Nevada Domestic Violence Law Changes in 2025 and 2026

Changes to Nevada domestic violence laws adopted in 2025 took effect in 2025 and 2026, but they did not change the domestic battery penalties in NRS 200.485. The Legislature widened the legal definition of domestic violence in NRS 33.018, tightened the rules for treatment programs, and changed how some protective orders are served and enforced. If you face a charge or a protective order, a lawyer who handles domestic violence defense in Las Vegas can tell you which rules apply to the relevant dates in your case.

Key takeaways

• The penalty ranges in NRS 200.485 remain unchanged: the statute's history note lists no amendment after 2023.
• A November 2025 special-session law, Assembly Bill 4, added kidnapping and attempts or solicitation to the acts that count as domestic violence under NRS 33.018. It took effect January 1, 2026.
• Senate Bill 84 requires domestic violence treatment programs to use evidence-based curriculum and materials, effective October 1, 2025.
• Assembly Bills 309 and 369 changed paperwork and enforcement rules for protective orders.
• Which version of a law applies to your case can depend on the date of the alleged act, so ask a lawyer about your own dates.

Which changes to Nevada domestic violence laws took effect?

Four changes are covered here. None of them rewrote the criminal penalties for domestic battery in NRS 200.485. They changed the definition of domestic violence, the treatment programs courts can order, and the rules for protective orders.

You can confirm each row in the bill text and the current statutes. Our sources list at the end links to them.

What counts as domestic violence under NRS 33.018 now?

AI illustrations; not a real home or case.

NRS 33.018 defines domestic violence as certain acts committed against a spouse or former spouse, a relative by blood or marriage, someone you have dated, someone you share a child with, and some others. The 2026 change added two kinds of acts.

The list already included battery, assault, coercion, sexual assault, a course of harassing conduct, false imprisonment and pandering. Assembly Bill 4 added:

• Kidnapping. It is now listed as its own act in paragraph (h).
• Attempt or solicitation. An attempt or solicitation to commit any act in paragraphs (a) through (h) now counts as well.

The statute still excludes siblings and cousins unless they are in a custodial or guardianship relationship. Dating relationship still means "frequent, intimate associations primarily characterized by the expectation of affectional or sexual involvement."

The same bill also widened Nevada's stalking law. Its summary says certain courses of conduct that make the victim fear for the immediate safety of a person in a dating relationship with the victim can now be stalking, and that stalking covers both in-person and electronic acts.

Did the penalties for domestic battery change?

No change appears in the penalty subsections. NRS 200.485 is the statute for a "battery which constitutes domestic violence," and its history note at the Legislature's website lists amendments through 2023 only.

The ordinary first and second offenses within seven years are misdemeanors; a third is a felony. Greater penalties can apply, including cases involving a qualifying prior felony, a deadly weapon or a victim known or reasonably known to be pregnant (NRS 200.485(1)–(5); NRS 200.481). The table summarizes common categories, not every exception, in the revision dated September 9, 2026.

Counseling is also required on top of these penalties. A first offense within seven years means weekly sessions of at least 1½ hours for at least six months, and a second offense means at least 12 months. A conviction also carries a firearm prohibition under NRS 202.360.

Our guide to domestic violence charges in Las Vegas walks through the arrest process and common defenses. This article stays on what is new.

What changed for domestic violence treatment programs?

Senate Bill 84 added one requirement to NRS 439.258. State regulations for domestic violence treatment programs must now require that a program's curriculum and instructional materials be evidence-based.

That matters because NRS 200.485(6) requires the court to order counseling in a program "certified pursuant to NRS 439.258" after a domestic battery conviction. The statute already required regulations covering a victim-safety module, evidence-based practices and treatment based on the participant's assessment. Senate Bill 84 added the curriculum and materials rule, and it kept the provision that lets an out-of-state program become certified for Nevada residents ordered into treatment.

The bill sets standards for programs. It does not change the counseling lengths in NRS 200.485(6). If you are choosing a program, ask your lawyer to confirm that the provider is certified in Nevada before you enroll.

