Video & Transcript Research : 'Chapter 9 Penal Code'
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on the Judiciary Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- We’ve had the MUPC, the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code, the Massachusetts Uniform Trust Code, Special
- We've had the MUPC, the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code, the Massachusetts, today.
- We've had the MUPC, the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code, the Massachusetts Uniform Trust Code, Special
- Service should be honored, not penalized.
- That's the most successful commercial code in the history of the nation.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing on a wide range of state, probate, and family bills, with chairs Edwards and Day outlining strict testimony limits and accepting written testimony. Early testimony focused on H. 1911/S. 1138, which would clarify that a durable power of attorney may create a trust if that authority is expressly granted; sponsors and elder law advocates said the bill would resolve uncertainty created by the Barbetti decision and align Massachusetts with other states.
A major portion of the hearing centered on S. 1102, a proposal to establish medical panels in Probate and Family Court. Supporters, including attorneys, parents, physicians, and advocates, said neutral three-doctor panels would help judges resolve disputed medical issues in guardianship and custody cases involving children, elders, and people with disabilities. Testifiers described cases where medical treatment was blocked or contested by one parent or guardian, arguing the panels would provide impartial expertise and protect vulnerable people. The committee also heard support for bills addressing disability discrimination in family court, military parents’ custody rights, and a shared parenting bill, H. 1710, which drew strong opposition from domestic violence advocates and others who said a 50-50 presumption could harm survivors and children.
The committee also took testimony on several probate and court-administration measures. Senator Lovely supported a bill on nominee trust partition, and Senator Comerford and probate officials backed legislation to codify additional registry staff positions and modernize registry operations. Other bills discussed included foster care liability insurance, with providers warning that rising premiums and loss of coverage could force program closures; health care proxy storage and activation; access to decedents’ email accounts; uniform trust decanting; the Uniform Voidable Transactions Act; heirs’ property partition protections; a constitutional right to health care; alimony-related reforms; child-centered family law; and a right of disposition for funeral arrangements. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee repeatedly invited written testimony and follow-up questions.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Executive Departments and Administration (01/14/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Boards, Agencies and Commissions Committee Feb 12th, 2025 at 10:30 am
Boards, Agencies and Commissions
Transcript Highlights:
- It does the same with the terms "specific" and "civil penalty," and it eliminates fines from the chapter
- to provide clarity. ...fines from the chapter to provide clarity to the farm supply.
- 17, line 449 is a line number that addresses Issue Number Four, which prohibits the board from penalizing
- They regulate those drugs and penalize the bad actors in our state who give their profession a bad name
- Just to penalize them wasn't effective, so this sunset review is a very... effective, so this sunset
Keywords:
U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission, public facilities, space exploration, education programs, bond issuance, Governor involvement, pharmacy, pharmacist licensure, Alabama State Board of Pharmacy, renewal fees, continuing education, disciplinary actions, sessions, 2025-R, 1, 219
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/29/2026 - Senate Health and Human Services
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- timelines and accountability measures, and we need to provide detailed PARIS system data with the zip code
- health and sober living... ...and fraud as justification to penalize the good behavioral health and
- Now we have, in this current environment, licensed operators are being scrutinized and penalized with
- So on January 3rd, 2025, claims using code S9480 were subject to a prepayment review process.
- It's our understanding that Access paid TIP 2.0 in August of 2025 for the period of 10/22 through 9/23
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services held a fourth hearing in its ongoing review of alleged fraud, waste, and abuse involving AHCCCS/Access and DHS, with a major focus on Medicaid eligibility verification for the aged, blind, and disabled (ABD) population, behavioral health and sober living oversight, and payment delays to providers. Senator Shamp presented findings she said showed major gaps in ABD asset verification, including claims that only a fraction of enrollees were checked and that many ineligible members may remain on the rolls. She urged referrals to law enforcement, tighter verification requirements, better PARIS data sharing, and legislative changes to close what she described as a compliance and taxpayer-risk gap. Reva Stewart also testified that patient brokering and fraudulent recruitment of vulnerable people, including Native Americans, continues through social media and other channels, and she called for stronger enforcement and transparency.
