Transcript Highlights:

• </c> health professional and many programs health professional and many programs have<00:05:08.560><c
• In some situations, nurses can be a critical part of a Youth ACT team.
• sustainable for those programs.
• :23.919><c> a</c><00:07:24.080><c> critical</c> situations, nurses can be a critical situations, nurses
• Youth act teams would those programs.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We approve over 200 nursing education programs in Texas, and this portal would help streamline that process
• for nurses, which provides support for nurses with substance use disorders and mental health conditions
• We have two kinds of programs: ways that programs are funded, either General Revenue (GR) or through
• It's the short story... and the COPA program is a fee-supported program.
• We need specific vehicles for programs such as the mold program or fuel motor quality where you can't

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So is it common practice for the nurse practitioner training programs in the system?
• So is it common practice for the nurse practitioner training programs in the state of Utah to require
• clinical nursing, registered nursing experience before admitting students to those programs?
• or becoming a nurse or nurse practitioner can count.
• and then went straight from nursing school to nurse...

Committee: Joint Business and Labor Interim Committee

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am proud to be a nurse and I'm honored to recognize today as Nurses Day. in the Texas House.
• UTMB School of Nursing improves the health of Texas by advancing nursing excellence through leadership
• But UTMB School of Nursing was recently honored as providing the number one online master's program in
• They're here to commemorate a great achievement, the opening of the university's nursing program.
• Inaugural class of nursing students in the fall, and the school launched its first program of study.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . physicians, nurses, and EMTs.
• Finally, we have nursing.
• We have nursing students.
• And so we are coming to the close for the Doña Ana County program and just kicking off this program,
• Program, the Rapid Rehousing Homeless Prevention Program, the Home Supportive Services Program, and the

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Florida Association of Nurse Practitioners waives in support Allison Carbajal, Florida nurse practitioners
• You're on acute care, nurse practitioner degree and a family nurse practitioner degree as well as a doctor
• Their programs that allow psych nurse practitioners to complete 100% of the clinical hours via telemedicine
• Nurse practitioners.
• And the nurse practitioners.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jenna Cassidy, Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs. Good afternoon. I'm WN Stevens.
• good afternoon I'm WN Stevens programs good afternoon I'm WN Stevens I'm<00:01:52.880><c> here</c><00
• , explained that the training is done in collaboration with the sexual assault nurse examiner program
• has a skill bridge program organization has a skill bridge program where<00:16:29.279><c> it</c><00:
• Has the Department of Labor and other organizations that support military programs like this.

Keywords: 00:00 Call to Order/Roll Call 01:23 Discussion of 25RS HB 219 06:40 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 219 07:44 Discussion of 25RS HCR 20 09:36 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HCR 20 10:58 Discussion of 25RS HB 303 17:02 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 303 18:38 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations 21:46 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 219, sponsored by Representative Rebecca Raymer. The bill requires emergency services to provide mandatory training for emergency medical staff on sexual assault emergency response requirements, with the training developed in collaboration with the Sexual Assault Response Team advisory committee. Testimony from Jenna Cassidy of the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs and WN Stevens of Children’s Advocacy Centers of Kentucky explained that the training would help emergency department staff properly respond to sexual assault patients, preserve evidence, and connect patients to needed resources; the committee also clarified that the bill is training-focused and not a certification requirement. HB 219 received favorable expression and was reported to the House floor. The committee then heard House Concurrent Resolution 20, also from Representative Raymer, which directs the Legislative Research Commission to study gaps in sexual assault nurse examiner coverage, why those gaps exist, and what hospitals do when no SANE nurse is available. Raymer said the study was intended to gather data for future legislation, and members noted the importance of documenting current practices and supporting efforts to expand SANE coverage. The resolution was adopted with 16 favorable votes and recommended for passage on the House floor. Next, the committee took up House Bill 303, sponsored by Representative Steve Bratcher, which creates a pathway for military medical personnel to translate their training into civilian Kentucky credentials through colleges and universities. The committee substitute broadened participation beyond KCTCS to any Kentucky institution with accredited programs, and Bratcher explained that schools would evaluate military experience, award applicable credit, identify gaps, and still require the relevant licensure exam. Members asked about university participation, credentialing standards, and how prior military radiology training would transfer; Bratcher said the program is voluntary for institutions and works with existing SkillBridge and veterans’ programs. HB 303, as amended by committee substitute, passed unanimously and was recommended for passage. At the end of the meeting, the committee briefly reviewed administrative regulations. Representative Fleming asked about a behavioral regulation that had previously been found sufficient, and staff indicated it had been deferred, later found deficient again in the Senate Health Services Committee, and may be addressed through Senate Bill 65. The chair then allowed members to record additional votes before adjourning and announced the next Health Services meeting would be February 20 at noon in Room 149.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, clinical nurse specialists train many of the nurse practitioners that are currently authorized
• nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.
• Like other advanced practice providers, including nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists.
• And in fact, those clinical nurse specialists train many of the nurse practitioners that actually currently
• nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.

