Advocacy at the 2023 Nevada Legislative Session
Nevada AAP Advocates
Photo of chapter leaders advocating in March 2023 at Children's Week at the Nevada State Legislature.
Bills We Followed
AB37
AB137
AB37
In October of 2021, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), along with the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) and the Children’s Hospital Association declared a national emergency in children’s mental health, citing the serious toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on top of existing challenges. On Tuesday, March 14, N
In October of 2021, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), along with the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) and the Children’s Hospital Association declared a national emergency in children’s mental health, citing the serious toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on top of existing challenges. On Tuesday, March 14, Nevada AAP Executive Director Leann McAllister gave testimony in support of AB37 to address the crisis shortage of behavioral health services in Nevada. Verbal testimony was also provided by Nevada AAP Fellows Jose Cucalon Calderon, MD, FAAP and Steven Shane, MD, MS, FAAP.
AB53
AB137
AB37
On Tuesday, February 21, the Nevada Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics offered neutral testimony on AB53 to give lawmakers context around why it is critical that we prevent youth under 21 years of age from purchasing e-cigarettes and other tobacco products.
AB137
AB137
AB137
The Nevada Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics supports adding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) as a definition of developmental disability. On Monday, March 6, Nevada AAP Executive Director Leann McAllister gave testimony in support of AB137 and included this link to more information and the video we made explaining the diagnosis to parents in our written testimony.
AB138
AB137
AB137
The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly encourages collaboration between pediatricians and mental health specialists to determine the best course of treatment of patients. On Monday, February 20, Nevada AAP Executive Director Leann McAllister gave testimony in support of AB138 which opens collaboration codes for behavioral health care.
AB184
AB184
AB184
The effects of air quality on children's health are wide-ranging and long-lasting. The Nevada AAP joined with a coalition of leading health organizations to support AB184 to accelerate zero-emission truck
adoption to protect Nevadans from deadly diesel exhaust.
AB255
AB184
AB184
The American Academy of Pediatrics supports financial subsidies for adoptive foster parents which may specifically support medical and/or psychiatric care, counseling or therapy, special equipment, tutoring programs, or other support services that may help children who have special needs. On Monday, March 13, Nevada AAP Executive Director
The American Academy of Pediatrics supports financial subsidies for adoptive foster parents which may specifically support medical and/or psychiatric care, counseling or therapy, special equipment, tutoring programs, or other support services that may help children who have special needs. On Monday, March 13, Nevada AAP Executive Director Leann McAllister gave testimony in support of AB255 which extends existing subsidies to Nevada families.
AB285
AB184
AB285
The AAP supports public policies that promote a positive school climate and avoid suspension and expulsion. School suspension and expulsion, as early as preschool, have increasingly been identified as causes of chronic absenteeism that disproportionately affect African American students and students with emotional and behavioral disorders
The AAP supports public policies that promote a positive school climate and avoid suspension and expulsion. School suspension and expulsion, as early as preschool, have increasingly been identified as causes of chronic absenteeism that disproportionately affect African American students and students with emotional and behavioral disorders and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. For these reasons, the Nevada AAP joined a letter with advocacy partners to oppose AB285.
AB319
AB184
AB285
Children who have participated in school meal programs since the 2010 Hunger-Free Kids Act passed have reaped numerous benefits. Nevada AAP Obesity Prevention Chair Steven A. Shane, MD, MS, FAAP, DABOM submitted a letter of support for AB319 on behalf of the chapter.
AB320
AB320
AB320
Two things are true about social media: it can play an important role in the lives of many tweens and teens, and it can be harmful to their mental health. The Nevada AAP has joined with advocacy partners to support bipartisan AB320 that aims to protect kids while not stopping their access.
AB330
AB320
AB320
The AAP maintains that out-of-school suspension and expulsion are counterproductive, rarely if ever are necessary, and should not be considered as appropriate discipline in any but the most extreme and dangerous circumstances, as determined on an individual basis rather than as a blanket policy. The Nevada AAP joined a letter with advocac
The AAP maintains that out-of-school suspension and expulsion are counterproductive, rarely if ever are necessary, and should not be considered as appropriate discipline in any but the most extreme and dangerous circumstances, as determined on an individual basis rather than as a blanket policy. The Nevada AAP joined a letter with advocacy partners to oppose AB330
as it purports to allow schools to permanently expel a student from a Nevada school district.
AB354
AB320
AB354
Firearms are now the leading cause of death for U.S. children and teens under the age of 18. And the reality is that having firearms in the home increases the risk of unintentional shootings, suicide and homicide. Nevada AAP Vice President Terence McAllister, MD, FAAP submitted written testimony in support of AB354. Testimony also provided by Gun Violence Prevention Advocate Anjali Agrawal, DO.
