Video & Transcript : 'disability support' :
Page 145 of 500
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We strongly support the bill. There was no opposition, so I appreciate it.
- We need to protect the disabled. We need to make sure that we protect the people.
- So, I would appreciate your support on this bill, and we will ask for your support.
- I appreciate the opportunity to speak in strong support of this bill.
- I respectfully urge your support for this bill. Thank you for your time.
Bills:
HB767 , HB 1242 , HB1373 , HB1404 , HB1708 , HB1936 , HB2041 , HB2198 , HB2270 , HB2315 , HB2415 , HB2427 , HB2455 , HB2457 , HB2522 , HB2523 , HB2686 , HB2763 , HB2775 , HB2944 , HB3034 , HB1683 , HB1695
Committee:
House Transportation
Keywords:
highway designation, memorial, Montgomery County, Paul P. Mendes, transportation, HB 1242, Texas Transportation Code, U.S. Highway 281, Brooks County, Ernesto Soliz Cantu, memorial highway, road naming, TxDOT, road signage, commemorative resolution, memorial markers, county road 304, Huppergate Road, Los Robles Trail, Farm-to-Market Road
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Revenue Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joint Committee on Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- We also wanted to take this opportunity to express our support for S. 285, filed by Senator Tar. ...support
- 3159, an act supporting family caregivers.
- I'm here to voice strong support for House Bill 3159 and Senate Bill 1938, an act supporting family caregivers
- It is supported importantly by AARP, Mass Aging Access, and many aging and disability advocates.
- So we are very, very much in support of the legislation. much in support of the legislation we there
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Revenue
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing focused largely on tax-credit proposals tied to children, families, caregivers, child care, health care workforce development, and public health. A major portion of the hearing concerned bills to expand the state earned income tax credit and child and family tax credit, including H. 3073/S. 1957 and S. 1975. Testimony from advocacy groups, legal services, tax assistance organizations, and health providers supported increasing the EITC match from 40% to 50% of the federal credit, expanding eligibility to immigrant and mixed-status ITIN filers, larger families, younger and older workers, and SSI recipients, and raising the child and family tax credit to $600 per child with inflation adjustments and possible advance payments. Witnesses said these changes would reduce poverty, improve health and educational outcomes, and help families meet basic expenses; committee members asked questions about ITIN filers and expressed support for the policy goals.
The committee also heard extensive testimony on S. 1938/H. 3159, An Act Supporting Family Caregivers. Speakers described the scale of unpaid caregiving in Massachusetts and supported a package that would create a refundable tax credit, respite vouchers, workplace and housing protections, unemployment insurance access for those who leave work to care for relatives, a permanent advisory council, and a provision allowing spouses to be paid caregivers under MassHealth. Several witnesses shared personal caregiving experiences, and committee members responded favorably, noting the emotional and financial strain on caregivers and the importance of supporting them as Medicaid and long-term care systems face pressure.
Additional bills discussed included H. 3174 on a child and dependent care tax credit, which was presented as a way to offset the high cost of child care; H. 3197/S. 2019 to improve the financial security of family child care providers through a tax credit; H. 3218/S. 1960 to create tax credits for health care preceptors to address workforce shortages; S. 2064 to establish a living organ donor tax credit; S. 2034 to promote healthy alternatives to sugary drinks through a tiered tax; H. 3015 to create a tax-return checkoff for the YMCA Youth and Government Program; and several public testimony ideas including vaccination, literacy, and grade-improvement tax credits. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing, which ended after all testimony was heard.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- And I'm asking for your support. Thank you.
- And with that, I will be supporting the bill.
- Christine Smith, Halbach's California, in support. Thank you. strong support. Thank you.
- Association, in support.
- That support is bipartisan, as I mentioned.
Committee:
House Health
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Mar 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Services include things such as meals, transportation, caregiver support, and respite.
- This time we're looking at the Division of Indirect Support Services.
- Indirect support services provides policy direction, administrative leadership, and management support
- And expenses isolated from the rest of the programs in indirect support services.
- Add $106,900 to support Idaho orchestrating nuclear.
Summary:
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee considered several Department of Health and Welfare budgets and related language items. For the Commission on Aging, the committee first rejected an ongoing $129,900 general fund restoration for senior nutrition, then approved the same amount as a one-time restoration for Meals on Wheels. The Division of Welfare budget was then approved with adjustments for the SNAP federal-state cost split, Medicaid expansion work requirements, and Medicaid eligibility system changes; members discussed the growing state share of federal program costs and the need to implement legislative eligibility requirements.
