Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a rare disease parent and an advocate for the rare disease community as the co-founder of the Northwest
• Rare Disease Coalition.
• , and prevention of disease, and report certain contagious diseases or infections to the state board
• Naturopathic physicians are well trained in public health, infectious disease, preventive care, immunizations
• MD training includes extensive coursework in infectious disease, pharmacology, and environmental health

Bills: SB5904, SB5915, SB6025, SB5933, SB5990, SB5981

Keywords: nursing titles, licensure, healthcare professionals, patient safety, professional standards, SB 5915, health technology assessment, HTA, clinical committee, medical technology review, coverage determination, state-purchased health care, Washington health care, RCW, evidence-based medicine, cost-effectiveness, safety and efficacy, Medicare coverage, national coverage determination, clinical guidelines

Summary: The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee held public hearings on several bills. SB 5904 would clarify that only human beings may use nursing titles, including in the context of AI or chatbots; the sponsor and nursing witnesses said it would protect transparency, patient safety, and the nursing profession, and testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. SB 5915 would change the Health Technology Assessment Program’s review criteria and timelines, giving priority to technologies already recommended by Medicare or national guidelines; supporters, including educators and patients with rare or serious conditions, said the current process is too rigid and can block access to needed treatments. SB 6025 would update the definition of fetal death to use the best clinically accurate gestational age rather than last menstrual period; the sponsor and clinicians said this would align the law with medical practice and reduce emotional and financial burdens on grieving families, though the hearing drew substantial opposition sign-ins. SB 5933 would require the Department of Health to share EMS overdose data in near real time with ODMAP, with privacy protections and limits on law-enforcement use; public health, local government, recovery, and youth witnesses said it would improve overdose response and save lives, while the Poison Center asked for amendments to include its data and avoid conflating overdoses with poisonings. SB 5990 would allow APRNs or physician assistants to serve as local health officers in counties under 100,000 population; the sponsor said rural counties need more flexibility, while local public health groups supported broader access but raised concerns about qualifications, and naturopathic physicians argued they should also be included. SB 5981 would prohibit drug manufacturers from limiting 340B drug access through contract pharmacies or requiring extra data as a condition of sale; safety-net hospitals, health centers, rural providers, and patients said it protects access and funds care, while manufacturers, employer groups, and some industry representatives argued the program lacks transparency, can raise costs, and should be narrowed. No final votes were taken in the excerpt, and the committee closed each hearing after testimony, with sign-in counts noted for several bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a rare disease parent and an advocate for the rare disease community as the co-founder of the Northwest
• Rare Disease Coalition.
• , and prevention of disease, and report certain contagious diseases or infections to the state board
• Naturopathic physicians are well trained in public health, infectious disease, preventive care, immunizations
• MD training includes extensive coursework in infectious disease, pharmacology, and environmental health

Summary: The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee held a hearing on several bills. SB 5904 would prohibit non-human entities from using nursing titles; the sponsor and nursing groups said it is meant to increase transparency around AI and ensure patients know when they are interacting with a real nurse. SB 5915 would change Health Technology Assessment Program review criteria and timelines, with supporters arguing it would better account for Medicare coverage and national guidelines, especially for rare and life-threatening conditions. SB 6025 would update the definition of fetal death to allow gestational age to be determined by the best clinically accurate method rather than last menstrual period, and medical professionals and the sponsor said this would reduce emotional, financial, and legal burdens on grieving families. SB 5933 would require near real-time sharing of overdose data into ODMAP; public health, local government, and recovery advocates said it would improve overdose response, while one witness asked that poison center data be included and clarified separately. SB 5990 would allow APRNs and physician assistants to serve as local health officers in counties under 100,000 population; rural county officials supported the added flexibility, while public health groups and naturopathic physicians raised concerns about qualifications and asked that naturopathic doctors be included as well. SB 5981 would restrict drug manufacturers from limiting 340B drug access through contract pharmacies or requiring data as a condition of discounts; safety-net hospitals, community health centers, pharmacies, and patients said it protects access and reinvestment in care, while manufacturers, employer groups, and industry representatives argued it increases costs, lacks transparency, and may not ensure savings reach patients. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the transcript; each bill was heard and testimony was closed. Sign-in counts were reported for several bills, including strong pro support for SB 5904, SB 5915, SB 5933, and SB 5981, and mixed or substantial opposition on SB 6025 and SB 5990.

