Transcript Highlights:

• The DCYF residential budget: what we did here is we had adjusted the amounts within Medicaid to be at
• The DCYF residential budget: what we did here is we had adjusted the amounts within Medicaid to be at
• Again, the history of children coming out of a DCYF setting is that the transitions into the community
• coming out of like an syc setting<01:20:36.320> you<01:20:36.440> know<01:20:36.960> dcyf
• setting um is that setting you know dcyf setting um is that you<01:20:40.199> know<01:20:40.360

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Division 3 work session continued its review of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Medicaid budget and related policy issues, with CFO Nathan White and Medicaid Director Henry Litman presenting updated materials. The discussion focused on a crosswalk between the adjusted FY 2025 Medicaid budget and the governor’s FY 2026 recommendation, plus handouts showing service additions, eligibility changes, dental rates, and other Medicaid changes since 2019. The department also said it would provide a clearer breakdown of the pharmacy cost-sharing item by general, federal, and other funds. Members asked detailed questions about the Medicaid enhancement tax, the 80% plan, and how funds are allocated between hospital payments, directed payments, and DSH uncompensated care. The department explained that the MET is being used more toward rates and directed payments to better align with federal matching rules, while DSH remains important for uncompensated care. They also noted that a pending Senate Bill 249 would keep the 80% structure and move to Senate Finance. On the trigger law, the department identified the governing provision as Chapter 342:12, Laws of 2018, and explained that if the federal match for Medicaid expansion falls below 90%, the state must notify legislative leaders and participants and the program would sunset after 180 days unless the legislature acts. The committee also reviewed current Medicaid expansion enrollment and program trends. Officials said enrollment was just under 59,000 as of March 3, with about 87,000 people enrolled over the past year and more than a quarter-million residents having used the program over its lifetime. They said enrollment has fallen from a post-pandemic high of nearly 97,000 and may eventually settle in the low 50,000s. Finally, the department discussed federal DSH funding risk, saying New Hampshire could face a significant reduction if Congress does not extend current protections, which is part of why the state has shifted more funding toward payment rates and directed payments.

Transcript Highlights:

• 10:52.320> children<00:10:52.640> family And on the Children and Families Department, DCYF

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House Republican leaders unveiled their “North Star Comeback” budget plan, describing it as a focused effort to make Minnesota more affordable, reduce government waste, and strengthen the economy. They said the package would include a $3.8 billion tax cut proposal with one-time property tax relief, elimination of taxes on tips and overtime, childcare relief, lower car tab fees, and funding for schools through scholarship-granting organizations. They also framed the plan as a response to rising costs for groceries, housing, energy, insurance, and childcare. A major emphasis of the rollout was government accountability, especially a strong Office of Inspector General bill and IT modernization to reduce fraud. Leaders said the OIG proposal had moved out of committee and was now in Ways and Means, with a working group continuing to reconcile House and Senate differences. On IT modernization, Chair Paul Torkelson said the plan would likely use a two-pronged approach, with about $15 million for near-term needs and a longer-term fund for ongoing technology upgrades; he said many such investments could qualify for federal matching dollars. The leaders also highlighted Medicaid conformity, saying Minnesota should align with federal changes to avoid losing funding, and they discussed a property tax rebate proposal as a one-time $1 billion return to taxpayers to offset higher property taxes. In response to questions, they said many of the budget items were still moving through the process and some had not met finance deadlines, while others were already in bills. They repeatedly criticized House Democrats for blocking or delaying Republican proposals and said they wanted bipartisan cooperation to pass the plan this year.

Transcript Highlights:

• agencies<00:07:13.160> that Also, federal law is already requiring us to keep the DHS, DCYF

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The portal is controlled by DCYF. And so, it's this spaghetti of various agencies.

