Transcript Highlights:

• And not everyone goes to residential.
• It's not to implement the program.
• But we administer those programs: Homestead Tax Credit Program, Disabled Veteran Program. on potential
• But we administer those programs, Homestead Tax Credit Program, Disabled Veteran Program.
• The Homestead Tax Credit Program and the Disabled Veteran Program are administered by our office.

Summary: The meeting focused heavily on behavioral health and substance use treatment, especially the IMD exclusion and whether North Dakota should pursue a Section 1115 waiver to allow Medicaid reimbursement for services in institutions for mental diseases for adults ages 21 to 64. Turtle Mountain representatives described major local needs, including limited access to care, high syphilis rates, and the importance of timely public health data. They also discussed the tribe’s recovery center, which opened the prior year, now operating five levels of care with 16 beds, and the desire to expand capacity, possibly through an IMD waiver or related policy changes. Committee members also raised related issues such as rural health transformation funding, telehealth, workforce retention, and the need for better coordination between tribal and state public health systems. A central issue was Turtle Mountain Public Health’s long-running effort to secure a data use agreement with the state so it can receive surveillance data and respond directly to infectious disease cases among tribal members. Speakers said the tribe had a successful COVID-era agreement that allowed faster contact tracing and case management, but that agreement ended with the pandemic. They argued that current delays in sharing data, especially for sexually transmitted infections, leave the tribe unable to respond quickly, while the state and county epidemiology workload is too distant and stretched to be effective. Committee members expressed support and said they would look into the issue, noting that other tribes have secured similar agreements. The committee also heard a detailed presentation from the National Health Law Program on the IMD exclusion. The presenter explained that federal Medicaid law generally bars payment for care in facilities with more than 16 beds, but that states can use other tools such as state plan amendments, managed care arrangements, telehealth, and community-based services. He said IMD waivers are administratively complex, time-limited, and have shown mixed results in other states, with some gains in residential treatment access but limited evidence of improved overdose outcomes or stronger community-based care. He urged the committee to consider broader continuum-of-care solutions and cautioned that waivers alone are not a cure-all. No final vote was taken on the bill draft during the portion shown, but the committee discussed the proposal to appropriate $49,000 and one FTE to HHS to pursue an IMD waiver and report back in the next interim. Members also debated the policy rationale for the 16-bed limit, the role of the state versus tribal sovereignty, and whether the bill should move through the Health Care or Human Services committee in the future.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are programs that are license-exempt, and then there are programs that are licensed-exempt but
• different license types um any program different license types um any program that<00:53:16.079>
• c> programs are license programs there are programs are license programs there are programs that<
• , as those programs don't have to be licensed.
• It's an ongoing program, and under the program there are ongoing payments available to licensed child

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met for an introductory overview of its jurisdiction and budget, with the chair emphasizing the committee’s role over a large portfolio of children, youth, and family programs and the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). House Research and House Fiscal staff explained their roles and described the 2023-24 reorganization that transferred many programs from DHS, DPS, MDH, and MDE to DCYF, along with a statute recodification and a crosswalk resource for members. Doug Berg then walked through the committee’s budget structure, explaining the difference between all-funds and general fund views, the major funding sources, and how forecasted programs and grant bases roll forward. He highlighted that the committee’s general fund base is a little over $2.1 billion for the biennium, with large federal components such as SNAP and TANF, and noted smaller accounts including child protection-related opioid funds and federal reimbursement offsets (FFP) for administrative costs. Members asked several questions about federal financial participation, TANF, and the effect of the repeal of the Diversionary Work Program (DWP). Staff explained that FFP generally applies to administrative costs for federally related programs and usually does not change much unless program activity changes, while TANF is a block grant that has been stable for years. On DWP, staff said the program was sunsetted effective March 1, 2026, and that the associated funding and administrative costs were being reworked rather than simply removed. A member also asked about federal funding fluctuations; staff said no changes were currently factored in, though SNAP or other federal policy changes could alter future numbers. Danielle Penelli then presented on economic assistance and employment supports transferred to DCYF, focusing first on MFIP, Minnesota’s state-supervised, county-administered welfare program jointly funded by state and federal dollars. She explained that MFIP provides cash and food assistance, employment and training services, and related supports, with a 60-month time limit and certain exemptions for illness, incapacity, or other barriers to employment. She also described the program’s income and asset standards, including a $10,000 asset limit with exclusions for homesteads and one vehicle per assistance unit member age 16 or older. Members asked clarifying questions about how the time limit applies and what assets count, and staff responded that the limit applies to the caregiver and does not restart with additional children. Penelli also introduced support services grants, which fund employment services for MFIP, DWP, and SNAP participants through workforce centers, counties, tribes, and community agencies, and help cover some county and tribal administrative costs. She began outlining nutrition programs under DCYF, including SNAP, the Minnesota Food Assistance Program, the Minnesota Food Shelf Program, the Emergency Food Assistance Program, and the American Indian Food Sovereignty Program. No formal votes or bill actions were taken during this meeting; it was primarily an informational staff briefing and question-and-answer session.

