[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6617680,"mediaKeyId","2839469-d9e7ab2084cf848c672d060c20325648","parentId",2839469,"title","Assembly hearing: ‘SAFER Act’ would require schools to adopt harassment response policies, designate confidential employees","audioSeconds",1487,"startMs",10868000,"endMs",12355000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2839469-d9e7ab2084cf848c672d060c20325648&start=10868&end=12355","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2839469-d9e7ab2084cf848c672d060c20325648/thumbnail_10868000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6617680/Nevada/Assembly-hearing-SAFER-Act-would-require-schools-to-adopt-harassment-response-policies-designate-confidential-employees","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617680-cdc999bc50eec92f62df0d65d426872a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154114&Signature=bGbCqZ0n6FIT33ffDNbQZa8yRANsDTKQf~Um2qwrE2m4Y5JDKk140MzcpureuD4zdCxAdXSi0K~cawPnpS6oIVs~mwkqtEWKLHB0NdJaQlZDHusWdaUWbdOHnsO60HxEDEYbziVA-YZ16Z7Bk1umIjwnJBypMVHmMsJSwlwJuuXb18hMZXxwJuRBj8u0AFMCV8Pr2w63OpZnWSbQrBHO1LWfrReThV~E8LxZB7-OMPZ4Y35ufX5vqnl9bspMDXBQwYPk3U6CcY-Evylp3qPzFYUP9C5~O0SvMJqcBvrD3Nl9CBXiuukOxYnNP303Irr1-mZATN3vs-iy~agpEOLkrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nevada Legislature","date","2025-04-01T22:54:09.797Z","article","Assembly Bill 465, introduced in the Assembly Committee on Education by Assemblymember Bridal Miller, would require school districts, charter schools and Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) institutions to adopt comprehensive harassment policies, designate confidential employees to receive disclosures, provide trauma‑informed supportive measures for victims, prohibit retaliation and supply a private right of action in specified circumstances.

Riley Svenson of the Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence and Elizabeth Tang, senior counsel at the National Women’s Law Center, framed the bill as closing gaps that prevent survivors from getting help. Tang told the committee that current federal court standards and some state laws have high proof thresholds (for example, requiring harassment to be both \"severe and pervasive\") and that some courts will not require institutions to act when harassment occurs off campus or online. The SAFER Act would require schools to respond when conduct — on or off campus, in‑person or online — negatively affects a victim’s ability to participate in or benefit from the educational program.

The bill uses the term \"harassment\" to include power‑based violence and would make districts civilly liable when they have notice of harassment and fail to act, while also providing an affirmative defense if a district follows required policies and timelines. The text requires each district and NSHE campus to designate at least one confidential employee who receives disclosures and provides information on available supportive measures; confidential employees would receive trauma‑informed training. Supporters and several survivors testified that schools often lack consistent response protocols and that mandated, trauma‑informed supports and designated confidential staff would reduce the retraumatization survivors described.

Opponents included Washoe County School District and the Nevada System of Higher Education counsel, who said the state already has anti‑bullying statutes and federal Title IX and Title VI obligations and cautioned that AB 465’s definitions and private‑liability provisions could expand exposure for districts and institutions for off‑campus conduct and third‑party actors. Washoe County said Nevada already requires investigation and supportive measures and raised concerns about broader civil liability and litigation costs; NSHE counsel asked the Legislature to allow the ongoing Regents task force to finish its work and flagged potential conflicts with academic rules and federal financial aid protections.

Survivors and advocates gave detailed testimony describing traumatic experiences and inconsistent school responses. Multiple witnesses urged mandatory trauma‑informed training for confidential employees and clear timelines for actions. Sponsor Miller said she is willing to work with stakeholders to refine language and to address implementation concerns.

