What Is SB 432 and Why It Matters for Nevada Family Court Cases
The Nevada Legislature recently passed Senate Bill 432 (SB 432), which is a significant update to Nevada family law that reshapes how courts handle privacy, closed hearings, and sealed records. Passed in response to confusion created by recent court decisions, SB 432 restores structure and clarity while balancing two competing principles: the public’s right to access court proceedings and a family’s right to privacy. The law took effect on October 1, 2025.
SB 432 repeals and replaces the former statutes governing closed hearings and sealed files and applies equally to all family law cases under Title 11 of NRS – including divorces, custody disputes, and cases involving unmarried parents. Hearings are now presumptively open, but courts retain discretion to close all or part of a proceeding when closure is necessary to protect a compelling interest, such as a child’s best interests or a party’s fundamental right to privacy. Courts must make written findings and narrowly tailor any closure.
The statute also modernizes record-sealing rules, clearly identifying what information must remain confidential and how additional materials may be protected.
Information Automatically Considered Confidential
- Financial disclosure forms
- Medical, psychiatric, and psychological records
- Child custody evaluations
- Confidential exhibits and documents filed under seal
- Personal identifying information (e.g., Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, biometric data, health insurance information)
- Any records protected by federal or state law, regulation, or court rule
What Is Required to Seal Other Portions of a Case
To seal or redact additional records, a party (or the court) must show:
- A compelling interest outweighs the public’s right of access
- A substantial risk of harm if the information is disclosed
- That sealing or redaction is narrowly tailored, with no adequate alternatives
SB 432 reinforces Nevada’s long-standing commitment to family privacy—while firmly placing those protections within a modern, constitutionally sound framework.
What Statute SB 432 Is Changing in Nevada
SB 432 directly repeals and replaces key existing Nevada statutes that governed privacy in family law proceedings, specifically:
- NRS 125.080 — the former statute that allowed automatic closure of divorce hearings at the request of a party is repealed because the Nevada Supreme Court found it unconstitutional for not requiring judicial discretion.
- NRS 125.110 — the old sealed-files rule for divorce cases is also replaced. This statute previously allowed most divorce case papers to be sealed at a party’s request. The new law updates and modernizes these privacy protections for all family law cases under Title 11 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, not just divorces.
Under SB 432, family law proceedings are now presumed open, with judges able to close or seal hearings and records only when necessary to protect compelling interests and after making specific findings. The law also provides clearer definitions and processes for sealing and unsealing records—bringing privacy protections into alignment with constitutional open-court principles.
In short, SB 432 overhauls the old blanket rules in NRS 125.080 and NRS 125.110 and replaces them with more tailored, modern procedures for balancing privacy and transparency in Nevada family courts. Navigating changes in family law can feel overwhelming – if you need guidance, Surratt Law Practice is here for you. Visit our website to learn more.
Melissa L. Exline
