Transcript Highlights:

• The endangering the welfare of a child statute is very specific and only encompasses a very narrow set
• The endangering the welfare of a child statute is very specific and only encompasses a very narrow set
• The endangering the welfare of a child statute is very specific and only encompasses a very narrow set
• at statutes that other states have passed for child neglect or their versions of endangering the welfare
• </c><01:17:23.440><c> statute</c> from the endangering the welfare statute from the endangering the welfare

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• children who are or at risk of being involved simultaneously in the juvenile justice and the child welfare
• justice<00:38:44.640><c> and</c><00:38:44.800><c> the</c><00:38:44.880><c> child</c><00:38:45.200><c> welfare
• </c> justice and the child welfare systems. justice and the child welfare systems.
• because we know that these kids need help, that this is a public safety issue, that this is a child welfare

Summary: The Public Safety Policy Conference Committee met on May 8, 2026, with all conferees present. The chair opened with decorum instructions, explained that the meeting was policy-only, and noted that no public testimony had been signed up. Members then introduced themselves, with several noting they were retiring at the end of the session or year. The committee adopted a series of provisions, mostly by unanimous voice vote, including House language on identity theft and financial crimes updates, supervision abatement and restitution considerations for corrections, protective-order enhancements for murder penalties, prediction markets, victim-notification requirements for plea and sentencing hearings, research data privacy, ignition interlock and impaired-driving license changes, DOC licensing and sanctions for juvenile/adult community-based residential facilities, criminal-conviction employment and licensing standards, jail medication procedures, domestic abuse law changes, and a grant-use extension for dual-status/crossover youth funding. Several items were described as technical or clarifying changes, while others updated law to address AI-related identity theft, foreign protective orders, victim privacy, and corrections oversight. The committee also heard discussion on a Senate provision allowing victims of domestic violence to petition for wireless account and phone-number transfers. A witness supported the concept but urged changes to better align the state language with existing federal law; members noted the issue might need another vehicle or further work. For the domestic abuse item, staff explained that an A15 amendment would later adjust the warrantless-arrest window from 28 days to 14 days. On the jail-medication item, a member emphasized the changes were clarifying and not an admission that last year’s law was flawed. All adopted provisions passed by voice vote without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hello, Coisee Turn from the Coalition of California Welfare Rights Organizations in support.
• Coyce Turn with the Coalition of California Welfare Rights Organization in support.
• Coyce Turn with the Coalition of California Welfare Rights Organization in support. Thank you.
• Karen Lang, on behalf of the California Animal Welfare Association, not in opposition but to express
• The California Animal Welfare Association represents all of the public and private shelters in your districts

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• individuals 18 years or older who are unable to perform or obtain services necessary for health, safety, welfare
• individuals 18 years or older who are unable to perform or obtain services necessary for health, safety, welfare
• obtain services necessary for health, obtain services necessary for health, safety,<01:00:55.760><c> welfare
• or</c><01:00:56.480><c> lack</c><01:00:56.720><c> of</c><01:00:56.880><c> sufficient</c> safety, welfare
• , or lack of sufficient safety, welfare, or lack of sufficient understanding<01:00:57.760><c> capacity

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on, SB 3164 relating to child welfare service organizations.
• This is an urgent measure for PAC to continue operating as a child welfare services organization for
• operating</c><00:19:54.960><c> as</c><00:19:55.120><c> a</c><00:19:55.360><c> child</c><00:19:55.600><c> welfare
• </c> continue operating as a child welfare continue operating as a child welfare services<00:19:56.480

