Video & Transcript : 'noncustodial parent' :
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services Apr 29th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Hi, Angela Herrera, parent anonymous, parent leader. When my mother first faced stage four... Ms.
- The California Parent and Youth Helpline gives parents, children, and youth a place to turn.
- Antonia Rio's, Parents Anonymous, parent leader.
- Antonia Rio's Parents, Anonymous Parent. Thank you again for having us here.
- Antonio Rios, Parents Anonymous, parent leader.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education Apr 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- In addition, limiting Parent Plus loans borrowing. annually.
- for Student Parent Success. ...student parent, I proudly serve on the Advisory Committee for the California
- Alliance for Student Parent Success.
- Non-tuition costs for student parents exceed $37,000 annually.
- Non-tuition costs for student parents exceed 37,000 annually.
Summary:
The committee first heard updates from the California State University on its turnaround plans for seven campuses with enrollment declines. CSU said overall enrollment has grown for three straight years, but some campuses—especially in Northern California—continue to face structural declines tied to demographics and community college pipelines. The system described campus-specific strategies such as outreach to stopped-out and adult learners, guaranteed admissions, partnerships with community colleges and high schools, expanded high-demand programs, and cost reductions including hiring freezes, program suspensions, and shared administrative services. The LAO said the plans were reasonable but urged regular reporting so the Legislature can track results. Committee members pressed CSU for ongoing implementation updates, stronger recruiting efforts, and safeguards around AI use; CSU said it would continue regular check-ins and share best practices across campuses.
The second item focused on the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education and its request for a $10 million General Fund appropriation to repay a special fund loan used for litigation costs. DCA and BPPE said the bureau has long had a structural deficit and has already cut positions, streamlined operations, and shifted some costs to the Student Tuition Recovery Fund, but still needs fee increases through the sunset review process. The LAO opposed the General Fund backfill, arguing the bureau can cover near-term costs with its loan, that litigation costs should generally be borne by regulated entities through fees, and that using General Fund money could set a precedent. Finance supported the one-time backfill as a way to avoid larger fee increases on institutions and to isolate the litigation expense from the bureau’s ongoing structural shortfall. Members asked how the bureau would avoid repeating the problem; BPPE said it has updated policies and practices, including disability accommodation procedures and non-discrimination training.
The committee then reviewed Cal Grant funding and program updates from CSAC, UC, CSU, and the community colleges. CSAC said the Governor’s budget would increase Cal Grant funding to about $3.2 billion in 2026-27, driven by enrollment growth and higher tuition at UC and CSU, and highlighted efforts to improve payment processing and financial aid data. UC and CSU emphasized that Cal Grants are central to affordability and debt reduction, while also warning that federal changes under H.R. 1 could reduce access to loans and harm graduate and part-time students. Community colleges reported rising aid applications and awards, but said students still face major affordability barriers, especially mixed-status and undocumented students, and asked for more support for aid administration and completion grants. The chair repeatedly asked for data on eligible students who are not receiving Cal Grants and for a phased-in path to implement the Cal Grant Equity Framework; Finance said full implementation would cost hundreds of millions and the state is not currently in a position to fund it.
Finally, the committee began discussion of the Middle Class Scholarship Program. CSAC said the program helps low- and middle-income students cover total cost of attendance, not just tuition, and warned that cutting funding by more than half would reduce award coverage from 35% to 17.5% of cost of attendance. CSU and UC said the program is important for reducing student debt and supporting affordability, and CSU noted recent administrative changes have reduced workload and award adjustments. The hearing continued into the next agenda item after these presentations.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Health Committee Mar 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And I would just say as well that parents are already afraid.
- And I think that this would give formula manufacturers the opportunity to highlight that for parents,
- I do also agree around the concern of parents being able to parse that information to understand it,
- Because I think that a lot of times we're putting a lot on parents to understand a lot of things.
- Because I think that a lot of times we're putting a lot on parents to understand a lot of things.
Summary:
The Assembly Health Committee heard several bills focused on workforce access, consumer protection, behavioral health parity, and public health safety. AB 1591 by Assembly Member Michelle Rodriguez would create a podiatric medicine pipeline program to address shortages of podiatrists, especially in rural and underserved counties; it drew strong support from podiatrists and medical groups and no opposition. AB 2011 by Assembly Member Hart would codify federal mental health and substance use disorder parity standards into state law; supporters argued it would preserve access if federal enforcement weakens, while health plans and insurers opposed it as premature and potentially confusing. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to Appropriations and remained on call after a roll vote with several ayes and some noes.
