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SB 254 Nevada Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Establishes requirements relating to suspected substance use by a pupil. (BDR 34-592)

SB 254 requires Nevada schools to notify parents when a student shows signs of substance use, mandating an evidence-based policy from the Department of Education. The policy requires schools to administer a mental health/substance use screening questionnaire to the student, schedule a meeting with parents, the student, and staff, and file reports about observed behaviors. Public and private schools must comply with this policy, and staff must report suspected child abuse if a parent provides substances to the student. The bill also requires schools to provide redacted reports to the Legislature upon request and mandates data collection on the policy’s effectiveness. These provisions apply directly to Nevada schools, staff, parents, and students, with strict confidentiality protections for all records.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Last action Jun 3, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced → Reprint 1 · 8 edits
MODERATE
SB 254 was substantially rewritten to shift from a mandatory substance use notification policy to a voluntary model policy focused on behavioral, social, and emotional well-being. The bill now authorizes rather than requires schools to adopt the policy, removes mandatory meeting and reporting requirements, and eliminates unfunded mandate warnings. This change reduces administrative burdens on schools while maintaining support for student well-being through a more flexible framework.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from mandatory substance use notification to voluntary adoption of a broader well-being screening policy. Applicability now includes private schools through authorization rather than requirement, and the policy is developed collaboratively with mental health experts rather than unilaterally by the Department of Education.
REQUIREMENT

Changed from mandatory substance use notification policy to voluntary model policy for behavioral, social, and emotional well-being screening

Eliminated mandatory parent notification meetings and required filing of child abuse reports when substance use signs are observed

Deleted sections requiring data collection on policy implementation and redacted report provision to Legislature

Added requirement for scientifically validated tools and staff training resources for policy implementation

ELIGIBILITY

Changed from requiring public and private schools to comply to authorizing school districts, charter schools, and private schools to voluntarily adopt the policy

DEFINITION

Added requirement that policy be based on progressive system of support moving from universal screenings to individualized plans

FISCAL

Removed unfunded mandate warning and related fiscal impact language indicating local government concerns

TIMELINE

Removed July 1, 2026 deadline for policy adoption, allowing more flexible implementation timeline

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
5
Key actions
3
Committee
3
Apr 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
From printer. To engrossment. Engrossed. First reprint. To committee.
upper
Apr 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. Placed on Second Reading File. Read second time. Amended. (Amend. No. 421.) Notice of eligibility for exemption. Taken from General File. Re-referred to Committee on Finance. Exemption effective. To printer.
upper
Feb 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
From printer. To committee.
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.