Heather Dukes, representing behavioral health and sober living operators, argued that the state’s response to fraud has become overly punitive toward legitimate providers. She said ADHS often sends technical paperwork deficiencies straight to enforcement instead of allowing plans of correction, that zoning approvals are being questioned despite not being within ADHS authority, and that long Access approval timelines are creating licensing and billing delays. ADHS Deputy Assistant Director Tiffany Slater said the department has seen a large volume of unlicensed complaints, that it is trying to improve staffing and data systems, and that some enforcement tools have been expanded for sober living homes. She also said many sober living operators are in recovery themselves and provide low-cost housing and support rather than direct billing to Access.
Access Director Virginia Roundtree said the agency is trying to balance fraud prevention with support for legitimate providers. She reported steps such as daily internal huddles, live dashboards, added project management support, an outside review of the Division of Fee-for-Service Management, and a new external claims vendor to help reduce backlogs. Senators pressed her on a specific provider’s long-delayed payments and prepayment review, and she said the agency would provide answers early the following week. Access staff also described provider resolution roundtables and said unadjudicated claims had been reduced to zero, though members questioned whether that was due to denials rather than resolution. The hearing ended with the chair announcing legislation to preserve the American Indian Health Plan as a fee-for-service option while requiring Access to contract administrative and care management functions to another entity, citing structural failures in Access’s ability to operate the plan safely and effectively.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Apr 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- It amends the criminal punishment code, re-ranking certain offenses in the severity ranking chart.
- For now, we're going to move over to Tab 9.
- Tab 9 is CS for SB 1450, on the arrest and detention of individuals with significant medical conditions
- We believe perhaps a subparagraph 3 that Nothing in this section is intended to criminalize or penalize
- to better understand who would be responsible for those Individuals that are in our custody in the penal
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- It's if you want to scan a QR code, if the consumer goes the next step to actually scan the QR code.
- That QR code has to be linked to someplace. Where is your QR code linked to? To their website.
- So then let me ask you, this QR code, Assembly Member Rodriguez, this QR code that's going to link to
- We're going back to 9. File item 9, AB 1970 by Assembly Member Harribian. Can I get a motion?
- Please call the absent members. 9 to 0. That bill is out. 9 to 0. That bill is out. This one's out.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm still engaged in discussions on Amendment No. 9 that we'll come to some compromise.
- 40, Section 157 of Chapter 140.
- There's a backstop to all of this, as I mentioned: Section 157 of Chapter 140.
- Chapter 140, Section 157.
- We think about the criminal behavior and how that will be penalized.
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, adopted a resolution congratulating Grant Marshall on earning Eagle Scout, and then passed two local/private bills to enactment: a sick leave bank for a Department of Correction employee and a measure waiving the Boston Police Department’s maximum age requirement for Luis Cabral. The chamber also received and journalized a communication from Senator Rush stating he would have voted yes on S. 3014 while away on Navy training.
The Senate then took up several committee rule-suspension and extension orders. It approved extensions for the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on two late-filed matters until July 31, 2026, and approved two Health Care Financing extension orders, one extending 15 bills to March 31, 2026 and another extending six bills to May 1, 2026. Senators explained the delays as needed for hearings, stakeholder input, and mandated benefit reviews. The chamber also advanced local bills for Rutland recall elections, Boxford liquor licenses, Boston police age waivers, and Milton school construction timing, and adopted a resolution recognizing Endometriosis Awareness Month.
A major portion of the session was devoted to H. 3014, the omnibus “Pets Act,” which combined provisions on animal welfare, pet shop sales, housing, insurance, and enforcement. Senators supporting the bill described it as banning the retail sale of dogs and cats from puppy mills, strengthening anti-cruelty enforcement, expanding access for animal control officers, limiting breed discrimination in housing and insurance, and protecting pet ownership in subsidized housing. Several amendments were debated: some were withdrawn or rejected, including proposals on renters’ insurance, nuisance barking, and property damage; others were adopted, including a compromise expanding protections for domestic animals, standards on animal welfare, and reporting/adoption requirements for research animals. The Ways and Means amendment was adopted as amended, and the bill was ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed by roll call, with 38 members voting in the affirmative and none in the negative.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Service Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Public Service
Transcript Highlights:
- I do not feel it is right to penalize a person for wanting to work and provide for their family.