Transcript Highlights:

• It expands the exception to licensed community residential settings only with a very narrow focus on
• mental health licensing facilities.
• Programs and services and analyzing gaps.
• , county correctional facilities, long-acting injectable pilot programs, existing intensive residential
• It increases the current emergency services program.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:22.360> integrity program integrity program integrity bill,<00:32:24.840> and<00
• , it reduces the loan program by freezing future loans, winding down the program as loans are repaid,
• :40:41.400> loans loans, winding down the program as loans loans, winding down the program as
• HCBS innovation grants program. HCBS innovation grants program.
• collected related to home care licensing collected related to home care licensing surveys<00:45:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rental Assistance Program to allow the agency to distribute funds by formula to program administrators
• Rental Assistance Program to allow the agency to distribute funds by formula to program administrators
• development program development program Awards<00:46:43.640> then<00:46:43.800> in
• money has to go back into the program money has to go back into the program and<00:46:59.960>
• are um available for that grant program are um available for that grant program also<00:48:17.960

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The funds were used for various programs, one of which was a respite care program that provided direct
• There's also a program, the New Mexico Health Service Corps, which is a stipend program.
• program.
• The advantage of a CNA program is that, again, you are licensed in that; you are allowed to do certain
• They've adapted well with the forest programs and the allied health programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• from this program take me.
• Juvenile Justice Civil Citation Program.
• scope of their license.
• This is an existing program.
• This is an existing program.

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the Medicaid program and in HHS they have the Medicaid program but they also have the program of
• It's the Medicaid program and in HHS they have the Medicaid program but they also have the program of
• :21.280> unit<00:20:21.760> is unit. program program integrity unit is unit. program program
• the overall program. the overall program.
• licensing bureaus. licensing bureaus.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee chair opened by explaining that the committee has expanded from a traditional audit-follow-up role into an oversight role focused on whether audit recommendations are implemented and whether controls are in place to detect fraud. He said the committee was concerned about fraud uncovered in social service programs in other states and wanted to understand New Hampshire’s safeguards, especially around major contracts and program performance. Charles Buchanan, director of the New Hampshire Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and investigator Tim Brackett described the unit’s structure and mission. Buchanan said the unit, housed in the Attorney General’s Criminal Justice Bureau, investigates and prosecutes fraud by health care providers serving Medicaid beneficiaries, as well as abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of residents in health care facilities. He outlined common Medicaid fraud schemes such as billing for services not rendered, upcoding, using unqualified staff, drug substitution, kickbacks, supplemental charges, and inflated customary charges. He also described resident abuse/neglect and drug diversion in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living settings. Brackett said his role is financial investigator/auditor and noted the unit is grant-funded and must include a prosecutor, investigator, and auditor. The witnesses then explained how cases reach the unit and how they are handled. Most referrals come from the state Department of Health and Human Services’ program integrity unit and from managed care organizations’ special investigations units, which look for fraud, waste, and abuse and refer credible allegations. Other sources include qui tam whistleblower actions, the national Medicaid Fraud Control Units association, citizen complaints, provider referrals, adult protective services law-enforcement referrals, local law enforcement, and federal agencies. Once a referral is received, the unit can accept or deny it; accepted matters may be investigated criminally or civilly, while nonviable matters can be referred back to HHS or other agencies for administrative action, including repayment demands and reimbursement offsets. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The delete-all requires DCF and local licensing agencies to make publicly available the inspection reports
• It defines large family child care home, prohibits residential property insurance policies from providing
• The delete-all requires DCF and local licensing agencies to make publicly available the inspection reports
• It defines large family child care home, prohibits residential property insurance policies from providing
• It prohibits insurers from denying, canceling, or refusing new residential property insurance policies