The committee also considered AB 2311 by Assembly Member Chiavo, which would allow public health care district hospitals to directly employ physicians. Supporters said the change would help district hospitals recruit and retain doctors and stabilize care in underserved communities, while CMA and emergency physicians warned it could weaken the corporate practice of medicine protections and physician autonomy. Members raised concerns about guardrails, but the author said the bill would continue to be refined; it passed on a due pass motion to the Business and Professions Committee. AB 2030 by Assembly Member Lowenthal would prohibit sales of over-the-counter diet pills and weight-loss or muscle-building supplements to minors, with supporters citing eating disorder risks and opponents objecting to scope, age-verification, and retail requirements. The bill passed on a due pass motion to the Judiciary Committee.
AB 1864 by Assembly Member Berman would require screening of gene synthesis orders to prevent misuse for bioterrorism and would authorize enforcement penalties for noncompliance. Supporters from Stanford, Encode, and the medical community said the measure would align California with federal best practices and address growing biosecurity risks, while life sciences representatives raised concerns about operational burdens and supply-chain impacts. Members discussed whether the bill should include an urgency clause and how to keep the standards current; it passed to the Judiciary Committee. AB 2457 by Assembly Member Connolly would standardize and speed up Medi-Cal managed care credentialing for physicians, and it passed to Appropriations with broad support. Finally, AB 2302, presented on behalf of Assembly Member Celeste Rodriguez, would require infant formula manufacturers to test for toxic elements such as lead and arsenic and post results publicly; pediatric and disability advocates supported the measure as a transparency and infant safety bill.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We are a parent organization, and we help parents when their children are harmed in a public school.
- Crimes should be investigated by outside law enforcement where public the public and the parents see
- While we parents will get truancy notices if we keep our kids home.
- A group of parents are suing the school and the board of trustees, alleging that the school.
- Child-friendly intake rooms where parents can explain their situations in private.
Bills:
SB604 , SB843 , SB1636 , SB2395 , SB571 , SB1224 , SB1832 , SB2392 , SB747 , SB2623 , SB2624 , SB2185
Committee:
Senate Education
Keywords:
bonds, education funding, Texas Permanent School Fund, financial transparency, speculative rating, school funding, deferred maintenance, tax revenue, education budget, school districts, education, finance, Texas Education Code, misconduct, child abuse, educators, investigation, criminal offense, education law, suspension
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- basis with the parent or guardian.
- </c> collaboration with the students parent collaboration with the students parent or<01:02:18.720><c
- </c><01:02:46.160><c> or</c> you developed it with the parent or you developed it with the parent or
- </c> with the parent or guardian. with the parent or guardian.
- </c> districts will ignore the parental districts will ignore the parental involvement<01:12:26.800><
Committee:
Senate Education
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on Budget May 4th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Conference Committee on Budget
Transcript Highlights:
- to access Parents as Teachers services.
- This, again, we're talking about Parents as Teachers.
- Point 296, Parents as Teachers technical support, Senate.
- And we were just asking for the parents.
- But parents across Missouri are... ...on the whole is a good thing.
Committee:
House Conference Committee on Budget
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Dec 9th, 2025 at 08:40 am
Transcript Highlights:
- in regards to our foster parent Again, we have over 2,000 kids in care.
- Do you know the equivalent qualifications of your foster parents?
- Foster parents are paid $21 to $24 a day, and they are providing 24-hour care.
- , the treatment foster parents, and the workers who have left...
- parents.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Health Services (8-27-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Karen, you want to take the parent consent one?
- Karen, you want to take the parent consent one?
- Karen, you want to take the parent consent one?
- Karen, you want to take the parent consent one?
