Transcript Highlights:

• They found that improve their practices.
• alignment with DOJ best practices. alignment with DOJ best practices. >> Correct.
• <00:56:49.680> operate best correctional practices we operate best correctional practices
• 01:53:30.159> corrections what the practice is uh for corrections what the practice is uh for
• to push it against what is best practice to push it against what is best practice um<01:54:02.159

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The working group on restrictive housing met with a quorum present, approved the August 21, 2025 minutes, and adopted a procedure to take public testimony on each agenda item with a two-minute limit per testifier, with some flexibility for follow-up questions. The main presentation came from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on restrictive housing policies and a recent outside assessment of mental health care practices at HSCF and OOTC. DCR said the assessment found strengths such as consistent medication administration and staff commitment, but also identified major problems including outdated workflows, staffing shortages, inadequate physical plant conditions, overuse of suicide/safety watch for personal safety issues, and a need for more individualized treatment plans. DCR described several corrective steps already underway: filling a long-vacant high-level mental health administrator position, adjusting evening medication passes, working with DOH on transfer and referral workflows, planning a new electronic medical records system and revised screening tools, and pursuing additional training for ACOs and mental health staff. For OOTC, DCR said the facility is overcrowded and decrepit, needs a better screening tool, and requires more mental health-specific training and staffing. For HCF, DCR said the layout limits confidential assessments and provider access, and that the proposed consolidated healthcare unit would add 43 beds, private exam rooms, and a de-escalation room. DCR also said the new unit could serve acute and chronic suicide/safety watch needs and possibly some inmates with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or significant cognitive impairment. The discussion then focused on Act 292, which DCR said is difficult to implement as written. DCR said the bill aligns with DOJ, NCCHC, and ACA guidance in defining restrictive housing, limiting duration, requiring reviews, identifying vulnerable populations, and using step-down units, but raised two major concerns: a requirement to refer vulnerable people to DOH for confinement, and a requirement for clinical assessments every 12 hours by a provider. Members responded that the law should be matched with funding and staffing, and asked what resources are needed. DCR said it submitted a request for 35 positions at a cost of about $8.6 million, and also said funding may be needed for community-based beds and contracted medical services. Members also asked about the current MOA/MOU between DOH and DCR, the working group membership, and the timeline for revisions. DCR said the group includes DCR, DOH, and governor’s office medical advisors, that a first draft is complete, and that the revised agreement should be in place by the end of the year. On staffing, DCR said ACO recruitment classes increased from five to eight, vacancy rates dropped from 34% to 24%, but OOTC still faces a projected $7.1 million shortfall and heavy overtime costs, forcing post closures and program reductions. The meeting ended with continued discussion of screening tools, including DCR’s explanation that current broad questions may over-identify people with substance-use-related symptoms as having serious mental illness, and that a more discrete tool is needed to better identify those with acute needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:16:28.239> We<01:16:28.480> know practiced at shooting ranges.
• We know practiced at shooting ranges.
• practice and clay uh target competition. practice and clay uh target competition.
• Also, when good hygiene is practiced, it Also, when good hygiene is practiced, it presents<01:29:41.840
• How many rounds, how many shots, how many bullets do I shoot off in a practice session?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I'm a practicing attorney.
• Um, speaking from my own practice experience as a family law practitioner, very early in my practice,
• Um, speaking from my own practice experience as a family law practitioner, very early in my practice,
• <01:45:42.480> we and um that's one of the practices we and um that's one of the practices
• practice practice uh<01:49:34.480> are<01:49:34.800> you<01:49:35.040> aware<01

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Law would include regulation, practice. This is statute.
• Law would include regulation<01:59:02.159> practice.
• regulation practice. This is statute. regulation practice. This is statute.
• <01:59:17.840> by there would be no change in practice by there would be no change in practice
• > concerned,<02:17:08.880> um management practices are concerned, um management practices

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But actually, in practice right now, there already is a cap on the special fund.
• But actually, in practice right now, there already is a cap on the special fund.
• But actually, in practice right now, there already is a cap on the special fund.
• Basically, it seems like things fall into three buckets: the general accounting practices related to
• services it's just not best practice services it's just not best practice obviously<01:11:02.400

