Video & Transcript : 'disability support' :

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MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Transcript Highlights:
  • I, too, stand in support of Dakota's Law and Nero's Law.
  • The support I received from both the SISM critical incident stress team and the Boston Police peer support
  • I'm here today to provide testimony in support of House Bill 2728.
  • I'm speaking in support of H. 2634.
  • I'm also in strong support of House Bill 2634, which, as you heard from many of... ...support of House
Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of public safety bills, with strong support from law enforcement, advocates, and other stakeholders. Several measures focused on police and correctional officer wellness and protections, including bills on critical incident leave and post-incident support for officers, a bill to improve POST Commission representation, and a bill to protect correctional officers from assaults and exposure to synthetic drugs like K2. Witnesses described traumatic incidents, rising assaults in prisons, staffing shortages, and the need for confidentiality in peer-support debriefings. Committee members asked questions about assault classifications, K2 smuggling, tablet-related contraband, and whether counseling records would remain confidential. No votes were taken during the hearing. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to canine-related bills. Testimony supported creating a fund for retired police dogs and expanding emergency care training for working dogs injured in the line of duty. Speakers described police dogs as partners who locate suspects, missing persons, drugs, and weapons, and said retirement and medical costs are currently borne by handlers or nonprofits. The committee also heard testimony in favor of a purple alert system for missing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with advocates citing wandering risks, drowning dangers, and data from other states showing faster recovery times. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to expand the definition of sexual assault by an officer to cover situations beyond formal custody, including investigations and other encounters where police have coercive power. Advocates for sex workers and anti-trafficking organizations said the change would close a loophole, protect vulnerable people, and address documented abuses. In addition, testimony was taken on a bill to protect Massachusetts residents from federal surveillance through fusion centers, with critics calling for stronger oversight of BRIC and related databases. Representative Jeff Turco also testified on bills to change POST Commission membership, arguing for more law enforcement representation.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • The Aging and Long-Term Support Administration, Behavioral Health agencies, and the Developmental Disabilities
  • I'm going to say this very fast: Aging and Long-Term Supports, Developmental Disabilities, and Behavioral
  • Mental Disabilities Administration, Aging and Long-Term Supports Administration, and Behavioral Health
  • And I'm also here in support of HB 2455.
  • I'm here testifying in support of HB 2455.
Summary: The Early Learning and Human Services Committee held public hearings on three bills. HB 2468 would update the Revised Code of Washington to match DSHS’s 2025 reorganization, replacing references to eliminated administrations with the new Home and Community Living Administration and Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration, and also removing a 2028 sunset on the Dementia Action Collaborative, adjusting advisory committee membership, and eliminating a staffing mandate tied to no-paid-services caseloads. The sponsor and DSHS testified in support as a technical cleanup bill, while members raised questions about possible amendments, including whether to keep or remove the Dementia Action Collaborative sunset. DSHS said it was open to changes and noted some statutory references still need correction. No vote was taken. HB 2529 would rename the DCYF Oversight Board as the DCYF Accountability Board, move it to OFM for administrative purposes, narrow some duties, require at least twice-yearly engagement with affected communities, allow the board to request ombuds reports, broaden some membership qualifications, and change the annual report to an every-other-year report starting in 2027. Representative Dent, a board member, said the changes were intended to make the board less political, improve attendance and membership flexibility, and focus the report on more useful recommendations. A union representative asked for language ensuring a DCYF caseworker board member can attend meetings as part of job duties