- </c><00:53:48.079><c> to</c> they still will contact that parent to they still will contact that parent
Keywords:
1. Call to Order and Roll Call – 00:00:00
2. Approval of Minutes – 00:01:32
3. Getting to Know the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky – 00:02:26
4. Healthy Kids Clinic – 00:26:58
5. Pharmacy Payment Parity – 00:56:36
6. Ibogaine – 01:17:37
7. Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations – 01:53:05
8. Adjournment – 01:53:19, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first approved the prior meeting minutes and recognized Eric Clark for his service, noting this may be his last meeting before he leaves state government. The main presentation was from Allison Adams, president and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, who described the organization’s history, nonpartisan mission, and focus on health equity, prevention, and upstream policy solutions. She said Kentucky’s poor rankings in chronic disease, preventable hospitalizations, and life expectancy show the need to shift resources toward prevention and community-driven strategies rather than relying mainly on treatment after people become sick.
Adams emphasized leading health indicators, arguing that lawmakers should track actionable measures such as quit attempts and smoke-free policies instead of only lagging indicators like disease rates and mortality. In response to questions, she said accountability should be shared across communities and systems, with possible incentives and disincentives tied to outcomes, and she supported creating a public data utility or dashboard, ideally with university partners, to help legislators and communities monitor progress. She also cited examples of accountable health community models and said Kentucky could adapt similar approaches.
The committee then heard from Meade County Schools Superintendent Mark Martin and district health coordinator Karen Kotche about the Healthy Kids Clinic partnership with Cumberland Health. They described a seven-year effort that led to full implementation in the district, which now has a nurse in every school and a nurse practitioner, allowing services such as sports physicals and other clinic functions to be provided on campus. They said the program has been a strong investment for students and the community and began explaining how the district built the partnership after earlier efforts and delays, including the pandemic.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Environmental Quality Committee Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It doesn't tell parents what diapers to choose.
- Today, parents are often left... I'm seating my time, John. Okay.
- Parents know what's in their baby food. They should know what's in their child's diaper.
- As a parent, thank you, author. There is a major policy intern with Ms.
- When I asked parents that same question, they say 10 to 20%.
Summary:
The committee heard AB 839, which would allow up to three sustainable aviation fuel projects to qualify for expedited CEQA judicial review. The author and airline and airport supporters argued SAF is a key emissions-reduction strategy for aviation and that California needs to signal investment certainty after prior project litigation. Environmental Justice and Earthjustice opposed, saying the bill weakens the public’s ability to challenge polluting projects and that SAF facilities can harm already overburdened communities. The committee later took a roll call on the bill and it was held on call after a 3-0 vote, with the motion being due pass to Judiciary.
Members then took up AB 762, which would ban the sale of disposable nicotine vapes in California. The author and a broad coalition of waste, public health, local government, and environmental groups said the devices create fire hazards, add lithium batteries to the waste stream, and burden local recycling and hazardous waste systems. Opponents, including retailers and business groups, argued the bill would mainly affect a small legal market while the illicit market would continue to supply most disposable vapes, and warned of unintended consequences. After discussion about illicit sales, EPR ideas, and reuse alternatives, the committee voted 2-2 on the motion to pass as amended to Revenue and Taxation, so the bill was kept on call.
The committee also heard AB 907, which would compensate the six local air district representatives who serve on the California Air Resources Board the same as other board members. The author and supporters said the change would improve equity and help ensure local representation on CARB, and no opposition was presented. The chair expressed support, noting similar legislation had passed the committee previously, and the bill was held for a later vote once quorum issues were resolved.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Feb 11th, 2026
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Parents can always, under federal law, request a meeting and intervention plan.
- But parents have always had the right to request this. It's not something that we are adding.
- We are just clarifying it and putting it in here so parents are aware of that. Mr.
- I'm one of those parents. I have faith in the teachers. I'm one of those parents, Mr.
- We have parents, Mr. Speaker, gentlelady, that it doesn't matter what their kid does.
Bills:
HB111 , HB103 , HB60 , HB108 , HB120 , HB145 , HB154 , HB164 , HB291 , HJR6 , HR1 , HJM2 , HJM3 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB38 , HB47 , HB63 , HB64 , HB127 , HB165 , HB184 , HB200 , HM20 , HM51
Keywords:
water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance
Summary:
The House convened with a quorum, offered an invocation, pledges, and a series of recognitions and guest introductions, including a memorial honoring J.B. White, a young Santa Fe basketball player killed by gun violence, and presentations for Disability Rights Awareness Day, Down syndrome advocacy, adult education and literacy, and Western New Mexico University’s 133rd birthday. Members also welcomed students, legislative fellows, and other guests, and several speakers used the announcements period to highlight community work, family milestones, and advocacy efforts.