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees first heard House Bill 229, which would establish a statewide speed restriction for motor vehicles under certain circumstances. Testimony on the bill was limited and came in support from the City and County of Honolulu’s transportation services, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. No one testified in opposition, and there were no questions. The committees then took up House Bill 860, which would grant immunity from liability to the state or counties when they repair or maintain a street whose ownership or jurisdiction is disputed between them. The Department of Transportation and the Department of Land and Natural Resources submitted written testimony, and the Hawaii State Association of Counties, Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee, Hawaii County Council member Heather Kimble, and the Iolani Homestead Community Association for Justice testified in support. The Ho Association for Justice opposed the bill, arguing the immunity was too broad and that the issue had already been addressed by prior legislation. In discussion, members raised concerns about liability and asked whether a different approach, such as extending the 2017 law transferring Oahu roads in limbo to the counties, would be acceptable; county representatives said that path could be considered if immunity were removed. House Bill 1161, which would authorize counties to use a road usage charge mechanism similar to the state’s, drew support from the Department of Transportation, the Energy Office, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, several county and city offices, and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. Rental car companies and industry groups supported the concept but asked for amendments, including a flat fee instead of a per-mile charge, relief for plug-in hybrid vehicles, and a delayed implementation date. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii also supported relief for hybrids. Members questioned the rental car representatives about the flat-fee proposal, and they said a per-mile charge would be difficult to calculate and pass on to customers. At the end of the joint agenda, the committees deferred decision-making on HB 1161 to Tuesday, March 18 at 3:00 p.m., and the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee also deferred the three measures to that date and time. The Transportation and Culture and the Arts committee then began hearing House Bill 925, which would create a Performing Arts Special Fund, and House Bill 1378, which would establish a Performing Arts Grants Program and Special Fund and revise the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts’ responsibilities and funding sources. HB 925 received support from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and written support or comments from DBEDT, the Hawaii Arts Alliance, and others. HB 1378 drew extensive testimony and discussion focused on preserving arts funding while addressing concerns about the use of Works of Art Special Fund dollars for positions and programming. The Governor’s office said it supported the intent but had concerns; the Attorney General warned that the bill’s cap and transfer provisions were unclear and could affect the tax-exempt status of bond-funded dollars; and the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts opposed the measure, urging an audit, tracking of deposits, and a shift of positions and programs to general funds instead of changing the law. The chair explained that the bill was intended to protect arts funding while tightening the legal guardrails around bond-financed dollars and preserving federal support, and asked testimony to focus on new points as the hearing continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• of targeting vulnerable gamblers with incentives to coax them back into destructive practices.
• This bill would address that practice.
• Senator Marty's hearing was the practice Senator Marty's hearing was the practice of<00:04:10.840
• <00:04:55.680> other bill would address that practice other bill would address that practice
• And that this is about the tech industry in particular and their predatory practices.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a practicing respiratory therapist, and I serve as secretary of the Florida Society for Respiratory
• compact, which is a state-led licensure framework that allows qualified respiratory therapists to practice
• multiple licenses, while fully preserving Florida's authority over licensure standards, scope of practice
• The benefits are practical and measurable. For patients, it improves access to respiratory care.

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee met to hear three member bills before turning to budget discussion. First, the committee considered HB 1295 on memory care, which would set baseline operating standards for memory care providers and facilities, clarify resident contract requirements, and restrict facilities from advertising themselves as memory care providers unless they meet the bill’s criteria. AARP, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Florida Senior Living Association supported the measure, and it was reported favorably with no debate. The committee then heard HB 1235, which would authorize Florida to join the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact. Representative Conerly and a representative of the Florida Society for Respiratory Care said the compact would improve workforce flexibility and patient access while preserving state oversight and using licensure fees rather than taxpayer dollars. The bill received favorable testimony and was reported favorably. Next, HB 933 was presented by Representative Rosenwald to add two new children’s initiative sites, one in Bay County and one in Broward County, expanding a program that coordinates education, health care, employment, and housing supports for children in disadvantaged communities. The bill had support from Florida Children’s Initiative and was also reported favorably. After the bill presentations, members were told the agenda would move to budget discussion, and the chair noted that budget recommendations had been submitted to Chair McClure. With no further business, Representative Redondo moved to recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• We think they should do this extra thing based on NIST standards or other best practices.
• Um so, that's all part of the practices.
• Because ultimately what we want is those standards, those best practices, the law to be implemented.
• I think it's important that we look at all recommendations or law or best practices as things that we
• generally in our our committee practice generally in our our committee practice has<01:01:49.680

