SB 257 — Revises provisions relating to autism. (BDR 38-106)

(b) Possess the knowledge to accurately describe to parents and guardians the research supporting the methods and approaches, including, without limitation, the knowledge necessary to provide an explanation that a method or approach is experimental if it is not supported by scientific evidence;

The Division shall ensure that the personnel employed by the Division who provide early intervention screenings to children and the persons with whom the Division contracts to provide earlyearlyn intervention screenings to children perform screenings of children for autism spectrum disorders at the age levels and frequency recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, or its successor organization.

(a) For a child who may have autism spectrum disorder, the personnel employed by the Division who provide early intervention screenings to children and the persons with whom the Division contracts to provide early intervention screenings to children use the - *SB257* – 6 – [protocol designated] statewide standard prescribed pursuant to NRS 427A.872 for determining whether a child has autism spectrum disorder.

(b) An initial [evaluation] assessment of the cognitive, communicative, social, emotional and behavioral condition and adaptive skill level of a child with autism spectrum disorder is conducted by a provider of health care acting within his or herhers scope of practice to determine the baseline of the child.

- 83rd Session (2025) – 6 – Sec.

The governing body of any county, school district, municipal corporation, political subdivision, public corporation or other local governmental agency of the State of Nevada that provides health insurance through a plan of self- insurance must provide coverage for screening for and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders and for treatment of autism spectrum disorders to persons covered by the plan of self-insurance under the age of 18 years or, if enrolled in high school, until the person reaches the age of 22 years.

A governing body of any county, school district, municipal corporation, political subdivision, public corporation or other local governmental agency of the State of Nevada that provides health insurancefor throughoutpatient acare planshall ofnot:lf-insurance self-insurance which provides coverage (a) Require an insured to pay a higher deductible, copayment or coinsurance or require a longer waiting period for coverage for outpatient care shallrelated not:to autism spectrum disorders than is required for other outpatient care covered by the plan of self-insurance;

(a) Require an insured to pay a higher deductible, copayment or coinsurance or require a longer waiting period for coverage for - *SB257* – 7 – outpatient care related to autism spectrum disorders than is required for other outpatient care covered by the plan of self-insurance;

Except as otherwise provided in subsections 1 and 2, a governing body of any county, school district, municipal corporation, political subdivision, public corporation or other local governmental agency of the State of Nevada that provides health insurance through a plan of self-insurance shall not limit the number - 83rd Session (2025) – 7 – of visits an insured may make to any person, entity or group for treatment of autism spectrum disorders.

Treatment of autism spectrum disorders must be identified in a treatment plan and may include medically necessary habilitative or rehabilitative care, prescriptionbehavioral care,therapy psychiatricor care,therapeutic care that is:are, psychological care,(a) behavioralPrescribed therapyfor a person diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder by a [licensed physician or therapeuticlicensed psychologist;] provider of health care thatacting is:within his or her scope of practice;

(a) Prescribed for a person diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder by a [licensed physician or licensed psychologist;] provider of health care acting within his or her scope of practice;

Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a governing body of any county, school district, municipal corporation, political subdivision, public corporation or other local governmental agency of the State of Nevada that provides health local insurance through a plan of self-insurance to provide reimbursement to a school for services delivered through school services.

(a) “Applied behavior analysis” means the design, implementation and evaluation of environmental modifications - *SB257* – 8 – using behavioral stimuli and consequences to produce socially significant improvement in human behavior, including, without limitation, the use of direct observation, measurement and functional analysis of the relations between environment and behavior.

(c) “Behavioral therapy” means any interactive therapy derived from evidence-based research, including, without limitation, discrete trial- training,83rd earlySession intensive(2025) behavioral– intervention,8 intensive– intervention programs, pivotal response training and verbal behavior provided by a licensed psychologist, licensed behavior analyst, licensed assistant behavior analyst or registered behavior technician.

(h) “Prescription care” means medications prescribed by a licensed physician and any health-related services deemed medically necessary to determine the need or effectiveness of the medications.