The committee held extended discussion on definitions, the scope of civil liability, how many confidential employees should be required (per campus, per zone or per district), and how the bill intersects with existing state bullying law. No committee vote was taken during the hearing; the sponsor indicated a willingness to accept amendments to clarify definitions and implementation mechanics.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/1/2025 - Assembly Committee on Education","oneSentenceSummary","AB 465, the Nevada SAFER Act, would require school districts and higher‑education institutions to adopt comprehensive harassment policies, designate confidential employees, offer trauma‑informed supportive measures, and create civil remedies when schools fail to meet duties.","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},6617690,"Committee advances discussion on AB 335 to tighten accountability, supports for English learners",584,5847000,6431000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2839469-d9e7ab2084cf848c672d060c20325648&start=5847&end=6431","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2839469-d9e7ab2084cf848c672d060c20325648/thumbnail_5847000.jpg","/articles/6617690/Nevada/Committee-advances-discussion-on-AB-335-to-tighten-accountability-supports-for-English-learners","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617690-876581ff8a59a64f8b52c33fd2a0b6b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154114&Signature=h5yIs86hrEJUXHt-xLR3TLuEIdWYFBb6zad2Qi7mgy3WJDAaHJOIxjnGfRaEinzm2fJ-hEQGhSd0tT1tqnu4NB90397T-FbPkdYJYZpS1gIwnygxtSt2I4BQ8VUdZSmVxxQo4tziAIVkGtO1NkSxEUAt-GNRhKLX1ozUn5EORn6X5~~Pd7XqXoz4yA9wS7jWiqvTF6VjUgbtgndKbtoRmFUA~R24tVhgfiGJCEsaD-GIUxzDXisC6FJ8RT7dPy5TxtPkNdzxQRhXv-qO-4efRY2CAPEopBWKPDnFBAN5-EZvPM2StQb0JCxuYaxERWTk4u4U-Xu4u4-yhTnDL9LmCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assemblymember Selena Torres Fawcett presented Assembly Bill 335, titled the English Learner Accountability Act, to the Assembly Committee on Education and said the measure revises provisions relating to education to improve supports and accountability for English learners (ELs) statewide. Torres Fawcett said ELs comprise over 20% of Nevada’s K‑12 enrollment and that current proficiency and growth measures show persistent shortfalls; she said the bill focuses on data, planning and school‑level leadership rather than punitive corrective actions.

Educator witnesses framed the bill around three EL cohorts — newcomers, short‑term ELs and long‑term ELs — and described differentiated supports those students need. Ezra Goins, an educator who has worked as an EL coordinator and interventionist, described the three cohorts: newcomers (recent arrivals with critically low English levels), short‑term ELs (intermediate proficiency) and long‑term ELs (students who have not exited EL programs after multiple years). Retired principal Elena Fabunan, who led Global Community High School for newcomers, described significant gains under targeted leadership and said progress is fragile without consistent structures.

Key provisions as presented by the sponsor include: requiring school performance plans to set quantifiable goals for EL subgroups (and making closing EL attainment gaps the primary goal when ELs comprise at least 10% of a school); requiring districts to designate an administrator responsible for EL services and to ensure that person meets experience requirements; disaggregating statewide accountability data to distinguish newcomers, short‑term and long‑term ELs; removing punitive corrective action language from prior law (AB 219) and replacing it with improvement‑oriented planning; establishing teacher professional development requirements focused on language acquisition (with the sponsor withdrawing language that would create a new licensure requirement and instead task NDE with developing PD and regulations); allowing a 5‑year/10‑semester high‑school pathway for newcomers so a full year of intensive English instruction does not penalize graduation rates; and creating an English Learner Advisory Council to advise NDE and report to the Legislature.

Supporters from the Nevada Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, university education colleges, district EL directors and advocacy organizations urged passage. They described the bill as changing a prior, enforcement‑focused approach into one that builds capacity, requires training and protects schools and staff from being penalized for enrolling newcomers whose English timelines differ from standardized metrics. Washoe County and other district representatives who testified in favor highlighted existing programs and expressed interest in state support for implementation.

Committee members asked about the mechanics of professional development and whether teachers would be required to obtain new credentials. Torres Fawcett clarified that section 12 would be removed as a licensure requirement and that NDE would design and regulate professional development so districts and schools could offer training through existing structures and administrators designated to oversee EL services. Members also discussed the bill’s data disaggregation, the 0‑year (10‑semester) option for high‑school newcomers and the intent to avoid penalizing schools or educators for enrolling students still acquiring English.

