Legislature news briefs

Thursday, May 27, 1999 | 10:23 a.m.

Assembly approves changes in program

A pilot program designed to reduce the number of times foster children have to move from home to home won approval Wednesday in the Assembly.

Senate Bill 288, by Sen. Maurice Washington, R-Sparks, mandates joint state-county custody of foster children and provides for close cooperation between the state Division of Child and Family Services and local government agencies in foster care cases.

The bill will also end a disparity in foster care payments, requiring the county and state to pay the same.

Senate calls for three-day weekend

The Senate passed a bill Wednesday turning Nevada Day into a three-day weekend.

Senate Bill 31, by Sen. Mark Amodei, R-Carson City, moves the official state holiday to the last Friday in October, instead of celebrating it on Oct. 31.

The lone, loud objection to the bill was made by Sen. Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas.

To satisfy historical purists, the original bill was amended to clarify that Oct. 31 remains Nevada Day, but that it may be officially celebrated on whatever day is the final Friday in October.

Advocates argued the event now can fall on any day of the week, and it's tough for some entrants -- such as school marching bands from distant cities -- to get to Carson City for a midweek parade.

FOR THE RECORD

The Assembly approved a bill to require law enforcement agencies to pay for health and life insurance for families of officers killed in the line of duty. Senate Bill 404, approved unanimously, was sponsored by Sen. Mark James, R-Las Vegas, and co-sponsored by all other senators.

A bill to increase prison sentences up to 10 years for inmates who throw urine or feces on guards was unanimously approved by the Assembly. Senate Bill 149 also would strip prisoners of so-called good time credits for exposing prison employees, other inmates or visitors to bodily fluids.