Committee: Senate Health

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But at that time, unfortunately, we didn't include that in our nursing programs.
• So right now, a nurse graduates. That in our nursing programs.
• So this bill simply requires that nursing, that nursing, that, So this bill simply requires that nursing
• , that individual nursing students in a nursing program must have two hours of identification specifically
• We're not requiring nursing programs to do that.

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> at least the last 20 years the nursing at least the last 20 years the nursing home<00:15:45.120>
• I was just wondering, just wanted to confirm there were 16 hospital beds and 37 nursing skilled nursing
• </c> what rates we're paying in the nursing what rates we're paying in the nursing home<00:22:57.080>
• </c> the crisis and created similar programs the crisis and created similar programs to<00:40:07.440>
• ><c> are</c> programs directed payment programs are programs directed payment programs are not<01:09:

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the nurse, I guess it's the Nurse Practice Act, I think that's what you said.
• The money comes from the Board of Nursing and is transferred to the agency, and the Board of Nursing
• Um, this grant program, as the representative mentioned, has typically funded these innovative programs
• We'd already added from nurses to doctors, or sorry, doctors and added nurses.
• Um, and then the same thing for the nursing, the nursing part, um, they're licensed in another state.

Bills: HB163 , HB 296

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: judicial liability, personal bond, felony offenses, judges, criminal justice reform, voter registration, election procedures, change of address, residence requirements, Texas Election Code, Texas election law, residence address, precinct voting, county move, same-county move, Election Code, registrar, statement of residence, polling place, local elections

Transcript Highlights:

• Celebrating 50 years of service, our School of Nursing is among the top five largest nursing programs
• the only. programs of its kind in the state of Texas and starting this fall a certified registered nurse
• program.
• As a result, our final request is to enhance. our nursing programs by increasing enrollment, upgrading
• Our School of Nursing was recently recognized as providing a number one online master's program in the

