Transcript Highlights:

• We continue to lead the nation in adverse childhood experiences.
• How many students are enrolled at Trace Academy? Ballpark it, if you... They're mindful.
• And this is always what we do: continued partnership with state agencies, expanding services as needs
• And this is always what we do: continued partnership with state agencies, expanding services as needs
• Fifty-four years later, we just want to continue to stand together, work with you all, work with our

Summary: The committee held an interim study on how to educate and support students with severe violent or disruptive behavior while protecting classmates, teachers, and school staff. Members framed the issue as one involving students who have often experienced trauma and may be removed from class through suspension, expulsion, or juvenile placement, but who still need a meaningful path back to school. Several legislators shared personal experiences as former educators or administrators and emphasized that schools need clearer criteria for removal and return, along with stronger support for families and staff. Dr. Michelle Butler, an alternative education director, testified that Oklahoma’s current alternative education system is not designed to serve students removed for major discipline issues because placement is generally voluntary and programs are built around students who need a different learning environment, not punitive removal. She argued for early intervention, stronger attendance enforcement, trauma screening, teacher training, and a regional or cooperative model that would combine credentialed educators, social workers, therapists, and family counselors. She also described existing programs such as Trace Academy, Rogers County Youth Services diversion programs, and the limitations of virtual-only models and current funding, saying the system lacks sufficient resources and staffing. Representatives and senators asked about funding, staffing, credentials, and whether statutes should be changed to prevent alternative education dollars from going to programs that do not provide direct services. Other testimony came from Family and Children’s Services and Mid-Del Youth and Family Services, both of which described embedded school-based mental health, crisis response, intensive outpatient services, family engagement, and juvenile diversion programs. Witnesses stressed that wraparound services, school-community partnerships, and a bridge back to the home school are essential, and that many students and families need mandatory or strongly supported participation rather than purely voluntary help. The study concluded with members noting possible next steps, including expanding or supplementing alternative education, improving early intervention, and examining participation requirements and transition supports; no votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• If there's anything else, you have to continually, as we have new staff, you have to continually provide
• It's specifically enrollment-based. Completely driven by enrollment.
• Okay, please continue.
• Okay, please continue. All right, page 97.
• Page 152 is nurse call system costs to continue.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an enrollment projection. This is an enrollment projection.
• And if I may continue. President. And if I may continue.
• It clarifies that the state will continue to enroll eligible low-income adults on Medicare into the federally
• The bill is still on second reading and open for further discussion and amendment. will continue to enroll
• eligible will continue to enroll eligible lowincome<09:28:47.756> adults<09:28:48.400> on<

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in a uh requirements, and is enrolled in a uh state-approved<00:32:20.520> teacher<00:32:20.840
• on their enrollment in a state-approved<00:32:35.880> teacher<00:32:36.240> prep<00:32
• On page two, just reading what it doesn't mean, these are people enrolled in a program that it could
• <00:35:18.280> in<00:35:18.359> a the- these are people enrolled in a the- these are
• people enrolled in a program<00:35:19.200> that<00:35:19.400> it<00:35:19.480> could

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But child care continues to be a challenge that keeps employers from deciding to plant roots here.
• The three that they are using the most in the last few days are: one, an enrollment dashboard, where
• So I think it would be wise to encourage them to continue to bill so that that information is in the
• We had some shifting going on because some of our current local leads decided not to continue on.
• So we're excited about the work that the local leads will continue to do in their communities and in

Summary: The committee first approved the prior meeting minutes, then heard a presentation from Maddie San Juan of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas on the report “Holding It All Together: Working Moms and Child Care in Arkansas.” She said the report found that Arkansas moms want to work, but child care costs, inflexible schedules, inadequate paid leave, and the mental load of caregiving are major barriers. She cited survey and focus group findings showing most mothers want full-time work, 69% identified child care costs as a barrier, and many said flexible hours were the most important workplace support. She also described county-level dashboard data, the high cost of infant and toddler care, and examples from working mothers about spending most or all of their paychecks on child care. Members asked questions about labor force participation trends, the meaning of the child care cost figures, and how flexibility could be implemented across industries. The presenter and members also discussed the broader economic-development impact of child care shortages and the need for public-private partnerships. The Department of Education then gave an update on early childhood programs. Officials said they are building internal dashboards to improve transparency and data access for school readiness assistance, including enrollment, application, and provider participation monitoring. They reported that the state is still moving forward with the CLASS transition and expects to release transition funding to providers in the coming weeks using Preschool Development Grant funds. They also clarified that OEP awards based on CLASS scores are separate from OEC’s work and that the data is FOIA-able. Officials warned providers about a temporary payment delay during the transition to a new system, saying payments will stop June 30 and resume around July 14, with any owed funds processed then. Members raised additional concerns about early childhood special education funding, overpayment recovery from a child care center, audit requirements for Head Start and SRA funds, the market rate survey, and the status of local leads after a recompete. Department staff said they would follow up on special education funding levels and audit rules, noted that the overpayment case is under appeal, and said the market rate survey is still in procurement. They also reported that 23 local leads will cover all counties starting July 1, with no major job-description changes, and described a new PDG Partners stakeholder group and an upcoming June 23 QRIS webinar to gather provider and parent input. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• But child care continues to be a challenge that keeps employers from deciding to plant roots here.
• One is an enrollment dashboard where they can look and see how many children are enrolled in programs
• They can continue billing, but there won't be any processing of the payments.
• So I think it would be wise to encourage them to continue to bill so that that information is in the
• So we're excited about the work that the local leads will continue to do in their communities and in

