/revenue-sharing changes). (LegiScan)
Primary Sources: Legislature minutes & trackers; local news coverage. (Nevada Legislature)
What it does (5th-grade level): Removes old state ban on colleges paying athletes. Lets Nevada colleges enter contracts with student-athletes for their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL); certain contract details are confidential. (LegiScan)
Cost to taxpayers / employers
State: minimal direct cost.
Universities: must budget for athlete payments; could shift athletics spending. (Follows national settlement allowing revenue sharing.) (CUPA-HR)
Who it helps / affects
Helps: Student-athletes (can get paid by their schools).
Affects: Colleges/athletic departments (new contracts, compliance). (LegiScan)
Who sponsored / supported vs. who opposed
Sponsor: Sen. Roberta Lange; supported by UNLV/NSHE stakeholders.
Concerns: fairness across sports, budget impacts. (Nevada Legislature)
✅ PROS
More fair pay to athletes; keeps Nevada schools competitive in recruiting.
❌ CONS
Complex budgets; may shift funds from non-revenue sports.
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
Starting July 1, 2025, Nevada colleges can pay athletes for NIL, aligning with national revenue-sharing—good for players, tricky for athletic budgets. (LegiScan)