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AB 395

Revises provisions relating to services to persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. (BDR 40-841)

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Tracy Brown-May and 1 co-sponsor

Requiring health facilities in certain counties to notify and provide qualified sign language interpreters (in-person or remote) to deaf or hard-of-hearing patients.

(No further action taken.)
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Bill Summary · AB 395

AB 395 — Summary (BDR 40‑841)

Title: Revises provisions relating to services to persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Purpose

AB 395 requires certain health facilities and health care providers to notify and accommodate patients who are deaf or hard of hearing by providing qualified sign language interpretation services. The bill seeks to increase timely access to in‑person interpretation where appropriate, permit remote interpreting when adequate, and establish minimum operational and documentation standards.

Key provisions

  • Applicability: Applies to health facilities and health care providers located in counties with population 20,000 or more (identified in analyses as Clark, Washoe, Lyon, Elko, Nye, Douglas, Churchill counties and Carson City).
  • Notice requirement: Facilities must notify each person who is deaf or hard of hearing that a qualified sign language interpreter can be made available, that the person may request an in‑person or remote interpreter, and of other available accommodations.
  • In‑person interpreter obligations:
    • For prescheduled encounters: facility must provide an in‑person qualified interpreter if requested at least 48 hours before the appointment.
    • For unplanned inpatient hospitalizations: facility must provide an in‑person interpreter if requested within 2 hours after arrival.
    • In other circumstances the facility must make a “good faith effort” to procure an in‑person interpreter and retain documentation of the effort (agencies contacted, responses, arrival time).
  • Remote interpreting:
    • If an in‑person interpreter is unavailable after a good faith effort, or if the patient requests it, the facility may provide remote interpretation via audiovisual communication that meets technical and privacy requirements (clear audio/video, hands‑free use, synchronous high‑quality transmission, and interpretation from a dedicated secure call center).
    • The bill specifies circumstances where remote interpretation may be inadequate (e.g., heavy medication/intoxication, cognitive limitations, delivery, imminent death, sensitive communications).
  • Definition of “qualified sign language interpreter” (as amended): includes individuals registered with the Nevada interpreter and CART registry as community interpreters under NRS 656A.100 or persons meeting the federal definition of a “qualified interpreter for an individual with a disability” (45 C.F.R. § 92.4).
  • State support: directs the Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DHHS) to compile and post a list of qualified ASL interpreters in the state (and a list of facilities providing specialized services).
  • Enforcement and remedies:
    • Administrative sanctions may be imposed on health facilities for noncompliance.
    • Professional discipline may be authorized against health care providers who fail to comply.
    • The bill, as amended, removed proposed criminal penalties.
  • Exemptions: emergency medical personnel are exempted in amendments.

Who is affected

  • Directly: health facilities and licensed health care providers operating in counties with population ≥20,000; patients who are deaf or hard of hearing seeking care in those jurisdictions.
  • Indirectly: interpreter service vendors/agencies, hospitals and clinics (operational and recordkeeping impacts), and DHHS (website/registry duties).
  • Fiscal: bill notes potential fiscal impacts on local governments and contains an unfunded state mandate (§1).

Procedural status / timeline

  • Introduced March 11, 2025. Amended in committee and reprinted (first reprint adopted April 21, 2025).
  • Passed the Assembly (third reading) and transmitted to the Senate (read first time June 3, 2025).
  • Referred to Senate committees; hearings scheduled then postponed/canceled at the author's request. As of the latest entry, no further action taken.
  • Key effective elements (notice/48‑hour/2‑hour thresholds and county population cutoff) are contained in committee amendments/reprints; exact implementation timing would depend on final enactment and effective date set in law.

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

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