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AB 176

Revises provisions relating to contraception and family planning services. (BDR 40-177)

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Selena Torres-Fossett

AB 176 forbids government actions that single out contraception and family planning services or substantially burden access, with strong remedies and narrow abortion/school excepti

Approved by the Governor. Chapter 234.
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Bill Summary · AB 176

AB 176 — Right to Contraception and Family Planning Services Act (Chapter 234, 2025)

Main purpose

AB 176 prevents state and local governmental entities from enacting or enforcing laws, regulations, or requirements that single out contraception and family planning services (originally framed as “reproductive health care”) and that substantially burden access to those services or the ability of providers to deliver them. The bill creates a private right of action and procedural protections to challenge such burdens.

Key provisions

  • Name: Establishes the “Right to Contraception and Family Planning Services Act.”
  • Prohibition: A governmental entity shall not enact or implement any limitation or requirement that (1) expressly, effectively, implicitly, or as implemented singles out contraception and family planning services, related drugs/devices, information, providers, or facilities; and (2) substantially burdens access to those services or a provider’s ability to provide them.
  • Justification standard: A governmental entity may impose such a burden only if it proves by clear and convincing evidence that the burden furthers a compelling interest and is the least restrictive means of furthering that interest.
  • Remedies and enforcement:
    • An individual or provider substantially burdened may assert the violation as a claim or defense in court and obtain appropriate relief.
    • Courts must award costs and attorney’s fees to prevailing plaintiffs.
    • Damages are subject to existing limitations under Nevada law (e.g., NRS 41.035 where applicable).
    • Courts may designate frivolous claimants as vexatious litigants and limit future standing for related claims.
  • Definitions: Includes statutory definitions for “contraception and family planning services,” “governmental entity” (State or its agencies/political subdivisions), and “provider of health care” (per NRS 629.031).
  • Scope/applicability: The Act applies to state and local laws, ordinances, and their implementation regardless of when enacted, with specific applicability rules referencing January 1, 2026 in the statute text.

Explicit exceptions and exclusions

  • The Act does not apply to state or local laws, ordinances, or implementation relating to abortion (including medication abortion and services associated with abortion) — those are expressly excluded.
  • The Act does not apply to regulations, policies, or activities that occur at or are sponsored by public schools, nor to certain education-regulatory bodies (State Board of Education, Department of Education, school boards, charter school governing bodies, and public schools).

Who is affected

  • Positively protects: patients seeking contraception and family planning services and health care providers/facilities that deliver those services from targeted government restrictions.
  • Constrained: State agencies and local governments that might otherwise adopt ordinances or regulations that single out these services.
  • Related actors: insurers and other regulators — the Nevada Division of Insurance testified neutral and clarified the Act should not be used to compel insurance coverage beyond existing law.

Legislative/timeline highlights

  • Introduced: January 8, 2025 (Assemblymember Selena Torres-Fossett).
  • Assembly passage: Read third time and passed March 20, 2025 (Ayes 53, Noes 17).
  • Senate amendments: Multiple committee and floor amendments (notably renaming the Act and narrowing scope to contraception and family planning services; explicit exclusions for abortion and school activities).
  • Enrolled and delivered to Governor: May 29, 2025.
  • Approved by Governor: June 3, 2025 — Chapter 234.

Noted stakeholder concerns

  • Opponents (public submissions) raised concerns about limiting local authority to regulate clinic health and safety, parental involvement for minors, and potential effects on abortion policy (despite abortion being excluded in final text).
  • The Division of Insurance urged that AB 176 not be interpreted as a backdoor means to mandate insurance coverage beyond statutory or contractual requirements.

Summary: AB 176 creates a strong statutory protection against government actions that uniquely target contraception and family planning services and substantially burden access or provision, while carving out explicit exceptions for abortion-related laws and school-related policies and creating a high standard for any government defense of such burdens.

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

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