Assemblymember Roth champions AB 395 for deaf and hard of hearing healthcare access

The Assembly Committee on Health and Human Services convened on March 26, 2025, to discuss Assembly Bill 395, which aims to improve communication access for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in emergency medical situations. The meeting featured testimonies from various stakeholders, including healthcare representatives and community advocates, emphasizing the importance of effective communication in healthcare settings.

Nicole Rourke, representing the city of Henderson's fire department, expressed gratitude to Assemblymember Erica Roth for her efforts in amending the bill to support emergency personnel. Rourke highlighted the challenges faced by first responders in providing care to deaf or hard-of-hearing patients but assured the committee that visual aids and other resources are available to facilitate communication.

Allison Herzick from Dignity Health St. Rose Dominican spoke in neutral support of the bill, noting the hospital's commitment to improving communication access through workforce training and proper signage. Blaine Osborne of Nevada Bridal Hospital Partners echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for certified interpreters, particularly in rural areas of Nevada.

Patrick Kelly from the Nevada Hospital Association underscored the significance of effective communication in healthcare decisions and thanked the bill's sponsor for engaging with stakeholders throughout the process.

Public testimony included a poignant account from Beth Jones, a parent of two deaf teenagers, who shared her family's experiences navigating medical situations without adequate interpreter support. Jones advocated for the bill, stressing that access to certified American Sign Language interpreters would allow parents to focus on caring for their children rather than acting as interpreters during critical moments.

Assemblymember Roth concluded the meeting by thanking all participants for sharing their stories and reaffirming the importance of the bill in addressing the needs of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. The committee closed the hearing on Assembly Bill 395, with public comments remaining open for further input.