Nevada 2025 Regular Session

Nevada Assembly Bill AB344 Latest Draft

Bill / Introduced Version

                              
  
  	A.B. 344 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 
ASSEMBLY BILL NO. 344–ASSEMBLYMEMBER MARZOLA 
 
MARCH 3, 2025 
____________ 
 
Referred to Committee on Judiciary 
 
SUMMARY—Revises provisions relating to the judiciary. 
(BDR 38-155) 
 
FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: May have Fiscal Impact. 
 Effect on the State: Yes. 
 
CONTAINS UNFUNDED MANDATE (§§ 30, 64) 
(NOT REQUESTED BY AFFECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT) 
 
~ 
 
EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. 
 
 
AN ACT relating to judiciary; replacing the term “master” with 
“judicial officer” when used to refer to judicial officers 
who perform certain duties; prescribing a procedure for 
the transfer of child welfare proceedings to a different 
court within this State; requiring the appointment of an 
attorney to represent certain parties during a child welfare 
proceeding in certain circumstances; revising the 
compensation that an appointed attorney in certain 
proceedings is entitled to receive; and providing other 
matters properly relating thereto. 
Legislative Counsel’s Digest: 
 Existing law authorizes the appointment of a master or special master to 1 
perform certain limited duties in certain proceedings, including family law, juvenile 2 
justice and traffic proceedings and certain proceedings in a justice or municipal 3 
court. (NRS 3.2201, 3.405, 4.357, 5.0245, 33.019, 62B.020, 62B.030, 126.111, 4 
129.080, 159A.0615, 425.381, 432B.455) Sections 3-24, 31-35, 40, 42-47, 52-63, 5 
65, 66, 69-71 and 79 of this bill replace the term “master” with the term “judicial 6 
officer” when used to refer to a judicial official who performs those duties. 7 
Sections 1, 26, 38 and 67 of this bill define the term “judicial officer” for certain 8 
purposes and sections 2, 28, 39 and 68 of this bill establish the applicability of 9 
those definitions. Sections 32, 42, 43, 46-48, 54 and 70 of this bill authorize a 10 
court to designate a different title to a person appointed as a judicial officer so long 11 
as the title does not include the term “master.” Section 4 makes an additional 12 
clarifying change regarding the appointment of judicial officers. Sections 37, 41, 13 
48, 50, 51 and 72-78 of this bill make various other changes so that a judicial 14   
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- 	*AB344* 
officer retains all of the duties, privileges and protections that such a person 15 
currently has while functioning under the title “master.” 16 
 Existing law establishes procedures for the transfer of proceedings involving 17 
the legal or physical custody of a child, including child welfare proceedings, to a 18 
court of another state. (NRS 125A.315, 125A.355, 125A.365) Section 27 of this 19 
bill similarly establishes a procedure for the transfer of child welfare proceedings to 20 
a different court in this State. Section 27 requires: (1) the originating court and the 21 
receiving court to hold a joint hearing on the potential transfer; and (2) both courts 22 
to conclude that the transfer would be in the best interests of the child who is the 23 
subject of the proceedings before the transfer may occur. Section 36 of this bill 24 
makes a conforming change to include a reference to section 27 where appropriate. 25 
Sections 29 and 49 of this bill prohibit a person from invoking certain privileges 26 
during a proceeding concerning such a transfer. 27 
 Existing law: (1) authorizes an attorney to represent a parent or other person 28 
responsible for the welfare of a child who is alleged to have abused or neglected the 29 
child at all stages of child welfare proceedings concerning the child; and (2) 30 
requires a court to appoint an attorney to represent a child who is alleged to have 31 
been abused or neglected at all stages of such proceedings. An appointed attorney is 32 
entitled to the same compensation and payment for expenses as an attorney, other 33 
than a public defender, selected to represent or defend a defendant at any stage of a 34 
criminal proceeding. (NRS 432B.420) Section 30 of this bill provides that any 35 
parent or person responsible for the welfare of a child who is taken into protective 36 
custody may be represented during the child welfare proceedings, regardless of 37 
whether the parent is alleged to have abused or neglected the child. If a petition is 38 
filed alleging that a child is in need of protection, section 30 requires the court to 39 
appoint an attorney to represent the parent or person responsible for the welfare of a 40 
child who is allegedly responsible for the child being need of protection upon 41 
determining that the parent or other person is indigent, except in certain 42 
circumstances. Section 30 also provides that an attorney who is appointed to 43 
represent a parent or other person responsible for the welfare of a child or a child in 44 
a child welfare proceeding is, except in certain circumstances, entitled to 45 
compensation and payment for expenses for all reasonable time and expenses spent 46 
on the case at a rate not less than the rate an attorney in the same jurisdiction 47 
receives for representing a person charged with a misdemeanor. 48 
 Existing law authorizes a court to appoint an attorney to represent a child and 49 
an indigent parent of a child during any proceeding for terminating or restoring 50 
parental rights. Existing law also requires a court to appoint an attorney to represent 51 
a child in such a proceeding if the child has been placed outside the home because 52 
he or she was deemed to be in need of protection. Such an appointed attorney is 53 
entitled to the same compensation and payment for expenses as an attorney, other 54 
than a public defender, selected to represent or defend a defendant at any stage of a 55 
criminal proceeding. (NRS 128.100) Section 64 of this bill provides that such an 56 
appointed attorney is entitled to compensation and payment for expenses for all 57 
reasonable time and expenses spent on the case at a rate not less than the rate an 58 
attorney in the same jurisdiction receives for representing a person charged with a 59 
felony. 60 
 
 
    
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THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN 
SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: 
 
