Senior Legislation Signed into Law

The 75th Legislative Session came to a close in May, producing several measures that benefit senior citizens in Nevada.

For the Division of Aging Services, funding added back into the budget meant restoration of 394 slots for lowincome elders in need of home and community based services. The Tobacco Settlement fund remained intact to fund Independent Living Grants, and the Fund for a Healthy Nevada. The division merged with the Office of Disabilities to provide a wider and seamless array of services for people aging with disabilities.

For advocates, passage of Assembly Bill 9 was a major accomplishment for seniors, veterans and people with disabilities. The plan, endorsed in 2006 by the state’s Strategic Plan Accountability Committee with Assembly woman Kathy McClain, was deemed the highest of priorities for enabling legislation. Much of the sessions bills crafted for seniors and veterans actually came out of a similar interim committee this past session.

Bills passed and signed into law by the Governor:

• AB20 - Revises provisions requiring smaller homes for individual residential care to conduct background checks similar to larger assisted living and group care facilities.
• AB111 - Revises provisions governing certain residential facilities for groups and homes for individual residential care.