rather than using personal leave. Members also questioned whether the reduced reporting frequency was appropriate given recent fatalities and near-fatalities at the agency. No action was taken. HB 2455 would create a two-year pilot program providing rental assistance and related housing fees for 50 youth in extended foster care who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness, beginning January 1, 2027, with a report due in 2029 and transition planning required before youth age out at 21. The sponsor and multiple youth advocates testified strongly in support, describing homelessness, instability, and barriers such as “double-dipping” restrictions that prevent youth from combining housing supports. Testifiers said the bill would help youth focus on school, work, and healing, and urged the committee to expand the program if possible. Members asked about the pilot timeline and whether an interim review might be useful. The hearing closed with no vote on the bill, followed by committee announcements about Friday’s 8:30 a.m. meeting and an agenda change removing HB 2200 from Friday executive session and moving it to possible executive session next week.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session May 21st, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • If you support more art school funding, support AB 2440. This is support, support.
  • It is a support, support, and I respectfully ask for your aye vote.
  • This bill has had unanimous support and is support, support. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.
  • bipartisan support.
  • This bill is support, support. Thank you, Assembly Member Krell.
Summary: The Assembly met on May 7, 2026, after an initial delay caused by the absence of a quorum, then proceeded with prayer, a moment of silence for victims of a hate-motivated attack at the Islamic Center in San Diego, and the Pledge of Allegiance. The Speaker pro tempore then moved through the daily file, repeatedly urging members to be on time and at their desks as the House of Origin deadline approached. Procedural actions included dispensing with the journal, deferring some items, and moving AB 1667 to the inactive file. The bulk of the session was devoted to floor consideration of many bills, most of which passed with little or no opposition. Measures approved included bills on artificial intelligence provenance information (AB 2713), community college trustee compensation (AB 2528), transit camera enforcement and privacy (AB 1837), excess proceeds claims in taxation (AB 2705), HOA technical cleanup (AB 1892), hepatitis C treatment access (AB 1843), child care planning in local general plans (AB 1914), greenhouse energy code flexibility (AB 2200), rent-now-pay-later consumer protections (AB 2350), housing cleanup and density bonus measures (including AB 2390, AB 2480, AB 1567, AB 1751, and others), spay/neuter access (AB 2010), workforce housing financing tools (AB 2110), supportive housing and homelessness-related changes (AB 2146), mental health and health plan notification measures (AB 1598, AB 2613), student aid and education bills (AB 1534, AB 1636, AB 1669, AB 1728, AB 1784, AB 1871), public safety and criminal justice bills (AB 1546, AB 1572, AB 1872, AB 1877, AB 1932), and several health and social services measures (AB 1602, AB 1628, AB 1680, AB 1825, AB 1845, AB 1906, AB 1907, AB 1925). Most bills were described as support measures, often with bipartisan backing and no opposition, and passed by wide margins. A few bills drew more discussion, especially AB 1751, a housing/townhome bill that sparked extended debate over wages, prevailing wage, stakeholder engagement, and whether the measure could depress pay for construction trades; despite concerns and an opposition speech, it ultimately passed 44-0. AB 1793, which would allow symmetrical rounding of cash transactions to the nearest nickel in light of the penny’s phaseout, also drew light debate and passed 47-1. AB 1932, an urgency measure expanding community-based crisis response, passed with one no vote on both the urgency and the bill. Several urgency or 54-vote bills, including AB 1534 and AB 1932, required later roll calls or calls to be lifted, but all measures described in the transcript were ultimately approved.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • but can ultimately support any student in a classroom.
  • receive the supports they need for rightful presence in every classroom.
  • I'd like to begin by thanking you for your support and passage of Senate Bill 64.
  • These trainings support districts in prevention, de-escalation, function-based behavior support, and
  • And I do support the science of reading.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Human Services - 04/02/25

