Assembly Committee reviews AB 169 ensuring speech therapy coverage for stuttering treatment

Support for Assembly Bill 93 surged during the Nevada Assembly Committee on Commerce and Labor meeting on February 28, 2025, as advocates highlighted the health risks faced by law enforcement officers. The bill aims to address cardiac and respiratory issues that these officers encounter, paralleling the challenges faced by their counterparts in adult law enforcement. Matthew Caldwell, president of the Police Officers Association for the Clark County's closer police department, voiced strong support for the bill, emphasizing its importance for officer health.

Despite the strong backing, the meeting saw no opposition testimony, indicating a unified front among stakeholders. The committee then shifted focus to Assembly Bill 169, which seeks to mandate health insurance coverage for speech language pathology, particularly for children who stutter. Assembly member Steve Yeager introduced the bill, noting its straightforward nature and the need for insurance policies to cover treatment without imposing limits on visits or benefits based on the cause of stuttering.

Yeager shared the bill's origins, crediting a connection with a former Kentucky senator who had successfully passed similar legislation. He introduced Michael Kidd Gilchrist, a former NBA player and advocate for stuttering awareness, who shared his personal experiences with the condition. The committee is expected to continue discussions on both bills, with amendments and further dialogue anticipated to address any concerns raised during the hearing.