Transcript Highlights:

• And he is the reason we still teach handwriting in school.
• And it’s called the community schools movement or strategy.
• And we were in what appeared to be an elementary school that was no longer used as a school.
• It was... ...elementary school that was no longer used as a school.
• Not just a place we send our kids to go to school.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard prayer and the Pledge, approved the prior day’s journal, and received committee and House messages moving a large number of bills and memorials through the process. Several measures were referred, enrolled, or transmitted, including appropriations bills, election and utility-related legislation, and various House bills sent to standing committees. The chamber also handled routine motions to hold bills on the calendar and to advance between orders of business. A major floor debate centered on House Bill 760, a low-income housing tax credit measure. Supporters argued it would encourage private investment in workforce housing, help local workers and families, and give counties an optional tool to address housing shortages. Opponents said it amounted to subsidized, rent-controlled housing that would benefit developers and banks while shifting property tax burdens onto other homeowners. The Senate first voted to reconsider the bill, then later defeated it on final passage, 15-20, returning it to the House. The Senate then passed Senate Bill 1397, which would regulate private sewer/wastewater utilities serving more than 100 connections, with supporters describing it as consumer protection for captive customers and opponents warning about overregulation. It also passed Senate Bill 1398 on presidential primaries, Senate Bill 1396 repealing obsolete Pacific Fisheries Task Force code, House Bills 631, 826, 585, 648, 773, 787, and 790, and rejected House Bill 630 on airborne predator control. The chamber also adopted a memorial honoring Lyndon B. Bateman, with several senators sharing personal tributes to his teaching, public service, and handwriting. The session ended with announcements, committee scheduling, and a recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> commissioner special election to school commissioner special election to school district<01:02:51.760
• </c><01:47:41.040><c> benefit</c> contract for pharmacy benefit contract for pharmacy benefit management
• </c> prescription drug benefits and pharmacy prescription drug benefits and pharmacy benefit<01:47:49.840
• </c><02:17:56.319><c> benefit</c> to the procurement and pharmacy benefit to the procurement and pharmacy
• Now, the way pharmacy benefits manager.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And he is the reason we still teach handwriting in school.
• And we were in what appeared to be an elementary school that was no longer used as a school.
• It was... ...elementary school that was no longer used as a school.
• They had a pharmacy. The Department of Labor would come in.
• to school.

Summary: The Senate convened with 34 members present, later noting all 35 present, and began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the March 24 journal. The body then moved through committee reports and messages from the House and Governor, referring a number of bills and memorials to committees, enrolling and transmitting several measures, and advancing to floor consideration of legislation. Among the early actions, House Bill 928 was sent to the 14th order for possible amendment, and multiple House and Senate bills were introduced, read, and referred to standing committees. The chamber first took up House Bill 760 on reconsideration after it had previously failed on a tie vote. After debate over whether the bill would create an optional low-income housing tax credit program that supporters described as a workforce housing tool and opponents criticized as a tax shift and government-subsidized housing, the motion to reconsider passed 24-11. On final passage, however, the bill failed again, 15-20, and was returned to the House. The Senate also debated and passed Senate Bill 1397, which extends utility-style consumer protections to certain privately held wastewater systems; supporters said it addresses captive customers and stranded property, while opponents warned against expanding regulation. The bill passed 21-14. The Senate then passed Senate Bill 1398, which returns Idaho to a presidential primary system and sets the primary for the Tuesday after the first Monday in May; supporters cited low caucus turnout and broader voter access, while opponents worried about shortening the campaign season. Senate Bill 1396 also passed as a cleanup measure repealing obsolete Pacific Fisheries Task Force language. In addition, House Bill 630, on airborne control of predatory animals, failed 6-28 after debate over whether the measure merely codified existing permit rules or could harm livestock protection efforts. Later, the Senate passed House Bills 631, 826, 585, 648, 773, 787, and 790. These measures dealt respectively with certificates of free sale for Idaho agricultural products, eliminating the Idaho Honey Commission, expanding inspection requirements to help speed housing-related permits, parity for oral cancer medication coverage, repeal of obsolete credit union and cemetery code sections, moving podiatry under the Board of Medicine, and allowing certified interior designers to sign certain nonstructural technical submissions. Several of these bills were described as cleanup or efficiency measures, while HB 648 drew especially personal testimony about the cost of oral chemotherapy. The Senate also adopted House Concurrent Resolution 31, honoring the late Lyndon B. Bateman, with members sharing personal recollections of his teaching, handwriting, and service. The day ended with additional committee reports, referrals, announcements, and a recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can set our pharmacies are closing.
• So the medical school employs all the physicians.
• So the medical school employs all the physicians.
• So the medical school employs all the physicians.
• That was their first job out of high school, out of trade school, out of college, out of medical school

