AB 339 — Creates the Office of Children's Mental and Behavioral Health within the Office of the Director of the Department of Health and Human Services. (BDR 39-358)
Last action — (No further action taken.)
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✓Introduced
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2In Committee
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3Passed Assembly
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4Passed Senate
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill died with 2025 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
553 added · 420 removedPlain-language change summary
The redlined changes to Bill AB 339 clarify the establishment of a Children’s Behavioral Health Center of Excellence and outline specific responsibilities for the Office within the Department of Health and Human Services. The amendments include provisions for the appointment of a Director and outline the Office's duties in overseeing children’s mental and behavioral health, as well as its ability to seek funding and assistance from various sources. This matters because it strengthens the state's commitment to improving mental health services for children and allocates resources to help achieve these goals.
EXEMPT (Reprinted with amendments adopted on April 16, 2025) FIRST REPRINT A.B.
339 ASSEMBLY BBILL ILLNNO. O.
339–COMMITTEE ON H EALTH AND HUMANH UMAN SERVICES (ON BBEHALF EHALF OF THE OINTJOINT INTERIM SSTANDING TANDINGCOMMITTEE C OMMITTEE ON H EALTH AND HUMANH SUMAN ERVICES)SERVICES ) M ARCH 3, 2025 ____________ Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services SUMMARY—Creates the Office of Children’s Mental and Behavioral Health within the Office of the Director of the Department of Health and Human Services.
requiring the Office to take certain steps toward the establishment of a Children’s Behavioral Health Center of Excellence;
(NRS 232.300) Section 5 of this bill creates the Office of Children’s Section 4 of this bill defines the term “Office” to refer to the Office of Children’s Mental and Behavioral Health forwithin the purposesOffice of this bill, and section 8 of this bill - *AB339* – 2 – Director of the Department to appoint a Director of the Office;Department.
- *AB339_R1* – 2 – Mental and (2)Behavioral requiresHealth for the Directorpurposes of thethis Officebill, toand performsection certain8 dutiesof relatingthis tobill theapplies oversightthat ofdefinition theto Office.applicable existing law.
Section 5 requires the Director of the Department to appoint a Director of the Office and prescribes the qualifications of the Director of the Office.
Section 5 requires the Director of the Office to perform certain duties relating to the oversight of the Office.
and (2) seek assistance from and cooperategovernmental entities to provide the Office with publicsuch andassistance privateas entities.the Office mayl reasonably require in discharging its duties.
SectionSections 711 alsoand requires12 stateof andthis localbill governmentalmake entitiesappropriations to providethe Department for the Officepersonnel withand suchoperating assistancecosts asof the Office mayand reasonablythe requirecost inof dischargingprocuring itsequipment duties.and office supplies for the Office, respectively.
SectionsSection operating12.3 costs of thethis Officebill andrequires the costDirector of procuring equipment and officeel and supplies for the Office,Office respectively.to:
Existing(1) lawbegin creates the Commissionprocess onof establishing a Children’s Behavioral Health withinCenter theof Department.Excellence;
(2) prepare certain reports documenting the progress of the Director of the Office in establishing the Center;
(3) present a report on such progress before the Joint Interim Standing Committee on Health and Human Services;
and (4) submit to the or before June 1, 2026.ent a final proposal for the establishment of the Center on Existing law creates the Commission on Behavioral Health within the Department.
and (2) requires each mental health consortium to prepare and submit to the Director of the Department a long-term strategic plan for the provision of mental health services to children with emotional disturbance within the jurisdiction of the theconsortium. mental health of children to:
(1)(NRS create433B.333, a433B.335) statewideExisting planlaw forrequires the provisionsubcommittee ofon mental health services to children;
and (2) review the findings andandhe provision of recommendations of each mental health consortium.
and (2) review the long-term strategic plans,plan, budget requests and reports of each mental health consortium.
Section 9 further requires each reportsconsortium to collaborate with the Office as necessary to prepare and plans.submit such coordinate with the Department and the Office to avoid duplicating or contradictingo the efforts of the Department and the Office to provide mental health services to children.
Section 10 of this bill requires each mental health consortium to coordinate with the Department and the Office to avoid duplicating or contradicting the efforts of the Department and the Office to provide mental health services to children.
(2) policyestablishes boarda to advise the Department, the Division of Public and Behaviorales each Health and the Commission regarding, among other things, the behavioral health needspolicy ofboard adultsfor and children in each behavioralregion; health region.
(NRSand 433.425-(3) 433.4295) Section 2 of this bill requires each regionalHealth behavioral health policy board to coordinate with the Office to provide unified and coordinated recommendations to the Department,Commission Divisionregarding, andamong Commissionother regardingthings, the behavioral health needs of adults and children in each behavioral health region.
