Transcript Highlights:

• That comes from our friends at Disability Rights Florida.
• Next, we have Laura Minatello from Disability Rights Florida, who is a proponent.
• increase voter turnout, they are not necessarily always the most accessible option for those with disabilities

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met and first took up CS/HB 567, a broad transportation bill by Rep. McFarland. The bill, as explained, covered a range of transportation policy changes including higher speed limits, local regulation of e-bikes and e-scooters, parking accommodations for pregnant women, advance land acquisition for DOT projects, changes to FDOT contracting, elevation of roads in capacity projects, MPO quality metrics, and repeal of the Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council. Two amendments were adopted: one added a prohibition on driving too fast through flooded roads and creating excessive wake, and another updated language to allow for future technology in traffic management systems. The strike-all removed several items from the original bill, including utility-right-of-way language, private-public-use airport funding, and an electric vehicle tax redirect, and added MDX board changes. The bill then passed favorably on a recorded vote. The committee next considered CS/HB 1535, also by Rep. McFarland, a lengthy hurricane recovery and preparedness measure. It requires local governments to post storm-preparedness and recovery information online, expands special needs shelter information, mandates emergency management training, improves debris removal planning, and adds provisions for fiscally constrained counties. It also addresses shelter access, rebuilding rules, permitting timelines and fees after storms, homestead rebuilding limits, and election flexibility after disasters, including a process for supervisors of elections to request emergency changes through the Secretary of State. Members asked several questions about local rebuilding ordinances, election “super sites,” and the request/approval process. The bill drew support from several groups, including disability advocates, builders, waste and recycling interests, crane owners, and restaurant and lodging representatives, and it passed favorably. The committee then heard CS/HB 561 and CS/HB 563 from Rep. Cobb on manufacturing. HB 561 would elevate a chief manufacturing officer within the Department of Commerce, create a voluntary Florida manufacturing promotional campaign, and require biennial reporting on manufacturing efforts; an amendment removed the grant portion of the program, and the bill passed favorably with support from industry groups. HB 563 established an annual fee, capped at $100, for participants in the voluntary manufacturing promotional campaign and also passed favorably. Finally, Rep. Spencer presented HB 827, which directs a statewide study on the impact of automation and artificial intelligence on Florida’s workforce, to be updated every three years and developed with business, academic, and local input; it too passed favorably. The meeting then adjourned with notice that the subcommittee would meet again the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• classrooms because they identified those racial disparities and those disparities for children with disabilities
• classrooms because they identified those racial disparities and those disparities for children with disabilities
• classrooms because they identified those racial disparities and those disparities for children with disabilities

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 957, with Representative Bakeberg presenting the bill on behalf of Representative Caw. The bill would give school districts funding flexibility through the 2028-2029 school year and allow them to stagger implementation of certain recently enacted education mandates to fit local needs, except where federal law requires otherwise. An A1 author’s amendment was adopted to clarify that any provision restricted or mandated by federal law would not be delayed. Representative Jordan questioned whether the proposal would let districts opt out of unemployment insurance for hourly workers, raised constitutional concerns about districts choosing which laws to follow, and asked whether opting out of a policy would also mean opting out of associated funding. Bakeberg responded that federal-law conflicts would remain in force, that districts already have substantial local control, and that public school funding generally follows a per-pupil formula, with grant programs remaining optional. He also said the bill is intended to help districts facing financial strain and budget reductions. Jordan argued that the so-called mandates are actually education policies developed through community input, including measures related to mental health support and student protections, and urged a no vote. Bakeberg closed by saying districts need more flexibility to avoid continued budget cuts. The committee then voted to re-refer House File 957, as amended, to the Education Finance Committee, and the motion prevailed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, and I live in San Antonio, and I have, uh, two children with disabilities, and one of my grandsons
• have a hospital because when my son grandson would have meltdowns, he's autistic, intellectually disabled
• top lines, tobacco use remains the state's number one cause of preventable death, disease, and disability

Transcript Highlights:

