Sen. Melanie Scheible

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 summarySB 347 requires law enforcement officers to immediately confiscate firearms owned or possessed by individuals placed on a mental health crisis hold in Nevada (typically lasting up to 72 hours). Officers must provide a receipt describing the firearm and a notice of return procedures at the time of confiscation. The bill also mandates that mental health facilities provide release-day notices about firearm return processes and inform law enforcement of the release. Within 30 days of release, law enforcement must file a court petition to determine if returning the firearm would pose a serious safety risk, with courts able to order retention, sale, or destruction if harm is likely. This bill directly affects individuals temporarily detained under mental health crisis holds and establishes a standardized process for firearm handling during these incidents.

Maddy summarySB 170 updates Nevada’s industrial insurance rules to better support firefighters and related first responders. Starting July 1, 2026, it requires full-time firefighters, arson investigators, fire training staff, and volunteer firefighters (excluding state executive department employees) to undergo annual cancer screenings and meet new physical exam standards focused on firefighting/law enforcement demands. The bill specifically lists carcinogens (like diesel exhaust, asbestos, and formaldehyde) linked to certain cancers (e.g., lung, bladder, leukemia) to streamline determining if cancer qualifies as an occupational disease under industrial insurance. These changes aim to simplify claims for first responders developing cancer linked to job exposures.

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 summarySB 346 updates Nevada's guardianship laws to better support adults with disabilities by strengthening the use of supported decision-making agreements (SDMAs). It defines SDMAs for legal purposes, expands the definition of "incapacitated" to include people unable to understand SDMAs, and requires courts to consider SDMAs before appointing guardians. The bill mandates that guardianship petitions include proof of SDMA education for the proposed protected person and that physicians assess whether someone understands SDMAs. It also requires guardian reports to explain why SDMAs aren't used and allows guardianship termination if a protected person enters an SDMA.

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 114 requires landlords managing properties with over 200 dwelling units on a single parcel to implement two key policies: (1) conduct criminal background checks for job applicants who would handle apartment keys, and (2) create written procedures for securely storing, issuing, and tracking all apartment keys. Landlords must also maintain a log of key issuance and return, and provide proof of compliance to the Real Estate Division or law enforcement upon request. This bill directly affects large-property landlords (excluding financial institutions and real estate brokers) by adding specific background check and key management requirements to their operations.

Maddy summarySB 389 requires Nevada's Department of Health and Human Services to select a single state pharmacy benefit manager (SPBM) by January 1, 2030, to manage prescription drug coverage for Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and other health plans using Medicaid’s formulary. The bill mandates reimbursement rates based on the "Nevada Average Acquisition Cost" (NAAC), which uses actual drug acquisition costs to maximize state savings, and requires Medicaid managed care organizations to contract with the SPBM and disclose pharmacy spending data. It also sets strict criteria for SPBM selection, prohibits conflicts of interest, and requires Department approval for all pharmacy contracts under the SPBM.

Maddy summarySB 316 regulates pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), the companies that manage prescription drug coverage for insurers. It prohibits PBMs from steering patients to affiliated pharmacies, requiring them to disclose fees and rebates to insurers, and mandating that PBMs pass all rebates to insurers. Insurers must then use these rebate funds exclusively to lower premiums or reduce patient cost-sharing for prescriptions, and cannot charge patients more than the insurer pays for a drug. This directly affects PBMs, health insurers, and patients by increasing transparency and reducing out-of-pocket costs.

Maddy summarySB 354 prohibits health insurance plans (including Medicaid and government employee plans) from requiring step therapy - where patients must try cheaper drugs first - before covering medications that prevent or treat HIV or hepatitis C. It applies directly to insurers offering health coverage and affects patients needing these specific treatments. The bill removes an existing exception allowing step therapy for these drugs, mandating direct coverage for HIV prevention/treatment medications and related lab tests without prior authorization. This changes how insurers must cover these essential medications, ensuring faster access without unnecessary barriers.