Summary: The committee first heard SB 888, which would bar operators of smart household security devices from sharing user data with law enforcement unless the user consents or police obtain a warrant. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection offered comments and Judiciary submitted written support. Several individuals also submitted written support. The committee recommended passage with amendments clarifying that the Office of Consumer Protection may enforce violations and adopting Judiciary’s recommended changes, while also deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. The motion passed unanimously among members present, with one senator excused. The committee then took up SB 2777 on insurance disclosures. The bill would require authorized insurers to disclose claim-handling data to consumers, including claims open at the start of a period, closed with payment, closed without payment, and open at the end of the period. The committee described amendments to clarify the bill, remove a requirement for the DCCA insurance division to handle publication, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. The measure was passed with amendments and the recommendation was adopted, with one member voting no and another excused. In a joint Commerce and Consumer Protection/Judiciary hearing on SP2738 relating to tax haven abuse, the Department of Taxation offered comments and the Tax Foundation testified in opposition, arguing the state should rely on IRS audits and existing worldwide reporting rules rather than create a separate state approach. Other written testimony was noted in both support and opposition. The committees recommended passage with amendments adopting Taxation’s technical changes and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050; the recommendation was adopted, with one senator noting reservations. The joint hearing then moved to health-related bills, including SB 2690 on primary care spending, SB 3103 on energy assistance, SB 3137 on Department of Health authority over food, drugs, and cosmetics, SB 3164 on child welfare service organizations, and SB 3206 on cannabinoids. SB 2690 drew strong support from physicians and advocates who said it would address primary care shortages, especially on neighbor islands, while HMSA and others warned a fixed spending percentage could raise costs and suggested a working group. SB 3164 drew support from child welfare providers and opposition from the Attorney General over indemnification language, and SB 3206 drew mixed testimony: state agencies raised federal-law and vagueness concerns, while hemp and cannabis advocates and some farmers supported the measure and urged broader legalization or amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• high disparities in rates of violence against Native people, the poor statistics about health and welfare
• high disparities in rates of violence against Native people, the poor statistics about health and welfare
• <01:21:15.120><c> about</c><01:21:15.360><c> Health</c><01:21:15.600><c> and</c><01:21:15.800><c> Welfare
• </c><01:21:16.440><c> of</c> statistics about Health and Welfare of statistics about Health and Welfare

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• If this bill passes, citizens will no longer know how much corporate welfare they are shoveling out to
• If this bill passes, citizens will no longer know how much corporate welfare they are shoveling out to
• know how we as Citizens will no longer know how much<01:15:49.159><c> corporate</c><01:15:49.480><c> welfare
• </c><01:15:49.800><c> we're</c><01:15:49.960><c> shoveling</c> much corporate welfare we're shoveling
• much corporate welfare we're shoveling out<01:15:50.520><c> to</c><01:15:50.679><c> Big</c><01:15:50.880

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have a current comprehensive child welfare information system, which we call Bridges.
• So we have a current comprehensive child welfare information system, which we call Bridges.
• So we have a current comprehensive child welfare information system, which we call Bridges.
• So we have a current comprehensive child welfare information system, which we call Bridges.
• So we have a current comprehensive child welfare information system, which we call Bridges.

Summary: The committee convened an informational Division 3 Finance hearing focused on DHHS programmatic issues rather than budget line items. The chair emphasized that members should avoid questions requiring dollar figures and noted that the coming budget cycle would likely be difficult because revenues are expected to be tighter. Commissioner Lori Weaver said the department wanted to use the session to explain its functions at a high level, with more detailed presentations to follow, and to collect questions for later responses. Weaver outlined DHHS’s mission of supporting optimal health for state residents and described the department’s three main responsibilities: protection and prevention, client service delivery, and regulatory oversight. She said DHHS has eight divisions, a $3.6 billion total budget, about $1.217 billion in general funds, roughly a quarter of state positions, and personnel costs that are less than 11% of the budget. She also noted a recent hiring freeze, explained that the department did not request new positions except where required by law, and said vacancy rates had improved from 22% to 14% over the last two years but could rise again because of attrition and the hiring freeze. Weaver and CFO Nathan White then discussed why the DHHS budget is complex, explaining that it is built from multiple funding sources and is shaped by assumptions made months before the fiscal year begins, actual service demand, and cost allocation rules used to draw down federal funds. White highlighted maintenance-of-effort requirements, including TANF, where state spending is needed to secure federal matching funds and shortfalls can trigger penalties. At the committee’s request, DHHS agreed to provide a simplified historical accounting of TANF contributions to show how the match is assembled across positions, contracts, and other factors. The department also reviewed its roadmap, which Weaver described as a framework developed with staff and stakeholders around three themes: culture, community, and customer service. She highlighted priorities such as Mission Zero to end emergency department boarding, expanding access to community-based and residential behavioral health services, reducing reliance on institutional care, improving contract management with nonprofit and provider partners, using data dashboards to guide decisions, and investing in workforce stability and culture. No votes were taken; the main action was DHHS’s commitment to provide additional follow-up materials, including the TANF contribution breakdown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Find, particularly local welfare, but other CAP agencies as well.
• You know, we do know that, you know, local rental assistance and local welfare departments will need
• You know, we do know that, you know, local rental assistance and local welfare departments will need
• You know, we do know that, you know, local rental assistance and local welfare departments will need
• You know, we do know that, you know, local rental assistance and local welfare departments will need

