Transcript Highlights:

• All right, so welcome to the Aging and Independence slash Elder Affairs Committee hearing.
• All right, thank you very much. Appreciate it. All right. Thank you very much. Appreciate it.
• Here, oh yeah, right. All right, next panel.
• All right, thank you very much. Thank you all for your time.
• All right. So this is Malani Gomez. She is my youngest daughter.

Summary: The Aging and Independence/Elder Affairs Committee heard testimony on several bills, with the main focus on H.769/S.468, an act to improve care and prepare for the new era of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Legislators and advocates described the bill’s provisions, including expanded dementia training for first responders, a dementia services coordinator/director in state government, improved hospital discharge and caregiver access protections, dementia care coordination benefits for certain MassHealth members, public awareness and data collection requirements, and expanded support for geriatric workforce recruitment. Representative Danielle Gregoire and Senator Gomez framed the measure as a zero-cost, bipartisan continuation of the 2018 Alzheimer’s and Dementia Act, while the Alzheimer’s Association, Boston Public Health Commission, police representatives, clinicians, and family caregivers all testified in support, emphasizing public health needs, early diagnosis, caregiver involvement, and safer emergency and hospital care. The committee also heard testimony on H.796/S.476, which would establish an Office of Older Adult Advocate and a special commission on a statewide long-term services and supports benefit program. Representative Steve Ultrino supported an independent older adult advocate to help navigate fragmented state services and improve constituent services, while committee members asked about funding and the office’s relationship to existing secretariats. On the long-term care commission bill, NAFA Massachusetts and LeadingAge Massachusetts supported creating a stakeholder commission to review actuarial findings and explore public-private financing options for long-term care, stressing that neither public nor private coverage alone is sufficient and that middle-income families need more planning tools and options. The committee also took testimony on H.786/S.466, a bill to protect vulnerable elders by expanding the Executive Office of Elder Affairs’ authority to investigate abuse or neglect in non-traditional custodial settings such as prisons, jails, shelters, group homes, and certain treatment facilities. Prisoners Legal Services said the bill would close a jurisdictional gap that leaves some older adults without an investigative agency once they age out of DPPC coverage. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also want to thank the Arc of Massachusetts and the disability community for weighing in.
• This is not right. We know this, and this bill fixes that.
• And a broad range of coalition advocates serving people with disabilities and older adults.
• Compiling this report will require experts to get to the table to develop the right response.
• Compiling this report will require experts to get to the table to develop the right response.

Summary: The Senate took up a series of local and statewide measures, including bills on parking fines in Scituate, a conservation restriction in Middleton, park and field dedications in Boston, toxic-free medical devices, a regional school district vote, and several local personnel and land-use matters. It also approved or engrossed bills concerning the Dalton Fire District, fire and police employment in Conway, reclassifying Beverly fire alarm operators, a Waitley Water District dissolution, a Dighton conservation land/public way issue, Milton liquor licenses, Billerica bike path land transfer, and an easement exchange involving Eversource. Several of these were advanced by suspending rules, ordering third readings, or concurring in House amendments; the Senate also accepted a committee report consolidating S. 545 with H. 899 and passed the consolidated park-dedication bill to engrossment. A major focus was the bill requiring health care employers to develop and implement workplace violence prevention programs. Senators and sponsors described the measure as a compromise aimed at protecting health care workers through annual risk assessments, prevention plans, paid leave, reporting requirements, privacy protections, and a narrow warrantless-arrest provision for assaults on health care workers. The Senate adopted a number of amendments, including changes to employee definitions, complaint protections, disfigurement language, paid leave coverage, federally qualified health center exemptions, de-escalation and community-based response language, mental health treatment coverage, and a one-year pause for certain DDS-related provisions. Some proposed amendments were adopted, while others were rejected or withdrawn, and the bill was ultimately ordered to third reading and passed to be engrossed. The Senate also considered the home care and long-term services bill, with members emphasizing home care licensure, oversight, and planning for long-term care financing. Amendments added or modified provisions related to home care training, evacuation procedures, minority-party representation on commissions, MassPACE participation, and representation for people living with dementia; one amendment on family caregiving was withdrawn after discussion. The chamber likewise advanced an economic development bond and appropriation package through a Ways and Means substitute and adopted a conference committee process on a separate energy affordability bill after the House disagreed with the Senate’s version. The session included ceremonial moments honoring guests and memorializing Jane Yolen and Charlene M. Naylor, and it ended with the Senate adjourning to meet again the following Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right.
• Right.
• Right? That's number one. Right.
• </c><02:34:35.680><c> disability</c><02:34:36.760><c> retirement,</c> for a dis disable disability retirement
• , for a dis disable disability retirement, a<02:34:38.000><c> straight</c><02:34:38.319><c> disability

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, all those in favor, say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion prevails.
• Like Representative Carney says, I am a 100% disabled American veteran.
• Okay, all right, explain your bill and we will go through the amendment. Amendment.
• And he was 14, that gentleman right there.
• Where I work right now, I am the only African-American male psychologist there.

