A series of consumer protection bills is moving through the Nevada legislature as part of National Consumer Protection Week. Assembly Republicans are showcasing proposals designed to protect vulnerable Nevadans from fraud and scams that target people during some of life’s most challenging moments.
Why This Matters to Conservatives
These bills represent the kind of limited government approach that conservatives often support – providing information and tools to help citizens make better choices without creating new bureaucracies or burdensome regulations that hamper economic growth.
The proposals focus on empowering individuals through better information rather than expanding government control, aligning with conservative values of personal responsibility and freedom of choice. When government serves as an information provider rather than a regulator, markets can function more efficiently.
Hospice Patient Protections
Something concerning is happening in Clark County’s hospice industry. The number of hospice providers has exploded from 60 in 2020 to more than 270 today – an alarming growth that exceeds even California’s rate per Medicare recipients and raises questions about quality of care.
Dr. Rebecca Edgeworth, an Assemblywoman, is introducing Assembly Bill 161 to create a Hospice Patient Bill of Rights to address these concerns.
“As a physician, I could not be more committed to ensuring Nevadans have access to compassionate, high-quality care,” explained Edgeworth. “This bill will help patients make wise decisions when looking for hospice care so they can avoid scammers and frauds.”
This bill aims to help families make informed choices during one of life’s most difficult transitions, providing a framework for evaluating service providers without imposing excessive regulations.
Dating Safety Measures
Assemblyman Toby Yurek is addressing another consumer safety issue with Assembly Bill 162, which would create a searchable database of domestic violence convictions for Nevadans concerned about potential partners.
The bill comes after a recent tragedy where an elderly Nevada man was killed by someone he met through online dating, highlighting the risks many face in today’s digital world.
“The inspiration for this bill comes from the tragic story of Alessandra Barlas, a 27-year-old woman murdered in 2015 by her ex-boyfriend in California,” said Yurek. “It was later discovered that her killer had previously served time in prison for attempting to murder another former girlfriend, here in Nevada. Had Alessandra known about her partner’s violent history, she might have made different choices that could have saved her life.”
What Comes Next
The Hospice Patient Bill of Rights will be heard in the Health & Human Services Committee on Wednesday, March 6, 2025, at 1:30 PM in the Nevada legislature.
The dating safety bill heads to the Judiciary Committee on Friday, March 7, 2025, at 8 AM, where lawmakers will debate its merits and potential implementation challenges.
How Conservatives Can Respond
If you support these consumer protection measures:
- Contact your Assembly member to voice support for information-based solutions
- Attend the upcoming committee hearings to show grassroots interest
- Share personal experiences with hospice care or dating safety concerns
- Emphasize how information-based solutions promote market-based choices rather than government mandates
These proposals represent the kind of thoughtful, targeted approach to government that conservatives typically favor – addressing specific problems without creating expensive new programs or restricting personal freedoms that form the foundation of America’s economic system.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
