Video & Transcript Research : 'bed availability'

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US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, June 9, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • PASSENGER RAIL CARS AND HAVE CLEAR SIGNAGE INDICATING THE AVAILABLE OF BABY CHANGING STATIONS.
  • make more meetings open to the public and ensures that minutes from those meetings are publicly available
  • MORE MEETINGS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND ENSURES THAT MINUTES FROM THOSE MEETINGS ARE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE
  • We stay in bed all day. We have an extra drink. We don't go to work.
  • We stay in bed all day. We have an extra drink. We don't go to work.
DE
Transcript Highlights:
  • The attorney is available.
  • And they are available. So releasing them from liability will not help this situation.
  • The minutes of the previous legislative day are available in Mr. Puffer's office.
  • Available debt limit prior to appended legislation: $363.88 million.
  • Is that your bed to me? I might be confused. What's the opposite of the day?
Summary: The House convened with quorum, offered prayers and moments of silence for community members who had recently died, and recognized several guests and family members in the chamber. After routine communications and passage of consent calendar 29, the chamber took up a series of measures on the main and colored agendas, with several bills and resolutions passing by voice vote or roll call. Among the measures approved were House Concurrent Resolution 157, which as amended requested a State Lottery report on options to support traditional lottery retailers; Senate Bill 53 on the Delaware Farm to Community Program; Senate Bill 307 on PSC authority for Lifeline telecommunications carriers; Senate Bill 339 clarifying health directive forms in mental health facilities; Senate Bill 235 on manufactured home community rent increases; Senate Bill 325, as amended, updating fire prevention and volunteer fire/EMS background check rules; Senate Bill 309 on inmate work and discharge of incarceration-related balances; Senate Bill 324 on deadly weapons and constable agency representatives; Senate Bill 293 on youth camp child care licensing; Senate Bill 94 on respiratory care practitioners and ECMO medication delivery; and Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 100, proposing a constitutional amendment protecting the right to marry regardless of race or gender while preserving religious freedom. House Bill 188, changing Delaware primary elections to allow unaffiliated voters to choose a party primary, also passed after debate. Two measures drew extended discussion and amendments. Senate Bill 233, requiring snow and ice to be removed from vehicles, was tabled once, then later amended and passed after debate over whether the law was workable for truck drivers and other vehicle operators; a proposed truck-related exemption amendment failed. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 404, creating a pilot program for artificial intelligence and extended reality in schools, passed after testimony from the Department of Education emphasizing guardrails, privacy, and educator oversight, alongside concerns from members about data, bias, and long-term effects. Several items were tabled or reconsidered during the session, and the House adjourned after completing the day’s business.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • work with the city of Tacomsa, the city of Shawnee, and the city of Wauoka, and we do their flower beds
  • We have around 40,000 items that are available to anyone.
  • Traditional student loans are not available because we are a private vocational school and not accredited
  • Individuals should be able to network and learn what else is available for possible employment, just
  • Individuals should be able to network and learn what else is available for possible employment, just
Keywords: 914, all
Summary: The committee/task force met with several disability service providers to discuss integrated employment, transition services, and barriers to community jobs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Robin Arder and Belinda Stevens of ThinkAbility described creating their own businesses when community employers were not hiring their clients, and said rigid service rules, employer readiness, bullying, and reimbursement structures often force the person to fit the service rather than the service fitting the person. They said they have not seen clients lose benefits, but they do closely manage reporting to Social Security and related supports. Tina Hannah of South Central Industries described a broad business model that includes manufacturing, janitorial work, city beautification, state-use contracts, a food truck, and an entertainment trailer, along with an adult day program and residential services. She said many