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Something that is of major importance to me is the art school.
• Can you tell me what was the budget last year for our school?
• That will be a one-time initiative for an archaeological field school.
• We established a Pharmacy Benefit and Drug Compliance Bureau to help us regulate the pharmacy benefit
• They come to school board and school district and leadership trainings, and they present...

Transcript Highlights:

• individual struggling with substance abuse use disorders, the ability to purchase syringes at a community pharmacy
• Additionally, it is not uncommon for patients receiving medication via mail-order pharmacies or visiting
• United for Responsible Budget, Ella Baker Center, Initiate Justice, Initiate Justice Action, USC Gould School

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Resolution 4671, recognizing the Daffodil Festival; House Resolution 4679, commending the Wapido School

Bills: HB1160, HB1289, HB1339, HB1798, HB1065, HB2125, HB2134, HB2185, HB2191, HB2205, HB2245, HB2283, HB2406, HB2501, HB1544, HB1834, HB2188, HB2206, HB2478, HJM4012, HB1104, HB1152, HB1254, HB1443, HB1982, HB2006, HB2297, HB2322, HB2329, HB2379, HB2388, HB2399, HB2462, HB2544, HB2551, HB2262, HB2298, HB2351, HB2401, HB2593, HB2661, HB1496, HB1898, HB2157, HB2311, HB2325, HB2552, HB1343, HB1707, HB2361, HB2389, HB2468, HB2521, HB2720, HB1591, HB2092, HB2176, HB2255, HB2281, HB2438, HB2685, HB1960, HB2236, HB2364

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Transcript Highlights:

• School did not begin until September of 1942. We had nothing to do for five months.
• When it began, school was substandard in almost every subject. We had no future.
• mother, who was a mere child of nine when she was incarcerated, when she was torn from her home, her school

Bills: HB1160, HB1289, HB1339, HB1798, HB1065, HB2125, HB2134, HB2185, HB2191, HB2205, HB2245, HB2283, HB2406, HB2501, HB1544, HB1834, HB2188, HB2206, HB2478, HJM4012, HB1104, HB1152, HB1254, HB1443, HB1982, HB2006, HB2297, HB2322, HB2329, HB2379, HB2388, HB2399, HB2462, HB2544, HB2551, HB2262, HB2298, HB2351, HB2401, HB2593, HB2661, HB1496, HB1898, HB2157, HB2311, HB2325, HB2552, HB1343, HB1707, HB2361, HB2389, HB2468, HB2521, HB2720, HB1591, HB2092, HB2176, HB2255, HB2281, HB2438, HB2685, HB1960, HB2236, HB2364

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Transcript Highlights:

• School did not begin until September of 1942. We had nothing to do for five months.
• When it began, school was substandard in almost every subject. We had no future.
• mother, who was a mere child of nine when she was incarcerated, when she was torn from her home, her school

Bills: HB1160, HB1289, HB1339, HB1798, HB1065, HB2125, HB2134, HB2185, HB2191, HB2205, HB2245, HB2283, HB2406, HB2501, HB1544, HB1834, HB2188, HB2206, HB2478, HJM4012, HB1104, HB1152, HB1254, HB1443, HB1982, HB2006, HB2297, HB2322, HB2329, HB2379, HB2388, HB2399, HB2462, HB2544, HB2551, HB2262, HB2298, HB2351, HB2401, HB2593, HB2661, HB1496, HB1898, HB2157, HB2311, HB2325, HB2552, HB1343, HB1707, HB2361, HB2389, HB2468, HB2521, HB2720, HB1591, HB2092, HB2176, HB2255, HB2281, HB2438, HB2685, HB1960, HB2236, HB2364