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Article III

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the state university teaching program. the state university teaching program.
• 28.880><c> ATRIP</c><00:07:29.520><c> program</c> university programs, the ATRIP program university programs
• </c> program in 2019 to 2025. program in 2019 to 2025.
• </c> university directed payment program. university directed payment program.
• Um, it's not to replicate programs already supported by other federal programs.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board’s fourth meeting focused primarily on a presentation from University of Kentucky and University of Louisville health leaders about the state university directed payment program. Mark Birdwhistle and Ken Marshall described the program as a long-running, value-based Medicaid arrangement that began in 2019, uses university-provided matching funds rather than provider taxes, and ties a portion of payments to quality outcomes. They said the program has improved measures such as tobacco cessation, diabetes control, depression screening, and cancer screening, while supporting access to specialty care, medical education, and workforce training. They also emphasized that Kentucky’s model is nationally notable and has helped improve health rankings and generate cost savings. A major topic was the federal reconciliation bill signed July 4, which the presenters said will reduce directed payments by 10% annually for 10 years beginning in 2028. UL Health estimated a first-year loss of about $75 million and a cumulative loss of about $600 million over the decade; UK estimated about $100 million in the first year, for a combined first-year impact of roughly $175 million. Both speakers warned the cuts could affect access to care, training capacity, and the sustainability of Kentucky’s value-based model, though they expressed hope that congressional action could alter or delay the changes. They also noted that 340B drug pricing changes could further strain already thin operating margins, but did not provide exact figures during the meeting. Committee members responded positively to the program’s reported outcomes and the institutions’ role in Kentucky health care. Senator Berg praised the quality of care and shared a personal example of being advised to stay at UofL for breast cancer treatment. Representative Moer highlighted Kentucky’s strong cancer-control score and asked for more explanation of the value-based payment structure; the presenters said the system is built around ongoing measurement, accountability, and collaboration with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the amended August 27 minutes by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• A school nurse generally is a nurse, but it's not specified, like RN or LPN.
• We have most of our week staffed by nurses' assistants, not a nurse.
• Every nurse, every school nurse, and every nurse who works in a school is absolutely qualified to do
• and a proud school nurse.
• I am also a retired school nurse corps administrator and school nurse here in Washington state.

Bills: HB2246 , HB2360

Committee: House Education

Keywords: firearm violations, education, student discipline, school policies, safety measures, albuterol, asthma, inhaler, rescue inhaler, respiratory emergency, school nurse, student medication, self-administration, anaphylaxis, public schools, private schools, charter schools, tribal compact schools, K-12 health, medication policy

Transcript Highlights:

• They assist us with programs for veterans in our nursing homes throughout the state of Florida.
• Program.
• The federal government has a Department of Labor program called the VETS program—it's called DOL VETS
• So, in essence, we want to rename the Vets program to the Veterans Florida Opportunity Program.
• of Defense SkillBridge program, the Jobs for Veterans State Grant, and the Get There Faster program,

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The committee took up SB 116 by Senator Burgess, a veterans bill aimed at several FDVA-related changes. The bill would reduce annual nominations to the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame from 20 to 5, expand FDVA’s survey work to assess veterans’ awareness of available programs and their health literacy, add mental health training to the veterans suicide prevention pilot, strengthen coordination and reporting between Veterans Florida and FDVA, direct FDVA to develop a plan for adult day health care facilities statewide, and allow the Florida Veterans Foundation to use a portion of Gadsden flag plate proceeds for administrative costs. Senator Burgess said the measure builds on prior “Forward March” efforts and helps close service gaps for aging veterans and others who may not know about available benefits. Testimony on SB 116 was uniformly supportive. FDVA leadership said adult day health care could be added at existing facilities such as Port St. Lucie and Lake City, and that the state would need authority and funding to move forward. A veterans legal collaborative, AARP Florida, and Endeavors all voiced support, with speakers emphasizing the importance of better outreach, mental health awareness, and care options that allow veterans to remain at home. The committee then voted favorably on SB 116. The remainder of the meeting was devoted to agency and stakeholder presentations. Florida National Guard officials described a high operational tempo, deployments at home and abroad, hurricane response efforts, and the need to grow the force and infrastructure. FDVA’s adjutant general reported Florida now has the nation’s second-largest veteran population, rising in-migration of younger veterans, a large and aging Vietnam-era population, strong claims and outreach activity, declining veteran homelessness, and improved suicide prevention outcomes. The Florida Veterans Foundation outlined its emergency relief, dental, transportation, and license-plate-funded programs, while Veterans Florida and CareerSource Florida detailed workforce, apprenticeship, SkillBridge, entrepreneurship, and job-fair programs for veterans and spouses, along with efforts to expand recurring funding and better protect customer information.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> nursing facility payment system changes. nursing facility payment system changes.
• </c><00:07:28.160><c> facility</c> this would adjust the nursing facility this would adjust the nursing
• ><c> home</c> as a nursing home as a nursing home uh<00:10:20.560><c> construction</c><00:10:21.120><
• </c> proposal to add home care nursing proposal to add home care nursing services<00:21:20.720><c> to
• Then program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It did not affect the program.
• And I am with a public school district that I supervise school nurses in the school health service program
• nursing.
• Across our state, there is no standardized school nursing orientation program.
• an orientation program.