 Section 1.  Chapter 425 of NRS is hereby amended by adding 1 
thereto a new section to read as follows: 2 
 “Judicial officer” means a person who is appointed by a court 3 
pursuant to NRS 425.381 to act as a judicial officer of the court. 4 
 Sec. 2.  NRS 425.260 is hereby amended to read as follows: 5 
 425.260 As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise 6 
requires, the words and terms defined in NRS 425.270 to 425.335, 7 
inclusive, and section 1 of this act have the meanings ascribed to 8 
them in those sections. 9 
 Sec. 3.  NRS 425.295 is hereby amended to read as follows: 10 
 425.295 “Debt” means the amount of money owed as support 11 
for a dependent child pursuant to: 12 
 1.  An order of a court of competent jurisdiction of this or any 13 
other state; or 14 
 2.  A recommendation entered by the [master] judicial officer 15 
pursuant to NRS 425.382 to 425.3852, inclusive, and approved by 16 
the district court. 17 
 Sec. 4.  NRS 425.381 is hereby amended to read as follows: 18 
 425.381 1.  A [master] judicial officer must be appointed as 19 
set forth in this section [.] and NRS 3.405. 20 
 2.  The district judges of: 21 
 (a) The Family Court of the Second Judicial District shall 22 
appoint the [masters] judicial officers for that District, and shall 23 
establish the qualifications and duties of those [masters;] judicial 24 
officers; and 25 
 (b) The Family Court of the Eighth Judicial District shall 26 
appoint the [masters] judicial officers for that District, and shall 27 
establish the qualifications and duties of those [masters.] judicial 28 
officers. 29 
 3.  The district judges of the remaining judicial districts shall 30 
appoint the [masters] judicial officers for those districts, and shall 31 
establish the qualifications and duties of those [masters.] judicial 32 
officers. 33 
 4.  A [master] judicial officer serves at the pleasure of the 34 
district judges who appointed the [master.] judicial officer. 35 
 Sec. 5.  NRS 425.382 is hereby amended to read as follows: 36 
 425.382 1.  Except as otherwise provided in NRS 425.346, 37 
the Chief may proceed pursuant to NRS 425.3822 to 425.3852, 38 
inclusive, after: 39 
 (a) Payment of public assistance by the Division; or 40 
 (b) Receipt of a request for services to carry out the Program. 41   
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 2.  Subject to approval by the district court pursuant to NRS 1 
425.3844, a [master] judicial officer may: 2 
 (a) Take any action authorized pursuant to chapter 130 of NRS, 3 
including any of the actions described in subsection 2 of  4 
NRS 130.305. 5 
 (b) Except as otherwise provided in chapter 130 of NRS and 6 
NRS 425.346: 7 
  (1) Issue and enforce an order for the support of a dependent 8 
child, and modify or adjust such an order in accordance with  9 
NRS 125B.145; 10 
  (2) Require coverage for health care of a dependent child; 11 
  (3) Establish paternity; 12 
  (4) Order a responsible parent to comply with an order for 13 
the support of a dependent child, specifying the amount and the 14 
manner of compliance; 15 
  (5) Order the withholding of income; 16 
  (6) Determine the amount of any arrearages and specify a 17 
method of payment; 18 
  (7) Enforce orders by civil or criminal contempt, or both; 19 
  (8) Set aside property for satisfaction of an order for the 20 
support of a dependent child; 21 
  (9) Place liens and order execution on the property of the 22 
responsible parent; 23 
  (10) Order a responsible parent to keep the [master] judicial 24 
officer informed of the responsible parent’s current residential 25 
address, telephone number, employer, address of employment and 26 
telephone number at the place of employment; 27 
  (11) Issue a bench warrant for a responsible parent who has 28 
failed after proper notice to appear at a hearing ordered by the 29 
[master] judicial officer and enter the bench warrant in any local 30 
and state computer system for criminal warrants; 31 
  (12) Order the responsible parent to seek appropriate 32 
employment by specified methods; 33 
  (13) Order the responsible parent to participate in a program 34 
intended to resolve issues that prevent the responsible parent from 35 
obtaining employment, including, without limitation, a program for 36 
the treatment of substance use disorders or a program to address 37 
mental health issues; 38 
  (14) Upon the request of the Division, require a responsible 39 
parent to: 40 
   (I) Pay any support owed in accordance with a plan 41 
approved by the Division; or 42 
   (II) Participate in such work activities, as that term is 43 
defined in 42 U.S.C. § 607(d), as the Division deems appropriate; 44   
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- 	*AB344* 
  (15) Award reasonable attorney’s fees and other fees and 1 
costs; and 2 
  (16) Grant any other available remedy. 3 
 Sec. 6.  NRS 425.3824 is hereby amended to read as follows: 4 
 425.3824 1.  The notice and finding of financial responsibility 5 
issued pursuant to NRS 425.3822 must include: 6 
 (a) The name of the person who has physical custody of the 7 
dependent child and the name of the child for whom support is to be 8 
paid. 9 
 (b) A statement of the monthly support for which the parent is 10 
responsible. 11 
 (c) A statement of the amount of arrearages sought, if any. 12 
 (d) A statement that the parent may be required to provide 13 
coverage for the health care of the dependent child when coverage is 14 
available to the parent at a reasonable cost. 15 
 (e) A statement of any requirements the Division will request 16 
pursuant to subparagraph (14) of paragraph (b) of subsection 2 of 17 
NRS 425.382, regarding a plan for the payment of support by the 18 
parent or the participation of the parent in work activities. 19 
 (f) A statement that if the parent desires to discuss the amount of 20 
support or coverage for health care that the parent should be 21 
required to pay or provide, the parent may contact the office that 22 
sent the notice within 20 days after the date of receipt of service and 23 
request a conference for negotiation. 24 
 (g) A statement that if the parent objects to any part of the notice 25 
and finding of financial responsibility, the parent must send to the 26 
office that issued the notice a written response within 20 days after 27 
the date of receipt of service that sets forth any objections and 28 
requests a hearing. 29 
 (h) A statement that if a response is received within the specified 30 
period, the parent is entitled to a hearing and that if a written 31 
response is not received within the specified period, the [master] 32 
judicial officer may enter a recommendation for support of a 33 
dependent child in accordance with the notice and finding of 34 
financial responsibility. 35 
 (i) A statement that as soon as the recommendation is entered 36 
and approved by the court, the property of the parent is subject to an 37 
attachment or other procedure for collection, including, but not 38 
limited to, withholding of wages, garnishment, liens and execution 39 
on liens. 40 
 (j) A reference to NRS 425.382 to 425.3852, inclusive. 41 
 (k) A statement that the parent is responsible for notifying the 42 
office of any change of address or employment. 43 
 (l) A statement that if the parent has any questions, the parent 44 
may contact the office or consult an attorney. 45   
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 (m) Such other information as the Chief finds appropriate. 1 
 2.  The statement of the monthly support required pursuant to 2 
paragraph (b) of subsection 1 must be computed in accordance with 3 
the guidelines established by the Administrator pursuant to  4 
NRS 425.620. 5 
 3.  After a conference for negotiation is held pursuant to 6 
paragraph (f) of subsection 1, if an agreement is not reached on the 7 
monthly support to be paid or the coverage to be provided, a hearing 8 
must be held pursuant to NRS 425.3832 and notice of the hearing 9 
must be sent to the parent by regular mail at the last known address 10 
of the parent or to the last known address of the attorney for the 11 
parent. 12 
 Sec. 7.  NRS 425.3826 is hereby amended to read as follows: 13 
 425.3826 If the paternity of the dependent child has not been 14 
legally established and a notice and finding of financial 15 
responsibility is to be served on the alleged parent, the notice must 16 
include: 17 
 1.  The information required by NRS 425.3824. 18 
 2.  An allegation that the person is the parent of the dependent 19 
child. 20 
 3.  The name of the other parent of the child. 21 
 4.  The date of birth of the child. 22 
 5.  The probable period during which conception took place. 23 
 6.  A statement that if the alleged parent does not send to the 24 
office issuing the notice and finding of financial responsibility a 25 
written response that denies paternity and requests a hearing, within 26 
the specified period, the [master,] judicial officer, without further 27 
notice to the alleged parent, may enter a recommendation that 28 
declares and establishes the person as the legal parent of the child. 29 
 Sec. 8.  NRS 425.3828 is hereby amended to read as follows: 30 
 425.3828 1.  If a written response setting forth objections and 31 
requesting a hearing is received by the office issuing the notice and 32 
finding of financial responsibility within the specified period, a 33 
hearing must be held pursuant to NRS 425.3832 and notice of the 34 
hearing must be sent to the parent by regular mail. 35 
 2.  If a written response and request for hearing is not received 36 
by the office issuing the notice and finding of financial 37 
responsibility within the specified period, the [master] judicial 38 
officer may enter a recommendation for the support of a dependent 39 
child in accordance with the notice and shall: 40 
 (a) Include in that recommendation: 41 
  (1) If the paternity of the dependent child is established by 42 
the recommendation, a declaration of that fact. 43 
  (2) The amount of monthly support to be paid, including 44 
directions concerning the manner of payment. 45   
 	– 7 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
  (3) The amount of arrearages owed. 1 
  (4) Whether coverage for health care must be provided for 2 
the dependent child. 3 
  (5) Any requirements to be imposed pursuant to 4 
subparagraph (14) of paragraph (b) of subsection 2 of NRS 425.382 5 
regarding a plan for the payment of support by the parent or the 6 
participation of the parent in work activities. 7 
  (6) The names of the parents or legal guardians of the child. 8 
  (7) The name of the person to whom, and the name and date 9 
of birth of the dependent child for whom, support is to be paid. 10 
  (8) A statement that the property of the parent is subject to an 11 
attachment or other procedure for collection, including, but not 12 
limited to, withholding of wages, garnishment, liens and execution 13 
on liens. 14 
  (9) A statement that objections to the recommendation may 15 
be filed with the district court and served upon the other party 16 
within 10 days after receipt of the recommendation. 17 
 (b) Ensure that the social security numbers of the parents or 18 
legal guardians of the child and the person to whom support is to be 19 
paid are provided to the enforcing authority. 20 
 3.  The parent must be sent a copy of the recommendation for 21 
the support of a dependent child by regular mail addressed to the 22 
last known address of the parent, or if applicable, the last known 23 
address of the attorney for the parent. 24 
 4.  The recommendation for the support of a dependent child is 25 
final upon approval by the district court pursuant to NRS 425.3844. 26 
The Chief may take action to enforce and collect upon the order of 27 
the court approving the recommendation, including arrearages, from 28 
the date of the approval of the recommendation. 29 
 5.  If a written response and request for hearing is not received 30 
by the office issuing the notice and finding of financial 31 
responsibility within the specified period, and the [master] judicial 32 
officer enters a recommendation for the support of a dependent 33 
child, the court may grant relief from the recommendation on the 34 
grounds set forth in paragraph (b) of Rule 60 of the Nevada Rules of 35 
Civil Procedure. 36 
 Sec. 9.  NRS 425.383 is hereby amended to read as follows: 37 
 425.383 1.  After the entry of a recommendation for the 38 
support of a dependent child by the [master] judicial officer that has 39 
been approved by the district court pursuant to NRS 425.3844, or 40 
after entry of an order for the support of a dependent child by a 41 
district court regarding which the Chief is authorized to proceed 42 
pursuant to NRS 425.382 to 425.3852, inclusive, the responsible 43 
parent, the person entitled to support or the enforcing authority may 44   
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move for the amount of the child support being enforced to be 1 
modified or adjusted in accordance with NRS 125B.145. 2 
 2.  The motion must: 3 
 (a) Be in writing. 4 
 (b) Set out the reasons for the modification or adjustment. 5 
 (c) State the address of the moving party. 6 
 (d) Be served by the moving party upon the responsible parent 7 
or the person entitled to support, as appropriate, by first-class mail 8 
to the last known address of that person. 9 
 3.  The moving party shall mail or deliver a copy of the motion 10 
and the original return of service to the Chief. 11 
 4.  The Chief shall set the matter for a hearing within 30 days 12 
after the date of receipt of the motion unless a stipulated agreement 13 
between the parties is reached. The Chief shall send to the parties 14 
and person with physical custody of the dependent child a notice of 15 
the hearing by first-class mail to the last known address of those 16 
persons. 17 
 5.  A motion for modification or adjustment requested pursuant 18 
to this section does not prohibit the Chief from enforcing and 19 
collecting upon the existing order for support of a dependent child 20 
unless so ordered by the district court. 21 
 6.  The only support payments that may be modified or adjusted 22 
pursuant to this section are monthly support payments that: 23 
 (a) A court of this state has jurisdiction to modify pursuant to 24 
chapter 130 of NRS; and 25 
 (b) Accrue after the moving party serves notice that a motion 26 
has been filed for modification or adjustment. 27 
 7.  The party requesting the modification or adjustment has the 28 
burden of showing a change of circumstances and good cause for 29 
the modification or adjustment, unless the request is filed in 30 
accordance with subsection 1 of NRS 125B.145. 31 
 Sec. 10.  NRS 425.3832 is hereby amended to read as follows: 32 
 425.3832 1.  Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a 33 
hearing conducted pursuant to NRS 425.382 to 425.3852, inclusive, 34 
must be conducted in accordance with the provisions of this section 35 
by a qualified [master] judicial officer appointed pursuant to  36 
NRS 425.381. 37 
 2.  Subpoenas may be issued by: 38 
 (a) The [master.] judicial officer. 39 
 (b) The attorney of record for the office. 40 
 Obedience to the subpoena may be compelled in the same 41 
manner as provided in chapter 22 of NRS. A witness appearing 42 
pursuant to a subpoena, other than a party or an officer or employee 43 
of the Chief, is entitled to receive the fees and payment for mileage 44 
prescribed for a witness in a civil action. 45   
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 3.  Except as otherwise provided in this section, the [master] 1 
judicial officer need not observe strict rules of evidence but shall 2 
apply those rules of evidence prescribed in NRS 233B.123. 3 
 4.  The affidavit of any party who resides outside of the judicial 4 
district is admissible as evidence regarding the duty of support, any 5 
arrearages and the establishment of paternity. The [master] judicial 6 
officer may continue the hearing to allow procedures for discovery 7 
regarding any matter set forth in the affidavit. 8 
 5.  The physical presence of a person seeking the establishment, 9 
enforcement, modification or adjustment of an order for the support 10 
of a dependent child or the establishment of paternity is not 11 
required. 12 
 6.  A verified petition, an affidavit, a document substantially 13 
complying with federally mandated forms and a document 14 
incorporated by reference in any of them, not excluded under NRS 15 
51.065 if given in person, is admissible in evidence if given under 16 
oath by a party or witness residing outside of the judicial district. 17 
 7.  A copy of the record of payments for the support of a 18 
dependent child, certified as a true copy of the original by the 19 
custodian of the record, may be forwarded to the [master.] judicial 20 
officer. The copy is evidence of facts asserted therein and is 21 
admissible to show whether payments were made. 22 
 8.  Copies of bills for testing for paternity, and for prenatal and 23 
postnatal health care of the mother and child, furnished to the 24 
adverse party at least 20 days before the hearing, are admissible in 25 
evidence to prove the amount of the charges billed and that the 26 
charges were reasonable, necessary and customary. 27 
 9.  Documentary evidence transmitted from outside of the 28 
judicial district by telephone, telecopier or other means that do not 29 
provide an original writing may not be excluded from evidence on 30 
an objection based on the means of transmission. 31 
 10.  The [master] judicial officer may: 32 
 (a) Conduct a hearing by telephone, audiovisual means or other 33 
electronic means outside of the judicial district in which the [master] 34 
judicial officer is appointed. 35 
 (b) Permit a party or witness residing outside of the judicial 36 
district to be deposed or to testify by telephone, audiovisual means 37 
or other electronic means before a designated court or at another 38 
location outside of the judicial district. 39 
 The [master] judicial officer shall cooperate with courts outside 40 
of the judicial district in designating an appropriate location for the 41 
hearing, deposition or testimony. 42 
 11.  If a party called to testify at a hearing refuses to answer a 43 
question on the ground that the testimony may be self-incriminating, 44   
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the [master] judicial officer may draw an adverse inference from the 1 
refusal. 2 
 12.  A privilege against the disclosure of communications 3 
between a married couple does not apply. 4 
 13.  The defense of immunity based on the relationship of a 5 
married couple or parent and child does not apply. 6 
 Sec. 11.  NRS 425.3834 is hereby amended to read as follows: 7 
 425.3834 1.  Upon issuance by a district court of an order 8 
approving a recommendation entered by a [master] judicial officer 9 
pursuant to NRS 425.382 to 425.3852, inclusive, the Chief shall 10 
enforce and collect upon the order, including arrearages. 11 
 2.  A recommendation entered by a [master] judicial officer 12 
pursuant to NRS 425.382 to 425.3852, inclusive, is final upon 13 
approval by the district court pursuant to NRS 425.3844. Upon such 14 
approval, the recommendation is in full force and effect while any 15 
judicial review is pending unless the recommendation is stayed by 16 
the district court. 17 
 3.  The district court may review a recommendation entered by 18 
a [master] judicial officer pursuant to NRS 425.382 to 425.3852, 19 
inclusive. If a review is conducted, the district court: 20 
 (a) Shall, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b), review 21 
the recommendation on the record of the case before the [master.] 22 
judicial officer. 23 
 (b) May, in extraordinary circumstances as determined by the 24 
district court, grant a trial de novo. 25 
 Sec. 12.  NRS 425.3836 is hereby amended to read as follows: 26 
 425.3836 1.  After the issuance of an order for the support of 27 
a dependent child by a court, the Chief may issue a notice of intent 28 
to enforce the order. The notice must be served upon the responsible 29 
parent in the manner prescribed for service of summons in a civil 30 
action or mailed to the responsible parent by certified mail, 31 
restricted delivery, with return receipt requested. 32 
 2.  The notice must include: 33 
 (a) The names of the person to whom support is to be paid and 34 
the dependent child for whom support is to be paid. 35 
 (b) The amount of monthly support the responsible parent is 36 
required to pay by the order for support. 37 
 (c) A statement of the arrearages owed pursuant to the order for 38 
support. 39 
 (d) A demand that the responsible parent make full payment to 40 
the enforcing authority within 14 days after the receipt or service of 41 
the notice. 42 
 (e) A statement that the responsible parent may be required to 43 
provide coverage for the health care of the dependent child when 44 
coverage is available to the parent at a reasonable cost. 45   
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 (f) A statement of any requirements the Division will request 1 
pursuant to subparagraph (14) of paragraph (b) of subsection 2 of 2 
NRS 425.382 regarding a plan for the payment of support by the 3 
responsible parent or the participation of the responsible parent in 4 
work activities. 5 
 (g) A statement that if the responsible parent objects to any part 6 
of the notice of intent to enforce the order, the responsible parent 7 
must send to the office that issued the notice a written response 8 
within 14 days after the date of receipt of service that sets forth any 9 
objections and includes a request for a hearing. 10 
 (h) A statement that if full payment is not received within 14 11 
days or a hearing has not been requested in the manner provided in 12 
paragraph (g), the Chief is entitled to enforce the order and that the 13 
property of the responsible parent is subject to an attachment or 14 
other procedure for collection, including, but not limited to, 15 
withholding of wages, garnishment, liens and execution on liens. 16 
 (i) A reference to NRS 425.382 to 425.3852, inclusive. 17 
 (j) A statement that the responsible parent is responsible for 18 
notifying the office of any change of address or employment. 19 
 (k) A statement that if the responsible parent has any questions, 20 
the responsible parent may contact the appropriate office or consult 21 
an attorney. 22 
 (l) Such other information as the Chief finds appropriate. 23 
 3.  If a written response setting forth objections and requesting 24 
a hearing is received within the specified period by the office 25 
issuing the notice of intent to enforce the order, a hearing must be 26 
held pursuant to NRS 425.3832 and notice of the hearing must be 27 
sent to the responsible parent by regular mail. If a written response 28 
and request for hearing is not received within the specified period by 29 
the office issuing the notice, the [master] judicial officer may enter 30 
a recommendation for the support of a dependent child in 31 
accordance with the notice and shall include in that 32 
recommendation: 33 
 (a) The amount of monthly support to be enforced, including 34 
directions concerning the manner of payment. 35 
 (b) The amount of arrearages owed and the manner of payment. 36 
 (c) Whether coverage for health care must be provided for the 37 
dependent child. 38 
 (d) Any requirements to be imposed pursuant to subparagraph 39 
(14) of paragraph (b) of subsection 2 of NRS 425.382 regarding a 40 
plan for the payment of support by the parent or the participation of 41 
the parent in work activities. 42 
 (e) A statement that the property of the parent is subject to an 43 
attachment or other procedure for collection, including, but not 44   
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limited to, the withholding of wages, garnishment, liens and 1 
execution on liens. 2 
 4.  After the district court approves the recommendation for the 3 
support of a dependent child, the recommendation is final. The 4 
Chief may take action to enforce and collect upon the order of the 5 
court approving the recommendation, including arrearages, from the 6 
date of the approval of the recommendation. 7 
 5.  This section does not prevent the Chief from using other 8 
available remedies for the enforcement of an obligation for the 9 
support of a dependent child at any time. 10 
 6.  The [master] judicial officer may hold a hearing to enforce a 11 
recommendation for the support of a dependent child after the 12 
recommendation has been entered and approved by the district court 13 
pursuant to NRS 425.3844. The [master] judicial officer may enter 14 
a finding that the parent has not complied with the order of the court 15 
and may recommend to the district court that the parent be held in 16 
contempt of court. The finding and recommendation is effective 17 
upon review and approval of the district court. 18 
 Sec. 13.  NRS 425.3838 is hereby amended to read as follows: 19 
 425.3838 1.  The [master] judicial officer may enter a 20 
recommendation establishing the paternity of a child during a 21 
proceeding concerning the support of a dependent child pursuant to 22 
NRS 425.382 to 425.3852, inclusive, if both parents sign affidavits 23 
or other sworn statements that paternity has not been legally 24 
established and that the male parent is the father of the child. 25 
 2.  If there is only one alleged father and he does not file a 26 
response that denies paternity and requests a hearing within the 27 
period allowed in paragraph (g) of subsection 1 of NRS 425.3824, 28 