The hearing included multiple supportive organizational statements and no recorded opposition; the sponsor closed by urging the committee to view the bill as a proactive, equity‑focused restructuring of state EL policy.","AB 335 would require strengthened planning, reporting and district leadership for English learners, set disaggregated EL data categories and remove corrective‑action penalties in favor of capacity building and improvement planning.",{"_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},6617694,"Nevada committee hears bill to let students apply to public schools outside their attendance zones",1080,2685000,3765000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2839469-d9e7ab2084cf848c672d060c20325648&start=2685&end=3765","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2839469-d9e7ab2084cf848c672d060c20325648/thumbnail_2685000.jpg","/articles/6617694/Nevada/Nevada-committee-hears-bill-to-let-students-apply-to-public-schools-outside-their-attendance-zones","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617694-4648f798155768631184390b2c63d1c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154114&Signature=G7joLfups8cUmbRRAVTSSjDuvL6G9ORwWYsgcyDtTVHCtlYLt8djEa5EBJAE51vD3c9CurSFwAHR-50HRGOv7FShOJMoBuOpZX1e8Ls0VUomR64Avpo3J-ZDRvDdUTLnYCa5P12ldUOHrV-yHoHc1nqQh8nSnPAKkmoQc2HBtDzLW2gHzpdG8qS4TG8tjRsVZXYOlDwTuA9OipBd7vrjv1xUYp1oaFb7tkOpXHnVeOoq4aIC0bNUxrufWx2uBzqp2Lpe1mAMDvGmYkt52ePYvXpo6vA4OfwapuDSGdl9AcVyPQLnGfigGQQsV3grHfEPCV0cUNT0Aq6geCXPjTCqNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assemblymember Selena Torres Fawcett, sponsor of Assembly Bill 533, told the Assembly Committee on Education that the bill would establish an open‑enrollment policy allowing pupils to apply to public schools outside their designated attendance zones when capacity exists. \"Open enrollment is a significant opportunity to level the playing field for thousands of students throughout Nevada,\" Torres Fawcett said, citing maps and data she said show persistent disparities driven by historic zoning and redlining.

The bill would let families apply for other schools in a process similar to charter or magnet lotteries. Pupils who live in the school's attendance area would keep priority; lotteries would fill remaining seats. The bill also requires districts to set capacity limits by grade level, publish vacancies monthly, report annually on applications and decisions, and make application materials available in multiple languages. Section 3 as presented would allow parents to appeal denials first to the district superintendent, then to the state superintendent of public instruction, whose decision would be final.

Supporters who testified said the policy would expand choices for families and improve outcomes. Hallie Faulkner of the national organization Yes Every Kid described open enrollment policies in states such as Arizona and Colorado and said strong programs are universal, transparent, tuition‑free and prohibit address discrimination. Students who spoke to the committee described personal experiences with zone‑based assignment that interrupted programs or required lengthy commutes; sophomore Alyssa Martinez said a denied zone variance threatened her senior year programming and that her family had to relocate so she could stay at her high school.

Local organizations including the Children’s Advocacy Alliance, Opportunity 180, the Vegas Chamber and other education and civic groups testified in support, describing open enrollment as an equity and parental‑choice measure. Several witnesses and committee members asked how transportation would be handled: Torres Fawcett said the bill would not require districts to provide transportation immediately but included a study and reporting requirement on transportation capacity and options so future policy decisions could be data‑driven.

District officials expressed concerns. Brandon Keating, representing Clark County School District, said CCSD already offers a change of school assignment (COSA) process for similar purposes and opposed portions of the bill that he said would require using behavioral or disciplinary history in applications; CCSD said its current COSA is a blind application process and that many seats in the district are already available. Washoe County School District representatives and the Nevada State Education Association voiced requests to tighten the definition of capacity so it reflects reasonable classroom teaching capacity rather than full building or fire‑code numbers.

Torres Fawcett and members of the committee discussed amendments to clarify capacity calculations (favoring classroom capacity), ensure special education transportation remains protected under IDEA, and to allow districts time to implement an appeals structure. Committee members asked whether approved transfers would be permanent; staff and proponents said approved transfers would generally be treated as resident the following year so students could remain.

The hearing produced substantial discussion but no committee vote during the session. Torres Fawcett said she is open to changes on capacity language and appeals and that she would work with districts to refine implementation details.

