[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6528178,"mediaKeyId","3425843-3dafc964c8c2100564cc66a637834ca7","parentId",3425843,"title","Lawmakers hear bill to add AI‑generated child sexual images to criminal definitions","audioSeconds",290,"startMs",2520000,"endMs",2810000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425843-3dafc964c8c2100564cc66a637834ca7&start=2520&end=2810","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425843-3dafc964c8c2100564cc66a637834ca7/thumbnail_2520000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6528178/Nevada/Lawmakers-hear-bill-to-add-AIgenerated-child-sexual-images-to-criminal-definitions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528178-eba74b10f14717a09dad7898233a01ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1770717751&Signature=CN0OFsKho68snzfPtpHs3dnuFWnDkumQa3TmYny4f50pB6CMvbj0eW6X~U3lATv2s~iJ63d-lrN1a4fcfdJADwWe-Quj78OCD9aljf-wvYv33vAzYLM9CsomHIc1mZQALotOPttJKa6VwaESkXZQ1rZY7twWqVn5igk1nnn8D7sWms0-XaEgS9z7h2wEo6LftlH01uNADZTcsxJahvH9EkpS61Z8YjRbI5zlBvyx60tI4FwCQqK~nmmjIKf-rTzXXU~pJ-2f1kM5U-HZFTLwPaoiPEuuqukO1nOtVBbbAqpt7zsW84vEJo~-DQqAzA0PNDIWzgBV6KW3VxEtn1Cf4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nevada State Legislature","date","2025-05-21T00:00:00Z","article","Senate Bill 263, which would amend Nevada criminal statutes to include AI‑generated or AI‑altered depictions of child sexual abuse within existing prohibitions on production, distribution and possession, was presented to the Senate Committee on Finance.

Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro (D–Las Vegas) told the committee the bill updates definitions to ensure that images created or altered with artificial intelligence fall within the criminal law that already punishes child sexual exploitation. Cannizzaro said current statute can allow an exception when an image is AI‑altered and that SB263 would clarify that such images remain prohibited.

The sponsor also described a conceptual amendment intended to reduce the bill’s fiscal impact on the Department of Corrections. The amendment preserves judicial discretion by allowing courts to impose fines as alternatives to incarceration for first offenses while retaining a statutory minimum one‑year term for certain offenses listed under NRS 200.730. Cannizzaro said the amendment lowers the original $1 million projected fiscal impact to around $400,000 over the biennium by preserving alternatives to incarceration and permitting fines in lieu of jail in some cases.

Committee members asked no questions; there was no in‑room public testimony in opposition or support and the committee proceeded to the next item. The bill sponsor told the committee she was available to answer questions. No formal vote was recorded during the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","5/21/2025 - Senate Committee on Finance","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 263 would amend Nevada criminal law to cover AI‑generated or AI‑altered images depicting child sexual exploitation, the Senate Committee on Finance heard Tuesday.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature NV, Nevada","taxId",78440,"location","Nevada","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6528183,"Senate Finance hears bill to expand who may assess autism and to clarify insurance coverage",406,1049000,1455000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425843-3dafc964c8c2100564cc66a637834ca7&start=1049&end=1455","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425843-3dafc964c8c2100564cc66a637834ca7/thumbnail_1049000.jpg","/articles/6528183/Nevada/Senate-Finance-hears-bill-to-expand-who-may-assess-autism-and-to-clarify-insurance-coverage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528183-e67272af96417a3890be03569f32d261/orig.mp4?Expires=1770717751&Signature=fKMTbI0tklqFhGEYxmnptZlB5yo4J-SqAPv6~lI3Sf8f44y1m4B6~u4~Bf6iFZLOs~NmvQG2Z86~gMWEXoeMtZG~iBfEzKWWhYWYfj0RNdFh8pcE1SOrKrrK~hBtbtLgyCNUGWJvIuukIXllNU89tCBNy-AaldiBqTsLUcQzU~8QAQT~m3M-0mE4wIHI9D44ftsZyjBpxrxqG-ksidpYaJ4vyT9Eg5aRI5Rrr0hOza0SNoufOG7~EW4ROr2PbYVIP737e4opGZ~gkWieVqf-niyd4oDIIhYjJEYxxuDg6t4Xia0trgIMHRJ9M5cntu7AcLJrCCF5Slohxl31J-kAzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 257, which would revise Nevada law related to assessment and insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorder, drew testimony Tuesday in the Nevada Senate Committee on Finance.

Senator Marilyn Dondero Loop (D–Clark), sponsor of SB257, told the committee the bill modifies definitions of “provider of health care,” removes prescriptive statewide protocols and permits any health care provider acting within his or her scope of practice to conduct an assessment for autism spectrum disorder. The bill also removes requirements that certain insurers require specific provider types to make diagnoses and instead would require plans to cover a diagnosis and treatment if performed by any health‑care provider acting within scope.

The sponsor said the bill responds to access barriers that delay diagnosis and early intervention. Brian Hager, president and CEO of the Ackerman Autism / Granite Gift Autism Foundation, and multiple parents testified in support, describing long waits for diagnosis and the positive effects of early intervention. Parents and advocacy groups argued that permitting pediatricians and other qualified clinicians to identify and assess autism would accelerate the start of services and reduce long waiting lists for specialty clinics.

Several clinical groups raised concerns. The Nevada Psychological Association testified in opposition, saying the proposed language could allow assessments by providers without adequate autism‑specific training, increasing the risk of misdiagnosis and placing administrative burdens on the Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) and other state systems. Dr. Laurie Drucker, on behalf of the Nevada Psychological Association, said, “Fast and accurate diagnosis can be life changing; fast and incorrect diagnosis can be a tragedy.” The association proposed limiting diagnostic authority to providers acting within their scope and competency and urged amendments to specify required assessment tools.