Bills: HF1837, HF361, HF2725, HF2566, HF2744, HF1685, HF501, HF1889, HF1389

Keywords: state policy, employment, health insurance, fossil designation, public funds, community resources, Capitol Mall, grantmaking, community vitality, livability, funding, healthy aging, aging policy, older adults, seniors, elderly, gerontology, long-term care, assisted living, nursing homes

Transcript Highlights:

• 16.840> current<04:39:17.400> statute<04:39:18.400> requires<04:39:19.359> dcyf
• like our current statute requires dcyf like our current statute requires dcyf to<04:39:20.439>
• anyways, but the level two or level three would now have to go out and be dispatched to our local DCYF
• It's 1172 point 2, second-to-last page in the handout you just gave us. our local dcyf as well and our
• on call our local dcyf as well and our on call provider<04:55:46.400> is<04:55:46.558> a

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 146, which would require longer retention and quicker disclosure of certain video recordings from traffic stops and similar motor vehicle violations when a citation is disputed. The prime sponsor described the bill as a response to a constituent who challenged a speeding ticket but could not obtain a cruiser video before it was deleted under the current 30-day retention practice. Supporters argued the bill is about fairness and access to potentially exculpatory evidence, and one member suggested a simple 60-day retention period might avoid confusion over different timelines. The sponsor also noted that the bill would not affect criminal cases and that victims and complainants should have access to the same evidence as law enforcement when a recording is relevant to a defense. Major Brendan Davey of the New Hampshire State Police testified in opposition. He said the proposal would create a different discovery standard for one type of evidence, could discourage agencies from adopting body-worn or cruiser cameras, and would add cost and administrative burden. He explained that the State Police already retain routine traffic-stop videos for at least 30 days, but keep videos much longer when complaints or possible litigation are involved, and said the current system balances efficiency with accountability. He also argued the underlying speeding case did not make the trooper video directly material to the citation, though he acknowledged the legislature could choose a longer blanket retention period if it wished. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee then opened a public hearing on House Bill 638, which would allow people serving life without parole sentences to become eligible for a parole hearing at age 60 after serving at least 18 years, provided they have had no major conduct violations in the prior 10 years. The sponsor said the bill is intended to give a narrow second look to a small number of elderly prisoners, citing the high cost of incarceration and the health challenges of aging in prison. He emphasized that the bill would not automatically release anyone, would not apply to capital murder convictions under RSA 630:1, and would still allow victims to participate in the parole process. Testimony on HB 638 was mixed. Alexander Bailey, a survivor of violent crime and domestic violence advocate, supported the bill, saying many survivors favor rehabilitation, second chances, and restorative justice, and that people in prison often age faster and face serious health and safety problems. Another supporter, Russell Roy, began offering a personal story about crime, addiction, and violence in Concord, but the transcript cuts off before his full remarks. Committee members asked about why age 60 was chosen, how released individuals would support themselves, and whether victims or families would be consulted; the sponsor said 60 was meant to limit eligibility and reflect the health realities of prison, and that parole boards already consider support networks and victim input. No action or vote was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and then last, after receiving technical assistance from DCYF, the bill deletes an unnecessary section
• 55.600> technical<01:14:56.000> assistance<01:14:56.320> from<01:14:56.480> DCYF
• receiving technical assistance from DCYF receiving technical assistance from DCYF the<01:14:57.920

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• statistics that you previously had, those have been reduced now because a lot of our staff has moved to DCYF
• staff<00:52:12.240> has<00:52:12.400> moved<00:52:12.640> to<00:52:12.800> DCYF
• <00:52:14.160> So lot of our staff has moved to DCYF.
• So lot of our staff has moved to DCYF. So question. question. question.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• budget after the various changes that have happened in the last year of moving a large part out for DCYF
• large<00:09:08.240> part<00:09:08.480> out<00:09:08.640> for<00:09:08.959> DCYF
• and<00:09:11.040> um<00:09:11.519> for<00:09:12.399> in large part out for DCYF
• and um for in large part out for DCYF and um for in addition<00:09:12.959> to<00:09:13.600>

Bills: HF2434

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And that includes children who are followed by DCYF, children who are actively working to transition
• emergency, we have flexible spaces that we could engage for something like an emergency removal by DCYF
• emergency, we have flexible spaces that we could engage for something like an emergency removal by DCYF
• 37.280> by something like u an emergency removal by something like u an emergency removal by DCYF

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 2,600 calls or reports could delay saving a true victim, where there were about 20,000 calls made to DCYF
• where there were about 20,000 calls<01:34:30.440> made<01:34:30.679> to<01:34:30.920> dcyf
• right<01:34:32.040> here<01:34:32.199> in<01:34:32.360> New calls made to dcyf
• right here in New calls made to dcyf right here in New Hampshire Hampshire Hampshire 10,000<01:34:35.320