The committee also approved the Indirect Support Services budget, including a budget-neutral fund source change for the background check unit, replacement items, IT modernization and consolidation funding, and a reduction tied to Senate Bill 1314. It then approved a one-time $77,100 restoration for Mental Health Services, with supporters citing staffing needs for designated examiners and children’s mental health services. In addition, the committee adopted transfer-limitation exemption language for selected Health and Welfare divisions, after a substitute motion narrowed the exemption to Youth Safety and Permanency and Licensing and Certification.
For Independent Councils, the committee approved a $60,000 ongoing general fund restoration for the Domestic Violence Council. It also adopted revised Idaho Child Care Program Capacity Grant language for Early Learning and Development after discussion about clarifying terms such as “under investigation,” “out-of-school care,” and “qualifying providers,” and then withdrew the earlier version of that language. Finally, the committee approved the new Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination budget to consolidate the former species conservation and energy/mineral offices, including funding for nuclear coordination, fisheries projects, and energy resiliency grants. The meeting ended with adjournment to the call of the chair, and one House Appropriations item was announced for the following day.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Jan 20th, 2026
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- We have Barney Bishop, Florida Smart Justice Alliance, waving in support.
- Barney Bishop, Florida Smart Justice Alliance, waiving in support.
- Barney Bishop is speaking for... okay, I guess he's waving in support.
- youth, youth by terrorizing the adults who support them.
- And with that, I would ask for your favorable support.
Committee:
Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
Keywords:
child welfare, psychotropic medication, Department of Children and Families, community-based care, liability insurance, forensic services, defendants, mental health, judicial system, defense, legal definitions, minors, healthcare, parental rights, criminal penalties, civil action, sex-reassignment, investigations, economic damages
Summary:
The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs considered four bills and reported each favorably. SB 590, by Senator Bradley, would toll the statute of limitations for failure by mandatory reporters to report suspected child abuse until the offense is known to law enforcement; an amendment made the change retroactive for offenses not already time-barred by the bill’s effective date. Senator Bradley said the bill is intended to ensure accountability in institutional abuse cases, and it passed unanimously. SB 778, by Senator Simon, updates the definition of forensic client so certain defendants with intellectual disabilities or autism whose charges were dismissed for incompetency can be housed in the same secure setting as other Chapter 916 residents, reducing duplicative staffing and costs; it also passed unanimously.
The committee then took up SB 560, by Senator Garcia, which streamlines psychotropic medication procedures for children in DCF custody, reduces duplicative reports and background checks, and simplifies consent documentation. Amendments removed language allowing certain social workers and marriage and family therapists to serve as evaluators and narrowed changes to the Road to Independence Program’s post-secondary education services and support, while extending eligibility ages from 18-23 to 18-26 with a five-year maximum benefit period. Senator Garcia and supporters said the bill improves continuity of care and support for foster youth; Senator Harrell raised fiscal concerns about the education stipend expansion. The bill was reported favorably, and Chair Grall later recorded her vote in the affirmative.
Finally, the committee heard SB 1010, by Senator Yarbrough, which strengthens enforcement of Florida’s existing prohibitions on sex reassignment prescriptions and procedures for minors and adds civil and criminal penalties, including Attorney General enforcement authority and damages for injured minors. An amendment clarified that the cause of action applies only to minors and that damages benefit the affected minor. The bill drew extensive public testimony, with supporters arguing it protects children and parental rights, and opponents warning it would chill medical care, school conversations, and access to support for transgender youth. Senators Harrell and Sharief expressed concerns about breadth, standing, and impacts on therapists, teachers, and confidential conversations; Sharief voted no while the rest of the committee voted yes, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (01/23/2026)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><01:24:42.239><c> In</c> disability of a mental illness. In disability of a mental illness.
- </c> that, I I cannot support this bill. that, I I cannot support this bill.
- Um, I will be supporting the ITL motion as I can't support this bill as written.
- So, as is, I can't support it.
- </c> support it. support it. >> Thank<04:25:44.479><c> you.