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, also looking at how we can improve practice overall.
• Um, also looking at how we can improve practice overall.
• Um, also looking at how we can improve practice overall.
• Um, um, looking at how we can improve practice overall.
• <00:58:41.920> And are in practically every county. And are in practically every county.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 FY 2025 Budget Close Out 00:02:55 Impressions of H.R. – 119th Congress 00:28:15 SNAP Payment Error Rates 00:37:05, 958, all

Summary: The committee first established a quorum, approved the July minutes, and recognized Jennifer Hayes of the Department of State Budget Director for her retirement and long service. Secretary Hicks then presented a review of fiscal year 2025 closeout for the general fund and road fund, explaining that the general fund ended with a $313 million surplus and the road fund with a $61 million surplus. He attributed the general fund result to strong corporate income and LLC tax receipts, investment income, and lower-than-budgeted spending, while noting that individual income tax and sales tax underperformed estimates. He also described how the general fund surplus was allocated, with $62 million used for necessary government expenses and $251 million deposited into the budget reserve trust fund, which remained at historically strong levels. For the road fund, he said the surplus would be deposited into the Department of Highways construction account, and he highlighted record motor vehicle usage tax receipts despite lower motor fuels tax revenue due to a rate decline. Members asked questions about the pass-through entity tax, delayed filing deadlines, THC beverage sales, and income tax collection from undocumented workers. Hicks said the pass-through entity tax remains difficult to model because of timing issues and the first year’s unusual filing pattern, and that staff are still working with the Department of Revenue and other states to improve forecasting. He said the delayed filing deadline likely would not require a major restatement and that any related receipts would still be counted in fiscal 2026. On THC beverages, he said the issue would be considered in the next forecasting cycle. On the undocumented-worker question, he said withholding may capture some of the revenue but referred broader collection efforts to the Department of Revenue. The committee then shifted to an overview of the federal reconciliation act’s potential impact on the next biennial budget, with Hicks and Commissioner Lisa Dennis focusing on Medicaid and SNAP. Hicks said the Congressional Budget Office estimated roughly $900 billion in federal savings over 10 years, driven in part by work or community engagement requirements for the Medicaid expansion population and limits on state-directed payments. He emphasized that CMS still must issue regulations to define how the state-directed payment reductions will be calculated, making the exact fiscal impact uncertain. He referred members to a prior Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board presentation for more detail, and the discussion remained informational with no votes or formal actions taken on the federal changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• provision. um uh that created practices provision. um uh that created a<00:46:28.560> public<
• act and that they want to um practices act and that they want to um have<00:47:51.839> this<00
• say the Minneapolis Police Department, is doing an investigation, what do they do under current practice
• <00:56:35.920> Are<00:56:36.160> they practice for the investigation?
• Are they practice for the investigation?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a statewide practice. My practice usually actually...
• <00:28:10.880> my<00:28:11.120> practice<00:28:11.559> usually a Statewide practice
• my practice usually a Statewide practice my practice usually actually<00:28:12.919> I<00:28:13.039
• for a monthly the same medical practice for a monthly supply<01:02:45.559> of<01:02:45.720>
• um you you look as I've been practicing um you you look at<01:10:19.840> where<01:10:20.040><

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of medicine is under the the practice of medicine is under the practice<03:11:52.720> of<03:11
• Um because if it's already to practice.
• For example, these practical questions.
• It's not good practice of medicine.
• It's not good practice of medicine. It's It's not good practice of medicine.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to best practices, doing their work<00:08:46.640> in<00:08:46.880> a<00:08:47.040>
• Then uh typically when we get a fiscal note uh it's standard practice that either it's just, you know
• Then uh typically when we get a fiscal note uh it's standard practice that either it's just, you know
• best practices. best practices.
• Some data practices stuff, the stuff with the D1, uh, that'll should be looked at in judiciary.

