[{"_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",6595058,"mediaKeyId","3043665-3b16fb9793ddf8d997a05eb33c1fe2e9","parentId",3043665,"title","Senators hear unanimous support for bill requiring human‑trafficking training for first responders, dispatchers and ambulance staff","audioSeconds",803,"startMs",3221000,"endMs",4024000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3043665-3b16fb9793ddf8d997a05eb33c1fe2e9&start=3221&end=4024","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3043665-3b16fb9793ddf8d997a05eb33c1fe2e9/thumbnail_3221000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6595058/Nevada/Senators-hear-unanimous-support-for-bill-requiring-humantrafficking-training-for-first-responders-dispatchers-and-ambulance-staff","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595058-a582636d71d705081e890338a055b124/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140885&Signature=Bt4EEx1Upa0XRk8QrKPrKte-Br5cihA~dQNMcYwMoy9brk1Uni0bbGMGPpSJ4ikh0CNl~awO79L8LZ~BV35PWQqc3VSzInUZ0saCAhy~ikZl8mJGdpWoMgjxrVgsyRPf18yk5ax0woNgwM4tF5oBV2puVtOFCCgtWJkRLCRj6eLbEHJQa0~XIeriKDjEOsPW9Ij2CM5rtu4iZGalhSnt1DOh2CA00yzQPMpfVqY2C9pGxUo8Q2vD5ciOmao~YKYmpEBoaDYa7VVxad~pEEbDleEZSIYeYop-xBYfYdRG2zBUET6nbYBslXkIrlHsRPKDo0yRuFc0PQgk2CB7360PZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nevada State Legislature","date","2025-04-17T20:43:01.757Z","article","Sen. Carrie Buck presented Senate Bill 127, which would add an hour of human‑trafficking awareness training to the certification requirements for emergency medical personnel including emergency medical technicians, paramedics, firefighters, 9‑1‑1 dispatchers and ambulance professionals. An amendment agreed in committee changes the training renewal period to biannual (every other year) rather than annual.

Tina DeCola, a former Las Vegas Fire and Rescue 9‑1‑1 dispatcher and current instructor, told senators she developed a curriculum used in Southern Nevada and the Southern Nevada Human Trafficking Task Force. DeCola recounted a 911 call she handled nine years earlier that exposed gaps in dispatcher training and said mandatory, standardized training has led to multiple successful recoveries of trafficking victims in Clark County, North Las Vegas and Henderson.

A survivor, Annika Huff, testified about an interaction during her trafficking when a firefighter briefly appeared at a doorway and showed concern; she said trained responders can make the difference between continued victimization and rescue. Fire Captain Michael Suska described optional training he received that helped him recognize trafficking cases in the field; he told the committee the training should be mandatory, not optional.

Supporters including the Nevada Policy Council on Human Trafficking, Prevent Child Trafficking Nevada, the Retail Association and nurses’ and veterans’ groups urged passage. Col. Will Bradley (ret.) of the United Veterans Legislative Council recommended safeguards so well‑intentioned reporting would not chill reporting through fear of false accusations.

Senators asked implementation questions about curriculum, certification and cost. DeCola said the training is free to agencies, delivered via the agencies’ existing online platforms (TargetSolutions) and she provides “train‑the‑trainer” instruction for training officers. Clark County Fire and other Southern Nevada agencies indicated they have training platforms and could upload the curriculum; Henderson Fire reported having the training in its system. The amendment to make renewal biannual was requested by Clark County Fire to align with existing recertification schedules.

The hearing drew broad supportive public comment; no opposition testimony was recorded. The sponsor and witnesses asked the committee to move SB127 to immediate work session so that implementation and interagency coordination can proceed in the legislative timeline.