- I do not feel it is right to penalize a person for wanting to work and provide for their family.
- I think retirees want to work; they just are worried about being penalized, always watching that upper
- This bill would amend Chapter 32, Section 91, subsection B, by providing that anyone who has worked for
- This bill would amend Chapter 32, Section 91, subsection B, by providing that anyone who has worked for
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Service heard testimony on a wide range of bills affecting public employees, retirees, and public safety personnel. Early testimony focused on House Bill 2859, which would make Massachusetts Department of Correction industrial instructors permanent civil service employees after years of provisional status, and House Bill 2995, which would reduce the Boston Fire Cadet Program service requirement from two years to one year. Supporters of the Boston fire cadet bill argued it would improve equity, expand opportunities for Boston residents, and help diversify the Boston Fire Department; committee members asked about the current makeup of academy classes and the effect of a hybrid model, and the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association was described as neutral on a separate age-related police bill.
The committee also heard several proposals related to post-retirement earnings and civil service rules for police and fire retirees. Testimony supported bills including H. 2903 and H. 2966, which would loosen earnings limits for retired public safety workers returning to work, and related measures affecting civil service exemptions and professional services for retirement boards. Speakers argued the current limits are confusing, discourage experienced workers from filling needed municipal jobs, and can create safety issues on public works and construction sites. One witness from Worcester Police supported raising the police academy age limit from 32 to 39 to improve recruitment, especially in BIPOC communities, while Boston City Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata supported a separate bill to raise the Boston Police Academy age cap from 39 to 45.
A substantial portion of the hearing was devoted to H. 2812 and S. 1817, which would increase the pension COLA base from $13,000 to $18,000 and freeze certain retiree health insurance contribution rates, with additional testimony about capping out-of-pocket health costs for some retirees. Educators and union representatives said the current COLA structure has eroded pension value and leaves retirees struggling with rising costs, while one witness described long delays and confusion in navigating retiree health coverage. The committee took no substantive votes on the bills during the hearing and adjourned after hearing all testimony.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee Apr 8th, 2025
Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials
Transcript Highlights:
- I'd like to start by thanking the board and college of OBGYN district 9 in support of AB 794.
- of billions of dollars appropriated in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act to... address this issue, $9
- So, there's a well thought out process that's already laid down in code for developing that.
- This ensures operators are not unfairly penalized for bureaucratic delays. 6 is crucial for fairness
- Item number 4, AB 790. 9-4, authored by Assemblymember Gabriel.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:07:35.039>
doctors that prevents and even penalizes doctors that prevents and even penalizes - <02:29:31.200>
545A chapter 545A chapter 545A with<02:29:33.040>a <02:29:33.280>new - which<02:29:36.000>
is with a new chapter RSA 545B which is with a new chapter RSA 545B which - It's not an RSA, but it's what they call chapter law.
- So, 9 to 8 at uh eight nays. All right.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 5th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Sacramento, Friday, May 23rd, 2025, the Assembly met at 9 a.m. The Hon.
- We're going to pass and retain on file item number 9. AB 66 is going to pass.
- Moving to item 9, AB 66 by Assembly Member Tangipa.
- Monday, June 9, floor session at 1 p.m. Thank you.
- Check-in session, Monday, June 9, floor session at 1 p.m.
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long floor file of bills. Early measures passed with little or no debate, including AB 698 on local transfer taxes and affordable housing analysis, AB 456 on mobile home sales, AB 1129 on reportable infant health conditions, AB 69 on Fair Plan insurance notices and voluntary market searches, AB 357 on expedited student and faculty housing permits, AB 383 on firearms code cleanups, AB 426 on drones interfering with emergency response, AB 825 on energy affordability and transmission financing, and AB 699 on ballot transparency for local tax and bond measures. Most of these bills passed unanimously or with strong bipartisan margins, while AB 825 drew the most extended debate over whether it would lower costs or expand state control of energy infrastructure; it ultimately passed 45-5.
