Transcript Highlights:

• The council has discussed supporting the ongoing efforts of Health and Human Services to expand the certified
• services.
• The Health and Human Services Medical Services Division The Health and Human Services Medical Services
• Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we work to strengthen the services and support
• Just knowing that the number that we have in a service like in-home support, for example, you know, knowing

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of Human Services.
• The witness responded that staffing will continue to be a major challenge in long-term services and supports
• services and supports you know services and supports you know Marketplace<00:17:44.400> as
• It's just taking a really long time to get all the services and supports lined up on the right timeline
• <01:15:54.199> that<01:15:54.320> meet services and supports um that that meet services

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• we need resources to be able to support administrative and customer service.
• Commissioner Kerner: And also supporting the data center services in coordination with DIR.
• We want to thank you for your service and your ongoing support for retired state employees.
• I certainly would like ... my request for better support for our longstanding service.
• Carol Fuchs: ...my request for better support for our longstanding service. Good start.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And IHSS support services and everything is so critical.
• In addition, student support services would be reduced, including advising, tutoring, financial aid services
• In addition, student support services would be reduced, including advising, tutoring, financial aid services
• This is why I strongly support the $4.5 million investment in legal services.
• This is why I strongly support the $4.5 million investment in the legal service.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up the May Revision update on Proposition 98 and the school rainy-day fund. The Department of Finance said the minimum guarantee rises by $6.4 billion over the Governor’s Budget across the three-year window, with lower average daily attendance projections offsetting some of the revenue gains. Finance also described a reduced $3.9 billion settle-up proposal, increased deposits into the Public School System Stabilization Account, and an ending reserve balance of about $10.3 billion. The LAO said the revenue and LCFF adjustments were reasonable, but urged the Legislature to be cautious about delaying settle-up payments and to consider more budget resiliency, including larger cushions or other tools to protect ongoing programs. Members then questioned the administration and LAO about the size of the settle-up, the rationale for the reserve deposit, declining enrollment, and how lower attendance is creating savings that can be redirected to other school priorities. The LAO said the May Revision’s mix of one-time and ongoing spending was generally reasonable but recommended keeping a strong cushion and considering alternatives such as advance payments or pension-related savings. Questions also focused on how the May Revision’s funding mix affects districts if revenues weaken, and on the treatment of special education, discretionary block grants, and paid family leave costs for LEAs and community colleges. The committee next heard the community colleges portion of the budget. Finance described a higher SCFF COLA, increased apportionment costs, a student support block grant, deferred maintenance, Common Cloud, Calbright, credit for prior learning, and a one-time adult learner demonstration project. The Chancellor’s Office supported the core investments but asked for more funding for enrollment growth, changes to the SCFF growth formula, and a COLA for Student Equity and Achievement. The LAO recommended funding the statutory COLA increase, noted a $52 million current-year apportionment shortfall not yet included in the May Revision, and suggested the Legislature could instead direct some funds to enrollment growth, categorical COLAs, or one-time uses. Members also clarified how COLA and hold-harmless rules apply to different community college districts. Finally, the committee reviewed the proposed state implementation of the federal Workforce Pell program. Finance proposed one-time funding for the Student Aid Commission and Cradle to Career data work, plus trailer bill changes to set up state approval of eligible programs. CSAC said the program is promising but highly complex, with new federal rules just released and significant data, regulatory, and systems work still needed; it said the state will not be ready by July 1 and that ongoing funding will likely be necessary. The LAO agreed that implementation will require careful trailer bill language and noted that ongoing administrative costs remain unresolved. Members asked about other states’ approaches and the practical effect on short-term workforce programs in California.

Transcript Highlights:

• You will also hear from CDSS on supporting older adults in our social services programs, one of the key
• I will now share a little bit about a few selected programs and services that DHS administers to support
• Survey respondents listed social support as one of the top five service categories with the most unmet
• Many of the services older adults rely on are supported through federal programs: the Older Americans
• I will now turn to In-Home Supportive Services, which is another program that the Department of Social