the [master,] judicial officer, without further notice to the alleged 29 
father, may enter a recommendation in accordance with NRS 30 
425.3828 that declares and establishes the alleged father as the legal 31 
father of the child. 32 
 3.  Any recommendation entered pursuant to subsection 1 or 2 33 
and approved by the district court establishes legal paternity of the 34 
dependent child for all purposes. 35 
 Sec. 14.  NRS 425.384 is hereby amended to read as follows: 36 
 425.384 1.  The [master] judicial officer shall order blood 37 
tests or tests for the genetic identification of the child, mother and 38 
alleged father if such tests are not ordered pursuant to NRS 425.490 39 
and: 40 
 (a) Paternity is alleged pursuant to NRS 425.3826 and a written 41 
response denying paternity and requesting a hearing is received by 42 
the Chief within the period allowed in paragraph (g) of subsection 1 43 
of NRS 425.3824; 44   
 	– 13 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 (b) Any person alleges that more than one person may be the 1 
father of the child and none of the persons alleged to be the father 2 
acknowledges paternity of the child; or 3 
 (c) The [master] judicial officer determines that there is a valid 4 
issue concerning the paternity of the child. 5 
 The Division shall pay the costs of any tests conducted pursuant 6 
to this section. If the district court approves a recommendation 7 
establishing the paternity of a child pursuant to NRS 425.3844, the 8 
father shall reimburse the Division for the costs of those tests. 9 
 2.  If settlement is not made after the [master] judicial officer 10 
examines the results of the blood tests or tests for genetic 11 
identification conducted pursuant to this section or NRS 425.490, 12 
the [master] judicial officer shall make a determination of paternity 13 
based upon the evidence presented to him. 14 
 Sec. 15.  NRS 425.3841 is hereby amended to read as follows: 15 
 425.3841 Upon the motion of a party in a proceeding to 16 
establish paternity, the [master] judicial officer shall issue a 17 
recommendation for the temporary support of the dependent child 18 
pending the resolution of the proceedings if the [master] judicial 19 
officer determines that there is clear and convincing evidence that 20 
the person to whom the recommendation is issued is the father of 21 
the child. 22 
 Sec. 16.  NRS 425.3844 is hereby amended to read as follows: 23 
 425.3844 1.  A recommendation entered by a [master] 24 
judicial officer pursuant to NRS 425.382 to 425.3852, inclusive, 25 
including a recommendation establishing paternity, must be 26 
furnished to each party or the attorney of the party at the conclusion 27 
of the proceedings or as soon thereafter as possible. 28 
 2.  Within 10 days after receipt of the recommendation, any 29 
party may file with the district court and serve upon the other parties 30 
a notice of objection to the recommendation. The notice must 31 
include: 32 
 (a) A copy of the [master’s] recommendation [;] of the judicial 33 
officer; 34 
 (b) The results of any blood tests or tests for genetic 35 
identification examined by the [master;] judicial officer; 36 
 (c) A concise statement setting forth the reasons that the party 37 
disagrees with the [master’s] recommendation [,] of the judicial 38 
officer, including any affirmative defenses that must be pleaded 39 
pursuant to the Nevada Rules of Civil Procedure; 40 
 (d) A statement of the relief requested; 41 
 (e) The notice and finding of financial responsibility if the Chief 42 
issued such a notice and finding; and 43 
 (f) Any other relevant documents. 44   
 	– 14 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 3.  If, within 10 days after receipt of the recommendation, a 1 
notice of objection is: 2 
 (a) Not filed, the recommendation entered by the [master] 3 
judicial officer shall be deemed approved by the district court, and 4 
the clerk of the district court may file the recommendation pursuant 5 
to subsection 7 and judgment may be entered thereon; or 6 
 (b) Filed, the district court shall review the matter pursuant to 7 
NRS 425.3834. 8 
 4.  A party who receives a notice of objection pursuant to 9 
subsection 2 is not required to file an answer to that notice. The 10 
district court shall review each objection contained in the notice. 11 
 5.  If a notice of objection includes an objection to a 12 
recommendation establishing paternity, the enforcement of any 13 
obligation for the support of the child recommended by the [master] 14 
judicial officer must, upon the filing and service of the notice, be 15 
stayed until the district court rules upon the determination of 16 
paternity. The obligation for the support of the child continues to 17 
accrue during the consideration of the determination of paternity and 18 
must be collected as arrears after the completion of the trial if the 19 
court approves the recommendation of the [master.] judicial officer. 20 
 6.  If a recommendation entered by a [master,] judicial officer, 21 
including a recommendation establishing paternity, is deemed 22 
approved by the district court pursuant to paragraph (a) of 23 
subsection 3 and the recommendation modifies or adjusts a previous 24 
order for support issued by any district court in this State, that 25 
district court must be notified of the recommendation by the 26 
[master.] judicial officer. 27 
 7.  Upon approval by the district court of a recommendation 28 
entered by a [master] judicial officer pursuant to NRS 425.382 to 29 
425.3852, inclusive, including a recommendation establishing 30 
paternity, a copy of the recommendation, with the approval of the 31 
court endorsed thereon, must be filed: 32 
 (a) In the office of the clerk of the district court; 33 
 (b) If the order of the district court approving the 34 
recommendation of the [master] judicial officer modifies or adjusts 35 
a previous order issued by any district court in this State, with the 36 
original order in the office of the clerk of that district court; and 37 
 (c) With any court that conducts a proceeding related thereto 38 
pursuant to the provisions of chapter 130 of NRS. 39 
 8.  A district court that approves a recommendation pursuant to 40 
this section shall ensure that, before the recommendation is filed 41 
pursuant to subsection 7, the social security numbers of the parents 42 
or legal guardians of the child are provided to the enforcing 43 
authority. 44   
 	– 15 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 9.  Upon the approval and filing of the recommendation as 1 
provided in subsection 7, the recommendation has the force, effect 2 
and attributes of an order or decree of the district court, including, 3 
but not limited to, enforcement by supplementary proceedings, 4 
contempt of court proceedings, writs of execution, liens and writs of 5 
garnishment. 6 
 Sec. 17.  NRS 425.3846 is hereby amended to read as follows: 7 
 425.3846 In addition to any other remedy provided by law for 8 
the enforcement of support, if a recommendation for support of a 9 
dependent child has been entered by the [master,] judicial officer, 10 
approved by the district court and filed, the Chief may proceed in 11 
accordance with the provisions of chapter 31A of NRS. 12 
 Sec. 18.  NRS 425.385 is hereby amended to read as follows: 13 
 425.385 Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, 14 
the [master] judicial officer may certify a proceeding to establish an 15 
order for support of a dependent child or arrearages to the district 16 
court if the issues are complex or beyond the competence of the 17 
[master.] judicial officer. The [master] judicial officer shall enter a 18 
temporary recommendation for support in such cases. The 19 
temporary support must be paid to the enforcing authority and held 20 
until final resolution of the case. 21 
 Sec. 19.  NRS 425.3855 is hereby amended to read as follows: 22 
 425.3855 A district court that enters an order pursuant to NRS 23 
425.382 to 425.3852, inclusive, or an order approving a 24 
recommendation for the support of a dependent child made by a 25 
[master] judicial officer shall ensure that the social security 26 
numbers of the parents or legal guardians of the child are provided 27 
to the enforcing authority. 28 
 Sec. 20.  NRS 425.470 is hereby amended to read as follows: 29 
 425.470 1.  The Chief shall send a notice by first-class mail to 30 
each responsible parent who is in arrears in any payment for the 31 
support of one or more children required pursuant to an order 32 
enforced by a court in this State. The notice must include a 33 
statement of the amount of the arrearage and the information 34 
prescribed in subsection 2. 35 
 2.  If the responsible parent does not satisfy the arrearage within 36 
20 days after the responsible parent receives the notice required by 37 
subsection 1, the Chief may, to collect the arrearage owed: 38 
 (a) Require the responsible parent to pay monthly the amount 39 
the responsible parent is required to pay pursuant to the order for 40 
support plus an additional amount to satisfy the arrearage; or 41 
 (b) Issue a notice of attachment to the financial institutions in 42 
which the assets of the responsible parent are held and attach and 43 
seize such assets as are necessary to satisfy the arrearage. 44   
 	– 16 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 3.  If the Chief proceeds to collect an arrearage pursuant to 1 
subsection 2, the Chief shall notify the responsible parent of that 2 
fact in writing. The notice must be sent by first-class mail. 3 
 4.  The Chief shall determine the amount of any additional 4 
payment required pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection 2 based 5 
upon the amount of the arrearage owed by the responsible parent 6 
and the ability of the responsible parent to pay. 7 
 5.  A responsible parent against whom the Division proceeds 8 
pursuant to subsection 2 may, within 20 days after the responsible 9 
parent receives the notice required pursuant to subsection 3, submit 10 
to the Chief a request for a hearing. Before a hearing may be held, 11 
the responsible parent and a representative of the enforcing authority 12 
must meet and make a good faith effort to resolve the matter. 13 
 6.  If a hearing is requested within the period prescribed in 14 
subsection 5 and the responsible parent and the enforcing authority 15 
meet as required pursuant to subsection 5, the hearing must be held 16 
pursuant to NRS 425.3832 within 20 days after the Chief receives 17 
the request. The [master] judicial officer shall notify the responsible 18 
parent of the recommendation or decision of the [master] judicial 19 
officer at the conclusion of the hearing or as soon thereafter as is 20 
practicable. 21 
 7.  For the purposes of this section, a person shall be deemed to 22 
have received a notice 3 days after it is mailed, by first-class mail, 23 
postage prepaid, to that person at the last known address of the 24 
person. 25 
 Sec. 21.  NRS 425.510 is hereby amended to read as follows: 26 
 425.510 1.  Each district attorney or other public agency 27 
collecting support for children shall send a notice by first-class mail 28 
to each person who: 29 
 (a) Has failed to comply with a subpoena or warrant relating to a 30 
proceeding to determine the paternity of a child or to establish or 31 
enforce an obligation for the support of a child; or 32 
 (b) Is in arrears in the payment for the support of one or more 33 
children. 34 
 The notice must include the information set forth in subsection 2 35 
and a copy of the subpoena or warrant or a statement of the amount 36 
of the arrearage. 37 
 2.  If the person does not, within 30 days after the person 38 
receives the notice required by subsection 1: 39 
 (a) Comply with the subpoena or warrant; 40 
 (b) Satisfy the arrearage pursuant to NRS 425.560; or 41 
 (c) Submit to the district attorney or other public agency a 42 
written request for a hearing, 43   
 	– 17 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 the district attorney or other public agency shall report the name 1 
of that person to the Department of Motor Vehicles and to the 2 
Department of Wildlife. 3 
 3.  Before a hearing requested pursuant to subsection 2 may be 4 
held, the person requesting the hearing and a representative of the 5 
enforcing authority must meet and make a good faith effort to 6 
resolve the matter. 7 
 4.  If a person requests a hearing within the period prescribed in 8 
subsection 2 and meets with the enforcing authority as required 9 
pursuant to subsection 3, a hearing must be held pursuant to NRS 10 
425.3832. The [master] judicial officer shall notify the person of the 11 
recommendation of the [master] judicial officer at the conclusion of 12 
the hearing or as soon thereafter as is practicable. If the [master] 13 
judicial officer determines that the person has failed to comply with 14 
a subpoena or warrant relating to a proceeding to determine the 15 
paternity of a child or to establish or enforce an obligation for the 16 
support of a child, the [master] judicial officer shall include in  17 
the notice the information set forth in subsection 5. If the [master] 18 
judicial officer determines that the person is in arrears in the 19 
payment for the support of one or more children, the [master] 20 
judicial officer shall include in the notice the information set forth 21 
in subsection 6. 22 
 5.  If the [master] judicial officer determines that a person who 23 
requested a hearing pursuant to subsection 2 has not complied with a 24 
subpoena or warrant relating to a proceeding to determine the 25 
paternity of a child or to establish or enforce an obligation for the 26 
support of a child and the district court issues an order approving  27 
the recommendation of the [master,] judicial officer, the district 28 
attorney or other public agency shall report the name of that person 29 
to the Department of Motor Vehicles and to the Department of 30 
Wildlife. 31 
 6.  If the [master] judicial officer determines that a person who 32 
requested a hearing pursuant to subsection 2 is in arrears in the 33 
payment for the support of one or more children, the [master] 34 
judicial officer shall notify the person that if the person does not 35 
immediately agree to enter into a plan for the repayment of the 36 
arrearages that is approved by the district attorney or other public 37 
agency, the driver’s license and motorcycle driver’s license of the 38 
person and any license or permit to hunt, fish or trap issued by the 39 
Department of Wildlife to the person pursuant to chapters 502 and 40 
503 of NRS, may be subject to suspension. If the person does not 41 
agree to enter into such a plan and the district court issues an order 42 
approving the recommendation of the [master,] judicial officer, the 43 
district attorney or other public agency shall report the name of that 44   
 	– 18 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
person to the Department of Motor Vehicles and to the Department 1 
of Wildlife. 2 
 7.  The district attorney or other public agency shall, within 5 3 
days after the person who has failed to comply with a subpoena or 4 
warrant or is in arrears in the payment for the support of one or 5 
more children complies with the subpoena or warrant or satisfies the 6 
arrearage pursuant to NRS 425.560, notify the Department of Motor 7 
Vehicles and the Department of Wildlife that the person has 8 
complied with the subpoena or warrant or has satisfied the 9 
arrearage. 10 
 8.  For the purposes of this section, a person shall be deemed to 11 
have received a notice 3 days after it is mailed, by first-class mail, 12 
postage prepaid, to that person at the last known address of the 13 
person. 14 
 Sec. 22.  NRS 425.530 is hereby amended to read as follows: 15 
 425.530 1.  Each district attorney or other public agency 16 
collecting support for children shall send a notice by certified mail, 17 
restricted delivery, with return receipt requested to each person who: 18 
 (a) Has failed to comply with a subpoena or warrant relating to a 19 
proceeding to determine the paternity of a child or to establish, 20 
modify or enforce an obligation for the support of a child; or 21 
 (b) Is in arrears in the payment for the support of one or more 22 
children. 23 
 The notice must include the information set forth in subsections 2 24 
and 4 and a copy of the subpoena or warrant or a statement of the 25 
amount of the arrearage. 26 
 2.  If the person does not, within 30 days after the person 27 
receives the notice required by subsection 1: 28 
 (a) Comply with the subpoena or warrant; 29 
 (b) Satisfy the arrearage pursuant to NRS 425.560; or 30 
 (c) Submit to the district attorney or other public agency a 31 
written request for a hearing, 32 
 the district attorney or other public agency shall request in 33 
writing that the [master] judicial officer suspend all professional, 34 
occupational and recreational licenses, certificates and permits 35 
issued to that person, and any state business license issued to that 36 
person if he or she is conducting business in this State as a sole 37 
proprietor. 38 
 3.  Before a hearing requested pursuant to subsection 2 may be 39 
held, the person requesting the hearing and a representative of the 40 
enforcing authority must meet and make a good faith effort to 41 
resolve the matter. 42 
 4.  If the [master] judicial officer receives from a district 43 
attorney or other public agency a request to suspend the 44 
professional, occupational and recreational licenses, certificates and 45   
 	– 19 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
permits issued to a person, and any state business license issued to 1 
that person if he or she is conducting business in this State as a sole 2 
proprietor, the [master] judicial officer shall enter a 3 
recommendation determining whether the person: 4 
 (a) Has failed to comply with a subpoena or warrant relating to a 5 
proceeding to determine the paternity of a child or to establish, 6 
modify or enforce an obligation for the support of a child; or 7 
 (b) Is in arrears in the payment for the support of one or more 8 
children. 9 
 As soon as practicable after the [master] judicial officer enters a 10 
recommendation, the district attorney or other public agency shall 11 
notify the person by first-class mail of the recommendation of the 12 
[master.] judicial officer. 13 
 5.  If a person requests a hearing within the period prescribed in 14 
subsection 2 and meets with the enforcing authority as required in 15 
subsection 3, a hearing must be held pursuant to NRS 425.3832. The 16 
[master] judicial officer shall notify the person of the 17 
recommendation of the [master] judicial officer at the conclusion of 18 
the hearing or as soon thereafter as is practicable. 19 
 6. As used in this section, “professional, occupational and 20 
recreational licenses, certificates and permits” does not include 21 
licenses and permits to hunt, fish or trap issued by the Department 22 
of Wildlife pursuant to chapters 502 and 503 of NRS. 23 
 Sec. 23.  NRS 425.540 is hereby amended to read as follows: 24 
 425.540 1.  If a [master] judicial officer enters a 25 
recommendation determining that a person: 26 
 (a) Has failed to comply with a subpoena or warrant relating to a 27 
proceeding to determine the paternity of a child or to establish or 28 
enforce an obligation for the support of a child; or 29 
 (b) Is in arrears in the payment for the support of one or more 30 
children, 31 
 and the district court issues an order approving the 32 
recommendation of the [master] judicial officer pursuant to NRS 33 
425.3844, the court shall provide a copy of the order to the 34 
Secretary of State and all agencies that issue professional, 35 
occupational or recreational licenses, certificates or permits. 36 
 2.  A court order issued pursuant to subsection 1 must provide 37 
that if the person named in the order does not, within 30 days after 38 
the date on which the order is issued, submit to any agency that has 39 
issued a professional, occupational or recreational license, certificate 40 
or permit to that person, and to the Secretary of State if he or she 41 
conducts business in this State as a sole proprietor, a letter from the 42 
district attorney or other public agency stating that the person has 43 
complied with the subpoena or warrant or has satisfied the arrearage 44 
pursuant to NRS 425.560, the professional, occupational or 45   
 	– 20 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
recreational licenses issued to the person by that agency, or the state 1 
business license issued to the person to conduct business in this 2 
State as a sole proprietor by the Secretary of State, will be 3 
automatically suspended. Such an order must not apply to a license, 4 
certificate or permit issued by the State Land Registrar if that 5 
license, certificate or permit expires less than 6 months after it is 6 
issued. 7 
 3.  If a court issues an order pursuant to subsection 1, the 8 
district attorney or other public agency shall send a notice by first-9 
class mail to the person who is subject to the order. The notice must 10 
include: 11 
 (a) If the person has failed to comply with a subpoena or 12 
warrant, a copy of the court order and a copy of the subpoena or 13 
warrant; or 14 
 (b) If the person is in arrears in the payment for the support of 15 
one or more children: 16 
  (1) A copy of the court order; 17 
  (2) A statement of the amount of the arrearage; and 18 
  (3) A statement of the action that the person may take to 19 
satisfy the arrearage pursuant to NRS 425.560. 20 
 4. As used in this section, “professional, occupational and 21 
recreational licenses, certificates and permits” does not include 22 
licenses and permits to hunt, fish or trap issued by the Department 23 
of Wildlife pursuant to chapters 502 and 503 of NRS. 24 
 Sec. 24.  NRS 425.610 is hereby amended to read as follows: 25 
 425.610 1.  The Committee to Review Child Support 26 
Guidelines is hereby created. The Committee consists of: 27 
 (a) The presiding judge of the Family Division of the Second 28 
Judicial District Court or his or her designee; 29 
 (b) The presiding judge of the Family Division of the Eighth 30 
Judicial District Court or his or her designee; 31 
 (c) One member who is a district court judge or [master] 32 
judicial officer from a judicial district other than the Second or 33 
Eighth Judicial District, appointed by the Chief Justice of the 34 
Supreme Court; 35 
 (d) One member who is a justice or retired justice of the 36 
Supreme Court, appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme 37 
Court; 38 
 (e) One member who is a district attorney in Clark County, 39 
appointed by the governing body of the Nevada District Attorneys 40 
Association, or his or her designee; 41 
 (f) One member who is a district attorney in Washoe County, 42 
appointed by the governing body of the Nevada District Attorneys 43 
Association, or his or her designee; 44   
 	– 21 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 (g) One member who is a district attorney in a county other than 1 
Clark or Washoe County, appointed by the governing body of the 2 
Nevada District Attorneys Association, or his or her designee; 3 
 (h) Two members who are members of the Family Law Section 4 
of the State Bar of Nevada, appointed by the Executive Council of 5 
the Family Law Section; 6 
 (i) One member who is an employee of the Division, appointed 7 
by the Administrator; 8 
 (j) One member who has expertise in economics and child 9 
support, appointed by the Administrator; 10 
 (k) Two members who are Senators, one of whom is appointed 11 
by the Majority Leader of the Senate and one of whom is appointed 12 
by the Minority Leader of the Senate; and 13 
 (l) Two members who are members of the Assembly, one of 14 
whom is appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly and one of 15 
whom is appointed by the Minority Leader of the Assembly. 16 
 If any association listed in this subsection ceases to exist, the 17 
appointment required by this subsection must be made by the 18 
association’s successor in interest or, if there is no successor in 19 
interest, by the Governor. 20 
 2.  Each appointed member serves a term of 4 years. Members 21 
may be reappointed for additional terms of 4 years in the same 22 
manner as the original appointments. Any vacancy occurring in the 23 
membership of the Committee must be filled in the same manner as 24 
the original appointment not later than 30 days after the vacancy 25 
occurs. 26 
 3.  At the first regular meeting every 4 years, the members of 27 
the Committee shall elect a Chair by majority vote who shall serve 28 
until the next Chair is elected. 29 
 4.  The Committee shall convene on or before September 1, 30 
2017, and shall meet at least once every 4 years thereafter. The 31 
Committee may also meet at such further times as deemed necessary 32 
by the Chair. 33 
 5.  A majority of the members of the Committee constitutes a 34 
quorum for the transaction of business, and a majority of those 35 
members present at any meeting is sufficient for any official action 36 
taken by the Committee. 37 
 Sec. 25.  Chapter 432B of NRS is hereby amended by adding 38 
thereto the provisions set forth as sections 26 and 27 of this act. 39 
 Sec. 26.  “Judicial officer” means a person who is appointed 40 
by a court to act as a judicial officer of the court. 41 
 Sec. 27.  1. A court may, upon the motion of a party or its 42 
own motion, consider transferring proceedings under this section 43 