Committee:
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 03/14/25
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> reading center learning disabilities reading center learning disabilities Association<00:03:17.879
- </c><00:04:04.040><c> and</c> most common learning disabilities and most common learning disabilities
- So if you want to support local entities, if you want to support the profession, if you want to make
- So if you want to support local entities, if you want to support the profession, if you want to make
- </c><00:35:50.119><c> on</c> appreciate the bipartisan support on appreciate the bipartisan support on
Committee:
Senate State and Local Government
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
JLARC – Joint Legislative Audit & Review Committee Dec 3rd, 2025 at 10:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- As was pointed out earlier, we believe that clarity would ultimately support the department's efforts
- Ongoing strategies and initiatives that will support continued success are the implementation of our
- Currently, the department does not have the resources to validate, analyze, or support the expansive
- Oh, excuse me—disabled veteran adaptive. I'm sorry, I'm jumping ahead.
- Once a disabled veteran or service member receives one of the grants and pays sales tax, Once a disabled
Summary:
JLARC met on December 3, 2025, with a quorum present and approved the September 17 minutes. The committee first voted to suspend the 2026 lodging tax expenditure report for one year, citing the report’s self-reported nature, limited use, and the availability of State Auditor accountability audits; members also discussed introducing legislation to remove the biennial report from statute. JLARC then approved renaming its I-900 subcommittee to the “Committee to Hear SAO Performance Audits,” while keeping the opening script that explains the committee’s work stems from Initiative 900.
The committee then heard follow-up presentations on the Department of Health’s hospital oversight audit and the Liquor and Cannabis Board’s cannabis market study. JLARC staff reiterated that DOH was late on most hospital inspections, could not verify third-party inspection standards, did not review adverse event reports, and had limited public accessibility for hospital data. DOH presented a draft strategic management plan with goals to improve inspection timeliness, accreditation oversight, complaint access in preferred languages, adverse event analysis, and data reporting; it said it had improved on-time inspections from 28% to 49% and planned updates in 2026, but members pressed for firmer deadlines and expressed concern that language-access improvements could take too long. LCB staff said its current cannabis tracking system remains limited because it is self-reported, but the agency has improved processing and is seeking about $9 million over two biennia for a new traceability system; members asked about plant tagging, staffing, and whether the system would improve revenue and oversight.
JLARC staff also briefed the committee on follow-up tools for tracking audit recommendations, including a new “resolved/not yet resolved” framework and improved web dashboards and landing pages. The committee then received the annual public records reporting summary, which showed 236 of more than 2,300 agencies reported, with about 484,000 requests received, 465,000 closed, and $127 million spent fulfilling requests; staff said they are working with OFM and others to simplify some reporting guidance for 2025. Finally, the committee adopted the proposed final report on the Office of Privacy and Data Protection, which found OPDP meets statutory responsibilities but should have its mandate updated and its performance measures better tied to outcomes. The meeting ended with the start of the 2025 tax preference performance reviews, covering several preferences including natural gas transportation fuel, travel agents and tour operators, nonprofit low-income housing development, multi-purpose senior centers, disabled veteran adapted housing, trade convention attendance, and several agricultural-related preferences; staff summarized whether each preference met its objective and noted where the Citizens Commission on Tax Preferences endorsed or commented on JLARC’s recommendations.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-06-02 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- advocacy, the disability advocacy, cutting these services to these families, the disability advocacy
- I would definitely be supporting it, just like I support firefighters in my word indeed. Thank you.
- Supporting our seniors is just not a moral obligation.
- Republicans don't have a monopoly on supporting veterans.
- Democrats don't have a monopoly on supporting veterans.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development - 02/10/2026
Housing, Construction, and Community Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Malik Darry, Kristen DeSosa, Eva Lynch, and Caitlin White, of our very extensive team of staff and support
- Malik Darry, Kristen DeSosa, Eva Lynch, and Caitlin White, of our very extensive team of staff and support
- Caitlin White, of our very extensive team of staff and support here.
- Chairman, I sponsor a very similar bill and appreciate the bipartisan support for this.
- by Senator McClure, an act to amend the General Business Law in relation to senior citizens and disabled
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development met on February 10 and reviewed a largely recurring housing agenda, with the chair noting the meeting had been moved to Tuesday because of train delays and that a housing budget hearing was scheduled for February 25. Several bills were taken up that had passed the Senate in prior sessions or had been reported before, including measures on manufactured home park rent increases, first-home savings and grant programs, a mobile/manufactured home replacement program, closing-cost assistance for low-income tenants, protections against eviction for certified medical marijuana use, senior and disabled persons protections, fire code and housing standard penalties, a Manufactured Home Community Preservation Act, a public housing painters apprenticeship program, veterans with service-related disabilities receiving preferences in affordable homeownership programs, and a senior housing task force. One bill on an affordable independent senior housing assistance program was held at the sponsor’s request.
