AB 406 requires public schools to post mental health resources online and hold quarterly mental health education assemblies for students. It bans public schools from using artificial intelligence to perform counseling duties related to student mental health and prohibits unlicensed individuals from claiming expertise in mental or behavioral health care. The bill also deems absences for mental health reasons (including bullying, bereavement, or mental distress) as approved, credits these absences toward attendance requirements, and prevents denial of credit/promotion for students meeting academic standards despite such absences. These changes directly affect public school students, staff, and mental health providers in Nevada.
SB 21 expands Nevada’s Outdoor Education and Recreation Grant Program to fund both school-based outdoor programs and public recreational infrastructure projects. It now allows grants for pupil-focused outdoor facilities and activities that improve access to nature, while also supporting public programs promoting health, resource stewardship, or the outdoor recreation economy. The bill requires programs for students to prioritize those from disadvantaged backgrounds or at risk of academic failure, with specific criteria for curriculum quality and community partnerships. These changes update existing grant rules without altering funding sources or creating new taxes.
AB 139 appropriates $15 million from the State General Fund to Nevada's Department of Education to fund dual credit programs for eligible high school students. It provides grants covering student fees and instructional materials for pupils facing financial hardship - including first-generation college students, those from underserved communities, or households receiving public assistance or free/reduced lunch. The bill prohibits restrictions on program locations, subject areas, or instructor choices, requiring schools to report on expenditures, student enrollment, graduation rates, and college enrollment by 2026-2027. Funds must be spent by June 30, 2027, with unspent balances reverted to the state by September 17, 2027. This directly supports low-income high school students in accessing college courses while enrolled in public schools.
AB 247 requires public meetings to provide sign language interpreters and real-time captioning services to accommodate people who are deaf or hard of hearing. It also mandates that all new public buildings (designed on or after July 1, 2025) include equipment and software for real-time captioning. The bill adds American Sign Language (ASL) as an official foreign language course in Nevada public schools and directs the Department of Education to study the need for a specialized school for deaf or hard-of-hearing students. These changes directly affect public meeting attendees, building designers, school curriculum developers, and state education officials.
AB 501 allows Nevada school districts and charter schools to award elective credit toward high school graduation for students who complete approved outdoor recreational activities outside school hours. These activities must involve significant outdoor time and teach specific skills like identifying native plants, trail building, habitat restoration, or outdoor survival. Schools must set limits on credit earned, establish application rules, and obtain parental consent, but the bill does not require schools to fund or sponsor such activities. The policy applies only to elective credits and does not alter core graduation requirements.
AB 289 authorizes Nevada's Board of Regents to establish a required financial literacy course within the Nevada System of Higher Education, which includes the University of Nevada. This bill directly affects public universities in Nevada by giving the Board of Regents the authority to create such a course of study. The key provision adds language to Nevada law allowing the Board to prescribe financial literacy as part of the curriculum. The bill was signed into law by the Governor on June 5, 2025, and became Chapter 284.
SB 248 requires every public school in Nevada to create and maintain an electronic, publicly accessible list of all print and digital materials in its library and used in classroom curricula. The list must include each item's title, author, unique book code (ISBN), and be searchable and downloadable on the school's website. It covers all books, digital resources, and instructional materials used in teaching, but excludes academic tests and audiovisual content. This bill directly affects all public schools by mandating greater transparency about educational resources available to students and families.
SB 131 requires Nevada schools to implement age-appropriate human trafficking prevention education for students in grades 6-12 as part of health courses. The bill mandates the Department of Education to develop curriculum standards and training plans for school staff, along with materials for parents about the instruction. Schools must ensure at least one employee per school receives training on human trafficking prevention, and parents can opt their child out of the instruction (except for graduation-required courses). The law also specifies content for the curriculum, including trafficking prevalence, risk reduction strategies, and safe reporting methods, while requiring annual review of the standards. This directly affects public and charter school students, educators, and families in Nevada.
AB 138 requires Nevada's state education department to create age-appropriate curriculum standards for teaching students in kindergarten through 12th grade about recognizing and preventing sexual abuse, expanding existing personal safety education to explicitly include this topic. The bill mandates that school districts implement this instruction as part of required health classes, including specific elements like identifying abuse indicators, steps for victims to seek help, and available counseling resources. It also requires schools to develop training for staff, provide parent materials, and establish referral protocols for abuse incidents. This bill directly affects all public K-12 schools in Nevada and their students, with the state education department responsible for annual review of the standards.
SB 229 lowers the grade point average requirement for Nevada students to earn a high school diploma with a "State Seal of Financial Literacy" from 3.25 to 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. It expands the age range for required financial literacy instruction from grades 3-12 to include kindergarten through grade 12. The bill also revises how students demonstrate proficiency, allowing options like scoring 85% on a state assessment or completing approved career-technical exams instead of the previous ACT certificate requirement. These changes directly affect all Nevada public school students in grades K-12 and require school districts and charter schools to implement updated curriculum and professional development.