and NRS 432B.410 to 432B.590, inclusive, to another court in this 44 
State. If the court determines that such a transfer may be in the 45   
 	– 22 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
best interests of the child who is the subject of the proceedings, the 1 
court shall contact the receiving court to schedule a joint hearing. 2 
The originating court shall notify the following persons and 3 
entities of the hearing: 4 
 (a) The agency which provides child welfare services in the 5 
jurisdiction where the originating court is located; 6 
 (b) The agency which provides child welfare services that 7 
serves the jurisdiction of the receiving court, if that agency is 8 
different from the agency which currently has custody of the 9 
child; and 10 
 (c) All parties to the proceedings. 11 
 2. The originating court and the receiving court may not 12 
communicate about the facts of the proceedings that are the 13 
subject of a joint hearing conducted pursuant to subsection 1 14 
outside of that joint hearing, but may communicate about 15 
scheduling, the transfer of documents and other administrative 16 
matters. 17 
 3. An originating court may, after conducting a joint hearing 18 
pursuant to subsection 1, transfer proceedings under this section 19 
and NRS 432B.410 to 432B.590, inclusive, to a receiving court 20 
and the receiving court may accept the transfer only if each court 21 
determines in accordance with the subsection 4 that the transfer 22 
would be in the best interests of the child who is the subject of the 23 
proceedings. The proceedings must be transferred if both courts 24 
make such a determination. If both courts make such a 25 
determination, the receiving court shall notify each person or 26 
entity listed in subsection 1 of that decision. 27 
 4. When determining if the transfer of proceedings under this 28 
section and NRS 432B.410 to 432B.590, inclusive, would be in the 29 
best interests of the child who is the subject of the proceedings, a 30 
court shall consider: 31 
 (a) Which jurisdiction has the most significant contacts with 32 
the child; 33 
 (b) The residence of any parent or guardian who has current 34 
physical custody of the child; 35 
 (c) The location of the school the child currently attends; 36 
 (d) If the Indian Child Welfare Act applies, the 37 
recommendations of any relevant Indian tribe; and 38 
 (e) Any other factor the court deems appropriate. 39 
 5. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, if a motion 40 
is made pursuant to subsection 1 before disposition of the case 41 
pursuant to subsection 5 of NRS 432B.530, any transfer of the 42 
proceedings pursuant to this section must occur after an 43 
adjudicatory hearing held pursuant to subsection 1 of NRS 44 
432B.530 and before disposition of the case. If all parties agree to 45   
 	– 23 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
transfer the proceedings before the adjudicatory hearing, the 1 
originating court and the receiving court may elect to hold a joint 2 
hearing pursuant to subsection 1 and, if both courts determine 3 
pursuant to subsection 4 that the transfer would be in the best 4 
interests of the child, transfer the proceedings to the receiving 5 
court before the adjudicatory hearing. 6 
 6. If a receiving court accepts the transfer of proceedings 7 
after a joint hearing is conducted pursuant to subsection 1 and the 8 
agency which provides child welfare services in the jurisdiction of 9 
the receiving court is different from the agency which provides 10 
child welfare services in the jurisdiction of the originating court, 11 
the receiving court shall order the transfer of all responsibilities of 12 
the agency which provides child welfare services with regard to the 13 
child who is the subject of the proceedings, including, where 14 
applicable, the custody of the child, to the agency which provides 15 
child welfare services in the jurisdiction of the receiving court. 16 
 7. As used in this section: 17 
 (a) “Originating court” means a court that is considering 18 
transferring proceedings under this section and NRS 432B.410 to 19 
432B.590, inclusive, to a receiving court or has transferred such 20 
proceedings to a receiving court. 21 
 (b) “Receiving court” means the court to which an originating 22 
court is considering transferring proceedings under this section 23 
and NRS 432B.410 to 432B.590, inclusive, or has transferred such 24 
proceedings. 25 
 Sec. 28.  NRS 432B.010 is hereby amended to read as follows: 26 
 432B.010 As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise 27 
requires, the words and terms defined in NRS 432B.020 to 28 
432B.110, inclusive, and section 26 of this act have the meanings 29 
ascribed to them in those sections. 30 
 Sec. 29.  NRS 432B.250 is hereby amended to read as follows: 31 
 432B.250 Any person who is required to make a report 32 
pursuant to NRS 432B.220 may not invoke any of the privileges set 33 
forth in chapter 49 of NRS: 34 
 1.  For failure to make a report pursuant to NRS 432B.220; 35 
 2.  In cooperating with an agency which provides child welfare 36 
services or a guardian ad litem for a child; or 37 
 3.  In any proceeding held pursuant to NRS 432B.410 to 38 
432B.590, inclusive [.] , and section 27 of this act. 39 
 Sec. 30.  NRS 432B.420 is hereby amended to read as follows: 40 
 432B.420 1.  [A] Beginning on the date on which a child is 41 
placed in protective custody pursuant to NRS 432B.390, a parent 42 
or other person responsible for the welfare of a child [who is alleged 43 
to have abused or neglected the child] may be represented by an 44 
attorney at all stages of any proceedings under NRS 432B.410 to 45   
 	– 24 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
432B.590, inclusive [.] , and section 27 of this act. Except as 1 
otherwise provided in subsection 3, if the person is indigent, the 2 
court may appoint an attorney to represent the person.  3 
 2.  A child who is [alleged to have been abused or neglected] 4 
alleged to be in need of protection shall be deemed to be a party to 5 
any proceedings under NRS 432B.410 to 432B.590, inclusive [.] , 6 
and section 27 of this act. The court shall appoint an attorney to 7 
represent the child. The child must be represented by an attorney at 8 
all stages of any proceedings held pursuant to NRS 432B.410 to 9 
432B.590, inclusive [.] , and section 27 of this act. The attorney 10 
representing the child has the same authority and rights as an 11 
attorney representing any other party to the proceedings. 12 
 3.  If the court determines that the parent of an Indian child for 13 
whom protective custody is sought is indigent, the court: 14 
 (a) Shall appoint an attorney to represent the parent; and 15 
 (b) May apply to the Secretary of the Interior for the payment of 16 
the fees and expenses of such an attorney, 17 
 as provided in the Indian Child Welfare Act. 18 
 4.  If a petition alleging that a child is in need of protection is 19 
filed pursuant to NRS 432B.510 and the court determines that a 20 
parent or other person responsible for the welfare of the child who 21 
is alleged to have committed an act or omission that resulted in the 22 
child being in need of protection is indigent, the court shall 23 
appoint an attorney to represent the parent or other person, unless 24 
good cause is shown for not appointing an attorney to represent 25 
the parent or other person. For the purposes of this subsection, 26 
good cause includes, without limitation: 27 
 (a) Failure to communicate with previously appointed counsel; 28 
 (b) Harmful or offensive conduct, including, without 29 
limitation, violence or threats of violence, toward previously 30 
appointed counsel; 31 
 (c) Requesting new counsel without valid justification; and  32 
 (d) A high likelihood that the appointment of counsel will 33 
cause undue delay. 34 
 [4.] 5.  Each attorney, other than an attorney compensated 35 
through a program for legal aid described in NRS 19.031 and 36 
247.305, if appointed under the provisions of subsection 1 or 2, is 37 
entitled to the [same] compensation and payment for expenses [from 38 
the county as provided in NRS 7.125 and 7.135] for all time 39 
reasonably spent on the proceedings and payment for all expenses 40 
reasonably incurred from the proceedings, including, without 41 
limitation, time spent and expenses incurred for preparation, 42 
hearings and meetings. Such compensation must be paid at a rate 43 
not less than the lowest rate paid to an attorney appointed to 44   
 	– 25 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
represent a person charged with a [crime.] misdemeanor in the 1 
same jurisdiction. 2 
 6. For the purposes of this section, a person is deemed to be 3 
indigent if: 4 
 (a) The person has a household income that is less than 200 5 
percent of the federally designated level signifying poverty; 6 
 (b) The person is receiving federal assistance through federal 7 
programs, including, without limitation, Medicaid, Temporary 8 
Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance 9 
or disability insurance benefits under the federal Social Security 10 
Act; 11 
 (c) The person resides in public housing; or  12 
 (d) Hiring counsel would pose a financial hardship to the 13 
person or his or her child or hinder the ability of the person to 14 
obtain services to facilitate reunification with his or her child. 15 
 7. As used in this section: 16 
 (a) “Public housing” has the meaning ascribed to it in  17 
NRS 315.021. 18 
 (b) “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance” means the program 19 
established to provide persons of low income with an opportunity 20 
to purchase a more nutritious diet pursuant to the Food Stamp Act 21 
of 1977, 7 U.S.C. §§ 2011 et seq., as amended. 22 
 (c) “Temporary Assistance for Needy Families” means the 23 
program established to provide temporary assistance for needy 24 
families pursuant to Title IV of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 25 
§§ 601 et seq., and other provisions of that act relating to 26 
temporary assistance for needy families. 27 
 Sec. 31.  NRS 432B.430 is hereby amended to read as follows: 28 
 432B.430 1.  Except as otherwise provided in subsections 3 29 
and 4 and NRS 432B.457, in each judicial district that includes a 30 
county whose population is 700,000 or more: 31 
 (a) Any proceeding held pursuant to NRS 432B.410 to 32 
432B.590, inclusive, and section 27 of this act, other than a hearing 33 
held pursuant to subsections 1 to 4, inclusive, of NRS 432B.530 or a 34 
hearing held pursuant to subsection 5 of NRS 432B.530 when the 35 
court proceeds immediately, must be open to the general public 36 
unless the judge or [master,] judicial officer, upon his or her own 37 
motion or upon the motion of another person, determines that all or 38 
part of the proceeding must be closed to the general public because 39 
such closure is in the best interests of the child who is the subject of 40 
the proceeding. In determining whether closing all or part of the 41 
proceeding is in the best interests of the child who is the subject of 42 
the proceeding, the judge or [master] judicial officer must consider 43 
and give due weight to the desires of that child. 44   
 	– 26 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 (b) If the judge or [master] judicial officer determines pursuant 1 
to paragraph (a) that all or part of a proceeding must be closed to the 2 
general public: 3 
  (1) The judge or [master] judicial officer must make specific 4 
findings of fact to support such a determination; and 5 
  (2) The general public must be excluded and only those 6 
persons having a direct interest in the case, as determined by the 7 
judge or [master,] judicial officer, may be admitted to the 8 
proceeding. 9 
 (c) Any proceeding held pursuant to subsections 1 to 4, 10 
inclusive, of NRS 432B.530 and any proceeding held pursuant to 11 
subsection 5 of NRS 432B.530 when the court proceeds 12 
immediately must be closed to the general public unless the judge or 13 
[master,] judicial officer, upon his or her own motion or upon  14 
the motion of another person, determines that all or part of the 15 
proceeding must be open to the general public because opening the 16 
proceeding in such a manner is in the best interests of the child who 17 
is the subject of the proceeding. In determining whether opening all 18 
or part of the proceeding is in the best interests of the child who is 19 
the subject of the proceeding, the judge or [master] judicial officer 20 
must consider and give due weight to the desires of that child. If the 21 
judge or [master] judicial officer determines pursuant to this 22 
paragraph that all or part of a proceeding must be open to the 23 
general public, the judge or [master] judicial officer must make 24 
specific findings of fact to support such a determination. Unless the 25 
judge or [master] judicial officer determines pursuant to this 26 
paragraph that all or part of a proceeding described in this paragraph 27 
must be open to the general public, the general public must be 28 
excluded and only those persons having a direct interest in the case, 29 
as determined by the judge or [master,] judicial officer, may be 30 
admitted to the proceeding. 31 
 2.  Except as otherwise provided in subsections 3 and 4 and 32 
NRS 432B.457, in each judicial district that includes a county 33 
whose population is less than 700,000: 34 
 (a) Any proceeding held pursuant to NRS 432B.410 to 35 
432B.590, inclusive, and section 27 of this act must be closed to the 36 
general public unless the judge or [master,] judicial officer, upon 37 
his or her own motion or upon the motion of another person, 38 
determines that all or part of the proceeding must be open to the 39 
general public because opening the proceeding in such a manner is 40 
in the best interests of the child who is the subject of the proceeding. 41 
In determining whether opening all or part of the proceeding is in 42 
the best interests of the child who is the subject of the proceeding, 43 
the judge or [master] judicial officer shall consider and give due 44 
weight to the desires of that child. 45   
 	– 27 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 (b) If the judge or [master] judicial officer determines pursuant 1 
to paragraph (a) that all or part of a proceeding must be open to the 2 
general public, the judge or [master] judicial officer must make 3 
specific findings of fact to support such a determination. 4 
 (c) Unless the judge or [master] judicial officer determines 5 
pursuant to paragraph (a) that all or part of a proceeding must be 6 
open to the general public, the general public must be excluded and 7 
only those persons having a direct interest in the case, as determined 8 
by the judge or [master,] judicial officer, may be admitted to the 9 
proceeding. 10 
 3.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4 and NRS 11 
432B.457, in a proceeding held pursuant to NRS 432B.470, the 12 
general public must be excluded and only those persons having a 13 
direct interest in the case, as determined by the judge or [master,] 14 
judicial officer, may be admitted to the proceeding. 15 
 4.  In conducting a proceeding held pursuant to NRS 432B.410 16 
to 432B.590, inclusive, and section 27 of this act, a judge or 17 
[master] judicial officer shall keep information confidential to the 18 
extent necessary to obtain federal funds in the maximum amount 19 
available to this state. 20 
 Sec. 32.  NRS 432B.455 is hereby amended to read as follows: 21 
 432B.455 1.  If the court determines that a child must be kept 22 
in protective custody pursuant to NRS 432B.480 or must be placed 23 
in temporary or permanent custody pursuant to NRS 432B.550, the 24 
court may, before placing the child in the temporary or permanent 25 
custody of a person, order the appointment of a special [master] 26 
judicial officer from among the members of the State Bar of Nevada 27 
to conduct a hearing to identify the person most qualified and 28 
suitable to take custody of the child in consideration of the needs of 29 
the child for temporary or permanent placement. 30 
 2.  Not later than 5 calendar days after the hearing, the special 31 
[master] judicial officer shall prepare and submit to the court a 32 
recommendation regarding which person is most qualified and 33 
suitable to take custody of the child. 34 
 3. A court may designate a different title to a person 35 
appointed as a special judicial officer so long as the title does not 36 
include the term “master.” 37 
 Sec. 33.  NRS 432B.457 is hereby amended to read as follows: 38 
 432B.457 1.  If, upon the initiative of the court or a special 39 
[master] judicial officer appointed pursuant to NRS 432B.455 or the 40 
motion of a party, the court or special [master] judicial officer finds 41 
that a person has a special interest in a child, the court or special 42 
[master] judicial officer shall: 43 
 (a) Except for good cause, ensure that the person is involved in 44 
and notified of any plan for the temporary or permanent placement 45   
 	– 28 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
of the child and is allowed to offer recommendations regarding the 1 
plan; and 2 
 (b) Allow the person to testify at any hearing held pursuant to 3 
this chapter to determine any temporary or permanent placement of 4 
the child. 5 
 2.  A finding that a person has a special interest in a child 6 
pursuant to subsection 1 may be reviewed or modified at any time 7 
by the court or special [master.] judicial officer. 8 
 3.  For the purposes of this section, a person “has a special 9 
interest in a child” if: 10 
 (a) The person is: 11 
  (1) A parent or other relative of the child; 12 
  (2) A foster parent or other provider of substitute care for the 13 
child; 14 
  (3) A provider of care for the medical or mental health of the 15 
child; 16 
  (4) An educational decision maker appointed for the child 17 
pursuant to NRS 432B.462; or 18 
  (5) A teacher or other school official who works directly 19 
with the child; and 20 
 (b) The person: 21 
  (1) Has a personal interest in the well-being of the child; or 22 
  (2) Possesses information that is relevant to the 23 
determination of the placement of the child. 24 
 Sec. 34.  NRS 432B.470 is hereby amended to read as follows: 25 
 432B.470 1.  A child placed in protective custody pursuant to 26 
NRS 432B.390 must be given a hearing, conducted by a judge, 27 
[master] judicial officer or special [master] judicial officer 28 
appointed by the judge for that particular hearing, within 72 hours, 29 
excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, after being placed in 30 
protective custody, to determine whether the child should remain in 31 
protective custody pending further action by the court. 32 
 2.  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, notice of 33 
the time and place of the hearing must be given to a parent or other 34 
person responsible for the child’s welfare: 35 
 (a) By personal service of a written notice; 36 
 (b) Orally, with a written notice mailed to the last known 37 
address of the parent or other person responsible for the child’s 38 
welfare within 24 hours after the child is placed in protective 39 
custody; or 40 
 (c) If the parent or other person responsible for the child’s 41 
welfare cannot be located for personal or oral service, by mailing a 42 
written notice to the last known address of the parent or other person 43 
responsible for the child’s welfare within 24 hours after the child is 44 
placed in protective custody. 45   
 	– 29 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 If the child was delivered to a provider of emergency services 1 
pursuant to NRS 432B.630, the parent who delivered the child to the 2 
provider shall be deemed to have waived any right to notice of the 3 
hearing conducted pursuant to this section. 4 
 3.  If the parent or other person responsible for the child’s 5 
welfare cannot be located for personal or oral notice and the last 6 
known address of the parent or other person responsible for the 7 
child’s welfare cannot be ascertained, reasonable efforts must be 8 
made to locate and notify the parent or other person responsible for 9 
the child’s welfare as soon as possible. 10 
 4. Actual notice of the hearing or appearance at the hearing 11 
shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements relating to notice set 12 
forth in this section. 13 
 Sec. 35.  NRS 432B.513 is hereby amended to read as follows: 14 
 432B.513 1.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, a 15 
person who submits a report or information to the court for 16 
consideration in a proceeding held pursuant to NRS 432B.466 to 17 
432B.468, inclusive, or 432B.500 to 432B.590, inclusive, and 18 
section 27 of this act, shall provide a copy of the report or 19 
information, to the extent that the data or information in the report 20 
or information is available pursuant to NRS 432B.290, to each 21 
parent or guardian of the child who is the subject of the proceeding 22 
and to the attorney of each parent or guardian not later than 72 hours 23 
before the proceeding. 24 
 2.  If a person does not provide a copy of a report or 25 
information to a parent or guardian of a child and an attorney of the 26 
parent or guardian before a proceeding if required by subsection 1, 27 
the court or [master:] judicial officer: 28 
 (a) Shall provide the parent or guardian and the attorney of the 29 
parent or guardian an opportunity to review the report or 30 
information; and 31 
 (b) May grant a continuance of the proceeding until a later date 32 
that is agreed upon by all the parties to the proceeding if the parent 33 
or guardian or the attorney of the parent or guardian requests that 34 
the court grant the continuance so that the parent or guardian and the 35 
attorney of the parent or guardian may properly respond to the 36 
report or information. 37 
 3.  If a child was delivered to a provider of emergency services 38 
pursuant to NRS 432B.630, a copy of a report or information 39 
described in subsection 1 need not be sent to the parent who 40 
delivered the child to the provider or the attorney of that parent 41 
pursuant to subsection 1. 42 
 4.  As used in this section, “person” includes, without 43 
limitation, a government, governmental agency or political 44 
subdivision of a government. 45   
 	– 30 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 Sec. 36.  NRS 432B.550 is hereby amended to read as follows: 1 
 432B.550 1.  If the court finds that a child is in need of 2 
protection, it may, by its order, after receipt and review of the report 3 
from the agency which provides child welfare services: 4 
 (a) Permit the child to remain in the temporary or permanent 5 
custody of the parents of the child or a guardian with or without 6 
supervision by the court or a person or agency designated by the 7 
court, and with or without retaining jurisdiction of the case, upon 8 
such conditions as the court may prescribe; 9 
 (b) Place the child in the temporary or permanent custody of a 10 
relative, a fictive kin or other person the court finds suitable to 11 
receive and care for the child with or without supervision, and with 12 
or without retaining jurisdiction of the case, upon such conditions as 13 
the court may prescribe; or 14 
 (c) Place the child in the temporary custody of a public agency 15 
or institution authorized to care for children, the local juvenile 16 
probation department, the local department of juvenile services or a 17 
private agency or institution licensed by the Department of Health 18 
and Human Services or a county whose population is 100,000 or 19 
more to care for such a child. 20 
 In carrying out this subsection, the court may, in its sole 21 
discretion and in compliance with the requirements of chapter 159A 22 
of NRS, consider an application for the guardianship of the child. If 23 
the court grants such an application, it may retain jurisdiction of the 24 
case or transfer the case to another court of competent jurisdiction 25 
[.] in accordance with section 27 of this act. 26 
 2.  The court shall not deny placement of a child in the 27 
temporary or permanent custody of a person pursuant to subsection 28 
1 solely because the person:  29 
 (a) Is deaf, is blind or has another physical disability; or 30 
 (b) Is the holder of a valid registry identification card. 31 
 3.  If, pursuant to subsection 1, a child is placed other than with 32 
a parent: 33 
 (a) The parent retains the right to consent to adoption, to 34 
determine the child’s religious affiliation and to reasonable 35 
visitation, unless restricted by the court. If the custodian of the child 36 
interferes with these rights, the parent may petition the court for 37 
enforcement of the rights of the parent. 38 
 (b) The court shall set forth good cause why the child was 39 
placed other than with a parent. 40 
 4.  If, pursuant to subsection 1, the child is to be placed with a 41 
relative or fictive kin, the court may consider, among other factors, 42 
whether the child has resided with a particular relative or fictive kin 43 
for 3 years or more before the incident which brought the child to 44 
the court’s attention. 45   
 	– 31 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 5.  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a copy of 1 
the report prepared for the court by the agency which provides child 2 
welfare services must be sent to the custodian and the parent or legal 3 
guardian. If the child was delivered to a provider of emergency 4 