Committee: Senate Health & Welfare

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 20, 2026, with eight members present and approved the prior meeting minutes. The committee first advanced SB 1224, which requires DCFS to look into cases where a child under 17 is involved in a pregnancy, with added oversight for children under 12; it was reported favorably. The committee also favorably reported SB 1100, described as repealing an outdated statute. White Coat Day remarks welcomed physicians to the Capitol and thanked them for their service, including efforts to improve Medicaid reimbursement. Several health-related bills were then heard and advanced. HB 1220, a continuation of prior work to codify provisions related to the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners and physician licensure, was reported favorably. HB 1231 clarified that Medicaid coverage for continuous glucose monitoring applies to insulin-dependent patients, including those with gestational diabetes, and was also reported favorably. HB 198, which sets reimbursement rates for ambulatory surgery centers for certain Medicaid procedures such as colonoscopies, eye, ENT, and gastroenterology services, passed favorably. HB 1160, creating a streamlined restricted license pathway for qualified international medical graduates, prompted a lengthy exchange about delayed rulemaking and whether the board had added requirements beyond statute; despite concerns, it was reported favorably. The committee also advanced several resolutions and oversight measures. HCR 67, prompted by a personal family experience with a special-needs child’s acute care needs, creates a task force to study gaps in acute care for special-needs adults and children; it was amended and reported favorably. HCR 27, calling for a statewide evaluation of autism services by LDH and the Department of Education, was reported favorably. HB 223, which recreates DCFS, was amended to shorten the sunset date and require law enforcement reporting through a secure web platform, then reported favorably. HCR 28, creating a task force on school nurse orientation and training for new graduates, was reported favorably after testimony from school nurses about the lack of standardized orientation and the risks of placing inexperienced nurses alone in schools. The committee also took up HB 469, which would allow pharmacy license renewal applicants to designate a portion of fees to eligible schools including Xavier University’s College of Pharmacy; after opposition from Senator Cloud and a roll call, the bill was deferred. HB 1182, a cleanup bill changing the occupational therapy certifying entity and adjusting fees, and HB 1076, eliminating one of two sunset provisions for the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board, were both reported favorably. HB 1216, a major rewrite of clinical laboratory personnel rules, was deferred after concerns that it would restrict existing phlebotomy and lab functions in ways that could conflict with recent law. Finally, HB 457 and HB 616, both by Representative Knox and focused on homelessness, drew extensive testimony: HB 457 established minimum standards for shelters and similar facilities and was reported favorably as amended, while HB 616 would allow audits of homelessness-related funding and databases; after debate over privacy, federal funding oversight, and accountability, the committee adopted an amendment changing enforcement language from "may" to "shall" and continued hearing testimony from opponents and supporters.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also plan to develop a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program in response to the critical
• Third is for funding to renovate and modernize the former biology building to house the new nursing programs
• and allied health programs and to increase the capacity of the Bachelor's of Nursing.
• We have been able to expand our allied health programs, including our nursing and new EMT programs.
• , plumbing, automotive technology, and our newest nursing program.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Article III

Transcript Highlights:

• the TAP programs or... ...working directly with the TAP programs?
• Great program.
• Licensed practical nurses.
• My wife's 31 years at Boston Medical Center as a nurse. My daughter's a nurse practitioner.
• But in the nursing homes, I saw my enlisted medics go into the nursing homes and operate as LPNs, so

