Nevada Revised Statutes 289.680 – Policies and procedures for interacting with persons suffering from behavioral health issues; use of behavioral health specialists
1. Each law enforcement agency in this State shall:
Terms Used In Nevada Revised Statutes 289.680
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- Law enforcement agency: means any agency, office, bureau, department, unit or division created by any statute, ordinance or rule which:
(a) Has a duty to enforce the law; and
(b) Employs any person upon whom some or all of the powers of a peace officer are conferred pursuant to Nevada Revised Statutes 289.010
- person: means a natural person, any form of business or social organization and any other nongovernmental legal entity including, but not limited to, a corporation, partnership, association, trust or unincorporated organization. See Nevada Revised Statutes 0.039
- physician: means a person who engages in the practice of medicine, including osteopathy and homeopathy. See Nevada Revised Statutes 0.040
(a) Establish a policy and procedure for interacting with persons who suffer from a behavioral health issue, including, without limitation, a mental illness as defined in NRS 176A.045, an acute mental health crisis, a developmental disability or an intellectual disability as those terms are defined in NRS 435.007 or a substance use disorder; and
(b) Subject to the availability of funds appropriated for such a purpose, contract with or employ a behavioral health specialist.
2. As used in this section, ‘behavioral health specialist’ means a physician who is certified by the Board of Medical Examiners, a psychologist, a physician assistant or an advanced practice registered nurse who is certified to practice as a behavioral health specialist, or a person who is licensed as a clinical social worker, clinical professional counselor or marriage and family therapist.