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This doesn't mean that home educators won't continue to do this.
• junior and my last is currently enrolled junior and my last is currently enrolled as<00:42:14.319
• 01:27:35.679> that<01:27:35.840> could continue to hear things that could continue to hear
• graduated to college and I'm continuing graduated to college and I'm continuing homeschooling<01
• > our<01:46:17.760> right<01:46:17.920> to continue to protect our right to continue

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• hard to just stay off the radar, right, and to be about it, don't talk about it, so that we can continue
• like to receive high-quality public ed preschool education that we aren't able to serve, but we continue
• actually seen a student uh enrollment actually seen a student uh enrollment increase<00:12:53.560
• to do good work um for we can continue to do good work um for every<00:13:40.000> student<00:
• to work on that to serve but we continue to work on that um<00:15:21.759> uh<00:15:21.880>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee did not get to the planned testimony on attendance and excessive unexcused absences, but instead heard from Minnesota’s Superintendent of the Year and Teacher of the Year. The chair opened by noting the committee was short on time, introduced the idea of hearing from the two award recipients, and briefly referenced a question he likes to ask students about what book every high school student should read. Superintendent Putnam of St. Cloud Area Schools then testified about the superintendent-of-the-year selection process, his district’s work, and the community context in St. Cloud. Putnam described the award as a community honor and said his leadership is guided by authenticity, transparency, and hope. He highlighted district efforts to improve attendance and enrollment, expand community engagement, create family advocate and inclusive decision-making structures, and support students through partnerships and wraparound services. He also discussed district demographics and needs, including food insecurity, IEPs, multilingual services, and homelessness, and noted initiatives such as preschool partnerships, an ambulance bay, school safety improvements, and two full-service community schools funded in part by a federal grant. In response to member questions, he said PSO enrollment had not been a major issue in St. Cloud, explained that student jobs and responsibilities help improve attendance and engagement, and urged lawmakers to be curious and avoid assumptions about public schools. The committee then heard from Tracy Bird, Minnesota’s 2024 Teacher of the Year and a ninth-grade English teacher at Minneapolis Washburn. Bird shared his personal path into teaching, including earlier school struggles, work in finance, and encouragement from a principal who saw his potential. He described the nomination and selection process for Teacher of the Year and said his classroom is shaped by student energy, high expectations, and the realities of a diverse school community with both high mobility and affluent students. He emphasized that students are more engaged when they feel part of something larger than themselves and said his district’s work includes giving students meaningful jobs and responsibilities. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:18:04.880> so dialogue uh as the session continues so dialogue uh as the session continues
• <00:25:30.000> those and will soon be enrolling those and will soon be enrolling those agencies
• Auto theft also continues to be a major issue in law enforcement.
• Auto theft also continues to be a major issue in law enforcement.
• Tuesday Wednesday evening continued Tuesday Wednesday evening continued hearing<00:39:53.920>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Oliveira continued: Our offices continue to get inundated with constituents, and it spikes at
• So let’s continue. And we’re continuing to do so as we speak.”
• policymaking and want to continue to... ...your partnership in that policymaking and want to continue
• This data dedicated time-intensive work would not continue to be possible without your continued support
• And we are asking for you to continue investing in the women, continue investing in the change and the