Bills: S0996, S1022, S1462, S1690

Keywords: dependent children, child welfare, cash allowance, caregivers, community organizations, empowerment, foster care, out-of-home care, temporary cash assistance, eligibility, drug trafficking, human trafficking, Florida statutes

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs heard and advanced four bills. CS/SB 1690, on early childhood education, was amended with a delete-all amendment that required public posting of child care inspection reports and data on child deaths, injuries, and substantiated abuse; changed certain notice and insurance provisions for family and large family child care homes; created the Florida Endowment for Early Learning; and made related definitional changes. The amendment was adopted and the committee reported the bill favorably. SB 1022, on children’s initiatives, would add two new Florida Children’s Initiatives in Bay County and Pompano in Broward County; the sponsor described the program as a community-based service network model, and the bill was reported favorably without opposition. SB 996, on dependent children, would require DCF and community-based care lead agencies to coordinate and regularly meet with organizations focused on people with lived experience in the child welfare system, and to publish how suggestions are implemented. Several young adults with foster care experience testified in support, emphasizing the importance of youth voice, normalcy, and teaching financial responsibility through allowance. The bill was reported favorably after supportive debate. The committee also considered CS/SB 1462, on temporary cash assistance eligibility, after adopting an amendment that narrowed a SNAP eligibility carve-out to people who were victims of human trafficking at the time of a drug conviction. The sponsor said the bill was intended to remove barriers to reunification and redemption. After supportive testimony and no opposition, the committee reported the bill favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• relative to license requirements, to provide relative to residential roofing requirements, to provide
• licensing requirements.
• It updates contractor definitions and licensing requirements.
• licenses, to provide for board approval to revoke, rescind..."
• licenses, to provide for board approval to revoke, rescind, and suspend licenses, to provide for violations

Summary: The committee first deferred House Bill 1102 without hearing it. It then took up House Concurrent Resolution 66, which urges Louisiana Economic Development and other state agencies to continue studying rural parishes’ economic assets, infrastructure, workforce, and development opportunities. Representative Weible and Secretary Bougoir described the resolution as part of a broader effort to align state rural programs and create a strategic framework for rural development. Members emphasized infrastructure, workforce training, local coordination, and retaining young people in rural communities. An amendment requiring LED to report to the legislature by January 1, 2027 was adopted, and HCR 66 was reported favorably as amended. The committee next considered Senate Bill 102, which would allow qualified trade associations for motor vehicle dealers to bring declaratory and injunctive actions against manufacturers on behalf of dealers. Senator Presley and the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association said the bill would consolidate similar disputes into one action, reduce costs, and help smaller dealers avoid retaliation or uneven litigation. Questions focused on standing, the limited remedies, and whether the bill would affect nontraditional sales models. Technical amendments were adopted, and SB 102 was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 521, concerning banks’ continued use of a non-surviving bank’s name after mergers or consolidations, drew the most debate. Senator Boudreau and former Senator Fred Mills said the bill would preserve community-bank identity while following FDIC guidance on clear disclosure and consumer notice. Several members raised concerns about codifying federal guidance, future changes to federal rules, and whether the bill should instead set a fixed transition period; an amendment to limit use of the old name to 24 months was adopted after discussion. Another proposed amendment tying the bill to 1998 FDIC branch-name guidance failed on a roll call vote. The bill, as amended, was then reported favorably. The committee also advanced House Bill 387, which narrows the scope of incidental engineering work by architects and clarifies the state fire marshal’s authority to review plans under both architecture and engineering laws, and House Bill 1228, which updates hearing-aid dealer licensing and consumer-protection rules, including testing periods, cooling-off rights, and refund/cancellation procedures. Both bills were reported favorably with technical amendments. The transcript then shifted to additional measures, including House Bill 975 on Public Service Commission reconstitution and several Senate bills by Senator Abraham on self-storage facilities and contractor licensing, but the provided text cuts off before those items are fully concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• This was a statewide program.
• This was a statewide program.
• This was a statewide program.
• This was a statewide program.
• Um programs.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas, the 2020 driver's license reciprocity agreement between the State of Vermont and Taiwan
• And whereas, the 2020 driver's license And whereas, the 2020 driver's license reciprocity<00:09:
• in residential neighborhoods. in residential neighborhoods.
• <00:28:51.919> development,<00:28:52.760> the the director of program development,
• > under<00:32:19.640> 3/4 Here, on residential-size lots under 3/4 Here, on residential-size

