Sen. Roberta Lange

Maddy summarySB 244 requires Nevada's Medicaid program to cover specific obesity treatments and diabetes prevention services. It mandates coverage for intensive behavioral/lifestyle programs and certain obesity surgeries meeting medical guidelines, plus FDA-approved weight management drugs. The bill also requires Medicaid to cover diabetes prevention programs for eligible recipients who haven't previously used such services. These changes apply directly to Nevada Medicaid enrollees with obesity or diabetes risk factors. The law requires the state to seek federal waivers for funding and notify beneficiaries about new coverage options.

Maddy summarySB 193 establishes a state pilot program to reduce mortgage interest rates for eligible first-time homebuyers. The program, administered by the Housing Division, provides interest rate buy-downs for owner-occupied homes to families meeting specific criteria: household income at or below 160% of the county median, first-time homebuyer status (with defined exceptions for displaced homemakers and single parents), and mortgage loan eligibility. Participants can apply through the Division, with the program covering up to the full duration of the mortgage loan. The bill includes an appropriation for program implementation but does not affect local or state government budgets beyond the specified funding.

Maddy summarySB 250 gives patients legal ownership of their electronic health records, requiring healthcare providers to let them access and forward these records without fees. It mandates the creation of a statewide electronic health repository to store all patients' records, with most providers required to integrate their systems by 2030 (smaller practices with 20 or fewer employees get until 2030 to comply). The bill also requires entities to honor patient requests to restrict access to their health information and imposes penalties, including fines, for violations. These changes directly affect patients, healthcare providers, insurers, and the state's health information infrastructure.

Maddy summarySB 220 creates tax credits for film productions made at Nevada Studios Project (a UNLV-owned facility), allowing production companies to claim credits covering 35% of wages paid to Nevada residents plus 30% of other qualified expenses like equipment rentals and services from Nevada businesses. These credits can be used to offset business taxes, insurance premiums, or gaming fees. The bill also requires 10% of credit value to fund workforce training programs through a new education account for film industry jobs. It directly affects film producers at Nevada Studios, Nevada businesses supplying services, and Nevada residents working in the film industry.

Maddy summaryAB 145 strengthens oversight of veterans' benefit assistance and expands state support programs. It requires anyone helping veterans file claims with federal or state agencies (like the VA or Nevada Department of Veterans Services) to be accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, with exceptions for unpaid help or when federal law already applies. The bill also creates a state Veterans Coordinator to manage two new programs: a veteran hiring initiative for state jobs (including spouses of veterans) and a peer mentor program for veterans employed by the state. Additionally, it extends free annual state park permits to surviving spouses, parents, or adult children of service members killed in action. These changes directly affect veterans, their families, state employees, and individuals seeking veterans' benefits.

Maddy summarySB 387 requires most health insurance plans in Nevada, including Medicaid, to cover annual lung cancer screenings (using low-dose CT scans) with no out-of-pocket costs for people aged 50-80 who have a smoking history of at least 20 pack-years and meet specific health criteria. It also mandates the Governor to annually proclaim November as "Lung Cancer Awareness Month" and the second Saturday of November as "Lung Cancer Screening Day." Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services must study whether current screening criteria create access disparities based on sex, gender identity, or expression. The coverage requirement applies to policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 299 changes how senior living community referral agencies operate in Nevada. Instead of requiring a license from the State Board of Health, the bill mandates these agencies register with the Division of Public and Behavioral Health under the Department of Health and Human Services. To register, agencies must submit an application (including a U.S. physical address), provide liability insurance proof, and pay a $1,354 fee for a two-year registration period, with renewal requiring the same steps. Agencies currently operating without a license may continue until 120 days after the Division adopts required regulations.

Maddy summarySB 189 establishes a licensing system for genetic counselors, requiring them to obtain a license from the Board of Medical Examiners through specific education, examinations, and certification. It prohibits unlicensed practice except for physicians providing genetic counseling within their medical scope or federal government employees. The bill extends existing health care provider rules - including confidentiality protections, billing standards, and disciplinary procedures - to genetic counselors and grants the Board authority to set licensing fees and enforce compliance.

Maddy summarySB 338 requires ticket providers for live entertainment events to clearly show the total price (including all fees) before purchase, prohibits hiding or misrepresenting fees, and mandates full refunds within 30 days if an event is canceled. It aligns with a new federal rule by banning misleading pricing practices and ensuring upfront transparency for consumers. Violations trigger civil penalties, increased damages for affected buyers, and criminal charges for willful breaches. The law applies to all ticket sellers - both primary providers and secondary markets - and replaces older disclosure rules for resellers.

Maddy summarySB 258 updates industrial insurance rules by limiting reductions to workers' compensation only for "economic damages" (medical costs, lost wages, and rehabilitation expenses) when an injured worker receives payment from a third party, such as another company's insurance. It removes the requirement for injured workers to notify insurers before suing third parties and changes court procedures by prohibiting juries from hearing evidence about prior compensation payments. These changes directly affect injured workers, their families, and industrial insurers by ensuring workers are "made whole" before insurers claim any portion of third-party recovery. The bill also restricts insurers' claims to only the economic damages portion of any settlement or judgment.