Transcript Highlights:

• And what Cheri has done, writing a chapter in this book called "The Grief Experience" on her journey
• President, with a writing in her chapter, and she says, and I think we all can really use to think about
• And what Cheri has done, writing a chapter in this book called "The Grief Experience" on her journey
• President, with a writing in her chapter, and she says, and I think we all can really use to think about
• Ayes 45, nays 15. >> Senator Gianaris. >> Neglected to call on Senator Ramos to explain her vote on Calendar

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with routine business, approved the prior journal, and received several motions to discharge identical Assembly bills from committee and substitute corresponding Senate bills. Members also offered brief recognitions for visitors, including Yemeni American community advocates and Cheri Davis, who was honored for her Alzheimer’s advocacy and support work. The chamber then took up several previously adopted resolutions, including Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, Period Poverty Awareness Week, and Nurses Week, with senators speaking in support of each measure’s purpose and importance. The body then moved through a long calendar of bills, passing a wide range of measures on education, public health, correction law, environmental conservation, municipal law, agriculture, and consumer protection. Notable floor discussion included Senator Ramos explaining her support for a bill requiring salons and similar businesses to display multilingual domestic violence resource information, and Senator Gianaris and Senator Borrello debating a bill to prohibit electronic shelf labeling in stores over concerns about surveillance, dynamic pricing, and impacts on brick-and-mortar retailers. Senator May and Senator Skoufis also spoke on an environmental conservation bill concerning American eel management, with May supporting the species protections and Skoufis objecting to the bill’s structure. Most bills were adopted by wide margins, though several drew recorded negative votes. The Senate passed the domestic violence information bill, the electronic shelf-labeling bill, and multiple other measures, including bills on eviction notice procedures, surrogate court procedure, and environmental conservation. After completing the calendar, the Senate reported no further business and adjourned until the next day at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:45:19.760> We<00:45:20.000> are<00:45:20.160> the<00:45:21.280> the
• 00:45:25.440> being<00:45:25.680> used<00:45:26.560> uh<00:45:26.640> and
• 00:45:31.359> is<00:45:31.680> being<00:45:32.079> sent<00:45:32.319> to<
• <00:45:33.920> This<00:45:34.079> is<00:45:34.160> a<00:45:34.960> uh
• I believe<00:45:37.839> this<00:45:38.079> bill<00:45:38.240> is<00:45:38.560>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, pledge, and roll call, confirmed a quorum, and then moved through routine business including first reading and referral of Senate File 5019 to the Health and Human Services Committee, along with referral of Senate resolutions 73 to 75 to Rules and Administration. Senator Westrom’s motion to withdraw Senate File 3893 from Finance, give it a second reading, and place it on general orders was adopted. The chamber then took up House File 3556, which renames Minnesota’s Community Solar Garden Program as the Melissa Hortman Community Solar Garden Program. Senator Hoffman presented the bill as a tribute to Speaker Melissa Hortman’s role in creating and advancing community solar in Minnesota, with Senator Marty and others supporting the recognition. The bill was read a third time and passed on final passage by a vote of 59-7, with the title agreed to. Senate File 1251 followed, a bipartisan bill to remove the June 2026 sunset on crossbow use during archery season and make the allowance permanent. Senator Pa and supporters cited a DNR study showing no negative impact on deer or turkey populations and argued the change would improve participation among women, youth, and older hunters. An A3 technical amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 67-0. The Senate then considered Senate File 3868, a bill to ban cryptocurrency kiosks in Minnesota due to fraud concerns. The author and supporters described widespread scams targeting seniors and others, citing losses in Minnesota and national fraud data. An A2 amendment requiring lawful-presence verification for foreign remittance transfers was ruled not germane, and the chair’s ruling was upheld on a 34-33 appeal. Debate then began on an A3 amendment related to cash transfers through airports, with members arguing over germaneness and the scope of the fraud-prevention bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's primarily Chapter 115, which includes the annuity.
• In fact, right now we have a Chapter 115 working group that's created.
• I'm somebody who goes back to about 45 years of state service.
• Those are the Chapter 257 rate increases.
• So that is, you know, $388 million is Chapter 257 annualization.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from Senate Chair Robyn Kennedy and House Chair Chynah Tyler, who emphasized that the fiscal year 2026 hearing was focused on the Health and Human Services budget, asked members to keep questions budget-related, and noted that no public testimony would be taken. They also highlighted the choice of Doherty Memorial High School as the venue to showcase Worcester’s investment in career and technical education. Committee members then introduced themselves before the first panel, the Executive Office of Veterans Services and the state veterans homes, began testimony. Secretary John Santiago said the governor’s FY26 proposal would support implementation of the HERO Act, which he said is now about 95% implemented, including higher disabled veteran annuities, expanded behavioral health benefits, and other service expansions. He described efforts to reduce veteran homelessness, including nearly $20 million in ARPA-funded housing and outreach initiatives, and said the agency has delivered more than 100,000 supportive services to nearly 8,500 veterans. Leaders from the Chelsea and Holyoke veterans homes reported on staffing, quality measures, electronic medical records, and major construction projects at both facilities, including a new Chelsea campus and the new Holyoke home. Members asked about funding transfers, geographic equity in access to the homes, outreach to women veterans and veterans of color, suicide prevention, Gold Star family support, and the impact of federal uncertainty; Santiago said the homes are now licensed and certified, that the current budget is sufficient, and that the agency is expanding engagement and data collection. The second panel, the Office of the Veteran Advocate, testified that its FY26 request is about $3.3 million, up from the current $2 million, to cover staffing, a larger office, and higher technology costs. Veteran Advocate Bob Notch said the office is a new independent oversight agency created in 2022 to examine systems, coordinate with local veteran service officers, and investigate fatalities or serious harm involving veterans in state care. He said the office’s work depends on research, data, and collaboration with other agencies, and that current funding is only enough for minimum operations. In response to questions, Notch and Deputy Commissioner David O’Callaghan discussed the difficulty of tracking veteran suicides, the need for better data across agencies, and the office’s role as an oversight body rather than a direct service provider. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:45:01.920> in<00:45:02.079> the<00:45:02.240> old<00:45:02.480> state
• Uh, I request<00:45:12.000> to<00:45:12.240> be<00:45:12.720> excused<00:45:13.440
• I've<00:45:49.040> been<00:45:49.200> going<00:45:49.359> to<00:45:49.520> Vegas
• <00:45:49.920> for<00:45:50.079> the<00:45:50.319> past<00:45:50.560> 30<
• > years<00:45:51.359> with<00:45:51.599> my<00:45:51.760> friends<00:45:52.079