Summary: The Select Committee on Older LGBTQ Californians held an inaugural hearing focused on the health care and support landscape for older LGBTQ Californians, including people aging with HIV and transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex seniors. Opening remarks emphasized the long history of discrimination faced by older LGBTQ adults, the growth of the aging LGBTQ population, and the need to translate existing state commitments into concrete services. Senators highlighted concerns about nursing home vulnerability, the aging of people living with HIV, and the impact of federal actions and Medicaid cuts on California’s safety net. The first panel featured Justice in Aging, CalHHS, the Department of Aging, and the Aging and HIV Institute. Testimony described widespread inequities, including discrimination, social isolation, economic insecurity, and gaps in culturally competent care. State officials outlined the Master Plan for Aging, the first statewide survey of LGBTQIA older adults, gender-affirming care protections in Medi-Cal, and efforts to improve coordination across departments. Advocates argued the state has been too slow to respond to federal threats and that services are often hard to find or fragmented. Committee members pressed the departments on how survey findings are being turned into action, how rural and underserved communities are being reached, and whether more formal stakeholder coordination or “no wrong door” access systems are needed. The second panel focused on seniors living with HIV. A long-term survivor gave emotional testimony about the “survivorship penalty,” loss of benefits, housing insecurity, and the need for legal and navigation support, housing assistance, and protection from outdated disability standards. The Department of Aging reported on implementation of SB 258, which added HIV status to the definition of greatest social need for area agencies on aging; it said 20 of 33 area plans now identify HIV as a target population and many include specific strategies, such as LGBTQIA mental health connections programs. The Office of AIDS described Project Cornerstone, Ryan White, ADAP, HOPWA, the Medi-Cal waiver, and PrEP-AP, noting these programs serve thousands of older clients and rely on whole-person case management. Case management testimony underscored persistent needs for medication subsidies, transportation, food, and housing. Committee members questioned how ADAP rebate funds might be used, how SB 258 is enforced across local agencies, and how to reduce administrative barriers and auto-connect eligible people to benefits. The final panel began with the Department of Social Services outlining protections for TGI seniors in licensed care facilities, including SB 219’s nondiscrimination requirements and related provider notices and resident rights materials. The hearing remained focused on identifying service gaps, improving coordination across aging, health, and social service systems, and ensuring state programs better reflect the lived experience of older LGBTQ Californians.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Aging and Disability Resource Connection, or ADRC Network, provides services and supports to older
• Brian Rutledge, California Association for Adult Day Services, in support. Thank you.
• Karen Jones, Long-Term Care Ombudsman Services of San Luis Obispo County, in support.
• This bill is about continuity of support services.
• Karen Jones, Long-Term Care Ombudsman Services of San Luis Obispo County, also in support.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It rejects reductions to In-Home Supportive Services.
• It requires the Department of Social Services to make transition support services available to adoptive
• It preserves overtime protections for providers of supported living services.
• But we think it does start a really important and overdue conversation on long-term services and supports
• But we think it does start a really important and overdue conversation on long-term services and supports

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Services thank you Senator members there Services thank you Senator members there is<00:04:05.040>
• <00:08:19.319> system<00:08:20.120> thank service system thank service system thank you
• services such as crisis lines, advocacy, safety planning, counseling, and support groups.
• > of legal service Services is comprised of legal service Services is comprised of multiple<00
• We also provide technical support and consultation services to other professionals and institutions who

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Dibble's bill for grants to community-based HIV/AIDS support services providers.
• This resulted in layoffs and cuts to services that Minnesotans rely on, including those that support
• This change would broaden the eligibility for targeted case management and community support services
• case management and community support case management and community support services<01:10:58.320
• The fee supports our ability to provide the services our community needs with the skilled staff who are

