Existing law: (1) creates the Nevada Commission on Aging within the Aging and Disability Services Division of the Department of Health and Human Services; (2) requires the membership of the Commission to include two members of the governing body of a county and two members of the governing body of a city; and (3) requires the Commission to perform certain duties relating to the needs of and programs for aging persons. (NRS 427A.032, 427A.038) Section 1 of this bill authorizes the Governor to appoint any officer or employee of a county or city government, as applicable, to those positions on the Commission. Assembly Bill No. 513 of the 2001 Legislative Session appropriated money to the Department of Human Resources (now the Department of Health and Human Services) to develop a plan to: (1) ensure the availability of services for persons with disabilities; (2) support the ability of persons with disabilities to lead independent lives; (3) continue efforts to provide community-based services to persons with disabilities; and (4) ensure persons with disabilities receive the services they are entitled to pursuant to state or federal law. (Chapter 541, Statutes of Nevada 2001, at page 2705) Existing law requires the Division to report the progress of carrying out the plan and authorizes the Nevada Commission on Services for Persons with Disabilities to carry out the plan. (NRS 427A.040, 427A.1217) Section 2 of this bill requires the Division, as it determines necessary, to update the parts of this plan applicable to the Division. Sections 2 and 3 of this bill update references to the plan. Existing federal law requires: (1) each state to establish a Statewide Independent Living Council consisting of persons with disabilities, providers of services to such persons and other related persons; and (2) the chairperson of the Council and directors of centers for independent living to jointly develop a state plan for independent living, which must include various provisions to promote independent living for persons with disabilities. (29 U.S.C. ยงยง 796c, 796d) Existing law requires the Nevada Commission on Services for Persons with Disabilities to seek ways to avoid unnecessary duplication of services to persons with disabilities and establish priorities for the Division based on the needs of persons with disabilities. (NRS 427A.1217) Section 3 of this bill requires the Commission to: (1) coordinate with the Statewide Independent Living Council to seek ways to avoid unnecessary duplication of services; and (2) establish priorities for the Division in conjunction with the state plan for independent living. Existing law establishes: (1) the Office of the Community Advocate for Elder Rights within the Division; and (2) the position of Community Advocate for Elder Rights to perform the functions of the Office, which include advocating for issues relating to aging persons and certain other duties to assist such persons. (NRS 427A.300, 427A.310) Sections 4 and 5 of this bill shorten the name of the Office and the title of the Community Advocate. Existing law creates the Nevada Commission for Persons Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing and prescribes various powers and duties of the Commission relating to services and programs for persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired. Existing law authorizes the Commission to create and annually review a 5-year strategic plan consisting of short-term and long-term goals for services provided by or on behalf of the Division. (NRS 427A.750) Section 6 of this bill abolishes that 5-year strategic plan and instead authorizes the Commission to develop a statewide plan to provide services to persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 427A.032, 427A.040, 427A.1217, 427A.300, 427A.310, 427A.750
As Enrolled: 427A.032, 427A.040, 427A.1217, 427A.300, 427A.310, 427A.750