employers are hesitant because of productivity and cost concerns, and that businesses are often more open to contracting with her agency than hiring individuals directly. Miranda Figueroa of A New Leaf said her agency is moving toward a more person-centered model with sheltered work, volunteer sites, paid contracts, and a Transition Academy. She said the academy is a two-year program focused first on independent living and then on employment, with internships and an 85% placement rate, but funding is a major barrier because the program is not accredited and students cannot access traditional aid. She also cited dual diagnoses, inconsistent job coaches, and employer uncertainty as major obstacles. Angela Decker and Deborah Copeland of DRTC described DRTC’s long-running enclave contracts, a new Community Skills and Connections program, and a plan to phase out 14(c) subminimum wage use by the end of the year. They said the new program is designed to keep people engaged in community-based skill-building and networking while families still need day supports, and that DRTC has developed more than 100 community partnerships. Senator Kirt, Rep. Hefner, and participants discussed broader system issues, including the need for better school-to-work transition, more social integration, transportation, safety, and employer education. DRS staff said the agency is already required to provide pre-employment transition services in schools starting at age 14 and offers employer accommodations support and job-carving assistance, though they acknowledged federal reporting expectations and service rules can be restrictive. Several participants raised concerns about line-of-sight restrictions, congregate living rules, benefit cliffs, and the difficulty of moving from DDS to DRS services. The group also discussed the need for better data and possible working groups focused on in-school transition, program support and blending services, and community integration. No formal votes were taken.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • I will tell you this: when I go to bed at night, the last thought on my mind is this: how can I get a
  • It's a great app that's available for all the schools.
  • figure out how many people are going to be there, and then every resource you could ever want is available
  • But now this training is available. We'll go out and do the training for them.
  • how to figure out how many people are going to be and then every resource you could ever want is available
Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on Oklahoma school safety from Commissioner Tipton, OSSI director Mike Fike, OACTIC director Alan Young, OSBI lieutenant Isiles Keene, and Rogers County Sheriff Scott Walton. The main focus was a statewide school-safety framework built around response, prevention, and recovery. Witnesses described training law enforcement in the LASER active-shooter response model, adding A-TURK training for coordinated law enforcement/fire/EMS response, expanding run-hide-fight and Stop the Bleed instruction for educators and staff, conducting risk and vulnerability assessments, and using the Rave panic-button system and the ProtectOK tip app to speed reporting and dispatch. They also emphasized behavioral threat assessment and management (BTAM) teams as a prevention tool to identify and support at-risk students before violence occurs. Members asked about administrator and teacher training, school counselor involvement, how apps are deployed on personal versus school devices, and whether schools are actually using the programs. Witnesses said administrators, counselors, and SROs should be part of BTAM, that training is most effective when it is realistic and repeated, and that Rave is geofenced and typically invited onto devices by schools. Several members stressed that school leaders must buy in for safety plans to work, and one member raised concerns about traumatic training and the need for mental-health support as part of prevention. Witnesses said mental-health referral and monitoring are part of BTAM, but the school and local partners must manage the process. OSBI’s lieutenant added broader context, comparing school safety to fire safety and noting that Oklahoma still lacks some statutory requirements for intruder drills and stronger penalties for school threats. He also discussed possible future tools such as surveillance analytics, gunshot detection, ballistic-rated doors and walls, and better access controls, while warning that technology should supplement, not replace, basic safety systems and training. Sheriff Walton closed by describing rural response challenges and his foundation’s effort to place ballistic shields in schools and police cars, arguing that human resources and rapid communication remain the biggest gaps. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Select Committee on Health Care and Behavioral Health Oversight Nov 5th, 2025