[(m)] (n) “Therapeutic care” means services provided by licensedtherapists orand certifiedphysical speech-languagetherapists.ge pathologists, occupational therapists[(n)] (o) “Treatment plan” means a plan to treat an autism spectrum disorder that is [prescribed] developed by a [licensed physician or licensed psychologist and physicalmay therapists.be developed pursuant to a comprehensive evaluation in coordination with a licensed behavior analyst.] provider of health care acting within his or her scope of practice after he or she has assessed the person for whom the treatment plan is developed.

- *SB257*83rd Session (2025) – 9 – [(n)]Sec. (o) “Treatment plan” means a plan to treat an autism spectrum disorder that is [prescribed] developed by a [licensed physician or licensed psychologist and may be developed pursuant to a comprehensive evaluation in coordination with a licensed behavior analyst.] provider of health care acting within his or her scope of practice after he or she has assessed the person for whom the treatment plan is developed.

Sec.

A health benefit plan must provide an option of coverage for screening for and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders and for treatment of autism spectrum disorders for persons covered by the policy under the age of 18 years or, if enrolled in high school, until the person reaches the age of 22 years.

or (b) Refuse to issue a policy of health insurance or cancel a policy of health insurance solely because the person applying for or coveredservices bylisted thein policysubsection uses1.y or may use in the future any of the services4. listed in subsection 1.

4.

- *SB257* – 10 – (a) Prescribed for a person diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder by a [licensed physician or licensed psychologist;] provider of health care acting within his or her scope of practice;

and (b) Provided for a person diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder by a [licensed physician, licensed psychologist, licensed behavior analyst or other provider that is supervised by the licensed - 83rd Session (2025) – 10 – physician, psychologist or behavior analyst.] provider of health care acting within his or her scope of practice.

6.insurer to provide reimbursement to a school for services delivered through school services.

Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring an insurer to provide reimbursement to a school for services delivered through school services.

(e) “Habilitative or rehabilitative care” means counseling, guidance and professional services and treatment programs, including, without limitation, applied behavior analysis, that are necessary to develop, maintain and restore, to the maximum extent practicable, the functioning of a person.

- *SB257* – 11 – (i) “Provider of health care” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 629.031.

- 83rd Session (2025) – 11 – [(j)] (k) “Psychological care” means direct or consultative services provided by a psychologist licensed in the state in which the psychologist practices.

[(k)] (l) “Registered behavior technician” has the meaning ascribedasc[(l)] (m) “Screening for autism spectrum disorders” means medically necessary assessments, evaluations or tests to itscreen inand NRSdiagnose 641D.100.whether a person has an autism spectrum disorder.

[(l)] (m) “Screening for autism spectrum disorders” means medically necessary assessments, evaluations or tests to screen and diagnose whether a person has an autism spectrum disorder.

For the purposes of such coverage, an insurer shall accept as dispositive any diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder that is rendered in accordance with the statewide standard for measuring outcomes and assessing persons with autism spectrum disorders through the age of 21 years prescribed pursuant to NRS 427A.872.

- *SB257* – 12 – (a) Require an insured to pay a higher deductible, copayment or coinsurance or require a longer waiting period for coverage for outpatient care related to autism spectrum disorders than is required for other outpatient care covered by the policy;

or - 83rd Session (2025) – 12 – (b) Refuse to issue a policy of group health insurance or cancel a policy of group health insurance solely because the person applying for or covered by the policy uses or may use in the future any of the services listed in subsection 1.

4.insurer shall not limit the number of visits an insured may make to any person, entity or group for treatment of autism spectrum disorders.

Except as otherwise provided in subsections 1 and 2, an insurer shall not limit the number of visits an insured may make to any person, entity or group for treatment of autism spectrum disorders.

7.insurer to provide reimbursement to a school for services delivered through school services.

Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring an insurer to provide reimbursement to a school for services delivered through school services.

- *SB257* – 13 – (c) “Behavioral therapy” means any interactive therapy derived from evidence-based research, including, without limitation, discrete trial training, early intensive behavioral intervention, intensive intervention- programs,83rd pivotalSession response(2025) training– and13 verbal– behavior provided by a licensed psychologist, licensed behavior analyst,analyst,avior licensed assistant behavior analyst or registered behavior technician.