Bills: SF856, HF3168, HF3528, HF389

Keywords: Inspector General, fraud prevention, state audit, public funds, misuse, transparency, government accountability, ethnic councils, diversity, governance, state participation, community representation, barbering, licensing, examinations, barber schools, public safety, certifications, Barber Examiners Board, Minnesota Historical Society

Transcript Highlights:

• practices across government. practices across government.
• , practices, practices, and<00:39:06.120> the<00:39:06.240> importance<00:39:06.720>
• , government to discuss best practices, government to discuss best practices, share<00:40:08.960>
• <00:41:59.800> into evidence and foreign practices into evidence and foreign practices into
• investigations and generating practical investigations and generating practical lessons<00:42:46.400

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Practices start August 1st. If changed. Practices start August 1st.
• It's best practices. Now, else. It's best practices.
• Okay, world that's just best practice.
• that codifies existing state practice that codifies existing state practice for<01:56:23.040>
• epinephrine, which yes, I did practice epinephrine, which yes, I did practice saying,<01:57:07.040

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe their scope of practice in all varieties of practice, there’s limitations in every practice
• may practice only in the discipline and scope of the practice allowed by the license in the other jurisdiction
• may practice provisions, the individual may practice only<01:13:34.400> in<01:13:34.480> the
• . practice. practice.
• 29.240> relating Number six, clarifies practices relating Number six, clarifies practices relating

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened on March 10, 2026, established a quorum, and began with an invocation by Reverend Damien Flowers, which was journalized without objection. The chamber then recognized several guests and honorees, including Dr. Courtney Glickman for being named 2025 Play Therapist of the Year, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Dr. Sonja B. Santelises for her leadership of Baltimore City Public Schools, students shadowing legislators, Navy Alliance representatives, the Maryland Alliance for Advocacy for Sickle Cell, and Ms. Kimberly Body for her lupus advocacy. The Senate also journalized prior remarks about the 6888 regiment. The Finance Committee report then moved several bills forward. Senate Bill 348 would allow hospitals and freestanding birthing centers to contact, rather than only call, patients after high-risk pregnancies; its amendments were adopted and the bill was ordered to third reading. Senate Bill 390 on Wicomico County liquor licenses was laid over under the rule. Senate Bill 492, addressing massage therapy advertising and prohibiting misleading sexual-service advertising, was amended and sent to third reading. Senate Bill 562, concerning pharmacist-prescriber agreements for opioid use disorder treatment, was amended and advanced. Senate Bill 773 would let pharmacists order certain vaccines, including intranasal flu vaccines, for self-administration and was advanced without amendment. Senate Bill 53, on Maryland Port Administration land acquisition notice in Anne Arundel County, was amended and advanced. Senate Bill 428 would bar cost-sharing for collaborative care model services under Medicaid and private coverage and was advanced without amendment. Senate Bill 473 would require human trafficking awareness training for for-hire and transportation network drivers; its amendments were adopted and it was sent to third reading. Senate Bill 585 would shift administration of the human relevant research fund from Health to Agriculture and was advanced. Senate Bill 606, the Easy Pass Commuter Fairness and Transparency Act, would require an MDTA report on commuter plans and unused trips; its amendment was moved as the transcript ended. During debate on Senate Bill 917, which would expand the definition of audiology practice to include certain screenings and non-radiographic imaging, a senator questioned whether the bill would make Maryland the only state restricting a health occupation from performing Medicare-required screenings. The floor leader said the committee had heard that claim in testimony but had not verified it, and the senator moved to special order the bill for amendment, which was granted without objection. Most other bills were reported favorably, with committee amendments adopted without objection and several bills ordered printed for third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, for those that don't recall, I am a private practice optometrist, practice owner in North Conway
• stuff up there in your lonely practice stuff up there in your lonely practice up<00:47:29.119>
• about our new opthalmology practice about our new opthalmology practice opening<00:53:40.160>
• <01:22:02.159> opto optometrist, current practicing opto optometrist, current practicing opto
• So I think to practice law can bring.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up House Bill 525, which would have transferred administration of the program for the deaf and hard of hearing and the related board to OPLC. The chair said the sponsor was no longer interested in moving forward, and Representative Schmidt moved ITL. The motion passed 14-0 with two members absent, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar. The committee then considered Senate Bill 182 on the maternal mortality review committee. The chair described a narrower amendment that would keep the name change, clarify operations so recommendations are returned to the appropriate entities, and expand contact with family members and close contacts, while dropping a proposed addition of a Department of Corrections member. The amendment was adopted unanimously, and the bill was then moved ITL and placed on the consent calendar. Senate Bill 185, dealing with OPLC investigations and backlog reduction, received an update from OPLC General Counsel Nicholas Fry. He described efforts to improve public communication, clear the complaint backlog, standardize intake and expert review, add automated responses and website updates, use weekly legal-viability reviews, create preliminary investigation protocols, and establish a process for law-enforcement referrals. Members asked about board involvement and criminal-conviction cases; Fry said boards are kept informed and that such matters can proceed either through complaints or application/background-check processes. Representative Groa requested a follow-up update in January, and the committee agreed to an oral report then if needed. The bill was then voted ITL unanimously and placed on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 349 on optometrists performing ophthalmologic laser procedures. Dr. Angelique Sawyer testified in support, saying the amendment adds more specific proctoring and qualification requirements, based on language requested after earlier hearings, and that similar systems exist in other states. Representative Sers confirmed that the new sections were the key additions, while Representative Schmidt said he remained open to the concept but wanted a thorough review and asked about a subcommittee. The discussion was still ongoing when the transcript ended, with no vote recorded on HB 349.