Joint Select Committee on Health Care and Behavioral Health Oversight

Transcript Highlights:
  • point from CMS, our partners, about how to apply for the waiver or when the application would be available
  • , hopefully, an award notification from CMS, as well as a notification about how much funding is available
  • And then thinking about provider technology funds, a broader bucket here available for operations, AI
  • making determinations about how we expend some of those funds, particularly within the larger pots of available
  • , like the lady I transplanted, yes, in the daytime with the liver team, she had been in a hospital bed
Summary: The committee met to hear introductory briefings from the Department of Health and the Health Care Authority on agency priorities, federal changes, and implementation challenges. Secretary of Health Dennis Worsham said his department’s listening tour is focused on strengthening governmental public health, improving health care quality and access, and responding to federal funding disruptions and the shutdown’s effects on programs such as WIC. HCA Director Ryan Moran said the agency is prioritizing coverage preservation, oversight of major contracts, affordability, behavioral health integration, rural health transformation, and internal agency operations. Members asked about licensure delays; Worsham said the backlog had been reduced from about four months to six weeks and should be caught up by January 1, with possible further process changes if needed. A major portion of the meeting focused on H.R. 1 and its Medicaid-related implementation. Governor’s health policy advisor Caitlin Stafford, HCA staff, and interim Medicaid Director Trinity Wilson said the state is working with DSHS, the Health Benefit Exchange, tribes, and other partners to prepare for eligibility changes, work requirements, and six-month redeterminations. They said the state expects up to 30,000 Apple Health enrollees could lose coverage under the law’s non-citizen eligibility changes, and that the work requirement/redetermination provisions could affect about 620,000 adults, with roughly 80,000 also enrolled in SNAP. HCA said it hopes to automate most verification, but about 15% to 20% of cases may require manual review, with technology costs estimated at up to $30 million. Staff also said they are trying to keep H.R. 1 implementation mostly in budget language rather than statute, and that communication and navigator support will be important to minimize confusion and coverage loss. The committee also received an update on the Rural Health Transformation Program created in H.R. 1. HCA said Washington submitted its application to CMS on November 5 after extensive stakeholder engagement, including more than 310 written comments, webinars, and tribal consultation. The application centers on six initiatives: rural hospital innovation, community care and prevention, tribal investments, technology and data, workforce development, and rural behavioral health. HCA said the state is likely to receive less than the full $200 million annual amount assumed in the federal program, and that an advisory committee may be created to help guide spending over the five-year program. Members asked about palliative care, small business impacts, and communication with enrollees; HCA said it expects to share outreach toolkits and that no 2026 statutory changes are currently anticipated, though that could change. The final panels covered organ donation and transplant services. Department of Health staff explained the 2023 “Lights and Sirens” law for organ transport vehicles, including licensing, driver qualifications, insurance requirements, and use of emergency lanes and traffic preemption; the department said one company is currently licensed and there have been no complaints. LifeCenter Northwest described the organ procurement process, the legal framework under the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, and the rarity and complexity of deceased donation, noting Washington has seen strong growth in donation and transplants over the past decade. University of Washington Medical Center staff then outlined its transplant programs for kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas, and multi-organ transplants, describing the multidisciplinary evaluation and waitlist process and the coordination required with donor organizations and hospitals.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Oct 7th, 2025

Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • those mid-career folks, we can't really effectively recruit given the pay scales that are readily available
  • Arizona, Colorado, Texas, and many other states, we're going to let them know that there are jobs available
  • So do you have that information available? I'm sure. Madam Chair, Representative.
  • And if you have a physician that is filling a lot of beds, bringing a lot of revenue to the hospital,
  • to the qualified applicants, so it needs to encumber those funds to ensure that it has a balance available
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • But if that money is not available, then we'll scale it down or we'll add to it to continue the whole
  • So we're trying to see if it was available to get it done all at one time.
  • if you will, on what funds NMDOT has that are available to local municipalities.
  • That is a dry lake bed that is filled with caliche, and nothing grows there.
  • Chair, one of the things is that, because it's a lot of money, we don't always have that money available
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill ensures a more independent and deliberative process than what is currently available through
  • also outlines heating and cooling requirements. requirements for specified square footage per facility bed
  • [The state] has some monies available that these facilities can apply for.
  • We'll be available, so we're going to get clarification on...
  • The bill ensures that coverage is available to those folks who have previously undergone gender transition
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session 5/12/25 - Part 2

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We also are creating a be available.
  • The difference between the request and the available funds was $5.6 million.
  • beds and how that works.
  • > Representative authorizes swing beds for Representative authorizes swing beds for Representative
  • The state finally opened up the first drive-up testing that was available.
Keywords: 1183, house
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