• I have two children with disabilities, and one of my grandsons, I have the papers I want to give them
• a hospital because when my son, grandson, will have meltdowns, he's autistic and intellectually disabled
• some top lines tobacco use remains the state's number one cause of preventable death, disease, and disability

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On May 6th, we will be co-hosting a disability and employment hearing with Senator Fahey.
• On May 6th, we will be co-hosting a disability and employment hearing with Senator Fahey.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Labor, chaired by Senator Jessica Ramos, met for its seventh meeting of the 2026 session. Chair Ramos noted upcoming hearings on disability and employment on May 6 and workers’ compensation on May 20, and the committee considered six bills on the agenda. The committee advanced bills including S.825A, which would establish protections for minors featured in compensated video; S.8131, relating to payment of service under the Workers’ Compensation Law; S.8706B, requiring covered businesses to file annual reports on the impact of artificial intelligence on hiring; S.8967, addressing workers’ compensation penalties for discrimination against employees; S.9330, enacting the Remedial Construction of New York Labor Law Act; and S.9331, concerning access to prescription medication and coordination of Workers’ Compensation Board regulations governing network pharmacies. Members moved each bill, and votes were recorded with support and no stated opposition beyond some abstentions or absent votes. Final actions varied by bill: several were reported to the calendar, while others were reported to finance or otherwise advanced out of committee. The meeting concluded after all six bills were acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• duty to ensure an adequate education is provided to all students, to ensure all students with disabilities
• <00:56:30.240> receive<00:56:30.559> a students with disabilities receive a students
• with disabilities receive a free<00:56:31.040> appropriate<00:56:31.520> public<00:56:
• . disabilities. disabilities.
• results statewide; identification of students, how many students there are and by what type of disability

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the March 6, 2026 meeting and then received updates from the Legislative Budget Assistant audit staff on several ongoing audits. Christine Young reported that the special education audit was in report-writing stage with 39 of 80 observations completed and a draft expected in the second quarter, the education freedom accounts audit had 27 of 42 observations completed with a draft also expected in the second quarter, and the Doorway program audit had a draft report with 15 observations sent to DHHS on March 30, with responses due April 24 and presentation expected at the May fiscal committee meeting. Members asked about the size of the special education report, and staff estimated it would be over 800 pages and roughly three pounds. The committee then reviewed prior audit responsiveness from the Human Rights Commission. The commission reported that 22 observations had been completed, with remaining issues focused on timely case processing, a formal risk assessment, and a performance measurement system. Officials said staffing shortages were improving, a risk assessment manual had been drafted, a scorecard system was nearly complete, and the commission’s rules were moving through the public hearing process. Members asked about the timeline, and the commission said case processing was averaging 20 to 22 months and that the remaining items were expected to be resolved over time. Police Standards and Training also reported progress on prior audit items. The director corrected one status designation and said the job task analysis for curriculum development was substantially resolved, with findings and recommendations being prepared for the council. He said work on fitness testing was on hold pending legislative action, the performance measurement and strategic planning item remained a priority, and the council was focusing first on updating administrative rules. He also said the corrections advisory committee likely needed a statutory amendment to better reflect members with practical corrections experience. In response to questions, he said the council does not certify county correctional officers but reviews county curriculum annually, and he said the agency would be open to discussing consolidation or a pathway for county officers to become state-certified. The Department of Corrections then updated the committee on parole board-related audit items, saying 11 of 13 DOC-related findings were resolved. The remaining issues involved implementing a structured decision-making process for the parole board and improving data collection for recidivism tracking; the board had applied to the National Institute of Corrections for training, and manual data collection was underway. DOC also said it had created a HIPAA-compliant release form to share substance use disorder treatment information with the parole board. Finally, OPLC reported on the mental health workforce audit, saying six findings were fully resolved and six substantially resolved, with most remaining items tied to rulemaking and application processing. The office expects to complete its backend system migration and improve timeliness metrics by the end of the year, and it recently launched a jurisprudence exam for the mental health board. Under potential audit topics, staff said two items remained suspended because of litigation, and the committee discussed whether to keep DHHS contract management on the list. Representative [name unclear] proposed adding two new education freedom account audit topics: verification of residency and eligibility, and a record of educational attainment while preserving student privacy. Members supported adding them, but staff warned the expanded scope could delay the report and would require coordination with the Department of Education and approval by the Fiscal Committee. The chair said staff would work with the commissioner and LBA to draft the revised scope for further committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans
• I think Senator Duckworth put it perfectly when she said, and I Quote, 'Portraying disabled veterans
• As chairman of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, I'm dedicated to serving
• This legislation is necessary to ensure benefits paid to veterans who are disabled as a result of their
• Without this disability compensation, benefits recipients may not be able to afford the cost-of-living

