[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6629843,"mediaKeyId","2699136-85e3ccaf9cb6fe882a811ada56fecb72","parentId",2699136,"title","Legislature considers AB413 to fund Southern Nevada health‑care apprenticeship pilot for medical assistants, pharmacy technicians","audioSeconds",1069,"startMs",7466000,"endMs",8535000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2699136-85e3ccaf9cb6fe882a811ada56fecb72&start=7466&end=8535","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2699136-85e3ccaf9cb6fe882a811ada56fecb72/thumbnail_7466000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6629843/Nevada/Legislature-considers-AB413-to-fund-Southern-Nevada-healthcare-apprenticeship-pilot-for-medical-assistants-pharmacy-technicians","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629843-a6a87b95ba6429117bdd3fe95e4e1f4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773638780&Signature=E1UHZ4ZNH~a9sxzGpq2dhG8d05bGvJymL8H66aoGbdkLZoGe3fudsx6zVYC6zAcaXbd7j4Z~hEuZcE3Zkt2QJGQv8aEKv7tSIPvdzthbLB-9buTrFXkCWmiIEMAkfPHK7aGHppHceXRm4v2GfDOpk8yExRPWIVrQA1AFpBeV8QXPa04S6ArgBXfuAVBUsJqk7AGQNSlsA17c8f2o8epDsqG9QkUhKXHHJN69itlK1l-G1G1nLl0sXh6aS7q3bXEdCH7COIrj~o23~ogpQ9Vvd8pxkerrf9pXFd5LZpTfGkaJB8vUzot0NHJ4ni~wSiW4Xo1DgEh1cDe2P~MZEtyP8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nevada Legislature","date","2025-03-19T22:59:13.187Z","article","The Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee heard Assembly Bill 413, which would create the Southern Nevada Health Care Workforce Apprenticeship Pilot Program to train medical assistants and pharmacy technicians through registered apprenticeships.

Sponsor Assemblymember Yuvin Wing said the program would be administered by the Southern Nevada Local Workforce Development Board (Workforce Connection) and focus on Southern Nevada because the region is projected to need a large share of the state’s future medical assistants and pharmacy technicians. The conceptual amendment presented to the committee designates Workforce Connection as the administering body and makes a $300,000 appropriation to the agency to support up to 100 apprentices, including funds for certification and registration fees.

Speakers described apprenticeship as an employer‑driven, earn‑and‑learn model that combines paid on‑the‑job training with related classroom instruction. Jake McClelland, CEO of Innovative Workforce Projects, said apprenticeships reduce the cost and time needed to gain post‑secondary credentials and align training with employer needs. “It makes it really easy for them to participate and get that skill acquisition they need for a long‑term career,” McClelland said.

Dr. Ricardo Villalobos, chief programs officer at Workforce Connection, discussed statewide projections and said the pilot would aim to train approximately 75 medical assistants and 25 pharmacy technicians. The Nevada Hospital Association, Nevada Primary Care Association and other health‑system groups testified in support.

Committee members asked about employer buy‑in and program timing. McClelland said outreach to regional employers had begun and that the pilot model is already operating in multiple other states; the sponsors described a two‑year pilot beginning July 1 that would register apprenticeships with the State Apprenticeship Council and the U.S. Department of Labor as appropriate.

No opposition testimony was recorded in the hearing and stakeholders encouraged partnership on employer recruitment, curriculum alignment and wraparound supports for apprentices. The committee did not record a final vote on the bill at the hearing; sponsors asked for committee support and said they would continue outreach to employers and training providers.