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the January 29, 2026 journal as corrected, and received committee reports advancing several bills. The Health and Human Services Committee reported Senate Bill 17 to Appropriations with a favorable recommendation and Senate Bill 32 to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation. The Local Government and Housing Committee reported Senate Bill 1 to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation. The chamber then handled resolutions. Senate Joint Resolution 007, recognizing February 2026 as Black History Month, was laid over until February 3. Senate Bill 004 was also laid over until February 2. Senate Joint Resolution 004, recognizing September 20–26, 2026 as Frontotemporal Degeneration Awareness Week, was read at length, with sponsors and supporters describing FTD as a serious, underdiagnosed neurodegenerative disease and noting the resolution came from a constituent request. The resolution was adopted 32-0, and the current roll call was added as co-sponsors. During announcements and personal privileges, Senator Amabile spoke about her recent appendectomy and used the experience to emphasize access to health care amid the state budget deficit. Senator Coleman recognized the Colorado chapter of the American Institute of Architects for its contributions to the built environment and the state’s communities. Senator Cutter announced a joint transportation and energy hearing on Xcel’s recent power outages, and Senator Sullivan shared a personal remembrance of his son, who was killed in the Aurora Theater Massacre. The Senate also heard procedural reminders about guest introductions and fines, sang happy birthday to members with interim birthdays, and then adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 2, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• > on<00:45:43.680> Gaming<00:45:44.000> of<00:45:44.160> which<00:45:44.319
• And we appreciate<00:45:47.599> the<00:45:47.760> work<00:45:47.920> with<00:45:
• So,<00:45:54.079> I<00:45:54.319> know<00:45:54.400> you've<00:45:54.560> went
• > are<00:45:55.680> a<00:45:56.160> significant<00:45:56.720> number<00:45
• <01:45:05.119> some<01:45:05.360> young<01:45:05.600> guys<01:45:05.840>