Ending note: senators praised the survivor testimony and requested technical follow up about statewide rollout and whether northern Nevada jurisdictions could adopt the same platform without added costs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/10/2025 - Senate Committee on Health and Human Services","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 127 would require first responders, dispatchers and ambulance personnel to complete an hour of human‑trafficking awareness training and to renew it every other year under an agreed amendment.","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},6595060,"Bill to let federally qualified health centers bill Medicaid for additional master's‑level behavioral health providers gets support",830,2363000,3193000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3043665-3b16fb9793ddf8d997a05eb33c1fe2e9&start=2363&end=3193","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3043665-3b16fb9793ddf8d997a05eb33c1fe2e9/thumbnail_2363000.jpg","/articles/6595060/Nevada/Bill-to-let-federally-qualified-health-centers-bill-Medicaid-for-additional-masterslevel-behavioral-health-providers-gets-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595060-fbd537e85fe9a41bff02b04f66db7244/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140885&Signature=Dr~Ifh3Jnf-4U1pXjW1XCl4T29wVwaRX6M0JJcXuGALLU2Hn78wOxyUm4P63-qVe~XXjtTPDfs6IQUasgKO2ScEstGk-eDA6nEIBvtc8XDZ~cj7XhbSwGvVyXfGNS4gIBgpoVlWETJ06yVjBFP7bGiZBKgumsNoO7KfVnrJBuhTpthQ3FYZBInztJnzNKadOpG7Suz9mRGz-jm2WVA2xsuYYDfjH3aeDs-KKwFTHpRL7xy4u61EfAMQmbnEXNkMT6Hu3JusKgq7BxPh~Ino-xWwW57w5LuTnskWKaeUT8EsFHwW6LENF-eGVqC54E0hBDHVU75ISJW74RmQ9vUOdLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Marilyn Dondero Loop presented Senate Bill 300 to the subcommittee, saying the bill would align Nevada law with a 2023 federal change that expanded Medicaid reimbursement at federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) to include services provided by mental health counselors and alcohol and drug counselors who hold a master’s degree.

Dondero Loop said SB300 “aims to codify the existing federal requirement that Medicaid cover services performed by the listed professionals as it was amended in 2023” and directs the director of the Department of Health and Human Services to seek any federal waivers required to implement the change.

Helen Foley, board chair of FirstMed Health and Wellness (an FQHC), described FirstMed’s behavioral‑health program and said the center currently treats about 10,000 patients annually, with 60 percent requiring mental health services. Angela Quinn, FirstMed CEO, said the center has 27 licensed therapists and two psychiatrists and that adding the ability to bill for services from licensed alcohol and drug counselors (LADCs) and clinical alcohol and drug counselors (LCADCs) would let FirstMed expand clinician staff, reduce wait lists and serve more children and foster care patients.

Supporters told the committee the change would help integrated primary and behavioral health models. Steve Messinger of the Nevada Primary Care Association said health centers serve underserved communities and that behavioral health visits had increased 58 percent from 2018 to 2023, arguing the bill would improve access for vulnerable patients.

No opposition testimony was recorded during the hearing. Dondero Loop closed by noting the bill chiefly codifies an existing federal change and thanked stakeholders and FQHC representatives.

Ending note: the committee did not take a final vote in the hearing; sponsors asked DHHS to pursue federal paperwork required to claim federal financial participation for the newly covered provider types.","Senate Bill 300 would require Medicaid to reimburse FQHCs for services provided by certain master’s‑level behavioral health clinicians added to federal Medicaid rules in 2023, including licensed alcohol and drug counselors and professional counselors.",{"_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},6595062,"Nevada senators hear bill to move Medicaid to single pharmacy benefit manager; pharmacists, patient groups back measure",2137,208000,2345000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3043665-3b16fb9793ddf8d997a05eb33c1fe2e9&start=208&end=2345","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3043665-3b16fb9793ddf8d997a05eb33c1fe2e9/thumbnail_208000.jpg","/articles/6595062/Nevada/Nevada-senators-hear-bill-to-move-Medicaid-to-single-pharmacy-benefit-manager-pharmacists-patient-groups-back-measure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595062-eae9703480d6a4abc1a9922255e15e79/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140885&Signature=cu-7jbco2kuxTzjSSS9Emi9yw2BuQHtNBISl65p1xSVg13pFsqSqQc1MAvZ5iNGOCjn-zFHvIiPwgG1K5i6US9XMJ4p4f3drtLl3YrC1jBzMdTGWbAwvT~XSk95aC7hMfQpsPMVs0kBz0MmGueOvm1vvuas0diZwy48pL--l4gLTOh1YAWv1T2A9OA-2MlpVAvC3VF1ap04Fn-p0GS63adZ7eOshX82F9tXpWJvQfh7IEddYRvlNkMVA-gIzcxvwC2eGTGn97VeFce1V2qhv~2-bMNijKSq6tTFbpqjh5eDEuMjXmvdOONtdJ5G2WCHtshkalimGVtH8-FwiIPAHQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Vice Chair Angie Taylor opened a hearing on Senate Bill 389, which would require the Nevada Medicaid program to select a single pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) to administer pharmacy benefits for the state’s Medicaid enrollees and bar that PBM’s use of spread pricing.

Sen. Melanie Scheibel, the bill’s sponsor, told the committee SB389 would “require the state Medicaid plan to switch to a single PBM” and said the proposal complies with federal law and would still allow multiple managed care organizations to operate so long as they all use the same PBM. “It would prohibit the use of spread pricing by that pharmacy benefit manager,” Scheibel said.