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs held its second public hearing of the 2025–26 session, with opening remarks from Chairs John Velis and Joe McGonagle outlining testimony on 20 House bills and 18 Senate bills. The hearing covered a wide range of veterans issues, including municipal veterans assistance funds, pension equity, expanding the Office of the Veterans Advocate, veterans service officer staffing, disability benefits eligibility, service dogs, POW tax relief, courtesy parking spaces, women veterans and motherhood, and workforce-related licensing and employment measures. Chairs emphasized the hybrid format, three-minute testimony limit, and written testimony process. Several bills drew support focused on expanding services and access. Representative Arena-DeRosa spoke for bills to broaden municipal veterans assistance funds to cover housing and legal expenses and to study enhanced pension equity for veterans, citing burn pit exposure and shorter life expectancy among veterans. Senator Fattman, Representative Peas, and Veterans Advocate Bob Notch supported bills expanding the Office of the Veterans Advocate to include active-duty service members and their families, arguing it would improve transition support, coordination with state agencies, and retention of military talent in Massachusetts. Representative Arriaga backed a bill to incentivize municipalities to provide full-time or regional veterans service officers and another to study the impact of combat on women veterans and motherhood. Representative Moulton/another sponsor also sought to exempt veterans’ disability payments from income calculations for other state benefits, and Representative Hong and Senator Scanlan supported a state service dog program, POW income tax relief, and courtesy retail parking spaces for veterans. Testimony also focused on workforce and claims-assistance issues. The Military Officers Association of America and James Keene urged passage of bills waiving duplicative education requirements so qualified veterans and military medics can become licensed practical nurses, arguing it would help address health care shortages and recognize military training. Brave Veterans Inc. called for a Veterans Research Trust Fund to protect data and program evaluation work during budget cuts. On claims assistance, one witness supported criminal penalties for unaccredited agents who charge veterans for VA claims help, while a private consulting firm opposed the bill, arguing it would restrict lawful speech and veterans’ choice and that existing federal and HERO Act safeguards already address abuses. The VFW strongly opposed paid claims consulting, said its accredited service officers provide free help statewide, and urged more public awareness of existing free services. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and shall complete the program within six years of the
• to Bachelor science and registered nurse to Bachelor science and nursing<01:30:25.040><c> program</c
• </c> nursing program shall complete a program nursing program shall complete a program within<01:30:26.560
• school nurses.
• school nurse and a school nurse is and school nurse and a school nurse is school<01:36:26.960><c> excuse

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first addressed House Bill 415, which would remove the requirement that schools provide menstrual products. Members supporting an ITL said the mandate was unfunded, had been in place since 2019, and was already working without complaints from districts. Other members opposed the bill, arguing menstrual products are essential and that the requirement helps students, especially those with fewer resources. The committee voted ITL on HB 415 by a roll call of 17 yeas, 0 nays. The committee then took up House Bill 388, concerning public reports on special education. Supporters of ITL said they agreed with the goal of transparency but were concerned about student privacy, especially in small districts, and thought the bill’s information requests went too far. They noted that related issues could potentially be addressed in another bill, HB 557. The committee voted ITL on HB 388, 17-0. House Bill 730, which would require schools and some colleges to provide information on adoption, was also moved ITL. The sponsor said adoption is personally important to him but that the bill was not the right vehicle and involved entities such as colleges and the Attorney General unnecessarily; he said related ideas might be folded into other bills later. The committee agreed and voted ITL, 17-0. The committee then discussed House Bill 671, a preschool/early literacy proposal involving a statewide nonprofit digital program, likely Waterford. Members raised questions about who would be covered, data privacy, prior use of federal ESSER funds, whether the program had measurable results, and whether the bill’s nonprofit requirement was too restrictive. Department of Education witness Melissa White said the state had spent $400,000 in FY22 and $600,000 in FY23 on a Waterford contract using ARP ESSER funds, but she did not have participant counts and said the department could not measure literacy gains for that population. She also said the bill’s funding level would likely require an RFP and that, if enacted as written, the program would probably still be Waterford-based. The discussion continued without a final vote in the portion provided.