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:05:00.039><c> and</c> to Mental Health support and to Mental Health support and communication
  • Let's get... comprehensive substance use... no, let's go family support and consumer support programs
  • under disability waivers, and consumer-directed community supports authorization direction to the commissioner
  • </c><00:14:05.959><c> to</c> lock lack the resources or support to lock lack the resources or support
  • c><01:20:34.840><c> neglect</c><01:20:35.679><c> or</c> disability or who is disabled neglect or disability
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Corrections Mar 12th, 2025

Corrections

Transcript Highlights:
  • We aim to provide support for our students, for our staff, and for our Texas community.
  • It may not be a learning disability, it may be a learning disability.
  • close eye on, that there may be a disability, and that 60% it appeared to not be a disability. disability
  • , technical support, and financial support.
  • The partnership has been one of support for our operations, support for innovations in the programs and
Committee: House Corrections
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • After the support witnesses conclude their testimony, the committee will call up additional supporters
  • My name is Conrad Crump, and I'm here on behalf of Disability Rights California, and also in support
  • I'm here in full support and urging you to vote yes.
  • I respectfully urge you to support AB 2624 and support privacy protections for immigrant service providers
  • You define a designated immigration support services facility as a facility where immigration support
Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard several bills focused on consumer transparency, environmental protection, education accountability, and privacy protections. AB 2143 by Assemblymember Irwin would prohibit online marketplaces from accepting payment for noxious weeds shipped into California; supporters said the bill would close an e-commerce loophole that helps spread invasive species, while TechNet opposed it unless clearer standards and safeguards were added. AB 1744 by Assemblymember Addis, the Clear Labels, Clear Seas Act, would bar sunscreen products containing chemical UV filters from being marketed as “reef safe” or similar claims; supporters, including a Sacramento high school eco club and Surfrider Foundation, said the bill would prevent misleading greenwashing, while the Personal Care Products Council expressed concern about implications for the safety of those ingredients. The committee also heard AB 1861 by Assemblymember Lackey, which would require the California Department of Education to maintain a public, searchable database of special education complaint decisions with personal information redacted. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency and help identify patterns of noncompliance affecting students with disabilities, while county education officials argued state resources should instead go toward filling special education vacancies. AB 2624 by Assemblymember Bonta would expand the Safe at Home address confidentiality program to immigrant service providers, employees, and volunteers and restrict online posting of their personal information when intended to threaten or intimidate; supporters described rising harassment, doxing, and threats against immigrant-serving organizations, while Assemblymember DeMaio raised First Amendment and public transparency concerns and Assemblymember Patterson questioned the bill’s limits on protest and publication. Because the committee initially lacked a quorum, several bills were heard and later voted on once quorum was established. Members generally praised the bills and, in some cases, requested to be added as coauthors. When votes were taken, AB 1861, AB 1744, AB 2143, and AB 2624 all passed out of committee, with AB 2624 receiving 11 aye votes and 2 no votes; the others were reported out on unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The committee then adjourned.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

HHS-CPN, HHS Public Hearings 02-24-2025

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • in support, and Lei in support.
  • in support, and Lei in support.
  • in support, and Lei in support.
  • </c> Health and support yes we stand support Health and support yes we stand support testimony<00:16:
  • </c> support Randall F hack in support support Randall F hack in support Melinda<00:16:35.720><c> yamaga
Summary: The joint hearing began with SB 59 on prescription drugs, which drew extensive testimony from insurers, pharmacies, patient advocates, and health organizations. Supporters argued the bill would address PBM practices such as spread pricing, unclear reimbursement, and patient steering, and would help independent pharmacies and lower patient costs by passing rebates through to consumers. Opponents from health plans and PBM-related groups raised concerns, while Walgreens supported the measure and suggested amendments to establish a reimbursement floor. After questions, the committee accepted the Hawaii Pharmacist Association’s proposed amendments, added technical changes and a defective date of December 31, 2050, and voted to pass SB 59 with amendments. The remainder of the hearing focused on a series of nominations and reappointments to health, aging, disability, mental health, juvenile justice, and advisory boards. Nominees and agency representatives generally described their backgrounds and interest in serving, with support testimony emphasizing experience, continuity, and the value of volunteer service. Several nominees highlighted issues such as mental health access, substance abuse treatment, elder services, language access, disability access, and rehabilitation services. The Department of Health, SHPDA, DHS, and other organizations largely testified in support of the nominees. No votes were taken on the nominations during the transcript excerpt, and the chair repeatedly thanked the nominees for their service and testimony. The hearing also included brief procedural remarks about time limits, Zoom testimony, and a possible reconvening date in case of technical difficulties.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Veterans and Military Affairs Division 3/26/25

Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:
  • Look forward to your support. Thank it. Look forward to your support. Thank you. you. you.
  • and respite care, um, financial counseling, uh, homeless supports, and uh other peer supports.
  • and respite care, um, financial counseling, uh, homeless supports, and uh other peer supports.
  • Supports, and uh other peer supports. So, that's uh an overview of this bill.
  • </c><00:57:56.480><c> And</c> appreciate your support. Thank you. And appreciate your support.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

Senate Education Finance (04/13/2026)

Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • ><c> education</c> IDA, the individual disability education IDA, the individual disability education
  • An IEP is like a room with all the supports and services for a student.
  • </c><00:57:42.960><c> related</c> tied to the child's disability related tied to the child's disability
  • </c> So, the verbiage where it says tied to the child's disability.
  • Some children may have multiple disabilities that are not listed on their IEP.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Judiciary Committee Apr 7th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • It reflects California's longstanding leadership in advancing disability rights, while supporting responsible
  • Here with me to testify in support are Evan Fern, Public Policy Advocate for Disability Rights California
  • I'm Evan Fern, Public Policy Advocate with Disability Rights California, in support of AB 2190.
  • in support.
  • , in support.
Summary: The committee heard several bills, with testimony largely focused on transparency, public health, labor enforcement, health privacy, high-speed rail oversight, and antitrust policy. AB 1544, by Assemblymember Crowell, would strengthen transparency and access to courthouses; the author said it was aimed at protecting press and public access, and the bill was pulled pending quorum. AB 1604, by Assemblymember Stephanie, would ban BPA and other bisphenols in thermal receipt paper by 2027-2028; supporters from Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Californians Against Waste, and a broad coalition argued receipts are a major source of toxic exposure and recycling contamination, while the author said she would continue working with opposition. AB 1859, by Assemblymember Jackson, would let Joint Labor Management Committees visit public works sites to help identify wage and safety violations; labor groups supported it as a low-cost enforcement tool amid a large wage-theft backlog, while contractors and local government groups opposed it as creating private enforcement, liability, and safety concerns. The committee later took up AB 1930, by Assemblymember Burr and sponsored by Attorney General Bonta and Equality California, which would require notice to the Attorney General before certain entities respond to subpoenas or inquiries involving legally protected reproductive or gender-affirming care; supporters framed it as a patient privacy and anti-intimidation measure, while opponents said it would shield providers from scrutiny and interfere with lawful investigations. The bill was approved on a 6-2 vote and placed on call. The consent calendar, including several unrelated bills, was also approved. The committee also heard AB 1584, by Assemblymember Jackson, which would create an Office of Civil Rights within the California Air Resources Board to provide training, language access, and compliance oversight. Supporters said CARB needs a stronger legal framework and dedicated office to enforce civil rights commitments, while an opponent argued CARB already has a civil rights office and should expand existing structures instead of creating a new one. The bill was moved to Appropriations after a roll call vote. AB 1608, by Assemblymember Wilson, would expand the powers and staffing tools of the High-Speed Rail Office of the Inspector General, including public reporting requirements and authority over classifications and purchasing; supporters said stronger independent oversight is needed for the costly project, while opponents criticized the project itself and raised concerns about confidentiality and who should receive reports. The bill was also passed to Appropriations after extended discussion. Finally, AB 1776, by Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry, would revise California antitrust law to address single-firm conduct under the Cartwright Act. Supporters, including small business and labor advocates, argued dominant firms can harm competition and that the bill would protect small businesses and workers; opponents from business, biotech, retail, housing, and other sectors warned it would create legal uncertainty, expand litigation, and chill investment. The transcript ended during that bill’s testimony and debate, before a final vote was taken.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
  • That's why you have my support on this bill. Mr. Speaker, to see, ...together to support you.
  • It's supported the state with unbelievable support from parents and teachers.
  • I do support this amendment.
  • Speaker, I'm very much in support of 2372, and I ask the whole body to join me in supporting it.
  • Speaker, I'm very much in support of 2372, and I ask the whole body to join me in supporting it.
Summary: The House first established a quorum after introductions of the Freedom of the Road Riders and Warsaw High School students. Members then took up House Bill 1855, a reporting bill on alpha-gal syndrome. The sponsor described the bill as a public health surveillance measure to add alpha-gal to Missouri’s reportable conditions, require lab reporting to the Department of Health and Senior Services, and send aggregated data to the CDC. Supporters said the bill would help identify hotspots, guide education and funding, and address a serious tick-borne condition affecting rural and urban Missourians alike. Opponents raised concerns about cost, false positives/negatives, and privacy, but the sponsor and others said the system would be HIPAA-compliant and de-identified at the federal level. Two amendments to HB 1855 were debated. An amendment changing the department’s follow-up authority from “may” to “shall” was adopted, with supporters arguing that if the legislature funds follow-up, the department should be required to do it. A second amendment creating an opt-in/opt-out consent process for reporting was rejected 41-10 after extensive debate over privacy, data collection, and whether consent would undermine disease surveillance. The House then adopted the House committee substitute for HB 1855 as amended and ordered it perfected and printed. The chamber next considered House Bills 2230 and 2978, a revised education measure aimed at reducing screen time in K-5 classrooms and encouraging handwriting and cursive instruction. The sponsor said the bill was based on research linking heavy screen use to poorer educational and behavioral outcomes, and supporters emphasized local control, parent access to screen-time policies, and the need to bring experts together through a state-level focus group. An amendment to exclude virtual school programs was adopted. The House then adopted the committee substitute for HB 2230 and 2978 as amended and ordered it perfected and printed. Finally, the House began debate on House Bill 2355, the Food Is Medicine Initiative. The sponsor said the bill would let Missouri use federal funds through 1115 waivers to pilot medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, nutrition counseling, and related interventions to improve health and lower Medicaid costs. Members generally supported the concept, citing food deserts and the benefits of better nutrition, but an amendment adding vitamin therapies and cleanup language prompted concern from one member about supplement quality and regulation; the transcript ends during that amendment discussion.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • Representative Hicks moves the A5 amendment. support. support.