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, the flags were escorted by the Nisei Veterans Committee Color Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Scout Alexander Bertelsen, and Reverend Masao Umoto delivered the invocation. The House then approved the previous day’s minutes and took up House Resolution 4692, recognizing the 84th anniversary of Executive Order 9066 and honoring Japanese Americans who were forcibly relocated and incarcerated during World War II. The resolution recounted the history of the incarceration, the service of Japanese American veterans, the findings of the 1982 commission that the policy was driven by racial prejudice and war hysteria, and the later federal apology and reparations. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, and guests connected to the Japanese American community and remembrance observances were recognized. Several members spoke in support of the resolution, emphasizing the constitutional failures of the wartime incarceration, the importance of remembrance, and the need to guard against fear-driven violations of civil liberties. Remarks also highlighted personal family histories, the experiences of camps such as Manzanar and Camp Harmony, and the service of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and other Japanese American units. After adoption, the House agreed to spread Representative Stonier’s remarks upon the journal. The House then considered a motion to re-refer Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 536 to the Community Safety Committee instead of the Environment and Energy Committee. Representative Abbarno argued the bill dealt primarily with criminal penalties and prosecutorial authority, while Representative Fitzgibbon opposed the change, saying the bill’s predominant subject matter remained environmental. The amendment failed on a voice vote. The House then adopted the motion to read and refer the day’s introductions to the designated committees, with SB 6066 sent to Transportation. Finally, the House returned HB 1065, HJM 1412, and ESHB 1819 to the Rules Committee, announced caucuses, and adjourned until 9:55 a.m. Friday, February 20.

Transcript Highlights:

• Schools, everything, everything takes an impact, and commerce all together. And so, Mr.
• I'd like to ask Izzy about a small concern regarding bonds at the state level, school bonds, etc.
• Gallup-McKinley County Schools right now is 100% teletherapy for their students in speech.
• I'm here representing the New Mexico Pharmacy Business Council.
• They're an association of locally owned independent pharmacies, which the vast majority of which are

Transcript Highlights:

• So even short gaps in use, often caused by delays in refills or barriers to accessing a pharmacy, can
• transportation challenges, and child care responsibilities can all make it difficult to return to a pharmacy
• states that HealthNet covers up to one year supply of birth control and one prescription fill at a pharmacy
• HealthNet covers up to a one-year supply of birth control in one prescription fill at a pharmacy.
• Pharmacies can convert one-month prescriptions with refills into three-month supplies in compliance with

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Mental Health met in executive session and first adopted a substitute for House Bill 3401, Representative Phelps’s workplace violence bill, then voted the House Committee Substitute do pass. The substitute broadened language by removing a specific reference to bodily fluids, based on testimony from hospital security personnel that broader wording would be easier to prosecute. The roll call showed the substitute adopted and the bill passed out of committee. The committee then heard House Bill 2370, sponsored by Representative Peters, which would require private insurance to cover a one-year supply of self-administered hormonal contraceptives at one time, similar to Missouri HealthNet. Supporters included ACOG, the Missouri State Medical Association, Beacon Reproductive Health Network, and the Missouri Nurses Association, who argued the bill would improve access, reduce missed doses and unintended pregnancies, and save costs by reducing barriers such as transportation, work schedules, and pharmacy refill gaps. The Missouri Insurance Coalition opposed the bill, arguing it would impose a mandate on private plans, increase costs—especially for brand-name products—and raised questions about whether the bill would require bulk dispensing and how it would interact with existing refill rules. The committee also heard informational testimony from MoSPI noting rural access barriers, higher adherence with 12-month supplies, and that Missouri HealthNet already covers an annual supply. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3278, sponsored by Representative Lobbinger, which would create a multidisciplinary adult protection team framework for adults 60 and older and adults 18 and older with cognitive impairments or disabilities. The bill is intended to improve coordination among agencies handling abuse, neglect, and exploitation cases by allowing limited information sharing and reducing duplicated investigations while preserving confidentiality and guardianship protections. DHSS testified in support, saying the bill would provide a clearer framework for existing multidisciplinary teams, streamline coordination, and help protect vulnerable adults without creating new positions or infrastructure. Committee members asked about membership, meeting frequency, conflicts of interest, and how the bill differs from the ombudsman system; the sponsor and DHSS explained that the teams would be case-specific, generally meet as needed or quarterly, and apply to community cases rather than facility residents. The sponsor also submitted letters of support from existing multidisciplinary teams and related organizations.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:58:29.040><c> where</c> small businesses, of schools where small businesses, of schools where
• </c><01:09:19.520><c> and</c> gangs raided elementary schools and gangs raided elementary schools and
• </c> disappeared toddlers and high school disappeared toddlers and high school students<01:09:24.400>
• It has long been a part of my school.
• We the bill for pharmacy um services.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, you said you were a pharmacy and you had a mailbox there, but it was just a lot of grass
• We already do this in schools and other workplaces.
• We're required to have CT, ultrasound, x-ray, pharmacy, and moderate complexity labs.
• We have already seen multiple schools closed due to flu outbreaks, and those schools are largely filled
• I hope we're still training that in medical schools to have a curiosity— I mean, everybody is created