Transcript Highlights:

• graduate course in the Epidemiology Department, EPI-554, or introduction to epidemic modeling of infectious
• diseases.
• So no one gets to learn infectious disease modeling this year.

Summary: The meeting was a press conference and Q&A led by Rep. Shaun Scott to promote the proposed Well Washington Fund, a new dedicated account intended to raise about $3 billion annually through a corporate payroll tax on wages above $125,000. Scott said the bill would help offset expected federal cuts under Trump-era policies and support programs most at risk, including cash assistance, higher education, health care, housing, and wildfire mitigation. He also referenced two related proposals: restoring wildfire mitigation funding by ending a tax break for large banks, and allowing counties to raise corporate taxes. Several advocates and affected residents testified in support of progressive revenue. Michelle Thomas of the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance warned that federal homelessness policy changes and state underinvestment could worsen homelessness and evictions. Christina Savitsky, a disabled veteran, described how Medicaid, food assistance, and work requirements would affect her family. Representatives from the University of Washington AAUP said federal cuts and Medicaid changes threaten teaching, research, workforce training, and hospital finances. Fatima Boxwala of Tech for Taxes and Mikey Stramskis of the Washington Federation of State Employees argued that large corporations and the wealthy should pay more to sustain public services and address understaffing, burnout, and service backlogs. In the Q&A, Scott said the bill may need an emergency clause to make it referendum-proof and argued that the legislature has a mandate to act, citing the 2024 capital gains tax referendum and the state’s regressive tax system. He acknowledged concerns about businesses leaving but said he was more concerned about working people being displaced by unaffordable housing, child care, and health care. No vote or formal committee action occurred; the event was a call for a hearing in the House Finance Committee in 2026 and for legislative passage in both chambers.

Transcript Highlights:

• 3,000 people that day and many more through the years, resulting from related injuries, illness, and disease
• negative equine House Bill 2555 requires dealers to maintain records, including negative equine infectious
• These common-sense requirements will improve traceability and help limit the spread of infectious disease
• This legislation is especially timely, given growing concerns about animal disease outbreaks and the
• Better records mean stronger disease prevention, increased consumer confidence, and more transparent

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, recognized several guests in the gallery, and then took up a series of committee reports, referrals, and floor actions. Early business included concurrence in committee reports on bills and resolutions from Game and Fisheries, Professional Licensure, Health, and Children and Youth, along with referral of Senate Bill 1377 to Transportation. The chamber also signed House Bill 1344 after the Senate returned it without amendment. Later, members announced caucus and committee meetings, including Rules, Intergovernmental Affairs and Operations, Insurance, and Appropriations, before recessing and then reconvening for floor votes. The House adopted several resolutions, including House Resolution 537 designating Rail Safety Week, House Resolution 449 recognizing the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, and House Resolution 568 designating Javei Syndrome Awareness Day. The chamber also considered House Bill 2037 on cryptocurrency corruption, where Amendment A03882 narrowing the bill to public officials and immediate family members was adopted, while two later amendments were tabled or failed. House Bill 2198, repealing the sales and use tax exemption for computer data center equipment, was amended to take effect immediately and to bar KOZ use for data centers, then agreed to. House Bill 2559, concerning a university conveyance and other conveyances, was agreed to after out-of-order amendments were ruled on. A major portion of the session focused on data center policy. House Bill 2496, creating a 180-day pause on data center proposals to give municipalities time to update zoning and planning, drew extensive support from members emphasizing local control, environmental concerns, and the need for time to assess impacts; it passed final passage 201-1. House Bill 2650, creating the Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development certification for data centers, also generated lengthy debate over energy use, water, community benefits, and tax treatment; it passed 134-68. The House also passed House Bill 2162 on temporary licensing for drug manufacturers before FDA approval, House Bill 2388 on rounding cash payments when pennies are unavailable, House Bill 2437 on county and municipal bridge repair funds, House Bill 2555 on equine dealer recordkeeping, and House Bill 2621 directing a Department of Health survey on maternal and infant outcomes. Other actions included final passage of House Bill 1006 on milk tester and wearer sampler certification periods, House Bill 2014 on opportunities for minors and emergency service organizations, House Bill 2512 prohibiting ride-share pricing based on device condition, House Bill 2644 authorizing itemized capital bridge projects, and Senate Bill 1058 updating the E85 flex-fuel reference. The House also adopted House Bill 2162, House Bill 2388, House Bill 2437, and House Bill 2555 by recorded votes, and several committee reports were agreed to throughout the day. The session ended with additional committee referrals, a motion to recommit several bills to Appropriations, and adjournment until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am an infectious disease epidemiologist.
• . ...diseases.
• Not all of them are linked to the disease.
• In the pre-vaccine era, 40% of childhood deaths were related to infectious diseases, most of which are
• Disease. Her life changed and my life changed.