  • I just appreciate your support.
  • </c> I just appreciate your support. I just appreciate your support.
  • We're grateful for your support.
  • I ask for your support.
Summary: The committee took up House File 729, an omnibus policy bill, and walked through a series of amendments before moving the bill forward. Early amendments addressed adult maltreatment accountability, senior nutrition flexibility, MA provider enrollment and fraud prevention, Direct Care and Treatment data and staffing provisions, disability and aging policy changes, technical corrections from DHS, behavioral health language, and MDH policy updates. Most amendments were adopted without public opposition, and several members and testifiers described them as clarifications or technical fixes to existing policy. Testimony focused on the practical effects of the bill’s provisions. Direct Care and Treatment representatives said the changes would help with data sharing, governance, staffing, patient care, and longer return stays for certain patients. Several witnesses from the substance use disorder and health care provider community supported changes to discharge summary deadlines and claims recoupment rules, arguing that business-day timelines and limits on late clawbacks would reduce administrative burden and financial uncertainty. A disability advocate also urged passage of the bill, saying services for people with disabilities were at risk if it did not advance. After public testimony and member discussion, the committee adopted the DE2 amendment as amended and then approved the bill as amended. Chair Noor renewed the motion to re-refer House File 729 to the Committee on Ways and Means, and that motion passed.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • WAIVING IN SUPPORT. THAT'S PUBLIC TESTIMONY. WE ARE IN DEBATE.
  • AND THEN DENISE BELLEVILLE HOME CARE WAIVING IN SUPPORT. IS THERE DEBATE?
  • WAIVING IN SUPPORT THANK YOU. IS THERE DEBATE?
  • I APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT. >> Chair: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
  • CHILDREN, ADULTS, ALL FOLKS WITH VARIOUS DISABILITIES.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
  • HB 2307 raises profound disability rights concerns because HB 2307 raises profound disability rights
  • services, waiver programs, and community supports.
  • For disabled individuals, especially those with communication or cognitive disabilities, this silences
  • He's danger self, danger others, gravely disabled, or persistently and acutely disabled.
  • I supported it back in the Ducey administration.
Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2307, as amended by a strike-everything amendment, which would require the Department of Health Services to contract with an out-of-state facility when a person found dangerous and incompetent under a court commitment order cannot be placed in an Arizona secure mental health facility. Supporters, including the sponsor and Senator Angus, said the measure was a temporary stopgap to prevent dangerous individuals from being released because Arizona lacks secure behavioral health beds. Opponents raised due process, disability rights, family access, cost, and interstate-legal concerns, and DHS said it had no fiscal estimate and little experience with such contracts. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill 6-5. The committee then took up House Bill 2083, which updates diabetes-related insurance coverage to include items such as continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps, smart insulin pens, and certain injectable medications. Supporters said the bill reflects modern diabetes care and can prevent serious complications, while an insurer representative warned that putting the coverage in statute could create state-mandated costs and raised concern that the language might be read to include GLP-1 drugs. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 11-1. House Bill 2673, dealing with mental illness screening and treatment for incarcerated people, would require sheriffs to ensure prisoners showing symptoms of mental disorder are examined within 24 hours and, if appropriate, referred for evaluation and treatment. Representative Hernandez said she intended to revise it into a study committee-style measure after stakeholder feedback, and a family member testified about her son’s death after untreated psychosis in jail. Opposition focused on competency and civil-commitment concerns, costs, and the burden on jails, but the committee passed the bill 12-0. House Bill 2923, which revises timelines and notice procedures for judicial review of court-ordered mental health treatment, also passed 12-0 after supporters said it would clarify outdated language and improve communication with families and guardians; opponents argued it shifted burdens onto patients and could prolong confinement. The committee next passed House Bill 2251, as amended, which expands licensed midwives’ authority to dispense certain medications and devices, adds reporting and oversight requirements, and creates an advisory committee. The sponsor said the amendment narrowed the medication list, clarified transfer-of-care triggers, strengthened oversight, and added sentinel-event reporting after stakeholder discussions with medical groups. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2914 on electronic monitoring in resident rooms at nursing care and assisted living facilities, with the sponsor’s statement emphasizing the bill as a protection against abuse or neglect and noting similar laws in other states; the transcript cuts off before testimony or a final vote on that bill.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Early Learning & Human Services Dec 5th, 2025 at 08:00 am