The most contentious item was AB 84, which would strengthen oversight of non-classroom-based charter schools and tighten accountability for charter spending and operations. Supporters argued it was needed to stop fraud and misuse of public education dollars, citing major scandals and audit findings, while opponents warned it would harm legitimate charter schools, reduce educational options, and disproportionately affect rural and special-needs students. Several members said they supported the bill only to keep negotiations going, and others urged more targeted or delayed action. After extensive debate and multiple amendments, the Assembly passed AB 84 on a 41-22 vote.
The chamber also took up AB 610, a housing bill that would require cities and counties to disclose planned housing restrictions and limit new constraints for three years after housing element approval. The author framed it as a certainty and transparency measure to help address the state’s housing shortage, while noting continued discussions with local governments and housing advocates. The transcript ends with the bill’s presentation and request for an aye vote, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Families and Children (11-12-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- But I would be interested to know, before we go tinkering with the penal code again, which needs a complete
- overhaul with consistency, we’ve got an inconsistent penal code a lot of times, but are there gaps in
- abuse and neglect code.
- Uh, so notwithstanding that, I just want to be sure that, you know, if we mess with the penal code, I
- c> if we mess with the penal code I want to if we mess with the penal code I want to identify<00:25:39.039
Summary:
The committee approved the October 22, 2025 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel on accidental ingestion of illegal drug products by children. Panel members said pediatric ingestions have become the most common case type they review, with the highest-risk children ages one to four, and that fatal cases have increased in recent years. They reported that the substances most often involved are fentanyl, cannabinoids including THC products, methamphetamine, and increasingly xylazine; they also noted a decline in buprenorphine-related ingestions, which they viewed as a positive trend.
The panel used several case examples to highlight recurring problems in investigations and medical response, including delayed DCBS involvement, failure to administer Narcan, inadequate drug testing, lack of child abuse team involvement, and limited or absent law enforcement investigation. They said law enforcement issues are especially common in pediatric ingestion cases and are concentrated in Jefferson County and the Bluegrass/KIPA regions. One example involved a one-year-old who died from fentanyl and Benadryl intoxication; another involved a two-year-old who died after ingesting multiple substances; and a third involved a four-year-old with near-fatal THC gummy ingestion where delayed treatment worsened the child’s condition. They also described a 10-month-old THC ingestion case that resulted in a criminal abuse conviction, which they presented as an example without missed investigative opportunities.
Committee members discussed possible policy responses, including creating a more specific criminal child abuse offense or clarifying existing abuse and neglect definitions to cover unsafe access to illegal drugs, while preserving room for true accidents and prescribed medications. Members also raised the need for statewide standardization in reporting, investigation, and medical response, and suggested the panel should be able to call in agencies such as law enforcement, DCBS, judges, and hospitals for closed-session review of selected cases. The panel chair said they were already pursuing meetings with LMPD and would provide Jefferson County-specific breakdowns, and members expressed interest in additional data and agency follow-up before considering legislation.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (02/05/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- in our statute that to new St uh chapter in our statute that to me<00:44:58.920>
reads <00:44: - to our law book, which already has hundreds of chapters in it anyway.
- to the law book, which already has hundreds of chapters in it anyway.
- I'm not going to be... so he totally rewrote the chapter, correct?
- so he tottally rewrote the chapter so he tottally rewrote the chapter correct correct correct exactly
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 180, which concerns critical incident stress management teams. Representative Mark PR, the bill sponsor, proposed an amendment to add a definition of “team leader” and to clarify that teams may or may not be affiliated with a municipality. He argued that a certification test offered by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation is unnecessary and too expensive at $400, since team members are volunteers who already receive training and continuing education. Committee members asked about the training structure and certification language, and the sponsor explained that the teams are self-certified and that the amendment was intended to clean up the bill’s language.
