PRIVILEGES

Nev. Rev. Stat. 49
in effect

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.015 Privileges recognized only as provided.

1. Except as otherwise required by the Constitution of the United States or of the State of Nevada, and except as otherwise provided in this title or title 14 of NRS, or NRS 41.071 or 463.120 or any other specific statute, no person has a privilege to: (a) Refuse to be a witness; (b) Refuse to disclose any matter; (c) Refuse to produce any object or writing; or (d) Prevent another from being a witness or disclosing any matter or producing any object or writing. 2. This section does not: (a) Impair any privilege created by title 14 of NRS or by the Nevada Rules of Civil Procedure which is limited to a particular stage of the proceeding; or (b) Extend any such privilege to any other stage of a proceeding.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.025 Required reports privileged by statute.

1. A person making a return or report required by law to be made has a privilege to refuse to disclose and to prevent any other person from disclosing the return or report, if the law requiring it to be made so provides. 2. A public officer or agency to whom a return or report is required by law to be made has a privilege to refuse to disclose the return or report if the law requiring it to be made so provides. 3. No privilege exists under this section in actions involving false statements or fraud in the return or report or when the report is contained in health care records furnished in accordance with the provisions of NRS 629.061 .

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.027 Prevention of disclosure of privileged matter by interpreter.

A person who has a privilege against the disclosure of a matter may prevent the disclosure of that matter by an interpreter to whom the matter was disclosed merely to facilitate a privileged communication of the matter.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.035 Definitions.

As used in NRS 49.035 to 49.115, inclusive, the words and phrases defined in NRS 49.045 to 49.085, inclusive, have the meanings ascribed to them in NRS 49.045 to 49.085, inclusive.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.045 “Client” defined.

“Client” means a person, including a public officer, corporation, association or other organization or entity, either public or private, who is rendered professional legal services by a lawyer, or who consults a lawyer with a view to obtaining professional legal services from the lawyer.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.055 “Confidential” defined.

A communication is “confidential” if it is not intended to be disclosed to third persons other than those to whom disclosure is in furtherance of the rendition of professional legal services to the client or those reasonably necessary for the transmission of the communication.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.065 “Lawyer” defined.

“Lawyer” means a person authorized, or reasonably believed by the client to be authorized, to practice law in any state or nation.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.075 “Representative of the client” defined.

“Representative of the client” means a person having authority to obtain professional legal services, or to act on advice rendered pursuant thereto, on behalf of the client.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.085 “Representative of the lawyer” defined.

“Representative of the lawyer” means a person employed by the lawyer to assist in the rendition of professional legal services.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.095 General rule of privilege.

A client has a privilege to refuse to disclose, and to prevent any other person from disclosing, confidential communications: 1. Between the client or the client’s representative and the client’s lawyer or the representative of the client’s lawyer. 2. Between the client’s lawyer and the lawyer’s representative. 3. Made for the purpose of facilitating the rendition of professional legal services to the client, by the client or the client’s lawyer to a lawyer representing another in a matter of common interest.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.105 Who may claim privilege.

1. The privilege may be claimed by the client, the client’s guardian or conservator, the personal representative of a deceased client, or the successor, trustee or similar representative of a corporation, association or other organization, whether or not in existence. 2. The person who was the lawyer at the time of the communication may claim the privilege but only on behalf of the client. The person’s authority to do so is presumed in the absence of evidence to the contrary.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.115 Exceptions.

There is no privilege under NRS 49.095 or 49.105: 1. If the services of the lawyer were sought or obtained to enable or aid anyone to commit or plan to commit what the client knew or reasonably should have known to be a crime or fraud. 2. As to a communication relevant to an issue between parties who claim through the same deceased client, regardless of whether the claims are by testate or intestate succession or by inter vivos transaction. 3. As to a communication relevant to an issue of breach of duty by the lawyer to his or her client or by the client to his or her lawyer. 4. As to a communication relevant to an issue concerning an attested document to which the lawyer is an attesting witness. 5. As to a communication relevant to a matter of common interest between two or more clients if the communication was made by any of them to a lawyer retained or consulted in common, when offered in an action between any of the clients.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.117 “Review committee” defined.