Early Learning & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • Once again, this is where that additional community support comes in.
  • Some families will do great, but many families need that additional support.
  • They provide care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
  • Five moved to a supported living agency and one to an adult family home.
  • individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Summary: The committee heard an update on Washington’s child welfare system from Casey Family Programs and then from DCYF. Dr. David Sanders presented national and state trends showing fewer children entering and remaining in out-of-home care, more kinship placements, and relatively low use of group homes, but he also flagged concerns about children lingering in care for years and an increase in repeat maltreatment and child fatalities. He urged stronger focus on infants and young children, better coordination among child protection, health care, and law enforcement, and more proactive review and decision-making practices. Members asked for disaggregated data on children remaining in care, fatalities, and the role of fentanyl and other factors. DCYF said Washington has increased relative placements and guardianships, citing prior legislative changes such as HB 1747, HB 1227, and SB 6109. Officials reported a rise in critical incidents in 2025, especially near-fatalities involving children age three and under, many tied to opioid exposure, and described responses including safe child consults, hotspot identification, more training on neglect and medically complex cases, updated safety tools, and expanded community supports and peer services. Members pressed DCYF on cross-agency collaboration, preventive services, and whether a broader commission on child abuse prevention should be created; DCYF said it would be open to discussing that and noted existing work with health and legal partners. The committee then received a DSHS update on the agency’s “Reimagined” reorganization. Secretary Angela Ramirez said the restructuring consolidates administrations to reduce silos, improve customer experience, and better coordinate services across behavioral health, habilitation, aging, long-term support, technology, and analytics. She said DSHS will seek statutory alignment and CMS approval and is also redesigning its website. Members asked about federal HR1 impacts, SNAP, and whether DSHS has a team tracking federal changes; Ramirez said the agency is monitoring developments and will coordinate with legislators. Finally, DSHS provided an update on residential habilitation centers and implementation of SB 5393, which phases out new long-term admissions at Rainier School and closes it by June 30, 2027. Officials reported current census and capacity figures for the state’s RHCs, described recent resident transitions from Rainier, and said emergency and permanent rulemaking are underway. They also disclosed that a recent CMS survey found Rainier out of compliance with the active treatment condition of participation, prompting corrective action plans and a 90-day window to return to compliance. Members questioned the meaning of active treatment, the lack of available capacity, the consequences of noncompliance, and whether Rainier could be repurposed for other services; DSHS said it is working to correct the deficiencies and is open to future uses if directed and funded by the legislature.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> long-term services and supports. long-term services and supports.
  • </c> uh services and support coordinator. uh services and support coordinator.
  • These specifically support individuals with developmental disabilities and brain injuries.
  • individuals with disabilities.
  • </c> support individuals with disabilities. support individuals with disabilities.
Summary: The Committee to Study Long-Term Managed Care met to approve prior minutes and outline its schedule, with meetings set for September 24 and September 29 ahead of an October 1 report deadline. The chair said the committee would use the first two meetings to digest testimony, likely ask follow-up questions of DHS, and then work toward conclusions and a report format. The minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously. The main testimony came from Sharon Alexander of Amera Health, who argued in favor of moving from fee-for-service Medicaid long-term services and supports to a managed LTSS model. She described managed LTSS as a capitated, quality-driven system used in about 26 states, and said it can improve care coordination, accountability, access to home- and community-based services, and budget predictability. She cited Amera Health’s experience in Pennsylvania and Delaware, including care coordination, housing and transportation support, caregiver programs, and quality benchmarks tied to state oversight. She also said nursing facilities would remain an important option for people who need that level of care. Committee members asked about how the programs are administered, how rates are set, how care managers work, and how quality is measured. Alexander said states contract with managed care organizations at actuarially sound capitated rates, with annual contracts, reporting, and oversight. She explained that care managers typically conduct quarterly assessments and follow up after trigger events such as hospitalization, and that housing coordinators may assist with transitions to the community. On quality, she said states use CMS-related and HCBS benchmark measures covering service timeliness, care planning, transitions, and other outcomes, and that New Hampshire could build on existing metrics rather than starting from scratch. She also noted that rural areas face workforce and transportation challenges, which managed care plans try to address through technology and self-direction options.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Minnesota House passes human services policy bill 5/11/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> and I ask for your support. and I ask for your support.
  • I would also offer support and ask for that support.
  • </c> will ask for your support. will ask for your support.
  • also offer support and ask for that<00:09:07.839><c> support.
  • </c> that support. that support.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Ethics and Elections Feb 4th, 2026