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, November 17, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and it says a person or manufacturer that intentionally disables.
• Um, and it says a person or manufacturer that intentionally disables.
• Um, and it says a person or manufacturer that intentionally disables.
• Um, and it says a person or manufacturer that intentionally disables.
• Um, and it says a person or manufacturer that intentionally disables.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee work session focused on House Bill 293, which would prevent minors from accessing obscenity on certain internet-connected electronic devices. Chair Pardell opened by noting the bill had been discussed several times and that the goal was to find language acceptable to the committee. Representative Coutab argued the bill is important for child safety, said parents vary in technical ability, and pointed to Apple as evidence that filtering tools can be implemented. He asked whether the other members saw a path forward and what it might look like. Representatives McFarland and Tur both said they support the underlying concern but questioned the bill’s structure and practicality. McFarland emphasized parental responsibility and individual liberty, said any final language should avoid infringing on rights or creating indirect pressure on corporations, and suggested looking at other states’ approaches and Apple’s closed ecosystem as a limited example. Tur said the bill may solve one problem while creating others, especially by placing the burden on device manufacturers and browsers rather than on the content providers; he cited the recent Texas Paxton decision as an example of a more targeted age-verification approach aimed at websites. Both expressed concern that a broad device-level mandate may be difficult to implement consistently across different platforms. Chair Pardell responded that the bill is intended to add protective measures rather than impose a blanket ban, and compared it to existing restrictions on minors accessing alcohol, tobacco, or pornographic magazines. She said the proposal is meant to ask for the user’s age during device setup, not to require identification or database checks, and stressed that parents would still be responsible for entering accurate information. Members also discussed whether Apple’s tools are generalizable to Android and other ecosystems, whether the market is already developing solutions, and whether a parent-facing filter or device-level controls would be the best route. Pardell said the committee had received public feedback and that another work session would likely be held in October; no vote or final action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• mismanagement on the backs of those with the least economic means, who are seniors, people with disabilities
• my district, for example, that's one of like five people in the entire nation with a particular disability
• We have been keeping people who are seniors and disabled folks from having to reapply.
• They're still disabled and have a hard time getting work.
• Even though we've removed these exclusions, there are seniors and persons with disabilities just above