As used in NRS 49.117 to 49.123, inclusive, unless the context otherwise requires, “review committee” means: 1. An organized committee of: (a) A hospital; (b) An ambulatory surgical center; (c) A health maintenance organization; (d) An organization that provides emergency medical services pursuant to the provisions of chapter 450B of NRS; (e) A medical facility as defined in NRS 449.0151 ; or (f) An institution of the Nevada System of Higher Education or any of its affiliated organizations that provides a clinical program or practice related to the medical treatment or care of patients, Ê which has the responsibility of evaluating and improving the quality of care rendered by the parent organization; 2. A peer review committee of a medical or dental society; or 3. A medical review committee of a county or district board of health that certifies, licenses or regulates providers of emergency medical services pursuant to the provisions of chapter 450B of NRS, but only when functioning as a peer review committee.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.119 General rule of privilege.

A review committee has a privilege to refuse to disclose and to prevent any other person from disclosing its proceedings and records and testimony given before it.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.121 Who may claim privilege.

1. The privilege may be claimed by any member of the review committee, any person whose work has been reviewed by the committee or any person who has offered testimony, an opinion or documentary evidence before the committee. 2. The privilege is presumed to be claimed as to a particular matter unless a written waiver is signed by all persons entitled to claim the privilege as to that matter. 3. The privilege is not waived or lost if a person discloses information which is otherwise privileged to a governmental or regulatory agency of this State or the United States.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.123 Exceptions.

There is no privilege under NRS 49.119 or 49.121 as to: 1. A statement made by an applicant for staff privileges at a hospital; or 2. Any information available from a record required to be made available pursuant to the provisions of NRS 629.061 .

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.125 Definitions.

As used in NRS 49.125 to 49.205, inclusive, the words and phrases defined in NRS 49.135 to 49.175, inclusive, have the meanings ascribed to them in NRS 49.135 to 49.175, inclusive.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.135 “Accountant” defined.

“Accountant” means a person certified or registered as a public accountant under chapter 628 of NRS who holds a live permit.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.145 “Client” defined.

“Client” means a person, including a public officer, corporation, association or other organization or entity, either public or private, who is rendered professional accounting services by an accountant, or who consults an accountant with a view to obtaining professional accounting services from the accountant.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.155 “Confidential” defined.

A communication is “confidential” if it is not intended to be disclosed to third persons other than those to whom disclosure is in furtherance of the rendition of professional accounting services to the client or those reasonably necessary for the transmission of the communication.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.165 “Representative of the accountant” defined.

“Representative of the accountant” means a person employed by the accountant to assist in the rendition of professional accounting services.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.175 “Representative of the client” defined.

“Representative of the client” means a person having authority to obtain professional accounting services, or to act on advice rendered pursuant thereto, on behalf of the client.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.185 General rule of privilege.

A client has a privilege to refuse to disclose, and to prevent any other person from disclosing, confidential communications: 1. Between the client or the client’s representative and the client’s accountant or the representative of the client’s accountant. 2. Between the client’s accountant and the accountant’s representative. 3. Made for the purpose of facilitating the rendition of professional accounting services to the client, by the client or the client’s accountant to an accountant representing another in a matter of common interest.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.195 Who may claim privilege.

1. The privilege may be claimed by the client, the client’s guardian or conservator, the personal representative of a deceased client, or the successor, trustee or similar representative of a corporation, association or other organization, whether or not in existence. 2. The person who was the accountant may claim the privilege but only on behalf of the client. The person’s authority to do so is presumed in the absence of evidence to the contrary.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.205 Exceptions.