Bills: HB3772, HB1656, HB4504, HB1896, HB4420, HB4421, HB4076, HB3708, HB2806, HB3540, HB1586, HB5459, HB4553, HB4535, HB3811, HB3749, HB4255, HB4051, HB5098, HB3554, HB4539, HB5274

Keywords: e-cigarettes, health and safety, regulations, directory, penalties, regulation, certification, compliance, manufacturers, FDA, nicotine, mental health, emergency detention, paramedic authority, mental illness, healthcare facility, public health, covenants not to compete, health care practitioners, physicians

Transcript Highlights:

• diseases.
• diseases.
• </c> all of those people were from infectious all of those people were from infectious diseases.<00:22
• ><c> So</c><00:22:47.280><c> those</c><00:22:47.520><c> Ecoli</c><00:22:48.080><c> outbreaks</c> diseases
• So those Ecoli outbreaks diseases.

Bills: HF2436, HF2929

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, HF2929, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, food assistance, nutrition assistance, public benefits, eligibility determination, income eligibility, federal poverty guidelines, poverty level, county agency, Tribal agency, human services, children and families, benefits administration

Transcript Highlights:

• We're applying it to areas in which the disease has been detected.
• But this disease is contact-dependent.
• They're most likely to be exposed to a disease that is 100% fatal.
• But again, this is a deer disease.
• There’s been no link between chronic wasting disease and human illness.”

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:03:36.319><c> respiratory</c> infectious respiratory infectious respiratory diseases<01:03:38.920
• from</c> infectious diseases rather than from infectious diseases rather than from unversal<01:03:56.480
• You could have an outbreak of an infectious disease in Manchester that isn't affecting the North Country
• You could have an outbreak of an infectious disease in Manchester that isn't affecting the North Country
• ><c> that</c> an infectious disease in Manchester that an infectious disease in Manchester that isn't

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 763, an early bill concerning AED access at athletic events and venues. Representative Morris offered amendment 0743H to clarify the bill by removing charter schools from the language and tying AED placement to American Heart Association guidance, emphasizing that AEDs should be readily accessible within a reasonable walking distance rather than mandated on every field. The amendment and then the bill as amended both passed 17-0, and the bill was reported out as Ought to Pass with Amendment. The committee then considered House Bill 781, requiring school districts to adopt cell phone-free education policies, and a related bill, House Bill 131. HB 781 was amended to include charter public school boards, cover other personal electronic communication devices, require at minimum restrictions on student personal cell phones during class instruction, allow superintendent-approved exceptions for medical or language needs, protect students with medical needs or disabilities under Section 504, and set an effective date of July 1, 2025. Some members argued the amendment was too prescriptive and limited local control, while supporters said it still left districts flexibility outside classroom instruction. The amendment passed 16-1, and the bill then passed Ought to Pass as Amended 16-1. HB 131, described as a mirror bill, was then retained by a 17-0 vote. House Bill 398, a title bill requiring Holocaust and genocide studies to include impacts on people with disabilities, was moved to ITL after Representative Selig reported the genocide commission believed the topic was already being covered. That motion passed 17-0. The committee also agreed to hold several bills for later consideration, including HB 754, HB 1221, HB 360, and HB 699, citing the need for more review or missing copies. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 361, prohibiting mandatory mask policies in schools. Supporters argued the bill would preserve individual choice while preventing statewide or districtwide mandates in future public health emergencies, and cited a Department of Health and Human Services letter saying masks remain effective but decisions should be based on individual choice and risk assessment. Opponents emphasized local control and the need for districts to respond to different public health conditions. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 361 was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• , or kidney disease.
• diseases caused by parasites, flies, etc.
• Is there some kind of infectious disease process?
• So whatever, Is there some kind of infectious disease process?
• Many rare diseases do not have FDA-approved treatments, and most rare diseases are genetic in nature.