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House began with a devotional and then took up several Senate bills for first reading and referral: S. 323 on miscellaneous agricultural subjects, S. 325 on regional planning and Act 250 tier jurisdiction, and S. 328 on housing and common interest communities. The chamber then adopted House Resolution 16, reaffirming Vermont’s friendship with Taiwan and supporting stronger bilateral relations and Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after its reading, and remarks followed welcoming guests from Hazen Union School and Director General Charles Lao of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston. During the action calendar, the House postponed action on H. 657, relating to services for unaccompanied homeless youth, for one legislative day. It then passed H. 727 on sustainable data center deployment, H. 935 on emergency management, and H. 938 establishing the Vermont homelessness response continuum. The House also committed H.R. 15, another Taiwan friendship resolution, to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development. The main substantive debate centered on H. 941, relating to municipal regulation of agriculture. The committee explained the bill as a response to a Vermont Supreme Court ruling and described it as restoring limits on municipal regulation of farms while allowing narrow local exceptions and creating a stakeholder group to continue studying the issue. Testimony came from a broad range of agricultural, municipal, and policy stakeholders, and the committee reported a 7-0-1 vote. An amendment offered by Representative Durfee, based on feedback from the House Environment Committee, replaced a Tier 1A concept with parcel-size-based exceptions, clarified state authority over growing fruits, vegetables, and flowers, and adjusted the stakeholder charge; the House adopted the amendment and ordered the bill to third reading. The House also heard announcements about committee appointments, caucus meetings, a public hearing on community safety concerns, and then adjourned until April 1, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• She has been selected for prestigious programs. such as the Fulbright Exchange Program in Japan, the
• Toyota International Teacher Program in Costa Rica. and the Northrop Grumman ECO classroom program where
• Teach Program.
• and practice medicine to certain foreign medical license holders with all.
• task force. to conduct a study and issue a report concerning implementation of those programs.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We would have spent CAPI so that we could access these programs.
• We deserve to have access to retirement programs and be able to age with dignity.
• That this population be included in an existing program called CAPI Cash Assistance Program, which is
• It requires residential care facilities for the elderly, also known as RCA.
• Representing small licensed residential care facilities for the elderly, RCFE.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Program, also known as CAP, our Migrant Alternative Payment Program, CMAP, Program, also known as CAP
• Care program enrollment during October 2024 shows that 40% of parents chose licensed family child care
• programs.
• programs.
• the program.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy budget and policy discussion on child care, child welfare, and related early education issues, beginning with child care funding and slot utilization. Department of Social Services officials outlined the Governor’s proposed 2026-27 child care budget, including $6.8 billion for child care programs, an $11.5 million Prop. 64-funded disaster repair mini-grant program for licensed facilities affected by 2025 disasters, and projected reductions tied to federal CCDF formula changes and lower Prop. 64 revenues. DSS said the reductions could mean about 4,176 CCTR slots, but emphasized they were assessing how to absorb the cuts without disrupting children currently in care. The LAO supported aligning funding to lower revenues and asked for more detail on the disaster grant program. Senators pressed the department on why so many slots remain uncontracted or unfilled, why unspent funds revert to the General Fund, and whether more flexibility could move dollars from contracts to vouchers; DSS said delays are largely due to infrastructure, licensing, staffing, and enrollment ramp-up, and that it is working on readiness reviews, technical assistance, and possible reallocation of relinquished slots. The committee also discussed Emergency Child Care Bridge reallocations among counties and confirmed that no currently enrolled children would be disenrolled under the proposed slot reductions. A second panel focused on the state’s broader commitment to expand child care and reform reimbursement rates. DSS said California has nearly doubled child care funding in five years and increased monthly children served from about 294,100 in 2019-20 to more than 