Video & Transcript Research : 'antemortem testing'

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HI
Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 847, which would create a Kauai pilot program allowing qualified psychologists limited authority to prescribe psychotropic medications. The Board of Psychology supported the bill’s intent but asked for amendments to delay the effective date or extend the pilot so rules could be written first, and to clarify the education/training language. Supporters, including the Hawaii Psychological Association, Hawaii Mental Health Coalition, and several psychologists, argued that prescribing psychologists have long safety records in other jurisdictions and that the pilot could improve access to care on Kauai, especially amid ongoing mental health needs and storm-related stress. They cited studies and examples from New Mexico, Louisiana, the Department of Defense, and other places. Opponents, including the Hawaii Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Queen’s Medical Center, and a Department of Health representative, said the bill needed substantial work, raised concerns about training, liability, and workforce impacts, and urged a team-based model with psychiatrist oversight rather than independent prescribing. Some testimony also referenced a GAO report, with witnesses disagreeing over its meaning and cost-effectiveness. No vote was taken during the discussion, and members asked questions about how the bill would address the workforce shortage and whether a psychiatrist on Kauai could already meet the need. The committee then moved to SB 2271 on hospital licensing and SB 2272 on home health care licensing. The Department of Health, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported both measures, which were described as streamlining and clarifying licensing oversight by relying on accreditation or certification reports. A member asked whether the bill language on hospital accreditation reports was duplicative, and the response was that the second provision was intended to strengthen enforcement by requiring hospitals to provide the actual report to DOH. The committee did not take final action in the portion of the hearing provided, and the chair noted that all bills on the agenda would later be considered for decision-making.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations 2ND REVISED Mar 4th, 2026 at 02:30 pm

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Like test check 12 Micke test check 12. Jersey's quorum.
  • Senate Bill 1584 requires a standardized sexual assault evidence kit to be submitted for forensic testing
  • Do parents still have the right to opt their student out of the state test?
  • Unless I'm misunderstanding, I don't believe opting out of the state-mandated test was ever an option
  • about some potential exemptions on the retention component versus opting out of the state-required test
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/20/2026 - Senate Judiciary and Elections

Judiciary and Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • So we've never actually tested this in this fashion.
  • So we've never actually tested this in this fashion before the voters.
  • Specifically, where men who, through genetic testing, were proven not to be the biological father of
  • We have ways to test for that.
  • We have ways to test for that.
Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee heard and advanced several election, judiciary, child welfare, and criminal justice measures. SB 1489 would require paid petition circulators for initiatives and referenda to disclose their name, state of residence, and paid status verbally and on a badge, add registration requirements for certain local circulators, prohibit pay by signature for local measures, and apply strict compliance and funding-disclosure rules to local initiatives. The ACLU opposed it as compelled speech and a burden on political expression, while the Arizona Chamber supported it as transparency and parity with state-level rules. The committee recommended the bill do pass on a 4-3 vote. SB 1609, an emergency measure concerning political party names, would require proposed party names to be distinguishable from existing parties and bar use of terms like “independent” or similar variations. The Arizona Independent Party opposed it as a retroactive change and “cartel protection,” while county election officials and the Arizona Association of Counties supported it as reducing voter confusion. The committee adopted an amendment and recommended the bill do pass on a 7-0 vote. SCR 1040, a voter-approved constitutional referral, would raise the mandatory retirement age for judges and justices of courts of record from 70 to 75; supporters argued it reflects longer life expectancy and preserves experienced judges, while opponents said voters previously rejected a similar proposal and that an age limit is preferable. It passed 5-2. The committee also considered SB 1234, which changes juvenile court representation rules by requiring a guardian ad litem in dependency and termination cases and allowing appointment of an attorney for the child depending on age and ability to express an opinion. Sponsor Senator Werner said the bill was part of a broader child-safety reform effort informed by cases such as Rebecca Baptiste, arguing that a guardian ad litem with attorney authority would better protect children’s best interests. Child welfare attorneys and advocates opposed the bill, saying children need a dedicated attorney-client relationship, confidentiality, and a voice separate from the court or DCS; DCS remained neutral. The committee adopted an amendment and recommended the bill do pass on a 5-2 vote. SB 1661 would allow a presumed father to be relieved of child support obligations if genetic testing shows he is not the biological father; supporters described cases where men remained liable despite exclusionary DNA results, and the bill passed 6-0. Later, the committee heard election administration and transparency bills. SB 1392 would give governing bodies canvassing elections access to locations where election materials are created, handled, processed, tabulated, or stored, so they can observe procedures and review records while protecting secrecy and security; county officials raised concerns about the term “agent,” and the bill passed 4-3. SB 1634 would require ADOT to provide county recorders with a copy of an applicant’s handwritten signature when facilitating voter registration; county officials said it would improve signature comparison, and the bill passed 5-2 after a vote correction. SB 1743 would redact an individual donor’s employer street number, employer name, or residence address from public campaign finance reports, with penalties for improper disclosure; supporters cited privacy and safety, while opponents argued employer information is important for transparency and identifying influence. It passed 5-2. SB 1099, a strike-everything amendment, set statutory criteria for defamation claims involving public or private figures and public or private concerns, including falsity, reckless disregard, and context; it passed 4-3. After a recess, the committee heard SB 1535, which increases penalties for buyers of sexual conduct, including making the conduct a class 6 felony and adding a $200 assessment to support anti-human trafficking services. The sponsor and supporters, including survivors, law enforcement, neighborhood advocates, and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, said the bill targets demand that fuels trafficking and neighborhood disorder. Opponents from criminal justice and anti-violence groups said the bill should include a rebuttable presumption to better protect trafficking victims. The committee adopted an amendment and recommended the bill do pass.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • The bill recognizes the hasty rollout of the COVID vaccine and the inherent lack of robust safety testing
  • But this rushed rollout, lack of safety and efficacy testing, and legal immunity don't just apply to
  • Specifically, that they are changing the requirements for healthy people; they're asking for more testing
  • understand that these particular vaccines did not go through the standard protocol and the standard tests
  • Candidates endure months of exams, interviews, and diagnostic testing.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • Just one question: On my school district didn't have AP tests, so I do. Who pays for AP?
  • AP test at the school, and the school's not paying for everyone to take AP tests.
  • So this just allows them to have access to take an AP test through an online provider that the public
  • school because it's a proctored exam, which means you have to have a physical location to take that test
  • creates the President's Physical Fitness Act, established certain guidelines to administer certain tests
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • It's a combination of the elimination of the STAR test and the Texas A through F accountability system
  • , replacing the STAR test with three other assessments.
  • The beginning of the year, middle of the year, and end of the year testing also strengthens the Texas