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• We can't do can't say it enough, right?
• ,</c><00:05:06.960><c> balancing</c> for people with disabilities, balancing for people with disabilities
• Reproductive rights. Protect immigrants. Stand up for them.
• Reproductive rights. Protect immigrants. Stand up for them.
• We have to respect voting rights.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, 10 o'clock, let's get this started.
• Armed Forces who has a disability rating of 30% or more and is an Arizona resident or was stationed in
• Armed Forces who has a disability rating of 30% or more and is an Arizona resident or was stationed in
• All right, seeing none, HB 4064, please.
• Right now, they're being utilized as a medical transport for individuals that have been petitioned by

Summary: The meeting was a caucus-style review of two packets of bills, with staff reading summaries and members briefly explaining several measures. Topics included appropriations for pregnancy resource centers, home- and community-based services for the elderly and people with disabilities, veteran specialty courts, child care grants and infrastructure, language acquisition services for deaf or hard-of-hearing infants and toddlers, ambulance service regulation, short-term rental rules, tourism improvement areas, manufactured home installer licensure, CPR/AED training in schools, veterans’ park fee exemptions, and multiple child welfare and family-court bills. Several Senate bills were also reviewed, including optometry standards, behavior analyst licensure transfer, virtual mental health hearings, and assisted-living residency rules. Members speaking for bills emphasized themes such as supporting aging in place, improving rural ambulance access and reporting, protecting children in DCS cases, preventing poverty alone from being treated as neglect, and expanding access to health screenings and services. Other sponsors described measures to help veterans, strengthen school safety, and create local funding or improvement mechanisms for tourism and child care. Some bills were described as technical or administrative changes, such as post-nuptial agreement rules, tax lien procedures, and local government contract posting requirements. No formal votes were taken in the transcript excerpt, but many bills were noted as being on the consent calendar or third-read consent calendar, while a few had been removed from consent or were not yet on a calendar. The meeting concluded after the final bill on the second packet, HB 4025, was summarized as creating a study committee on gasoline and petroleum refinery feasibility.

Transcript Highlights:

• We did also have written testimony in support from the Hawaii Disability Rights Center.
• We did also have written testimony in support from the Hawaii Disability Rights Center. Thank you.
• </c><00:15:47.040><c> rights</c><00:15:47.360><c> Center</c> the Hawaii disability rights Center the
• Hawaii disability rights Center thank<00:15:48.480><c> you</c><00:15:48.720><c> anyone</c><00:15:48.959
• right right now we're time I agree all right right now we're just<00:57:47.280><c> trying</c><00:57:47.440

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The joint Committee on Education and Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs heard Senate Bill 422, which would authorize the Department of Education to award a high school diploma to qualified people whose schooling was interrupted by military service or wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. The Department of Education testified in support, noting a prior law that created the Kono diploma program before it sunset in 2020. Several members of the public also testified in support. Both committees later recommended passage of SB 422 without amendments, and the recommendation was adopted by voice votes. The committees then heard Senate Bill 530 on Braille literacy. The bill would establish Braille literacy as state policy, require Braille-related literacy assessments for eligible blind and low-vision students, authorize DOE rulemaking, create a Braille Literacy Resource Center, and appropriate funds. DOE and the Department of Human Services supported the measure, as did the National Federation of the Blind, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and a blind testifier who described the importance of early Braille instruction. The Attorney General’s office raised concerns about statutory language requiring yearly assessments and suggested revisions so annual decisions remain with IEP teams. The committees voted to pass SB 530 with amendments, including the Attorney General’s suggested changes, and adopted the recommendation. The next measure was Senate Bill 532, which would allow school staff and agents trained by a licensed clinician to volunteer to administer medication to students in public schools under certain conditions and clarify who may prescribe such medication. DOE and Department of Health testimony supported the bill. The Attorney General recommended replacing the term “licensed clinician” with the defined term “health care professional.” The Hawaii Academy of Physician Assistants supported the bill but asked that physician assistants be included among providers who may prescribe medications for school administration. After questions about current school health aide duties and field-trip medication procedures, the committees voted to pass SB 532 with amendments, including the Attorney General’s terminology change, and adopted the recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 4610, Safeguard the Right to Try Cutting Edge Medicine
• The bill is advanced to third reading with the right to amend. Are there amendments to the bill?
• This bill gives half-time years of service for partial duty and non-duty disabled troopers in the State
• Of service for partial duty and non-duty disabled troopers in the State Police retirement system.
• President, will question him as consent that the bill be advanced to third reading with the right to