There is no privilege under NRS 49.185 or 49.195: 1. If the services of the accountant were sought or obtained to enable or aid anyone to commit or plan to commit what the client knew or reasonably should have known to be a crime or fraud. 2. As to a communication relevant to an issue between parties who claim through the same deceased client, regardless of whether the claims are by testate or intestate succession or by inter vivos transaction. 3. As to a communication relevant to an issue of breach of duty by the accountant to his or her client or by the client to his or her accountant. 4. As to a communication relevant to an issue concerning the examination, audit or report of any financial statements, books, records or accounts which the accountant may be engaged to make or requested by a prospective client to discuss for the purpose of making a public report. 5. As to a communication relevant to a matter of common interest between two or more clients if the communication was made by any of them to an accountant retained or consulted in common, when offered in an action between any of the clients. 6. As to a communication between a corporation and its accountant: (a) In an action by a shareholder against the corporation which is based upon a breach of fiduciary duty; or (b) In a derivative action by a shareholder on behalf of the corporation.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.207 Definitions.

As used in NRS 49.207 to 49.213, inclusive, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. A communication is “confidential” if it is not intended to be disclosed to third persons other than: (a) Those present to further the interest of the patient in the consultation, examination or interview; (b) Persons reasonably necessary for the transmission of the communication; or (c) Persons who are participating in the diagnosis and treatment under the direction of the psychologist, including members of the patient’s family. 2. “Patient” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 641.0245 . 3. “Psychologist” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 641.027 .

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.209 General rule of privilege.

A patient has a privilege to refuse to disclose and to prevent any other person from disclosing confidential communications between the patient and the patient’s psychologist or any other person who is participating in the diagnosis or treatment under the direction of the psychologist, including a member of the patient’s family.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.211 Who may claim privilege.

1. The privilege may be claimed by the patient, by the patient’s guardian or conservator or by the personal representative of a deceased patient. 2. The psychologist of a patient may claim the privilege but only on behalf of the patient. The authority of the psychologist to claim the privilege is presumed in the absence of evidence to the contrary.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.213 Exceptions.

There is no privilege pursuant to NRS 49.209 or 49.211: 1. For communications relevant to an issue in a proceeding to hospitalize the patient for mental illness, if the psychologist in the course of diagnosis or treatment has determined that the patient requires hospitalization. 2. For communications relevant to any determination made pursuant to NRS 202.360 . 3. For communications relevant to an issue of the treatment of the patient in any proceeding in which the treatment is an element of a claim or defense. 4. If disclosure is otherwise required by state or federal law. 5. For communications relevant to an issue in a proceeding to determine the validity of a will of the patient. 6. If there is an immediate threat that the patient will harm himself or herself or other persons. 7. For communications made in the course of a court-ordered examination of the condition of a patient with respect to the specific purpose of the examination unless the court orders otherwise. 8. For communications relevant to an issue in an investigation or hearing conducted by the Board of Psychological Examiners if the treatment of the patient is an element of that investigation or hearing. 9. For communications relevant to an issue in a proceeding relating to the abuse or neglect of a person with a disability or a person who is legally incompetent.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.215 Definitions.

As used in NRS 49.215 to 49.245, inclusive: 1. A communication is “confidential” if it is not intended to be disclosed to third persons other than: (a) Those present to further the interest of the patient in the consultation, examination or interview; (b) Persons reasonably necessary for the transmission of the communication; or (c) Persons who are participating in the diagnosis and treatment under the direction of the doctor, including members of the patient’s family. 2. “Doctor” means a person licensed to practice medicine, genetic counseling, dentistry or osteopathic medicine, chiropractic or naprapathy in any state or nation, or a person who is reasonably believed by the patient to be so licensed, and in addition includes a person employed by a public or private agency as a psychiatric social worker, or someone under his or her guidance, direction or control, while engaged in the examination, diagnosis or treatment of a patient for a mental condition. 3. “Patient” means a person who consults or is examined or interviewed by a doctor for purposes of diagnosis or treatment.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.225 General rule of privilege.

A patient has a privilege to refuse to disclose and to prevent any other person from disclosing confidential communications among the patient, the patient’s doctor or persons who are participating in the diagnosis or treatment under the direction of the doctor, including members of the patient’s family.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.235 Who may claim privilege.

1. The privilege may be claimed by the patient, by the patient’s guardian or conservator, or by the personal representative of a deceased patient. 2. The person who was the doctor may claim the privilege but only on behalf of the patient. The person’s authority so to do is presumed in the absence of evidence to the contrary.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.245 Exceptions.