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You get support groups.
• Yet, access to support services for this population is difficult to acquire because the number of affordable
• I urge you to support this bill.
• Please support this bill.
• , especially financial support.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of health insurance and public health bills, with most speakers focused on expanding coverage for specific treatments and services. Bills discussed included H. 1187/S. 792 on rehabilitation counselors, H. 1173/S. 692 on patient navigation, S. 2600 on scalp cooling for chemotherapy patients, S. 2599 on medically necessary treatment for port wine birthmarks, H. 1164 on licensed educational psychologists for child and adolescent mental health services, S. 754/H. 1254 on autism diagnosis and treatment by nurse practitioners and psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists, S. 714/H. 1137 on infectious disease response and coverage, and S. 791 on making nature a prescriptive therapeutic intervention. Speakers generally argued these bills would improve access, reduce out-of-pocket costs, and address gaps in current insurance reimbursement rules. Testimony in support emphasized personal stories and clinical evidence. Cancer patients and providers described the benefits of patient navigation and scalp cooling for dignity and quality of life during treatment. Boston Children’s Hospital staff and families said port wine birthmark treatment is medically necessary, can prevent complications, and should not be denied as cosmetic. Rehabilitation counselors and school psychologists argued their services are effective, cost-saving, and underused because they cannot bill insurance. Autism advocates said current insurance statutes are outdated because nurse practitioners and psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists already provide evaluations and should be recognized for reimbursement to avoid delays in early intervention. Public health and GLAD Law testimony supported stronger infectious disease coverage to remove barriers to testing, treatment, and PrEP access. The hearing also included extensive testimony on H. 1172, a bill requiring insurance coverage for detransition-related care. Supporters said it would ensure coverage for medically necessary care for people who regret or reverse gender transition, while opponents argued it would legitimize anti-trans narratives or, conversely, that detransition care is needed because transition procedures can cause harm. The committee also heard strong support for S. 791 from advocates who described nature access as a health intervention that could help with trauma, anxiety, substance use recovery, and environmental justice, with claims that insurance coverage and reduced park fees would improve access. No votes were taken during the transcript, and the chair repeatedly thanked speakers and moved through the long list of public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• SERVICES THAT ARE COVERED FOR BOTH MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES INCLUDE ACUTE CARE SERVICES, ALL DAY
• MULTIPLE PATHWAYS TO UNLOCK A WIDE ARRAY OF SERVICES, SOCIAL SERVICES, BEHAVIORAL SERVICES, THERAPEUTIC
• SERVICES, RESIDENTIAL SERVICES, AND MEDICAL SERVICES INCLUDING DENTAL SERVICES WHICH WE WILL FOCUS ON
• THEY SUPPORTED.
• SERVICE ORGANIZATION SERVICE OFFICERS NEED TO SUPPORT VETERANS. BOTTOM LEFT IS OUR HOPE NAVIGATORS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• service area.
• Services that are covered are both Medicare and Medicaid services that include acute care services, adult
• And so in support of this mission, APD offers multiple pathways to unlock a wide array of services: social
• services, behavioral services, therapeutic services, residential services, and medical services, including
• And they give me great advice on where we need to do as service organization, service officers to support

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard a base budget overview for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which was presented as a $46.8 billion starting point for the silo. Staff explained that HHS accounts for about half of the state base budget and roughly 36% of general revenue, with AHCA and Medicaid making up the largest share. The committee then reviewed the PACE program for the elderly, including its eligibility, service model, growth in applications, slot funding and reversions, and the agency’s plan to move from the federal three-way agreement to a more detailed two-party contract to improve accountability, transparency, and reporting. Members raised concerns about unfilled slots, reversions, rural access, and the need for clearer return-on-investment data; the agency said it would follow up on some of those questions. The committee also heard from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities on its statewide dental program. APD described its history of appropriations, the failed January 2024 solicitation, and a new up-to-$11.5 million solicitation focused on preventive care, community partnerships, teledentistry, and coordination with other services. Members questioned overlap with Medicaid dental coverage, the effect of Medicaid unwinding on APD clients, and whether state dollars were duplicating federally supported services; APD said it tries to act as payer of last resort and that services would continue during procurement. Public testimony from an APD stakeholder and the Florida Dental Association emphasized Medicaid eligibility problems for waiver recipients, low reimbursement rates, limited access to anesthesia and hospital-based dental care, and concerns that proposed Medicaid changes could reduce access for special-needs patients. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs then presented on state veterans service officers and benefits assistance. FDVA highlighted its role in helping veterans access federal benefits, reporting about $27.9 billion in federal dollars flowing into Florida and a high return on state investment. The department said it has increased outreach, claims processing, and services, and has trained staff to identify mental health concerns through its Overwatch program. In response to questions, FDVA discussed plans to expand adult day health care at a new veterans nursing home and possibly at existing locations with additional state funding. At the end of the meeting, the committee completed its presentations and adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• The related behavioral health and other services that support CRA families include ensuring workforce
• They need behavioral health services, educational support, or help at home.
• , and over night services or school districts hire attorneys to fight families seeking support, juvenile
• Even with the CRA, the challenges to accessing support and services still exist for these families, along
• Teja Sarazzo, and I'm here to speak in strong support of Bill 141, as well as as a service provider and