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• state should take seriously, and it certainly isn't an organization that is interested at all in the welfare
• transport students to sectarian schools served a legitimate secular purpose in promoting the safety and welfare
• transport students to sectarian schools served a legitimate secular purpose in promoting the safety and welfare
• promoting<01:42:54.560><c> the</c><01:42:54.800><c> safety</c><01:42:55.119><c> and</c><01:42:55.360><c> welfare
• </c><01:42:55.760><c> of</c> promoting the safety and welfare of promoting the safety and welfare of

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Experts call this problem child welfare disproportionality, and it contributes to myriad developmental
• also the important and very liberatory passage of the African-American Family Preservation and Child Welfare
• preservation African-American um Family preservation and<01:47:28.280><c> child</c><01:47:28.480><c> welfare
• </c><01:47:29.159><c> disproportionality</c><01:47:30.080><c> act</c> and child welfare disproportionality
• act and child welfare disproportionality act but<01:47:30.719><c> I</c><01:47:30.920><c> thank</c><01

Bills: HF1867 , HF1240

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• truly is happening, also increasing protections for tribal children under ICWA, the Indian Child Welfare
• Califano, he helped ensure that the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare and the Indian Health

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, opened with a Native American prayer/song and a moment of silence for former staff member Eric Washington, then proceeded through a series of procedural motions, guest introductions, and floor ceremonies. Members also recognized Assemblymember Ward’s birthday and welcomed several guests, including family members, business and community leaders, firefighters, and students. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to the Native American Day ceremony and adoption of ACR 208 by Assemblymember Ramos, which recognized California Native American Day and the California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference. Multiple caucus leaders spoke in support, emphasizing Native history, sovereignty, cultural preservation, missing and murdered Indigenous people, and the need to tell California’s history honestly. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 61 coauthors were added, followed by a ceremonial honoring of tribal elders and leaders. The Assembly also adopted several other resolutions and concurred in Senate amendments on multiple bills. These included ACR 126 designating the Captain Vida Anderson Memorial Highway, AB 1651 requiring disclosure of AI use in bar exam development, AB 2789 on mediation, AJR 27 urging federal disaster aid for Eaton and Palisades fire victims, and AB 2134 protecting local officials taking parental leave. Later, ACR 213 designated September 2026 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, HR 102 recognized Filipino American History Month, and ACR 230 proclaimed California Firefighter Appreciation Month and California Firefighters Memorial Day; all were adopted with broad support and many coauthors. The Senate file also began with SCR 136 on coastal protection and SJR 12 opposing offshore drilling, with debate reflecting strong environmental opposition and a dissenting view that the resolution was too absolute and could raise energy costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the spirit of compromise, truth, and public welfare, I ask you to state...
• In the spirit of compromise, truth, and public welfare, I ask you to state that nuclear is indeed feasible

Summary: The meeting focused on finalizing recommendations from the Delaware Nuclear Energy Task Force, with most of the discussion centered on how the state should organize itself to evaluate and potentially pursue nuclear power. Public commenters strongly supported nuclear energy, emphasizing energy reliability, economic competitiveness, data center demand, and the need for Delaware to act quickly. Several speakers argued that Delaware is falling behind neighboring states and should not delay if it wants to attract developers and preserve access to federal tax incentives. Members then worked through revisions to the recommendations, especially the section on state actions moving forward. There was broad agreement that Delaware needs a clearly empowered leadership structure, but disagreement over the best form: a cabinet-level energy agency, an expanded existing agency such as DENREC, a dedicated coordinator, an expanded Sustainable Energy Utility, or a separate quasi-independent authority. Some members favored a nimble, one-off entity with bonding and financing authority; others cautioned against creating a new body outside state government and stressed the need for coordination with existing agencies, public oversight, and cost discipline. The group also discussed adding responsibilities such as site identification, public engagement, coordination with PJM and federal agencies, and financing tools, while removing or folding in items that seemed duplicative or too broad. The committee also revised earlier modules to broaden the focus from small modular reactors to nuclear power more generally, while keeping the task force’s original SMR work in view. Members agreed to keep recommendations on state and local regulatory readiness, financial mechanisms, permitting coordination, and public engagement, and to add a recommendation for Delaware to participate as an observer in the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative through NASEO and NARUC. The committee approved the revised Module Four recommendations by vote, with one abstention from Tom Noyes. Minutes from the prior meeting were also approved with minor corrections.