(h) “Prescription care” means medications prescribed by a licensed physician and any health-related services deemed medically necessarynec(i) to“Provider determineof thehealth needcare” orhas effectivenessthe ofmeaning theascribed medications.to it ins.

(i) “Provider of health care” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 629.031.

[(m)] (n) “Therapeutic care” means services provided by licensed or certified speech-language pathologists, occupational therapiststhe[(n)] (o) “Treatment plan” means a plan to treat an autism spectrum disorder that is [prescribed] developed by a [licensed physician or licensed psychologist and physicalmay therapists.be developed pursuant to a comprehensive evaluation in coordination with a licensed behavior analyst.] provider of health care acting within his or her scope of practice after he or she has assessed the person for whom the treatment plan is developed.

[(n)]- (o)83rd “TreatmentSession plan”(2025) means– a14 plan– toSec. treat an autism spectrum disorder that is [prescribed] developed by a [licensed physician or licensed psychologist and may be developed pursuant to a comprehensive evaluation in coordination with a licensed behavior analyst.] provider of health care acting within his or her scope of practice after he or she has assessed the person for whom the treatment plan is developed.

- *SB257* – 14 – Sec.

A health benefit plan must provide coverage for screening for and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders and for treatment of autism spectrum disorders to persons covered by the health benefit plan under the age of 18 years or, if enrolled in high school, until the person reaches the age of 22 years.

For the in high purposes of such coverage, a carrier shall accept as dispositive any diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder that is rendered in accordance with the statewide standard for measuring outcomes and assessing persons with autism spectrum disorders through the age of 21 years prescribed pursuant to NRS 427A.872.

or (b) Refuse to issue a health benefit plan or cancel a health benefit plan solely because the person applying for or covered by the plan uses or may use in the future any of the services listed in subsection 1.

or may use in the future any of the services listed in 4.

and (b) Provided for a person diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder by a [licensed physician, licensed psychologist, licensed behavior analyst or other provider that is supervised by the licensed - 83rd Session (2025) – 15 – physician, psychologist or behavior analyst.] provider of health care acting within his or her scope of practice.

- *SB257* – 15 –  A carrier may request a copy of and review a treatment plan created pursuant to this subsection.

6.that is delivered, issued for delivery or renewed on or afteris chapter January 1, [2011,] 2026, has the legal effect of including the coverage required by subsection 1, and any provision of the plan or the renewal which is in conflict with subsection 1 or 2 is void.

A health benefit plan subject to the provisions of this chapter that is delivered, issued for delivery or renewed on or after January 1, [2011,] 2026, has the legal effect of including the coverage required by subsection 1, and any provision of the plan or the renewal which is in conflict with subsection 1 or 2 is void.

(c) “Behavioral therapy” means any interactive therapy derived from evidence-based research, including, without limitation, discrete trial training, early intensive behavioral intervention, intensive intervention programs, pivotal response training and verbal behavior provided by a licensed psychologist, licensed behavior analyst, licensedlic(d) assistant“Evidence-based behaviorresearch” analystmeans orresearch registeredthat behaviorappliesechnician. technician.

(d) “Evidence-based research” means research that applies rigorous, systematic and objective procedures to obtain valid knowledge relevant to autism spectrum disorders.

(i)- “Provider83rd Session (2025) – 16 – NRS 629.031.ider of health care” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS(j) 629.031.“Psychiatric care” means direct or consultative services provided by a psychiatrist licensed in the state in which the psychiatrist practices.

- *SB257* – 16 – (j) “Psychiatric care” means direct or consultative services provided by a psychiatrist licensed in the state in which the psychiatrist practices.

[(n)] (o) “Treatment plan” means a plan to treat an autism spectrum disorder that is [prescribed] developed by a [licensed physician or licensed psychologist and may be developed pursuant to a comprehensive evaluation in coordination with a licensed behavior analyst.] provider of health care acting within his or her scope of practice after he or she has assessed the person for whom the treatment plan is developed.