The chamber then received and referred several executive and Senate messages. Governor-authorized bills included HB 282 on school attendance enforcement and juvenile probation coordination, HB 292 creating the New Mexico Prison Rape Elimination Act, and HB 149 involving charter school facility financing; these were referred to the Judiciary or Appropriations and Finance Committees as applicable. The House also received Senate-passed bills and committee substitutes, which were referred to the appropriate House committees. In committee reports, multiple bills and memorials were adopted, including HB 4, HB 7, HB 65, HB 66, HB 80, HB 88, HB 96, HB 270, HB 280, HB 275, HB 285, HB 20, HB 166, HB 295, HM 46, HM 54, and SJR 1.
On third reading, HB 38 on wheelchair insurance coverage was announced as being remanded back to the House Health and Human Services Committee for a simple amendment before returning to the floor. The main floor debate centered on HB 120, which addresses restraint and seclusion in schools. Sponsors said the bill is intended to improve student safety, clarify when intervention is allowed, require de-escalation and behavior-support training, improve documentation and parent notification, and prevent harmful or punitive practices. An amendment was adopted to replace the term “punishment” with “disciplinary action” and to add reporting to a legislative study committee. The bill then drew extended questioning about definitions, school resource officers, PBIS references, training requirements, data collection, and possible costs and liability, with sponsors emphasizing that the measure clarifies existing practice rather than imposing a specific curriculum or program.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- These difficulties can isolate parents from their loved ones or other support systems.
- support for parents' well-beings.
- Deborah Bon Upson, of Parents for Public Schools, in support.
- Parents and Children Together, in support. AA, in support. Kaana on Pua, in support.
- </c><00:27:23.600><c> back</c> averages so any help to get parents back averages so any help to get parents
Committee:
Senate Health and Human Services
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 72 on pharmacy drew only support, with testimony from the University of Hawaiʻi system, the Board of Pharmacy, pharmacists, and others; no questions were raised. HB 237 on peer support programs also received broad support from the Department of Health, DHS, early learning officials, families, and advocates, with testimony emphasizing the value of peer-to-peer mentoring and support for parents, youth, and people with disabilities; no opposition or questions were noted.
HB 250, the prior authorization bill, generated the most discussion. SHPDA supported a revised version focused on reporting prior authorization practices and creating a nonbinding working group to develop automation standards, while PCMA, HMSA, Kaiser Permanente, and others raised concerns about duplicative pharmacy requirements, unintended consequences, and alignment with federal timelines and reporting. Several medical groups and individual patients supported the measure, describing delays and burdens caused by prior authorization. A committee member asked whether the bill’s working group differed from a similar group in Senate Bill 1449, and the witness said it was intended to be the same.
HB 303 on health care preceptors was supported by the Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi, nursing and health care organizations, and the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, which asked that pharmacists’ residency programs be specifically tied to national accreditation standards. HB 341, relating to issuance of SPURS to assist the Hawaii Island Community Health Association, drew support from the health center and related groups. HB 692 on Preschool Open Doors received extensive support from early learning, education, family, labor, and community organizations; testimony stressed the shortage of child care and preschool slots, especially on Kauai, and the need to expand access for families. Committee members asked about adding family child care providers and about licensing/certification barriers, and DHS said the bill was focused on current licensed child care facilities and that certification issues were a separate, broader problem. HB 700 on cognitive assessments also drew strong support, with the Department of Health, the Executive Office on Aging, disability advocates, the Alzheimer’s Association, caregivers, and others urging use of a validated cognitive assessment tool during annual wellness visits and asking that the age 65 threshold be removed; some witnesses supported keeping the data-collection portion as a pilot and emphasized early detection and reporting.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 03/16/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I was born in Chicago to Depression-era immigrant parents who left small farms.
- My parents came for the same reasons.
- Both of my parents only had a primary school education. My father had a year of technical school.
- I WAS BORN IN CHICAGO TO DEPRESSION-ERA IMMIGRANT PARENTS WHO LEFT SMALL FARMS.
- MY PARENTS CAME FOR THE SAME REASONS.