services pursuant to NRS 432B.630: 5 
 (a) The parent who delivered the child to the provider shall be 6 
deemed to have waived his or her right to a copy of the report; and 7 
 (b) A copy of the report must be sent to the parent who did not 8 
deliver the child to the provider, if the location of such parent is 9 
known. 10 
 6.  In determining the placement of a child pursuant to this 11 
section, if the child is not permitted to remain in the custody of the 12 
parents of the child or guardian: 13 
 (a) It must be presumed to be in the best interests of the child to 14 
be placed together with the siblings of the child. 15 
 (b) Preference must be given to placing the child in the 16 
following order: 17 
  (1) With any person related within the fifth degree of 18 
consanguinity to the child or a fictive kin, and who is suitable and 19 
able to provide proper care and guidance for the child, regardless of 20 
whether the relative or fictive kin resides within this State. 21 
  (2) In a foster home that is licensed pursuant to chapter 424 22 
of NRS. 23 
 7.  Any search for a relative with whom to place a child 24 
pursuant to this section must be completed within 1 year after the 25 
initial placement of the child outside of the home of the child. If a 26 
child is placed with any person who resides outside of this State, the 27 
placement must be in accordance with NRS 127.330. 28 
 8.  Within 60 days after the removal of a child from the home of 29 
the child, the court shall: 30 
 (a) Determine whether: 31 
  (1) The agency which provides child welfare services has 32 
made the reasonable efforts required by paragraph (a) of subsection 33 
1 of NRS 432B.393; or 34 
  (2) No such efforts are required in the particular case; and 35 
 (b) Prepare an explicit statement of the facts upon which its 36 
determination is based. 37 
 9. As used in this section: 38 
 (a) “Blind” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 426.082. 39 
 (b) “Holder of a valid registry identification card” means a 40 
person who holds a valid registry identification card as defined in 41 
NRS 678C.080 that identifies the person as: 42 
  (1) Exempt from state prosecution for engaging in the 43 
medical use of cannabis; or 44   
 	– 32 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
  (2) A designated primary caregiver as defined in  1 
NRS 678C.040. 2 
 Sec. 37.  NRS 1.428 is hereby amended to read as follows: 3 
 1.428 “Judge” means: 4 
 1.  A justice of the Supreme Court; 5 
 2.  A judge of the Court of Appeals; 6 
 3.  A judge of the district court; 7 
 4.  A judge of the municipal court; 8 
 5.  A justice of the peace; 9 
 6.  Any other officer of the Judicial Branch of this State, 10 
whether or not the officer is an attorney, who presides over judicial 11 
proceedings, including, but not limited to, a magistrate, court 12 
commissioner, special master , judicial officer appointed by a court 13 
or referee; and 14 
 7.  Any person who formerly served in any of the positions 15 
described in subsections 1 to 6, inclusive, if the conduct at issue for 16 
purposes of NRS 1.425 to 1.4695, inclusive, occurred while the 17 
person was serving in such a position. 18 
 Sec. 38.  Chapter 3 of NRS is hereby amended by adding 19 
thereto a new section to read as follows: 20 
 “Judicial officer” means a person who is appointed by a court 21 
to act as a judicial officer of the court. 22 
 Sec. 39.  NRS 3.001 is hereby amended to read as follows: 23 
 3.001 As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise 24 
requires, the words and terms defined in NRS 3.002 to 3.008, 25 
inclusive, and section 38 of this act have the meanings ascribed to 26 
them in those sections. 27 
 Sec. 40.  NRS 3.025 is hereby amended to read as follows: 28 
 3.025 1.  In each judicial district that includes a county whose 29 
population is 100,000 or more, the district judges of that judicial 30 
district shall choose from among those district judges a Chief Judge 31 
who is to be the presiding judge of the judicial district. 32 
 2.  The Chief Judge shall: 33 
 (a) Assign cases to each judge in the judicial district; 34 
 (b) Prescribe the hours of court;  35 
 (c) Adopt such other rules as are necessary for the orderly 36 
conduct of court business; and 37 
 (d) Perform all other duties of the Chief Judge or of a presiding 38 
judge that are set forth in this chapter and any other provision of 39 
NRS. 40 
 3.  If a case involves a matter within the jurisdiction of the 41 
family court and: 42 
 (a) The parties to the case are also the parties in any other 43 
pending case or were the parties in any other previously decided 44   
 	– 33 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
case assigned to a department of the family court in the judicial 1 
district; or 2 
 (b) A child involved in the case is also involved in any other 3 
pending case or was involved in any other previously decided case 4 
assigned to a department of the family court in the judicial district, 5 
other than a case within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court 6 
pursuant to title 5 of NRS, 7 
 the Chief Judge shall assign the case to the department of the 8 
family court to which the other case is presently assigned or, if the 9 
other case has been decided, to the department of the family court 10 
that decided the other case, unless a different assignment is required 11 
by another provision of NRS, a court rule or the Revised Nevada 12 
Code of Judicial Conduct or the Chief Judge determines that a 13 
different assignment is necessary because of considerations related 14 
to the management of the caseload of the district judges within the 15 
judicial district. If a case described in this subsection is heard 16 
initially by a [master,] judicial officer, the recommendation, report 17 
or order of the [master] judicial officer must be submitted to the 18 
district judge of the department of the family court to which the case 19 
has been assigned pursuant to this subsection for consideration and 20 
decision by that district judge. 21 
 Sec. 41.  NRS 3.026 is hereby amended to read as follows: 22 
 3.026 1.  In each judicial district that includes a county whose 23 
population is 100,000 or more, in addition to the other duties set 24 
forth in NRS 3.025: 25 
 (a) The Chief Judge shall ensure that: 26 
  (1) The procedures which govern the consideration and 27 
disposition of cases and other proceedings within the jurisdiction of 28 
the district court are applied as uniformly as practicable; and 29 
  (2) Cases and other proceedings within the jurisdiction of the 30 
district court are considered and decided in a timely manner. 31 
 (b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, the Chief 32 
Judge shall establish procedures for addressing grievances that are: 33 
  (1) Submitted to the Chief Judge by a party in a case or other 34 
proceeding within the jurisdiction of the district court; and 35 
  (2) Directly related to the administration of the case or other 36 
proceeding. 37 
 2.  For the purposes of paragraph (b) of subsection 1, a party in 38 
a case or other proceeding within the jurisdiction of the district court 39 
may not submit to the Chief Judge a grievance that: 40 
 (a) Addresses, in whole or in part, the merits of the case or other 41 
proceeding; or 42 
 (b) Challenges, in whole or in part, the merits of any decision or 43 
ruling in the case or other proceeding that is made by: 44 
  (1) The district court; or 45   
 	– 34 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
  (2) A master , judicial officer or other person who is acting 1 
pursuant to an order of the district court or pursuant to any authority 2 
that is granted to the master , judicial officer or other person by a 3 
specific statute, including, without limitation, NRS 3.405, 3.475 and 4 
3.500. 5 
 Sec. 42.  NRS 3.2201 is hereby amended to read as follows: 6 
 3.2201 1.  The district court has exclusive jurisdiction to 7 
accept an application for, to consider an application for, and to issue 8 
or deny the issuance of any of the following orders when the 9 
adverse party against whom the order is sought is a child who is 10 
under 18 years of age: 11 
 (a) A temporary or extended order for protection against 12 
domestic violence pursuant to NRS 33.017 to 33.100, inclusive. 13 
 (b) A temporary or extended order for protection against 14 
harassment in the workplace pursuant to NRS 33.200 to 33.360, 15 
inclusive. 16 
 (c) An emergency or extended order for protection against high-17 
risk behavior pursuant to NRS 33.500 to 33.670, inclusive. 18 
 (d) A temporary or extended order for protection against sexual 19 
assault pursuant to NRS 200.378. 20 
 (e) A temporary or extended order for protection against 21 
stalking, aggravated stalking or harassment pursuant to  22 
NRS 200.591. 23 
 2.  If the district court issues an order listed in subsection 1, the 24 
order must be served upon: 25 
 (a) The child who is the adverse party; and 26 
 (b) The parent or guardian of the child. 27 
 3.  The juvenile court has exclusive jurisdiction over any action 28 
in which it is alleged that a child who is the adverse party in an 29 
order listed in subsection 1 has committed a delinquent act by 30 
violating a condition set forth in the order. 31 
 4.  If the district court issues an order listed in subsection 1 and 32 
the adverse party reaches the age of 18 years while the order is still 33 
in effect, the order remains effective against the adverse party until 34 
the order expires or is dissolved by the district court. 35 
 5.  The district court shall automatically seal all records related 36 
to the application for, consideration of and issuance of an order 37 
listed in subsection 1 as provided in NRS 62H.140 upon the 38 
dissolution or expiration of the order or when the adverse party 39 
reaches the age of 18 years, whichever is earlier, unless, at such a 40 
time, the order is still in effect, in which case the records must be 41 
automatically sealed by the district court upon the expiration or 42 
dissolution of the order. 43 
 6.  A district court may appoint a [master] judicial officer to 44 
conduct the proceedings described in this section. 45   
 	– 35 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 7.  An admission, representation or statement made during a 1 
proceeding described in this section is not admissible in any 2 
criminal proceeding.  3 
 8. A court may designate, by rule or order, a different title for 4 
a judicial officer so long as the title does not include the term 5 
“master.” 6 
 9. As used in this section, “criminal proceeding” means: 7 
 (a) A trial or hearing before a court in a prosecution of a person 8 
charged with violating a criminal law of this State; or 9 
 (b) A delinquency proceeding which is conducted pursuant to 10 
title 5 of NRS. 11 
 Sec. 43.  NRS 3.405 is hereby amended to read as follows: 12 
 3.405 1.  In an action to establish paternity, the court may 13 
appoint a [master] judicial officer to take testimony and recommend 14 
orders. 15 
 2.  The court may appoint a [master] judicial officer to hear all 16 
cases in a county to establish or enforce an obligation for the 17 
support of a child, or to modify or adjust an order for the support of 18 
a child pursuant to NRS 125B.145. 19 
 3.  The [master] judicial officer must be an attorney licensed to 20 
practice in this State. The [master:] judicial officer: 21 
 (a) Shall take testimony and establish a record; 22 
 (b) In complex cases shall issue temporary orders for support 23 
pending resolution of the case; 24 
 (c) Shall make findings of fact, conclusions of law and 25 
recommendations for the establishment and enforcement of an 26 
order; 27 
 (d) May accept voluntary acknowledgments of paternity or 28 
liability for support and stipulated agreements setting the amount of 29 
support; 30 
 (e) May, subject to confirmation by the district court, enter 31 
default orders against a responsible parent who does not respond to 32 
a notice or service within the required time; and 33 
 (f) Has any other power or duty contained in the order of 34 
reference issued by the court. 35 
 If a temporary order for support is issued pursuant to paragraph 36 
(b), the [master] judicial officer shall order that the support be paid 37 
to the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services of the 38 
Department of Health and Human Services, its designated 39 
representative or the district attorney, if the Division of Welfare and 40 
Supportive Services or district attorney is involved in the case, or 41 
otherwise to an appropriate party to the action, pending resolution of 42 
the case. 43 
 4.  The findings of fact, conclusions of law and 44 
recommendations of the [master] judicial officer must be furnished 45   
 	– 36 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
to each party or the party’s attorney at the conclusion of the 1 
proceeding or as soon thereafter as possible. Within 10 days after 2 
receipt of the findings of fact, conclusions of law and 3 
recommendations, either party may file with the court and serve 4 
upon the other party written objections to the report. If no objection 5 
is filed, the court shall accept the findings of fact, unless clearly 6 
erroneous, and the judgment may be entered thereon. If an objection 7 
is filed within the 10-day period, the court shall review the matter 8 
upon notice and motion. 9 
 5. A court may designate, by rule or order, a different title for 10 
a judicial officer so long as the title does not include the term 11 
“master.” 12 
 Sec. 44.  NRS 3.475 is hereby amended to read as follows: 13 
 3.475 1.  In a county whose population is 700,000 or more, 14 
the district court shall establish by rule approved by the Supreme 15 
Court a program of mandatory mediation in cases that involve the 16 
custody or visitation of a child. 17 
 2.  The program must: 18 
 (a) Require the impartial mediation of the issues of custody and 19 
visitation and authorize the impartial mediation of any other 20 
nonfinancial issue deemed appropriate by the court. 21 
 (b) Authorize the court to exclude a case from the program for 22 
good cause shown, including, but not limited to, a showing that: 23 
  (1) There is a history of child abuse or domestic violence by 24 
one of the parties; 25 
  (2) The parties are currently participating in private 26 
mediation; or 27 
  (3) One of the parties resides outside of the jurisdiction of the 28 
court. 29 
 (c) Provide standards for the training of the mediators assigned 30 
to cases, including, but not limited to: 31 
  (1) Minimum educational requirements, which must not be 32 
restricted to any particular professional or educational training; 33 
  (2) Minimum requirements for training in the procedural 34 
aspects of mediation and the interpersonal skills necessary to act as 35 
a mediator; 36 
  (3) A minimum period of apprenticeship for persons who 37 
have not previously acted as domestic mediators; 38 
  (4) Minimum requirements for continuing education; and 39 
  (5) Procedures to ensure that potential mediators understand 40 
the high standard of ethics and confidentiality related to their 41 
participation in the program. 42 
 (d) Prohibit the mediator from reporting to the court any 43 
information about the mediation other than whether the dispute was 44 
resolved. 45   
 	– 37 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 (e) Establish a sliding schedule of fees for participation in the 1 
program based on the ability of a party to pay. 2 
 (f) Provide for the acceptance of gifts and grants offered in 3 
support of the program. 4 
 (g) Allow the court to refer the parties to a private mediator. 5 
 3.  The costs of the program must be paid from the county 6 
general fund. All fees, gifts and grants collected pursuant to this 7 
section must be deposited in the county general fund. 8 
 4.  This section does not prohibit a court from referring a 9 
financial or other issue to a special [master] judicial officer or other 10 
person for assistance in resolving the dispute. 11 
 Sec. 45.  NRS 3.500 is hereby amended to read as follows: 12 
 3.500 1.  In a county whose population is 100,000 or more 13 
and less than 700,000, the district court shall establish by rule 14 
approved by the Supreme Court a program of mandatory mediation 15 
in cases which involve the custody or visitation of a child. A district 16 
court in a county whose population is less than 100,000 may 17 
establish such a program in the same manner for use in that county. 18 
The district courts in two or more counties whose populations are 19 
less than 100,000 may establish such a program in the same manner 20 
for use in the counties in which the courts are located. 21 
 2.  The program must: 22 
 (a) Require the impartial mediation of the issues of custody and 23 
visitation and any other nonfinancial issue deemed appropriate by 24 
the court. 25 
 (b) Allow the court to exclude a case from the program for good 26 
cause shown, including a showing of a history of child abuse or 27 
domestic violence by one of the parties, ongoing private mediation 28 
or residency of one of the parties out of the jurisdiction of the court. 29 
 (c) Provide standards for the training of the mediators assigned 30 
to cases pursuant to the rule, including but not limited to: 31 
  (1) Minimum educational requirements, which may not be 32 
restricted to any particular professional or educational training; 33 
  (2) Minimum requirements for training in the procedural 34 
aspects of mediation and the interpersonal skills necessary to act as 35 
a mediator; 36 
  (3) A minimum period of apprenticeship for persons who 37 
have not previously acted as domestic mediators; 38 
  (4) Minimum requirements for continuing education; and 39 
  (5) Procedures to ensure that potential mediators understand 40 
the high standard of ethics and confidentiality related to their 41 
participation in the program. 42 
 (d) Prohibit the mediator from reporting to the court any 43 
information about the mediation other than whether the mediation 44 
was successful or not. 45   
 	– 38 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 (e) Establish a sliding schedule of fees for participation in the 1 
program based on the client’s ability to pay. 2 
 (f) Provide for the acceptance of gifts and grants offered in 3 
support of the program. 4 
 (g) Allow the court to refer the parties to a private mediator for 5 
assistance in resolving the issues. 6 
 3.  The costs of the program must be paid from the account for 7 
dispute resolution in the county general fund. All fees, gifts and 8 
grants collected pursuant to this section must be deposited in the 9 
account. 10 
 4.  This section does not prohibit a court from referring a 11 
financial or other issue to a special [master] judicial officer or other 12 
person for assistance in resolving the dispute. 13 
 Sec. 46.  NRS 4.357 is hereby amended to read as follows: 14 
 4.357 1.  In any county in which the appointment of [masters] 15 
judicial officers by a justice court is authorized by the board of 16 
county commissioners, the local rules of practice adopted in a 17 
justice court within the county may authorize the appointment of 18 
one or more [masters] judicial officers to perform certain duties that 19 
the Supreme Court has approved. If the justice court elects to 20 
appoint a [master or masters,] judicial officer, the local rules of 21 
practice adopted in that court must set forth the selection process for 22 
choosing a [master.] judicial officer. 23 
 2.  A [master] judicial officer appointed pursuant to subsection 24 
1 must possess qualifications that are equal to or greater than the 25 
qualifications required of the justice of the peace for the township in 26 
which the [master] judicial officer is appointed as set forth in  27 
NRS 4.010. 28 
 3.  The Supreme Court shall provide by rule for a course of 29 
instruction in the elements of substantive law relating to the duties 30 
of any [master] judicial officer appointed pursuant to subsection 1. 31 
A [master] judicial officer appointed pursuant to subsection 1 may 32 
not perform any duties of a [master] judicial officer appointed by 33 
the court until he or she has completed the course of instruction 34 
described in this subsection. 35 
 4.  A [master] judicial officer appointed pursuant to subsection 36 
1 may not preside over: 37 
 (a) Any trial for a misdemeanor constituting: 38 
  (1) An act of domestic violence pursuant to NRS 33.018; or 39 
  (2) A violation of NRS 484B.657, 484C.110 or 484C.120; or 40 
 (b) Any preliminary hearing for a gross misdemeanor or felony. 41 
 5.  A person appointed as a [master] judicial officer must take 42 
and subscribe to the official oath before acting as a [master.] 43 
judicial officer. 44   
 	– 39 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 6.  A [master] judicial officer appointed by the court is entitled 1 
to receive a salary or a per diem salary set by the board of county 2 
commissioners. The annual sum expended for salaries of [masters] 3 
such judicial officers must not exceed the amount budgeted for 4 
those expenses by the board of county commissioners. 5 
 7. A justice court may, by local rule or order, designate 6 
another title for a judicial officer appointed pursuant to this 7 
section so long as the title does not include the term “master.” 8 
 Sec. 47.  NRS 5.0245 is hereby amended to read as follows: 9 
 5.0245 1. A municipal court may appoint a referee or 10 
[hearing master] judicial officer to take testimony and recommend 11 
orders and a judgment in any action to determine whether a person 12 
has committed a civil infraction punishable pursuant to NRS 13 
484A.703 to 484A.705, inclusive. 14 
 2. The referee or [hearing master:] judicial officer: 15 
 (a) Shall take testimony; 16 
 (b) Shall make findings of fact, conclusions of law and 17 
recommendations for an order or judgment; 18 
 (c) May, subject to confirmation by the court, enter an order or 19 
judgment; and 20 
 (d) Has any other power or duty contained in the order of 21 
reference issued by the court. 22 
 3. The findings of fact, conclusions of law and 23 
recommendations of the referee or [hearing master] judicial officer 24 
must be furnished to each party or his or her attorney at the 25 
conclusion of the proceeding or as soon thereafter as possible. 26 
Within 5 days after receipt of the findings of fact, conclusions of 27 
law and recommendations, a party may file a written objection. If no 28 
objection is filed, the court shall accept the findings, unless clearly 29 
erroneous, and the judgment may be entered thereon. If an objection 30 
is filed within the 5-day period, the court shall review the matter by 31 
trial de novo, except that if all of the parties so stipulate, the review 32 
must be confined to the record. 33 
 4. A municipal court may, by local rule or order, designate a 34 
different title for a judicial officer appointed pursuant to this 35 
section so long as the title does not include the term “master.” 36 
 Sec. 48.  NRS 33.019 is hereby amended to read as follows: 37 
 33.019 1.  [In] Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, 38 
in an action to issue, dissolve, convert, modify, register or enforce a 39 
temporary or extended order pursuant to NRS 33.017 to 33.100, 40 
inclusive, the court may appoint [a] : 41 
 (a) A master to take testimony and recommend orders [.] if the 42 
temporary or extended order was sought by a person who is at 43 
least 18 years of age; or  44   
 	– 40 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 (b) A judicial officer to take testimony and recommend orders, 1 
if the temporary or extended order was sought by a person who is 2 
less than 18 years of age. 3 
 2.  The master or judicial officer must be an attorney licensed 4 
to practice in this State. 5 
 3.  The master or judicial officer shall: 6 
 (a) Take testimony and establish a record; and 7 
 (b) Make findings of fact, conclusions of law and 8 
recommendations concerning a temporary or extended order. 9 
 4. A court may, by local rule or order, designate a different 10 
title for a judicial officer appointed pursuant to paragraph (b) of 11 
subsection 1 so long as the title does not include the term 12 
“master.” 13 
 Sec. 49.  NRS 49.295 is hereby amended to read as follows: 14 
 49.295 1.  Except as otherwise provided in subsections 2 and 15 
3 and NRS 49.305: 16 
 (a) A married person cannot be examined as a witness for or 17 
against his or her spouse without his or her consent. 18 
 (b) No spouse can be examined, during the marriage or 19 
afterwards, without the consent of the other spouse, as to any 20 
communication made by one to the other during marriage. 21 
 2.  The provisions of subsection 1 do not apply to a: 22 
 (a) Civil proceeding brought by or on behalf of one spouse 23 
against the other spouse; 24 
 (b) Proceeding to commit or otherwise place a spouse, the 25 
property of the spouse or both the spouse and the property of the 26 
spouse under the control of another because of the alleged mental or 27 
physical condition of the spouse; 28 
 (c) Proceeding brought by or on behalf of a spouse to establish 29 
his or her competence; 30 
 (d) Proceeding in the juvenile court or family court pursuant to 31 
title 5 of NRS or NRS 432B.410 to 432B.590, inclusive [;] , and 32 
section 27 of this act; or 33 
 (e) Criminal proceeding in which one spouse is charged with: 34 
  (1) A crime against the person or the property of the other 35 
spouse or of a child of either, or of a child in the custody or control 36 
