Assembly committee advances SB 380 after sponsors remove registration change; retains audit and law-enforcement training provisions

The Assembly Government Affairs Committee voted unanimously to amend and pass Senate Bill 380 on a voice vote, approving an amended version that removes a provision on provisional practice for registered behavior technicians and retains an audit of the state registration process.

Sen. James Orenshall, sponsor of SB 380, told the committee the bill revises provisions related to autism spectrum disorder and “seeks to add training regarding persons with autism spectrum disorder” for law enforcement. He said he presented a conceptual amendment to delete section 4 of the bill and asked the committee to retain section 4.5, which directs a process audit of registration timelines for registered behavior technicians (RBTs).

The bill’s training provisions would make autism-awareness training available to law enforcement agencies; the statute language makes that training optional after the sponsor removed mandatory training because of large fiscal notes raised during the Senate Finance review. Supporters said the training could reduce harmful encounters when officers meet people on the autism spectrum who may not respond to verbal commands.

Advocates said they will provide the training at no cost. Michelle Scott-Lewing, president of the Autism Coalition of Nevada, said the coalition has arranged a “train the trainer” partnership with an organization called First Responder Autism Trainers and “we are going to offer this statewide at no charge to law enforcement agencies throughout the state.” Julie Ostrovsky, a co-presenter, and other advocates emphasized that trainers available in the state include board-certified behavior analysts and other qualified professionals.

The committee also heard testimony about delays in the RBT registration process. Providers and advocates asked the legislature to authorize a process audit to identify bottlenecks. Sen. Orenshall said the audit would let the legislative auditor “look at the times it takes to process applications” and produce an unbiased report. Jan Crandy, former chair of the Nevada Autism Commission, told the committee the intent of the state registry was “to promote access for the workforce of RBTs by having a registry.”

Representatives of the Nevada Applied Behavior Analysis Board initially testified in opposition to portions of the bill related to background checks and provisional practice. Wendy Knorr, executive director of the board, said the board and its staff had provided data showing improvements in application processing and that, with the removal of section 4, the board could move to neutral. Dr. Bridget Fronapfel, chair of the Nevada Board of Behavior Analysis, said the board remains concerned that a duplicative legislative audit will create a fiscal impact for the board and licensees and noted the board already schedules audits biennially. She said, “Current data demonstrates that our board is not the cause of delays nor a barrier in the registration of RBTs.”

Public commenters and callers spoke overwhelmingly in support. Rebecca Raynoha said, “Our kids deserve safety, and our kids also deserve early intervention services.” Yesenia Gonzales, vice president of United by Autism, described cases of elopement and said “many police officers have the best intentions but are uneducated on what is autism.” Supporters also cited prevalence figures during testimony: Michelle Scott-Lewing told the committee that “1 in 31 children now have autism,” and she estimated “12,000 children in Nevada have an autism spectrum disorder and 40,000 adults in Nevada have an autism spectrum disorder.” Those figures were presented as testimony to explain demand for services.

In the work session following the hearing, Assembly members voted on a motion “to amend and do pass Senate Bill 380 with only the amended amendment posted in NELIS, which removes section 4 of the bill.” Vice Chair Wynn moved the motion; Assemblymember DeLong seconded. The committee approved the motion by voice vote; the chair recorded that the motion “passes unanimous. Motion carries unanimously,” and the bill will proceed with the amendment preserving the law-enforcement training (optional) and the process audit (section 4.5) while removing the provision authorizing provisional practice pending registration.

Votes at a glance: SB 380 — Motion to amend and do pass (amendment removes section 4; retains section 4.5 audit and sections 1–3 training). Motion: Vice Chair Wynn. Second: Assemblymember DeLong. Vote: unanimous (voice vote). Outcome: approved.

The committee’s action leaves standing the optional-training language and the audit provision. Supporters urged agencies to adopt the training despite its optional status; the Autism Coalition of Nevada said it will fund and coordinate trainer preparation and offer sessions at no charge. The committee did not adopt language requiring training be delivered by a licensed behavior analyst; Sen. Orenshall said he would confer with stakeholders about whether to specify trainer qualifications.

The committee record shows both support and continuing concern: advocates said workforce delays reduce the available RBT workforce and lengthen wait lists for services, while the board said recent process changes and electronic background checks have reduced processing times and that the board is willing to continue working with stakeholders. The legislative auditor told the committee the auditor’s office would work collaboratively if the audit is authorized.

The committee closed the work session and moved on to public comment; the hearing and work session concluded with the bill advanced for further action in the Assembly.