JDC-AEN Informational Briefing 11-03-2025

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, but you know, I would really hesitate to say, you know, that's going to be a test bed because, you
  • c> to<01:21:22.960> be<01:21:23.040> a<01:21:23.120> test<01:21:23.360> bed
  • <01:21:23.679> because,<01:21:24.320> you going to be a test bed because, you going
  • to be a test bed because, you know,<01:21:24.960> a<01:21:25.280> lot<01:21:25.360>
  • a<01:28:49.040> previous<01:28:49.280> one<01:28:49.440> on That's all available
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The Judiciary and Agriculture and Environment committees held an informational briefing on how recent federal policy changes, funding delays, cancellations, and layoffs are affecting Hawaii’s climate mitigation and adaptation efforts, and on the legality of some of those federal actions. Chair Carl Rhodes and Chair Mike Gabbard opened the meeting by framing it as part of an interim series on the rule of law and Hawaii’s response to federal actions. They noted there would be no public testimony, only invited presenters, and that questions would be held until the end. No votes or formal committee actions were taken. State climate change coordinator Leah Laramie described broad impacts from federal actions, including grant cancellations, litigation over terminated funding, staff cuts at NOAA and EPA, and the effect of the federal tax and spending law she said would raise energy costs, reduce grid reliability, and threaten renewable energy and transportation projects. She highlighted the loss or expiration of incentives for EVs and other clean-energy technologies, the termination of the Solar for All program and other rescissions, and the risk to major Hawaii projects such as Carbon Smart Commodities and other energy and land conservation programs. She also said the state’s attorneys general had taken numerous climate-related legal actions, including suits challenging federal cuts and the oil companies’ role in the climate crisis. Retired Justice Michael Wilson focused on the rule of law and climate justice, arguing that Hawaii is on the front line of climate change and that fossil fuel companies pose the greatest long-term threat. He said the state lacks a comprehensive climate protection plan despite the urgency of the crisis, cited UN and scientific warnings about a limited time horizon and severe warming, and pointed to projected local harms such as sea-level rise, beach loss, infrastructure damage, and major economic losses in Waikiki. His remarks emphasized the need for stronger planning and legal accountability, especially in light of federal rollbacks and the influence of fossil fuel interests.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am

Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • Chi-Chi, are you available? Nope, she’s not on yet, so we will come back to her.
  • The Arc is always available to work with you toward a solution. Thank you so much.
  • The Arc is always available to work with you toward a solution. Thank you.
  • Amber, are you available? John Ferreira? Do we have Benjamin Carroll? Yes.
  • Amber, are you available?
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a hybrid public hearing with testimony on a wide range of labor, workforce, unemployment insurance, apprenticeship, disability services, farm labor, hospital staffing, and workplace harassment bills. Chairs Jake Oliveira and Paul McMurtry outlined hearing procedures, limited testimony to two minutes, and noted written testimony would be accepted after the hearing. Committee members and staff were introduced throughout the session as witnesses arrived in person or remotely. A major portion of the hearing focused on unemployment insurance legislation. Greater Boston Legal Services, the AFL-CIO, and Rep. Joan Meschino supported bills to adjust UI eligibility for workers with fluctuating schedules and to streamline waivers and write-offs for non-fault overpayments, arguing the current system unfairly denies benefits or burdens workers who were not at fault. They also backed bills calling for more oversight and resources for the Division of Unemployment Assistance, citing persistent delays in benefit payments. NFIB opposed the UI changes, warning that the trust fund is headed toward insolvency and arguing the bills would worsen the system’s finances. Rep. Meschino and committee members emphasized that the proposals were meant to protect good-faith claimants and did not apply to fraud. Another large set of bills addressed wages, workforce development, and working conditions. Testimony supported raising and modernizing direct care wages to address severe staffing shortages in human services and disability services, with advocates from the Massachusetts Developmental Disability Council, The Arc of Massachusetts, parents of adults with disabilities, and a direct care worker describing how low pay and turnover harm people needing support. The committee also heard support for apprenticeship-related bills from the AFL-CIO and the Carpenters, while Associated Builders and Contractors opposed mandatory apprenticeship ratios and urged changes to align them with licensing laws. Farm worker advocates supported a bill to raise farm labor standards, including minimum wage, paid breaks, and paid time off, while the Farm Bureau opposed parts of it beyond the minimum wage increase. The hearing also featured testimony on workplace harassment training, overtime protections, hospital mandatory overtime, suicide prevention signage on construction sites, and a proposal to update the Massachusetts Medical Society’s mission language from “citizens” to “people.” Labor groups, educators, and compliance trainers strongly supported mandatory annual sexual harassment training, saying it would improve workplace culture and reduce harm. SEIU 1199 supported extending the hospital nurse mandatory overtime ban to the broader hospital workforce. Witnesses on the suicide prevention bill described personal losses in construction and recovery work and urged posting 988 information on job sites. The committee took no votes during the hearing; witnesses repeatedly asked for favorable reports, and members asked follow-up questions on UI calculations, apprenticeship ratios, small-business impacts, and emergency exceptions for hospital staffing.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Mar 17th, 2026 at 09:00 am

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Are there other variables that impact class sizes other than availability of space?
  • If not, they can be directed to OsDE, who will make those assessments available to parents.
  • Made available to the public, this will allow us to do that.
  • Isn't it publicly available for people to read and understand for themselves?
  • Yes, Oklahoma statute is available for taxpayers of Oklahoma to read.
NY