There is no privilege under NRS 49.225 or 49.235: 1. For communications relevant to an issue in proceedings to hospitalize the patient for mental illness, if the doctor in the course of diagnosis or treatment has determined that the patient is in need of hospitalization. 2. For communications relevant to any determination made pursuant to NRS 202.360 . 3. As to communications made in the course of a court-ordered examination of the condition of a patient with respect to the particular purpose of the examination unless the court orders otherwise. 4. As to written medical or hospital records relevant to an issue of the condition of the patient in any proceeding in which the condition is an element of a claim or defense. 5. In a prosecution or mandamus proceeding under chapter 441A of NRS. 6. As to any information communicated to a physician in an effort unlawfully to procure a dangerous drug or controlled substance, or unlawfully to procure the administration of any such drug or substance. 7. As to any written medical or hospital records which are furnished in accordance with the provisions of NRS 629.061 . 8. As to records that are required by chapter 453 of NRS to be maintained. 9. As to reports made to the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to subsection 2 of NRS 483.575 and any statements provided to the Department pursuant to NRS 629.047 . 10. If the services of the physician are sought or obtained to enable or aid a person to commit or plan to commit fraud or any other unlawful act in violation of any provision of chapter 616A , 616B , 616C , 616D or 617 of NRS which the person knows or reasonably should know is fraudulent or otherwise unlawful.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.246 Definitions.

As used in NRS 49.246 to 49.249, inclusive, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. “Client” means a person who consults or is interviewed by a marriage and family therapist for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment. 2. A communication is “confidential” if it is not intended to be disclosed to any third person other than a person: (a) Present during the consultation or interview to further the interest of the client; (b) Reasonably necessary for the transmission of the communication; or (c) Participating in the diagnosis or treatment under the direction of the marriage and family therapist, including a member of the client’s family. 3. “Marriage and family therapist” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 641A.060 and includes a marriage and family therapist intern.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.247 General rule of privilege.

A client has a privilege to refuse to disclose, and to prevent any other person from disclosing, confidential communications among the client, the client’s marriage and family therapist or any other person who is participating in the diagnosis or treatment under the direction of the marriage and family therapist.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.248 Who may claim privilege.

1. The privilege may be claimed by the client, by the client’s guardian or conservator, or by the personal representative of a deceased client. 2. The person who was the marriage and family therapist may claim the privilege but only on behalf of the client. The person’s authority to do so is presumed in the absence of evidence to the contrary.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.249 Exceptions.

There is no privilege under NRS 49.247 or 49.248: 1. If the client communicates to the marriage and family therapist that the client intends or plans to commit what the client knows or reasonably should know is a crime. 2. If the marriage and family therapist is required to testify in an administrative or court-related investigation or proceeding involving the welfare of his or her client or the minor children of his or her client. 3. For communications relevant to an issue in proceedings to hospitalize the patient for mental illness, if the marriage and family therapist in the course of diagnosis or treatment has determined that the client is in need of hospitalization. 4. As to communications relevant to an issue of the treatment of the client in any proceeding in which the treatment is an element of a claim or defense.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.251 Definitions.

As used in NRS 49.251 to 49.254, inclusive, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. “Client” means a person who consults or is interviewed by a social worker for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment. 2. A communication is “confidential” if it is not intended to be disclosed to any third person other than a person: (a) Present during the consultation or interview to further the interest of the client; (b) Reasonably necessary for the transmission of the communication; or (c) Participating in the diagnosis or treatment under the direction of the social worker, including a member of the client’s family. 3. “Social worker” means any person licensed under chapter 641B of NRS.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.252 General rule of privilege.

A client has a privilege to refuse to disclose, and to prevent any other person from disclosing confidential communications among the client, the client’s social worker or any other person who is participating in the diagnosis or treatment under the direction of the social worker.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.253 Who may claim privilege.