Transcript Highlights:

• If some CCRC commits something that is a pattern and practice of engaging in unfair and deceptive practices
• It tends to be a pattern or practice. That doesn't mean we don't have the authority.
• that sense that the way that it's stated here is sort of our general authority over all business practice
• AGO on consumer protection to make it a little more clear that it's more of the general business practice
• So Charge 5 was on advertising practices.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission met to review its draft final report on continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), with most of the discussion focused on whether recommendations required unanimous consensus and how to handle disagreements in the report. Members agreed that consensus meant no stated opposition, and several participants argued that unresolved issues should still be described in the report rather than omitted. The chairs said the report would include agreed-upon recommendations, note areas without consensus, and preserve written comments or dissent letters submitted by members. The draft report’s findings and slides were reviewed charge by charge, including CCRC definitions, financial condition, entrance fee refunds, regulatory oversight, advertising practices, and closure/change-of-ownership procedures. Members suggested several factual and wording edits, including clarifying financial data sources, correcting a presenter’s name, refining language about entrance fee use and refund timing, and revising statements about Attorney General authority and CCRC advertising. There was also discussion about the need to distinguish nonprofit and for-profit CCRCs and to better explain how different care levels and licensing structures are described. On recommendations, the commission kept the proposal to advance the disclosure bill (S. 478) and update the consumer guide, but removed a recommendation for annual open board meetings after objections that it was inadequate. The group spent considerable time debating whether to recommend resident representation on CCRC boards, timely refund requirements for entrance fees, and possible state registration or definition changes for CCRCs, but no consensus was reached on those items. The chairs said the final report would be completed by the statutory August 1 deadline, with final written comments due before then and the report and meeting materials posted on the legislature website.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want some practice in place.
• I want some practice in place.
• I want some practice in place.
• I want some practice in place.
• I want some practice in place.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The science of nursing involves evidence-based practice, research, and scientific knowledge, while the
• We have our own class, that is the theory and practice class. of museum science, which includes how to
• The laboratory, where all that practical work takes place, is part of the display.
• We have a rodeo practice arena on the other side of the railroad tracks and a large piece of property
• He showed how the Pythagorean theorem is actually the practical use of math.