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and numerous guest introductions, including students, community leaders, food bank representatives, and visitors connected to Hunger Free West Virginia Day. A resolution recognizing March 10, 2026, as Hunger Free West Virginia Day was adopted, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 on the Southern West Virginia water crisis was referred to the Rules Committee. The chamber also heard remarks highlighting Hunger Free West Virginia’s work and a West Virginia company, Unigen, developing pharmaceutical manufacturing in the state. The Senate concurred with House amendments and passed several measures, including Senate Bill 467 on enforcement of Purple Heart parking spaces, Senate Bill 712 on cattle guards on certain public roads, and Senate Bill 781, a supplemental appropriation measure that was also made effective from passage. The chamber then adopted and passed Senate Bill 844, a large supplemental appropriation to the Department of Human Services, and Senate Bill 87, a supplemental appropriation to the Department of Commerce, both effective from passage. Other third-reading bills passed included the Blue Envelope Program for drivers with autism, dementia, or intellectual and developmental disabilities; coverage for scalp cooling systems during chemotherapy; expansion of sex-offender registration to include solicitation of a minor and non-consensual disclosure of private images; child safety reporting requirements for school personnel; age-verification requirements for websites hosting harmful sexual material; free Gold Star parent vehicle registration; online training and updated standards for sanitarians; sheriff hiring authority; organ donor registration through voter registration; a Cold Case Task Force; abandoned vehicle title procedures; nutrition continuing education for physicians; special plate rules; gift card fraud offenses; protections for athletic officials; in-year school personnel movement; administrative services powers; pharmacy benefit manager regulation; vape shop regulation; reduced parole supervision fees; disability service credit for certain troopers; property valuation reporting changes; and quarterly Hope Scholarship payments. The Senate also advanced a large number of House bills and committee substitutes on second reading, including supplemental appropriations and measures on mental health examinations, dog registration rules, juvenile jurisdiction on military installations, military interpersonal violence, kinship care subsidies, a statewide prevention plan, contraband smuggling into federal prisons, forestry equipment levy treatment, and Commerce Department rules for microgrid districts and high-impact data centers. Several committee amendments were adopted, and many bills were advanced to third reading without objection. No executive communications were reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• Evan Fern with Disability Rights California, in opposition. Thank you.
• Good morning, Evan Fern with Disability Rights California in opposition.
• Disability Rights California is California's designated protection and advocacy agency.
• Disability Rights California is California's designated protection and advocacy agency.
• Disabilities and A to advocate for the rights of people with disabilities.

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, so right now we received some preliminary budget information.
• Right now, it's... Is this will this be incorporated into the overarching plans?
• So right now we're waiting this week to see what the budget does.
• So right now we're waiting this week to see what the budget does.
• Right now, I cannot speak to that. Okay, thank you. Kurt, this is Ken.

Summary: The commission received updates on several Capitol accessibility and capital planning projects. The ADA chairlift study was reported complete, with the consultant recommending replacement of the lifts in the legislative library, House chamber, and Senate chamber because of compliance and functional issues. Staff said preliminary replacement costs are about $400,000, with design expected to take a few months and construction another month or two, and that a new project will be set up for full design and construction. A separate fall protection project is in preliminary design to provide safe access for maintenance work around the restored stained-glass laylight and roof ladders. Members also discussed the updated capital master plan and the timing of an owner’s representative contract. The commission had previously approved moving forward subject to appropriations, and staff said the RFQ is prepared but cannot be released until budget funds are available. Several members emphasized the need to move quickly once the FY26 budget is approved to avoid delays and added costs. The Governor’s Council on Disability digital wayfinding project was also reviewed. Staff said the project is focused on technical architecture, content creation, and governance, and that the commission’s role at this stage is mainly to approve signage rather than provide funding. Members asked about long-term software and upkeep costs, and staff said those responsibilities are still being worked out, including who will update content for House and Senate areas. Members also stressed the importance of involving House and Senate leadership and administrative staff so the signs and system are reviewed before implementation. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Right. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• All right. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• All right. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• All right. Additional questions. Mr.