Bills: SB227, SB269, SB407, SB463, SB527, SB547, SB1283, SB1380, SB1383, SB1511, SB1640, SB1784, SB2069

Keywords: school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, healthcare policy, vaccines, exemptions, religious beliefs, public health, workplace violence, healthcare facilities, definition expansion, safety regulations, health and safety code, health insurance, anesthesia, pediatric dental services, coverage, medical necessity

Transcript Highlights:

• This is AB 96, which would remove the requirement for a high school diploma or equivalent to obtain certification
• as a certified Medi-Cal peer support specialist. ...which would remove the requirement for a high school
• AB 910 Bonta, pharmacy benefit managers, do pass as amended to require HCAI to report PBM data and noncompliance
• AB 910, Banta Pharmacy Benefit Managers, Dupass is amended to require HCAI to report BPM, sorry, PBM,

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on January 22, 2026, for its regular order hearing and suspense-file hearing. In regular order, the committee approved consent-calendar bills AB 683, AB 763, AB 1126, and AB 1278 on unanimous due-pass motions, and AB 34 and AB 442 on a second unanimous due-pass motion. The committee then heard and advanced several bills, including AB 35, which would create an APA exemption for Proposition 4-funded programs to speed implementation of water, wildfire, energy-storage, and grid-support projects; AB 748, establishing pre-approved housing programs for local agencies; AB 939, allowing immediate transfer of certain affordable homeownership units to qualified nonprofit housing organizations; AB 643, adding a narrow organic-waste-derived agricultural fertilizer product to SB 1383 procurement options; and AB 96, removing the high school diploma requirement for certified Medi-Cal peer support specialists. Testimony on these bills was largely supportive, with sponsors and coalition representatives emphasizing reduced delays, lower costs, and improved housing, environmental, or behavioral-health outcomes. The Department of Finance offered general budget comments but no bill-specific positions. The committee voted the bills out, with AB 643 and AB 96 receiving no recorded opposition in the transcript and AB 939 passing with some members noting support and interest in coauthoring. The committee also received a presentation-only discussion of AB 1091, a proposal to authorize eight-letter specialty license plates, which the author said could generate revenue for rural programs such as the Williamson Act; the bill was not acted on at that time. After public comment, the committee moved to the suspense-file hearing on 53 bills. Using a substituted motion for due-pass and due-pass-with-amendments items, the committee held some bills and advanced many others, often with amendments that narrowed scope, deleted provisions, or required reports or studies. Bills held in committee included AB 405, AB 298, AB 333, AB 296, AB 1091, AB 1241, and AB 577, among others. The committee reported moving 43 bills to the Assembly floor, with several on A roll calls and others on B roll calls or with amendments, and noted that amendment language would be posted later online.

Transcript Highlights:

• to get advice on how to improve things in hospitals and stroke care and things having to do with pharmacies
• They will sell it to the pharmacies at that price. The Most a pharmacy can charge is $55.
• If a pharmacy continues to go higher than that, they will pull the product from that pharmacy.

Bills: SB1423, SB1426, SB1502, SB1377, SB1983, SB1466, SB1645, SB1647, SB1847, SB1565, SB1562, SB1329, SB1383, SB1833, SB1555, SB1344

Keywords: Oklahoma Hospital Advisory Council, hospital licensure, public health, State Department of Health, State Board of Health, hospital regulations, healthcare regulation, hospital standards, hospital construction, hospital operations, stroke care, stroke system, emergency medical services, EMS transport, psychiatric treatment, chemical dependency treatment, substance use disorder, drug storage, pharmacy, quality indicators

Transcript Highlights:

• I went to high school with a lot of them. And so, the damages also that counties could... incur.