A licensed speech‑language pathologist also testified about the importance of standardized assessment instruments and worried that allowing diagnosis based solely on in‑office observation could reduce diagnostic integrity. Supporters and bill sponsors said the bill includes references to early and periodic developmental screening and that some national organizations and clinicians support expanding provider types to increase timely access to services.

The sponsor told the committee an amendment is expected to clarify definitions. Several organizations and parents — including the Nevada chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Autism Coalition of Nevada, Families for Effective Autism Treatment and the Reno‑area Tribal and advocacy groups — offered support, saying early intervention produces better outcomes and that long diagnostic waits present a cost to families and the state.

Opponents urged more precise statutory language to define which providers may diagnose and to retain required standardized assessment instruments; bill advocates said they would work with stakeholders on amendments.

No committee action or formal vote occurred during the hearing.","Senate Bill 257, which would broaden which health care providers may assess children for autism spectrum disorder and require certain insurers to cover diagnoses performed within a provider’s scope of practice, was heard by the Senate Committee on Finance.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":42,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6528188,"Senate committee hears bill to fund competency-based learning and career exploration in Nevada schools",110000,400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425843-3dafc964c8c2100564cc66a637834ca7&start=110&end=400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425843-3dafc964c8c2100564cc66a637834ca7/thumbnail_110000.jpg","/articles/6528188/Nevada/Senate-committee-hears-bill-to-fund-competency-based-learning-and-career-exploration-in-Nevada-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528188-799dfe4d96e9eaf7f8a908681bd8e49f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770717751&Signature=YfaJUMXxGOWS~MYj5g8kA2xTks4raYwDHukqlDsR2Xr1qLr8lRTj7eIYHUposgp6yJcgRJW~nlemq3QfbG3hyYI7TuX91vlp32~4cImPzSPjb~UzxPRWvhpsPrGUfEle2butDICbHlu3EOAnOIEB4kAjKClJfMPA725KqTOPDq-4UfaLEl3iblVxkZnPLv-eAJ0VaN4QccDhcAtg~XShOCiu4loEo28Mp4r1LpjG3PCTV3TY7-VIglmepE10rIAlXUdWVOQ6VrhDNLcP1GtlR-0LGRTMsTHTW9RXkCa10op5dEgqpm1W7yLjEZL18GcBt6F7Nlhp~MLPeRxGlyCE6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 403, which would revise education provisions to emphasize competency-based learning and career exploration, was heard Tuesday by the Nevada Senate Committee on Finance.

The bill’s sponsor, Senator Marilyn Dondero Loop (D–Clark), told the committee SB403 is built from recommendations of the Nevada Commission on Innovation and Excellence formed after 2023’s SB425. It would appropriate money for educator professional learning, pay for contracts with qualified entities to design competency-based programs and reauthorize the commission to develop “future-ready metrics” to supplement Nevada’s accountability system.

Supporters framed SB403 as a fiscal-committee bill focused on the fiscal note. Nathan Driscoll, chief policy officer at the National Center on Education and Economy and consultant to the commission, said the bill’s recommendations are evidence-based and aimed at helping Nevada align school practice with employer needs in technology, advanced manufacturing and health care. “Investing in high-quality professional learning is investing in educator retention,” Driscoll said, adding that stronger work‑based learning could reduce truancy and help students acquire workplace skills.

The bill’s funding request as described by Dondero Loop includes $25,000 per year of the biennium for the commission and its metrics subcommittee; $68,910 per year for a half-time position (the bill’s first reprint reportedly listed the position as full‑time, which the sponsor said needs amendment); and $2,250,000 for contracts with qualified entities to provide professional development and help develop commission recommendations.

Amelia Thibault of the Nevada Department of Education (NDE) told the committee an amended fiscal note has cleared up earlier concerns. NDE’s updated analysis removed much of its earlier fiscal exposure; the department said its outstanding position requests had been reduced and that the agency believes the revenue impacts tied to tax abatements in an earlier draft would be absorbable.

Representatives from the Nevada Association of School Boards, Nevada System of Higher Education, the Nevada Association of School Superintendents, UNLV, UNR, the Vegas Chamber and several community colleges testified in support. They told the committee the commission’s work and the bill’s investments would support personalized learning, align accountability with workforce needs and bolster district and school capacity to implement competency-based approaches.

No opposition testimony was received in person or by phone. Committee members asked clarifying questions about the reported amendment to correct the position from full‑time to part‑time; the sponsor said the fiscal note itself was correct and the reprint should be amended.

The committee closed the hearing on SB403 after taking public testimony in support and moved on to the next item on its agenda.

SB403 does not yet include any recorded vote in the committee’s hearing record.

(Reporting here is limited to the bill presentation, the fiscal clarifications offered by NDE and the public supportive testimony that followed.)","Senate Bill 403 would fund professional learning, incentivize business involvement in work-based learning and reauthorize the Nevada Commission on Innovation and Excellence to develop future-ready metrics. Sponsors and education groups described fiscal items and requested an amendment clarifying a part-time position in the fiscal note.","actionData","errors"]

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Lawmakers hear bill to add AI‑generated child sexual images to criminal definitions

Senate Finance hears bill to expand who may assess autism and to clarify insurance coverage

Senate committee hears bill to fund competency-based learning and career exploration in Nevada schools