Ethics and Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • All those are the waves and support. Wave and support, I love that. Eloquent testimony.
  • Yes, wave and support. Wave and support, I love it.
  • All those are the waves and support. Wave and support, I love that. Eloquent testimony.
  • I appreciate the support.
  • Wait for support. Are you the governor of state up in support? Thank you.
Bills: S0460 , S0748 , S1180 , S1334
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Education Pre-K - 12 Mar 17th, 2025

Education Pre-K - 12

Transcript Highlights:
  • Early learning providers statewide are facing challenges in supporting students with disabilities and
  • the educators who are supporting these children with disabilities.
  • Early learning providers statewide are facing challenges in supporting students with disabilities and
  • the educators who are supporting these children with disabilities.
  • Seafake waives in support. Robert C.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 considered a series of education-related bills, many of them after adopting amendments. SB 1122 on Florida Virtual School was amended to remove virtual preschool provisions and then passed favorably, with the sponsor describing it as a clarifying bill about FLVS operations, revenue sources, reporting, and student access. SB 1374, on school district reporting requirements for educator arrests and misconduct, was also approved; it requires faster district action and reporting when instructional personnel are arrested for certain offenses and clarifies that self-reports are not admissions of guilt. SB 1402, on student enrollment and dropout retrieval programs, was amended and passed to broaden eligibility for dropout retrieval services and allow certain virtual providers to receive a school improvement rating instead of a school grade. SB 364, moving the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys from the Department of Education to Florida Memorial University, was amended and reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 772 on diabetes management in schools, which would allow districts to obtain and store glucagon for emergency use by trained school staff or nurses, with liability protections included. SB 1102 on school readiness programs for children with disabilities passed after testimony that it would expand identification of disabilities, require more training for providers, and direct special-needs funding toward better-supported classrooms. SB 1382, also on school readiness, was approved and would change the definition of economically disadvantaged families, adjust priority tiers, and update the waitlist and forecasting process for child care assistance. The most debated measure was SB 140, which was substantially rewritten by delete-all amendment to create “job engine charter schools,” allow municipalities to seek charter schools aimed at attracting industry, authorize parent votes for conversion of existing public schools, and set requirements for district five-year property plans and surplus property use, including affordable housing and charter school purposes. Supporters argued it could aid economic development and repurpose underused property, while opponents raised concerns about privatization, reduced stakeholder input, unclear voting procedures, and loss of district control over property. Despite extensive debate and multiple public speakers against it, the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 430, a merged AED and cardiac emergency response bill requiring public schools to have a cardiac emergency plan, trained staff, and an operational AED in a publicized location, with reimbursement provisions and liability protections; it passed after supporters emphasized life-saving benefits and manageable training costs. The committee adjourned after recording additional members’ votes on selected bills.