of either, whether the crime was committed before or during 37 
marriage. 38 
  (2) Bigamy or incest. 39 
  (3) A crime related to abandonment of a child or nonsupport 40 
of the other spouse or child. 41 
 3.  The provisions of subsection 1 do not apply in any criminal 42 
proceeding to events which took place before the spouses were 43 
married. 44   
 	– 41 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 Sec. 50.  NRS 50.175 is hereby amended to read as follows: 1 
 50.175 Every person who has been, in good faith, served with a 2 
subpoena to attend as a witness before a court, judge, commissioner, 3 
master [.] , judicial officer appointed by a court or other person, in 4 
a case where the disobedience of the witness may be punished as a 5 
contempt, is exonerated from arrest in a civil action while going to 6 
the place of attendance, necessarily remaining there, and returning 7 
therefrom. 8 
 Sec. 51.  NRS 50.225 is hereby amended to read as follows: 9 
 50.225 1.  For attending the courts of this State in any 10 
criminal case, civil suit, hearing to contest the determination that a 11 
person has committed a civil infraction or proceeding before a court 12 
of record, master, judicial officer appointed by a court, 13 
commissioner, justice of the peace, or before the grand jury, in 14 
obedience to a subpoena, each witness is entitled: 15 
 (a) To be paid a fee of $25 for each day’s attendance, including 16 
Sundays and holidays. 17 
 (b) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, to be paid 18 
for attending a court of the county in which the witness resides at 19 
the standard mileage reimbursement rate for which a deduction is 20 
allowed for the purposes of federal income tax for each mile 21 
necessarily and actually traveled from and returning to the place of 22 
residence by the shortest and most practical route. A board of 23 
county commissioners may provide that, for each mile so traveled to 24 
attend a court of the county in which the witness resides, each 25 
witness is entitled to be paid an amount equal to the allowance for 26 
travel by private conveyance established by the State Board of 27 
Examiners for state officers and employees generally. If the board of 28 
county commissioners so provides, each witness at any other 29 
hearing or proceeding held in that county who is entitled to receive 30 
the payment for mileage specified in this paragraph must be paid 31 
mileage in an amount equal to the allowance for travel by private 32 
conveyance established by the State Board of Examiners for state 33 
officers and employees generally. 34 
 2.  In addition to the fee and payment for mileage specified in 35 
subsection 1, a board of county commissioners may provide that, for 36 
each day of attendance in a court of the county in which the witness 37 
resides, each witness is entitled to be paid the per diem allowance 38 
provided for state officers and employees generally. If the board of 39 
county commissioners so provides, each witness at any other 40 
hearing or proceeding held in that county who is a resident of that 41 
county and who is entitled to receive the fee specified in paragraph 42 
(a) of subsection 1 must be paid, in addition to that fee, the per diem 43 
allowance provided for state officers and employees generally. 44   
 	– 42 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 3.  If a witness is from without the county or, being a resident 1 
of another state, voluntarily appears as a witness at the request of the 2 
Attorney General or the district attorney and the board of county 3 
commissioners of the county in which the court is held, the witness 4 
is entitled to reimbursement for the actual and necessary expenses 5 
for going to and returning from the place where the court is held. 6 
The witness is also entitled to receive the same per diem allowance 7 
provided for state officers and employees generally. 8 
 4.  Any person in attendance at a trial or hearing to contest the 9 
determination that a person has committed a civil infraction who is 10 
sworn as a witness is entitled to the fees, the per diem allowance, if 11 
any, travel expenses and any other reimbursement set forth in this 12 
section, irrespective of the service of a subpoena. 13 
 5.  Witness fees, per diem allowances, travel expenses and other 14 
reimbursement in civil cases, including, without limitation, a 15 
hearing to contest the determination that a person has committed a 16 
civil infraction, must be taxed as disbursement costs against the 17 
defeated party upon proof by affidavit that they have been actually 18 
incurred. Costs must not be allowed for more than two witnesses to 19 
the same fact or series of facts, and a party plaintiff or defendant 20 
must not be allowed any fees, per diem allowance, travel expenses 21 
or other reimbursement for attendance as a witness in his or her own 22 
behalf. Witness fees, per diem allowances, travel expenses and other 23 
reimbursement must not be taxed against a county or incorporated 24 
city after a hearing to contest the determination that a person has 25 
committed a civil infraction unless the court determines, after a 26 
hearing, that the civil infraction citation was issued maliciously and 27 
without probable cause. 28 
 6.  A person is not obligated to appear in a civil action, hearing 29 
to contest the determination that a person has committed a civil 30 
infraction or other proceeding unless the person has been paid an 31 
amount equal to 1 day’s fees, the per diem allowance provided by 32 
the board of county commissioners pursuant to subsection 2, if any, 33 
and the travel expenses reimbursable pursuant to this section. 34 
 Sec. 52.  NRS 62A.180 is hereby amended to read as follows: 35 
 62A.180 1.  “Juvenile court” means each district judge who is 36 
assigned to serve as a judge of the juvenile court pursuant to NRS 37 
62B.010 or court rule. 38 
 2.  The term includes a [master] juvenile judicial officer who is 39 
performing an act on behalf of the juvenile court if: 40 
 (a) The juvenile court delegates authority to the [master] 41 
juvenile judicial officer to perform the act in accordance with the 42 
Constitution of the State of Nevada; and 43   
 	– 43 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 (b) The [master] juvenile judicial officer performs the act 1 
within the limits of the authority delegated to the [master.] juvenile 2 
judicial officer. 3 
 Sec. 53.  NRS 62A.210 is hereby amended to read as follows: 4 
 62A.210 [“Master of the juvenile court”] “Juvenile judicial 5 
officer” means a person who is appointed to act as a [master] 6 
judicial officer of the juvenile court pursuant to NRS 62B.020. 7 
 Sec. 54.  NRS 62B.020 is hereby amended to read as follows: 8 
 62B.020 1.  Except as otherwise provided in this section, the 9 
juvenile court or the chief judge of the judicial district may appoint 10 
any person to act as a [master of the] juvenile [court] judicial officer 11 
if the person is qualified by previous experience, training and 12 
demonstrated interest in the welfare of children to act as a [master of 13 
the] juvenile [court.] judicial officer. 14 
 2.  A probation officer shall not act as a [master of the] juvenile 15 
[court] judicial officer unless the proceeding concerns: 16 
 (a) A minor traffic offense; 17 
 (b) An offense related to tobacco; or 18 
 (c) A child who is alleged to be a habitual truant. 19 
 3.  If a person is appointed to act as a [master of the] juvenile 20 
[court,] judicial officer, the person shall attend instruction at the 21 
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges in Reno, 22 
Nevada, in a course designed for the training of new judges of the 23 
juvenile court on the first occasion when such instruction is offered 24 
after the person is appointed. 25 
 4.  If, for any reason, a [master of the] juvenile [court] judicial 26 
officer is unable to act, the juvenile court or the chief judge of the 27 
judicial district may appoint another qualified person to act 28 
temporarily as a [master of the] juvenile [court] judicial officer 29 
during the period that the [master] juvenile judicial officer who is 30 
regularly appointed is unable to act. 31 
 5.  The compensation of a [master of the] juvenile [court:] 32 
judicial officer: 33 
 (a) May not be taxed against the parties. 34 
 (b) Must be paid out of appropriations made for the expenses of 35 
the district court, if the compensation is fixed by the juvenile court. 36 
 6. A juvenile court or the chief judge of a judicial district may 37 
designate, by rule or order, a different title for a juvenile judicial 38 
officer appointed by the juvenile court or chief judge so long as 39 
the title does not include the term “master.” 40 
 Sec. 55.  NRS 62B.030 is hereby amended to read as follows: 41 
 62B.030 1.  The juvenile court may order a [master of the] 42 
juvenile [court] judicial officer to: 43 
 (a) Swear witnesses. 44 
 (b) Take evidence. 45   
 	– 44 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 (c) Make findings of fact and recommendations. 1 
 (d) Conduct all proceedings before the [master of the] juvenile 2 
[court] judicial officer in the same manner as a district judge 3 
conducts proceedings in a district court. 4 
 2.  Not later than 10 days after the evidence before a [master of 5 
the] juvenile [court] judicial officer is closed, the [master] juvenile 6 
judicial officer shall file with the juvenile court: 7 
 (a) All papers relating to the case; 8 
 (b) Written findings of fact; and 9 
 (c) Written recommendations. 10 
 3.  A [master of the] juvenile [court] judicial officer shall 11 
provide to the parent or guardian of the child, the attorney for the 12 
child, the district attorney, and any other person concerned, written 13 
notice of: 14 
 (a) The [master’s] findings of fact [;] of the juvenile judicial 15 
officer; 16 
 (b) The [master’s] recommendations [;] of the juvenile judicial 17 
officer; 18 
 (c) The right to object to the [master’s] recommendations [;] of 19 
the juvenile judicial officer; and 20 
 (d) The right to request a hearing de novo before the juvenile 21 
court as provided in subsection 4. 22 
 4.  After reviewing the recommendations of a [master of the] 23 
juvenile [court] judicial officer and any objection to the [master’s] 24 
recommendations [,] of the juvenile judicial officer, the juvenile 25 
court shall: 26 
 (a) Approve the [master’s] recommendations [,] of the juvenile 27 
judicial officer, in whole or in part, and order the recommended 28 
disposition; 29 
 (b) Reject the [master’s] recommendations [,] of the juvenile 30 
judicial officer, in whole or in part, and order such relief as may be 31 
appropriate; or 32 
 (c) Direct a hearing de novo before the juvenile court if, not later 33 
than 5 days after the [master] juvenile judicial officer provides 34 
notice of the [master’s] recommendations [,] of the juvenile judicial 35 
officer, a person who is entitled to such notice files with the juvenile 36 
court a request for a hearing de novo before the juvenile court. 37 
 5.  A recommendation of a [master of the] juvenile [court] 38 
judicial officer is not effective until expressly approved by the 39 
juvenile court as evidenced by the signature of a judge of the 40 
juvenile court. 41 
 Sec. 56.  NRS 62B.100 is hereby amended to read as follows: 42 
 62B.100 1.  All expenses incurred in complying with the 43 
provisions of this title are a charge against the county, except for 44   
 	– 45 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
expenses that must be paid by the State of Nevada pursuant to the 1 
provisions of chapter 63 of NRS or a specific statute. 2 
 2.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, within the 3 
limits provided by the board of county commissioners, the juvenile 4 
court shall fix the salaries, expenses and other compensation of 5 
[masters of the] juvenile [court,] judicial officers, probation officers 6 
and all employees of the juvenile court. 7 
 3.  If the board of county commissioners has established a 8 
department of juvenile justice services by ordinance pursuant to 9 
NRS 62G.200 to 62G.240, inclusive, the board of county 10 
commissioners shall fix the salaries, expenses and other 11 
compensation of probation officers, assistant probation officers and 12 
all employees of the department of juvenile justice services. 13 
 Sec. 57.  NRS 62B.607 is hereby amended to read as follows: 14 
 62B.607 1. Any person who, during the scope of his or her 15 
employment, has regular and routine contact with juveniles who are 16 
involved in the juvenile justice system in this State, including, 17 
without limitation, any prosecuting attorney, public defender, peace 18 
officer, probation officer, juvenile correctional officer, employee of 19 
a state or local facility for the detention of children, employee of a 20 
regional facility for the treatment and rehabilitation of children or 21 
employee of a prosecuting attorney’s office or public defender’s 22 
office, shall complete, in addition to any other required training, 23 
training relating to implicit bias and cultural competency provided 24 
by his or her employer pursuant to the regulations adopted pursuant 25 
to subsection 3. Unless the regulations adopted by the Division of 26 
Child and Family Services pursuant to subsection 3 provide 27 
otherwise, such training relating to implicit bias and cultural 28 
competency must be completed at least once every 2 years. 29 
 2. The training required by subsection 1 must include, without 30 
limitation, instruction that: 31 
 (a) Explains what implicit bias is, where implicit bias comes 32 
from, the importance of understanding implicit bias and the negative 33 
impacts of implicit bias, and offers examples of actions that can be 34 
taken to reduce implicit bias; 35 
 (b) Provides information regarding cultural competency, 36 
including, without limitation, sensitivity to the needs of children, 37 
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, racial and ethnic 38 
minorities, religious minorities and women; and 39 
 (c) Provides information regarding: 40 
  (1) Socioeconomic conditions in various areas in this State;  41 
  (2) Historical inequities in the juvenile justice and criminal 42 
justice systems; and 43 
  (3) The impact of trauma and adverse child experiences on 44 
the decision making and behaviors of children. 45   
 	– 46 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 3. The Division of Child and Family Services shall adopt 1 
regulations to carry out the provisions of this section. When 2 
adopting such regulations, the Division of Child and Family 3 
Services may consult with any person whose assistance the Division 4 
of Child and Family Services determines will be helpful. 5 
 4. The Nevada Supreme Court may provide by court rule for 6 
continuing appropriate training concerning implicit bias and cultural 7 
competency, incorporating the elements identified in subsection 2, 8 
for any magistrate, judge, [master] judicial officer appointed by the 9 
court or employee in the juvenile court system who regularly and 10 
routinely comes into contact with juveniles who are involved in the 11 
juvenile justice system. 12 
 5. As used in this section, “cultural competency” means an 13 
understanding of how people and institutions can respond 14 
respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, economic 15 
statuses, language backgrounds, races, ethnic backgrounds, 16 
disabilities, religions, genders, gender identities or expressions, 17 
sexual orientations, veteran statuses and other characteristics in a 18 
manner that recognizes, affirms and values the worth and preserves 19 
the dignity of people, families and communities. 20 
 Sec. 58.  NRS 62F.350 is hereby amended to read as follows: 21 
 62F.350 1. The juvenile court may not refer to a [master] 22 
juvenile judicial officer any finding, determination or other act 23 
required to be made or performed by the juvenile court pursuant to 24 
NRS 62F.320 and 62F.340. 25 
 2. As used in this section, [“master”] “juvenile judicial 26 
officer” has the meaning ascribed to it in [Rule 53 of the Nevada 27 
Rules of Civil Procedure.] NRS 62A.210. 28 
 Sec. 59.  NRS 125B.200 is hereby amended to read as follows: 29 
 125B.200 As used in NRS 125B.200 to 125B.300, inclusive, 30 
unless the context otherwise requires: 31 
 1.  “Court” includes a referee or [master] judicial officer 32 
appointed by the court. 33 
 2.  “Minor child” means a person who is: 34 
 (a) Under the age of 18 years; 35 
 (b) Under the age of 19 years, if the person is enrolled in high 36 
school; 37 
 (c) Under a legal disability; or 38 
 (d) Not declared emancipated pursuant to NRS 129.080 to 39 
129.140, inclusive. 40 
 3.  “Obligor-parent” means a parent who has been ordered by a 41 
court to pay for the support of a minor child. 42 
 Sec. 60.  NRS 126.111 is hereby amended to read as follows: 43 
 126.111 1.  The court shall endeavor to resolve the issues 44 
raised in an action pursuant to this chapter by an informal hearing. 45   
 	– 47 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 2.  As soon as practicable after an action to declare the 1 
existence or nonexistence of the father and child relationship has 2 
been brought, an informal hearing must be held. The court may 3 
order that the hearing be held before a [master] judicial officer 4 
appointed by the court or referee. The public shall be barred from 5 
the hearing. A record of the proceeding or any portion thereof must 6 
be kept if any party requests or the court orders. Strict rules of 7 
evidence need not be observed, but those prescribed in NRS 8 
233B.123 apply. 9 
 3.  Upon refusal of any witness, including a party, to testify 10 
under oath or produce evidence, the court may order the witness to 11 
testify under oath and produce evidence concerning all relevant 12 
facts. If the refusal is upon the ground that the witness’s testimony 13 
or evidence might tend to incriminate the witness, the court may 14 
grant the witness immunity from prosecution for all criminal 15 
offenses shown in whole or in part by testimony or evidence the 16 
witness is required to produce, except for perjury committed in his 17 
or her testimony. The refusal of a witness who has been granted 18 
immunity to obey an order to testify or produce evidence is a civil 19 
contempt of the court. 20 
 4.  Testimony of a physician concerning the medical 21 
circumstances of the pregnancy and the condition and characteristics 22 
of the child upon birth is not privileged. 23 
 Sec. 61.  NRS 126.121 is hereby amended to read as follows: 24 
 126.121 1.  The court may, and shall upon the motion of a 25 
party, order the mother, child, alleged father or any other person so 26 
involved to submit to one or more tests for the typing of blood or 27 
taking of specimens for genetic identification to be made by a 28 
designated person, by qualified physicians or by other qualified 29 
persons, under such restrictions and directions as the court or judge 30 
deems proper. Whenever such a test is ordered and made, the results 31 
of the test must be received in evidence and must be made available 32 
to a judge, [master] judicial officer appointed by the court or 33 
referee conducting a hearing pursuant to NRS 126.111. The results 34 
of the test and any sample or specimen taken may be used only for 35 
the purposes specified in this chapter. Unless a party files a written 36 
objection to the result of a test at least 30 days before the hearing at 37 
which the result is to be received in evidence, the result is 38 
admissible as evidence of paternity without foundational testimony 39 
or other proof of authenticity or accuracy. The order for such a test 40 
also may direct that the testimony of the experts and of the persons 41 
so examined may be taken by deposition or written interrogatories. 42 
 2.  If any party refuses to submit to or fails to appear for a test 43 
ordered pursuant to subsection 1, the court may presume that the 44 
result of the test would be adverse to the interests of that party or 45   
 	– 48 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
may enforce its order if the rights of others and the interests of 1 
justice so require. 2 
 3.  The court, upon reasonable request by a party, shall order 3 
that independent tests for determining paternity be performed by 4 
other experts or qualified laboratories. 5 
 4.  In all cases, the court shall determine the number and 6 
qualifications of the experts and laboratories. 7 
 5.  As used in this section: 8 
 (a) “Designated person” means a person who is: 9 
  (1) Properly trained to take samples or specimens for tests 10 
for the typing of blood and genetic identification; and 11 
  (2) Designated by an enforcing authority to take such 12 
samples or specimens. 13 
 (b) “Enforcing authority” means the Division of Welfare and 14 
Supportive Services of the Department of Health and Human 15 
Services, its designated representative, a district attorney or the 16 
Attorney General when acting pursuant to NRS 425.380. 17 
 Sec. 62.  NRS 126.141 is hereby amended to read as follows: 18 
 126.141 1.  On the basis of the information produced at the 19 
pretrial hearing, the judge, [master] judicial officer appointed by a 20 
court or referee conducting the hearing shall evaluate the probability 21 
of determining the existence or nonexistence of the father and child 22 
relationship in a trial and whether a judicial declaration of the 23 
relationship would be in the best interest of the child. On the basis 24 
of the evaluation, an appropriate recommendation for settlement 25 
must be made to the parties, which may include any of the 26 
following: 27 
 (a) That the action be dismissed with or without prejudice. 28 
 (b) That the matter be compromised by an agreement among the 29 
alleged father, the mother and the child, in which the father and 30 
child relationship is not determined but in which a defined economic 31 
obligation, fully secured by payment or otherwise, is undertaken by 32 
the alleged father in favor of the child and, if appropriate, in favor of 33 
the mother, subject to approval by the judge, [master] judicial 34 
officer or referee conducting the hearing. In reviewing the 35 
obligation undertaken by the alleged father in a compromise 36 
agreement, the judge, [master] judicial officer or referee conducting 37 
the hearing shall consider the best interest of the child, discounted 38 
by the improbability, as it appears to him or her, of establishing the 39 
alleged father’s paternity or nonpaternity of the child in a trial of the 40 
action. In the best interest of the child, the court may order that  41 
the alleged father’s identity be kept confidential. In that case, the 42 
court may designate a person or agency to receive from the alleged 43 
father and disburse on behalf of the child all amounts paid by the 44   
 	– 49 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
alleged father in fulfillment of obligations imposed on the alleged 1 
father. 2 
 (c) That the alleged father voluntarily acknowledge his paternity 3 
of the child. 4 
 2.  If the parties accept a recommendation made in accordance 5 
with subsection 1, judgment may be entered accordingly. 6 
 3.  If a party refuses to accept a recommendation made under 7 
subsection 1 and blood tests or tests for genetic identification have 8 
not been taken, the court shall require the parties to submit to blood 9 
tests or tests for genetic identification, if practicable. Thereafter the 10 
judge, [master] judicial officer or referee shall make an appropriate 11 
final recommendation. If a party refuses to accept the final 12 
recommendation, the action must be set for trial. 13 
 4.  The guardian ad litem may accept or refuse to accept a 14 
recommendation under this section. 15 
 5.  The pretrial hearing may be terminated and the action set for 16 
trial if the judge, [master] judicial officer or referee conducting the 17 
hearing finds unlikely that all parties would accept a 18 
recommendation he or she might make under subsection 1 or 3. 19 
 Sec. 63.  NRS 126.143 is hereby amended to read as follows: 20 
 126.143 After an action is set for trial pursuant to NRS 21 
126.141, the judge, [master] judicial officer appointed by a court or 22 
referee shall, upon the motion of a party, issue an order providing 23 
for the temporary support of the child pending the resolution of the 24 
trial if the judge, [master] judicial officer or referee determines that 25 
there is clear and convincing evidence that the party against whom 26 
the order is issued is the father of the child. 27 
 Sec. 64.  NRS 128.100 is hereby amended to read as follows: 28 
 128.100 1.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, in 29 
any proceeding for terminating parental rights, or any rehearing or 30 
appeal thereon, or any proceeding for restoring parental rights, the 31 
court may appoint an attorney to represent the child as his or her 32 
counsel. The child may be represented by an attorney at all stages of 33 
any proceedings for terminating parental rights. If the child is 34 
represented by an attorney, the attorney has the same authority and 35 
rights as an attorney representing a party to the proceedings. 36 
 2.  In any proceeding for the termination of parental rights to a 37 
child who has been placed outside of his or her home pursuant to 38 
chapter 432B of NRS, or any rehearing or appeal thereon, or any 39 
proceeding for restoring parental rights to such a child, the court 40 
shall appoint an attorney to represent the child as his or her counsel. 41 