Pharmacists, pharmacy trade groups and community pharmacy advocates provided the bulk of public testimony in support. Adam Porath of the Nevada Society of Health System Pharmacists described how a single PBM could reduce administrative burdens for pharmacies and create a uniform prior‑authorization process: “When patients move from fee‑for‑service Medicaid … that is then not on the formulary when they go to an MCO plan. So this would definitely streamline things for patients.”

Evan Williams of the Nevada Pharmacy Alliance cited savings reported in other states that have centralized PBM contracting, telling the committee that Ohio and Kentucky experienced large first‑year savings after similar changes were implemented: “In Ohio, the first year that they implemented this change, they had $186,000,000 of savings, and in the second year, $230,000,000. In Kentucky, they did this and they had $283,000,000 in savings.” Williams said a single PBM also protects rural and independent pharmacies from “unfair reimbursement rates.”

Several individual pharmacists from hospitals, tribal health centers and community pharmacies across Nevada also testified in support, saying a single PBM would reduce confusion at the pharmacy counter and lower costs for patients. Keibi Mejia, a policy analyst testifying for the Nevada Society for Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, said the bill “increases transparency and savings in Medicaid.”

Committee members asked technical questions about implementation. Scheibel and agency staff said the Department of Health and Human Services would run a competitive procurement (RFP) process to select the PBM and that the bill includes an amendment tying the contract process to federal statute to ensure compliance. Senator Titus asked who would select the single PBM and was told the department would evaluate applications under the bill’s Section 12.

The subcommittee recessed briefly to include Las Vegas testimony; callers from around the state echoed the support heard in Carson City.

The hearing closed without a committee vote; the bill will proceed to work session consideration.

Ending note: sponsors and supporters said the measure aims to reduce costs, simplify pharmacy operations and improve consistency of coverage across managed care plans. The committee did not take a final vote in the hearing and identified procurement details and federal compliance as implementation items for staff and the department to address in work session.","Vice Chair Angie Taylor opened a hearing on Senate Bill 389, which would require Nevada Medicaid to contract with a single pharmacy benefit manager and ban spread pricing.",{"_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},6595055,"Senate bill modeled on Jacob’s Law aims to protect parents seeking inpatient treatment for children with severe behavioral health needs",871,6744000,7615000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3043665-3b16fb9793ddf8d997a05eb33c1fe2e9&start=6744&end=7615","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3043665-3b16fb9793ddf8d997a05eb33c1fe2e9/thumbnail_6744000.jpg","/articles/6595055/Nevada/Senate-bill-modeled-on-Jacobs-Law-aims-to-protect-parents-seeking-inpatient-treatment-for-children-with-severe-behavioral-health-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595055-bb5833c32b4fd01b22a60d92351217ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140885&Signature=ELH6e46itR-ayofvjQlYB3nHRQ2-k9HOv7g01mRjXAJonEOxeONJEi8F9Kya26f5~xHoGL8L-u-rNHJE45xplBQ722wd5TVOH3a06xplsh7feNAD5DuTsw9~FWVe2qWv8d6DfnWVO5B00gGByhtDm5sWsgiYL4bkqYv0jDYrN4IBIiv~e-sEmIZiMJY8VQv8QBnAQXipd0txwql9MoMuup-H1CBG-vizhIYVZhsHL-uelbSlZa~WrotKRbycdyo5BUtOfen2bRd7KTbISU3~Yy~Guzw2XTfpPhc-3uOVCU~nzlGxfvKLNaPKy572sJ~V14YfVvpn~pKoSA5fsIrvVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. John Steinbeck introduced Senate Bill 372, a measure inspired by Arizona’s “Jacob’s Law,” intended to protect parents and guardians who seek professional mental‑health care for children with significant behavioral health needs.

Steinbeck and family law attorney Kim Surratt told the committee that Nevada law lacks clear protections for parents who admit or seek inpatient treatment for children whose psychiatric or behavioral disorders pose risks to the family. Surratt, who has handled appeals and family cases involving such children, described situations in which parents pursuing treatment were later accused of neglect because the child was not kept at home or because facilities discharged children who proved too difficult to treat.

Two parents, Kimberly and Rain Alexander, described their own experience: after repeated assaults by their child on staff and other patients at multiple residential facilities, they said Child Protective Services opened allegations of abandonment when they insisted the child was unsafe to discharge into the home. They urged the committee to adopt clear protections so families are not penalized for seeking inpatient care when the child’s needs exceed the family’s ability to provide safe supervision.