Bills: HB216

Keywords: HB216, Texas abortion law, abortion-inducing drug, medication abortion, mifepristone, misoprostol, telemedicine, in-person exam, physician presence, out-of-state physician, reproductive healthcare, abortion regulation, Health and Safety Code, Occupations Code, consultation services, remote prescribing, pro-life, pro-choice

Summary: The Committee on Public Health met with a quorum and heard public testimony on a long agenda, with members repeatedly reminded of a two-minute limit for witnesses. Several bills were voted out favorably, including HB 2588 on cottage food, HB 1639 on cancer incidence and female firefighters, HB 2581 on a reporting form for contracted services for pregnant women, and SB 922 on electronic disclosure of certain sensitive medical information. Those measures generally passed on party-line or near-unanimous votes, while HB 216 on itemized medical statements was left pending after the committee substitute was withdrawn. The committee also left pending HB 5141, HB 4638, HB 2035, HB 4813, HB 2264, HB 4014, and HB 3829 after hearing testimony and questions. The final item introduced in the excerpt was HB 4408 on health care market transparency and corporate consolidation, but the discussion was cut off before testimony or action was completed. A major theme of the hearing was mental health diversion and access to treatment. HB 5141, by Rep. Howard, would allow Travis County to use vacated Austin State Hospital property for a local mental health jail diversion center; law enforcement, the Travis County sheriff, county judge, and urban counties group all testified in support, describing the lack of alternatives for people in crisis and the burden on jails and emergency rooms. Members asked about eligible offenses, bed capacity, and whether the facility would serve only Travis County, and the bill was left pending. HB 2264, by Rep. Schoolcraft, would create a friends-and-family form for loved ones to provide information to providers during emergency mental health treatment; NAMI and hospital groups supported it, while one neutral witness and several members raised concerns about patient control, credibility of information, and liability protections. The bill was also left pending. The committee also heard multiple psychedelic-therapy and drug-policy bills. HB 4813 would speed Texas rescheduling of Schedule I substances if the FDA reclassifies them, with testimony focused on psilocybin and MDMA and their potential use for PTSD and depression; members questioned whether the bill was too broad and how state rescheduling works, and it was left pending. HB 4014 would direct HHSC to study psychedelic therapies, building on prior state research, and witnesses said Texas should prepare regulatory and clinical infrastructure before FDA approval; it too was left pending. HB 2035 would require parents to be informed that they may seek substance-use treatment for a child even if one facility turns them away, prompted by a constituent’s account of a fatal fentanyl overdose after receiving incorrect advice; it was left pending. HB 4638 would extend and expand the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative board and timeline, with the author saying the program is still in early implementation and needs more time, and it was left pending as well. Other bills addressed public health administration and animal welfare. HB 3829 would require a study of the animal-friendly account and its grant process for spay/neuter funding, with the author arguing that the current application and reimbursement process is too burdensome for shelters and nonprofits; no opposition was heard and the bill was left pending. HB 2581 and HB 1639 were reported favorably, while HB 216 drew discussion about enforcement of itemized medical billing and was held after the committee substitute was withdrawn. Throughout the hearing, members also discussed broader concerns about homelessness, competency restoration waitlists, jail overcrowding, and the need for more treatment options outside the criminal justice system.

Transcript Highlights:

• At one point, there were no treatments for the disease; you get the disease and you kind of just wait
• At one point, there were no treatments for the disease; you get the disease and you kind of just wait
• </c><01:05:00.520><c> that</c> then of like a zentic disease that then of like a zentic disease that
• But if there's ever a situation when that particular animal can transmit a disease and that disease is
• disease is present, then we definitely want to act because we don't want the disease to be spreading