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a public FY27 budget hearing at Barnstable Town Hall, with opening remarks emphasizing the Cape and Islands’ seasonal infrastructure, housing, transportation, workforce, and digital needs. The hearing began with testimony from the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, which outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s budget priorities for job training, apprenticeship, youth employment, reentry programs, and unemployment insurance modernization. The secretary highlighted proposed funding for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, Career Technical Initiative, YouthWorks, reentry workforce development, and services for young adults with disabilities, along with a proposal to streamline youth work permits. Members also discussed the unemployment trust fund, the COVID assessment on employers, rising unemployment, and the need to improve DUA customer service and claims processing. Committee members asked about job seeker barriers such as child care, housing, transportation, and out-migration of young workers, as well as how to keep Cape Cod graduates and seasonal workers in the region. The administration said its strategy is to pair training with broader affordability investments and to expose students to career pathways earlier, including through middle school, early childhood STEM, YouthWorks, pre-apprenticeships, and Building Pathways. Senators and representatives also raised concerns about regional funding disparities, especially for Hampshire Franklin MassHire, and the administration said it is reviewing MassHire funding and service equity through a policy committee and statewide workforce board. On unemployment assistance, officials reported major improvements in wait times and claims processing, but said they are still working through backlogs and staffing challenges while maintaining program integrity. The committee then heard testimony from the Executive Office of Economic Development. The secretary described House 2 as a fiscally restrained budget with no new taxes or fees, while preserving core programs and using the Mass Leads Act tools to support competitiveness. EOED’s proposal included funding for the Community One Stop for Growth, rural economic development, social enterprise operating grants, regional economic development organizations, the Workforce Investment Trust Fund, Community Workforce Partnerships, Pathmaker, advanced manufacturing training, life sciences, innovation vouchers, AI initiatives, small business assistance, and tourism and live theater support. The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation also testified on its FY27 request, focusing on consumer protection, licensing, banking, insurance, and public safety regulation. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the same state that illegally capped special education enrollment at 8.5% for over a decade,
• to protect our students on its own this is the same state that a legally kept special education enrollment
• And we've heard the administration say, well, the money will still continue to go, but there's no actual
• legislation such as that brought forward by Representative Hinojosa, we know that that money will not continue

Keywords: public education, Department of Education, funding, Trump, Kassar, Elon Musk, education policy, youth advocacy, billionaire influence

