# Nevada SB257: AN ACT relating to autism; revising requirements governing the statewide standard for measuring outcomes and assessing and evaluating certain persons with autism spectrum disorders; revising requirements governing early intervention services for persons with autism spectrum disorders; requiring an insurer to accept as dispositive certain diagnoses of persons with autism spectrum disorders for purposes related to required coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of such disorders; requiring insurers to cover such diagnosis and treatment provided by any provider of health care acting within his or her scope of practice; and providing other matters properly relating thereto. Nevada SB257, AN ACT relating to autism; revising requirements governing the statewide standard for measuring outcomes and assessing and evaluating certain persons with autism spectrum disorders; revising requirements governing early intervention services for persons with autism spectrum disorders; requiring an insurer to accept as dispositive certain diagnoses of persons with autism spectrum disorders for purposes related to required coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of such disorders; requiring insurers to cover such diagnosis and treatment provided by any provider of health care acting within his or her scope of practice; and providing other matters properly relating thereto., is a 83rd Regular Session (2025) Senate bill sponsored by Selena Torres-Fossett (Democratic), James Ohrenschall (Democratic), Lisa Krasner (Republican) and 2 others; status signed, last action 2025-06-06 (Chapter 387.); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-11-01). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NV-SB257-83rd2025 - As of: 2026-11-01 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Nevada SB257 - State: Nevada - Session: 83rd Regular Session (2025) - Title: AN ACT relating to autism; revising requirements governing the statewide standard for measuring outcomes and assessing and evaluating certain persons with autism spectrum disorders; revising requirements governing early intervention services for persons with autism spectrum disorders; requiring an insurer to accept as dispositive certain diagnoses of persons with autism spectrum disorders for purposes related to required coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of such disorders; requiring insurers to cover such diagnosis and treatment provided by any provider of health care acting within his or her scope of practice; and providing other matters properly relating thereto. - Status: signed - Chamber: Senate - Introduced: 2025-02-27 - Last action: 2025-06-06, Chapter 387. - Sponsors: Selena Torres-Fossett (Democratic), James Ohrenschall (Democratic), Lisa Krasner (Republican), Marilyn Dondero Loop (Democratic), Michelee "Shelly" Cruz-Crawford (Democratic) - Cosponsors: 5 - Subjects: BDR 38-106 - Touches household money: yes - Roll calls: 2 (60 yes, 0 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 4 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - One statewide autism assessment and early screening: benefit, medium. The state sets one standard to assess autism through age 21, following best practices. Providers must directly observe the person and act only within their license. State and local staff and contractors use this standard at intake or when autism is suspected, and give results to parents. Children g… - Optional autism coverage add-on for families: mixed, high. Health plans must offer an option that covers autism screening, diagnosis, and treatment for people under 18, or up to age 22 if in high school. A diagnosis using the statewide standard is final for eligibility. The option must include at least the actuarial equivalent of $72,000 per year for appli… - Required autism coverage for kids with parity: mixed, high. Beginning January 1, 2026, group health plans and self-insured local government plans must cover autism screening, diagnosis, and treatment for people under 18, or up to age 22 if still in high school. Plans must accept a diagnosis made using the statewide standard. Plans must apply the same copays… - Provider treatment plans; insurers can review: mixed, low. A licensed health care provider acting within their scope must assess the person and create the autism treatment plan. The same types of providers can prescribe and provide the care within their license. Insurers can ask for and review the treatment plan. This supports coverage decisions and may af… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Selena Torres-Fossett (Democratic), House - Sponsor: James Ohrenschall (Democratic), Senate - Sponsor: Lisa Krasner (Republican), Senate - Sponsor: Marilyn Dondero Loop (Democratic), Senate - Sponsor: Michelee "Shelly" Cruz-Crawford (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Edgar Flores (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Julie Pazina (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Lori Rogich (Republican), Senate - Cosponsor: Nicole J. Cannizzaro (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Rochelle T. Nguyen (Democratic), Senate ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2025-05-31 | House | Final Passage - Assembly (As Introduced) | pass | 39 | 0 | | | 2025-05-22 | Senate | Final Passage - Senate (As Introduced) | pass | 21 | 0 | | ## Bill text - As Enrolled: [PDF](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/83rd2025/Bills/SB/SB257_EN.pdf) - As Introduced: [PDF](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/83rd2025/Bills/SB/SB257.pdf) ## Related bills - SB217: AN ACT relating to health care; prohibiting a governmental entity from substantially burdening certain activity relating to assisted reproduction under certain… (vetoed) - AB499: AN ACT relating to elections; requiring, with certain exceptions, a registered voter show photo identification to vote in person; requiring the Department of M… (vetoed) - AB397: AN ACT relating to higher education; revising provisions governing certain waivers of fees provided by the Board of Regents of the University of Nevada; revisi… (vetoed) - AB259: AN ACT relating to health care; prohibiting certain actions related to pricing and reimbursement for certain drugs; creating a cause of action for violating su… (vetoed) - AB188: AN ACT relating to the Public Employees' Benefits Program; requiring the Board of the Public Employees' Benefits Program to report certain information relating… (vetoed) - SB207: AN ACT relating to health care; transferring the authority to establish and administer a program of all-inclusive care for the elderly from the Aging and Disab… (signed) ## Sources - [As Enrolled (PDF)](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/83rd2025/Bills/SB/SB257_EN.pdf) - [As Introduced (PDF)](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/83rd2025/Bills/SB/SB257.pdf) ## Related - [SB217: AN ACT relating to health care; prohibiting a governmental entity from substant…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NV-SB217-83rd2025) - [AB499: AN ACT relating to elections; requiring, with certain exceptions, a registered…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NV-AB499-83rd2025) - [AB397: AN ACT relating to higher education; revising provisions governing certain waiv…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NV-AB397-83rd2025) - [AB259: AN ACT relating to health care; prohibiting certain actions related to pricing…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NV-AB259-83rd2025) - [AB188: AN ACT relating to the Public Employees' Benefits Program; requiring the Board…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NV-AB188-83rd2025) - [SB207: AN ACT relating to health care; transferring the authority to establish and adm…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NV-SB207-83rd2025) - [Nevada bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/nevada/bills) - [Nevada state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/nevada) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NV-SB257-83rd2025 (as of 2026-11-01).