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You would be fighting for real change in the systems like DCYF, for example, where children are removed
• example<02:09:21.840> where<02:09:22.159> children<02:09:22.480> are like DCYF
• for example where children are like DCYF for example where children are removed<02:09:23.199> from
• So HB 1556 really aligns with the DCYF domestic violence protocol, which emphasizes accountability
• So HB 1556 really aligns with the DCYF domestic violence protocol, which emphasizes accountability for

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:39:21.040> many<01:39:21.280> systems<01:39:21.800> that<01:39:21.920> DCYF
• <01:39:22.560> DHS<01:39:23.280> and of the many systems that DCYF DHS and of the many
• systems that DCYF DHS and our<01:39:23.720> state<01:39:23.920> employees<01:39:24.400

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• how we're got specific in terms of how we're partnering<01:26:30.639> with<01:26:30.800> dcyf
• <01:26:31.520> and<01:26:31.679> that's partnering with dcyf and that's partnering
• with dcyf and that's something<01:26:32.840> that's<01:26:33.199> intricate<01:26:33.760

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Education Policy Committee met to hear a delayed presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on MDE’s oversight of Feeding Our Future, a report released in June 2024. The chair framed the hearing as an oversight review of how the Minnesota Department of Education handled the nonprofit’s participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program, emphasizing that the hearing was not about criminal charges against agency staff. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall and Director of Special Reviews Katherine Tyson explained that their review focused on state oversight, not the underlying federal fraud case, which involved an alleged $250 million scheme and ongoing criminal proceedings. The auditors concluded that MDE’s oversight was inadequate and created opportunities for fraud. They said MDE failed to act on warning signs before the pandemic, did not effectively use its authority to hold Feeding Our Future accountable, and was ill prepared to respond to problems. Examples included approving applications despite concerns about internal controls and staffing, failing to follow up on earlier review findings, not adequately investigating at least 30 complaints, and in one case referring a complaint back to Feeding Our Future for resolution rather than conducting an independent investigation. They also said MDE deferred serious deficiencies without enough evidence that problems had been fully corrected and approved meal claims despite records showing major inconsistencies. Tyson said MDE had made progress on all eight recommendations in the report, though one recommendation to the legislature had not yet been addressed because the session had not convened since the report’s release. The auditors recommended that the legislature establish clearer statutory criteria or give MDE rulemaking authority for sponsor applications, and that MDE strengthen verification of sponsor information, focus more on high-risk sponsors, improve complaint procedures, and emphasize program integrity if waivers reduce oversight in the future. In response to member questions, the auditors said MDE’s reported progress was partial in some areas and that further review would be needed to fully confirm implementation. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• that they do not only for<00:13:10.399> law<00:13:10.639> enforcement<00:13:11.160> dcyf
• <00:13:11.800> and<00:13:12.000> prosecution for law enforcement dcyf and prosecution
• for law enforcement dcyf and prosecution but<00:13:12.839> most<00:13:13.160> importantly<

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you to DCYF for your work on the fiscal note to confirm that there's no cost.
• This amendment actually came from DCYF and it just clarifies that the training can be done online and

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House first adopted a conference committee report on House File 3900, a constitutional amendment related to state government and school trust lands. Members from both parties praised the work on the bill and said the conference committee returned a clean version of the House-passed measure. The report was adopted without opposition, and the bill was repassed as amended by conference on a 134-0 roll call. The chamber then took up Senate File 4282, a forecast-adjustments bill covering K-12 education, human services, children and families, and transportation. Representative Youakim explained that the conference report restored all four forecast articles plus several no-cost education items, including school fund transfers, utility-payment authority, a paraprofessional licensing clarification, a grant extension, and school trust lands language. Representative Mueller moved to refuse adoption, arguing the report had become a catchall and omitted agreed-upon literacy language; that motion failed 62-72. The House then adopted the conference report, and the bill was repassed as amended by conference on a 94-37 vote. Next, the House concurred in Senate amendments to House File 4138, the social media bill aimed at restricting addictive social media harms for minors. The Senate had removed House “threat alert” language, and the author said that was the only substantive difference. Supporters said the bill would protect kids online and require parental permission for social media accounts for children 15 and under. The House concurred and repassed the bill as amended by the Senate on a 131-2 vote. The House then began consideration of Senate File 2373, a labor and industry bill exempting minor league baseball players from minimum wage and overtime requirements. Through a series of amendments, members added provisions on rural cancer research, disability services and employment access, unemployment insurance for certain laid-off Iron Range miners, and agricultural funding items such as depredation, local foods, down payment assistance, and meat processing grants. One proposed amendment to remove the double-fencing requirement for farmed cervidae was strongly opposed as a threat to deer health and was defeated 61-72. The transcript ends during debate on that amendment, before final disposition of the bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• been taking place over whose budget this money would come out of, and well, it is a direct impact to DCYF

