Sen. Lori Rogich

Maddy summaryNevada's SB 179 requires the Nevada Equal Rights Commission to consider whether discrimination claims in housing, employment, or public accommodations were motivated by antisemitism during investigations. The bill directly affects the Commission's investigative process and individuals filing discrimination complaints. It adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's 2016 definition of antisemitism, including its contemporary examples, as the standard for evaluating such claims. This policy change specifically adds antisemitism as a factor to be assessed in investigations, without altering existing protections against discrimination.

Maddy summarySB 257 updates Nevada's autism healthcare regulations to improve access to diagnosis and treatment. It removes specific requirements for autism assessments, replacing them with a flexible standard that allows any healthcare provider within their scope of practice to conduct direct observation and assessment for diagnosis. The bill also changes insurance coverage rules: insurers must cover autism diagnosis and treatment performed by any qualified provider (not limited to physicians or psychologists) and must accept any diagnosis meeting the new statewide standard. This affects individuals with autism spectrum disorders, healthcare providers, and insurers by streamlining access to care.

Maddy summarySB 175 modifies Nevada law to ensure military members and veterans can more easily become licensed educators. It requires school districts to count certification as a Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) instructor - held by active military members or veterans - as valid credit toward teaching licenses or endorsements. The bill expands existing rules that previously only applied to veterans’ Joint Services Transcripts by specifically including JROTC instructor credentials in the list of recognized qualifications. This change directly affects military-affiliated individuals seeking teaching roles in Nevada public schools.

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 summarySB 201 prevents homeowners' associations and landlords from banning residents from displaying religious or cultural items (like prayer flags or cultural symbols) in their private living spaces, such as on doors or in units. It allows exceptions for displays larger than 36x12 inches, those threatening safety, violating laws, or containing illegal content. Landlords and associations must give 7 days' written notice before temporarily removing displays during repairs, store items respectfully, and return them within 72 hours. This law directly affects renters and homeowners in Nevada common-interest communities and rental properties.

Maddy summaryAB 394 requires all public colleges and universities in Nevada to create emergency response plans for opioid overdoses. These plans must include education about opioid overdoses and procedures for easily accessing naloxone (a medication that reverses overdoses), while prohibiting any requirement for training before obtaining or using naloxone. The bill allows institutions to customize their plans (e.g., training methods, naloxone locations) but mandates core elements like rescue breathing emphasis and 4mg naloxone dosing. The Board of Regents may provide a model plan for guidance but cannot force institutions to adopt it.

Maddy summarySB 146 appropriates $1.4 million from the State General Fund to the United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra for its United Readers Program. The bill requires the United Way to submit two detailed expenditure reports to the Interim Finance Committee by December 2026 and September 2027, and to allow legislative audits of the funds. Any unspent balance must revert to the State General Fund by September 17, 2027. This is a funding bill with no policy changes, directly affecting the United Way organization and its program.

Maddy summarySB 368 ensures Nevada's special education programs continue uninterrupted if the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is repealed. It would require Nevada to adopt federal IDEA provisions as state law, allow families to file civil lawsuits in Nevada courts instead of federal courts, and mandate that federal special education funding be used for identifying students with disabilities and providing services. The bill directly affects students with disabilities, schools, and state courts by maintaining existing protections and funding mechanisms. It also updates definitions related to special education terms like "dyslexia" and "individualized education program" for clarity.

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 174 requires Nevada school districts and charter schools to create policies ensuring students with disabilities (who have individualized education programs or 504 plans) receive medically necessary treatments from private instructional personnel in schools, including parent notification and collaboration protocols. It updates special education standards for students with visual or hearing impairments by mandating Braille instruction, assistive technology, and prohibiting interference with mobility devices like canes. The bill also expands background check requirements to include private instructional personnel as "volunteers" and requires school districts to submit annual reports to the Department of Education, making policies publicly available online.