AB517 - Establishes a program for education concerning planning for long-term care. (BDR 38-1093)

A.B. 517 - *AB517* ASSEMBLY BILL NO. 517–COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES MARCH 24, 2025 ____________ Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services SUMMARY—Establishes a program for education concerning planning for long-term care. (BDR 38-1093) FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: No. Effect on the State: Yes. ~ EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. AN ACT relating to long-term care; establishing a program to provide information on planning for long-term care; and providing other matters properly relating thereto. Legislative Counsel’s Digest: Existing law requires the Aging and Disability Services Division of the 1 Department of Health and Human Services to provide information related to the 2 problems of the aged and aging and prepare, publish and disseminate educational 3 materials dealing with the welfare of older persons. (NRS 427A.040) This bill 4 requires the Department, through the Division, to conduct a program to provide 5 education on long-term care, which must include: (1) a public awareness and media 6 campaign on the importance of planning for long-term care; (2) an Internet website 7 that provides information concerning planning for long-term care; (3) workshops, 8 seminars and educational sessions on planning for long-term care; and (4) the 9 distribution of related guides, materials and resources. This bill authorizes the 10 Department, through the Division, to implement the program in phases and 11 prioritize the initial implementation of the program in certain areas with a high need 12 for information relating to long-term care. This bill requires the Department, 13 through the Division, to: (1) develop a framework to monitor, evaluate and assess 14 the effectiveness of the program; and (2) submit reports annually to the Legislature 15 concerning the program. 16 – 2 – - *AB517* THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Chapter 427A of NRS is hereby amended by 1 adding thereto a new section to read as follows: 2 1. The Department, through the Division, shall conduct a 3 program to: 4 (a) Develop and carry out a public awareness campaign to 5 provide information to the public about the importance of 6 planning for long-term care that provides information relevant to 7 the changing demographics of this State. A public awareness 8 campaign carried out pursuant to this paragraph must use various 9 forms of media, including, without limitation, television and 10 digital platforms, to ensure the campaign reaches a wide audience 11 throughout this State. 12 (b) Create and maintain on the Internet website of the Division 13 comprehensive information on the resources and tools available to 14 residents of this State to assist residents of this State with planning 15 for long-term care. 16 (c) Coordinate with financial planners, providers of health 17 care, insurance companies and community organizations to 18 provide throughout this State workshops, seminars and 19 educational sessions that provide information on planning for 20 long-term care. 21 (d) Prepare planning guides, brochures and other printed 22 material and make such materials available to the public, 23 community centers and other relevant organizations that may 24 distribute such materials to residents of this State. The materials 25 prepared and made available pursuant to this paragraph must 26 incorporate a range of educational materials, including electronic 27 and physical materials, that offer detailed information about the 28 options for long-term care, tools for planning for long-term care 29 and financial assistance with long-term care that are available to 30 residents of this State. 31 2. In carrying out the provisions of subsection 1, the 32 Department, through the Division, shall: 33 (a) Incorporate best practices from other states and engage a 34 diverse range of stakeholders, including, without limitation, 35 financial planners, providers of health care, insurance companies, 36 senior advocacy groups, nonprofit and grassroots organizations, 37 and local government agencies that work with the elderly 38 population in this State, with an emphasis on engaging with 39 organizations that have significant connections to the elderly 40 population in this State and a thorough understanding of the 41 – 3 – - *AB517* unique needs and challenges experienced by different segments of 1 the elderly population in this State. 2 (b) Address specific demographic segments within the elderly 3 population in this State, including, without limitation, persons 4 who are not proficient in the English language, veterans and 5 residents of rural communities, to ensure the inclusivity and 6 accessibility of resources. 7 3. The Department, through the Division, may implement the 8 provisions of subsection 1 in phases, with initial priority given to 9 areas of this State with a high concentration of elderly persons 10 and persons with limited access to long-term planning resources. 11 The Department may select counties in this State to host pilot 12 programs to test and refine outreach and delivery strategies for 13 implementation statewide. 14 4. The Department, through the Division, shall develop a 15 framework to monitor, evaluate and assess the effectiveness of the 16 program set forth in subsection 1 and to adapt the program as 17 necessary. In monitoring, evaluating, assessing and adapting the 18 program, the Department, through the Division, shall gather input 19 from participants and stakeholders, including, without limitation, 20 nonprofit and grassroots organizations. 21 5. On or before February 1 of each year, the Administrator 22 shall submit a report to the Director of the Legislative Counsel 23 Bureau for transmittal: 24 (a) In even-numbered years, to the Legislative Commission, 25 the Joint Interim Standing Committee on Health and Human 26 Services and the Legislative Committee on Senior Citizens, 27 Veterans and Adults With Special Needs; and 28 (b) In odd-numbered years, to the next regular session of the 29 Legislature. 30 6. The Division may adopt regulations to carry out the 31 provisions of this section. 32 Sec. 2. The provisions of NRS 218D.380 do not apply to any 33 provision of this act which adds or revises a requirement to submit a 34 report to the Legislature. 35 Sec. 3. This act becomes effective upon passage and approval. 36 H