Summary: The committee heard a budget oversight hearing on the Department of Health Care Services, focusing first on the overall Medi-Cal budget and a March General Fund loan to cover a current-year shortfall. DHCS said the 2025-26 budget proposal totals $193.4 billion, with Medi-Cal projected at $188.1 billion total funds and $42.1 billion General Fund, driven by higher enrollment, pharmacy costs, managed care growth, and costs tied to eligibility expansions and the COVID-era redetermination unwinding. The department said the $3.44 billion loan was needed to manage cash flow and ensure timely payments to providers and plans, while the LAO noted Medi-Cal’s cash-basis budgeting creates volatility and that more detailed estimates would come with the May Revision. Members discussed federal Medicaid threats, the need for transparency on cost drivers, and the impact of pharmacy spending, long-term care, and immigration-related coverage expansions. The second major topic was family health programs, including California Children’s Services, the continuous coverage unwinding, and opioid settlement fund spending. DHCS described CCS funding methodology changes, ongoing county stakeholder work, and a delayed rollout of CCS monitoring and oversight until July 1, 2025, while county representatives and advocates argued the program is underfunded and asked for more technical assistance and a delay in implementation. On the unwinding, the department explained that federal redetermination flexibilities helped maintain coverage after the pandemic, but the Governor’s budget proposes ending them at the end of June 2025; advocates urged making the flexibilities permanent to avoid coverage losses. For opioid settlement funds, DHCS and Finance said the budget increases funding for naloxone distribution while reducing other harm-reduction spending based on updated settlement revenues, prompting criticism from members and public commenters who argued the change would weaken effective harm-reduction programs. The hearing also included an update on Proposition 35 implementation. DHCS said the voter-approved measure continuously appropriates MCO tax revenues beginning in 2025, with up to $4.6 billion annually available for specified Medi-Cal and provider investments in 2025 and 2026, but implementation depends on consultation with the required stakeholder advisory committee. The department and LAO noted uncertainty about future federal rules affecting the MCO tax after 2026. Public testimony largely supported maintaining Medi-Cal expansions, protecting immigrant coverage, preserving harm-reduction funding, and increasing support for community health workers, pediatric dental care, and CCS county administration. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Domestic violence services, services for the developmentally disabled, broad-based health services, property
• Member Stewart authorizes funding for on-demand micro-transit service under the Senior Citizen and Disabled
• Transportation Assistance Program. ...for on-demand micro-transit service under the Senior Citizen and Disabled
• potential life-threatening emergencies and requires certain school buses transporting students with disabilities
• Buses transporting students with disabilities to be equipped with certain safety features.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a senior advocate with Disability Rights California.
• require us to wait until a person in an LPS conservatorship is determined to be no longer gravely disabled
• transition and step individuals down because once an individual has been deemed no longer gravely disabled
• Their condition must be substantially deteriorating to the point where grave disability is likely without
• I'm a disabled Army veteran retiree and the commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars for California.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a series of bills focused on behavioral health, cancer screening, provider reimbursement, research funding, workforce licensing, and tobacco regulation. SB 16 would require counties to maintain procedures for designating and training professionals authorized to perform 5150 evaluations and initiate involuntary holds; supporters said it would expand the pool of qualified clinicians and reduce reliance on law enforcement, while opponents raised concerns about local control and implementation. SB 1124 would require CDPH to create and post lung cancer screening eligibility signage at tobacco point-of-sale locations; supporters emphasized low screening awareness and early detection, and the bill was advanced with amendments. SB 28, a CARE Court cleanup bill, proposed an ombudsperson, reporting, electronic petitions, remote participation, and other changes to improve accountability and access; it drew both strong support and significant opposition over concerns about coercion, scope, and whether the program is working as intended, but it passed the committee as amended to Judiciary. The committee also heard SB 874, which would strengthen oversight of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, including background checks for providers and a stakeholder workgroup to develop standards; it passed to Public Safety. SB 1049 would let providers resubmit corrected claims within 90 days after a plan’s denial or recoupment action when the original claim had a correctable technical defect; supporters described delayed and withheld payments harming practices, while insurers argued the bill could duplicate existing dispute processes. The bill passed to Appropriations on call. SB 1224 would create a state framework to compete for federal ARPA-H funding for emerging therapies research, with testimony from a UC Davis psychiatrist and veterans’ advocates supporting expanded research into treatments for PTSD, depression, and other conditions; it passed to Military and Veterans Affairs. Later, SB 1057 would change how the Department of Public Health evaluates conviction history for certified nurse assistants and home health aides, shifting from automatic denial toward individualized assessment based on the offense, time elapsed, and rehabilitation; it passed to Appropriations with some no votes. Finally, SB 1314, a tobacco-related bill, sought to create a 600-foot buffer around schools and day care centers for certain tobacco retailers and address related issues such as cigar lounge definitions and nitrous oxide sales; several local government and public safety groups supported it, while health organizations and business groups opposed it unless amended. The chair announced that committee amendments were being set aside for now and the bill would move forward to Business and Professions with a commitment to continue working on the language; it passed out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• everyone, and welcome to the hearing for the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
• fear, confusion, and often coerced compliance, particularly among low-income, BIPOC, immigrant, and disabled
• fear, confusion, and often coerced compliance, particularly among low-income, BIPOC, immigrant, and disabled
• disproportionate impact our system has on children of color, immigrant children, children with disabilities
• As you know, Harmony was a child with disabilities and sent to New Hampshire with her very violent father