AB355
AB320
AB354
When surveyed about their priorities for the 2023 Nevada legislative session, our members voted gun-violence prevention as the top advocacy issue. Nevada AAP Vice President Terence McAllister, MD, FAAP submitted written testimony in support of AB355. Testimony also provided by Gun Violence Prevention Advocate Anjali Agrawal, DO.
AB357
Pediatricians at the Nevada AAP support mandating medically-accurate sex education to protect children from abuse. On April 11, Executive Director Leann McAllister gave verbal testimony in support of AB357.
SB80
SB131
SB131
Every student needs to know how crucial it is to let their coach, athletic trainer, teacher, or parent know if they have hit their head or have symptoms of a head injury—even if it means stopping play, study, or work. SB80 sends the message: Never ignore a head injury, no matter how minor. On Wednesday, March 15, Nevada AAP Executive Director Leann McAllister gave testimony in support of SB80.
SB131
SB131
SB131
The American Academy of Pediatrics supports the right of an adolescent to access an abortion to terminate an unintended pregnancy. On Monday, February 20, Nevada AAP Executive Director Leann McAllister gave testimony in support of SB131 which strengthens access in Nevada.
SB163
SB131
SB163
The American Academy of Pediatrics works toward all children and adolescents, regardless of gender identity or expression, receiving care to promote optimal physical, mental, and social well-being. Any discrimination based on gender identity or expression, real or perceived, is damaging to the socioemotional health of children, families,
The American Academy of Pediatrics works toward all children and adolescents, regardless of gender identity or expression, receiving care to promote optimal physical, mental, and social well-being. Any discrimination based on gender identity or expression, real or perceived, is damaging to the socioemotional health of children, families, and society. On Wednesday, March 15, Nevada AAP Executive Director Leann McAllister gave testimony in support of SB163 which requires insurance plans to offer coverage for health care that is specific to the needs of youth who identify as transgender and gender diverse (TGD), including coverage for medical, psychological, and, when indicated, surgical gender-affirming interventions.
SB169
SB169
SB163
The public health consequences of heat temperature extremes are substantial. Because of their unique physiology, children are more susceptible to temperature extremes and their health effects. Nevada AAP Chapter Climate Advocate Debra Hendrickson, MD, FAAP submitted a letter in support of SB169 to require government to address heat mitigation.
SB172
SB169
SB172
Everyone – including teenagers -- deserves the right to confidential medical care that best supports their own needs and is informed by their physician’s expertise. On Thursday, March 9, Nevada AAP submitted written testimony in support of SB172.
SB190
SB169
SB172
It is NOT safe to leave a young child alone in a car for any length of time. If you see an unattended child in a car and are concerned, you should immediately call 911. On Thursday, March 16, Nevada AAP gave testimony in support of SB190.
SB289
SB289
SB289
Attacks against health care institutions that threaten violence, intimidation, and physical harm have left hospitals, staff, and their communities shaken. The Nevada AAP submitted a letter in support of SB289 to protect the health and well-being of pediatricians and all health care workers in Nevada.
SB232
SB289
SB289
Infants born on Medicaid and CHIP are guaranteed a full year of coverage, and pediatricians know that babies do better when the person who gives birth to them has coverage, too. On Thursday, March 30, Nevada AAP gave testimony in support of SB232.
SB302
SB289
SB302
The pediatricians of the Nevada Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics need SB302 to ensure that Nevada doctors will be protected against the harmful overreach of legislatures outside of Nevada. Chapter Vice President Terence McAllister, MD, FAAP published an op-ed about SB302 in the Reno Gazette Journal.
SB359
SB359
SB302
The AAP advocates for community-based alternatives to incarceration that keep young people in their communities and out of secure confinement. Chapter Executive Director Leann McAllister gave verbal support on May 4, 2023.
SB419
SB359
SB419
Expansion of insurance eligibility is associated with positive health outcomes. Much of this is due to increased access to recommended preventive health care for children. On Tuesday, March 28, Nevada AAP Board member Jose Cucalon Calderon, MD, FAAP gave testimony in support of SB149 (starts at about 1:29 of this video).
Advocacy at the 2023 Nevada Legislative Session
The Nevada AAP State Child Health Policy Agenda 2023
The Nevada AAP surveyed chapter members to create the PDF below. The blueprint reflects on the State of Children in 2023 and recommends policies to promote healthy children, support secure families, build strong communities, and enhance the position of Nevada as a leading state for children.