Summary: This was a press conference organized by student advocates and Texas Democratic lawmakers to oppose efforts by the Trump administration and allies to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and to criticize Texas voucher proposals. Speakers argued that the department and its Office for Civil Rights are essential for enforcing civil rights protections, supporting special education, Title I, Pell Grants, career and technical education, and other federal education programs. They said eliminating the department would weaken oversight, shift power to states that have a poor record on student protections, and harm marginalized, low-income, disabled, and rural students. Congressman Greg Casar framed the issue as a transfer of public money from schools to billionaires, tying the department fight to federal budget and tax-cut debates and to Texas voucher efforts. State Representative Gene Wu said Texas public education is already near collapse and warned that losing federal support would worsen school closures, staffing shortages, and class-size increases. Representative Gina Hinojosa highlighted Texas’s past special education cap and attacks on Section 504, and said she filed bills to route federal block grants directly to schools if federal policy changes move forward. Representative Vicki Goodwin said the state should fund schools rather than vouchers and noted underfunding of special education and inflation pressures. Round Rock ISD trustee Melissa Ross and Texas AFT president Zef Capo emphasized that federal oversight protects students and that Texas has a history of underfunding and mishandling special education, meals, and other services. The final speaker, Westwood High School senior Eliza Abert, said the loss of federal education support would most harm low-income and middle-class students and called on attendees to oppose the changes. No votes were taken; the event ended with a call for public pressure on lawmakers and continued advocacy.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, Western is continuously students.
• programs might have as they continue to programs might have as they continue to expand<00:31:55.519><
• Let's talk to committee staff and continue with questions. >> Perfect. Thank you.
• <00:37:54.320> I'll<00:37:54.640> come >> continue with questions. Good.
• I'll come >> continue with questions. Good.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call - 00:55 26RS SB 22 – 04:52 26RS SB 46 – 0:34:36, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Education met with a quorum and opened the session by recognizing staff and an intern before taking up SB 22, relating to the dual credit scholarship program. Senator Jimmy Higdon presented the bill with Laura Arnold of Nelson County Schools, explaining that it is a narrower version of a prior proposal that had been too broad and had drawn an unfavorable fiscal note. The bill would create a Grow Your Own teacher apprenticeship scholarship for students in registered teacher apprenticeship programs, beginning in the 2027-2028 school year, allowing up to 20 dual credit courses total and no more than eight per year. It requires a district-approved commitment form, annual completion of at least one teaching-and-learning pathway course, and maintenance of a 2.75 GPA on scholarship-funded coursework. Students who withdraw or fail to meet academic requirements would lose eligibility and could be required to repay scholarship funds, though waivers for cause are included. The sponsor said the estimated costs were relatively modest at first and could grow over time, and described the program as a way to address the teacher shortage and help students earn an associate degree in high school and then complete teacher certification with less debt. Testimony from Nelson County Schools described the Lead Nelson model as a partnership among the district, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, and Western Kentucky University, with students beginning education coursework in high school, earning dual credit, and receiving clinical hours in classrooms earlier than in traditional preparation programs. Witnesses said the model includes key assessments, university oversight, and collaboration on curriculum and outcomes, and that it has already produced at least one teacher who returned to Nelson County. Members asked about the GPA cutoff, possible reinstatement after academic recovery, federal funding opportunities, the amount and structure of apprentice pay, and the role of postsecondary partners. Mary Taylor of the Kentucky Department of Education said there appears to be federal support for similar apprenticeship efforts and noted a possible U.S. grant opportunity, while the presenters said high school apprentices are paid hourly and adult apprentices average about $24,000 annually. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Further discussion continued.
• Further discussion continued.
• The speaker continues identifying drafting errors.
• Further discussion continues.
• Further discussion continues, and Representative Rung then speaks.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Essentially, like I mentioned, we're enrolling students who are diagnosed with autism and kind of exiting
• Would you like to continue with the presentation? Would you like to get more questions?
• Actually, before we continue, shouldn't we approve the minutes from the last meeting? Yeah.
• All right, are we all set to continue with a conversation about the workshop? Yes, I guess we are.
• But I'd love the idea of an event or bringing them back or continuing this conversation.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The meeting began with a presentation from Run the Gamut, a new two-year transition program for young adults with autism ages 18 to 24. Staff described the program’s focus on person-centered planning, independent living skills, social connection, and experiential learning, including a teaching kitchen, laundry room, community-based instruction, and job shadowing. They said the program is intended to complement existing Massachusetts services and partnerships rather than duplicate them, and that it is inspired by the founders’ experience helping their daughter transition to adulthood and employment. Committee members asked about employment outcomes, employer readiness, funding, eligibility, and whether students with intellectual disabilities could participate. Run the Gamut said the program is currently private-pay tuition-based, but a grant is covering tuition for the first cohort while they explore additional funding sources, including possible school-district or insurance pathways. They said students with intellectual disabilities would not be automatically excluded if they meet admissions criteria. Staff also emphasized building employer relationships in advance, using job shadowing and industry partnerships to improve hiring practices and create real opportunities for students. They noted partnerships with programs such as PYD, JBS, Aspire, and Boston University, and said the program is opening soon with about eight students enrolled and an open house planned for September 18. After the presentation, the committee shifted to planning its proposed workshop for the Massachusetts APSE conference, “Employment Matters,” themed “Partners in Progress.” Members discussed submitting the application by the August 31 deadline, selecting a second presenter, and shaping interactive questions for attendees using a live polling tool. Suggested audience questions focused on the benefits of hiring people with disabilities and the barriers or challenges employers and employment advocates face, with an emphasis on connecting responses back to commission resources and partnerships. The committee also approved the minutes from the prior meeting unanimously and ended with a discussion of future fiscal year goals, including interest in a possible veterans-and-disability-focused event or resource effort.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Members, please continue to allow your glory to rest on our members.
• >> Members,<00:01:45.600> please >> Members, please >> Members, please continue
• 01:48.159> glory<00:01:49.040> to<00:01:49.200> rest<00:01:49.520> on continue
• to allow your glory to rest on continue to allow your glory to rest on our<00:01:49.920> members.
• colleagues to ensure that no important deadline, whether for legislative adjournment or Medicaid enrollment

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Which is our continual budget. As you can see, this print continues to get smaller.
• She later worked in juvenile detention services, continuing her commitment to the public service while
• And staff continues to work with in the NG911 RP committee, mission critical partners, and procurement
• Our The total number of users right now is 1,927. 851 are currently enrolled in the 40-hour TCC course
• We have 930 currently enrolled in TCPR, with 775 completing that course.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She said they have continued to roll forward and inform the federal share.
• So, it is SNAP benefits for people who are enrolled in InFIP.
• And so, this bill continues that conversation today.
• And so, this bill continues that conversation today.
• I'm happy to continue to try to talk about how to do something around this issue. Thank you.