Summary: The Legislative Budget Commission considered 21 budget amendments, most of them routine authority adjustments tied to federal grants, Medicaid payment programs, and trust fund realignments. The Department of Education received $14.751 million for a Preschool Development Grant to support early learning system improvements, workforce credentialing and training, IT modernization, and related early childhood certification work. The Department of Veterans Affairs shifted $2.2 million within its trust fund to cover higher nursing home occupancy, replace contract nursing with OPS staff, and meet rising operating costs. The Department of Health moved about $9.1 million to support Disability Determinations, where roughly 140,000 cases were pending or in process, and said the change would help reduce backlog and avoid a deficit. The Agency for Health Care Administration presented multiple amendments for Medicaid-related programs, including $766 million for indirect medical education, $1.9 million for managed care network adequacy audits, $209 million for the Rural Health Transformation Program, and several large supplemental payment programs for hospitals and physicians; members asked about CMS approval delays, provider access, and how rural funds would be distributed. The commission also adopted an amendment realigning KidCare funds, placing a $32.1 million surplus into reserve, though several members objected that the state had not yet implemented the 2023 KidCare expansion and that children remained on a wait list. Another Medicaid amendment placed a $376 million surplus into reserve after updated estimating conference projections. Other agencies also received approvals. FDLE received $16.26 million to buy counter-unmanned aircraft systems equipment such as radar and RF sensors to detect and mitigate drone threats. The Department of Juvenile Justice received $1.6 million for the Florida Scholars Academy and a Social Services Block Grant realignment, with staff confirming corrective action had been taken after prior audit findings about allowable SSBG spending. The Division of Emergency Management received federal pass-through authority for FIFA World Cup security and counter-UAS funds, both controlled by the Miami host committee, and members noted the state had little direct oversight over how those local grants would be used. The Department of Commerce received $148.4 million for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery work, with questions focused on the split between housing, infrastructure, and administrative costs. The Department of State received $408,377 for arts and culture federal grant obligations. All amendments were adopted, generally without objection, after brief questioning and no public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. All right. All right.
• Right.
• Right, right.
• Right, right.
• All right. Thank you. All right.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• From—I hope I said this right—Maria McKinney, Florida Debate Initiative.
• From—I hope I said this right—Maria McKinney, Florida Debate Initiative.
• Venezuela is a country that people don't have the right to speak, to be quite honest.
• DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO SPEAK TO BE QUITE HONEST.
• At a certain age, it's like, oh my God, I did not say it right, but I already said it.

Summary: The Student Academic Success Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered two PCS bills. PCS for HB 1059, by Rep. Booth, would designate the first week of November as Florida Speech and Debate Week to recognize speech and debate programs and the educators, coaches, judges, and school districts that support them. Supporters, including students and advocates, testified that speech and debate builds critical thinking, civics knowledge, confidence, and respectful civil discourse, and several members praised the students’ testimony and the program’s value. The bill was reported favorably by a 14-0 vote. The committee then heard PCS for HB 851, by Rep. Long, which requires each school district’s professional learning system to include at least one annual autism-specific training opportunity for teachers and school-based administrators, developed with the Center for Autism and grounded in evidence-based practices. The sponsor said the bill is intended to give educators practical tools to support students with autism, while members asked questions about scope, virtual training, charter schools, and the relationship to existing law. Public testimony and member debate largely supported the bill, with speakers emphasizing the need for better educator preparation and inclusion for students with autism. The bill also passed unanimously, 14-0, and was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, members and the chair offered brief closing remarks thanking colleagues and staff and reflecting on the committee’s work, with the chair noting it may have been the committee’s last meeting of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right.
• , right.
• Right, right, right. Of course, of course. Okay, thank you. Representative Harrison, thank you.
• All right.
• Right.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• All right. Yeah. Ready? Thank you. The clerk will close the roll. A quorum is present. All right.
• Week in honor of those who had thought their courage deeds have lost their lives and have become disabled
• <00:09:49.120><c> and</c><00:09:49.360><c> have</c><00:09:49.600><c> become</c><00:09:50.000><c> disabled
• </c><00:09:50.640><c> in</c> their lives and have become disabled in their lives and have become disabled

Transcript Highlights:

• And our Constitution does not grant these rights; it simply recognizes these rights.
• </c> rights.
• These fundamental rights of free rights.
• The right to protest and the right to free speech are not suggestions.
• and the right to The right to protest and the right to free<00:50:55.000><c> speech</c><00:50:55.480

Transcript Highlights:

• Right.
• Right.
• Right.
• Right.
• Right.

