Transcript Highlights:

• We're, you know, we'll continue to help that out.
• <01:15:33.440> to<01:15:33.600> help We're, you know, we'll continue to help We're,
• you know, we'll continue to help that<01:15:34.000> out.
• <01:25:00.880> Enrollment was bringing this up. Enrollment was bringing this up.
• Enrollment expanded<01:25:02.480> marketkedly<01:25:03.120> during<01:25:03.520> the

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board reconvened and heard a presentation from the Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control unit. AG staff described the unit’s structure and work: it investigates and prosecutes Medicaid provider fraud, and also handles abuse, neglect, and exploitation cases involving vulnerable adults in facility settings when asked to assist. They said the office has prosecutors, detectives, auditors, and support staff, works with federal partners, Commonwealth’s attorneys, CHFS, DMS, OIG, and MCOs, and uses a hotline and referral line for complaints. They also explained the MCO referral process, including monthly meetings, stand-down lists, and review of referrals for a “credible allegation of fraud” before the AG office decides whether to open a criminal or civil investigation. The presentation focused heavily on current fraud trends. Staff said behavioral health is a major concern, along with participant-directed waiver services, medically assisted treatment, cash billing for services, controlled-substance billing, and vision and dental fraud. They gave examples such as duplicate time sheets for family caregivers, questionable Suboxone counseling and urine drug screening practices, and a prior optometry case involving false claims for children’s glasses. They also discussed CMS’s estimate that about 5% of Medicaid payments are improper, noted that most improper payments are at the fee-for-service level, and said there is no reliable overall fraud-rate estimate. They highlighted a sharp shift in behavioral health billing after the cabinet’s November 1, 2024 policy changes, saying individual psychotherapy spending dropped while group billing increased, suggesting providers may have moved billing to different codes. Members asked about the scale and timing of cases, how MCO referrals are screened, and whether the data reflected more people being served or just higher spending. The AG office said investigations can take years, with some federal cases still awaiting sentencing from 2018 and 2019 matters, and that they currently had nine individuals awaiting sentencing in federal court. They also reported 58 hotline reports during the referenced period, six cases opened from MCO referrals, and four additional MCO referrals not accepted for active cases. Several members raised concerns about home-based services and the risk of abuse or fraud when family members are reimbursed, and asked whether the process could be streamlined; the AG office said it had no immediate recommendations but would be willing to return with suggestions after further review.

Transcript Highlights:

• Grant Program provides grant to public institution of higher education, school district, and open enrollment
• And applications, um, currently, uh, school districts, ISDS, um, as well as open enrollment charter schools
• HB 1822 ensures continued juvenile court jurisdiction in cases where proceedings are not completed before

Transcript Highlights:

• This administration continues to skirt the law on this issue.
• We're anticipating that this continues into the holiday season.
• But those hits have already been happening and will continue to happen.
• We would wish that that would continue.
• It was going to continue to be a dialogue.

Transcript Highlights:

• that would be really devastating for students who have already made a commitment, who've already enrolled
• <00:18:08.720> in<00:18:08.960> classes<00:18:09.679> to who've already enrolled
• in classes to who've already enrolled in classes to then<00:18:10.160> be<00:18:10.320> on
• Gary Dawson continued by thanking Chairman Tipton and the committee.
• We want to give continue to see that.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• data about employees and potential data about employees and potential employees<00:01:13.600> enrolles
• <00:01:14.400> plan<00:01:14.720> offerings employees enrolles plan offerings employees
• enrolles plan offerings actuarial<00:01:16.159> values<00:01:17.200> and<00:01:17.439>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We must continue to improve the system by empowering veterans, not restricting them.
• And I mentioned it in my testimony: continuity is really critical.
• There is no enrollment. And we've spent billions of dollars doing that.
• But, you know, one of the things that I spoke about was continuity of care.
• And not only continuity of care. As a health care provider, I want the family there.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill will allow us to continue cleaning up homeless encampments across the state.
• This bill will allow us to continue cleaning up homeless encampments across the state.
• <00:53:34.200> Trends<00:53:34.640> and<00:53:34.799> provider enrollment Trends
• and provider enrollment Trends and provider performance<00:53:35.880> provided<00:53:36.520><
• What this does is it allows us to continue expanding upon what we've already done with our automatic

