NV SB372

Parents or guardians who seek to admit a child into a public or private mental health facility or hospital due to the child's behavioral health needs posing a risk to family safety will not be considered to have abused or neglected the child under Nevada law.

Parents or guardians who bring a biological, foster, or adoptive child with behavioral health needs that pose a risk to family safety into the home will not be deemed to have abused or neglected other children in the household.

The bill provides protection from termination of parental rights proceedings in both circumstances described above, adding these as exceptions to the definition of "injury" to a child's health or welfare under NRS 128.013.

Criminal liability for child abuse or neglect under NRS 200.508 will not apply solely because a person responsible for a child's welfare seeks mental health admission for the child or brings in another child with behavioral health needs that pose family safety risks.

The bill amends three Nevada statutes (NRS 432B.020, NRS 128.013, and NRS 200.508) to provide consistent protections across child welfare, parental rights, and criminal law contexts.