Testimony and discussion were limited, with most bills moving on sponsor motions and seconded by other senators. There was brief clarification on the closing-cost assistance bill that it was intended for renters in public or subsidized housing, not people living with parents. Senators generally supported the measures, though some members voted in the negative or to advance without recommendation on several bills.
Actions taken included reporting multiple bills either to the floor or to the Finance Committee. Among those reported to the floor were the manufactured home park rent bill, the medical marijuana eviction protection bill, the senior/disabled persons bill, the fire code and housing standards penalties bill, the veterans homeownership preference bill, and the senior housing task force bill. Bills on first-home savings, manufactured home replacement, closing-cost assistance, the first-home grant program, the Manufactured Home Community Preservation Act, and the public housing painters apprenticeship program were reported to the Finance Committee. The committee then adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
Transcript Highlights:
- We urge you to support this vital change.
- I'm also here in support of Senate Bill 145, an act relative to supporting survivors of domestic violence
- I'm here today in strong support.
- I'll also just offer at this time, I know you have to combine your support, that we also support Senate
- who do not support abortion.
Summary:
The committee hearing covered a wide range of child welfare, family support, and human services bills. Testimony strongly supported a guaranteed cash stipend for young adults aging out of foster care (S.161), with the Attorney General’s Office, youth advocates, and foster care providers describing high rates of homelessness and poverty after exit from care. Providers also urged action on a resolve to study the foster care liability insurance crisis (H.197/S.1280), saying premiums and coverage losses are forcing program cutbacks and could reduce foster care capacity statewide. Another major topic was a direct care worker medication administration program registry (H.237/S.162), which supporters said would help recruit and train workers, especially bilingual staff, to address workforce shortages in human services.
Several bills focused on child protection and child welfare system practices. Supporters of H.267/S.145 called for advance notice to children’s attorneys when placements or other major events change, arguing that timely communication is essential to prevent unnecessary disruption and improve advocacy. Testimony also backed legislation to formally recognize and strengthen children’s advocacy centers and the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance (H.233/S.112), with prosecutors and CAC leaders describing the trauma-informed model as a longstanding, effective response to child abuse and trafficking. A bill to establish a Massachusetts children’s cabinet (S.115) drew support from advocates who said cross-agency coordination is needed to align policy and funding for children’s well-being.
The committee also heard testimony on bills addressing safety, equity, and family support. Senator Lovely and survivors supported S.152, which would create a civil cause of action for sexual abuse by adults in positions of authority or trust, with witnesses describing grooming and power imbalances in schools and youth-serving settings. H.274, a bill of rights for people experiencing homelessness, was supported by advocates who said it would add anti-discrimination protections and voting and privacy rights amid rising criminalization of homelessness. H.272/S.171 to protect maternal health received support from Rep. Montaño, MLRI, and a physician, who said the bills would make cash assistance available earlier in pregnancy and remove the medical-verification barrier. H.4216 on equitable hair care for children in state custody was supported by social workers and advocates who said hair care is tied to identity, dignity, and mental health. H.255 on empowering early educators drew testimony about barriers faced by renters and condo owners trying to open home-based child care programs. H.217, concerning resources and support for pregnant and parenting families, drew testimony from anti-abortion pregnancy resource center advocates. No votes were taken during the hearing, and several bills had no one signed up to testify or were deferred when witnesses were unavailable.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 03/12/25
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- A few years ago, with your support, Mr.
- </c><00:03:31.799><c> Mr</c> a few years ago with your support Mr a few years ago with your support Mr
- </c><00:10:36.600><c> this</c> in um well I urge you to support this in um well I urge you to support
- </c><00:51:59.680><c> the</c> that would specifically support the that would specifically support the
- </c> um I would hope that you would support um I would hope that you would support the<01:23:09.639><
Committee:
Senate Jobs and Economic Development
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill creates prosperity to support areas.
- I rise in support of this amendment.