The amendment on the desk would appropriate $300,000 to Workforce Connection and set up the program’s administration and enrollment cap for up to 100 apprentices in Southern Nevada.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","3/19/2025 - Assembly Committee on Commerce and Labor","oneSentenceSummary","Assembly members heard AB413, a proposal to establish a two‑year Southern Nevada apprenticeship pilot to train medical assistants and pharmacy technicians through registered, employer‑driven programs.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature NV, Nevada","taxId",78440,"location","Nevada","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6629849,"Assembly hears AB215 to restrict late-night school‑night shifts for 16–18‑year‑old students; sponsors cite safety and academic impacts",2778,4681000,7459000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2699136-85e3ccaf9cb6fe882a811ada56fecb72&start=4681&end=7459","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2699136-85e3ccaf9cb6fe882a811ada56fecb72/thumbnail_4681000.jpg","/articles/6629849/Nevada/Assembly-hears-AB215-to-restrict-late-night-schoolnight-shifts-for-1618yearold-students-sponsors-cite-safety-and-academic-impacts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629849-a5eb5e25f09c2f47a9b7d599f2c6e09b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773638780&Signature=RYXXP67PRxUOfwzo64Vj2iIm9x9VvU690qUfLb9q4~dRqA6kNagdUQriS9RJPBm3dsDPaD6AYBbWfboCbxKHFK7ZIOpIHGSQsMDWJbCpN5UfGppIOmR62JjZsibG2A5u4b5t3tzmISSuuYn5X5r2gVdQ4V2RrVqbqKxCQfbLkwCYT3vFZRWx3kieZatDeqd6GR-IGP8s~bbSWFozrfT8YwB7joTy5lFYU6Rk3CbDyOo4MImywTLuave~u89Z0aFSIeCouVltwXCtyWCfDXO8tT~FQwfbjyMO5PQkc57QM9AtgLk9UyjwR-iBsoSuMDQX1a4tJIdiY5swhgBOGWt9ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee heard Assembly Bill 215 on March 20, a bill that would limit work hours for minors who are 16 or older and enrolled in high school. The amendment presented to the committee would prohibit work between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. on nights preceding a school day for a child 16 to under 19 who is enrolled in the current academic year and not emancipated. Exemptions in the amendment include performances in stage or movie productions and some hospitality or summer roles; a school district or juvenile court may grant an exemption if in the student’s best interest.

Sponsor Assemblymember Danielle Monroe Moreno said the measure grew out of conversations with students at Shadow Ridge High School and aims to protect academic progress and safety. “It’s our responsibility as legislators to make sure we are not setting kids up to fail,” Monroe Moreno said. Co‑sponsors included Assemblymembers Brian Hibbetts and Cynthia Moore.

Two students from Shadow Ridge testified about the bill. Teagan Clark, a senior, described repeated late shifts that left her sleeping four to six hours and relying on energy drinks; she said exhaustion impaired grades and social relationships. “Working late shifts…has put me in difficult situations. Driving home alone…posed safety concerns,” Clark said. Karissa Murdoch described working long evenings and scorekeeping late games; she said switching away from those late hours restored her grades and mental health.

Teachers and school administrators supported the bill. Coach and teacher Matt Nighswonger and other educators described high school students who are chronically tired in class and said the bill would protect academic attainment. RISE, Goodwill of Southern Nevada, the NAACP Las Vegas chapter and the City of North Las Vegas also offered support.

Employers and the Nevada Restaurant Association testified neutral; restaurant representatives said many small businesses rely on student workers and asked for continued dialogue about practical implementation. Some lawmakers raised concerns about families that depend on teens’ earnings; Assemblymember Carter urged sensitivity to multigenerational, immigrant households where student income supports a family. Sponsors noted the amendment allows summer and performance exceptions and a juvenile‑court or school district waiver process.

Committee members asked how the rule would apply to students in online or year‑round programs; sponsors said the restriction would attach to a student’s scheduled school day so summer breaks and non‑school days would not be restricted. Sponsors also clarified the weekly hour cap in the amendment is 40 hours during the academic year, with broader latitude in summer.

No committee vote on AB215 was recorded during the hearing. The sponsors asked members to consider the amendment on the desk and continue stakeholder discussions.","The Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee heard AB215, a bill that would bar 16‑ to 18‑year‑old students from working between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. on nights before a school day, with limited exemptions and a waiver process.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6629853,"Nevada hearing on AB399 spotlights bariatric surgery coverage, insurers warn of cost impact on self-funded plans",3200,1422000,4622000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2699136-85e3ccaf9cb6fe882a811ada56fecb72&start=1422&end=4622","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2699136-85e3ccaf9cb6fe882a811ada56fecb72/thumbnail_1422000.jpg","/articles/6629853/Nevada/Nevada-hearing-on-AB399-spotlights-bariatric-surgery-coverage-insurers-warn-of-cost-impact-on-self-funded-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629853-1c4e7843eefd40c88e2371b13bced64f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773638780&Signature=EnQSKL-pueGEy-Vc4C6xUcP1DGAMeVYl8v9WW9HenS1LFMEdAwm9-ZC1WCeGvO-hmBolfTo41aKZbbLLOT-FPQxHBckRqF18X4PRYq7IYUyZ8tF6kX-PIVRvCyHy8zOIpWW1Yt7aV7Uw1N80FgKcNtX3Gjyq5WG~czTO0s5qlFaI21B52WrqFDtFJIFOPuour~RVEfhl0n8wG8cQy2Nfci81BLv0WTVIt3Z9UNrP21AL-~DJaNVrnRUQifMVPXIUCEO1ePRNHjPp-gdqSkqRxhMv6J6Mk1iVAU2yTTfy-93o2mHyjduRRGoAodiMBPBoTROpa9b5p9ig8vDmc2KY6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Nevada Assembly committee on Commerce and Labor heard testimony on Assembly Bill 399 on March 20, which would require certain public and private health insurance policies, including Medicaid and the state employee plan, to cover medically necessary treatments and care for diseases caused by severe obesity, including bariatric surgery.