The committee then voted on HB 180 in executive session. Amendment 0261H was adopted 11-0, and the bill was then moved as amended and passed 11-0. The committee placed the bill on consent.
Later, the committee heard House Bill 438, sponsored by Representative Timothy Horan, dealing with immigration detention and related state policy. Horan described the bill as an update to earlier legislation and said it would codify best practices, prohibit state cooperation with mass deportation efforts, bar for-profit operation of immigration detention facilities, and require Executive Council approval before the governor could deploy the National Guard for immigration deportation activities. Committee members questioned whether the bill could be read as authorizing detention facilities and discussed the relationship between the state and Strafford County Jail. An amendment presented on behalf of Representative Patrick Long was described as a technical rewrite that removed several sections and changed language, but the hearing ended before any vote was taken on HB 438.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Are we going to apply the Trump tax cuts to the Arizona tax code?
- That's consistent with many other tax exemptions that are currently in the code.
- House Bill 4141, amending laws 2024, Chapter 211, Section 6. House Bill 4141.
- House Bill 4143, amending Title 41, Chapter 11, Article 1, A.R.S., by adding Section 41-1604.
- This bill applies the Trump tax cuts to the Arizona tax code.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Judiciary Committee Jun 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- But this is creating something new in Civil Code for requirement.
- But this is creating something new in Civil Code for requirement.
- Item 9, SB 1371, Durazo. And it looks like Senator Durazo has two bills. Item 9.
- Government Code Section 53064.3 in the bill.
- Item 9, SB 1371, Durazo. Massito? No. Massito, no. Bauer-Kahan? Item 9, SB 1371, Durazo. Massito?
Summary:
The committee heard several bills. SB 911, by Senator Becker, would require notification and verification of defensible-space compliance when homes in high wildfire severity zones are transferred, using the preliminary change of ownership report; supporters said it would improve wildfire resilience and insurance availability, while county assessors opposed the use of the PCOR and urged a different recorded document. Members generally supported the bill but raised concerns about the 12-month compliance window and the need to keep working with assessors; the bill was held pending a quorum and later placed on call.
SB 1016, by Senator Blakespear, would create a pathway for a higher-level mental health evaluation when a Care Court petition is dismissed because the person is too ill to participate or otherwise needs more intensive care. Supporters, including psychiatrists, family members, and local officials, said Care Court is leaving many severely ill people untreated and that the bill would connect them to existing LPS processes. Opponents, including Disability Rights California, county behavioral health directors, counties, and other advocacy groups, argued it would expand involuntary detention, bypass existing pre-petition screening safeguards, and undermine Care Court’s voluntary nature. The bill passed the committee on a roll call vote and was placed on call.
SB 1112, by Senator Archuleta, would create a faster court process for victims of illegal or excessive “bandit towing” to recover their vehicles by posting a bond and obtaining a release certificate. Support came from Enterprise Mobility and the author, who said the bill targets bad actors and helps equalize leverage for vehicle owners; the California Auto Body Association sought an amendment to exclude auto repair shops. The committee passed the bill as amended to Appropriations and placed it on call. SB 1119, by Senator Padilla, would impose child-safety requirements on AI chatbots, including risk assessments, crisis-response protocols, parental controls, limits on time and data use, reporting, audits, and a private right of action. The bill was driven by testimony from the mother of a teenager who died by suicide after prolonged chatbot interactions; industry and business groups opposed or sought amendments, citing overlap with recent law, vague standards, and prescriptive design mandates. Members expressed strong support for the bill’s goals while urging tighter definitions, and the bill was moved on a roll call vote and placed on call.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Sep 3rd, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Senate amendments are chaptering amendments. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.
- Recent amendments are clarifying and address chaptering issues, and on behalf of Senator Aguiar-Curry
- Recent amendments are clarifying and address chaptering issues, and on behalf of Senator Aguiar-Curry
- Senator Ochoa-Bogue to present SB 221 to better protect victims of stalking by amending the state Penal
- Code to conform to the federal stalking statute.
