Legislator of the Year Award

This award honors a Nevada legislator for their commitment to prioritizing mental health care needs and their support to NPA and the practice of psychology at large.

2024 Legislator of the Year
Senator Melanie Scheible is one of the most successful advocates of legislation supporting the human rights of Nevadans. Her efforts to advocate for protection of reproductive rights and gender affirming care during the last legislative session stand out. Her legislative successes include many others in in the Nevada community from protecting rights for the disabled, the unhoused, offenders as well as mothers needing postpartum care and diapers. The Nevada Independent described her as the most successful legislator at getting  bills out of committee in the 2023 Legislative Session and the Nevada Psychological Association enthusiastically recognize and endorse those efforts.

2023 Legislator of the Year
Assemblywoman Sarah Peters has passionately advocated for mental health parity, understanding mental health is as important as physical health. Assemblywoman Peters supports education, including improving public and charter schools, increasing the number of qualified teachers, and making schools safer. Her dedication to equality, including women’s rights and LGBTQIA+ rights is inspiring. NPA recognizes Assemblywoman Peters' commitment to mental health parity for Nevadan’s reflects both personal and professional priorities. We value your service to our state on the Washoe County Regional Behavioral Health Board and as leader of the Assembly Health and Human Services committee. 

2022 Legislator of the Year
Assemblywoman Selena Torres was recognized for her commitment to ensuring that all Nevadans receive culturally competent mental health care. NPA appreciates and values your willingness to advance the requirement of cultural competence as part of ongoing education for mental health providers. As an organization, we value diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. We further appreciate your willingness to meet with multiple members of our organization to hear our positions and the role of psychology within this state. 

2021 Legislator of the Year
Senator Patricia Spearman has served in the Nevada Legislature since 2013 representing District 1. She is chairwoman  of the Committee of Commerce & Labor and Vice-Chairwoman of the Health & Human Services Committee. She is a fierce champion for equality, equity, and justice. Senator Spearman led the charge to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment in Nevada. She has been a vocal critic of systemic discrimination and oppression ensuring that Nevada keeps its focus on amplifying and supporting the communities of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian people and other people of color and the LGBTQ+ community.

She has advocated for mental health needs in Nevada and supports legislation that seeks to enhance necessary services – whether it be increasing Medicaid funding, advocating for public safety, educational reforms, rights of members of the LGBTQ+ community, children in foster care, and incarcerated youth. She also graciously joined us at our 2020 Legislative Retreat as our guest of honor. 

2019 Legislator of the Year
Senator Marilyn Dondero Loop was recognized for her passion for psychological legislation long before it became fashionable. Since her earliest days in the Assembly, long before she was elected Senator, Senator Dondero Loop has been an advocate for psychology in Nevada. During the past decade, she sponsored or co-sponsored eight individual pieces of legislation—beginning with Autism treatment in 2009 and including end of life legislation this session. A remarkable 10 years of service to the state of Nevada in general, and to psychology in particular.