Bills: SF0045, SF0058, SF0067

Keywords: pari-mutuel wagering, simulcasting, historic horse racing, HHR terminals, horse racing, gaming commission, Wyoming Gaming Commission, local control, city approval, county approval, municipal approval, permit renewal, gaming permit, wagering regulation, racetrack, live pari-mutuel event, district court appeal, public notice, land use, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• :42.160> at<00:45:42.319> the<00:45:42.480> state<00:45:42.640> and<00:45
• we minimize risk<00:45:47.760> to<00:45:47.920> our<00:45:48.079> school<00:45:
• 45:56.000> and<00:45:56.160> we<00:45:56.319> sometimes<00:45:56.640> seek
• <01:45:26.239> or<01:45:26.480> or<01:45:26.800> the<01:45:26.960> point<
• 01:45:27.600> I<01:45:27.840> I<01:45:28.080> guess<01:45:28.159> my >

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met to hear from the New Hampshire Association of School Principals as part of its review of a proposal involving statewide administrative consolidation and changes to school governance. Members first discussed how school board witnesses would be selected, with the chair saying the committee would seek a mix of district sizes and structures and would also accept emailed input. The principals’ association said it represents more than 550 principals and assistant principals and urged caution about any mandatory consolidation, arguing that successful consolidations are gradual and voluntary. Association leaders and principals testified that principals already handle a wide range of responsibilities, including instructional leadership, student discipline, safety, staff supervision and evaluation, family and community engagement, and day-to-day crisis response. They argued that shifting more legal, budgetary, and administrative duties onto principals would reduce time for coaching teachers and supporting students, increase burnout and turnover, and create legal and training risks, especially in areas such as special education, privacy, and labor issues. They also said the roles of superintendents, principals, and school board members are distinct and require different training and expertise. Members asked detailed questions about how responsibilities are divided between principals and SAUs, whether principals recruit and evaluate staff, and how much time principals work. One principal said she works about 60 to 70 hours a week and that additional duties would be difficult to absorb. Another principal described his school’s structure, the importance of community building, and the need to preserve district-wide alignment if consolidation moves forward. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:45:01.040> on<01:45:01.679> as<01:45:01.920> far<01:45:02.080> as<01:
• know.<01:45:03.040> Uh,<01:45:03.440> but<01:45:03.760> I<01:45:04.000> am
• before it<02:45:29.760> starts<02:45:30.080> and<02:45:30.240> it<02:45:30.399>
• And<02:45:32.560> yet<02:45:32.800> we<02:45:33.040> know<02:45:33.279> how
• <02:45:35.520> Someone<02:45:35.840> did<02:45:36.080> get<02:45:36.240>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :37.359> it<00:45:37.520> means<00:45:37.920> as<00:45:38.040> I've<00:45
• <00:45:47.520> in<00:45:47.760> public<00:45:48.079> health<00:45:48.520> we<
• of<00:45:52.079> Health<00:45:53.079> uh<00:45:53.240> so<00:45:53.520><
• :54.079> easier<00:45:54.480> for<00:45:54.800> all<00:45:54.960> of<00:45
• <00:45:57.200> healthiest<00:45:58.000> no<00:45:58.240> matter<00:45:58.599>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met on January 28, 2025, to review Governor’s budget proposals for several health-related licensing boards. The chair said no formal action would be taken and noted that final budget language was not yet available. The committee began with an overview from Bridget Anderson of the health-related licensing boards, who explained that the boards are fee-funded, operate as independent executive agencies, and handle licensing, complaints, rulemaking, and disciplinary matters. She also noted that the Board of Dentistry’s budget includes the Administrative Services Unit and criminal background check program, which can make the budget graphs appear larger than the dentistry board’s own operations. The Board of Dentistry requested funding for a new administrative staff position, estimating about $100,000 in salary, insurance, and fringe costs, to replace support lost when an administrative position was reclassified. Anderson said the board handled more than 300 complaints last year, with cases becoming more complex, especially involving surgical and implant procedures and imaging. Members asked about dental Medicaid access, but Anderson said that issue would be better directed to DHS’s Medicaid oral health division. The Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy requested a full-time position due to rapid growth in the number of regulated professionals, from about 4,000 in 2014 to nearly 10,000 now, and also sought authority to set a fee for out-of-state applicants under the Counseling Compact, with a cap of up to $100 though the board expects to charge much less. The Board of Podiatric Medicine asked to raise its fee ceiling, saying fees had not been increased since 1999 and that the board now faces a structural deficit of about $40,000 per year and declining reserves. Several senators expressed concern about “not-to-exceed” fee authority, calling it too open-ended and suggesting the legislature should scrutinize specific fee needs rather than approve broad ceilings. Similar concerns were raised during the Board of Chiropractic Examiners presentation, where the board sought $100,000 in additional spending authority and a fee increase after 32 years without an adjustment; members questioned the proposed ceiling approach and asked for more historical information before deciding. The Board of Dietetics and Nutrition Practice also discussed fee-setting authority, with the executive director explaining that the board had previously lowered fees without clear authority and later faced audit questions; she requested funding for a vacant administrative position, saying applications and revenues have increased sharply and no fee increase would be needed. The final presentation began with the Board of Pharmacy, which said it serves more than 26,000 licensees and oversees the Prescription Monitoring Program and opioid product registration. The board requested an extension of previously appropriated general fund dollars through fiscal year 2027 to continue paying legal costs tied to the insulin safety net lawsuit, emphasizing that this was not a new funding request but an extension of existing authority. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• of<00:45:09.880> the<00:45:10.000> bill<00:45:10.319> stays<00:45:10.760>
• 45:13.119> replaces<00:45:13.760> the<00:45:13.960> concept<00:45:14.319> of<
• Attorney<00:45:15.040> General<00:45:15.960> with<00:45:16.720> uh<00:45
• in the<00:45:22.920> original<00:45:23.400> Bill<00:45:24.079> are<00:45:24.400
• :26.680> I<00:45:26.760> don't<00:45:27.160> see<00:45:27.359> this<00:45