- Talking about supporting agriculture, talking about supporting agriculture, local agriculture, I was
- This came to us with the help of Disability Rights Florida with support of the FSU other law clinic,
- By supporting HB 447, we ensure that students across Florida gain a different understanding of disabilities
Bills:
HB 118 , HB 388 , HB 114 , HB 205 , HB 2789 , HB 2791 , HB 499 , HB 2960 , HB 3163 , HB 3135 , HB 2427 , HB 1618 , HB 1672 , HB 1722 , HB 1338 , HB 787 , HB 2618 , HB 879 , HB 1126 , HB 4134 , HB 3513 , HB 718 , HB 1536 , HB 1445 , HB 1640 , HB 1893 , HB 1734 , HB 3229 , HB 3306 , HB 1276 , HB 3272 , HB 3276 , HB 3516 , HB 4145 , HB 1585 , HB 4810 , HB 2989 , HB 2558 , HB 3014 , HB 2742 , HB 1695 , HB 29 , HB 125 , HB 145 , HB 171 , HB 255 , HB 50 , HB 363 , HB 116 , HB 491 , HB 1495 , HB 368 , HB 1285 , HB 1905 , HB 2002 , HB 917 , HB 2723 , HB 2067 , HB 1238 , HB 745 , HB 1188 , HB 1606 , HB 2003 , HB 2147 , HB 2355 , HB 2546 , HB 2495 , HB 2818 , HB 2249 , HB 3228 , HB 3240 , HB 1507 , HB 658 , HB 1748 , HB 1851 , HB 1922 , HB 2798 , HB 107 , HB 1587 , HB 3684 , HB 118 , HB 388 , HB 114 , HB 205 , HB 2789 , HB 2791 , HB 499 , HB 2960 , HB 3163 , HB 3135 , HB 2427 , HB 1618 , HB 1672 , HB 1722 , HB 1338 , HB 787 , HB 2618 , HB 879 , HB 1126 , HB 4134 , HB 3513 , HB 718 , HB 1536 , HB 1445 , HB 1640 , HB 1893 , HB 1734 , HB 3229 , HB 3306 , HB 1276 , HB 3272 , HB 3276 , HB 3516 , HB 4145 , HB 1585 , HB 4810 , HB 2989 , HB 2558 , HB 3014 , HB 2742 , HB 1695 , HB 609 , HB 630 , HB 420 , HB 767 , HB 1708 , HB 1404 , HB 2457 , HB 140 , HB 227 , HB 913 , HB 2198 , HB 2763 , HB 1261 , HB 1135 , HB 1318 , HB 2358 , HB 2765 , HB 2735 , HB 3307 , HB 1242 , HB 2842 , HB 333 , HB 201 , HB 694 , HB 2415 , HB 155 , HB 272 , HB 405 , HB 519 , HB 1136 , HB 1275 , HB 1437 , HB 1532 , HB 1675 , HB 1868 , HB 1888 , HB 1990 , HB 2286 , HB 2523 , HB 3129 , HB 3251 , HB 3354 , HB 3479 , HB 3803 , HB 3804 , HB 3805 , HB 3806 , HB 3887 , HB 4163 , HB 4238 , HB 1240 , HB 1842 , HB 2029 , HB 2622 , HB 3255 , HB 654 , HB 4643 , HB 4945 , HB 3611 , HB 3724 , HB 3623 , HB 3810 , HB 4127 , HCR 78 , HCR 12 , SB 767
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 29th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I rise in support of SB 170.
- I rise in support of SB 177.
- The bill received broad bipartisan support and enthusiastic support of our Governor.
- The bill received broad bipartisan support and enthusiastic support of our governor.
- I rise in support of SB 163.
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then moved through a largely procedural session with several unanimous-consent motions, guest introductions, and budget-related trailer bills. Members also adopted resolutions recognizing June as Dairy Month and June 2026 as Electronic Dance Music Month, and later approved H.R. 88 commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Guest introductions highlighted the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Kappa League, Assembly staff member Mukhtar Ali, and Jennifer Levy, who is advocating against drunk driving after the death of her son.
On the floor, the Assembly considered a series of Senate budget trailer bills presented by Assembly Member Gabriel. SB 170 reorganizes housing and homelessness agencies; SB 171 makes labor-related cleanup changes; SB 172 addresses general government, broadband, and NextGen 9-1-1; SB 174 extends remote court hearings and related court provisions; SB 177 advances options related to Medi-Cal and employer contributions; SB 180 extends the California Competes tax credit and conforms tax treatment for certain savings accounts; SB 169 covers transportation and DMV-related provisions; SB 168 creates a zero-emission vehicle incentive program and other clean-energy changes; SB 166 implements natural resources and environmental protection budget items; SB 165 extends the skilled nursing facility financing framework; SB 163 updates developmental services; and SB 135 funds higher education initiatives, including community college enrollment and Cal Grant changes. Most of these measures passed with bipartisan support, though several drew opposition over concerns about bureaucracy, fees, oversight, or policy direction.