Bills: SB324, SB1978, SB2139, SB2401, SB2587, SB2610, SB2858, SB3016

Keywords: E-verify, employment verification, state contracts, immigration, labor compliance, ERCOT, Texas electric grid, interconnection, Public Utility Commission, PUC, Public convenience and necessity, electric cooperative, municipally owned utility, electric utility, transmission, generation facilities, grid reliability, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, FERC, SERC

Transcript Highlights:

• My undergraduate degrees from SMU. medical school degrees from the University of Texas Medical Branch
• I'm in my last year of law school here at the University of Texas.
• They were taught in medical school to be able to comply with their Hippocratic oath. for there to be
• I graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 2005.
• She grew up in Katy, Texas, went to University of Texas, went to UT Houston Law School.

Bills: HB44, HB2200, HB1612, HB2747, HB2038, HB3717, HB1431, HB3800, HB3801, HB3560, HB3246, HB44

Keywords: HB 44, Life of the Mother Act, abortion exceptions, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, fetal survival, Texas abortion law, abortion ban, physician liability, health care provider, disciplinary action, aiding and abetting, emergency abortion, obstetric care

Transcript Highlights:

• We are now working on the school albuterol initiative.
• K-12 schools, yes.
• So oftentimes, you'll work while going to school.
• , prohibiting discrimination against non-affiliated pharmacies and requiring PBMs to include any pharmacy
• CDPH is required to provide training and technical assistance to school food professionals and school

Summary: The hearing began with a stakeholder presentation from Let California Kids Hear urging coverage of pediatric hearing aids for children in the large group market. Advocates described the issue as a long-running developmental emergency, argued that existing state efforts have been inefficient, and said the new proposal would cover about 70% to 80% of affected children without new spending by redirecting existing dollars. Public commenters, including parents, audiologists, and children’s advocates, strongly supported the proposal and emphasized the need for timely access to sound. The chair thanked the group and noted hope for a future fix, including continued work on the exchange market. The Department of Finance then gave a broad budget warning about the state’s more than $20 billion structural deficit and said new investments must be weighed against out-year shortfalls. HCAI followed with an overview of its programs, including CalRx insulin and naloxone, reproductive health grants, the Office of Health Care Affordability, seismic hospital compliance, workforce programs, and the Data Exchange Framework. Members asked about geographic targeting of workforce funds, behavioral health pipeline programs, the status of the 21st Century Nursing Initiative, and future CalRx products such as EpiPens and GLP-1s. HCAI also described its enforcement approach for health care spending targets, saying the board would not change the targets in response to H.R. 1, and outlined the diaper access initiative, which will distribute diapers through hospitals in higher-need areas. Several HCAI budget items were discussed and held open, including additional expenditure authority, the transfer of the Data Exchange Framework and Office of the Patient Advocate, long-term care payment transparency staffing, and reporting on health care worker waiting periods. The department also presented its Behavioral Health Services Act workforce initiative and a proposed $100 million General Fund offset, which both the LAO and the chair questioned as unclear and potentially one-time in nature. HCAI said the final workforce plan would be adjusted after stakeholder consultation if the offset proceeds. The department also described the Rural Health Transformation Program, saying California received $233.6 million in federal funds, had to revise its proposal to satisfy CMS, and must obligate the money by October 30; the program will fund rural care models, workforce development, and technology, with grants rolled out on a phased basis. The Department of Managed Health Care then presented its budget and three legislative implementation requests: SB 41 on PBM reform, SB 306 on prior authorization transparency, and AB 1041 on provider credentialing timelines. Finally, the administration outlined a menopause care proposal requiring coverage and education for menopause-related services, provider training, and an outreach campaign, with DMHC requesting staffing and funding to implement and enforce the new requirements. Throughout the hearing, most items were held open for later action, and no final votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are now working on the school albuterol initiative.
• K-12 schools, yes, K-12 schools.
• So oftentimes, you'll work while going to school.
• , prohibiting discrimination against non-affiliated pharmacies and requiring PBMs to include any pharmacy
• CDPH is required to provide training and technical assistance to school food professionals and school