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing opened with House Bill 1462 on crisis services. Testimony from the Department of Law Enforcement, the Community Alliance on Prisons, and the Department of Health supported expanding behavioral health crisis services as an alternative to arrest or incarceration. Witnesses said additional crisis sites would help divert people in mental health crisis to appropriate care, and the Department of Health described its current crisis center in Ewa, including the need for renovations such as a padded room and the time required to get the facility operational. In response to questions, the department estimated the Ewa center’s budgeted cost at about $4.3 million, not including rent or startup repairs, and said a second site’s cost would depend on whether it was freestanding or attached to an existing facility. The committee then heard House Bill 700 on cognitive assessments. The Executive Office on Aging supported the bill’s intent but asked that it be amended to make assessments optional rather than mandated, to pilot the program first, and to allow flexibility in handling HIPAA-protected data. SHPDA also supported the measure but said it should not be mandatory and suggested that payers reimburse for assessments when requested by patients, families, or physicians. The Alzheimer’s Association and caregivers strongly supported standardizing cognitive assessments to improve early detection and access to newer treatments, while noting the existing opt-out provision. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the bill but asked that the age 65 threshold be removed because cognitive decline can begin much earlier for people with Down syndrome, autism, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and related conditions. In response to a question, the Office on Aging said a pilot project could likely be done for about $150,000, with data security being the main added cost. The final bill discussed was House Bill 237 on peer support programs. Testimony from Family Hui Hawaii, Early Childhood Action Strategy, peer support workers, and families described peer-to-peer programs as a cost-effective way to reduce isolation, strengthen families, and provide long-term community support. Speakers said these programs help parents and caregivers navigate crises, child welfare involvement, addiction recovery, and other challenges, and can have lasting benefits for children’s development and family stability. Several witnesses tied the bill to broader state goals, including infant and early childhood mental health, trauma-informed care, and child welfare reform. Written testimony from about a dozen organizations and individuals was also noted in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• including deadline extension and the rest of the bill, like battery recycling and, uh, study for infectious
• Um, so uh Senator Her, um page 11 of the bill, the um infectious or pathological waste, I remember one
• waste to be segregated at its infectious waste to be segregated at its point<00:30:59.600><c> of</c>
• </c><01:31:02.400><c> What</c><01:31:02.520><c> does</c> control of wildlife disease.
• What does control of wildlife disease.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The number one infectious disease affecting children, although largely preventable, is tooth decay.
• problem like a cavity, caught early, can be treated before it turns into a bigger problem like gum disease

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, offered a prayer and pledge, welcomed a seventh-grade class from Contra Costa Jewish Day School, and made routine announcements, including birthday wishes for Senator Hurtado and committee meeting notices. The body then took up two resolutions on the daily file. SR 82 by Senator Perez recognized Children’s Dental Health Month and highlighted the importance of early oral health care, the prevalence of tooth decay among California children, disparities affecting Latinx, Black, and low-income children, and Medi-Cal and other state efforts to expand dental access. SR 84 by Senator Caballero commemorated Women in Construction Week and emphasized the need to expand opportunities for women in the construction trades through apprenticeships, inclusive job sites, and workforce development to address labor shortages and support California’s housing and infrastructure goals. Both resolutions were adopted unanimously by roll call votes of 31-0. Afterward, members announced upcoming budget subcommittee meetings. The Senate then heard multiple adjourn-in-memory requests, including one from Senator Alvarado-Gil honoring eight victims of the February 17 avalanche near Truckee and another from Senator Wiener honoring Camille Moran, a San Francisco transgender advocate, artist, and community leader. The presiding officer noted the Senate would recess and reconvene on Monday, March 9, 2026, with an adjournment motion to follow later that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• partners is currently conducting clinical trials on cancer treatments as well as treatment for infectious
• diseases.
• the things that sets us apart is... clinical trials on cancer treatments as well as treatment for infectious
• diseases.
• suffer from conditions that make it difficult to receive proper hydration, such as dementia, kidney disease