(NRS 433.425- 433.4295) Section 2 of this bill requires each regional behavioral health policy board to coordinate with the Office to provide unified and coordinated - *AB339_R1* – 3 – recommendations to the Department, Division and Commission regarding the behavioral health needs of children in each behavioral health region.
- *AB339* – 3 – (a) Establish policies to ensure adequate development and administration of services for persons with mental illness, persons with intellectual disabilities, persons with developmental disabilities, persons with substance use disorders or persons with co- occurring disorders, including services to prevent mental illness, intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders, and services provided without admission to a facility or institution;
[and] - *AB339_R1* – 4 – (f) Review and make recommendations concerning regulations submitted to the Commission for review pursuant to NRS 641.100, 641A.160, 641B.160 and 641C.200 [.] ;
and (h) Review the statewide plan for the provision of mental and behavioral health services to children developed by the Office of Children’s Mental and Behavioral Health pursuant to section 6 of - *AB339* – 4 – this act and integrate the policies and procedures set forth in the statewide plan into the policies established by the Commission where appropriate.
- *AB339_R1* – 5 – (d) Review the collection and reporting standards of behavioral health data to determine standards for such data collection and reporting processes.
A policy - *AB339* – 5 – board may collaborate with an existing community-based organization to establish the repository.
- *AB339_R1* – 6 – (3) A description of the manner in which the policy board has carried out the requirements of paragraphs (c) and (h) and the results of those activities;
- *AB339* – 6 – Sec.
The Director of the Department shall appoint a Director of the Office who servesmust: at the pleasure of the Director of the Department.
(a) Be a physician or physician assistant licensed pursuant to chapter 630 or 633 of NRS, a licensed nurse or a person licensed, certified or registered pursuant to chapters 641 to 641D, inclusive, of NRS;
(b) Have at least 5 years of experience directly providing mental and behavioral health services to children;
and (c) Not have any conflicts of interest relating to the performance of his or her duties as Director of the Office.
For the purposes of this paragraph, a conflict of interest exists if the Director of the Office:
(1) Is an officer, director or employee of a facility providing mental and behavioral health services to children;
(2) Has a financial or other personal or private interest in a facility providing mental and behavioral health services to children;
(3) Directly or indirectly holds any financial interest in any company, partnership, organization or corporation that owns, operates or controls a facility providing mental and behavioral health services to children;
or (4) Is an officer, director or employee of a professional organization, if holding such a position is likely to constitute or create the appearance of a conflict of interest.
Show all 111 changed lines (71 more)
The Director of the Department shall give special consideration when appointing a Director of the Office to a potential appointee who has earned:
- *AB339_R1* – 7 – (a) The degree of doctor of philosophy in a specialty that specifically relates to the mental or behavioral health of children;
or (b) The degree of doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathic medicine and has completed postgraduate training in a specialty that specifically relates to the mental or behavioral health of children.
4.
The Director of the Office serves at the pleasure of the Director of the Department.
5.
6.
The Director of the Office may employ such staff as the Director of the Office deems necessary to carry out the duties of the Office, which may include, without limitation:
(a) Data analysts;
(b) Administrative assistants;
(c) Research and grants professionals;
(d) Professionals to engage in community engagement and outreach;
and (e) Professionals to engage in clinical implementation and quality assurance.
Study and make recommendations to local, state and federal governmental entities concerning policies that relate to - *AB339_R1* – 8 – children with mental and behavioral health needs in this State with the goal of improving access to and the delivery of mental and behavioral health services and resources for children in this State;
and - *AB339* – 7 – 8.
Collaborate with other persons and entities in this State as necessary to streamline and connect the provision of mental and behavioral health services for children in this State.State;
and 9.
On or before January 31 of each year:
(a) Compile a report concerning the implementation of the statewide plan for the provision of mental and behavioral health services to children in this State developed pursuant to subsection 1;
and (b) Transmit the report compiled pursuant to paragraph (a) to:
(1) The Director of the Department;
and (2) The Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau for transmittal to:
(I) In odd-numbered years, the next regular session of the Legislature;
and (II) In even-numbered years, the Joint Interim Standing Committee on Health and Human Services.
A - *AB339_R1* – 9 – plan submitted pursuant to this section is valid for 10 years after the date of submission, and each consortium shall submit a new plan upon its expiration.
- *AB339* – 8 – (e) Children and their families who are in need of mental health services should be identified as early as possible through screening, assessment processes, treatment and systems of support.
- *AB339_R1* – 10 – (f) The manner in which the costs for those services will be allocated;
- *AB339* – 9 – (b) A description of any revisions to the long-term strategic plan adopted by the consortium during the immediately preceding year;
- *AB339_R1* – 11 – (a) A report regarding the status of the long-term strategic plan submitted pursuant to subsection 1, including, without limitation, the status of the strategies, goals and services included in the plan;
and (2) Improve the provision of mental health services to children with emotional disturbance and their families, including, without limitation, advertising the availability of mental health - *AB339* – 10 – services and carrying out a demonstration project relating to mental health services.