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a package of Department of Children and Families bills focused on care and protection proceedings, sibling placement, parenting time, foster parent eligibility, adoption timelines, and a proposed Harmony Montgomery Commission. Rep. Marjorie Decker framed her bills as a set intended to reduce trauma for children removed from home by promoting sibling placement, visitation, cultural continuity, and limits on barriers to foster/adoptive placement. Witnesses from CASA, the Massachusetts Child Welfare Coalition, CPCS, and others generally supported the sibling-placement and parenting-time bills and the Harmony Commission, while several urged that the commission include a birth parent with lived experience and that its scope remain focused on child safety and family rights. A former juvenile court judge also supported the Harmony Commission, citing failures in the Harmony Montgomery case and broader concerns about DCF power and child representation. No votes were taken during the hearing. A large portion of the hearing focused on Senate 114, the “Family Protection and Transparency Act,” which would require DCF to provide families with written and verbal notice of their rights during investigations, including the right to remain silent, consult counsel, and refuse entry absent legal authority except in emergencies. Supporters included parents, former foster youth, attorneys, advocates, and a peer mentor, many of whom described personal experiences of confusion, coercion, retaliation, and family separation when DCF became involved. They argued the bill would improve due process, language access, transparency, and accountability without limiting DCF’s emergency powers. Several witnesses also described intergenerational DCF involvement and said families often need resources and legal guidance rather than punitive intervention. Testimony on House 268 emphasized the importance of keeping siblings together in foster care whenever possible. Advocates cited research showing better mental health, educational, and reunification outcomes when siblings remain together, and several young people testified about being separated from brothers and sisters and the lasting impact of that separation. CPCS supported the bill and said regular sibling visitation should be required when joint placement is not possible. House 269, 270, 271, 288, and 293 were also on the notice, but the transcript reflects little or no testimony on some of those measures. The hearing concluded after the committee heard from all scheduled witnesses and invited written testimony for additional details.

Transcript Highlights:

• God forbid that happens, or disability, getting hurt on the job.
• health providers that have little interest in being a collaborative partner for students with disabilities
• health providers that have little interest in being a collaborative partner for students with disabilities
• when it comes to the public education. collaborative partner for students with disabilities when it
• disadvantage when we're talking about what the IEP team deems educationally necessary for a student with a disability

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, it's got unemployment, disability, workers comp.
• So, it's got unemployment, disability, workers comp.
• So, it's got unemployment, disability,<00:19:38.360> workers<00:19:38.800> comp.
• <00:19:39.480> I<00:19:39.560> mean,<00:19:39.760> does disability, workers
• I mean, does disability, workers comp.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:36 HB 732 Discussion: 02:00 HB 732 Vote: 20:55 SB 343 Discussion: 23:39 SB 343 Vote: 28:54 SB 129 Discussion: 30:30 SB 129 Vote: 32:27, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• are about protecting children, supporting seniors, honoring veterans, ensuring individuals with disabilities
• million to support the iBudget waiver providers, $27.5 million for APD's residential developmental disability
• social services estimating conference to develop projections for the intellectual and developmental disabilities
• question is, with the struggles we're having with the I budget programming and our developmentally disabled
• question is, with the struggles we're having with the I budget programming and our developmentally disabled

