Rural RBHPB Call for Policy Proposals

Over the course of the next few months, the Rural Regional Behavioral Health Policy Board (RRBHPB) will be working to identify a subject for its bill draft request (BDR) for the 84th (2027) session of the Nevada Legislature. The RRBHPB is interested in hearing proposals for BDR topics from stakeholders that will improve the statewide behavioral health system. Please submit all proposals using this form no later than April 24, 2026, to be considered.

Proposal review will be ongoing, so please submit your proposal at the earliest possible time; the first round of policy proposals will be heard by the Board at its meeting on April 7, 2026, with the final proposals being heard at the May 5, 2026 meeting.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the Rural Regional Behavioral Health Coordinator (Valerie Haskin) directly: vcauhape@thefamilysupportcenter.org

· Must affect Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS). Projects or policy changes that do not require either alteration of existing statute, a new addition to statute, or do not otherwise require legislative action will not be considered for the BDR.

· Must focus on behavioral health. The RRBHPB defines “behavioral health” as mental health alone, substance use or abuse alone, the two co-occurring, and one or both co-existing with physical ailments or conditions. Proposals that do not focus primarily on behavioral health systems and/or service provision will not be considered.

· Reasonable case for the change. Proposals should outline (1) the current problem, including the scope of the issue and who is affected; (2) what changes to the statute are proposed; (3) projected statewide outcomes from the change proposed. While the RRBHPB keeps the region it serves as its highest priority, changes to statutes generally affect the entire state. If the statute should affect specific counties (based on population size or population density), special groups, disability types, or other specific groups, that information should be outlined.

· Evidence base for the change. While we support novel ideas and solutions to Nevada’s unique problems, any evidence supporting the projected outcomes will result from the proposed changes, which will assist the RRBHPB in building an effective bill through the BDR process.

· Specific statute changes. The RRBHPB and its Coordinator will vet all topics through a community stakeholder process to identify specific statutory changes and language adjustments. Still, any information regarding specific statutory language that should be changed, and how the language can be changed, will be highly helpful.

· Large impact. As the RRBHPB is only afforded one BDR each legislative session, it prefers to utilize the BDR to affect positive changes for larger groups or other measures of impact.

· Avoids a fiscal note. As Nevada has limited funds, the RRBHPB prefers to pursue BDR topics that do not create a negative fiscal impact on state or local government entities. If a fiscal note (costs to state or local government entities) would be necessary, information regarding projected long-term cost-savings or return on investment (ROI) should be included in the proposal, if available.