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York State Senate Session - 04/28/2026

New York Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • because the right person doesn't step forward, or you want to just make sure that you're always available
  • is not for a current vacancy, but the employer is seeking resumes to review when jobs do become available
  • IF THERE IS A JOB THAT WILL BE FILL BED BEYOND THE 90 DAY, IT WOULD REQUIRE A DISCLOSURE THIS IS FOR
Keywords: 993, senate, all
Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and adopted a resolution calendar with several exceptions before taking up a series of ceremonial resolutions and bills. Members welcomed student visitors from the YWCA of White Plains’ Voices Unfiltered Policy Program, then adopted resolutions honoring Senegalese independence and the Senegalese community, MWBE Advocacy Day, John Coltrane’s 100th birthday, the Sing Sing Prison Museum, I Love My Park Day, Animal Advocacy Day, Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Awareness Month, and Denim Day. Speakers emphasized cultural recognition, public service, environmental stewardship, animal welfare, rare disease awareness, and support for survivors of sexual violence; each resolution was adopted. The chamber then moved through the regular calendar, passing a number of bills on broad roll-call votes. Among the measures approved were bills amending the Penal Law, Executive Law, Public Housing Law, Retirement and Social Security Law, Social Services Law, Environmental Conservation Law, General Municipal Law, Railroad Law, Election Law, Labor Law, and Public Service Law. Several bills passed unanimously or nearly so, while a few drew notable opposition, including a public health measure that passed 39-19 and the labor-related bill on ghost job postings that passed 39-19 after extended debate. The most detailed floor debate centered on the Labor Law bill addressing “ghost jobs,” requiring employers with 100 or more employees to disclose whether postings are for current vacancies, expected future openings, or general resume collection, with Department of Labor enforcement and civil penalties. Supporters argued it would protect job seekers from deceptive postings; opponents said it was unnecessary, burdensome, and could invite litigation or penalties disproportionate to the problem. The Senate also debated and passed a bill expanding election-language assistance under the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act to Haitian Creole and Middle Eastern and North African communities, with supporters citing growing language-access needs and opponents raising concerns about scope and local costs. The Senate then adjourned until the next day.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Ethics and Elections Mar 2nd, 2026

Ethics and Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • the Agency for Persons with Disabilities where I led efforts to make APD application for services available
  • Department accelerated provider development efforts resulting in an increase of 140 percent licensed bed
  • Florida's amazing work but is really customized to that individual, activating the resources that are available
Keywords: 999, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session May 27th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • By the best available science, this bill passed out of natural resources committee with bipartisan support
  • Sometimes, just getting out of bed is an act of resistance and hope.
  • Help is available and recovery is possible. So let us honor those we've lost.
Keywords: 988, house, all
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

April 22, 2025 - 01:00 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • My bed and breakfast is four doors down from where this gambling place was, and my guests were appalled
  • If you have any questions or anything, we're all available. Thank you, Chair. Appreciate you.
  • I know that there was a memo or a document that went out, that there's some acreage that's available,
Summary: The State Affairs Committee met with a quorum present and took up several measures. It first considered HJR 1215, an ad valorem tax exemption for farmers and agricultural lands. The committee adopted an amendment making technical changes and removing a requirement that implementing language be set by general law. Several agricultural and business groups supported the measure, and it was reported favorably by a vote of 22-4. The committee then heard CS for CS for HB 1169, a bill revising water management district planning, budgeting, reporting, and business practices, including restrictions on lobbyist expenditures and additional budget disclosures. An amendment removing the statutory section on management review teams was adopted after debate over whether those teams were still useful. The bill was reported favorably 19-8-7. Members then debated PCS for CS for HB 1221, which would redirect local option tourist development tax revenues toward property tax relief and give counties more control over certain local taxes. County, tourism, beach preservation, and hospitality groups opposed the bill, warning it would weaken tourism marketing, beach renourishment, and local services, while supporters argued it would provide property tax relief and accountability. The bill passed 14-12. Finally, the committee considered HB 4079, which would dissolve the town of White Springs. The sponsor and supporters described years of mismanagement, intimidation, and illegal conduct, while opponents argued dissolution was an extreme step and pointed to the ongoing election and other remedies. After extensive public testimony and debate, the bill was reported favorably 19-6. The committee then adjourned.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • believe that we set the mark with the Chips and Science Act of saying invest and we're going to test bed
  • potential to crowd out. private investment, those larger deficits, remove capital that could instead be available
  • Falkender had around Using all tools available at the Treasury department to stop the flow of fentanyl
Summary: The meeting convened to consider the nomination of Mike Falkender for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. During the session, multiple members voiced concerns regarding current economic policies under the Trump administration, particularly around inflation, tariffs, and the impact on small businesses. Discussions frequently centered on the administration's approach to tariffs and taxation, and how these factors contribute to the rising cost of living and potential job losses. Additionally, the importance of bolstering government-to-government relationships with tribal nations was emphasized, highlighting the need for specialized offices focused on tribal affairs within the Treasury Department.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Friday, January 9, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • inventory of avail of affordable homes. inventory of avail of affordable homes.
  • Nearly 14,000 veterans who serve this nation will sleep unsheltered tonight, not in beds, on concrete
  • Nearly 14,000 veterans who serve this nation will sleep unsheltered tonight, not in beds, on concrete
  • Nearly 14,000 veterans who serve this nation will sleep unsheltered tonight, not in beds, on concrete
  • Nearly 14,000 veterans who serve this nation will sleep unsheltered tonight, not in beds, on concrete
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Finance - 01/08/25