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, welcomed visiting students from De La Salle High School and a guest for Assembly Member Kalra, and then moved through a lengthy concurrence and third-reading agenda. Early actions included concurrence on ACR 21 honoring fallen Galt Police Officer Herminda Grewal, followed by a series of mostly noncontroversial bills on utilities, reclamation districts, housing, wildfire relief, mobile homes, environmental quality, health care coverage, and local government. Several measures were presented as technical, clarifying, or urgency bills, and many passed with unanimous or near-unanimous votes; notable items included AB 238 (wildfire mortgage forbearance), AB 571 (Southern California Veterans Cemetery permitting/CEQA exemption), AB 574 (health care coverage), AB 696 (lithium-ion battery safety advisory group), AB 1150 (airport car rental facility maintenance), AB 1154 (ADU parking standards), and SB 499 (impact fee deferrals for emergency-related parkland and utility infrastructure). SB 499 drew the most debate, with supporters emphasizing disaster resilience and dual-use parkland and an opponent arguing it would worsen housing-related fee burdens; it ultimately passed after a call was lifted.
The chamber also adopted SJR 4 urging restoration of NIH funding, and passed SB 230 expanding workers’ compensation presumptions to additional firefighters, SB 92 tightening density bonus law to curb loopholes, SB 782 creating disaster relief financing districts, SB 40 capping insulin copays at $35 and limiting step therapy, SB 362 strengthening small-business financing disclosures, SB 513 requiring workers access to training records, SB 489 requiring public agencies involved in housing approvals to post requirements online, SB 31 promoting recycled water use, SB 551 introducing normalization and dynamic security concepts in corrections, SB 639 extending flood-protection deadlines for Sacramento/Yuba projects, SB 653 defining environmentally sensitive vegetation management, AB 652 on air pollution, and SB 221 updating stalking law to include threats to pets. Several bills received recorded opposition or split votes, including SB 551, SB 439, SB 782, and SB 499, but most measures passed comfortably. The Assembly also concurred in Senate amendments on AB 516 and AB 1523, and later lifted the call on SB 499 to complete passage.
The session included an adjournment in memory of Rick Bryson of Long Beach, with Assembly Member Lowenthal highlighting Bryson’s athletic, business, and civic contributions. The day ended with reminders to secure floor managers for pending bills, a notice of the next day’s 10 a.m. floor session, and adjournment until Thursday, September 4th.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Health Care Financing Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Health Care Financing
Transcript Highlights:
- I've got it here in my folder: Part 1, Title 21, Chapter 176K, Section... ...here in my folder: Part
- 1, Title 21, Chapter 176K, Section... by striking out 'other than persons eligible for Medicare coverage
- No one should be penalized for getting sick before 65.
- BCBA-led treatment increases as children age, from 1 hour for young children ages 0 to 3 years, up to 9
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on several health care bills focused primarily on autism services and kidney disease coverage. Committee chairs John Lawn and Cindy Friedman opened by outlining hearing procedures, testimony rules, and filing deadlines, and noted the hearing would be recorded and written testimony accepted. They said the day’s topics included affordability and access to behavioral health services, provider reimbursement, Medicare coverage for vulnerable populations, and MassHealth eligibility asset exemptions.
A major portion of the hearing concerned House Bill 4623, which would add board-certified assistant behavior analysts (BCABAs) as a recognized mid-level supervisory role in the MassHealth reimbursement framework to help address long wait lists for autism spectrum disorder services. Representative Lisa Field, actuaries, clinicians, and autism service providers testified that the current two-tier model limits workforce capacity, contributes to long delays, and leaves families waiting months for care. Supporters said the bill could expand access, improve retention, and potentially reduce MassHealth costs, while also helping providers meet growing demand and new administrative requirements.