The bill drew extensive public testimony — both from parents describing challenges navigating change‑of‑school and zone variance processes and from district officials urging collaboration — and the committee left the matter open for further amendment and work session consideration.","The Assembly Committee on Education heard testimony on AB 533, which would create a statewide open‑enrollment system allowing pupils to apply to public schools outside their attendance zones when capacity exists.",{"_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},6617687,"AB 494 would codify federal education protections in state law if those federal laws are repealed, sponsor says",1290,9164000,10454000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2839469-d9e7ab2084cf848c672d060c20325648&start=9164&end=10454","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2839469-d9e7ab2084cf848c672d060c20325648/thumbnail_9164000.jpg","/articles/6617687/Nevada/AB-494-would-codify-federal-education-protections-in-state-law-if-those-federal-laws-are-repealed-sponsor-says","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617687-586b05a6178eefc0a65c99c669e4c5e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154114&Signature=Uh1jqdp0injk4nmF8uA553umOQi2DBPlVdr0JDS7YcnNX~H-P4QXE4mQ4SKnfCysHxFyrURjaIeBJUqU3hZdo0o7JRR8qkomuUY3R1C4YtAvOsvjGCPRO28HPJ0JiAKRQvD4MyNnrMeD2B26AeLD4PlpLTbfZQfpu6nrIpRqArn0LBPkEXLaRNTi4agUZQGbI-D4WM3Z9PjRFhAQ4YCTgZZYsZPaqHV5UV8trVTZHD2m8oe6KkHiypYRgOr6euQ8D~xMEgDi~IZIgd1jK8kWGc1bcB~RybdMbJtBQebUlrfYcwTgrdOKxdvOLEuNxTPDyTZIOIfBrvm5XosQOXh0Kg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assemblymember Selena Torres Fawcett introduced Assembly Bill 494 to the Assembly Committee on Education as a contingency measure to preserve key federal civil‑rights and education protections at the state level in the event those federal statutes are repealed. Torres Fawcett said the bill would ensure continuity for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the Education Amendments and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), as recently added in a conceptual amendment.

Under the bill as discussed, if any of the listed federal laws were repealed, Nevada would continue to recognize and enforce those standards as they existed prior to repeal. The bill would also require the Nevada Department of Education to adopt regulations implementing the state‑level versions of those protections within six months of repeal and would require the Interim Finance Committee (IFC) to approve the acceptance of any federal block grants for K‑12 education, with a determination that the funds would continue to support programs previously supported by federal money.

Supporters including the Children’s Advocacy Alliance, the Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities and Opportunity 180 described the bill as a protective step for vulnerable students and families. Catherine Nielsen of the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities said the IDEA framework — IEP teams, least restrictive environment and procedural protections — is essential for students with disabilities and should be preserved if federal law changes.

Neutral testimony from the Nevada State Education Association expressed concern that the bill addresses a real and serious threat at the federal level but warned that the state’s fiscal capacity to replace lost federal funding would be limited; NSEA cited possible federal program funding losses (IDEA, Title I, Pell, CTE) and argued Nevada is already below the national average in per‑pupil funding. The Nevada Association of School Superintendents similarly noted existing state statutes and obligations and urged clarity on implementation and fiscal impacts.

Committee members asked about the bill’s timing and implementation window. Torres Fawcett said she would accept an amendment to make regulatory deadlines tied to the timing of any federal repeal to avoid an implementation gap; she indicated willingness to continue work on conforming language.

No vote was recorded during the hearing. The committee received both expressions of support for preserving student protections and cautions about the financial and practical implications of transferring federal obligations to state responsibility.","AB 494 would cause Nevada to continue recognizing key federal education statutes—IDEA, FERPA, Title VI, Title IX and ESSA—at the state level if they are repealed federally; sponsors called it a safeguard while some education groups urged collaboration and warned of fiscal exposure if federal funding is lost.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6617677,"Work session: Assembly education committee amends and advances several bills on teacher licensure, interscholastic activities and related items",783,1735000,2518000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2839469-d9e7ab2084cf848c672d060c20325648&start=1735&end=2518","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2839469-d9e7ab2084cf848c672d060c20325648/thumbnail_1735000.jpg","/articles/6617677/Nevada/Work-session-Assembly-education-committee-amends-and-advances-several-bills-on-teacher-licensure-interscholastic-activities-and-related-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617677-4dea30943433c342480a69b72b0525b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154114&Signature=ftRM5l2-YfKET~q~H8lF8oPwZvry7ptM85RT9ka8cKNlcgBbag05j3vpvgIuWSUMN8KAR0r0b31mATq3cYaN3BvvP0w6w9pXsMjDro0yMC5E2HyMcEv1uhxsWATvvke4lTjMIbfgdYwa0B0QTxtSCP-EZvmwJCZdlxlvkou7QY2b2JCoZX4Lve-MvzEDl5jY~pxOuMgYJS1sAtvPtdJCn~YDEKX6MPkNutFX2tSgQAeitAU1pj1BQrtWYushUo56Skr8gLUxonttVDsHl0imwOoJCUaxCybvLWZvG8Scf~6MohgSAx2Rc4I5jOEbjviCWeavbDRulapb80Ysbp-82A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Assembly Committee on Education held a work session and considered amendments to multiple bills affecting teacher licensure, interscholastic activities and other education regulations. Nonpartisan Committee Policy Analyst Kelly Lower summarized staff and stakeholder amendments before the committee considered motions.

