Bill would let Nevada communities tailor mobile behavioral‑health crisis teams

CARSON CITY — Assemblywoman Rebecca Edgeworth told the Assembly Health and Human Services Committee March 24 that Assembly Bill 380 would give Nevada jurisdictions greater flexibility in how they compose mobile crisis response teams that are part of the state’s 988 crisis system.

Sponsor Edgeworth said the change aims to align 988 responses with the flexibility already available through 911 dispatch, allowing localities to tailor teams based on whether law enforcement, medical personnel or mental‑health clinicians are most appropriate for a scene. “We’re trying to align the response essentially with what is available with 911,” Edgeworth said.

Assistant Fire Chief Art Perillo of Las Vegas Fire and Rescue described the statutory references the bill would amend and told the committee the change would allow local jurisdictions to expand the composition of mobile crisis teams to meet local needs. “The suggested language aids in bridging the gap of service,” Perillo said, adding that the change also aligns with updates in the Medicaid Service Manual related to mental health services.

Chief Perillo and other presenters said the bill removes a strict staffing requirement that has impeded some communities from standing up teams. Perillo explained that the current language restricts some teams by requiring a peer support specialist as part of the dispatched unit; removing that mandatory role gives jurisdictions flexibility to staff a team with a behavioral‑health professional plus law enforcement or medical personnel as locally appropriate. “One of the difficulties that we found in staffing our team is finding that peer support person,” he said.

Health‑care and public‑safety stakeholders overwhelmingly supported the bill in testimony. Representatives of hospitals, county sheriffs and municipal fire departments described reduced hospitalizations and fewer arrests when appropriate crisis teams respond. The ACLU of Nevada, Nevada Hospital Association, NAMI Nevada, Washoe County and dozens of local and regional providers and governments filed support statements or testified in favor. The Vegas Chamber and rural hospital groups also supported the measure.

Several presenters noted that Medicaid reimbursement for mobile crisis services is available and that aligning statutory language with Medicaid guidance will help jurisdictions secure funding to operate teams. Edgeworth and Las Vegas presenters said they do not expect the bill to change coverage for non‑crisis behavioral health services; one sponsor response was that the reimbursement change applies to mobile crisis interventions, not routine prior‑authorized services.

State officials described a neutral technical position. Cody Finney, division administrator for Public and Behavioral Health, said the division is preparing regulations required by the legislation and will work to ensure peer supports and professionals are available across jurisdictions. “We will continue to work towards ensuring that peers are available, that professionals are available, and getting the right people to the right crises,” Finney said.

The committee heard broad support and no organized opposition during the hearing; the bill sponsor closed with a request for support. The committee did not take a vote on AB 380 during the hearing; staff and stakeholders said they will continue to work on implementation details and regulations.