The bill’s sponsor, Assemblymember Rebecca Edgeworth (Assembly District 35), said the measure focuses on ensuring access to bariatric surgery for adults with severe obesity, defined in bill language as a body-mass index of 40 or higher or 35 or higher with a related complication. “Bariatric surgery is one option that’s been tested over time and found to be very highly effective,” Edgeworth said.

Surgeons and patient advocates described clinical benefits and cost analyses. Dr. Pearl Ma, president-elect of the California and Nevada chapter of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), said metabolic and bariatric surgery is a long‑term, evidence‑based treatment that can put type 2 diabetes and other conditions into remission. “On average, patients maintain about 60 percent excess weight loss at six months and 77 percent at 12 months,” Dr. Ma said. She cited typical procedural costs of $17,000 to $26,000 and said third‑party payers often recover those costs within two to four years because of reductions in comorbidities.

Chris Gallagher, federal policy consultant for the Obesity Action Coalition and a presenter for ASMBS, told lawmakers the bill aims to prohibit discriminatory utilization‑management practices some plans use, such as lengthy mandated preoperative weight‑loss periods. Gallagher described the legislation as allowing “reasonable prior authorization requirements,” including a surgeon’s attestation of medical necessity and a preoperative period capped at three months for required services.

Medical providers from Nevada hospitals supported the bill. Dr. Morgan Pomeranz, medical director of the bariatric surgery program at St. Rose Dominican’s San Martín campus, described typical length of stay as one day or outpatient and said preoperative and postoperative services are commonly bundled into global payment periods. Jacqueline Nguyen, representing the Nevada State Medical Association, said obesity is a disease and adding bariatric surgery as a covered option could reduce long‑term health care costs.

Self‑funded employer and trust plans testified in opposition or raised concerns about unfunded mandates. Ryan Beaman, representing the Professional Firefighters of Nevada and the Firefighters Health and Welfare Trust, said the bill would require trusts to absorb new coverage costs without additional funding. “Either we have to take pay decreases or provide these benefits,” Beaman said. John Abel, speaking for the Las Vegas Police Protective Association and the LVMPD Health Trust, said the trusts currently allow such surgeries under rules and worried that removing certain plan controls would be costly.

State agencies and insurers testified neutral or requested technical changes. Adam Plain of the Division of Insurance said aspects of the bill intersect with Nevada’s essential health benefits benchmark; the benchmark adopted in 2017 already included gastric restrictive surgical services for the individual and small‑group market. Shelly Caparo of the Nevada Association of Health Plans warned that benefit mandates can raise premiums, deductibles and out‑of‑pocket costs for consumers.

Committee members pressed on practical details: whether the bill would mandate coverage of GLP‑1 medications (sponsors said it would not and the focus is bariatric surgery), and how many states currently cover bariatric surgery in Medicaid and employer plans (Gallagher said roughly 47 state Medicaid programs and about 90 percent of commercial payers offer some coverage, while cautioning that utilization hurdles remain).

The hearing included patient and clinician testimony and questions about program design, prior authorization limits, the allowable preoperative period, and whether plans could continue to require accreditation by recognized surgical accreditation entities. No committee vote on the bill was recorded at the hearing.

The committee moved next to other measures. The bill’s sponsor asked the committee to consider amendments and to continue working with insurers and public plans on implementation language.