The Assembly also passed SB 719, which updates vehicle-related protections for domestic violence survivors, SB 97, an urgency bill making clarifying changes to digital financial asset law, SB 1350, which supports hydrogen and clean energy development, and SB 1344, which aims to reduce meritless lawsuits delaying affordable and supportive housing projects. AB 182, which sets the order for proposition numbers on the November ballot, was approved despite criticism that it manipulates the ballot numbering process. Votes on the measures were recorded, with many passing on strong margins and several transmitted immediately to the Senate or Governor as noted in the proceedings.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee to Hear SAO Performance Audits Jul 15th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Home care aides support people who need extended care due to age or disability in many different settings
- Home care aides support people who need extended care due to age or disability in many different settings
- We observed that New York had the most workers per disabled person, while Alabama had the fewest.
- When clients qualify for Medicaid long-term services and supports, DSHS case managers assess clients'
- The Department of Health continues to work with the SEIU 775 training partnership to support them also
Summary:
The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee held a public hearing on the State Auditor’s Office performance audit of Washington’s Restoring Quality Home Care Initiative (I-1163). Auditors said the initiative’s background checks and 75-hour training requirement are widely viewed as safety measures, but the state lacks pre-2011 data to directly measure safety outcomes. They also found Washington’s long-term care workforce is still short, though the state ranks better than many others in workers per disabled person, and that some groups and regions have larger gaps between authorized and actually used Medicaid care hours, suggesting access problems for certain clients.
The audit focused heavily on the certification process for home care aides. Auditors reported that many applicants never finish certification, that the process often exceeds the 200-day legal deadline, and that delays can cause lost income, job loss, and in some cases repeated employer changes that allow aides to keep working without becoming certified. They recommended that the Department of Health accept applications only after training and testing are completed, move testing into training programs more broadly, and eliminate redundant DOH verification of FBI background checks. Committee members asked about testing contract incentives, language access, and the role of immigration in workforce shortages; auditors said they found no financial performance standards in the Prometric contract, did not specifically study immigration status, and did not focus on language barriers in this audit.
Department of Health and Department of Social and Health Services officials largely agreed with the audit’s findings and recommendations. They said they have already made improvements, including expanded in-program testing, more staffing, and rule changes, and that testing has been integrated into more than 110 training programs. DSHS noted testing is offered in 13 languages. Both agencies said they support further streamlining and expect continued collaboration, including possible budget or legislative requests. No public testimony was offered, and the committee adjourned without taking any vote or formal action on the audit.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, December 4, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Our bipartisan bill supports need it.
- </c> educating students with disabilities. educating students with disabilities.
- </c> there's no credible evidence to support there's no credible evidence to support the<00:41:30.800
- </c> support of these bills. I yield back. support of these bills. I yield back.
- </c> the infrastructure that supports the infrastructure that supports businesses<02:45:02.880><c> is
Keywords:
Seattle Seahawks, Super Bowl, MVP, football, victory, sports, community, Olympics, Paralympics, Team USA, 2026 Games, Athletics, International competition, Sportsmanship, Unity
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 7 on Accountability and Oversight Jan 28th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I've been able to do that with the support of child care and CalWORKs.
- And I want to ask all of you to support us.
- We’ve supported. We’ve sent the referrals. We’ve brought the speech therapist.
- That is housing support.
- Thank you very much for focusing on children with disabilities.
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing on the Trump administration’s freeze of federal child care and social services funding and its potential impact on California. The chair opened by emphasizing that child care is economic infrastructure and warning that the freeze could destabilize California’s $10 billion child care system. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Department of Social Services explained that California child care programs rely on roughly $1.4 billion in federal CCDF and TANF funds, which are blended with state dollars and support hundreds of thousands of children and families. CDSS said the state and four other Democratic-led states quickly sued, obtaining a temporary restraining order that has kept the funds flowing for now.
