Sen. Roberta Lange

Maddy summarySB 246 requires certain health insurance plans to allow women to access covered gynecological or obstetrical services without first getting a referral from their primary care physician. It applies to health plans covering small employer employees, fraternal benefit societies, managed care organizations, public employee benefits, and Medicaid. The law, effective January 1, 2026, mandates this change by adding a provision to insurance contracts, making any conflicting terms void. It does not permit designating an OB/GYN as a primary care physician. This is a policy change to streamline access to specific reproductive health services under existing coverage.

Maddy summarySB 337 requires health care facilities, providers, and insurers to offer patients a "non-opioid directive" form (allowing patients to decline opioids) and provide non-opioid treatment alternatives under specific circumstances. Starting January 1, 2027, facilities and providers must offer non-opioid alternatives to patients who request them or have completed the directive, except in limited cases. The bill mandates insurers to provide the form to new enrollees and creates a state advisory board to monitor compliance and recommend policies on opioid alternatives. It applies to all licensed health facilities, providers prescribing opioids, and health insurers, with enforcement through regulatory reviews and potential payment reductions for violations.

Maddy summarySB 314 requires all Nevada public schools to update health education curricula to include evidence-based mental health content, culturally appropriate resources, and alignment with social-emotional learning standards. It mandates that new teachers complete a mental health education course to obtain a teaching license, and requires licensed teachers renewing their licenses after July 2027 to earn two credits or 30 hours of mental health-focused professional development. School districts must partner with specific entities, including the Nevada System of Higher Education, to provide this training, particularly in rural and online settings.

Maddy summarySB 216 provides $3 million annually from the State General Fund to United Citizens Foundation, Inc. for mental health, substance use disorder, and community resource services for K-12 students, families, and school staff. The bill requires the foundation to submit detailed spending reports to the Finance Committee by December 2026 and September 2027, and mandates that unspent funds revert to the state by specific deadlines (September 18, 2026, and September 17, 2027). It directly affects public school students, families, and personnel by funding support services within the education system. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, and currently has no further action taken.

Maddy summarySB 95 gives Nevada National Guard service members the right to demand a formal military trial (court-martial) instead of accepting administrative punishment for minor offenses. The bill requires commanding officers to provide written notice of this right and allow at least 48 hours for service members to decide before punishment is imposed. It amends Nevada law to ensure administrative punishment cannot be applied if a service member has demanded a court-martial. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025, directly affecting Nevada National Guard members facing nonjudicial proceedings.

Maddy summarySB 318 eliminates charter schools' ability to contract with educational management organizations (EMOs) for operational services, effective upon the bill's enactment, with only limited exceptions for one-time renewals. It also requires charter schools to provide sponsors (like school districts) with written notice, competitive bidding documentation, and prevailing wage compliance records for construction or renovation projects exceeding $100,000. The bill directly affects charter schools and their sponsors by changing operational contracts and project oversight requirements. These changes revise existing Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 388A.030, 388A.223, and related provisions governing charter school management and construction.

Maddy summarySB 240 reduces the state business license fee for small businesses from $200 or $500 to $100. It directly affects corporations, sole proprietorships, limited-liability companies, limited partnerships, and general partnerships that employ 50 or fewer full-time or part-time employees. The bill amends NRS 76.100 to set this lower fee for qualifying small businesses while maintaining the requirement to obtain a license. The change takes effect July 1, 2025. This is a concrete fee reduction targeting small business owners, not a procedural change.

Maddy summaryAB 191 authorizes collective bargaining for professional employees of state professional employers (such as the Board of Regents of the University of Nevada with 400+ professional staff) who are in unclassified service or paid outside standard classified pay plans. It establishes new procedures for recognizing professional organizations as exclusive bargaining representatives, requires state employers to negotiate within 60 days of notice, and allows salary deductions for union dues. The bill also grants professional employees the right to representation during disciplinary actions and mandates annual reporting to the Government Employee-Management Relations Board. This directly affects state professional employers and their employees, creating a structured framework for collective bargaining previously limited to other state employee groups.

Maddy summarySB 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.

Maddy summarySB 245 creates the Advisory Council on Civics Education within Nevada's Department of Education to help develop and implement the State Seal of Civics Program. The Council, composed of educators, administrators, and civic engagement staff, will establish program criteria and assist the Superintendent in recognizing high school students who demonstrate civics proficiency through revised GPA and examination requirements. The bill appropriates $1.5 million to the Nevada Center for Civic Engagement to raise awareness of civics education and create related awards. This directly affects Nevada high school students, teachers, and schools participating in the civics recognition program.