Summary: The hearing began with testimony from Let California Kids Hear and supporters urging action on pediatric hearing aid coverage. Advocates said California has repeatedly failed to enact a workable solution over the past eight years and argued that children need early access to sound to support development. The proposal discussed would limit the coverage mandate to the large-group market, which advocates said would cover roughly 70% to 80% of affected children and avoid the exchange-related cost issue that contributed to prior vetoes. Supporters, including parents, audiologists, and children’s health groups, backed the proposal, and the chair expressed sympathy and support while noting hope for a federal solution for exchange plans. The Department of Finance then gave opening remarks about the state’s structural deficit and the need to balance new investments against projected out-year shortfalls. HCAI followed with a broad overview of its programs, including CalRx insulin and naloxone initiatives, reproductive health grants, the Office of Health Care Affordability, hospital seismic compliance, workforce programs, and the diaper access initiative. Members asked about geographic targeting of workforce funds, the behavioral health workforce pipeline, and the status of the 21st Century Nursing Initiative, which HCAI said had reverted funds. The committee also discussed a proposed transfer of the Data Exchange Framework and Office of the Patient Advocate to HCAI, new reporting on long-term care staffing and health coverage waiting periods, and a Behavioral Health Services Act workforce proposal that would use BHSA funds to support training, stipends, and technical assistance while offsetting $100 million in General Fund spending; members and LAO questioned the offset and asked for more detail, and the item was held open. HCAI also presented the Rural Health Transformation Program, explaining that California received $233.6 million in federal funds for the first year and had to revise its proposal so that $35 million in provider payments would be tied to specific transformative activities rather than general financial relief. The program will fund rural care model redesign, workforce development, and technology/infrastructure improvements, with grants to be rolled out on a tight timeline and subject to CMS approval. Members asked about the size of California’s award, the use of funds for maternity care, labor and delivery access, dialysis, tribal set-asides, and the role of a technical assistance contractor. The department said the program will use supply-and-demand workforce modeling to target funding and that all funds must be obligated by October 30. Finally, the Department of Managed Health Care outlined its budget and two major bill-related proposals: SB 41 on PBM reform and SB 306 on prior authorization transparency. DMHC said SB 41 would require PBM licensure, ban spread pricing, require rebate pass-through, and regulate pharmacy network practices, while SB 306 would require reporting on prior authorization and create a list of services exempt from prior authorization. DMHC requested additional positions and funding to implement both measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> some of our outpatient retail pharmacies some of our outpatient retail pharmacies um<01:04:46.960
• <02:24:19.000><c> systems</c> school systems school systems however<02:24:21.319><c> I</c><02:24:21.439
• </c> computers that are found in the schools computers that are found in the schools yes<02:25:12.840
• Seeing none, thank you. digital literacy education in schools or digital literacy education in schools
• <04:27:25.239><c> board</c><04:27:25.520><c> or</c> school board or school board or whatever<04:27:27.680

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 232, which would protect health care workers’ conscience rights in connection with certain procedures, especially abortion and sterilization, and also referenced contraception. The prime sponsor, Rep. Mark Pearson, said the bill is meant to prevent medical professionals from being forced to participate in procedures that violate their beliefs, while still prohibiting discrimination against patients based on protected characteristics. He said the measure was intended to help retain health care workers in New Hampshire and noted he had added an amendment to address concerns about people taking jobs only to later refuse duties, as well as emergency situations where a provider is the only one available. Committee members raised concerns about how broadly the bill and amendment were written. Questions focused on whether the protections could apply to non-physician staff such as schedulers, receptionists, or pharmacy employees; whether a provider could refuse to schedule, refer, or otherwise assist with services; and how “emergency” would be determined in practice. Several members also questioned whether the bill could affect access to contraception, including pharmacy sales and procedures such as tubal ligation, and whether the language was clear enough to prevent confusion or unintended refusals of care. Pearson said the bill was not intended to allow refusal of emergency care or general patient discrimination, and he acknowledged some language could be tweaked. Rep. Paige Boerman, a maternal-child health nurse, testified in opposition, saying she had seen pharmacists question prescriptions related to miscarriage care and that the bill could create barriers to contraception and other reproductive health services. She warned that the lack of a disclosure requirement and the broad definitions could create risks, especially in rural areas with limited providers. She also pointed to problems she said had occurred in other states, arguing the bill could lead to delayed care in emergencies. The hearing ended after questions and discussion; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.