Summary:
The Senate met on March 13, 2026, approved the prior day’s journal, received a message discharging Assembly Bill 2330 from committee and substituting identical Senate Bill 5843, and welcomed visiting delegations from Connecticut. The chamber also adopted privileged resolution J.1753, honoring Saint Patrick and Irish Americans and memorializing the Governor to proclaim March 2026 as Irish American Heritage Month. Senators Kavanagh and Fahy spoke in support, emphasizing Irish heritage, immigration, public service, and the St. Patrick’s Day tradition; the resolution was adopted and opened for co-sponsorship.
The Senate then acted on a series of bills on the calendar. Measures passed included bills by Senators Hinchey, Comrie, Skoufis, Stavisky, Sanders, Kavanagh, Gianaris, Cleare, and others, with several receiving unanimous support and a few drawing recorded negative votes. Senator Fernandez’s education bill related to placing opioid antagonists with AEDs and first aid kits in schools passed 60-1 after supportive remarks from Senators Oberacker and Fernandez. A bill authorizing a study on lithium-ion battery fires also passed unanimously, with Senators Borrello and Weik explaining affirmative votes while urging caution about electric bus mandates.
The most debated item was Calendar 446, Senator May’s bill directing the Department of Economic Development to move the Central New York Welcome Center from Destiny USA to the Equal Rights Heritage Center in Auburn. Senator Walczyk questioned the move’s cost, location, visitor traffic, and local support, arguing Destiny USA was the better site; Senator May responded that the state had built the Auburn facility and should provide sustainable operating support. The bill passed 47-15. The Senate then completed the controversial calendar and adjourned until Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Jan 26th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So they actually stopped with their school-sponsored driver's ed, and they allowed parents.
- And it just would allow parents across the state And it just would allow parents across the state to
- So I do think parents who pay the insurance to start... In the urban areas.
- But a parent wouldn't have that.
- The cost basically goes on the parent. So the parents pay for the class.
Summary:
The committee first approved the January 20 minutes without objection. It then received a lengthy update from Idaho Transportation Department Director Scott Stokes, who described ITD’s responsibilities, staffing, budget sources, major highway and bridge projects, winter maintenance, DMV and aeronautics services, and the department’s safety and innovation efforts. He emphasized the department’s focus on operating, preserving, restoring, and expanding the transportation system, and answered questions about funding growth, freeway and work-zone safety, emergency repairs, and workforce needs.
Members then considered several RS drafts for introduction. RS 32984 would eliminate the requirement to display vehicle registration stickers, with the sponsor citing reduced cost and redundancy; it was introduced. RS 32869 would allow parents to teach driver’s education even in urban districts, restoring flexibility after prior changes; it was introduced after discussion about safety and possible fiscal effects tied to Idaho Digital Learning Alliance enrollment costs. RS 32834 would consolidate proof-of-identity and DMV registration processes for out-of-state customers; it was introduced.
The committee also heard RS 32841 C1, a cleanup bill to streamline distribution of vehicle registration fees and taxes and to raise the annual transfer for local bridge inspections from $175,000 to $300,000 to help draw down federal matching funds. After questions about the funding flow and match requirements, the committee voted to introduce the measure. The meeting then adjourned.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- SB 1328, domestic relations, parents' rights. Judiciary and Elections.
- SB 1320, Children incarcerated parents' tax force. Judiciary parents' tax force. SB 13.
- SB 1320, Children, Incarcerated Parents Tax Force. Judiciary Elections.
- SB 1328, domestic relations, parents' rights. Judiciary elections.
- We stand with Alex's parents and community.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Apr 9th, 2025
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- And so, we feel like that, you know, we hear from parents all the time about the challenges.
- So, HB 175 is creative in that it both is. parents to find these programs that are providing exemplary
- It adds additional administrative work for parents and leaves it on the parent to go and seek additional
- And a lot of parents there have a lot of time out when they're there.
- For example, a colleague of mine who actually was running for floor Erdoğan State Senate, his parents
Bills:
HB74 , HB175 , HB460 , HB576 , HB2271 , HB2294 , HB2874 , HB3016 , HB3133 , HB3191 , HB3458 , HB3929 , HB4063 , HB4115 , HB4394 , HB74 , HB175
Keywords:
Puerto Verde, Port Authority, eminent domain, bonds, tax assessments, economic development, infrastructure, transportation, public welfare, child care, certifications, Texas Rising Star Program, grant program, disability inclusion, family income, affordability, economic impact, state study, cost analysis, government support
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- It just provides that any vaccination for a minor has to have parental consent.