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The hearing began with HB 1113, which would create an intensive mobile team pilot program in the Department of Health for chronically houseless individuals with serious brain disorders such as schizophrenia. The Department of Health Adult Mental Health Division strongly supported the bill, and written support was also submitted by several health and harm-reduction organizations. Members asked about the program’s size and coordination with existing services; the testifier said the team would use a low-caseload, 24/7 mobile model, coordinate with police, ERs, hospitals, housing, dual-diagnosis treatment, and other case-management resources, and continue serving participants even if they cycle through jail or hospital. The committee amended the bill to change the participant language from a maximum of 40 to “at least 40,” blanked out the appropriations section, deferred the effective date to July 1, 3000, and then adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass with amendments by unanimous vote in both committees. The next measure, HB 1140, would appropriate funds for DLNR to clean up homeless encampments on department lands. DLNR testified in support, saying it conducts about 22 to 24 cleanups per year and the bill would help it address homelessness statewide. Members asked whether the funds would be used to sweep people out of areas; DLNR said its practice is to give notice, allow time to leave, and then clean up what remains, with storage procedures for personal property. The department also said people still present are told to move to the county area across the road. DLNR confirmed the bill is not in the governor’s budget, though it is in the governor’s legislative package. The committee then heard HB 1486, which would make it disorderly conduct to remain or loiter within 20 feet of a bus stop without intent to use bus services. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that criminal enforcement is not the right tool, could lead to arrests of people who are simply tired or unhoused, and could create a cycle of repeated low-level cases and constitutional issues around questioning and intent. HPD supported the bill, saying officers would generally try to get people to move first, but could also use field questioning, citations, or arrests depending on the circumstances; HPD said such incidents can be documented and later used in ACT or other mental-health interventions. A private resident testified in support, describing bus stops near her home as occupied overnight and burdening nearby residents and small businesses. Written support came from the City and County of Honolulu Mayor’s Office, and one individual opposed the bill. Members also asked about neighbor-island impacts, property handling, and whether the bill could help connect people to services; HPD said it had not consulted other counties and would follow up. Finally, the committee began hearing HB 877, which would prohibit encampments within 100 feet of the property line of a K-12 public or private school or school facility. DLNR stood on its written testimony, and the Department of the Attorney General raised concerns that the bill did not specify how violators would be removed, what would happen to property or the encampment, or whether the buffer zone applies only to public spaces. The AG suggested making violations petty misdemeanors and adding clearer definitions and due-process guidance. Members asked whether charter schools are included and whether private-property situations within the buffer zone should be clarified; the AG said public schools include charter schools and indicated the bill may need more specificity about private property and trespass situations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then Cassie and I, and a psychiatrist if needed, continue to collaborate on behalf of the patient.
• First, the need for mental health care continues to grow rapidly, even as access becomes more constrained
• First, the need for mental health care continues to grow rapidly, even as access becomes more constrained
• At the same time, data was shared about the continued decline in behavioral health emergency department
• Once enrolled in our program, a care manager provided structured follow-up and a psychiatric consultant

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery held a public hearing on 14 bills focused on insurance, parity, opioids, behavioral health access, and mental health system reform. Chair Mindy Domb and Vice Chair Robyn Kennedy outlined hearing procedures and noted the committee would accept written testimony. The hearing featured testimony from legislators, providers, advocates, and behavioral health organizations, with most speakers urging favorable reports on the bills they addressed. A major topic was psychiatric collaborative care, including H. 222/S. 1390, which would raise reimbursement for collaborative care codes to at least Medicare levels and allow billing outside the MassHealth primary care subcapitation model. Supporters said the model improves access, outcomes, and cost savings by embedding behavioral health in primary care, and several witnesses described successful implementation in practices and schools. Committee members asked questions about how the model works, what specialties use it, barriers to adoption, and whether copays, deductibles, and subcapitation rules should be changed. Witnesses also supported related innovation legislation, including H. 2224, which would create a mental health innovation fund and support nontraditional trauma-healing approaches. Other bills discussed included H. 2212, which would require prescribers to discuss opioid and pain-medication risks, alternatives, and addiction/overdose concerns with patients or guardians; H. 2232 and H. 2233, which would address equitable payment and equitable access for behavioral health providers serving MassHealth patients; and S. 1406, which would add opioid maintenance treatment information to MassPAT and allow patient-authorized access to that information. Witnesses also strongly backed S. 1399, which would set targets to increase behavioral health spending within the overall health care cost benchmark, arguing that Massachusetts underinvests in behavioral health and that greater investment could reduce emergency, hospitalization, homelessness, and criminal justice costs. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded after testimony and committee questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're continuing to work that really hard. It's something we talk about all the time.
• Since 2023 and 2024, that decline has continued.
• The illicit market continues to operate in the state.
• And let's not forget hemp-derived intoxicants, often falsely labeled as legal cannabis, that continue
• We continue to work with the Office of the First Partner on the California Equal Pay Pledge and continuity

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I thank you for the opportunity to come and talk today and continue your discussion about how we
• So switching now to outcome, she's seen the number of folks who enrolled we have, you know, mainly in
• They are welcome to stay in the program and continue to work or if they leave, they can come back in
• And then we continue to train and get long going support for the professionals, both in the court and
• And then, of course, we continued trying and and provide consult consultation to our stakeholders as