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 313, and Representative Perez moved to retain the bill, saying it needed work and was not ready as written. Representative Smith supported that approach, and the motion to retain passed 18-0. The committee then considered House Bill 391, an anti-SLAPP measure. Representative Smith and others argued the bill was too broad, could create litigation and discovery disputes, and might even be read to affect criminal cases. The committee voted 18-0 to retain HB 391 as well, and the chair agreed to place it on consent with a report to be prepared. The committee next heard House Bill 462, establishing a cause of action for unwarranted video imaging of residential properties. Representative McFarland moved to retain, saying the bill raised First Amendment and property-rights concerns. The motion passed 18-0. The committee then took up House Bill 509, a fiscal note bill requiring reporting related to forfeitures. Members on both sides discussed the bill’s cost, the burden of collecting and collating the data, possible duplication across fiscal years, and whether the information was already being collected. The OTP motion passed 11-7, and Chairman Lynn asked Representative McFarland to prepare the report; a minority report was anticipated. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 520, which would authorize Department of Education hearing officers to issue subpoenas. Representative Kuttab supported the bill, saying similar authority exists in other agencies and states. Opponents argued the DOE already can obtain information through the attorney general, that the bill would create an unbalanced internal enforcement process, and that the subpoena authority was not tied to the curriculum-related concerns raised in testimony. Representative Ter offered Amendment 0842H to shift subpoena authority from DOE hearing officers to the attorney general; the amendment failed 7-11. The committee then voted on the bill as amended, and the OTP motion passed 10-8, with a minority report also requested.

Transcript Highlights:

• :31.040> particularly<00:45:31.480> for<00:45:31.640> those<00:45:31.800> who
• <00:45:32.599> with<00:45:32.760> Minnesota's<00:45:33.640> uh<00:45:33.760>
• > system<00:45:35.160> the<00:45:35.319> difference<00:45:35.640> between
• <00:45:51.680> can<00:45:51.800> only<00:45:52.000> be<00:45:52.119> fired
• 57.839> the<00:45:57.960> ones<00:45:58.200> who<00:45:58.359> are<00:45:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, let<01:45:28.159> me<01:45:28.320> go<01:45:28.480> to<01:45:28.639> the<
• /c><01:45:40.320> know<01:45:40.400> that<01:45:40.639> there's<01:45:41.040>
• own<01:45:44.560> conflict<01:45:45.119> of<01:45:45.280> interest<01:45:45.840
• <01:45:52.880> statute<01:45:53.360> or<01:45:53.679> case<01:45:54.000>
• c> that<01:45:54.960> defines<01:45:55.679> conflict<01:45:56.239> of<01:45:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then<00:45:00.640> we<00:45:00.880> have<00:45:01.359> um<00:45:01.599> quite
• <00:45:01.839> a<00:45:02.240> well<00:45:02.880> uh<00:45:03.040> quite<
• > a<00:45:03.760> few<00:45:03.920> individuals<00:45:04.400> in<00:45:04.640
• /c><00:45:08.240> with<00:45:08.480> comments.
• That's everybody<00:45:10.000> who<00:45:10.240> signed<00:45:10.560> up<00:45:10.720