1. The privilege may be claimed by the client, the client’s guardian or conservator or by the personal representative of a deceased client. 2. The person who is the social worker may claim the privilege, but only on behalf of the client. The person’s authority to do so is presumed in the absence of evidence to the contrary.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.254 Exceptions.

There is no privilege under NRS 49.252 or 49.253: 1. If the services of the social worker are sought or obtained to enable or aid anyone to commit or plan to commit what the client knows or reasonably should have known is a crime or fraud. 2. If the social worker is required to testify in an administrative or court-related investigation or proceeding involving the welfare of his or her client or the minor children of his or her client. 3. If the communication is relevant to an issue of breach of duty by the social worker to his or her client or by the client to his or her social worker. 4. If the communication is with persons who are participating in the diagnosis and treatment of the client of the social worker, including members of the patient’s family. 5. If disclosure is otherwise required by state or federal law.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.255 Confessor and confessant.

A member of the clergy or priest shall not, without the consent of the person making the confession, be examined as a witness as to any confession made to the member of the clergy or priest in his or her professional character.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.260 Behavioral health and wellness practitioner and patient or other participant in services.

1. Any privilege established by this chapter for communications between a patient and the supervisor of a behavioral health and wellness practitioner applies equally to communications between the patient and the behavioral health and wellness practitioner or any other person who is participating in the behavioral health promotion and prevention services under the direction of the behavioral health and wellness practitioner. 2. As used in this section: (a) “Behavioral health and wellness practitioner” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 641.0203 . (b) “Behavioral health promotion and prevention” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 641.0207 . (c) “Patient” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 641.0245 . (d) “Supervisor” means a provider of health care who supervises a behavioral health and wellness practitioner pursuant to NRS 641.2257 .

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.265 Committees for review of medical or dental care.

1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2: (a) The proceedings and records of: (1) Organized committees of hospitals, and organized committees of organizations that provide emergency medical services pursuant to the provisions of chapter 450B of NRS, having the responsibility of evaluation and improvement of the quality of care rendered by those hospitals or organizations; (2) Review committees of medical or dental societies; and (3) Medical review committees of a county or district board of health that certifies, licenses or regulates providers of emergency medical services pursuant to the provisions of chapter 450B of NRS, but only when such committees function as peer review committees, Ê are not subject to discovery proceedings. (b) No person who attends a meeting of any such committee may be required to testify concerning the proceedings at the meeting. 2. The provisions of subsection 1 do not apply to: (a) Any statement made by a person in attendance at such a meeting who is a party to an action or proceeding the subject of which is reviewed at the meeting. (b) Any statement made by a person who is requesting staff privileges at a hospital. (c) The proceedings of any meeting considering an action against an insurance carrier alleging bad faith by the carrier in refusing to accept a settlement offer within the limits of the policy. (d) Any matter relating to the proceedings or records of such committees which is contained in health care records furnished in accordance with NRS 629.061 .

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.275 News media.

No reporter, former reporter or editorial employee of any newspaper, periodical or press association or employee of any radio or television station may be required to disclose any published or unpublished information obtained or prepared by such person in such person’s professional capacity in gathering, receiving or processing information for communication to the public, or the source of any information procured or obtained by such person, in any legal proceedings, trial or investigation: 1. Before any court, grand jury, coroner’s inquest, jury or any officer thereof. 2. Before the Legislature or any committee thereof. 3. Before any department, agency or commission of the State. 4. Before any local governing body or committee thereof, or any officer of a local government.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.285 Public officer as witness.

A public officer shall not be examined as a witness as to communications made to the public officer in official confidence, when the public interests would suffer by the disclosure.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.290 Counselor and pupil.

1. As used in this section, “counselor” means a person who is regularly employed by a public or private school in this State as a counselor, psychologist or psychological examiner for the purpose of counseling pupils, and who holds a valid certificate issued by the Superintendent of Public Instruction authorizing the holder to engage in pupil counseling. 2. Except for communications relating to any criminal offense the punishment for which is death or life imprisonment, communications by a pupil to a counselor in the course of counseling or psychological examination are privileged communications, and a counselor shall not, without the consent of the pupil, be examined as a witness concerning any such communication in any civil or criminal action to which such pupil is a party.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.291 Teacher and pupil.