Transcript Highlights:

• support: Linda Way with Western Center on Law and Poverty; Coisei Turn with the Coalition of California Welfare
• Coisei Turn with the Coalition of California Welfare Rights Organizations in support.

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• 2611, an act amending sections 8-502, 8-530, and 8-308, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to child welfare
• Those in favor of the measure vote aye; those opposed vote no. ...relating to child welfare.

Summary: The Senate met in floor session, began with prayer and the Pledge, approved the journal, received communications, and handled a return of Senate Bill 1456 from the House for reconsideration. Members then moved through several Committee of the Whole calendars, considering and amending bills on court fees, information technology, environmental quality, agricultural property inspections, property tax notices, veterans services, zoning and electric generation siting, fuel and gas resilience, and disturbing religious services. Several amendments were adopted, including changes to HB 2265 on criminal court fees, HB 2311 on conversational AI disclosures and privacy limits, HB 2986 on environmental quality/fuel resilience, HB 2104 and HB 2105 on agricultural property inspection rules, HB 2406 on veterans services, HB 2494 on electric generation siting and environmental compatibility, HB 2696 on fuel and gas prices, and HB 4117 on interference with religious services. Most of these bills were reported out of committee with do pass recommendations, though members raised concerns on HB 2311 and HB 4117 about privacy, free speech, and prosecutorial discretion. The chamber then took up a long series of third readings and final votes. Bills passed included HB 2015 on single-audit compliance, HB 2041 on child neglect and poverty factors, HB 2048 on AHCCCS prescription drug coverage, HB 2417 on excessive speed, HB 2611 on child welfare, HB 2793 on annexation, HB 2950 on special districts, HB 2995 on family law, HB 4018 on county officers, HB 2404 on mental health services, HB 2279 on limitations of actions, HB 2502 on the state retirement system, HB 2733 and HB 2953 on pharmacy regulation, HB 2979 on credit unions, HB 4042 on parent-child relationship determinations, HB 4010 on health professional regulatory boards, HB 4043 on public schools, HB 4049 on the Attorney General, HB 2265 on court fees, HB 2311 on information technology, and HB 2986 on environmental quality. HB 2601 on state highways and routes failed. Several members explained votes on bills involving fiscal impacts, child welfare, road safety, annexation, and criminal justice concerns. The Senate also adopted a group concurrence motion on several conference committee reports, including HB 2003, HB 2010, HB 2133, and HB 2874, and then voted on those measures. HB 2003 on driver’s license instruction permits, HB 2010 on advertising, HB 2133 on disclosure of sexual material and synthetic depictions, and HB 2874 on campaign committees and termination statements were all advanced after conference committee action, with debate on HB 2133 focusing on First Amendment and content-moderation concerns. The session ended with introduction of a large package of transportation-related appropriations bills and a motion to suspend certain committee notice rules for Appropriations to hear legislation and strike-everything amendments on short notice.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2611, an act amending sections 8-530 and related child welfare statutes.
• House Bill 2611, an act amending sections 8-530 and related child welfare statutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2035, amending section 8501, 851 to 4.03, A.R.S., relating to child welfare and placement.
• House Bill 2035, amending section 8501, 851 to 4.03, A.R.S., relating to child welfare and placement.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the journal, guest introductions, and routine communications from the governor and Senate. Members then moved into multiple Committee of the Whole sessions to consider a large number of Senate bills and later House bills on final reading. Several measures were retained on the calendar, while many others advanced with or without amendments. The House also adopted a group concurrence motion on numerous Senate amendments to House bills and later took up third-reading votes on a series of House bills. Among the main committee actions, SB 1049, SB 1315, SB 1401, SB 1418, and SB 1540 were amended and recommended do pass; SB 1332 and SB 1538 also advanced, while SB 1016, SB 1519, SB 1624, SB 1627, SB 1723, and SB 1725 were retained. Debate centered on school safety and interoperability equipment in SB 1315, housing and zoning issues in SB 1118, and school discipline/bullying transparency in SB 1684. Members also discussed SB 1074 on student discipline notifications, SB 1275 on diversion program wording, and SB 1684 on bullying reporting and school liability, with supporters emphasizing safety, accountability, and clarity and opponents warning about unfunded mandates, litigation, and impacts on public schools. On final reading, the House passed a long list of bills, including HB 2032, HB 2035, HB 2109, HB 2120, HB 2176, HB 2189, HB 2195, HB 2203, HB 2342, HB 2383, HB 2423, HB 2428, HB 2439, HB 2440, HB 2573, HB 2594, HB 2621, HB 2641, HB 2673, HB 2693, HB 2752, HB 2756, HB 2875, HB 2895, HB 2916, HB 2923, HB 2946, and HB 2999, with recorded votes ranging from narrow to unanimous. HB 1118, dealing with municipal zoning and historic properties, failed on the floor after debate over housing policy and charter/public school issues, though a motion to reconsider was later made. The session ended with personal announcements, including recognition of Child Help, a memorial reading for Major General W. Bill Van Dyke, caucus meeting notices, a retirement reception reminder, an anniversary acknowledgment, and a Pride Month statement.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2035, amending Section 8-501, 8-512, and 4.03, A.R.S., relating to child welfare and placement
• House Bill 2035, amending Section 8-501, 8-512, and 4.03, A.R.S., relating to child welfare and placement