Summary: The Senate took up the 2026-2027 budget package, beginning with an overview of the $115 billion General Appropriations Bill (SB 2500/HB 500). Appropriations Chair Hooper said the budget is smaller than last year’s, maintains strong reserves, and includes a 3% pay raise for all state employees and 5% raises for state law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then highlighted major spending in their areas, including $34.9 billion for Pre-K-12 education, $11.9 billion for higher education, a $2.1 billion-plus increase in health and human services, $7.9 billion for criminal and civil justice, $16.8 billion for transportation/tourism/economic development, and major environmental and regulatory investments such as Everglades restoration, water quality, and land acquisition. Members asked detailed questions about several items. Topics included the Emergency Management Trust Fund, arts and cultural grants, Florida Forever land acquisition versus conservation easements, teacher salaries and charter school funding, New College funding, ADAP/HIV drug assistance, Medicaid rate reductions for non-critical access hospitals, DOC operational deficits and inmate health/food costs, judicial staffing, and school enrollment supplements. Chairs explained that some reductions reflected shifts in how scholarship and categorical funds are tracked, that the ADAP appropriation would take effect immediately upon enactment but would only cover part of the year, and that hospital reductions were tied to a broader DPP funding increase. Questions also covered lottery staffing, concealed carry licensing workload, and whether vacant positions were being eliminated as part of budget right-sizing. After the budget discussion, the Senate substituted House bills for the Senate budget bills and adopted amendments placing the Senate language onto the House vehicles. The chamber then passed HB 500, HB 503, and HB 5201, and agreed to conference on each. It also passed SB 7028/HB 5205 on retirement, SB 2506 on fuel taxes, SB 2508 on the state agency law enforcement radio system, SB 2510/HB 5401 on court trust funds, SB 2512 on judgeships, SB 2514 on K-12 education, SB 2516 on higher education, and SB 2518 on health, with each bill passing by unanimous or near-unanimous votes and then being sent to conference or requested of the House for concurrence.

Transcript Highlights:

• are about protecting children, supporting seniors, honoring veterans, ensuring individuals with disabilities
• Supporting seniors, honoring veterans, ensuring individuals with disabilities receive the care and dignity
• million to support the iBudget waiver providers, $27.5 million for APD's residential developmental disability
• social services estimating conference to develop projections for the intellectual and developmental disabilities
• question is, with the struggles we're having with the I budget programming and our developmentally disabled

Summary: The Senate took up the 2026-2027 budget and related implementing bills. Appropriations Chair Hooper presented a $115 billion General Appropriations Bill, saying it reduces overall spending from the prior year, preserves reserves, and includes a 3% raise for state employees and 5% raises for state law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then outlined major budget areas, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and environmental/agricultural agencies. Highlights included increased funding for school safety, teacher and scholarship funding, workforce education, Medicaid and kid care, corrections operations, judgeships, affordable housing, hurricane recovery, Everglades and water quality projects, and arts and cultural grants. Members asked detailed questions about several items. Senators discussed the Emergency Management Trust Fund, cultural arts grant allocations, Florida Forever land acquisition versus conservation easements, teacher salary support, charter school capital outlay funding, Bright Futures and EASE funding, New College funding, DOC deficits and inmate health care/food service costs, the ADAP HIV drug program, Medicaid reductions for non-critical access hospitals, and the use of opioid settlement and COVID relief funds. Chairs explained that some apparent reductions reflected shifts below the line or reclassification, that the ADAP appropriation would only cover about six months, and that some vacant positions were being removed as part of a right-sizing effort. Questions also covered lottery staffing, concealed weapons permit processing, elections security funding, and arts grant selection and proviso language. The Senate then substituted House bills for the Senate budget and implementing measures, amended them into the Senate posture, and passed them. HB 5001 (the appropriations bill), HB 503 (implementing bill), HB 5201 (collective bargaining), and HB 5205 (retirement) all passed 36-0 and were sent to conference. Other budget-related bills also passed, including SB 2506 on fuel taxes, SB 2508 on the state agency law enforcement radio system surcharge, SB 2510 on court trust funds, SB 2512 creating 13 circuit and 12 county judgeships, SB 2514 on K-12 education, SB 2516 on higher education, and SB 2518 on health. Most of these passed unanimously, with the Senate requesting the House either pass the Senate versions or include them in budget conference.