- *AB339_R1* – 12 – Sec.
12.3.
1.
As soon as practicable after the Director of the Office is appointed pursuant to section 5 of this act, the Director of the Office shall begin the process of establishing a Children’s Behavioral Health Center of Excellence within the Office.
The Director of the Office shall:
(a) On or before January 1, 2026, compile and submit to the Director of the Department a report describing the progress made toward establishing the Center and developing the final proposal required to be submitted to the Director of the Department pursuant to paragraph (c), which must include, without limitation:
(1) A review of the capacity and readiness of the Office to implement the Center;
and (2) A proposal to provide training, technical assistance and quality assurance for providers of mental and behavioral health care to children through the Center;
(b) On or before April 1, 2026, present at a meeting of the Joint Interim Standing Committee on Health and Human Services concerning the progress of the Director of the Office toward establishing the Center;
and (c) On or before June 1, 2026, submit a final proposal to the Director of the Department for the establishment of the Center.
The proposal must include:
(1) The manner in which the Center will be funded;
and (2) Operational plans for establishing the Center.
2.
The Director of the Department shall, on or before July 1, 2026:
(a) Approve the proposal submitted by the Director of the Office pursuant to paragraph (c) of subsection 1;
or (b) Request that the Director of the Office revise the proposal.
- *AB339_R1* – 13 – 3.
If the Director of the Department requests that the Director of the Office make revisions to the proposal submitted pursuant to paragraph (c) of subsection 1, the Director of the Office shall make the requested revisions and submit the revised proposal to the Director of the Department on or before August 1, 2026.
The Director of the Department shall approve the revised proposal or further revise the proposal and approve the revised proposal.
4.
As used in this section:
(a) “Children’s Behavioral Health Center of Excellence” means an entity that uses the expertise and knowledge of providers of mental and behavioral health care, community engagement professionals, community health workers and employees of governmental entities to:
(1) Develop and provide training to providers of mental and behavioral health care;
(2) Provide technical and supportive services to providers of mental and behavioral health care;
(3) Oversee the quality of the mental and behavioral health services provided to children;
and (4) Connect children in need of mental or behavioral health services to qualified providers of mental and behavioral health care.
(b) “Community health worker” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 449.0027.
(c) “Director of the Department” means the Director of the Department of Health and Human Services.
(d) “Director of the Office” means the Director of the Office.
(e) “Office” means the Office of Children’s Mental and Behavioral Health created by section 5 of this act.
Sec.
12.7.
The provisions of subsection 1 of NRS 218D.380 do not apply to any provision of this act which adds or revises a requirement to submit a report to the Legislature.
Sec.
- *AB339* – 11 – (a) Upon passage and approval for the purpose of adopting any regulations and performing any other preparatory administrative tasks that are necessary to carry out the provisions of this act;
- *AB339_R1* – 14 – TEXT OF REPEALED SECTION 433.317 Appointment of subcommittee on the mental health of children;
The Commission shall appoint a subcommittee on the mental health of children to review the findings and recommendations of each mental health consortium submitted pursuant to NRS 433B.335 and to create a statewide plan for the provision of mental health services to children.
The members of the subcommittee appointed pursuant to servethis withoutsection compensation,serve exceptat that each member is entitled,s while engaged in the businesspleasure of the subcommittee,Commission. to the per diem allowance and travel expenses provided for state officers and employees generally if funding is available for this purpose.
HThe -members *AB339*serve without compensation, except that each member is entitled, while engaged in the business of the subcommittee, to the per diem allowance and travel expenses provided for state officers and employees generally if funding is available for this purpose.
H - *AB339_R1*
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View plain text versions (2)
- Reprint 1 View text Current pdf
- Introduced As Introduced pdf
Amendments
1 amendmentClick Show changes on an amendment above to see how it modifies the bill.
Action History
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(No further action taken.)
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From printer. To engrossment. Engrossed. First reprint. To committee.
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Read second time. Amended. (Amend. No. 187.) Taken from General File. Rereferred to Committee on Ways and Means. Exemption effective. To printer.
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From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended.
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From printer. To committee. Notice of eligibility for exemption.
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Read first time. Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services. To printer.
Sponsors
- Assembly Committee on Health and Human Services · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 66 not signed on
Sponsors (1)
- Assembly Committee on Health and Human Services
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (66)
66 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 66 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- Who sponsors AB 339?
- AB 339 is sponsored by Assembly Committee on Health and Human Services.
- What is the current status of AB 339?
- This bill died with 2025 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
- Where can I track AB 339?
- Track AB 339 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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