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 2246, which would expand public financial disclosure requirements. The State Ethics Commission strongly supported the bill, saying broader disclosure could help restore public trust and potentially deter corruption, and it offered a clarifying amendment to make clear the requirement applies to board and commission members rather than all employees of listed agencies. Several organizations and individuals also testified in support. A committee member asked about the amendment, and the commission explained it was intended as a clarification rather than a substantive change. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2250, which would add homeless facilities to the locations covered by the drug-free-zone offense for promoting controlled substances. The Public Defender opposed the measure, arguing that many homeless facilities are unmarked and not easily identifiable, creating notice, fairness, and due process concerns and risking arbitrary enforcement. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying it targets distributors rather than users, that notice can be proven through evidence, and that the law is aimed at protecting vulnerable people in shelters and similar facilities. In questioning, senators asked how homeless facilities would be identified and whether the bill would cover all shelter models; the prosecutor said the definition is cross-referenced in statute and must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii and other groups testified in opposition, while several service and advocacy groups testified in support. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2325, which would allow courts to review and potentially reduce sentences for certain juvenile offenders after 15 years if the person is not a danger to the community. Judiciary staff said the court supports the bill’s intent but noted Hawaii’s indeterminate sentencing structure leaves no alternative sentence for a court to reduce to, suggesting the measure may need structural sentencing changes or could instead be directed to the Hawaii Paroling Authority. Public defender representatives and youth-justice advocates supported the bill, emphasizing rehabilitation, adolescent brain development, trauma, and the need for a meaningful opportunity for release. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:45:04.319> So,<00:45:04.560> I<00:45:04.720> was<00:45:04.880> in
• <00:45:05.119> your<00:45:05.440> part<00:45:05.599> of<00:45:05.839> the
• They took<00:45:14.560> me<00:45:14.720> down<00:45:15.119> to<00:45:15.440>
• >> And<00:45:19.440> I<00:45:19.680> I<00:45:20.800> just<00:45:20.960>
• <00:45:58.160> And<00:45:58.560> what<00:45:58.880> they<00:45:59.040> do

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :43.760> federal<01:45:44.080> law<01:45:44.400> then<01:45:44.560> they're
• 01:45:45.280> of<01:45:45.520> federal<01:45:45.840> law<01:45:46.239> and
• > a<01:45:52.560> lot<01:45:52.639> of<01:45:52.719> times<01:45:52.960>
• about<01:45:53.679> this<01:45:54.159> like<01:45:54.400> this<01:45:54.639>
• > no<01:45:56.800> ability<01:45:57.199> to<01:45:57.520> access<01:45:58.239

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Tim Adam representing the California chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians. Mr.
• Chair, members, Tim Madden, representing the California Chapter of the American College of Emergency
• And today with me, Kimberly Wormsley, here from the California chapter of the National Association of
• The California Association of Social Workers is the largest chapter of professional social workers in
• Arreguín has been itching to move a bill for 45 minutes, so we're going to give him the motion.