Transcript Highlights:

• Conversation Corps Program dedicated to providing outdoor opportunities for young people with disabilities
• development of a post-secondary workforce training program, focusing on adults with developmental disabilities
• newly built facility, demonstrating New Mexico's historic investment in serving students with disabilities
• ... ...facility, demonstrating New Mexico's historic investment in serving students with disabilities
• This is an opportunity for folks versus children with disabilities to go to a day school in the center

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, one technical change cites the IDEA, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the other
• Well, one technical change cites the IDEA, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the other
• Well, one technical change cites the IDEA, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the other
• students who are identified as, you know, with an IEP would actually instead of having a learning disability
• currently, when you have a student who's having issues with reading... ...instead of having a learning disability

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Primary and Secondary Education met for its first meeting of the session, reviewed basic committee rules, and took attendance before considering two bills. The chair emphasized civility, no signs in the room, and deadlines for committee substitutes and amendments. House Bill 416, sponsored by Representative Clines, would change teacher-preparation admissions by replacing an entrance test score requirement with a formative assessment approach while retaining exit examinations for teacher certification. KDE witnesses said the bill would reduce barriers, provide programs with data to support students, and not lower standards. Members asked about content-specific preparation, whether the bill would water down standards, and available data on current entry-test barriers. Several members spoke in support, citing the teacher shortage and the value of giving more candidates a path into education. The committee approved HB 416 unanimously and sent it to the House floor with a favorable expression of opinion. House Bill 389, sponsored by Representative Hein, would define dysgraphia, require KDE to annually update the dyslexia toolkit, support district professional development and coaching, require local boards to develop screener/diagnostic processes, and require postsecondary teacher programs to include dyslexia instruction. A committee substitute made technical changes, including an IDEA citation and removal of specific three-cueing language in favor of evidence-based practices. Testimony stressed that dyslexia is not the same as special education eligibility and that early identification and intervention are needed. Members discussed the low number of districts with related policies, the quality of approved screeners, and the need for more local and regional support services. The committee approved HB 389 with the committee substitute attached and sent it to the House floor with a favorable expression of opinion.

Transcript Highlights:

• pain, or in the case of the dental bills to having a special needs diagnosis or a developmental disability
• pain, or in the case of the dental bills to having a special needs diagnosis or a developmental disability
• special education teacher, and now my new job is Beacon of Hope, and I help adults with complex disabilities
• because it's so important to our friends, my former students, and other people with intellectual disabilities
• and physical disabilities.

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council reviewed several agency rules and requests. It approved without objection an Insurance Department amendment implementing Act 261’s holding company system requirements, two State Board of Election Commissioners rules on poll watchers/provisional voting and certified election monitors, and a Treasurer of State rule removing DEI-related membership requirements to comply with Act 938. The committee also held over for a month a Department of Education request related to excluding a rule from reporting requirements so it could be discussed further with the Department of Commerce. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Human Services’ request to be excluded from rulemaking for Acts 567, 568, 967, and 1025. DHS said federal CMS guidance created comparability and other issues for the Medicaid-related dental and diagnostic lab provisions, making it difficult to implement the acts as written by their effective dates. DHS outlined possible paths, including broader adult dental coverage, waivers, or splitting the dental rate increase from the special-needs cap increase. The Arkansas State Dental Association disputed DHS’s approach, arguing Act 1025 is workable, that the pediatric rate increase should move forward separately, and that DHS should continue pursuing the law rather than stop rulemaking. Committee members questioned both sides extensively about CMS correspondence, waiver timelines, fiscal impact, and whether the acts could be severed. After testimony from DHS, the Dental Association, and a public commenter, the committee adopted a motion not to exclude DHS from reporting requirements for Acts 567, 568, 967, and 1025, meaning DHS must continue the normal rulemaking/reporting process. The committee then accepted the Division of Higher Education’s report, which recommended repealing three of its 32 rules and keeping the remaining 29 in effect. It also received routine written updates on older and newer rulemaking items and filed the monthly updates without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also administer disability retirement benefits under certain conditions.
• 2020, that they would continue to get a 2.5% compounding cost of living adjustment, as well as any disability
• appreciate the enrollment counts and the breakdown, but I don't know based on that how many are disabled
• So we currently offer for pre-Medicare. which is our pre-65 and non-disabled.
• For Medicare Medical, these are members that are 65 plus or disabled.