Transcript Highlights:

• order, we'd like to welcome everyone to the May 12th meeting of the House Committee on Health and Welfare
• Good to be back in the House and on Health and Welfare. Hey, we're good to have you.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 12 and considered a wide range of health, social services, and licensing measures. Early in the meeting, the committee reported favorably HCR 98, which asks the Louisiana Department of Health to study whether SNAP recipients should be allowed to use benefits for grocery delivery fees. The author said the proposal would not change SNAP rules directly, but would examine access issues for elderly, disabled, rural, and transportation-limited residents. The committee also advanced SB 273, a hospice patient-protection bill requiring documentation of hydration, nutrition, and care decisions in inpatient licensed facilities where hospice is provided, with LDH oversight and enforcement authority; members discussed how responsibility is shared between facilities and outside hospice providers, and adopted technical amendments. The committee then approved SB 415, creating the Empower Louisiana Food Purchase Program, a privately funded charitable food-card program intended to let nonprofits distribute food-only cards to people in need. Members and the author discussed whether the cards would be reloadable, which retailers could accept them, and whether prepared foods could be included; LDH said the program could use all SNAP-authorized retailers, and the bill was reported favorably with amendments. SB 437, a cleanup bill for judicially referred residential substance abuse treatment facilities, was also reported favorably with amendments after LDH clarified that facilities providing treatment must be licensed, while residences only housing individuals would not be. SB 451, updating newborn hearing screening terminology and reporting requirements, was reported favorably after testimony that the bill would strengthen early detection and follow-up for deaf or hard-of-hearing children. Later, the committee advanced SB 426, which modernizes the addictive disorder regulatory authority and creates a formal peer support specialist licensing pathway. Supporters said the bill would strengthen the behavioral health workforce, improve accountability, and create a progression from peer support to higher credentials; the committee adopted technical and transition amendments and reported the bill favorably with amendments. SB 236, requiring LDH annual reviews and reports on kidney disease treatment services in Medicaid, was also reported favorably with amendments. Additional measures approved included SB 39, allowing provisional licenses for massage therapy graduates; SB 190, which tightens oversight of poor-performing nursing facilities in the CMS Special Focus Facility Program and sets an 18-month improvement timeline; SB 124, allowing hospitals within the same health system to share peer review records without waiving privilege; HR 174, urging study of fenbendazole as a possible cancer treatment; SB 270, allowing terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana in health care facilities; SB 359, changing terms for certain Morehouse Parish hospital district commissioners; and HR 194, requesting de-identified school visual acuity screening data for research. The committee adjourned after reporting all measures favorably, several with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• order, we'd like to welcome everyone to the May 12th meeting of the House Committee on Health and Welfare
• Good to be back in the House and on Health and Welfare. Hey, we're good to have you.

Bills: HR174 , HR194 , HCR98 , SB39 , SB124 , SB190 , SB236 , SB270 , SB273 , SB359 , SB415 , SB426 , SB437 , SB451

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: fenbendazole, cancer treatment, public health, FDA, clinical trials, patient safety, visual acuity, student health, de-identified data, longitudinal analysis, education policy, SNAP, food stamps, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, grocery delivery, delivery fees, service charges, online grocery, food access, food insecurity