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact held an informational hearing in San Diego focused on “Making Sense of California’s Economy: Real Cost Pressures and Household Impacts Facing San Diego.” Chair Salas and Assemblymember Darshana Patel opened by emphasizing affordability, housing, and the importance of bringing state policy discussions into the community. The first panel featured leaders from Cal State San Marcos and the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, who described the region’s innovation ecosystem, the university’s role in social mobility and workforce development, and the importance of partnerships with K-12 schools, community colleges, military installations, and industry. They also highlighted regional strengths in life sciences, aerospace and defense, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and venture-backed innovation, while warning that housing costs, federal research cuts, permitting delays, and small-business fragility threaten growth and talent retention. Committee members asked about collaboration among higher education institutions and what state policy changes could help. Panelists said the region’s universities are complementary rather than competitive and stressed the value of public-private partnerships, social innovation, and aligning academic programs with employer needs. On policy, they urged faster permitting, possible regulatory sandboxes, stronger research investment, support for cross-border trade and manufacturing, and more housing affordability to keep workers in the region. The second panel centered on small business and entrepreneurship, with testimony from Hydrostasis founder Dr. Debbie Chen, Amai co-founder Sven Davison, and Asian Business Association San Diego CEO Jason Pagal. Chen described building a hydration-monitoring wearable, the barriers women founders face in accessing capital, and the importance of SBDC, Stella Foundation, and university internship support. Davison described Amai’s edible cup business and how tariffs, supply-chain costs, and financing constraints forced the company to pivot manufacturing plans. Pagal presented survey data showing high relocation intent, difficulty hiring, and low confidence among businesses, and recommended expanded technical assistance, regional cost-of-living adjustments, and small-business affordability zones. During questioning, members discussed targeted procurement and local incentive models, the role of SBDC and other support networks, and how to better tailor state programs to local conditions. Public comment came from the California Southern Small Business Development Corporation, which stressed that access to affordable capital remains a major challenge and noted the volume of loan guarantee requests coming from San Diego. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded with closing remarks from both members underscoring the need to use local testimony to shape future state policy and support California’s economy, families, and small businesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that harm reduction has relied on it; it reduces the spread of infectious disease, it prevents
• And the response was that savings come when it comes to the spread of infectious diseases and things
• People who suffer from the disease of addiction, and I want to say we, because I suffer from the disease
• I work in the center of infectious diseases with patients living with HIV, which is a double stigma.
• You blame the disease or the treatment. The treatment is trash.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery held a public hearing on several harm reduction bills, including measures to decriminalize simple possession and paraphernalia, authorize overdose prevention centers, and expand access to naloxone for first responders. Chair Mindy Domb and Senator John Velis opened by describing harm reduction as an evidence-based public health strategy and noting Massachusetts’ recent decline in fatal overdoses. They emphasized that testimony would help shape whether and how the bills advance, and explained the hearing process, including time limits and written testimony. Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including Rep. Kate Donaghue, Sen. Cindy Friedman, Rep. Marjorie Decker, Rep. Manny Cruz, public health professionals, recovery advocates, and people with lived experience, argued that harm reduction saves lives, reduces stigma, and can connect people to treatment. They supported overdose prevention centers and decriminalization as tools to keep people alive long enough to enter recovery, and several speakers described personal losses to overdose or family experiences with addiction. Some supporters also framed the bills as racial justice measures, arguing that criminal penalties for possession have disproportionately harmed Black and brown communities. Opponents, including Sen. Nick Collins and several South End residents, argued that overdose prevention centers and decriminalization would worsen public drug use, crime, and neighborhood disorder, especially around Mass and Cass. They said current approaches such as Section 35, diversion, and police leverage into treatment are more effective, and they urged more treatment beds and recovery facilities instead of harm reduction sites. Committee members questioned witnesses about research, local siting, crime data, and the relationship between harm reduction and treatment, and several members said neighborhood impacts must be considered alongside overdose prevention. The committee did not take a vote during the hearing; it continued receiving testimony and announced a later break before resuming on H. 2196 and S. 1393.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then protecting: preventing and controlling infectious diseases through education, surveillance,
• That would disrupt our ability to respond to emerging infectious diseases in a rapid manner, and that
• What about diseases? Will we be able to track diseases?
• We use that to track disease rates and things like that.
• from becoming outbreaks of diseases.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The number one infectious disease affecting children, although largely preventable, is tooth decay.
• problem, like a cavity, caught early, can be treated before it turns into a bigger problem like gum disease

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard a prayer and pledge, welcomed a seventh-grade class from Contra Costa Jewish Day School, and made routine announcements. The body then took up two resolutions on the floor: SR 82 by Senator Pérez recognizing Children’s Dental Health Month and emphasizing the importance of early oral health, Medi-Cal dental access, and disparities in childhood tooth decay; and SR 84 by Senator Caballero recognizing Women in Construction Week and calling attention to workforce shortages, apprenticeship pathways, and the need to expand opportunities for women in the trades. Both resolutions were adopted unanimously by roll call vote, with 31 ayes and 0 nos. Senators also announced upcoming budget subcommittee meetings, including hearings on the Office of Emergency Services and the Department of Justice. The chamber then heard several adjourn-in-memory requests, including one for the victims of a fatal avalanche near Truckee and another for Camille Moran of San Francisco, a transgender advocate and artist. The presiding officer noted a birthday for Senator Hurtado and made lighthearted remarks about an “artificial intelligence” experiment running the meeting. The Senate announced it would remain in recess until later in the day for an adjournment motion and would reconvene on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The number one infectious disease affecting children, although largely preventable, is tooth decay.
• problem, like a cavity, caught early, can be treated before it turns into a bigger problem like gum disease

