Establishes the Hope Card Program for applicants who have been granted an extended order for protection against domestic violence. (BDR 3-180)
AB 159 establishes Nevada’s Hope Card Program for people who have been granted an extended order for protection against domestic violence. The program is to be developed and administered by the Office of the Attorney General, in coordination with district and justice courts, and is intended to give protected parties a convenient proof-of-order card upon request. The card may be issued as a physical wallet-sized card, a digital card, or both, and must be provided as soon as practicable, but no later than 10 business days after the extended order is granted.
The bill specifies the information that may appear on the Hope Card, including the protected person’s name and date of birth, court and case information, order dates, and optional details such as the adverse party’s identifying information, a photo if available, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline number. The Attorney General may not charge a fee for the card. The bill also creates a misdemeanor offense for knowingly presenting a fraudulent or expired Hope Card with the intent to falsely claim protection under an extended order. It makes conforming changes to existing domestic violence order statutes and requires applicants for extended orders to indicate whether they want a Hope Card.
In practical terms, AB 159 would amend Nevada’s domestic violence protective order laws in NRS Chapter 33 by adding a new state-administered identification and verification tool for survivors. It also interacts with existing confidentiality provisions for applicants who fear disclosure of their address or contact information, preserving those protections while allowing necessary court and criminal justice access. The bill takes effect immediately for administrative preparation, with the substantive provisions effective January 1, 2026.
The overall sentiment reflected in the bill text is supportive of domestic violence survivors and focused on improving access, safety, and ease of proof for those with extended protective orders. Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, there is no documented public debate in the supplied materials. The main policy tension apparent from the text is balancing survivor safety and convenience against the risk of misuse, which the bill addresses through card expiration rules, limited issuance, and a misdemeanor penalty for fraudulent use.
AB 159 would add a new section to Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 33 and amend existing domestic violence order procedures to incorporate the Hope Card Program. It would require the Attorney General to develop and administer the program, coordinate with courts, issue cards at no cost, and establish card format and content standards. The bill also amends the application process for extended protective orders so applicants can request a Hope Card at the time of filing, and it creates a new misdemeanor offense for fraudulent or expired card use. These changes affect the Attorney General’s office, the courts, domestic violence survivors seeking extended orders, and law enforcement or others who may need to verify the existence of a protective order.
The bill appears broadly supportive of domestic violence victims and is framed as a safety and access measure rather than a controversial policy shift. The text emphasizes convenience, confidentiality, and rapid issuance of proof of protection, suggesting a favorable legislative intent toward survivors. No committee testimony or vote record was provided, so there is no evidence in the supplied materials of organized opposition or divided sentiment.
The principal issue of potential contention is the possibility of misuse of the Hope Card, which the bill addresses by making fraudulent or expired card presentation a misdemeanor. Another possible point of concern is the inclusion of sensitive identifying information on the card, such as the adverse party’s description or photograph, though the bill makes that information optional and leaves format decisions to the Attorney General. The bill also preserves confidentiality for applicants who do not want their address disclosed, indicating an effort to balance safety with administrative and enforcement needs.