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a long agenda of licensing, health care, and workforce bills. Measures discussed included AB 957, which would prohibit tobacco sales in licensed pharmacies; AB 447, which would allow patients to take home certain unopened medications started in emergency rooms; AB 427, joining the Social Work Licensure Compact; AB 667, allowing interpreters for certain licensing exams; AB 742, prioritizing descendants of slaves in licensing review; AB 873, changing infection-control training timing for dental assistants; AB 360, requiring a report on menopause education for physicians; and AB 1175, modernizing CPA licensure requirements and mobility. Testimony generally emphasized public health, access to care, workforce shortages, language access, and economic opportunity, while opposition or concerns focused on implementation, worker protections, compact authority, and constitutional issues in AB 742. Several bills drew broad support from sponsors, professional associations, and advocacy groups. AB 957 was backed by cancer and pharmacy advocates and pharmacists who said pharmacies should not sell tobacco; AB 447 was supported by emergency medicine and hospital representatives as a way to reduce waste and help patients leave with needed medication; AB 427 drew support from social work and mental health groups but concerns from AFSCME about standards and displacement; AB 667 was supported by immigrant-rights and community groups, with questions about whether translated exams would be preferable to interpreters; AB 360 received extensive support from women’s health advocates and medical groups, and opposition from CMA and ACOG was removed after amendments; and AB 1175 was supported by the Board of Accountancy and CPA groups as a way to expand the pipeline and improve mobility. The committee took votes after quorum was established. AB 360, AB 427, AB 447, AB 667, AB 873, AB 1175, and AB 742 were all approved and sent to their next committees, with AB 742 going to Judiciary and AB 1175 to Appropriations. AB 957 was initially held on call, then later passed after additional votes were recorded. The consent calendar bills AB 375, AB 1107, and AB 1496 were also approved. Most measures passed on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes, with some members not voting on certain items during the roll calls.

Transcript Highlights:

• special education and have advocated for the rights of children and adults with disabilities for over 45
• special education and have advocated for the rights of children and adults with disabilities for over 45
• My name is Jamie Betts, and I'm the founder of the Massachusetts chapter of the Changing Spaces Campaign
• I've worked for the Department of Developmental Services for the past 45 years.
• Since our name change, so instead of going back 45 years and burning you with a lot of history and not

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities held a hybrid hearing focused largely on DDS-related bills, with chairs Kennedy and Livingstone outlining strict time limits, accessibility procedures, and a 5 p.m. stop to preserve ASL and CART services. The committee heard testimony on several measures, including a bill from Sen. Mike Moore to create a centralized electronic education records system for students in out-of-home placements, which supporters said would improve communication, preserve IEP continuity, and reduce missed services. Paul DePaulo also testified in support, describing the educational and justice-system harms that can follow when foster youth do not receive coordinated records and supports. A major portion of the hearing centered on H. 242/S. 149, a bill to enhance standards of care for people with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Rep. Garballey and many advocates, parents, clinicians, and disability leaders supported the bill, saying it would require provider training, statewide standards, and better emergency department practices to reduce misdiagnosis, trauma, and unnecessary ER boarding. Testimony described sensory and communication barriers in medical settings, lack of provider training, and the need for continuing education and license-related requirements. Related testimony also supported H. 213/S. 111, which would improve access to behavioral health services for children involved with state agencies by requiring better discharge planning, coordination with hospitals and agencies, and more appropriate post-hospital placements. The committee also heard strong support for H. 256/S. 102, requiring universal changing stations in public buildings, from parents, advocates, and the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council. Witnesses said current restroom accommodations often force unsafe or undignified changes on floors, in cars, or in inaccessible spaces, and argued the cost of adding changing stations to new or renovated buildings would be modest compared with the benefits to dignity, safety, and community access. Another major topic was H. 261/S. 155 on supported decision-making agreements for certain adults, which supporters described as a less restrictive alternative to guardianship that preserves autonomy while providing trusted support. Finally, testimony on Tommy’s bill (S. 168/H. 282) described a preventable death after a hospital discharge and urged clearer communication and training requirements for residential staff handling life-sustaining equipment; the bill was presented as a safeguard for people with disabilities relying on such equipment.

Transcript Highlights:

• As I tell you every time I sit up here, I've been representing injured workers for 45 years.
• As I tell you every time I sit up here, I've been representing injured workers for 45 years.
• as well as Patrick Robinson, who's also with any questions or concerns. the workers' compensation chapter
• Well, ODG has 21 chapters and over 1,500 guidelines that address workers' comp health care.
• It's like, no, it's 8:45, and he needs it. It's like, no, it's 8:45, and he needs it.