Witnesses including Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, child care provider Amisha Griffin, and parent advocate Mara Linda Bustamante described the practical consequences of a funding interruption: providers could lose reimbursement, close centers, cut enrollment, or lay off staff; parents could lose child care, jobs, or school opportunities; and counties could not backfill the lost federal dollars. Several speakers stressed that child care centers also provide wraparound supports such as nutrition, developmental screening, and referrals, especially in rural and low-income communities. Mitchell and others argued that the freeze would worsen child care deserts and disproportionately harm women, single parents, and communities of color.
Members repeatedly challenged the federal rationale of “waste, fraud, and abuse,” asking for oversight details. CDSS said providers face extensive audits, fraud policies, monitoring, and recoupment procedures, and that identified fraud amounts to about $7 million over two years compared with roughly $6.5 billion in annual child care spending. Several members said the fraud rate is under 1 percent and criticized the freeze as politically motivated and illegal. They also discussed the need for a state “bridge plan” to protect families if federal funds remain disrupted, and some members referenced prior legislation to modernize CalWORKs and child care eligibility.
During public comment, parents, providers, county representatives, and advocacy groups echoed the same concerns, citing waiting lists, workforce losses, and the risk of families falling back into homelessness or poverty. No formal vote was taken; the hearing concluded with broad bipartisan expressions of support for child care funding and a commitment to continue working on state protections and federal advocacy.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm here in support of this bill.
- So that's why I'm in support of this bill.
- Fund and support pregnancy resource centers that help promote and grow ...fund and support pregnancy
- It also helps with disabilities.
- Elderly and Physically Disabled Provider Alliance, EPD, elderly and physically disabled in the home and
Bills:
HB2211 , HB2229 , HB2389 , HB2403 , HB2445 , HB2502 , HB2620 , HB2813 , HB2872 , HB2889 , HB2960 , HB4028 , HCR2007
Keywords:
contractors, subcontractors, resident preference, public contracts, materials supply, Arizona Revised Statutes, local businesses, pregnancy resource center, pregnancy center, crisis pregnancy center, DHS, Arizona Department of Health Services, state appropriation, general fund, nonprofit grant, women's health, maternal health, reproductive health, abortion funding, pro-life
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- I rise in support of the amendment.
- It does make it easier for folks who are applying for a tax exemption due to a disability.
- The bill allows a person to use the Social Security... ...exemption due to a disability.
- And therefore, it could bias voters against supporting the school bonds.
- And given that our voters against supporting the school bonds.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and a light April Fools proclamation directing the sergeant-at-arms to wear a silk top hat for the day. The chamber then agreed to the House request to adjourn from April 2 to April 7, and messages from the House were received, including transmission of some bills to the Governor. The body also briefly recognized visitors from the Arizona Psychiatric Society and the nominee to lead the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs.
In Committee of the Whole, the Senate considered several bills. On the first calendar, it advanced HB 2120 on property tax exemptions and disability determinations, HB 2174 on insurance business and modeling data, HB 2289 on truth-in-taxation bond notices, HB 2861 on marital/postnuptial agreements, and HB 2903 on banks and financial institutions. On the second calendar, it advanced HB 208 on school libraries, HB 2040 on public educational institutions and adoption information, HB 2075 on school employee contracts, HB 2203 on public school reporting requirements, HB 2255 on school employee training, HB 2383 on school property leases and housing development, and HB 2903 again as amended. Several floor amendments were debated, including a successful hostile amendment to HB 2075 that was later rejected, and committee amendments to other bills were adopted.
The Senate then took third-reading votes on multiple bills. HB 257, HB 2131, HB 2223, HB 2264, HB 2857, HB 2120, HB 2174, HB 2289, HB 2861, HB 2903, HB 2008, HB 2040, HB 2075, HB 2203, HB 2255, and HB 2383 all passed, with recorded roll-call votes and several members explaining their opposition or support. HB 2255 passed with the required three-quarters vote. The chamber also adopted the Committee of the Whole reports and transmitted the bills as appropriate.
Before adjournment, Senator Miranda read a proclamation recognizing Farm Workers Day, and Senator Tothley offered a statement and moment of silence in memory of Passion Swartz, urging review of turquoise alert practices. The Senate then voted to adjourn until Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 10 a.m.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- And, Senators, I urge your support for this memorial.
- And, Senators, I urge your support for this memorial. Don't get me wrong.
- And, Senators, I urge your support for this memorial.
- A roll call has been requested and not supported. Sir, further debate. Mr. President.
- And as far as the Disabilities Education Act, it's something that we cannot opt out of.