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He continues to be a leader even, you know, after graduating from high school.
• Anthony Village is a single-A school with an enrollment of approximately 700 students.
• of just over school with an enrollment of just over 2200<00:55:58.720> students.
• about<01:07:02.319> other continue the discussion about other continue the discussion about
• We founded the Devon Jay Noring Foundation several years ago to continue our mission.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This conforms HB 75 to the enrolled version of SB 32, my cognate.
• Speaker, I move that the House postpone the special and continuing joint order relating to judicial elections
• delegate from Prince William, Delegate Maldonado, moves that the House postpone the special and continuing
• The House postpones the special and continuing joint order related to judicial elections until Friday

Keywords: March 11, 2026 - Regular Session Part 2, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On rows 29, 30, and 31, we continue adjustments to three financial aid programs based on enrollment projections
• Row 55 provides an increase for the workforce capitalization grants to continue building capacity for
• includes a workload increase to IFAS on row 75, funds the programs of strategic emphasis on row 78, and continues

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee met to release its fiscal year 2025-2026 budget recommendations. Chair Busata explained that the higher education budget recommendation totals $8.6 billion, which is $385 million, or 4%, below the current year, citing strong recent budget growth and projected future deficits as reasons for tighter spending. The chair also noted that the committee’s earlier meetings provided background on vocational rehabilitation, blind services, private colleges, student financial aid, workforce programs, and universities. The recommendation included increases for service provider rates in Vocational Rehabilitation, use of additional federal funds in Blind Services, an EASE grant increase for private colleges and universities, and adjustments to several student financial aid programs based on enrollment projections. It also moved the Open Door Grant Program from recurring to non-recurring funding, added modest increases for workforce education programs such as technical career education incentives, adult basic education, teacher apprenticeships, and workforce capitalization grants, and provided increases for the college system and state universities, including IFAS, strategic emphasis programs, performance funding, and faculty recruitment and retention. The chair also highlighted that the proposal includes recommended higher education member projects and outlined the next steps in the budget process, including compilation into a proposed committee bill, publication of the bill and related language, and consideration by the Budget Committee the following week. No votes were taken on the budget recommendation itself, and the meeting adjourned after a motion to rise without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:32.560> The debate continue beyond 1:50 p.m. The debate continue beyond 1:50 p.m.
• > fundraising,<00:35:12.320> over and grew enrollment, fundraising, over and grew enrollment
• This legislation step of enrollment.
• <07:24:07.920> to that prevented her from continuing to that prevented her from continuing
• All too often, it is continuing.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, April 7, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is about making sure we can continue to recruit and retain the qualified individuals who uphold the
• Well, be that as it may, evidently we need to continue to work on... ...more cases.
• Well, be that as it may, evidently we need to continue to work on addressing that as well.
• So what we're doing today, my bill includes the dual enrollment component.
• It continues on. Excuse me, Representative Mack? Yes. That's the next bill. Oh, I apologize.

Summary: The committee first considered House Bill 350, which would extend the grade levels at Ecole Pointe-au-Chien from fourth through eighth grade. The sponsor and several members emphasized the school’s importance to Terrebonne Parish, French immersion, and school choice. An amendment was adopted making the bill subject to appropriation, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. Members then approved House Bill 749, which authorizes the Louisiana Tuition Trust Authority to contract with a program manager for certain savings programs, including ABLE, START, and START K-12, in response to a prior cyber incident and to improve security and customer service. An amendment simplified the bill’s effective-date language so provisions would take effect upon execution of the contract. The bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee also advanced House Bill 979 to increase the survivor benefit for law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty from $250,000 to $350,000. Testimony from the governor’s office said the increase could be covered within existing appropriations and that the amount was consistent with inflation since the benefit was last set. The bill was reported favorably. Later, House Bill 42 creating a phased retirement option for public post-secondary employees in the Teachers’ Retirement System was reported favorably, and House Bill 205 to allow local clerks of court to supplement election commissioner pay by up to $100 per election was also reported favorably after extensive testimony about staffing shortages and stagnant pay. The committee additionally reported favorably House Bill 12 extending survivor benefits to reserve officers killed in the line of duty, and House Bill 324 on judicial salaries, after amending it to remove future COLA provisions and leave only the permanent stipend increase.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we really want to make sure that we continue to grow our space industry. They could do so.
• It is so important to me to continue to protect what we all love and live every single day and people
• It is so important to me to continue to protect what we all love and live every single day and people
• And so these are things that we're working on continuously.
• conversation as we continue through this budget process.