1. As used in this section, “teacher” means a person who is regularly employed by a public or private school in this State as a teacher or administrator and who holds a valid license issued by the Superintendent of Public Instruction authorizing the holder to teach or perform administrative functions in schools. 2. Communications by a pupil to a teacher concerning the pupil’s possession or use of drugs or alcoholic beverages made while the teacher was counseling or attempting to counsel the pupil are privileged communications and the teacher must not, without the consent of the pupil, be examined as a witness concerning any such communication in any civil or criminal action to which the pupil is a party.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.293 Law enforcement or public safety personnel and counselor.

1. Any law enforcement or public safety personnel who participate in a peer support counseling session and any counselor providing such counseling have a privilege to refuse to disclose, and to prevent any other person from disclosing, any confidential communications set forth in NRS 281.805 unless: (a) The communication is any of the following: (1) Any explicit threat of suicide; (2) Any explicit threat of imminent and serious physical harm or death to a clearly identified or identifiable person; (3) Any information relating to the abuse or neglect of a child, older person or vulnerable person, or any information that is required by law to be reported; or (4) Any admission of criminal conduct; or (b) The law enforcement or public safety personnel who were a party to the communication waive the confidentiality of the communication. 2. As used in this section, “counselor,” “law enforcement or public safety personnel” and “peer support counseling session” have the meanings ascribed to them in NRS 281.805 .

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.295 Married person: General rule of privilege; exceptions.

1. Except as otherwise provided in subsections 2 and 3 and NRS 49.305 : (a) A married person cannot be examined as a witness for or against his or her spouse without his or her consent. (b) No spouse can be examined, during the marriage or afterwards, without the consent of the other spouse, as to any communication made by one to the other during marriage. 2. The provisions of subsection 1 do not apply to a: (a) Civil proceeding brought by or on behalf of one spouse against the other spouse; (b) Proceeding to commit or otherwise place a spouse, the property of the spouse or both the spouse and the property of the spouse under the control of another because of the alleged mental or physical condition of the spouse; (c) Proceeding brought by or on behalf of a spouse to establish his or her competence; (d) Proceeding in the juvenile court or family court pursuant to title 5 of NRS or NRS 432B.410 to 432B.590 , inclusive; or (e) Criminal proceeding in which one spouse is charged with: (1) A crime against the person or the property of the other spouse or of a child of either, or of a child in the custody or control of either, whether the crime was committed before or during marriage. (2) Bigamy or incest. (3) A crime related to abandonment of a child or nonsupport of the other spouse or child. 3. The provisions of subsection 1 do not apply in any criminal proceeding to events which took place before the spouses were married.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.305 Married person: Exception for insanity.

When a married person is insane, and has been so declared by a court of competent jurisdiction, the other spouse shall be a competent witness to testify as to any fact which transpired before or during such insanity, but the privilege of so testifying shall cease when the party declared insane has been found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be of sound mind, and the spouses shall then have the testimonial limitations and privileges provided in NRS 49.295.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.315 Political vote.

Every person has a privilege to refuse to disclose the tenor of his or her vote at a political election conducted by secret ballot unless the vote was cast illegally.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.325 Trade secrets.

1. A person has a privilege, which may be claimed by the person or the person’s agent or employee, to refuse to disclose and to prevent other persons from disclosing a trade secret owned by him or her, if the allowance of the privilege will not tend to conceal fraud or otherwise work injustice. 2. When disclosure is directed, the judge shall take such protective measure as the interests of the holder of the privilege and of the parties and the furtherance of justice may require.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.335 Privilege to refuse disclosure of identity of informer.

The State or a political subdivision thereof has a privilege to refuse to disclose the identity of a person who has furnished to a law enforcement officer information purporting to reveal the commission of a crime.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.345 Who may claim.

The privilege may be claimed by an appropriate representative of the State, regardless of whether the information was furnished to an officer of the State or a subdivision thereof. The privilege may be claimed by an appropriate representative of a political subdivision if the information was furnished to an officer thereof.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.355 Voluntary disclosure; informer a witness.