The child shall be deemed to be a party to any proceeding described 42 
in this section and must be represented by an attorney at all stages of 43 
such proceedings. The attorney representing the child has the same 44   
 	– 50 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
authority and rights as an attorney representing any other party to 1 
the proceedings. 2 
 3. If the parent or parents of the child desire to be represented 3 
by counsel, but are indigent, the court may appoint an attorney for 4 
them. 5 
 4.  Each attorney appointed under the provisions of this section 6 
is entitled to the same compensation and expenses [from the county 7 
as provided in NRS 7.125 and 7.135] for all time reasonably spent 8 
on the proceedings and payment for all expenses reasonably 9 
incurred from the proceedings, including, without limitation, time 10 
spent and expenses incurred for preparation, hearings and 11 
meetings. Such compensation must be paid at a rate not less than 12 
the lowest rate paid to attorneys appointed to represent persons 13 
charged with [crimes.] a felony in the same jurisdiction. 14 
 5. For the purposes of this section, a person shall be deemed 15 
indigent if: 16 
 (a) The person has a household income that is less than 200 17 
percent of the federally designated level signifying poverty; 18 
 (b) The person is receiving federal assistance through federal 19 
programs, including, without limitation, Medicaid, Temporary 20 
Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance 21 
or disability insurance benefits under the federal Social Security 22 
Act;  23 
 (c) The person resides in public housing; or 24 
 (d) Hiring counsel would pose a financial hardship to the 25 
person or his or her child or hinder the ability of the person to 26 
obtain services to facilitate reunification with his or her child. 27 
 6. As used in this section: 28 
 (a) “Public housing” has the meaning ascribed to it in  29 
NRS 315.021. 30 
 (b) “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance” means the program 31 
established to provide persons of low income with an opportunity 32 
to purchase a more nutritious diet pursuant to the Food Stamp Act 33 
of 1977, 7 U.S.C. §§ 2011 et seq., as amended. 34 
 (c) “Temporary Assistance for Needy Families” means the 35 
program established to provide temporary assistance for needy 36 
families pursuant to Title IV of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 37 
§§ 601 et seq., and other provisions of that act relating to 38 
temporary assistance for needy families. 39 
 Sec. 65.  NRS 129.080 is hereby amended to read as follows: 40 
 129.080 Any minor who is at least 16 years of age, who is 41 
married or living apart from his or her parents or legal guardian, and 42 
who is a resident of the county, may petition the juvenile court of 43 
that county for a decree of emancipation. The district court may 44   
 	– 51 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
refer the petition to a [master] judicial officer appointed pursuant to 1 
title 5 of NRS or chapter 432B of NRS. 2 
 Sec. 66.  NRS 130.102 is hereby amended to read as follows: 3 
 130.102 1.  The district court and, within the limitations of 4 
authority granted pursuant to NRS 3.405, 125.005 or 425.381 to 5 
425.3852, inclusive, a [master] judicial officer or referee appointed 6 
pursuant to any of those sections, are the tribunals of this State. 7 
 2.  The support enforcement agency of this State may include, 8 
without limitation, a court, a district attorney, a law enforcement 9 
agency or the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services of the 10 
Department of Health and Human Services. 11 
 Sec. 67.  Chapter 159A of NRS is hereby amended by adding 12 
thereto a new section to read as follows: 13 
 “Judicial officer” means a person who is appointed to act as a 14 
judicial officer of the court. 15 
 Sec. 68.  NRS 159A.013 is hereby amended to read as follows: 16 
 159A.013 As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise 17 
requires, the words and terms defined in NRS 159A.014 to 18 
159A.0265, inclusive, and section 67 of this act have the meanings 19 
ascribed to them in those sections. 20 
 Sec. 69.  NRS 159A.061 is hereby amended to read as follows: 21 
 159A.061 1.  The parents of a proposed protected minor, or 22 
either parent, if qualified and suitable, are preferred over all others 23 
for appointment as guardian for the person or estate or person and 24 
estate of the proposed protected minor. The appointment of a parent 25 
as guardian for the person or estate of a proposed protected minor 26 
must not conflict with a valid order for custody of the proposed 27 
protected minor. 28 
 2.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, if a parent of a 29 
proposed protected minor files a petition seeking appointment as 30 
guardian for the proposed protected minor, the parent is presumed to 31 
be suitable to serve as guardian for the proposed protected minor. 32 
 3.  In determining whether the parents of a proposed protected 33 
minor, or either parent, or any other person who seeks appointment 34 
as guardian for the proposed protected minor is qualified and 35 
suitable, the court shall consider, if applicable and without 36 
limitation: 37 
 (a) Which parent has physical custody of the proposed protected 38 
minor; 39 
 (b) The ability of the parents, parent or other person to provide 40 
for the basic needs of the proposed protected minor, including, 41 
without limitation, food, shelter, clothing and medical care, taking 42 
into consideration any special needs of the proposed protected 43 
minor; 44   
 	– 52 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 (c) Whether the parents, parent or other person has engaged in 1 
the habitual use of alcohol or any controlled substance during the 2 
previous 6 months, except the use of cannabis in accordance with 3 
the provisions of chapter 678C of NRS; 4 
 (d) Whether the parents, parent or other person has been 5 
convicted of a crime of moral turpitude, a crime involving domestic 6 
violence or a crime involving the abuse, neglect, exploitation, 7 
isolation or abandonment of a child, his or her spouse, his or her 8 
parent or any other adult; 9 
 (e) Whether the parents, parent or other person has been 10 
convicted in this State or any other jurisdiction of a felony; and 11 
 (f) Whether the parents, parent or other person has engaged in 12 
one or more acts of domestic violence against the proposed 13 
protected minor, a parent of the proposed protected minor or any 14 
other person who resides with the proposed protected minor. 15 
 4.  A parent of a proposed protected minor is presumed to be 16 
unsuitable to care for the proposed protected minor if: 17 
 (a) The parent is unable to provide for any or all of the basic 18 
needs of the proposed protected minor, including, without 19 
limitation: 20 
  (1) Food; 21 
  (2) Shelter; 22 
  (3) Clothing; 23 
  (4) Medical care; and 24 
  (5) Education; 25 
 (b) Because of action or inaction, the parent poses a significant 26 
safety risk of either physical or emotional danger to the proposed 27 
protected minor; or 28 
 (c) The proposed protected minor has not been in the care, 29 
custody and control of the parent for the 6 months immediately 30 
preceding the filing of the petition. The presumption created by this 31 
paragraph is a rebuttable presumption. 32 
 5.  Subject to the preference set forth in subsection 1 and except 33 
as otherwise provided in subsection 7, the court shall appoint as 34 
guardian the qualified person who is most suitable and is willing to 35 
serve. 36 
 6.  In determining which qualified person is most suitable, the 37 
court shall, in addition to considering any applicable factors set forth 38 
in subsections 2, 3 and 4, give consideration, among other factors, 39 
to: 40 
 (a) Any nomination of a guardian for the proposed protected 41 
minor contained in a will or other written instrument executed by a 42 
parent of the proposed protected minor. 43   
 	– 53 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 (b) Any request made by the proposed protected minor, if he or 1 
she is 14 years of age or older, for the appointment of a person as 2 
guardian for the proposed protected minor.  3 
 (c) The relationship by blood or adoption of the proposed 4 
guardian to the proposed protected minor. In considering 5 
preferences of appointment, the court may consider relatives of the 6 
half blood equally with those of the whole blood. The court may 7 
consider relatives in the following order of preference: 8 
  (1) Parent. 9 
  (2) Adult sibling. 10 
  (3) Grandparent.  11 
  (4) Uncle or aunt. 12 
 (d) Any recommendation made by a [master of the court] 13 
judicial officer or special [master] judicial officer pursuant to  14 
NRS 159A.0615. 15 
 (e) Any recommendation made by: 16 
  (1) An agency which provides child welfare services, an 17 
agency which provides child protective services or a similar agency; 18 
or 19 
  (2) A guardian ad litem or court appointed special advocate 20 
who represents the proposed protected minor. 21 
 (f) Any request for the appointment of any other interested 22 
person that the court deems appropriate. 23 
 7.  The court may award temporary guardianship pursuant to 24 
this section, supported by findings of suitability, pending a trial or 25 
evidentiary hearing if that appointment is supported by findings. 26 
 8.  Notwithstanding the presumption set forth in subsection 4, 27 
in the event of competing petitions for the appointment of 28 
guardianship of a proposed protected minor, any finding of 29 
unsuitability of a parent of the proposed protected minor must be 30 
found by clear and convincing evidence after a hearing on the merits 31 
or an evidentiary hearing. 32 
 9.  In determining whether to appoint a guardian of the person 33 
or estate of a proposed protected minor and who should be 34 
appointed, the court must always act in the best interests of the 35 
proposed protected minor. 36 
 10.  A court shall not refuse to appoint a person as a guardian of 37 
the person or estate of a proposed protected minor solely because 38 
the person: 39 
 (a) Is deaf, is blind or has another physical disability; or 40 
 (b) Is the holder of a valid registry identification card. 41 
 11.  As used in this section: 42 
 (a) “Agency which provides child welfare services” has the 43 
meaning ascribed to it in NRS 432B.030. 44 
 (b) “Blind” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 426.082. 45   
 	– 54 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 (c) “Holder of a valid registry identification card” means a 1 
person who holds a valid registry identification card as defined in 2 
NRS 678C.080 that identifies the person as: 3 
  (1) Exempt from state prosecution for engaging in the 4 
medical use of cannabis; or 5 
  (2) A designated primary caregiver as defined in  6 
NRS 678C.040. 7 
 Sec. 70.  NRS 159A.0615 is hereby amended to read as 8 
follows: 9 
 159A.0615 1.  If the court determines that a minor may be in 10 
need of a guardian, the court may order the appointment of a [master 11 
of the court] judicial officer or a special [master] judicial officer 12 
from among the members of the State Bar of Nevada to conduct a 13 
hearing to identify the person most qualified and suitable to serve as 14 
guardian for the proposed protected minor. 15 
 2.  Not later than 5 calendar days after the date of the hearing, 16 
the [master of the court] judicial officer or special [master] judicial 17 
officer shall prepare and submit to the court a recommendation 18 
regarding which person is most qualified and suitable to serve as 19 
guardian for the proposed protected minor. 20 
 3. A court may designate, by rule or order, a different title to 21 
a person appointed as a judicial officer or special judicial officer 22 
so long as the title does not include the term “master.” 23 
 Sec. 71.  NRS 159A.0617 is hereby amended to read as 24 
follows: 25 
 159A.0617 If the court or a [master of the court] judicial 26 
officer or special [master appointed pursuant to NRS 159A.0615] 27 
judicial officer finds that a parent or other relative, teacher, friend or 28 
neighbor of a proposed protected minor or any other interested 29 
person: 30 
 1.  Has a personal interest in the well-being of the proposed 31 
protected minor; or 32 
 2.  Possesses information that is relevant to the determination of 33 
who should serve as guardian for the proposed protected minor, 34 
 the court or a [master of the court] judicial officer or special 35 
[master appointed pursuant to NRS 159A.0615] judicial officer may 36 
allow the person to testify at any hearing held pursuant to this 37 
chapter to determine the person most qualified and suitable to serve 38 
as guardian for the proposed protected minor. 39 
 Sec. 72.  NRS 200.471 is hereby amended to read as follows: 40 
 200.471 1.  As used in this section: 41 
 (a) “Assault” means: 42 
  (1) Unlawfully attempting to use physical force against 43 
another person; or 44   
 	– 55 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
  (2) Intentionally placing another person in reasonable 1 
apprehension of immediate bodily harm. 2 
 (b) “Fire-fighting agency” has the meaning ascribed to it in  3 
NRS 239B.020. 4 
 (c) “Health care facility” means a facility licensed pursuant to 5 
chapter 449 of NRS, an office of a person listed in NRS 629.031, a 6 
clinic or any other location, other than a residence, where health 7 
care is provided.  8 
 (d) “Officer” means: 9 
  (1) A person who possesses some or all of the powers of a 10 
peace officer; 11 
  (2) A person employed in a full-time salaried occupation of 12 
fire fighting for the benefit or safety of the public; 13 
  (3) A member of a volunteer fire department; 14 
  (4) A jailer, guard or other correctional officer of a city or 15 
county jail; 16 
  (5) A prosecuting attorney of an agency or political 17 
subdivision of the United States or of this State; 18 
  (6) A justice of the Supreme Court, judge of the Court of 19 
Appeals, district judge, justice of the peace, municipal judge, 20 
magistrate, court commissioner, master , judicial officer appointed 21 
by a court or referee, including a person acting pro tempore in a 22 
capacity listed in this subparagraph; 23 
  (7) An employee of this State or a political subdivision of 24 
this State whose official duties require the employee to make home 25 
visits; 26 
  (8) A civilian employee or a volunteer of a law enforcement 27 
agency whose official duties require the employee or volunteer to: 28 
   (I) Interact with the public; 29 
   (II) Perform tasks related to law enforcement; and 30 
   (III) Wear identification, clothing or a uniform that 31 
identifies the employee or volunteer as working or volunteering for 32 
the law enforcement agency; 33 
  (9) A civilian employee or a volunteer of a fire-fighting 34 
agency whose official duties require the employee or volunteer to: 35 
   (I) Interact with the public; 36 
   (II) Perform tasks related to fire fighting or fire 37 
prevention; and 38 
   (III) Wear identification, clothing or a uniform that 39 
identifies the employee or volunteer as working or volunteering for 40 
the fire-fighting agency; or 41 
  (10) A civilian employee or volunteer of this State or a 42 
political subdivision of this State whose official duties require the 43 
employee or volunteer to: 44 
   (I) Interact with the public; 45   
 	– 56 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
   (II) Perform tasks related to code enforcement; and 1 
   (III) Wear identification, clothing or a uniform that 2 
identifies the employee or volunteer as working or volunteering for 3 
this State or a political subdivision of this State. 4 
 (e) “Provider of health care” means: 5 
  (1) A physician, a medical student, a perfusionist, an 6 
anesthesiologist assistant or a physician assistant licensed pursuant 7 
to chapter 630 of NRS, a practitioner of respiratory care, a 8 
homeopathic physician, an advanced practitioner of homeopathy, a 9 
homeopathic assistant, an osteopathic physician, a physician 10 
assistant or anesthesiologist assistant licensed pursuant to chapter 11 
633 of NRS, a podiatric physician, a podiatry hygienist, a physical 12 
therapist, a medical laboratory technician, an optometrist, a 13 
chiropractic physician, a chiropractic assistant, a naprapath, a doctor 14 
of Oriental medicine, a nurse, a student nurse, a certified nursing 15 
assistant, a nursing assistant trainee, a medication aide - certified, a 16 
person who provides health care services in the home for 17 
compensation, a dentist, a dental student, a dental hygienist, a dental 18 
hygienist student, an expanded function dental assistant, an 19 
expanded function dental assistant student, a pharmacist, a 20 
pharmacy student, an intern pharmacist, an attendant on an 21 
ambulance or air ambulance, a psychologist, a social worker, a 22 
marriage and family therapist, a marriage and family therapist 23 
intern, a clinical professional counselor, a clinical professional 24 
counselor intern, a behavior analyst, an assistant behavior analyst, a 25 
registered behavior technician, a mental health technician, a licensed 26 
dietitian, the holder of a license or a limited license issued under the 27 
provisions of chapter 653 of NRS, a public safety officer at a health 28 
care facility, an emergency medical technician, an advanced 29 
emergency medical technician, a paramedic or a participant in a 30 
program of training to provide emergency medical services; or  31 
  (2) An employee of or volunteer for a health care facility 32 
who: 33 
   (I) Interacts with the public; 34 
   (II) Performs tasks related to providing health care; and  35 
   (III) Wears identification, clothing or a uniform that 36 
identifies the person as an employee or volunteer of the health care 37 
facility.  38 
 (f) “School employee” means a licensed or unlicensed person 39 
employed by a board of trustees of a school district pursuant to NRS 40 
391.100 or 391.281. 41 
 (g) “Sporting event” has the meaning ascribed to it in  42 
NRS 41.630. 43 
 (h) “Sports official” has the meaning ascribed to it in  44 
NRS 41.630. 45   
 	– 57 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 (i) “Taxicab” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 706.8816. 1 
 (j) “Taxicab driver” means a person who operates a taxicab. 2 
 (k) “Transit operator” means a person who operates a bus or 3 
other vehicle as part of a public mass transportation system. 4 
 (l) “Utility worker” means an employee of a public utility as 5 
defined in NRS 704.020 whose official duties require the employee 6 
to: 7 
  (1) Interact with the public; 8 
  (2) Perform tasks related to the operation of the public 9 
utility; and 10 
  (3) Wear identification, clothing or a uniform that identifies 11 
the employee as working for the public utility. 12 
 2.  A person convicted of an assault shall be punished: 13 
 (a) If paragraph (c) or (d) does not apply to the circumstances of 14 
the crime and the assault is not made with the use of a deadly 15 
weapon or the present ability to use a deadly weapon, for a 16 
misdemeanor. 17 
 (b) If the assault is made with the use of a deadly weapon or the 18 
present ability to use a deadly weapon, for a category B felony by 19 
imprisonment in the state prison for a minimum term of not less 20 
than 1 year and a maximum term of not more than 6 years, or by a 21 
fine of not more than $5,000, or by both fine and imprisonment. 22 
 (c) If paragraph (d) does not apply to the circumstances of the 23 
crime and if the assault: 24 
  (1) Is committed upon: 25 
   (I) An officer, a school employee, a taxicab driver, a 26 
transit operator or a utility worker who is performing his or her 27 
duty; 28 
   (II) A provider of health care while the provider of health 29 
care is performing his or her duty or is on the premises where he or 30 
she performs that duty; or  31 
   (III) A sports official based on the performance of his or 32 
her duties at a sporting event; and  33 
  (2) The person charged knew or should have known that the 34 
victim was an officer, a provider of health care, a school employee, 35 
a taxicab driver, a transit operator, a utility worker or a sports 36 
official,  37 
 for a gross misdemeanor, unless the assault is made with the use 38 
of a deadly weapon or the present ability to use a deadly weapon, 39 
then for a category B felony by imprisonment in the state prison for 40 
a minimum term of not less than 1 year and a maximum term of not 41 
more than 6 years, or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or by both 42 
fine and imprisonment. 43 
 (d) If the assault: 44   
 	– 58 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
  (1) Is committed by a probationer, a prisoner who is in 1 
lawful custody or confinement or a parolee upon: 2 
   (I) An officer, a school employee, a taxicab driver, a 3 
transit operator or a utility worker who is performing his or her 4 
duty; 5 
   (II) A provider of health care while the provider of health 6 
care is performing his or her duty or is on the premises where he or 7 
she performs that duty; or  8 
   (III) A sports official based on the performance of his or 9 
her duties at a sporting event; and 10 
  (2) The probationer, prisoner or parolee charged knew or 11 
should have known that the victim was an officer, a provider of 12 
health care, a school employee, a taxicab driver, a transit operator, a 13 
utility worker or a sports official,  14 
 for a category D felony as provided in NRS 193.130, unless the 15 
assault is made with the use of a deadly weapon or the present 16 
ability to use a deadly weapon, then for a category B felony by 17 
imprisonment in the state prison for a minimum term of not less 18 
than 1 year and a maximum term of not more than 6 years, or by a 19 
fine of not more than $5,000, or by both fine and imprisonment. 20 
 Sec. 73.  NRS 200.481 is hereby amended to read as follows: 21 
 200.481 1.  As used in this section: 22 
 (a) “Battery” means any willful and unlawful use of force or 23 
violence upon the person of another. 24 
 (b) “Child” means a person less than 18 years of age. 25 
 (c) “Fire-fighting agency” has the meaning ascribed to it in  26 
NRS 239B.020. 27 
 (d) “Officer” means: 28 
  (1) A person who possesses some or all of the powers of a 29 
peace officer; 30 
  (2) A person employed in a full-time salaried occupation of 31 
fire fighting for the benefit or safety of the public; 32 
  (3) A member of a volunteer fire department; 33 
  (4) A jailer, guard, matron or other correctional officer of a 34 
city or county jail or detention facility; 35 
  (5) A prosecuting attorney of an agency or political 36 
subdivision of the United States or of this State; 37 
  (6) A justice of the Supreme Court, judge of the Court of 38 
Appeals, district judge, justice of the peace, municipal judge, 39 
magistrate, court commissioner, master , judicial officer appointed 40 
by a court or referee, including, without limitation, a person acting 41 
pro tempore in a capacity listed in this subparagraph; 42 
  (7) An employee of this State or a political subdivision of 43 
this State whose official duties require the employee to make home 44 
visits; 45   
 	– 59 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
  (8) A civilian employee or a volunteer of a law enforcement 1 
agency whose official duties require the employee or volunteer to: 2 
   (I) Interact with the public; 3 
   (II) Perform tasks related to law enforcement; and 4 
   (III) Wear identification, clothing or a uniform that 5 
identifies the employee or volunteer as working or volunteering for 6 
the law enforcement agency;  7 
  (9) A civilian employee or a volunteer of a fire-fighting 8 
agency whose official duties require the employee or volunteer to: 9 
   (I) Interact with the public; 10 
   (II) Perform tasks related to fire fighting or fire 11 
prevention; and 12 
   (III) Wear identification, clothing or a uniform that 13 
identifies the employee or volunteer as working or volunteering for 14 
the fire-fighting agency; or 15 
  (10) A civilian employee or volunteer of this State or a 16 
political subdivision of this State whose official duties require the 17 
employee or volunteer to: 18 
   (I) Interact with the public; 19 
   (II) Perform tasks related to code enforcement; and 20 
   (III) Wear identification, clothing or a uniform that 21 
identifies the employee or volunteer as working or volunteering for 22 
this State or a political subdivision of this State. 23 
 (e) “Provider of health care” has the meaning ascribed to it in 24 
NRS 200.471. 25 
 (f) “School employee” means a licensed or unlicensed person 26 
employed by a board of trustees of a school district pursuant to NRS 27 
391.100 or 391.281. 28 
 (g) “Sporting event” has the meaning ascribed to it in  29 
NRS 41.630. 30 
 (h) “Sports official” has the meaning ascribed to it in  31 
NRS 41.630. 32 
 (i) “Strangulation” means intentionally applying sufficient 33 
pressure to another person to make it difficult or impossible for the 34 
person to breathe, including, without limitation, applying pressure to 35 
the neck, throat or windpipe that may prevent or hinder breathing or 36 
reduce the intake of air, or applying any pressure to the neck on 37 
either side of the windpipe, but not the windpipe itself, to stop the 38 
flow of blood to the brain via the carotid arteries. 39 
 (j) “Taxicab” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 706.8816. 40 
 (k) “Taxicab driver” means a person who operates a taxicab. 41 