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee met to organize for the session, confirm a quorum, and hear introductory remarks from members about their districts and interests. Chair Esposito outlined the committee’s jurisdiction and budget overview, noting a total budget of about $7.2 billion, with major funding tied to the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Citrus. She also described major cost drivers such as Everglades restoration, water quality, resiliency, land acquisition, and rural family lands, and asked members to review agency requests in small groups later in the process. Agency leaders then presented budget and program updates. Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson emphasized department efficiency efforts, including IT modernization, staff reorganization, rural and family lands conservation, best management practices, Fresh From Florida marketing, hurricane recovery loans for farmers, and completion of the Connor Complex headquarters. DEP Secretary Alexis Lambert highlighted record investments in Everglades restoration, water quality projects, resilience grants, land acquisition, state parks, and enforcement. FWC Executive Director Roger Young discussed conservation research, fisheries and wildlife management, law enforcement, disaster response, and pressures from growth, boating, invasive species, and derelict vessels. Department of Citrus Executive Director Shannon Shep reviewed the industry’s decline due to hurricanes and citrus greening, current research and marketing efforts, and e-commerce campaigns to support Florida citrus sales. Members asked questions about citrus production declines, future replanting and therapies, rural family lands, PFOS cleanup, mangrove restoration, flooding and pump infrastructure, agricultural theft, and derelict vessel removal. Officials generally responded with updates, emphasized science-based management and enforcement, and in several cases said they would follow up with more detailed information later. No formal votes were taken; the meeting ended with the chair directing members to provide feedback on agencies for further budget review and then adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:07:08.240> of incentivizing the the continuation of incentivizing the the continuation
• So it's a continuation. Yeah, it's continuation. Okay. All right.
• Which is So it's a continuation. Yeah. Which is So it's a continuation. Yeah.
• Yes, it's continuation. Okay. Yes, it's continuation. Okay. All<01:10:09.440> right.
• success they've had and want to continue success they've had and want to continue that.<01:42:17.520

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first approved the minutes from its May 13 meeting. Members then reviewed a deferred contract with the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy for the Kentucky Pharmacist Recovery Network (KYPRN), a program that provides monitoring and support for pharmacists and pharmacy interns with substance abuse or mental health issues. Board representatives explained that the contract is a long-running arrangement, renewed periodically, with an option for two additional two-year renewals. Senators asked about the program’s structure, participation trends, follow-up, and consequences for noncompliance. The board said enrollment has remained fairly consistent at about 52 participants, with roughly 500 participants over the life of the program, weekly and monthly check-ins during the five-year typical enrollment period, and possible additional sanctions if participants fail to meet obligations. The committee then approved the contract. The committee next considered a group of economic development contracts, including items from the Cabinet for Economic Development. Secretary Jeff Null and general counsel Matt Wingate testified about contracts tied to regional innovation and entrepreneurship hubs. Members focused on the large differences in funding between regions and pressed for more support for rural and eastern Kentucky. Null said the cabinet is working on a more tailored, non-one-size-fits-all approach, including possible changes to capital support, build-to-suit options, and additional resources for rural areas. He said the hubs have helped 193 startups over the last two years and helped attract nearly $350 million in private capital, and he agreed to provide a written report by hub district on startup viability. The committee approved the economic development contracts. The Kentucky Lottery Corporation then presented its contracts with vendor IGT for retail and internet sales systems. Lottery officials said the contracts are mission-critical, cover both the traditional retail system and iLottery, and are structured as a percentage of sales so no payment is made until revenue is earned. They described planned equipment upgrades, including refreshed terminals, new ticket checkers, cashless vending and bill acceptors, and connected-play features that would link retail and online wallets. Officials said keeping the same vendor reduces the risk of business disruption and that the arrangement has already produced cost savings. They also said the lottery continues to see year-over-year growth and expects to meet its annual contribution target of $360 million for scholarships and grants. The committee approved the lottery contract after discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The roll call continues with members and representatives being called and responding present or here.
• The roll call continues with representatives being called and responding here or present.
• The roll call continues with additional representatives being called.
• Children enrolled through the waiver receive the full Medicaid package as well as EPSDT.
• ><01:08:25.359> receive<01:08:25.880> the enrolled through the waiver receive the enrolled

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to be a wide capable of there continues to be a wide range<01:26:26.440> of<01:26:26.679>
• <01:26:38.199> to communities most of them continue to communities most of them continue to
• They just, you know, they just want to continue, and their parents want to make sure that once their
• They just, you know, they just want to continue, and their parents want to make sure that once their
• I think access continues to go down.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . enrollment. enrollment.
• continue to rise. continue to rise.
• We cannot continue like this.
• We cannot continue like this.
• We cannot continue like this.

Keywords: 1189, house, all