- side, the parent should do that.
- and say, well, parents, you got this right, but kids, you still got this right.
- I'm just saying from a parental right standpoint, the parent should be the one responsible for that.
- That parent has no idea that they went and did that.
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
Keywords:
vaccination, parental consent, minors, medical consent, guardian approval, criminal procedure, split sentencing, probation, Class A felony, Class B felony, minimum confinement, HB49, Alabama criminal code, capital offense, capital punishment, death penalty, rape in the first degree, sodomy in the first degree, sexual torture, child sexual abuse
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- The parent, guardian, or custodian of a child shall not be held to have committed medical neglect when
- The parent, guardian, or custodian is seeking health care services for the child or presents the child
- And then it lists several subrequirements in here of what a parent cannot be held, or a guardian for
- A couple of those things are if a parent or a guardian has a disagreement with a doctor, A guardian has
- There is a differing of opinion between health care providers, and the parent or guardian chooses or
Committee:
House Health and Welfare
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee Aug 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Parents and child advocates have increasingly raised concerns about the risk chatbot parents and child
- And so parents come to us.
- They would never ask a parent, a teacher, a counselor, or a friend.
- Parents have to be informed.
- Parents have a right to oversee that protection of their children.
Summary:
The committee met at Minot State to continue its study of artificial intelligence, with a focus on child safety, sexual exploitation, chatbot risks, and education policy. Members first approved the minutes and then received a Legislative Council overview of AI-related harms to children, including AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, extortion, and chatbot companion risks. The memo reviewed North Dakota and federal law, recent state enactments, First Amendment limits, and examples from other states, including Connecticut’s AI companion safeguards and federal efforts such as the Take It Down Act. Members discussed whether North Dakota’s existing 2025 laws on minors and harmful material are strong enough in light of recent court decisions, and Legislative Council indicated it would provide additional comparison material before the next meeting.
Superintendent Levi Bachmeier then presented on AI in education, arguing that schools need guardrails but should not ban AI outright. He said AI should be treated as a tool that can support instruction, teacher efficiency, and digital literacy, while warning against passive use, academic integrity problems, and overreliance on machines. He suggested embedding AI and digital literacy across subjects rather than creating a standalone class, and said schools should provide basic instruction when students receive one-to-one devices. Members asked about parent concerns, local control, higher education partnerships, and how to balance access with safety; Bachmeier emphasized a “threading the needle” approach and said the department would likely seek more guidance on digital literacy and cybersecurity.
Special Agent Hellseth of BCI followed with testimony on AI and child exploitation. He said AI is already being used in North Dakota to create explicit images from innocent photos, impersonate children and adults, and facilitate grooming, harassment, and extortion. He described several cases involving AI-generated sexual images and said victims often suffer lasting trauma even when the images are fake. Hellseth explained that investigators use AI tools themselves to process large volumes of data and identify synthetic images, but that the workload is growing and victim services need expansion. He urged stronger accountability for companies, more resources for law enforcement and victim support, and continued training and public education. Members asked about cyber tip volume, staffing, false accusations, and corporate reporting obligations; Hellseth said every tip is reviewed, the unit is small but expanding, and current federal reporting laws are not proactive enough. Representative Porter suggested combining the Legislative Council memo and Bachmeier’s recommendations into a comprehensive bill draft for the next meeting.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- ,</c><00:02:40.400><c> a</c> office by a constituent, a parent, a office by a constituent, a parent,
- </c><00:04:33.600><c> The</c> parent, zoom out a little bit. The parent, zoom out a little bit.
- And as part of being an parents.
- </c><00:42:46.480><c> like</c> child and adolescence and a parent like child and adolescence and a parent
- Right, parent company of TikTok.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:48:24.400><c> immigrant</c> they share their parents immigrant they share their parents immigrant
- </c><01:10:02.760><c> as</c> but we are the minority of parents as but we are the minority of parents
- </c><01:30:59.360><c> that</c> lot of many too many parents that lot of many too many parents that suffered
- the high school league is concerned, that's up to the parent.
- the high school league is concerned, that's up to the parent.
Committee:
Senate Education Policy