Votes or formal committee actions on AB399 were not recorded in the transcript of the hearing.","A Nevada Assembly committee on Commerce and Labor heard testimony on Assembly Bill 399, which would require certain public and private health insurance policies to cover medically necessary bariatric surgery and related care for adults with severe obesity.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6629837,"Committee work session: multiple bills advanced with amendments; recorded nays on several measures",847,8618000,9465000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2699136-85e3ccaf9cb6fe882a811ada56fecb72&start=8618&end=9465","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2699136-85e3ccaf9cb6fe882a811ada56fecb72/thumbnail_8618000.jpg","/articles/6629837/Nevada/Committee-work-session-multiple-bills-advanced-with-amendments-recorded-nays-on-several-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629837-b4b3614abeb154a39d0ecc9985665cef/orig.mp4?Expires=1773638780&Signature=VBXmY~8q0b2DyyZy7n-l~QiM5wSwO4E0h9eBfNrYwQD6Vj28qgESAflayiNXYqJArrtMtHw0PWso7i6V07doqY7al8rJD9bYe9Fqw2ZshkQ~Lw8ygFjjNf7gZ1xLWd-woSIRSBxyMSz~EAk3~ZelHYHGErIvsVjB5j9~-haotiJojCMxuK-ZEr65f4QTfMq66M2g00kekxRU2RXnR0PLHdoT1PoGEybYuqI3zTec7xWd97rASMtKs06FMBGg2LuL4CpRTSPwkvXzBczxmCqqLM9XLajLjY18JOaltI1LTZxGZm5SMMXQ94pj81KI~Yto7SSYhwly8mSijWnR3ebdnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee conducted a work session following hearings and took formal committee action on multiple measures on March 20. Committee staff and counsel presented proposed sponsor amendments for each bill and members voted to move several measures to the floor with amendments.

Key committee actions recorded in the work session:

- AB93 (public employees): Motion to amend and do pass; mover recorded as Vice Chair Hategui; second from Assemblymember Danielle Monroe Moreno. Motion carried; floor statement assigned to Assemblymember Brian Hibbetts.

- AB112 (sick leave to assist family members): Motion to amend and do pass; carried. Sponsor amendment clarified that the bill does not diminish more generous leave in a collective bargaining agreement, employer policy, contract, or other applicable law; floor statement assigned to Assemblymember Wynne.

- AB196 (psychology licensing changes): Motion to do pass; carried unanimously; floor statement assigned to Assemblymember Backus.

- AB198 (inflatable devices / safety): Motion to amend and do pass with a package of amendments addressing inspection logs, manufacturer guidance, wind‑speed thresholds and other operational requirements. Several members reserved floor votes or recorded no votes; the chair recorded nays from Assemblymembers Kasama, Yurek (Urich alternate spelling in transcript), Cole and Hardy. Motion carried and floor statement assigned to Assemblymember Brown‑May.

- AB202 (dental claims): Motion to amend and do pass with an amendment clarifying licensure language; carried unanimously; floor statement assigned to Assemblymember Brown‑May.

- AB248 (physical therapy compact): Motion to do pass; carried unanimously; floor statement assigned to Chair Marzola.

- AB270 (engineers and surveyors): Motion to amend and do pass with amendments adjusting numeric thresholds in sections of the bill; motion carried unanimously; floor statement assigned to Assemblymember Hafen.

Committee counsel noted that some amendment packages for individual bills contained overlapping technical language that would be reconciled prior to floor consideration. Several members said they would reserve final judgment on the floor on particular bills pending additional review; committee staff identified specific floor sponsors for each measure.

Where recorded, committee members cast voiced “aye” or “nay” votes during roll call; the transcript records specific members who opposed AB198 (Kasama, Urich/Yurek, Cole and Hardy) and other motions passed by voice vote or unanimous consent. Committee staff will prepare final work‑session documents and floor statements for each advanced bill.","The Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee completed a work session advancing several bills with sponsor amendments. Motions to amend and do pass were recorded for AB93, AB112, AB196, AB198, AB202, AB248 and AB270. A handful of members recorded ‘no’ votes on some items; floor sponsorships were assigned.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Legislature considers AB413 to fund Southern Nevada health‑care apprenticeship pilot for medical assistants, pharmacy technicians

Assembly hears AB215 to restrict late-night school‑night shifts for 16–18‑year‑old students; sponsors cite safety and academic impacts

Nevada hearing on AB399 spotlights bariatric surgery coverage, insurers warn of cost impact on self-funded plans

Committee work session: multiple bills advanced with amendments; recorded nays on several measures