New bills require police training on autism, insurance coverage for opioid alternatives
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Police would be required to complete four hours of training in how to interact with people with autism and other developmental disabilities if a bill introduced Monday in Carson City becomes law.
A study of 8-year-olds conducted in 2020 found that one in every 36 are affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which impairs their social interactions. The prevalence of ASD has increased dramatically, going from 1:150 in 2000 to 1:44 in 2018, and 1:36 in the 2020 study, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ASD is nearly four times as common in boys compared to levels found in girls.
Senate Bill 380 (SB380) is an effort to make interactions between police and people with ASD less likely to result in harm. When a person with ASD has a weapon, the situation can be deadly.
The bill requires continuing education for peace officers on interactions and how to recognize and respond to persons with developmental disabilities, including ASD.
Democratic State Sen. James Ohrenschall sponsored the bill.
Another bill introduced Monday would require health insurance companies to cover opioid alternative drugs, commonly used in helping people break addictions to opioids.
SB377, sponsored by Republican State Sen. John Steinbeck, would also empower the Nevada Commissioner of Insurance to suspend or revoke the certification of any health maintenance organization that failed to comply.
Steinbeck, fire chief for the Clark County Fire Department since 2020, introduced another bill Monday that calls for tougher penalties on crimes committed in Nevada resort hotel. Find details on that bill (SB371) here: Proposal raises penalties for crimes at Las Vegas Strip, Nevada resorts
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