Summary: The committee first voluntarily deferred House Bills 460 and 561, then took up House Bill 1101 on workers’ compensation. The sponsor said the bill would define maximum medical improvement, adjust fraud provisions, shorten temporary total disability and supplemental earnings benefit periods, and revise vocational rehabilitation rules; an amendment removed proposed age-based termination language for benefits. Business groups including LABI supported the bill as a way to reduce Louisiana’s comparatively high indemnity costs and align the state with regional norms, while injured-worker advocates and attorneys strongly opposed it, arguing it would cut benefits, shift medical and disability decisions away from treating physicians and judges, broaden fraud too far, and potentially push costs onto public programs. After debate, the committee voted to report HB 1101 with amendments. House Bill 282 was voluntarily deferred. House Bill 293, which would add sexual orientation and gender identity to Louisiana employment discrimination protections, drew generally supportive testimony from the sponsor and supporters, with some members raising questions about religious exemptions and federal law. The committee ultimately voted against reporting HB 293 favorably. House Bill 390, providing unpaid leave protections for domestic abuse survivors at larger employers, was presented as a tool for survivors, but the committee split 6-6 on a motion to report it favorably; the tie resulted in the bill being voluntarily deferred. The committee then heard House Bill 456, which would expand workers’ compensation petition requirements and allow employers or payers broader access to file disputed claims and seek discovery. Supporters argued employers currently lack a practical way to obtain records and challenge claims without first cutting off benefits, while opponents said the bill would revive a rejected 2012 approach, increase litigation, and undermine the no-fault workers’ compensation bargain. The discussion centered on whether the bill would preserve benefits while allowing discovery or instead encourage more disputes and penalties. The transcript ends with testimony still underway on HB 456, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• This came from chapter support account.
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• c><00:15:06.880> savings<00:15:07.440> of<00:15:07.839> 10.45<00:15:08.399> 45
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• 57.839> fiscal<00:44:58.599> note<00:44:59.599> in<00:44:59.839> the<00:45

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

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• > will<01:45:33.199> allow<01:45:33.520> us<01:45:33.639> to<01:45:33.880
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Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• reversed over the last few years under Governor Kotek's leadership, and you may have seen we announced a 45%
• reversed over the last few years under Govaner Kotech's leadership, and you may have seen we announced a 45%
• I'm executive director of the state chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI Oregon,
• I'm executive director of the state chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI Oregon,
• Because the resources that are coming online, those SRTF beds and this new capacity and 45% growth, that

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The joint Senate and House Behavioral Health committees held an informational meeting focused first on the Oregon State Hospital (OSH). OHA Director Sajal Hathi introduced the hospital’s incoming permanent superintendent, Sean Murphy, and praised interim superintendent Jim Deagle for stabilizing operations, restoring CMS compliance, and helping drive a culture change centered on safety, accountability, and transparency. Deagle and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Amit Bavon described OSH’s role as the state’s highest-level forensic psychiatric hospital, the patient populations it serves, its partnerships with courts, counties, jails, hospitals, and advocates, and recent leadership changes across the hospital. They also reported improved accreditation and regulatory status, including Joint Commission accreditation and CMS compliance, and said the hospital is now using daily safety huddles, incident review meetings, stronger escalation procedures, and revised seclusion/restraint practices to reduce risk and improve oversight. Members pressed hospital leaders on past seclusion practices, asking how prolonged seclusions could have occurred under federal standards. Leaders said they could not explain past decisions but emphasized that current leadership has changed processes, training, reporting, and oversight so that seclusion and restraint are reviewed in real time and cannot be normalized. Questions also covered staffing, falls, and future planning. OSH said it is generally staffed to budget, though it still has RN and mental health technician vacancies and is working on recruitment, training, and better staffing distribution. Hathi said the hospital is building a public dashboard with key performance and safety metrics, including workforce data, and described the long-term goal as a consistently safe, disciplined, high-functioning institution that responds quickly to mistakes and remains accountable to the public. The committee then shifted to an informational overview of civil commitment. Oregon Judicial Department representative Chanah Newell explained the civil commitment process, including who can initiate it, the role of community mental health providers and courts, the five-day timeline to hearing, and the standards for danger to self, danger to others, and inability to meet basic needs. She summarized changes made in House Bill 2005, including revised statutory language and new provisions allowing a second diversion period, but cautioned that the data are too early to show clear trends. Testimony from NAMI Oregon’s Chris Bonif and psychiatrist Dr. Stephanie Lopez argued that Oregon still relies too heavily on jails and state hospital commitments because the broader community system lacks enough treatment, housing, and less restrictive alternatives. They urged the legislature to focus on upstream services, supported housing, and possible outpatient commitment tools so people can receive treatment before reaching crisis. The meeting ended with acknowledgment that additional reports and follow-up discussions are expected, including on residential treatment capacity and related behavioral health system reforms.