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AB 460

Revises provisions relating to child welfare. (BDR 13-1060)

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Fabian Doñate and 1 co-sponsor

Establishes a standard form for parents to nominate a preferred minor guardian, to be considered by courts, while preserving the need for a court petition to appoint.

Approved by the Governor. Chapter 429.
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Bill Summary · AB 460

AB 460 — Summary (2025 Session; Chaptered)

Purpose

AB 460 creates a clear, standardized process for parents or guardians to nominate a preferred guardian for a minor, makes that nomination available through the Secretary of State’s Nevada Lockbox, and adds a presumption favoring temporary guardianship in situations where parents are separated from a child because of a federal immigration order. The bill also changes certain administrative authorities of the Secretary of State related to the Lockbox.

Key provisions

  • Establishes a new statutory form — “Request to Nominate Guardian of a Minor” — that a parent or guardian may complete to express a preference for who should be appointed guardian of a minor.
    • Form requirements: signed by the parent/guardian, signed by two impartial adult witnesses (no financial interest and attesting to capacity), and notarized.
    • The Secretary of State must publish the form on the SOS website and may include it in the Nevada Lockbox registry.
  • Clarifies that a nomination does NOT itself confer authority: a nominated person must file a petition and obtain a court appointment before exercising guardian powers.
  • Requires courts to consider a valid nomination form when determining the most suitable guardian for a minor.
  • Expands the statutory presumption that temporary guardianship is in the proposed protected minor’s best interest to include periods when no parent has care/custody/control because one or both parents have been separated from the child due to a federal immigration order.
  • Removes (or narrows) certain Nevada Secretary of State fee authorities for registering documents in the Nevada Lockbox (while retaining the SOS’s ability to accept gifts, grants, bequests, etc.). SOS may provide Lockbox access to courts, hospitals, law enforcement, and other authorized entities that need to verify a designation.
  • Earlier provisions that would have expanded eligibility for supportive assistance to certain younger relatives and an appropriation for a trauma grant were deleted in later amendments.

Who is affected

  • Parents and legal guardians (who may nominate preferred guardians).
  • Individuals nominated as guardians (must still petition the court).
  • District courts handling guardianship and temporary guardianship cases.
  • Secretary of State operations (administration of the Lockbox; changes to fee authority).
  • Children separated from parents due to federal immigration orders (affected by the new temporary-guardianship presumption).
  • Hospitals, courts, law enforcement and other entities that may access Lockbox records.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced February 6, 2025; went through Judiciary and other committees with multiple amendments (notably Amendments No. 206 and No. 952).
  • Final legislative passage, enrollment, and presentation to the Governor completed in 2025; bill approved by the Governor and chaptered into law (chaptering noted in legislative history).
  • Effective date: made effective upon passage and approval.

Fiscal/further notes

  • Fiscal notes in reprints indicate “Effect on Local Government: No.” Some earlier drafts contained appropriations; those were removed by amendment and the final bill did not include a standing appropriation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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