For the purposes of such coverage, a health maintenance organization shall accept as dispositive any diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder that is rendered in accordance with the statewide standard for measuring outcomes and assessing persons with autism spectrum disorders through the age of 21 years prescribed pursuant to NRS 427A.872.

- 83rd Session (2025) – 17 – 3.

(a) Require an enrollee to pay a higher deductible, copayment or coinsurance or require a longer waiting period for coverage for - *SB257* – 17 – outpatient care related to autism spectrum disorders than is required for other outpatient care covered by the plan;

ororers than is required (b) Refuse to issue a health care plan or cancel a health care plan solely because the person applying for or covered by the plan uses or may use in the future any of the services listed in subsection 1.

6.chapter that is delivered, issued for delivery or renewed on or after January 1, [2011,] 2026, has the legal effect of including the coverage required by subsection 1, and any provision of the evidence of coverage or the renewal which is in conflict with subsection 1 or 2 is void.

Evidence of coverage subject to the provisions of this chapter that is delivered, issued for delivery or renewed on or after January 1, [2011,] 2026, has the legal effect of including the coverage required by subsection 1, and any provision of the evidence of coverage or the renewal which is in conflict with subsection 1 or 2 is void.

(a) “Applied behavior analysis” means the design, implementation and evaluation of environmental modifications using behavioral stimuli and consequences to produce socially significant improvement in human behavior, including, without limitation, the use of direct observation, measurement and functional- 83rd Session (2025) – 18 – behavior.l analysis of the relations between environment and behavior.(b) “Autism spectrum disorder” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 427A.875.

(b)(c) “Autism“Behavioral spectrumtherapy” disorder”means hasany theinteractive meaningtherapy ascribedderived tofrom itevidence-based inresearch, NRSincluding, 427A.875.without limitation, discrete trial training, early intensive behavioral intervention, intensive intervention programs, pivotal response training and verbal behavior provided by a licensed psychologist, licensed behavior analyst, licensed assistant behavior analyst or registered behavior technician.

(c) “Behavioral therapy” means any interactive therapy derived from evidence-based research, including, without limitation, discrete trial training, early intensive behavioral intervention, intensive - *SB257* – 18 – intervention programs, pivotal response training and verbal behavior provided by a licensed psychologist, licensed behavior analyst, licensed assistant behavior analyst or registered behavior technician.

(e) “Habilitative or rehabilitative care” means counseling, guidance and professional services and treatment programs, including, without limitation, applied behavior analysis, that are necessary to develop, maintain and restore, to the maximum extent practicable,pra(f) “Licensed assistant behavior analyst” has the functioningmeaning ofascribed ato person.the term “assistant behavior analyst” in NRS 641D.020.

(f) “Licensed assistant behavior analyst” has the meaning ascribed to the term “assistant behavior analyst” in NRS 641D.020.

[(k)]ascribed (l)to “Registeredit behaviorin NRS 641D.100.or technician” has the meaning ascribed[(l)] (m) “Screening for autism spectrum disorders” means medically necessary assessments, evaluations or tests to itscreen inand NRSdiagnose 641D.100.whether a person has an autism spectrum disorder.

[(l)] (m) “Screening for autism spectrum disorders” means medically necessary assessments, evaluations or tests to screen and diagnose whether a person has an autism spectrum disorder.

[(n)] (o) “Treatment plan” means a plan to treat an autism spectrum disorder that is [prescribed] developed by a [licensed physician- or83rd licensedSession psychologist(2025) and– may19 be– developed pursuant to a comprehensive evaluation in coordination with a licensedlicensedant behavior analyst.] provider of health care acting within his or her scope of practice after he or she has assessed the person for whom the treatment plan is developed.

A health care plan issued by a managed care organization for group coverage must provide coverage for - *SB257* – 19 – screening for and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders and for treatment of autism spectrum disorders to persons covered by the health care plan under the age of 18 years or, if enrolled in high school, until the person reaches the age of 22 years.