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities held a hybrid hearing on a series of child welfare bills focused on DCF, foster care, mandated reporting, educational records, and family support. Chair Kennedy and Chair Livingstone opened with accessibility and testimony rules, then heard testimony on bills including S.127 on expanding mandated reporters, S.107/H.235 on a Foster Children’s Bill of Rights, S.106/H.228 on transferring foster care review from DCF to the Office of the Child Advocate, H.258/S.125 on an electronic backpack for foster children’s educational records, H.205 on kinship foster care background checks, H.246/H.266 on minimizing trauma in care and protection cases, and S.159 on support for families after sudden unexpected infant death. Supporters of the mandated reporter bill, led by Sen. Feeney and Foxborough advocates, described a local model that trains all adults who work with children and argued the state should scale that approach statewide to improve recognition and reporting of abuse. Testimony on the foster care bills emphasized the need for clearer rights, better notice to children and attorneys, stronger remedies, and independent oversight. Advocates, youth with lived experience, and legal organizations described placement instability, delayed notifications, abuse in care, poor educational continuity, and the need for rights around safety, family contact, culture, language, and access to records. Several witnesses urged that the Foster Children’s Bill of Rights include enforceable court remedies, not just reporting requirements. On the oversight bill, supporters argued DCF should not review its own foster care system and pointed to poor outcomes, high placement instability, and recent investigative reporting as evidence for moving review responsibilities to the Office of the Child Advocate. On the electronic backpack bill, testimony focused on the need for real-time data sharing and a centralized system so schools can receive foster students’ records quickly and support continuity. On the trauma-minimization bill, Rep. Miskin framed the proposal as a set of practical changes to reduce harm during removals and court involvement. On the SUID bill, Sen. Lovely said families should be given information about available grief and support resources after an infant death. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Medi-Cal program covers a full breadth of services: physical, mental, substance use disorder services
• , pharmacy, dental, vision, and other long-term services and supports.
• and services for them.
• banks to supportive services to housing.
• community-supporting program, and I generally support those reforms.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the focus of this program is to support enhanced career services.
• program is to support uh enhanced career<00:08:27.520> services.
• Services include resume development, mock interviews, career and skill assessments, and practical support
• This funding is so important and will support employment services, job training, and career development
• <00:47:43.760> family, services that support the whole family, services that support the whole

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sarah Bridge, on behalf of the California Association of Veterans Services Agencies, in support.
• Al Sims, Director of Veteran Services for Solano County, Army veteran, First Gulf War, and strong supporter
• department, going to child support services.
• department, going to child support services.
• I mean, no one's going to provide services and support their family. Yeah.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with most drawing support after amendments or ongoing stakeholder negotiations. SB 29, by Senator Laird, would extend a sunset on the law allowing pain-and-suffering claims to survive a plaintiff’s death; supporters, including a family member describing a medical negligence case, labor groups, consumer advocates, and disability and elder organizations, argued it prevents defendants from running out the clock, while hospitals, medical groups, and business organizations warned of higher costs and added liability. After extensive debate about data collection, settlement reporting, and the impact on health care access, the bill passed to Appropriations on a divided vote. SB 294, by Senator Reyes and presented by Senator Laird, would require employers to notify a worker’s emergency contact if the worker is arrested or detained and would create a template to inform employees of state and federal labor rights. Labor and worker advocates said the bill would help workers understand and enforce their rights amid weakened federal enforcement; there was no opposition on file, and the bill passed unanimously to Appropriations. SB 697 would modernize water-rights adjudication by allowing the State Water Board to use technology instead of requiring in-person field investigations; with no opposition, it also passed unanimously. The committee also advanced SB 37 on attorney advertising, SB 645 on peremptory challenges in civil cases, SB 303 on bias-mitigation trainings in public workplaces, and SB 464 on expanding pay-data reporting for specified state workers. SB 37 drew support from consumer and legal groups but concerns from Walker Advertising about joint advertising; members said negotiations were ongoing, and the bill passed. SB 645 would extend anti-bias jury-selection rules to certain civil rights cases; criminal-defense and defense groups said they were close to agreement, and the bill passed. SB 303 and SB 464 were both amended to narrow scope and moved forward after several opponents shifted to neutral or removed opposition. The committee also approved a consent calendar of additional bills, all sent to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• That delays services by hours.
• Since then, the Department of Justice has begun phasing out multilingual services, suspending support
• , ...has begun phasing out multilingual services, suspending support for limited English proficiency,
• I support H. 3405, and I oppose S. 2157. I support H. 3405 and I oppose S. 2157.
• in support of H. 3400.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight heard testimony on several bills. Senator Mike Moore supported S. 2185, which would delay implementation of the heavy-duty omnibus/advanced clean truck requirements while requiring the Commonwealth to purchase or lease electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles starting in 2025; he argued the delay is needed because infrastructure, grid capacity, vehicle availability, and costs are not yet ready. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2156/H. 3318, which would require free menstrual products in public buildings, with advocates and students describing period poverty and the need to treat menstrual products like other basic restroom supplies. Senator John Keenan testified for S. 2158, a bill to let municipal light plants protect proprietary and competitively sensitive information from public disclosure while keeping board meetings and minutes open, saying it would help level the playing field against larger competitors. A major portion of the hearing focused on S. 2125/H. 3384, the language access and inclusion bill. Testimony from the AAPI Commission, Mass Speaks coalition members, Mass Appleseed, MLRI, ATASK, MAPC, the Boston Bar Association, Mass Advocates for Children, and others described barriers faced by limited-English-proficient residents in accessing MassHealth, DCF, courts, domestic violence services, schools, and other state services. Witnesses cited untranslated documents, inadequate interpretation, delays, and the burden placed on bilingual staff and children; several also pointed to recent federal moves toward English-only policy as making state action more urgent. Committee members asked questions about implementation, interpreter availability, and the role of technology and remote participation, and the chair noted the bill had been reported favorably in a prior session and intended to be again. The committee also heard testimony on time-zone legislation. Dr. Karin Johnson, representing sleep medicine interests, supported H. 3405 for permanent standard time and opposed S. 2157 for permanent daylight saving time, arguing that standard time better aligns with circadian rhythms and health, while permanent daylight saving time would worsen morning darkness and sleep disruption. Members questioned the strength of the scientific evidence and discussed school start times, geography, and whether Massachusetts should align with neighboring states. No votes were taken during the hearing, and testimony continued on additional bills as the session progressed.