No privilege exists under NRS 49.335 or 49.345 if the identity of the informer or the informer’s interest in the subject matter of his or her communication has been disclosed by a holder of the privilege or by the informer’s own action, or if the informer appears as a witness.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.365 Testimony on guilt or innocence.

If the state or a political subdivision elects not to disclose the identity of an informer and the circumstances indicate a reasonable probability that the informer can give testimony necessary to a fair determination of the issue of guilt or innocence, the judge shall on motion of the accused dismiss the proceedings, and the judge may do so on his or her own motion.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.375 Legality of obtaining evidence.

1. If information from an informer is relied upon to establish the legality of the means by which evidence was obtained and the judge is not satisfied that the information was received from an informer reasonably believed to be reliable, the judge may require the identity of the informer to be disclosed. 2. The judge may permit the disclosure to be made in camera or make any other order which justice requires. All counsel shall be permitted to be present at every stage at which any counsel is permitted to be present. 3. If disclosure of the identity of the informer is made in chambers, the record thereof shall be sealed and preserved to be made available to the appellate court in the event of an appeal.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.385 Waiver of privilege by voluntary disclosure; exceptions.

1. A person upon whom these rules confer a privilege against disclosure of a confidential matter waives the privilege if the person or the person’s predecessor while holder of the privilege voluntarily discloses or consents to disclosure of any significant part of the matter. 2. This section does not apply if the disclosure is: (a) Itself a privileged communication; (b) Made to an interpreter employed merely to facilitate communications; or (c) Made to the Department of Indigent Defense Services or a designee of the Department for the purpose of: (1) Requesting prior approval of a claim pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection 1 of NRS 7.135 ; (2) Submitting a claim for compensation or expenses pursuant to NRS 7.125 or 7.135 ; or (3) Submitting a complaint against an attorney providing indigent defense services pursuant to NRS 180.320 .

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.395 Privileged matter disclosed under compulsion or without opportunity to claim privilege.

Evidence of a statement or other disclosure of privileged matter is inadmissible against the holder of the privilege if the disclosure was: 1. Compelled erroneously; or 2. Made without opportunity to claim the privilege.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.405 Comment upon or inference from claim of privilege; instruction.

1. The claim of a privilege, whether in the present proceeding or upon a prior occasion, is not a proper subject of comment by judge or counsel. No inference may be drawn therefrom. 2. In jury cases, proceedings shall be conducted, to the extent practicable, so as to facilitate the making of claims of privilege outside the presence of the jury. 3. Upon request, any party against whom the jury might draw an adverse inference from a claim of privilege is entitled to an instruction that no inference may be drawn therefrom.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.2502 Definitions.

As used in NRS 49.2502 to 49.2508, inclusive, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. “Client” means a person who consults or is interviewed by a clinical professional counselor for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment. 2. “Clinical professional counselor” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 641A.031 and includes a clinical professional counselor intern. 3. A communication is “confidential” if it is not intended to be disclosed to any third person other than a person: (a) Present during the consultation or interview to further the interest of the client; (b) Reasonably necessary for the transmission of the communication; or (c) Participating in the diagnosis or treatment under the direction of the clinical professional counselor, including a member of the client’s family.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.2504 General rule of privilege.

A client has a privilege to refuse to disclose, and to prevent any other person from disclosing, confidential communications among the client, the client’s clinical professional counselor or any other person who is participating in the diagnosis or treatment under the direction of the clinical professional counselor.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.2506 Who may claim privilege.

1. The privilege may be claimed by the client, by the client’s guardian or conservator, or by the personal representative of a deceased client. 2. The person who was the clinical professional counselor may claim the privilege but only on behalf of the client. The authority of the clinical professional counselor to do so is presumed in the absence of evidence to the contrary.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.2508 Exceptions.