For the purposes of such coverage, a managed care organization shall accept as dispositive any diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder that is rendered in accordance with the statewide standard for measuring outcomes and assessing persons with autism spectrum disordersNRS through427A.872.ough the age of 21 years prescribed pursuant to NRS2. 427A.872.

2.

(a) A maximum benefit of the actuarial equivalent of $72,000 perper(b) yearCopayment, fordeductible appliedand behaviorcoinsurance analysisprovisions treatment;and any other general exclusion or limitation of a health care plan to the same extent as other medical services or prescription drugs covered by the plan.

and (b) Copayment, deductible and coinsurance provisions and any other general exclusion or limitation of a health care plan to the same extent as other medical services or prescription drugs covered by the plan.

(a) Require an insured to pay a higher deductible, copayment or coinsurance or require a longer waiting period for coverage for - 83rd Session (2025) – 20 – outpatient care related to autism spectrum disorders than is required for other outpatient care covered by the plan;

or (b) Refuse to issue a health care plan or cancel a health care plan solely because the person applying for or covered by the plan uses or may5.y useuExcept inas theotherwise futureprovided anyin ofsubsections the1, services2 listedand in3, subsectiona 1.

5.managed care organization shall not limit the number of visits an insured may make to any person, entity or group for treatment of autism spectrum disorders.

Except as otherwise provided in subsections 1, 2 and 3, a managed care organization shall not limit the number of visits an insured may make to any person, entity or group for treatment of autism spectrum disorders.

Treatment of autism spectrum disorders must be identified in a treatment plan and may include medically necessary habilitative or - *SB257* – 20 – rehabilitative care, prescription care, psychiatric care, psychological care, behavioral therapy or therapeutic care that is:

An evidence of coverage subject to the provisions of this chapter that is delivered, issued for delivery or renewed on or after January 1, [2011,] 2026, has the legal effect of including the coverage required by subsection 1, and any provision of the evidencesubsection of1 coverage or the3 is void.e renewal which is in conflict with subsection8. 1 or 3 is void.

8.

(c)- “Behavioral83rd therapy”Session means(2025) any– interactive21 therapy– derived from evidence-based research, including, without limitation, discrete trial training, early intensive behavioral intervention, intensive intervention programs, pivotal response training and verbal behavior provided by a licensed psychologist, licensed behavior analyst, licensed assistant behavior analyst or registered behavior technician.

- *SB257* – 21 – (f) “Licensed assistant behavior analyst” has the meaning ascribed to the term “assistant behavior analyst” in NRS 641D.020.

(g) “Licensed behavior analyst” has the meaning ascribed to the termter(h) “behavior“Prescription analyst”care” inmeans NRSmedications 641D.030.prescribed by a licensed physician and any health-related services deemed medically necessary to determine the need or effectiveness of the medications.

(h) “Prescription care” means medications prescribed by a licensed physician and any health-related services deemed medically necessary to determine the need or effectiveness of the medications.

[(l)] (m) “Screening for autism spectrum disorders” means medically necessary assessments, evaluations or tests to screen and diagnosedia[(m)] whether(n) a“Therapeutic personcare” hasmeans anservices autismprovided spectrumby disorder.licensed or certified speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists and physical therapists.

[(m)][(n)] (n)(o) “Therapeutic“Treatment care”plan” means servicesa providedplan to treat an autism spectrum disorder that is [prescribed] developed by a [licensed physician or licensed psychologist and may be developed pursuant to a comprehensive evaluation in coordination with a licensed behavior analyst.] provider of health care acting within his or certifiedher speech-language- pathologists,83rd occupationalSession therapists(2025) and– physical22 therapists.– the treatment plan is developed.e has assessed the person for whom Sec.

[(n)] (o) “Treatment plan” means a plan to treat an autism spectrum disorder that is [prescribed] developed by a [licensed physician or licensed psychologist and may be developed pursuant to a comprehensive evaluation in coordination with a licensed behavior analyst.] provider of health care acting within his or her scope of practice after he or she has assessed the person for whom the treatment plan is developed.

Sec.

H~~~~~ 25 - *SB257*83rd Session (2025)