 (l) “Transit operator” means a person who operates a bus or 42 
other vehicle as part of a public mass transportation system. 43   
 	– 60 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 (m) “Utility worker” means an employee of a public utility as 1 
defined in NRS 704.020 whose official duties require the employee 2 
to: 3 
  (1) Interact with the public; 4 
  (2) Perform tasks related to the operation of the public 5 
utility; and 6 
  (3) Wear identification, clothing or a uniform that identifies 7 
the employee as working for the public utility. 8 
 2.  Except as otherwise provided in NRS 200.485, a person 9 
convicted of a battery, other than a battery committed by an adult 10 
upon a child which constitutes child abuse, shall be punished: 11 
 (a) If the battery is not committed with a deadly weapon, and no 12 
substantial bodily harm to the victim results, except under 13 
circumstances where a greater penalty is provided in this section or 14 
NRS 197.090, for a misdemeanor. 15 
 (b) If the battery is not committed with a deadly weapon, and 16 
either substantial bodily harm to the victim results or the battery is 17 
committed by strangulation, for a category C felony as provided in 18 
NRS 193.130. 19 
 (c) If: 20 
  (1) The battery is committed upon: 21 
   (I) An officer, school employee, taxicab driver, transit 22 
operator or utility worker who was performing his or her duty; 23 
   (II) A provider of health care while the provider of health 24 
care is performing his or her duty or is on the premises where he or 25 
she performs that duty; or  26 
   (III) A sports official based on the performance of his or 27 
her duties at a sporting event; 28 
  (2) The officer, provider of health care, school employee, 29 
taxicab driver, transit operator, utility worker or sports official 30 
suffers substantial bodily harm or the battery is committed by 31 
strangulation; and 32 
  (3) The person charged knew or should have known that the 33 
victim was an officer, provider of health care, school employee, 34 
taxicab driver, transit operator, utility worker or sports official, 35 
 for a category B felony by imprisonment in the state prison for a 36 
minimum term of not less than 2 years and a maximum term of not 37 
more than 10 years, or by a fine of not more than $10,000, or by 38 
both fine and imprisonment. 39 
 (d) If the battery:  40 
  (1) Is committed upon: 41 
   (I) An officer, school employee, taxicab driver, transit 42 
operator or utility worker who is performing his or her duty; 43   
 	– 61 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
   (II) A provider of health care while the provider of health 1 
care is performing his or her duty or is on the premises where he or 2 
she performs that duty; or 3 
   (III) A sports official based on the performance of his or 4 
her duties at a sporting event; and 5 
  (2) The person charged knew or should have known that the 6 
victim was an officer, provider of health care, school employee, 7 
taxicab driver, transit operator, utility worker or sports official, 8 
 for a gross misdemeanor, except under circumstances where a 9 
greater penalty is provided in this section. 10 
 (e) If the battery is committed with the use of a deadly weapon, 11 
and: 12 
  (1) No substantial bodily harm to the victim results, for a 13 
category B felony by imprisonment in the state prison for a 14 
minimum term of not less than 2 years and a maximum term of not 15 
more than 10 years, and may be further punished by a fine of not 16 
more than $10,000. 17 
  (2) Substantial bodily harm to the victim results or the 18 
battery is committed by strangulation, for a category B felony by 19 
imprisonment in the state prison for a minimum term of not less 20 
than 2 years and a maximum term of not more than 15 years, and 21 
may be further punished by a fine of not more than $10,000. 22 
 (f) If the battery is committed by a probationer, a prisoner who 23 
is in lawful custody or confinement or a parolee, without the use of 24 
a deadly weapon, whether or not substantial bodily harm results and 25 
whether or not the battery is committed by strangulation, for a 26 
category B felony by imprisonment in the state prison for a 27 
minimum term of not less than 1 year and a maximum term of not 28 
more than 6 years. 29 
 (g) If the battery is committed by a probationer, a prisoner who 30 
is in lawful custody or confinement or a parolee, with the use of a 31 
deadly weapon, and: 32 
  (1) No substantial bodily harm to the victim results, for a 33 
category B felony by imprisonment in the state prison for a 34 
minimum term of not less than 2 years and a maximum term of not 35 
more than 10 years. 36 
  (2) Substantial bodily harm to the victim results or the 37 
battery is committed by strangulation, for a category B felony by 38 
imprisonment in the state prison for a minimum term of not less 39 
than 2 years and a maximum term of not more than 15 years. 40 
 Sec. 74.  NRS 247.540 is hereby amended to read as follows: 41 
 247.540 1.  The following persons may request that the 42 
personal information described in subsection 1, 2 or 3 of NRS 43 
247.520 that is contained in the records of a county recorder be kept 44 
confidential: 45   
 	– 62 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 (a) Any justice or judge in this State. 1 
 (b) Any senior justice or senior judge in this State. 2 
 (c) Any court-appointed master or judicial officer in this State. 3 
 (d) Any clerk of a court, court administrator or court executive 4 
officer in this State. 5 
 (e) Any county or city clerk or registrar of voters charged with 6 
the powers and duties relating to elections and any deputy appointed 7 
by such county or city clerk or registrar of voters in the elections 8 
division of the county or city. 9 
 (f) Any peace officer or retired peace officer. 10 
 (g) Any prosecutor. 11 
 (h) Any state or county public defender. 12 
 (i) Any person employed by the Office of the Attorney General 13 
who prosecutes or defends actions on behalf of the State of Nevada 14 
or any agency in the Executive Department of the State 15 
Government. 16 
 (j) Any person, including without limitation, a social worker, 17 
employed by this State or a political subdivision of this State who as 18 
part of his or her normal job responsibilities: 19 
  (1) Interacts with the public; and 20 
  (2) Performs tasks related to child welfare services or child 21 
protective services or tasks that expose the person to comparable 22 
dangers. 23 
 (k) Any county manager in this State. 24 
 (l) Any inspector, officer or investigator employed by this State 25 
or a political subdivision of this State designated by his or her 26 
employer: 27 
  (1) Who possesses specialized training in code enforcement; 28 
  (2) Who, as part of his or her normal job responsibilities, 29 
interacts with the public; and 30 
  (3) Whose primary duties are the performance of tasks 31 
related to code enforcement. 32 
 (m) The spouse, domestic partner or minor child of a person 33 
described in paragraphs (a) to (l), inclusive. 34 
 (n) The surviving spouse, domestic partner or minor child of a 35 
person described in paragraphs (a) to (l), inclusive, who was killed 36 
in the performance of his or her duties. 37 
 (o) Any person for whom a fictitious address has been issued 38 
pursuant to NRS 217.462 to 217.471, inclusive. 39 
 2.  Any nonprofit entity in this State that maintains a 40 
confidential location for the purpose of providing shelter to victims 41 
of domestic violence may request that the personal information 42 
described in subsection 4 of NRS 247.520 that is contained in the 43 
records of a county recorder be kept confidential. 44 
 3.  As used in this section: 45   
 	– 63 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 (a) “Child protective services” has the meaning ascribed to it in 1 
NRS 432B.042. 2 
 (b) “Child welfare services” has the meaning ascribed to it in 3 
NRS 432B.044. 4 
 (c) “Code enforcement” means the enforcement of laws, 5 
ordinances or codes regulating public nuisances or the public health, 6 
safety and welfare. 7 
 (d) “Peace officer” means: 8 
  (1) Any person upon whom some or all of the powers of a 9 
peace officer are conferred pursuant to NRS 289.150 to 289.360, 10 
inclusive; and 11 
  (2) Any person: 12 
   (I) Who resides in this State; 13 
   (II) Whose primary duties are to enforce the law; and 14 
   (III) Who is employed by a law enforcement agency of 15 
the Federal Government, including, without limitation, a ranger for 16 
the National Park Service and an agent employed by the Federal 17 
Bureau of Investigation, Secret Service, United States Department 18 
of Homeland Security or United States Department of the Treasury. 19 
 (e) “Prosecutor” has the meaning ascribed to it in  20 
NRS 241A.030. 21 
 (f) “Social worker” means any person licensed under chapter 22 
641B of NRS. 23 
 Sec. 75.  NRS 250.140 is hereby amended to read as follows: 24 
 250.140 1.  The following persons may request that personal 25 
information described in subsection 1, 2 or 3 of NRS 250.120 that is 26 
contained in the records of a county assessor be kept confidential: 27 
 (a) Any justice or judge in this State. 28 
 (b) Any senior justice or senior judge in this State. 29 
 (c) Any court-appointed master or judicial officer in this State. 30 
 (d) Any clerk of a court, court administrator or court executive 31 
officer in this State. 32 
 (e) Any county or city clerk or registrar of voters charged with 33 
the powers and duties relating to elections and any deputy appointed 34 
by such county or city clerk or registrar of voters in the elections 35 
division of the county or city. 36 
 (f) Any peace officer or retired peace officer. 37 
 (g) Any prosecutor. 38 
 (h) Any state or county public defender. 39 
 (i) Any person employed by the Office of the Attorney General 40 
who prosecutes or defends actions on behalf of the State of Nevada 41 
or any agency in the Executive Department of the State 42 
Government. 43   
 	– 64 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 (j) Any person, including without limitation, a social worker, 1 
employed by this State or a political subdivision of this State who as 2 
part of his or her normal job responsibilities: 3 
  (1) Interacts with the public; and 4 
  (2) Performs tasks related to child welfare services or child 5 
protective services or tasks that expose the person to comparable 6 
dangers. 7 
 (k) Any county manager in this State. 8 
 (l) Any inspector, officer or investigator employed by this State 9 
or a political subdivision of this State designated by his or her 10 
employer: 11 
  (1) Who possesses specialized training in code enforcement; 12 
  (2) Who, as part of his or her normal job responsibilities, 13 
interacts with the public; and 14 
  (3) Whose primary duties are the performance of tasks 15 
related to code enforcement. 16 
 (m) The spouse, domestic partner or minor child of a person 17 
described in paragraphs (a) to (l), inclusive. 18 
 (n) The surviving spouse, domestic partner or minor child of a 19 
person described in paragraphs (a) to (l), inclusive, who was killed 20 
in the performance of his or her duties. 21 
 (o) Any person for whom a fictitious address has been issued 22 
pursuant to NRS 217.462 to 217.471, inclusive. 23 
 2.  Any nonprofit entity in this State that maintains a 24 
confidential location for the purpose of providing shelter to victims 25 
of domestic violence may request that the personal information 26 
described in subsection 4 of NRS 250.120 that is contained in the 27 
records of a county assessor be kept confidential. 28 
 3. As used in this section: 29 
 (a) “Child protective services” has the meaning ascribed to it in 30 
NRS 432B.042. 31 
 (b) “Child welfare services” has the meaning ascribed to it in 32 
NRS 432B.044. 33 
 (c) “Code enforcement” means the enforcement of laws, 34 
ordinances or codes regulating public nuisances or the public health, 35 
safety and welfare. 36 
 (d) “Peace officer” means: 37 
  (1) Any person upon whom some or all of the powers of a 38 
peace officer are conferred pursuant to NRS 289.150 to 289.360, 39 
inclusive; and 40 
  (2) Any person: 41 
   (I) Who resides in this State; 42 
   (II) Whose primary duties are to enforce the law; and 43 
   (III) Who is employed by a law enforcement agency of 44 
the Federal Government, including, without limitation, a ranger for 45   
 	– 65 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
the National Park Service and an agent employed by the Federal 1 
Bureau of Investigation, Secret Service, United States Department 2 
of Homeland Security or United States Department of the Treasury. 3 
 (e) “Prosecutor” has the meaning ascribed to it in  4 
NRS 241A.030. 5 
 (f) “Social worker” means any person licensed under chapter 6 
641B of NRS. 7 
 Sec. 76.  NRS 293.908 is hereby amended to read as follows: 8 
 293.908 1.  The following persons may request that personal 9 
information contained in the records of the Secretary of State or a 10 
county or city clerk be kept confidential: 11 
 (a) Any justice or judge in this State. 12 
 (b) Any senior justice or senior judge in this State. 13 
 (c) Any court-appointed master or judicial officer in this State. 14 
 (d) Any clerk of a court, court administrator or court executive 15 
officer in this State. 16 
 (e) Any county or city clerk or registrar of voters charged with 17 
the powers and duties relating to elections and any deputy appointed 18 
by such county or city clerk or registrar of voters in the elections 19 
division of the county or city. 20 
 (f) Any peace officer or retired peace officer. 21 
 (g) Any prosecutor. 22 
 (h) Any state or county public defender. 23 
 (i) Any person employed by the Office of the Attorney General 24 
who prosecutes or defends actions on behalf of the State of Nevada 25 
or any agency in the Executive Department of the State 26 
Government. 27 
 (j) Any person, including without limitation, a social worker, 28 
employed by this State or a political subdivision of this State who as 29 
part of his or her normal job responsibilities: 30 
  (1) Interacts with the public; and 31 
  (2) Performs tasks related to child welfare services or child 32 
protective services or tasks that expose the person to comparable 33 
dangers. 34 
 (k) Any county manager in this State. 35 
 (l) Any inspector, officer or investigator employed by this State 36 
or a political subdivision of this State designated by his or her 37 
employer: 38 
  (1) Who possess specialized training in code enforcement; 39 
  (2) Who, as part of his or her normal job responsibilities, 40 
interacts with the public; and 41 
  (3) Whose primary duties are the performance of tasks 42 
related to code enforcement. 43 
 (m) The spouse, domestic partner or minor child of a person 44 
described in paragraphs (a) to (l), inclusive. 45   
 	– 66 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 (n) The surviving spouse, domestic partner or minor child of a 1 
person described in paragraphs (a) to (l), inclusive, who was killed 2 
in the performance of his or her duties. 3 
 2.  As used in this section: 4 
 (a) “Child protective services” has the meaning ascribed to it in 5 
NRS 432B.042. 6 
 (b) “Child welfare services” has the meaning ascribed to it in 7 
NRS 432B.044. 8 
 (c) “Code enforcement” means the enforcement of laws, 9 
ordinances or codes regulating public nuisances or the public health, 10 
safety and welfare. 11 
 (d) “Peace officer” means: 12 
  (1) Any person upon whom some or all of the powers of a 13 
peace officer are conferred pursuant to NRS 289.150 to 289.360, 14 
inclusive; and 15 
  (2) Any person: 16 
   (I) Who resides in this State; 17 
   (II) Whose primary duties are to enforce the law; and 18 
   (III) Who is employed by a law enforcement agency of 19 
the Federal Government, including, without limitation, a ranger for 20 
the National Park Service and an agent employed by the Federal 21 
Bureau of Investigation, Secret Service, United States Department 22 
of Homeland Security or United States Department of the Treasury. 23 
 (e) “Prosecutor” has the meaning ascribed to it in  24 
NRS 241A.030. 25 
 (f) “Social worker” means any person licensed under chapter 26 
641B of NRS. 27 
 Sec. 77.  NRS 481.091 is hereby amended to read as follows: 28 
 481.091 1.  The following persons may request that the 29 
Department display an alternate address on the person’s driver’s 30 
license, commercial driver’s license or identification card: 31 
 (a) Any justice or judge in this State. 32 
 (b) Any senior justice or senior judge in this State. 33 
 (c) Any court-appointed master or judicial officer in this State. 34 
 (d) Any clerk of the court, court administrator or court executive 35 
officer in this State. 36 
 (e) Any prosecutor who as part of his or her normal job 37 
responsibilities prosecutes persons for: 38 
  (1) Crimes that are punishable as category A felonies; or 39 
  (2) Domestic violence. 40 
 (f) Any state or county public defender who as part of his or her 41 
normal job responsibilities defends persons for: 42 
  (1) Crimes that are punishable as category A felonies; or 43 
  (2) Domestic violence. 44   
 	– 67 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 (g) Any person employed by the Office of the Attorney General 1 
who prosecutes or defends actions on behalf of the State of Nevada 2 
or any agency in the Executive Department of the State 3 
Government. 4 
 (h) Any person, including, without limitation, a social worker, 5 
employed by this State or a political subdivision of this State who as 6 
part of his or her normal job responsibilities: 7 
  (1) Interacts with the public; and 8 
  (2) Performs tasks related to child welfare services or child 9 
protective services or tasks that expose the person to comparable 10 
dangers. 11 
 (i) Any county manager in this State.  12 
 (j) Any inspector, officer or investigator employed by this State 13 
or a political subdivision of this State designated by his or her 14 
employer: 15 
  (1) Who possesses specialized training in code enforcement; 16 
  (2) Who, as part of his or her normal job responsibilities, 17 
interacts with the public; and 18 
  (3) Whose primary duties are the performance of tasks 19 
related to code enforcement. 20 
 (k) Any county or city clerk or registrar of voters charged with 21 
the powers and duties relating to elections and any deputy appointed 22 
by the county or city clerk or registrar of voters in the elections 23 
division of the county or city. 24 
 (l) The spouse, domestic partner or minor child of a person 25 
described in paragraphs (a) to (k), inclusive. 26 
 (m) The surviving spouse, domestic partner or minor child of a 27 
person described in paragraphs (a) to (k), inclusive, who was killed 28 
in the performance of his or her duties. 29 
 (n) Any person for whom a fictitious address has been issued 30 
pursuant to NRS 217.462 to 217.471, inclusive. 31 
 2.  A person who wishes to have an alternate address displayed 32 
on his or her driver’s license, commercial driver’s license or 33 
identification card pursuant to this section must submit to the 34 
Department satisfactory proof: 35 
 (a) That he or she is a person described in subsection 1; and 36 
 (b) Of the person’s address of principal residence and mailing 37 
address, if different from the address of principal residence. 38 
 3.  A person who obtains a driver’s license, commercial driver’s 39 
license or identification card that displays an alternate address 40 
pursuant to this section may subsequently submit a request to the 41 
Department to have his or her address of principal residence 42 
displayed on his or her driver’s license, commercial driver’s license 43 
or identification card instead of the alternate address. 44   
 	– 68 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 4.  The Department may adopt regulations to carry out the 1 
provisions of this section. 2 
 5.  As used in this section: 3 
 (a) “Child protective services” has the meaning ascribed to it in 4 
NRS 432B.042. 5 
 (b) “Child welfare services” has the meaning ascribed to it in 6 
NRS 432B.044. 7 
 (c) “Code enforcement” means the enforcement of laws, 8 
ordinances or codes regulating public nuisances or the public health, 9 
safety and welfare. 10 
 (d) “Social worker” means any person licensed under chapter 11 
641B of NRS. 12 
 Sec. 78.  NRS 483.443 is hereby amended to read as follows: 13 
 483.443 1.  The Department shall, upon receiving notification 14 
from a district attorney or other public agency collecting support for 15 
children pursuant to NRS 425.510 that a court has determined that a 16 
person: 17 
 (a) Has failed to comply with a subpoena or warrant relating to a 18 
proceeding to establish paternity or to establish or enforce an 19 
obligation for the support of a child; or 20 
 (b) Is in arrears in the payment for the support of one or more 21 
children, 22 
 send a written notice to that person that his or her driver’s license 23 
is subject to suspension. 24 
 2.  The notice must include: 25 
 (a) The reason for the suspension of the license; 26 
 (b) The information set forth in subsections 3, 5 and 6; and 27 
 (c) Any other information the Department deems necessary. 28 
 3.  If a person who receives a notice pursuant to subsection 1 29 
does not, within 30 days after receiving the notice, comply with the 30 
subpoena or warrant or satisfy the arrearage as required in NRS 31 
425.510, the Department shall suspend the license without providing 32 
the person with an opportunity for a hearing. 33 
 4.  The Department shall suspend immediately the license of a 34 
defendant if so ordered pursuant to NRS 62B.420 or 484A.7047. 35 
 5.  The Department shall reinstate the driver’s license of a 36 
person whose license was suspended pursuant to this section if it 37 
receives: 38 
 (a) A notice from any of the following: 39 
  (1) The district attorney or other public agency pursuant to 40 
NRS 425.510 that the person has complied with the subpoena or 41 
warrant or has satisfied the arrearage pursuant to that section. 42 
  (2) A traffic commissioner, referee, hearing master, judicial 43 
officer appointed by a court, municipal judge, justice of the peace 44 
or district judge, as applicable, that a delinquency for which the 45   
 	– 69 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
suspension was ordered pursuant to NRS 484A.7047 has been 1 
discharged. 2 
  (3) A judge of the juvenile court that an unsatisfied civil 3 
judgment for which the suspension was ordered pursuant to NRS 4 
62B.420 has been satisfied; and 5 
 (b) Payment of the fee for reinstatement of a suspended license 6 
prescribed in NRS 483.410. 7 
 6.  The Department shall not require a person whose driver’s 8 
license was suspended pursuant to this section to submit to the tests 9 
and other requirements which are adopted by regulation pursuant to 10 
subsection 1 of NRS 483.495 as a condition of the reinstatement of 11 
the license. 12 
 Sec. 79.  NRS 609.245 is hereby amended to read as follows: 13 
 609.245 Every person who employs and every parent, guardian 14 
or other person having the care, custody or control of such child, 15 
who permits to be employed, by another, any child under the age of 16 
14 years at any labor whatever, in or in connection with any store, 17 
shop, factory, mine or any inside employment not connected with 18 
farmwork, housework or employment as a performer in a motion 19 
picture, without the written permission for the employment signed 20 
by a judge of the district court of the county of the child’s residence, 21 
or signed by a juvenile [master,] judicial officer, referee or 22 
probation officer authorized to sign such a permit by a judge of the 23 
district court of the county of the child’s residence, is guilty of a 24 
misdemeanor. 25 
 Sec. 80.  The amendatory provisions of sections 30 and 64 of 26 
this act do not apply to any proceedings that began before January 1, 27 
2026. 28 
 Sec. 81.  1. The Legislative Counsel shall, in preparing 29 
supplements to the Nevada Administrative Code, appropriately 30 
change any references to an officer whose name is changed pursuant 31 
to the provisions of this act to refer to the appropriate officer. 32 
 2. Any contracts or other agreements entered into by an officer 33 
whose name has been changed pursuant to the provisions of this act 34 
to another officer are binding upon the officer to which the 35 
responsibility for the administration of the provisions of the contract 36 
or other agreement has been transferred. Such contracts and other 37 
agreements may be enforced by the officer to which the 38 
responsibility for the enforcement of the provisions of the contract 39 
or other agreement has been transferred. 40 
 3. Any action taken by an officer whose name has been 41 
changed pursuant to the provisions of this act to another officer 42 
remains in effect as if taken by the officer to which the 43 
responsibility for the enforcement of such actions has been 44 
transferred. 45   
 	– 70 – 
 
 
- 	*AB344* 
 Sec. 82.  The provisions of NRS 354.599 do not apply to any 1 
additional expenses of a local government that are related to the 2 
provisions of this act. 3 
 Sec. 83.  1. This section becomes effective upon passage and 4 
approval. 5 
 2. Sections 1 to 82, inclusive, of this act become effective: 6 
 (a) Upon passage and approval for the purpose of adopting any 7 
regulations and performing any other preparatory administrative 8 
tasks that are necessary to carry out the provisions of this act; and 9 
 (b) On January 1, 2026, for all other purposes. 10 
 
H