Kim Surratt and the sponsor said SB372 would limit findings of abuse or neglect when parents are actively seeking clinically appropriate treatment or when they take a child home temporarily while awaiting placement, and would ensure caseworkers and courts consider the specialized clinical needs rather than automatically treating placement decisions as neglect.

Clark County counsel Joanna Jacob testified she supported the bill’s premise and asked that the Legislature continue work on implementation details and wraparound services; she did not press opposition but requested continued coordination to fund supports to keep families intact when appropriate.

Ending note: the hearing did not result in a committee vote; proponents asked for continued legislative work and potential interim study to address resource gaps for high‑needs children.","SB372 would add statutory protections so parents are not automatically found to have abused or neglected a child solely because they sought inpatient behavioral health treatment or because a child posed safety risks to others in the household.",{"_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},6595051,"Bill to let pharmacists bill Medicaid for clinical services draws support from health centers and pharmacies",1839,8159000,9998000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3043665-3b16fb9793ddf8d997a05eb33c1fe2e9&start=8159&end=9998","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3043665-3b16fb9793ddf8d997a05eb33c1fe2e9/thumbnail_8159000.jpg","/articles/6595051/Nevada/Bill-to-let-pharmacists-bill-Medicaid-for-clinical-services-draws-support-from-health-centers-and-pharmacies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595051-7299eb1d9cf5313fba8c6dbef81c0cbd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140885&Signature=T8Q-VIYmLntMFTH3ZWlUXeqeDF7-HLUvNDzvAyK3AcCkj~Nm7kdJ92G1YVs80PAzX-pFRMAEF0lx2ynRl~ew97qcm4FykxsX-1~~wc6mIzzRyjNcAtjwLAVwkzKlIubad3NSyannAT9rmrHUKQJeAHVlVz9FQxkAPwswA7TyyfCi7AlfIfToEZMSqELNSNvnwqi0jkF6rKFveY1y-O6FInL1zkeGSfeWs4OjFJdKzHdiZE215eaPw8phzvMuuuQSLwN78REVk0KUEyUM6FWokoY5xeV6A690lTxOUaGL4DBaAxWb7f5lOzuH4TMDY-FItGmIj3ecP9qKGdhS8RMjiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Jeff Stone presented Senate Bill 118, which would create Medicaid payment pathways for clinical services provided by pharmacists when the same services are covered for other authorized health professionals. Stone and witnesses emphasized that the bill does not expand pharmacists’ scope of practice; rather it creates a mechanism for Medicaid to reimburse pharmacists for clinical services they already are authorized to provide under Nevada law or collaborative practice agreements.

Ken Kunke of the Nevada Pharmacy Alliance described clinical services delivered by pharmacists — medication reviews, blood‑pressure checks, chronic disease management and point‑of‑care testing — and said that pharmacists receive extensive clinical training during their PharmD programs. He told the committee Nevada lacks the billing codes or a reimbursement mechanism that would allow pharmacists to be paid by Medicaid for many of those services, which limits widespread adoption despite demonstrated benefits when pharmacists are integrated into care teams.

Multiple speakers testified in support. Adam Porath (Nevada Society of Health System Pharmacists) explained that collaborative practice models can produce improved outcomes and return on investment; the Nevada Primary Care Association and Nevada Health Centers said Medicaid reimbursement would enable health centers and clinics to expand pharmacist‑led services to underserved patients. Retail and community pharmacists from Las Vegas and Henderson also testified that they already deliver many of these services and that Medicaid payment would remove a current financial barrier and reduce pressure on emergency departments.

Senators asked about liability and whether Medicaid would require changed provider types or federal waivers. Stacy Weeks from DHHS said a separate waiver would not be required; the department already maintains a Medicaid provider type for pharmacists, and the change would involve adding or enabling billing codes for covered clinical services.

Ending note: the hearing closed with broad support and a request that the department and stakeholders coordinate on fee schedules and billing codes for Medicaid implementation in advance of work session deliberations.","SB118 would require Nevada Medicaid to cover clinical services provided by pharmacists when the same service is covered for other providers, enabling pharmacists to bill Medicaid for care such as medication therapy management, point‑of‑care testing and collaborative practice services. Supporters said it would expand access in primary care deserts","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senators hear unanimous support for bill requiring human‑trafficking training for first responders, dispatchers and ambulance staff

Bill to let federally qualified health centers bill Medicaid for additional master's‑level behavioral health providers gets support

Nevada senators hear bill to move Medicaid to single pharmacy benefit manager; pharmacists, patient groups back measure

Senate bill modeled on Jacob’s Law aims to protect parents seeking inpatient treatment for children with severe behavioral health needs

Bill to let pharmacists bill Medicaid for clinical services draws support from health centers and pharmacies