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Hollenbeck is available, so I’m going to ask you to...
  • Consumer Credit panel which is available Consumer Credit panel which is available to<00:36:55.680
  • and he is aware of many of those tools that are available.
  • the best consumer protections available the best consumer protections available and<01:26:15.840
  • many of those tools that are available many of those tools that are available and<01:26:29.840><
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Protection and Victim Services Committee May 13th, 2026

Protection and Victim Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • If it had been available at that time, both of us have high ACE scores.
  • What's available? You know, in this community, is there coats for kids?
  • Home visits in a year and five years when maybe that funding is not available.
  • And so they could, and I like the idea of having a parent session available.
  • And so they could, and I like the idea of having a parent session available.
Summary: The committee first approved the December 16 minutes and then heard a presentation from Dr. Ramona Danielson on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their economic and public-system impacts. She explained that ACEs are population-level risk indicators, not individual diagnostic tools, and said higher ACE exposure is associated with more chronic illness, mental health challenges, child welfare and justice involvement, and lower workforce participation. She cautioned that precise dollar estimates are difficult because of the many interacting factors across the life course, but said the direction of the impact is clear and that evidence-based interventions and protective factors can reduce harm. Members asked about definitions of a “healthy family,” same-sex couples, divorce, substance abuse, trends in ACEs, and home visiting; she emphasized supportive relationships, protective factors, and the importance of positive childhood experiences. The committee then heard from Allison Mahoney and Missy Barranco, along with a recorded family story from Abby, about evidence-based home visiting programs in North Dakota. Abby described how Healthy Families North Dakota supported her family after a premature birth and NICU stay by providing weekly in-home coaching, developmental screenings, postpartum mental health check-ins, referrals, and parenting support. The presenters explained that home visiting is voluntary, relationship-based, and usually begins prenatally or shortly after birth, with referrals coming from hospitals, WIC, pregnancy navigators, human service zones, self-referrals, and other community partners. They said North Dakota currently has four main evidence-based models operating through 12 organizations, with Healthy Families available in all 53 counties, though only a fraction of eligible families are served. Funding was described as a patchwork of federal MIECHV/Title IV-E, Medicaid, state and tribal funds, philanthropy, charitable gaming, and other grants; members discussed whether the Legislature or agencies should expand support and how to improve outreach and sustainability. Finally, the committee received a memorandum on artificial intelligence and sexual exploitation, focusing on AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, sextortion, and chatbot-related risks. The report summarized federal and state law, including North Dakota’s existing computer-generated image provisions, the federal PROTECT Act, the Take It Down Act, and recent federal executive orders on AI policy. Members discussed the need for child-safety protections, the limits of executive orders, and broader concerns about AI’s effect on critical thinking and misinformation. The committee then heard from BCI Special Agent Cassidy Halsef, who said AI is already driving a sharp rise in child exploitation cases in North Dakota, including AI-generated explicit images of real minors and school-based incidents involving mass-shared manipulated images. She said investigators are seeing more cyber tips, more difficult forensic work, and lasting harm to victims and families, and urged stronger legal penalties, specialized training, victim services, and prevention education in schools and communities.