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AB 338

Revises provisions relating to health care for senior citizens. (BDR 38-457)

2025 Regular Session

Expands Nevada's HCBS waiver to cover attendant care for frail seniors (pending federal approval) and establishes a public online directory of licensed personal care agencies.

(No further action taken.)
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Bill Summary · AB 338

AB 338 — Revises provisions relating to health care for senior citizens (BDR 38‑457) — Summary

Note on scope: the document packet included materials for two different bills labeled “AB 338.” This summary addresses the measure titled “Revises provisions relating to health care for senior citizens” (Nevada BDR 38‑457), which concerns Medicaid waiver coverage and an online directory for personal care agencies.

Purpose / Intent

AB 338 directs Nevada’s health agencies to expand access to in‑home attendant care for frail elderly persons by pursuing federal approval to add attendant care to the State’s Home and Community‑Based Services (HCBS) waiver. It also requires creation of a public online tool to help consumers find licensed personal care agencies.

Key provisions

  • HCBS waiver amendment

    • Requires the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to apply to the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to amend Nevada’s HCBS waiver (pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §1396n) to authorize federal financial participation for attendant care services for frail elderly persons.
    • Lists attendant care activities to be covered (examples include bathing, grooming, toileting, mobility, dressing, eating).
    • Directs DHHS to cooperate with federal authorities, adopt necessary state regulations (including eligibility criteria) if the federal amendment is approved, and implement the amendment only to the extent approved by the federal government.

  • Online directory / consumer portal

    • Requires the Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD), in collaboration with the Division of Public and Behavioral Health, to establish an Internet website connecting people who need personal care services with licensed in‑home personal care agencies.
    • Each agency entry must include: location and contact information; service locations; services and level of care offered; any disciplinary history; and types of insurance accepted.
    • The site must provide a way for participating agencies to connect with prospective clients.

  • Conforming/administrative changes

    • Amends relevant NRS chapters to add the waiver amendment provision to DHHS responsibilities and to place the portal requirement with ADSD duties under DHHS administration.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: frail elderly Nevada residents who need attendant (personal) care to remain safely at home.
  • State agencies: DHHS (and its divisions ADSD and Public & Behavioral Health) will manage federal application, rulemaking, and the portal.
  • Providers: licensed personal care agencies will be listed and potentially receive referrals via the portal.
  • Medicaid program / state budget: expanding waiver services could increase state Medicaid obligations (federal participation available for approved waiver services), and DHHS indicated an effect on the State budget (no specific dollar amount included in the bill text).

Stakeholder input / rationale

  • Multiple organizations and providers testified in favor (AARP Nevada, Personal Care Association of Nevada, Native Voters Alliance Nevada, personal care providers). Supporters argued the changes reduce barriers to care, prevent service disruptions when clients age into different waivers, improve consumer choice and transparency, and help seniors remain in their homes.

Procedural / timeline aspects

  • Introduced early 2025; referred to Health & Human Services and related committees for hearings and review.
  • Committee materials note a fiscal effect on the State (no local government effect).
  • The legislative history provided shows the bill advanced through committee, was enrolled, and—per the provided legislative actions—was presented to and approved by the Governor and chaptered as Chapter 532, Statutes of 2025 (Governor approval listed as 2025‑10‑10). Implementation of the attendant care coverage depends on federal approval of the HCBS waiver amendment and subsequent state rulemaking.

Notes and caveats

  • The expansion of services and any coverage or eligibility changes will take effect only if and to the extent the federal government approves the waiver amendment; the bill requires DHHS to adopt implementing regulations after federal approval.
  • The bill text does not specify funding amounts for expanded services or portal development; fiscal impacts were noted but not quantified in the text provided.

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

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