Key outcomes recorded in the work session document and on the record:

- AB 49 (revising provisions relating to educational personnel): The committee adopted an amendment proposed by Washoe County School District that removed certain interstate provisional‑licensure list requirements, clarified district hiring when a teacher's Nevada license is pending, removed authorization for simultaneous enrollment in multiple alternative licensure programs, adjusted substitute‑to‑full license fee waiver language and repealed NRS 391.027. The motion to amend and do pass was made by Assemblymember Mosca and seconded by Assemblymember LaRue Hatch; the motion passed unanimously with Assemblymember Flanagan absent/excused. The floor statement was assigned to Assemblymember Dahlia.

- AB 184 (interscholastic activities / NIAA waivers and conference realignment rules): Sponsor and committee considered an amendment that added cosponsors, changed waiver timing and added public hearing requirements around conference realignments. The committee agreed to remove section 3, subsection 4 from the working amendment for further work; Assemblymember LaRue Hatch moved the amendment and Vice Chair De Silva seconded. The motion passed unanimously with one member absent/excused; the floor statement was assigned to Assemblymember Anderson.

- AB 289 (revising provisions relating to education; Board of Regents and financial literacy course): An amendment would allow the Board of Regents to establish an undergraduate financial‑literacy course as a general education or elective option. The motion to amend and do pass was made by Assemblymember Moscow and seconded by Assemblymember Dahlia; the motion carried with one recorded nay (Assemblymember DeLong). The floor statement was assigned to Assemblymember Wynne.

- AB 389 (revisions concerning school data, funding and commission duties): The committee adopted amendments reassigning duties to the commission on innovation and excellence in education (CIEE), adding a September 30, 2026 deadline for reporting recommendations, and clarifying NDE's collaboration with CIEE to gather stakeholder input. The motion was made by Assemblymember Moscow and seconded by Assemblymember Hunt; the motion passed unanimously. The sponsor assigned the floor statement to the chair.

- AB 394 (emergency response plans for opioid overdoses at higher education institutions): The committee adopted an amendment to allow language changing naloxone dosage guidance from a fixed milligram amount to \"lowest effective dose to restore breathing,\" and added a provision prohibiting disciplinary action against students for obtaining an opioid antagonist. The motion to amend and do pass was made by Vice Chair DaSilva, seconded by Assemblymember Hanson, and passed unanimously with Assemblymember Flanagan absent/excused. The floor statement was assigned to Assemblymember Brown May.

All motions were taken without extended debate on the floor and most passed unanimously; one vote (AB 289) recorded a single nay. Committee staff noted work session documents might be released closer to deadlines and additional work sessions were anticipated.","In an early work session the committee amended and moved several education bills (AB 49, AB 184, AB 289, AB 389, AB 394), adopting sponsor amendments and assigning floor statements; motions carried, mostly unanimously, with one recorded no vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Assembly hearing: ‘SAFER Act’ would require schools to adopt harassment response policies, designate confidential employees

Committee advances discussion on AB 335 to tighten accountability, supports for English learners

Nevada committee hears bill to let students apply to public schools outside their attendance zones

AB 494 would codify federal education protections in state law if those federal laws are repealed, sponsor says

Work session: Assembly education committee amends and advances several bills on teacher licensure, interscholastic activities and related items