Bills: HF1367, HF2732, HF1897, HF1424, HF1383, HF2728, HF2863, HF1685, HF2929

Keywords: child maltreatment, child abuse, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, labor trafficking, human trafficking, child protection, local welfare agency, county social services, Minnesota Department of Human Services, judicial review, district court appeal, venue, out-of-state abuse, cross-border investigation, Minnesota child welfare, family assessment, maltreatment determination

Transcript Highlights:

• Lines 1.26 and 2.16 explicitly abolish the existing duties of agency OIGs with MDE, DHS, and DCYF when
• oig's with mde existing duties of agency oig's with mde DHS<01:37:27.600> and<01:37:28.080> dcyf
• when<01:37:29.280> the<01:37:29.440> Statewide<01:37:30.000> oig DHS and dcyf
• when the Statewide oig DHS and dcyf when the Statewide oig becomes<01:37:30.960> operational<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• us in the state who, by fortune of various positions, happen to intersect with both the standup of DCYF
• us in the state who, by fortune of various positions, happen to intersect with both the standup of DCYF
• us in the state who, by fortune of various positions, happen to intersect with both the standup of DCYF
• us in the state who, by fortune of various positions, happen to intersect with both the standup of DCYF

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• is of that, and they're really stuck on the if I send my kid to their room, are they going to call DCYF
• is of that, and they're really stuck on the if I send my kid to their room, are they going to call DCYF

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met on House Bill 553, which concerns the definitions of child abuse and neglect in RSA 169-C, including psychological maltreatment and the rebuttable presumption of harm. The chair and members emphasized that the bill is intended to clarify definitions rather than create punishments, and they discussed concerns that had arisen after the bill’s earlier drafting. Representative Eimon stated his view that the bill is constitutional, citing case law, and members noted that amendment 114 would restore language refined by the prior study committee and address trauma-informed wording, especially around substance use disorder and newborns. A major portion of the discussion focused on whether the bill could be read to treat ordinary parental discipline or disagreements with a child—such as grounding, taking away car keys or a phone, or refusing gender-affirming care—as abuse or neglect. DCF Deputy Director Jen Ross explained that screeners look at the nature of the allegation and whether the parent’s conduct is likely to cause serious psychological or emotional harm; she said routine discipline or prudent parenting would not be screened in, while persistent ridiculing, terrorizing, bullying, isolating, threats, or similar conduct could qualify. She also said that denial of gender-affirming care, by itself, would not be treated as neglect, but the agency would consider the full context and any resulting harm or need for mental health care. DCF General Counsel Susan Larby added that the legislature’s earlier definition of psychological maltreatment and related policy already focus on pervasive emotionally abusive behavior, and that the bill is meant to make the statute more understandable and transparent, not to change the core neglect standard. She and other speakers said the goal is to identify serious harm and provide services, not to remove children for ordinary parental decisions. Lisa Massio of the Office of the Child Advocate said the bill and related placement language are intended to preserve family unity and fill gaps where courts have interpreted neglect too narrowly or inconsistently. Members also discussed a proposed concise analysis from Representative Maral and asked about CPSW qualifications and training; DCF said staff generally have backgrounds in human services, social work, psychology, or education and receive a 12-week Core Academy on policy, law, investigations, and family engagement. No vote was taken in the portion provided, and members indicated they wanted to continue refining the amendment before sending anything to the Office of Legislative Services.