On Monday, April 28, 2025, the Las Vegas Deaf Seniors (LVDS), along with members of the broader Deaf community, visited the Nevada Legislature Building to champion equitable health care access for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals.

LVDS formally submitted Assembly Bill 395 (AB395), a proposed act aimed at strengthening health care accessibility. The bill seeks to:

Require hospitals, doctors’ offices, and certain health facilities to provide qualified sign language interpreters for patients who are Deaf or hard of hearing.

Specify conditions under which remote interpreting services may be used, ensuring they meet strict standards for quality and accessibility.

Establish guidelines for how remote interpretation must be provided to safeguard effective communication.

Direct the Department of Health and Human Services to maintain a list of facilities offering specialized services for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals.

Include additional provisions to improve access and equity within Nevada’s health care system.

This marks a significant step toward ensuring that Deaf and hard of hearing Nevadans receive the quality care they deserve—without language barriers.