Transcript Highlights:

• You will also hear from CDSS on supporting older adults in our social services programs, one of the key
• I will now share a little bit about a few selected programs and services that DHCS administers to support
• Survey respondents listed social support as one of the top five service categories with the most unmet
• Many of the services older adults rely on are supported through federal programs: the Older Americans
• I will now turn to In-Home Supportive Services, which is another program that the Department of Social

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Select Committee on Older LGBTQ Californians held an inaugural hearing focused on health care, long-term services, and supports for older LGBTQ Californians, including older adults living with HIV and transgender, gender diverse, and intersex seniors. Opening remarks emphasized the historical discrimination faced by these communities, the growth of the older LGBTQ population, and the need to address gaps in care, especially in nursing homes, home- and community-based services, and access to affirming providers. Senators present framed the hearing as timely in light of federal policy changes and the state’s aging population. The first panel featured Justice in Aging, CalHHS, the Department of Aging, and the Aging and HIV Institute. Testimony highlighted statewide survey findings showing both resilience and significant disparities: many respondents reported discrimination, low incomes, health challenges, social isolation, and unmet needs, with worse outcomes for transgender adults and adults of color. Speakers stressed the importance of Medi-Cal, PACE, home- and community-based services, gender-affirming care, and the Master Plan for Aging, while also criticizing the limited explicit attention to LGBTQ older adults in state planning and the impact of federal Medicaid cuts and other federal actions. Committee members asked about translating survey findings into concrete actions, improving outreach in rural areas, and creating more coordinated, “no wrong door” access to services. The second panel focused on seniors living with HIV. A long-term survivor described the “survivorship penalty,” including benefits problems, housing insecurity, and the need for legal and navigation support, as well as HIV-specific housing and protections against outdated disability standards. The Department of Aging reported on implementation of SB 258, which added HIV status to the definition of greatest social need in area plans; it said 20 of 33 area agencies on aging identified HIV as a target population and many included specific strategies. The Office of AIDS described Project Cornerstone, Ryan White, ADAP, HOPWA, the Medi-Cal waiver, and PrEP-AP, noting these programs serve thousands of older clients and are intended to support whole-person care. Committee members pressed agencies on how ADAP rebate funds might be used, how to improve implementation of SB 258, and how to better connect people to existing benefits and services. The final panel addressed supports for transgender, gender diverse, and intersex seniors. The Department of Social Services reviewed protections in long-term care facilities under SB 219, including nondiscrimination rules, required training, preferred pronouns and gender identity records, and complaint investigations, and also described IHSS as a self-directed program that can help older adults choose affirming providers. The hearing ended without formal votes or legislative action, but members repeatedly requested follow-up on implementation, outreach, data collection, and possible budget or program changes to better serve older LGBTQ Californians.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are seeing the results of this full-service community school support.
• > our service Community School support our service Community School support our students<01:10
• We greatly appreciate your support of the full-service community schools motto. Thank you.
• We greatly appreciate your support of the full-service community schools motto. Thank you.
• academic, health, and social services support that removes the barriers for our families and our children

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• uh other peer supports.
• uh other peer supports.
• uh other peer supports.
• Supports, and uh other peer supports. So, that's uh an overview of this bill.
• So you may have 10 days of state active service supporting a flood event, and those 10 days don't really

Keywords: 1183, house