The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 4425 and Senate Bill 2737, which would allow Massachusetts residents under 65 with end-stage renal disease to purchase Medigap coverage. Legislators, dialysis advocates, and patients described high out-of-pocket costs under Medicare, barriers to kidney transplant eligibility without secondary insurance, and the financial strain on patients and families. Testifiers said the change would affect about 846 residents, could modestly increase premiums, and might reduce Medicaid spending by preventing asset spend-downs. Senator Gomez and others spoke from personal experience with dialysis and transplant care.
Finally, the committee heard testimony on House Bill 4353 and Senate Bill 2587, which would require regular data-driven review of MassHealth ABA reimbursement rates. Providers and association representatives argued that reimbursement has not kept pace with inflation, workforce shortages, accreditation costs, and new 2026 MassHealth policy requirements, and said the bills would improve transparency and ensure rates reflect the true cost of care. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded with the chairs thanking participants, inviting additional written testimony, and adjourning the meeting.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Children and Family Law (02/24/2026)
Children and Family Law
Transcript Highlights:
- affected by the federal law 10 US code affected by the federal law 10 US code 1408<01:41:38.000>
- I am still under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
- I can uniform code of military justice.
- Okay, we have a lot of Revenue Code.
- So, you can get there at 9:30.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, February 13, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Code 758.
- Code 758: whoever flees or evades a checkpoint operated by Customs and Border Protection or any other
- Code 758: whoever flees or evades a checkpoint operated by Customs and Border Protection or any other
- Code 758: whoever flees or evades a checkpoint operated by Customs and Border Protection or any other
- She lost two of her children, a 2-year-old and a 9-year-old. They froze to death in the car.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, SCR 179, urging the County of Maui to enforce provisions of the fire code of the County of Maui
- clearance, fuel breaks, roadside vegetation clearing, and emergency access. provisions of the fire code
- of the provisions of the fire code of the County<00:13:04.000>
of <00:13:04.120>Maui <00 - building code council. building code council.
- Now we're voting on SCR 179, urging the County of Maui to enforce provisions of the fire code of the
Keywords:
building permits, seniors, health care, disability, safety modifications, county regulations, expedited processing, environment, pollution, tourism, disposable bodyboards, polystyrene, marine ecosystems, lithium-ion batteries, environmental safety, recycling, public safety, waste management, Honolulu, Maui County
Summary:
The committee heard several resolutions related to water, coastal management, and permitting. Early measures included SCR 8 on faster county action for certain home-modification permits for older adults and people with disabilities, SCR 40 on banning disposable body boards, SCR 83 on creating a lithium-ion battery disposal facility, SCR 179 on enforcing Maui fire-code provisions for brush clearance and emergency access, and SCR 90 on kupuna-friendly permit requirements. No testifiers were present for those measures, and the chair moved through them without taking votes in the portion provided.
The most extensive discussion was on SCR 94, endorsing Waikiki as a world surfing reserve, and SCR 159, urging shared guiding principles for restoring and maintaining Waikiki’s beaches and shoreline. University of Hawaii testimony said the surfing-reserve designation would bring recognition, could help attract grants, and would require a stewardship committee and management plan, but would not itself block beach nourishment or shoreline restoration. Members asked about possible effects on dredging, beach nourishment, and shoreline structures; the witness said impacts on surfing were not expected to be immediate or significant. For SCR 159, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development supported the resolution but requested clarifying amendments to broaden references to law, stakeholder collaboration, and coastal science expertise. The Waikiki Beach Special Improvement District Association also supported the measure, emphasizing coordinated maintenance, public access, and the economic importance of Waikiki beaches, while noting that existing legal agreements and court decisions should be reflected in the resolution. The discussion also covered whether the state and private owners share repair and maintenance obligations for Waikiki seawalls; testimony said existing agreements remain relevant but must yield to current law.
The committee also heard SCR 165 designating March as Water Month, with support from the Board of Water Supply and others, and SCR 177 requesting DAGS to convene a cooperative working group on state projects needing county permits. Mary Alice Evans said the latter would help expedite permitting, especially for housing and other state projects, and would complement efforts to standardize county permitting processes. No final votes or dispositions were announced in the excerpt provided.