Council backs developmental disabilities advisory board priorities with edits on restraint language

Clark County staff and advisory-board representatives briefed the council on legislative priorities proposed by the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board for the 2026 session. Jordan Bogie summarized the priorities and noted the board's request that the council adopt them to give lobbyists guidance during the session.

Key priorities outlined were: protecting Medicaid and existing funding streams that support services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; supporting provider-rate updates to reflect actual costs; safeguarding early-childhood interventions and special-education services under IDEA; increasing funding for accessible, inclusive affordable housing; reducing use of restraint, seclusion, and isolation in schools through training and alternative strategies; and developing aging-adult services tailored for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Councilors supported the package in general but asked staff to soften the phrasing on restraint/seclusion (change 'abolish' to focus on training, guidance, and reducing use where appropriate) and to add the word 'accessible' to the housing priority. Staff said it would work with lobbyists to track relevant bills and return specific items to council during weekly legislative updates when needed.