Rep. Cecelia González

Maddy summaryAB 381 updates Nevada's animal cruelty laws to better address neglect and abuse. It revises definitions to include passive inaction (like failing to stop abuse when aware) as cruelty, and removes the exception that previously exempted agricultural land from cruelty investigations. The bill increases penalties for cruelty, raising police animal assault to a category B felony if the animal is disabled or killed, and changes procedures for impounded animals during arrests by requiring forfeiture to local governments instead of auction. These changes directly affect animal owners, law enforcement, courts, and shelters handling cruelty cases.

Maddy summaryAB 286 establishes a pilot program allowing prospective teachers in Nevada to bypass standard competency tests for initial teaching licenses by completing an alternative assessment pathway. The program, limited to 100 participants annually from Nevada higher education institutions, targets applicants holding provisional teaching licenses or substitute endorsements. Participants must complete 10 professional development sessions, receive mentorship, and achieve two consecutive "effective" teaching evaluations over 24 months to qualify for exemption. The pilot expires in 2029 and requires institutions to submit annual progress reports and a final implementation plan based on data collected.

Maddy summaryAB 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.

Maddy summaryAB 420 requires school districts in Clark County (population 700,000+) to report incidents where school police use chemical agents or electronic stun devices on students or minors to the school board. The school board must then investigate, determine if the use was justified, and publicly share a summary of the report and findings at least 30 days before an election. The bill also creates a Voter Access Grant Program, providing state funds from a new account to counties, cities, and tribal governments to improve election administration and voter access. These provisions directly affect Clark County schools and local election offices through new reporting requirements and funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryAB 217 prohibits Nevada school districts, public schools, and their employees from granting immigration officials (including federal, state, or local officers) access to school property or sharing student records without a court warrant. It also bans school police officers in Clark County from using chemical agents or stun devices on students during school activities or events. If such devices are used, schools must report the incident to the district board, which must investigate, determine if the use was justified, and review policies. Violations are punishable as misdemeanors.

Maddy summaryAB 330 appropriates $206,000 for fiscal year 2025-26 and $787,100 for 2026-27 from the State General Fund to UNLV's Partnership for Research, Assessment, Counseling, Therapy and Innovative Clinical Education. It funds the development of Nevada's first accredited predoctoral internship program in child and adolescent psychology, addressing the state's lack of local training opportunities. The money covers staffing, intern stipends, training materials, and accreditation costs to meet professional standards. This directly affects psychology doctoral students in Nevada who previously had to leave the state for required supervised training.

Maddy summaryAB 307 eliminates a 15% excise tax on wholesale cannabis sales (affecting growers and distributors) and increases the retail tax on cannabis products from 10% to 14.25% of the sales price. Revenue from the new retail tax must first cover costs for the Cannabis Compliance Board before any remaining funds go to the State Education Fund. The bill also removes obsolete provisions about valuing wholesale cannabis and updates funding sources for the Education Fund. This change may impact local government budgets, as noted in the fiscal report.

Maddy summaryAB 378 creates a pilot program allowing patients diagnosed with mental health conditions to access psychedelic therapy (using psilocybin, psilocin, DMT, ibogaine, or mescaline) under medical supervision in approved clinics. The Division of Public and Behavioral Health administers the program, requiring clinics to operate under strict medical oversight and participant approval. The bill includes confidentiality protections for patient data, liability immunity for program participants, and mandates annual reporting to the legislature. It also establishes an advisory committee and requires compliance with federal controlled substance regulations during the pilot phase.

Maddy summaryAB 218 requires Nevada courts to establish text message notification systems for criminal defendants, people issued civil citations (such as traffic tickets), and juveniles in court. The law mandates three pre-court date reminders (7, 3, and 1 days prior), allows users to opt in/out or update contact information, and requires courts to collect valid phone numbers during arrests or citations. The Court Administrator must convene a working group to study best practices and submit annual reports on program implementation. This affects anyone involved in court proceedings needing case notifications, directly changing how courts communicate with these individuals.

Maddy summaryAB 297 (not Medicaid-related, as titled) creates a free postnatal home visitation program for new mothers in Nevada. It requires the state health department to provide at least two registered nurse visits per week for 28 days after birth, with no cost to the mother. The program must be funded using federal grants (like those under 42 U.S.C. § 711) and integrated into Nevada’s existing maternal and child health services. This directly affects new mothers in Nevada who give birth, aiming to improve postpartum care access.