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from the University of Colorado with a Bachelor of Science degree and then received her Ph.D. in infectious
• diseases from South Dakota State University in 2012.
• She has an infectious personality.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and obesity account for a significant share
• that public health research shows reduces death and disease.
• Beyond supplies, programs must provide overdose education, infectious disease screening, wound care,
• A Delawarean struggling with substance use disorder who dies from an overdose or an infectious disease
• Addiction is a disease, and handcuffs are not the treatment. Thank you. After Ed, Alana Mozek.

Bills: SB274, SB301, SB249

Keywords: healthcare, life-sustaining treatment, patient preferences, POLST, advance directive, medical orders, hospital discharge, pregnancy, patient care, discharge planning, healthcare policy, substance use, harm reduction, syringe services, needle exchange, overdose prevention, naloxone, opioid antagonist, drug paraphernalia, syringe

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several measures related to health care, public health, and patient protections. House Concurrent Resolution 148, urging a statewide educational strategy on menopause, was presented as a workplace awareness measure and received supportive comments from members before being released. Senate Bill 274, updating Delaware’s MOST program to POLST and clarifying capacity determinations and documentation for end-of-life orders, also drew supportive testimony from medical and nursing groups and was released. House Bill 458, limiting local backflow preventer requirements for certain low-hazard buildings, was presented as a cost-relief measure for homeowners and small businesses; DHSS expressed concerns but said it was willing to work on amendments and a sunset provision, and the bill was released. Senate Joint Resolution 18, designating August 31, 2026 as International Overdose Awareness Day and ordering flags at half-staff, was released after brief supportive remarks. The committee then considered Senate Bill 339, a technical correction to the advance health care directive form clarifying that an agent’s authority for voluntary mental health admission cannot exceed 72 hours, consistent with existing law. Members asked detailed questions about how the 72-hour limit works and whether it applies to voluntary directives; the sponsor and a Disability Rights Delaware witness explained that the bill only aligns the form with current statute and does not expand authority. The bill was released. House Bill 301, requiring hospitals to create discharge plans for pregnant patients discharged while showing signs of labor, prompted extensive discussion. The sponsor and supporters said it would improve safety, transportation planning, and aftercare, while some members noted Delaware hospitals already do much of this work and questioned whether codifying it was necessary; supporters emphasized maternal mortality disparities and the need for guardrails. The bill was released. Senate Bill 196, creating ownership disclosure requirements for long-term care facilities and resident notice rules after ownership transfers, was presented as a transparency measure for seniors and families and was released after supportive testimony from the Delaware Nurses Association and elder-care advocates. Senate Bill 320, expanding pharmacists’ independent prescriptive authority for certain non-controlled medications and allowing opioid use disorder medications under standing order, with added malpractice reporting requirements in Senate Amendment 2, was supported by pharmacists and nurse practitioners as an access-to-care measure and was released. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 161, establishing a unified licensing and oversight framework for adult behavioral health providers under DSAM, was presented as a patient-protection measure; providers supported the goal but cautioned that regulations must be workable, and the substitute was released. Senate Joint Resolution 19, directing DHSS to study strategies to reduce health care costs, was released with a note reflecting concerns about broadening the analysis to include additional cost drivers and alternatives. Finally, Senate Bill 249 with Senate Amendment 2, modernizing harm-reduction programs and paraphernalia laws, generated the most extended debate: supporters framed it as life-saving public health policy, while opponents raised concerns about needle litter, community impacts, and whether the approach facilitates addiction. Despite the objections, the bill was released.

Transcript Highlights:

• The autopsy did not reveal any cause of death related to injury or natural disease.
• diseases.
• Saving functions, including responding to health threats such as infectious diseases, natural disasters
• did not... ...natural disease did not cause the death.
• It is nicknamed the suicide disease. I am, in fact, a suicide survivor.

Keywords: 987, senate, all