There is no privilege under NRS 49.2504 or 49.2506: 1. If the client communicates to the clinical professional counselor that the client intends or plans to commit what the client knows or reasonably should know is a crime. 2. If the clinical professional counselor is required to testify in an administrative or court-related investigation or proceeding involving the welfare of his or her client or the minor children of his or her client. 3. For communications relevant to an issue in proceedings to hospitalize the client for mental illness, if the clinical professional counselor in the course of diagnosis or treatment has determined that the client is in need of hospitalization. 4. As to communications relevant to an issue of the treatment of the client in any proceeding in which the treatment is an element of a claim or defense.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.2541 Definitions.

As used in NRS 49.2541 to 49.2549, inclusive, the words and terms defined in NRS 49.2542 to 49.2545, inclusive, have the meanings ascribed to them in those sections.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.2543 “Sexual assault” defined.

“Sexual assault” means a violation of NRS 200.366 or an attempt to violate or conspiracy to violate NRS 200.366.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.2544 “Victim” defined.

“Victim” means a person who alleges that an act of domestic violence, human trafficking or sexual assault has been committed against the person.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.2545 “Victim’s advocate” defined.

“Victim’s advocate” means a person who has completed relevant training and who, with or without compensation: 1. Works for: (a) A program of a university, state college or community college within the Nevada System of Higher Education which provides assistance to victims; (b) A program of a tribal organization which provides assistance to victims; (c) An organization which provides services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or human trafficking; or (d) A nonprofit organization which provides assistance to victims; or 2. Provides services to a victim of an alleged incident of power-based violence pursuant to NRS 396.125 to 396.1595 , inclusive.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.2546 When communication deemed to be confidential; “communication” defined.

1. A communication shall be deemed to be confidential if the communication is between a victim and a victim’s advocate and is not intended to be disclosed to third persons other than: (a) A person who is present to further the interest of the victim; (b) A person reasonably necessary for the transmission of the communication; or (c) A person who is participating in the advice, counseling or assistance of the victim, including, without limitation, a member of the victim’s family. 2. As used in this section, “communication” includes, without limitation, all records concerning the victim and the services provided to the victim which are within the possession of: (a) The victim’s advocate; or (b) A program or organization described in paragraphs (a) to (d), inclusive, of subsection 1 of NRS 49.2545 for whom the victim’s advocate works.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.2547 General rule of privilege.

Except as otherwise provided in NRS 49.2549, a victim who seeks advice, counseling or assistance from a victim’s advocate has a privilege to refuse to disclose, and to prevent any other person from disclosing, confidential communications set forth in NRS 49.2546.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.2548 Who may claim privilege.

1. The privilege provided pursuant to NRS 49.2547 may be claimed by: (a) The victim; (b) The guardian or conservator of the victim; (c) The personal representative of a deceased victim; and (d) The victim’s advocate, but only on behalf of the victim. 2. The authority of a victim’s advocate to claim the privilege is presumed in the absence of evidence to the contrary.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.2549 Exceptions.

There is no privilege pursuant to NRS 49.2547 if: 1. The purpose of the victim in seeking services from a victim’s advocate is to enable or aid any person to commit or plan to commit what the victim knows or reasonably should have known is a crime or fraud; 2. The communication concerns a report of abuse or neglect of a child, older person or vulnerable person in violation of NRS 200.508 or 200.5093 , but only as to that portion of the communication; 3. The communication is relevant to an issue of breach of duty by the victim’s advocate to the victim or by the victim to the victim’s advocate; or 4. Disclosure of the communication is otherwise required by law.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.25425 “Human trafficking” defined.

“Human trafficking” means a violation of any provision of NRS 200.463 to 200.468, inclusive, 201.300, 201.320 or 201.395 or 18 U.S.C. § 1589, 1590 or 1591.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.25426 “Relevant training” defined.

“Relevant training” means at least 20 cumulative hours of instruction in: 1. Ethics; 2. Civil and criminal laws relating to domestic violence, sexual assault or human trafficking; 3. Relevant laws relating to confidentiality of communication, as defined in NRS 49.2546 , and privileges pursuant to this chapter; 4. Trauma-informed care; and 5. Any other relevant topics necessary to meet the needs of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or human trafficking.
Source: NV Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-049.htmlFetched: 10/4/2026

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