Bills: HF3415

Keywords: child care, day care, licensed child care center, license-exempt child care, immigration enforcement, ICE, Customs and Border Protection, CBP, USCIS, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, judicial warrant, facility access, sensitive locations, immigrant families, Minnesota Statutes chapter 142B, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• under 65 who are enrolled in Medicare due to ESRD or ALS.
• under 65 who are enrolled in Medicare due to ESRD or ALS.
• This appropriation will allow that work to continue.
• They can continue to use ambulances as that.
• The bill protects continuity of care.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2433, which would require insurers offering Medicare supplement policies to people 65 and older to also offer them to Medicare beneficiaries under 65 with ALS or end-stage renal disease, with enrollment periods and premium protections tied to 65-year-old rates. Supporters, including dialysis and ALS advocates, said the bill would help a small population facing high out-of-pocket costs and could improve access to transplants and care; opponents argued it would shift costs onto older seniors and raise Medigap premiums. The committee recommended the bill do pass on a 12-0 vote. The committee also heard House Bill 2593, appropriating $1.5 million to the University of Arizona for the Arizona Perinatal Psychiatry Access Line. The sponsor and physicians testified that the line helps obstetric and pediatric providers quickly consult on perinatal depression, postpartum psychosis, suicidality, and other mental health crises, improving outcomes for mothers, children, and families and reducing costly emergency and crisis care. The bill received a do pass recommendation on a 10-1 vote. House Concurrent Resolution 2013, proclaiming June 2026 as Celebrate Life Month, drew emotional testimony from a young woman with spina bifida and another speaker supporting the sanctity of life. Some members objected that the state should focus on practical supports such as paid leave, child care, and health care access, while others supported the resolution as a statement of human dignity. The resolution passed the committee 7-5. The committee then approved House Bill 4010, creating a Board of Genetic Counselors and licensure standards, after testimony from genetic counselors and a patient advocate about the need for qualified counseling and better access; it passed 11-1. Later, the committee approved House Bill 2196, which would require pharmacy benefit managers to reimburse non-affiliated pharmacies at least their acquisition cost and pay a dispensing fee, and establish an appeals process. Independent pharmacists and their coalition said PBM practices are driving closures and unfairly favor affiliated pharmacies, while PBM and employer representatives warned of major cost increases and said the bill would interfere with private contracts; the bill passed 11-1. The committee also adopted a strike-everything amendment to House Bill 2182 requiring insurers and health plans to report claims denial and prior authorization data to DIFI, and then gave the amended bill a 12-0 do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 2189, directing the Board of Nursing to update rules for licensed health aides and collect annual data, with the sponsor and board staff saying it would help implement routine ventilator care in the home; it passed 12-0. The committee then began hearing House Bill 2404, a strike-everything amendment on inter-facility transports for behavioral health patients, but the transcript cuts off before action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not 100% sure, but to continue it so we can have an uninterrupted allocation to get us to where 27
• We don't want misinformation to continue to grow.
• I'm also here because I believe very strongly that NCEF is uniquely positioned to continue to advance
• Additionally, recent polling shows that 79% of Nevadans support continuing state funding for NCEF to
• Not seeing them, but I will continue to ask and follow up.

Bills: AB568, SB90, SB133, SB147, SB229, SB233, SB240, SB245, SB280, SB378, SB393, SB417, SB434, SB494, SB495, AB62, SB104, SB119, SB132, SB193, SB262, SB422, SB431, SB435, SB468, SB503

Keywords: higher education, Nevada System of Higher Education, operational expenses, instructional expenses, public funding, education funding, teacher grants, classroom supplies, instructional support, specialized personnel, civics education, Nevada Center for Civic Engagement, funding, youth programs, civic involvement, Southern Nevada, Clark County, Las Vegas Valley, regional planning, economic resiliency

Transcript Highlights:

• It will ensure our state continues to make smart, data-informed decisions and investments in education
• Legislatively, the future will be very bright, but we have to continue to invest in the blocking and
• We will continue with public testimony.
• We hope that their service to those sectors of the population will continue throughout their careers.
• Department of Education or its successor, ensuring continuity.

Bills: SB1998, SB646, SB2786, SB2076, SB2615, SB1961, SB1418, SB2647, SB1322, SB2788

Keywords: pediatrics, medical education, subsidiary, preceptorship, medical training, student programs, mental health, loan repayment, education funding, mental health professionals, healthcare access, Texas Success Initiative, exemption, public officers, employees, higher education, Capitol view, Austin, urban planning, construction