Committee: House Labor & Industrial Relations

Summary: The committee first disposed of several measures without debate, including deferrals of House Bill 460, House Bill 561, Senate Bill 322, and another deferred Senate measure, before taking up House Bill 819 by Chairman Cruz. HB 819 would replace Louisiana’s current workers’ compensation medical treatment schedule with ODG by MCG, a private evidence-based guideline system used in other states. Cruz and Troy Prevo argued ODG is more comprehensive, updated more frequently, and could reduce claim duration, medical costs, and premium rates; Dr. Jason Picard said Louisiana already uses ODG as a secondary reference for gaps in the state schedule and that the bill would not change appeals or variance procedures. Opponents, including injured-worker advocates Joseph Jola St. and Robin Crumholt, argued Louisiana’s current guidelines are working, that ODG is more cost-cutting and insurer-driven, and that the bill could increase denials and delay care. Members discussed amendments to add a two-year sunset, allow tacit approval when treatment follows the schedule, require payment within 30 days, and raise the carrier’s burden to challenge care; the committee adopted the amendments and then reported HB 819 favorably by a 7-6 vote. The committee then began Senate Bill 409 by Senator Myers, the Louisiana Living Donor Leave Protection Act. The bill would provide paid leave protections for living organ donors, set eligibility and verification procedures, and prohibit forfeiture of leave in certain circumstances for private employers. Myers said the measure is intended to remove job and paycheck barriers for people willing to donate organs and to support better transplant outcomes. Technical amendments were adopted at the start of the presentation, and the bill was introduced for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, no, that's right.
• Yeah, no, that's right.
• I love this bipartisan piece right now. That's right.
• civil rights protection under the law, but not ersatz rights that conflict with the true rights of others
• All right. All right. Member questions and comments? Second.

Committee: House Higher Education

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard several bills focused on student aid, affordability, and access. AB 587 would add a veteran representative to the California Student Aid Commission; the author said this would improve representation for veterans and Cal Guard members, and members discussed keeping the commission’s membership odd through a future amendment. AB 791 would revise cost-of-attendance calculations, especially housing costs, and require clearer notice to students about adjustment requests. Proponents said many schools underestimate living costs and leave students unaware of appeal options, while UC and independent colleges opposed the bill as overly prescriptive and costly, particularly the proposed housing methodology and 14-day turnaround. AB 850 would address institutional debt by giving students a one-term grace period to re-enroll while arranging payment, prohibiting credit reporting of that debt, and requiring public disclosure of collection policies. Supporters described debt as a major barrier to re-enrollment and graduation, while CSU, UC, AICCU, and others raised fiscal concerns and said campuses already use holds and payment plans; the bill passed with some members not voting and the roll left open for additional votes. The committee also heard AB 537, which would expand the California College Promise Program to part-time community college students. The author and supporters argued that most community college students attend part-time and should have access to tuition waivers, while opponents did not testify. The bill passed and the roll was left open. In addition, the committee took up AB 7, which would allow California universities to consider whether an applicant is a descendant of American chattel slavery as one factor in admissions. The author and supporters framed the measure as reparative justice and lineage-based rather than race-based, citing historical harms and the need for broader educational opportunity. Opponents argued it would function as a racial proxy and conflict with Proposition 209, and they urged the committee to instead focus on individual experiences of discrimination. The transcript ends during testimony on AB 7, before any vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're here today pushing for strengthening workers' rights, lifting the ban on striking for higher
• <00:08:09.840><c> workers</c> pushing for strengthening workers pushing for strengthening workers rights
• Section 83 relates to the developmental disabilities services payment reform implementation.
• <00:14:38.160><c> services</c><00:14:38.720><c> payment</c><00:14:39.199><c> reform</c> disabilities
• services payment reform disabilities services payment reform implementation.<00:14:41.279><c> The</c>

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the things we're really looking to right now is the length of this conflict, right?
• All right.
• All right.
• “Right. Thank you.” “All right. Thank you, Senator. Senator Hickey, is this for them?
• All right now.

Committee: All ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)