How did the protective order rules change?

Two 2025 bills changed protective orders, and they matter most to people who are in custody or who move between states.

Assembly Bill 309 (people in custody). When a temporary order against someone in custody is paired with an application for an extended order, the temporary order must now carry a specific notice. It tells the person that, if they are still in custody on the hearing date, they may contest the extended order by filing a short written response within 14 calendar days after being served. The response must state only whether they contest the order and must be filed using the facility's procedures. If they do not respond within 14 calendar days and remain in custody on the hearing date, the court may hold the hearing without them and grant the extended order. The bill applies to orders issued on or after October 1, 2025 (NRS 33.030(6)).

Assembly Bill 369 (out-of-state orders). Officers may now rely on a digital image of an out-of-state order, and on a statement by the person the order is enforced against. If an officer can't confirm that the person was told about a valid order from another state, the officer must tell them about the order, make a reasonable effort to serve it, and give them a reasonable chance to comply before enforcing it (NRS 33.085(5)–(6)). An unregistered order can still be enforced.

Violating an order can lead to arrest, and an extended order can limit contact, housing and custody. For the basics, read our article on protective orders in Nevada.

What should you do if you face a domestic violence charge now?

Get legal advice before the hearing and before you contact the other person. The law changes above don't make a charge easier to ignore, and an order or a prior record can affect later cases.

Questions to bring to a lawyer:

• Which rules apply to the alleged act, the order and the hearing dates?
• Does the conduct alleged fit a battery, one of the newly listed acts, or something else?
• Is this a first offense within seven years, or does an earlier case count under NRS 200.485(7)?
• What does the protective order allow, and is a written response due?
• Which certified program would a court accept if counseling is ordered?

Facing a domestic violence charge in Clark County? Contact Thomas Boley for a free consultation to talk through your situation.

We represent clients across Las Vegas, Henderson and North Las Vegas.

Frequently asked questions

No amendment to the penalty subsections of NRS 200.485 appears in the statute's history after 2023. A first offense within seven years is a misdemeanor with 2 days to 6 months in jail and a fine of $200 to $1,000, unless a greater penalty applies.

Kidnapping is now listed in NRS 33.018 among the acts that constitute domestic violence when committed against a covered person, such as a spouse or someone you share a child with. The change took effect January 1, 2026.

It can be, in some cases. A first domestic battery is usually a misdemeanor, but NRS 200.485 makes it a category B felony if the battery causes substantial bodily harm, and a category C felony if it is committed by strangulation. A third offense within seven years, or a battery by someone with a qualifying prior felony, is also a category B felony.

It depends on the law and the facts. Assembly Bill 309, for example, applies to orders issued on or after October 1, 2025. Ask a lawyer which version applies to your dates.

Talk to a Las Vegas domestic violence attorney

A domestic violence charge, an arrest or a protective order can change quickly, and the rules covered here sit on top of the full statute. Thomas Boley Attorney At Law offers a free, confidential consultation to review your situation.

Contact us for a free consultation or call (702) 435-3333.

This article is general information about Nevada law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws can change, and every case depends on its own facts. Speak with a licensed Nevada attorney about your situation.

Sources

• NRS 33.018 — Acts which constitute domestic violence; exceptions
• NRS 33.030 — Contents of temporary and extended orders
• NRS 33.085 — Order issued by another jurisdiction: full faith and credit; enforcement
• NRS 200.485 — Battery which constitutes domestic violence: penalties
• NRS 439.258 — Programs for treatment of persons who commit domestic violence; regulations
• NRS 193.130 — Punishment of felonies
• Assembly Bill 4, 2025 36th Special Session (Chapter 9, approved November 29, 2025)
• Senate Bill 84, 83rd Session (2025), enrolled text
• Assembly Bill 309, 83rd Session (2025), enrolled text
• Assembly Bill 369, 83rd Session (2025), enrolled text
• Nevada Legislature: bills signed by the Governor, including AB 369
• Nevada Legislature: bills and resolutions effective October 1, 2025