366,700 currently, while also advancing the single rate structure process through the alternative methodology and a joint labor-management committee report. Stanislaus County Office of Education described local shortages, especially for infant and toddler care, and argued that rate disparities between programs make it harder to sustain mixed delivery systems. Parent Voices California testified that the current system is confusing, unstable, and inequitable, with one speaker describing repeated paperwork burdens, waiting lists, and periods of homelessness while trying to maintain child care. The California Budget and Policy Center argued that only 16% of eligible children were enrolled in 2024, that Universal TK has drawn major resources into school-based care, and that providers remain paid far below the cost of care; it urged more revenue, faster rate reform, and expansion across the mixed delivery system. The LAO estimated that aligning CCTR adjustment factors for three-year-olds and children with disabilities with CSPP would cost $88 million to $131 million ongoing. Senators and staff also discussed the need for deadlines on automation and implementation of the single rate structure, with DSS and CDE noting that policy decisions, system changes, and collective bargaining issues are still being worked through. The committee then reviewed several child care trailer bill proposals. DSS proposed applying the 2026-27 COLA as an increase to cost-of-care-plus payments rather than as a traditional COLA, with $87.8 million General Fund initially proposed; DSS later acknowledged it had omitted CalWORKs Child Care and the Emergency Child Care Bridge from the calculation and said the amount would be revised upward. The LAO recommended making the COLA treatment uniform across child care and state preschool programs. DSS also proposed replacing the market rate survey with the federally approved alternative methodology survey on a triennial schedule, limiting temporary absences for licensed family child care homes to 20% of care hours in a month, defining excessive unexplained absences as more than 30 days in a 12-month period, and aligning family fee collection so contractors collect the fee without reducing the voucher value. The department said these changes are intended to bring state law into compliance with federal requirements and to better reflect current practice. Finally, the committee discussed the Early Childhood Policy Council, including a reappropriation of previously unused funds and a new reporting requirement under AB 563; members questioned staffing needs and whether existing contractor support could absorb the work, while DSS said the funds are used for stipends, facilitation, translation, and contract oversight and may still be needed as participation patterns change.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're talking about our licenses. So a hot rod automotive shop isn't a license.
• They might be licensed by somebody else, but I don't know if there's any license.
• Our PACER is residential PACER program.
• Our PACER is residential PACER program.
• Our PACER is residential PACER program.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:35:03.680> utility assuring that residential utility assuring that residential utility
• We would expect to see an increase in professional licensing and, therefore, any licensing fees that
• Currently, digitally verified licensing programs are being implemented in the states of Florida and Kansas
• > Currently, digitally verified licensing Currently, digitally verified licensing programs<00:47:09.040
• uh, community based military programs. uh, community based military programs.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . programs. programs.
• <01:14:43.760> So<01:14:43.880> this<01:14:44.760> removes programs we've licensed
• So this removes programs we've licensed. So this removes that<01:14:46.000> loophole.
• and residential treatment programs that provide a specific level of care.
• and residential treatment programs that provide a specific level of care.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• TDI does oversee the Texas Independent Dispute resolution Program.
• However, TDI does license and regulate the surplus lines agents.
• The division also oversees the Texas IDR program, which I mentioned earlier.
• Uh, how many new health insurance plans have sought new licenses in Texas?
• the COPA program, and what this is, is a program that regulates the rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• So when a license is revoked, the license can be, once it's revoked, if you and I both had licenses revoked
• When the license is revoked, the license is revoked. >> Okay.
• Currently, residential treatment facilities are required to be licensed by the state, but outpatient
• programs for that are residential programs for that are residential require<05:12:24.400> DHHS
• licensed by the state. licensed by the state.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all