Transcript Highlights:

• We just do it out of operations, just like we would fund paraprofessionals or non-instructional support
• Just like we would fund paraprofessionals or non-instructional support staff to the schools.

Summary: The committee met to discuss student attendance and chronic absenteeism in Florida K-12 schools, with Chair Simon outlining the state’s attendance requirements and intervention process, including school contact after unexcused absences, child study team review, district superintendent referral, DJJ family services referral, truancy petitions, and possible parental prosecution and driver’s license consequences. Dr. Chris Curran of the University of Florida presented statewide data showing chronic absenteeism has risen sharply since the pandemic, with Florida at about 31.4% in 2023–24, and noted that absenteeism varies by district, school level, demographics, and urbanicity. He emphasized that causes are multifaceted—ranging from transportation, mental health, housing instability, safety concerns, and family circumstances—and said effective responses include early warning systems, text or phone outreach, multi-tiered interventions, mentoring programs like Check & Connect, and community partnerships. He also cautioned that punitive responses alone are often less effective than addressing root causes and keeping students engaged academically even when they miss school. Collier County Superintendent Leslie Ricciardelli described her district’s attendance efforts as a priority supported by attendance specialists, social workers, mental health staff, home visits, attendance contracts, and extensive parent communication. She said Collier’s chronic absenteeism rate was about 9% in 2023–24 and attributed success to consistent monitoring, family outreach, and community support, while stressing that students must be physically present to learn. She also argued that many absences are tied to barriers such as clothing, transportation, childcare, or family mental health, and that districts need resources to address those issues. Dr. Rachel Dawes added that Collier uses multilingual brochures, attendance awareness campaigns, vacation-planning guidance, door tags, automated calls and letters, and a truancy flow chart, with truancy court used as a last resort. Volusia County Executive Director Mike McAuliffe described a districtwide overhaul that included an attendance matters campaign, automated notices sent early and often, same-day and period-by-period notifications, a data dashboard, and tiered supports through MTSS. He said Volusia reduced chronic absenteeism from 34% in 2023–24 to a projected 29% and reported a first-quarter rate of about 20% in the current year. He highlighted community partnerships, including AdventHealth support for washers and dryers, bikes for students with transportation barriers, and monetary recognition for schools that reduce absenteeism. In response to questions, both district leaders emphasized that funding, staffing, and consistent follow-through are essential, and that attendance work is most effective when paired with family engagement, data monitoring, and practical supports rather than punishment alone.

Transcript Highlights:

• We just do it out of operations, just like we would fund paraprofessionals or non-instructional support
• “Just like we would fund paraprofessionals or non-instructional support staff to the schools.

Summary: The committee on Pre-K through 12 Education met to discuss chronic absenteeism, district attendance interventions, and related truancy procedures. Chair Simon reviewed Florida’s attendance laws and escalation process, including school-based interventions, child study team meetings, referrals to the Department of Juvenile Justice, truancy petitions, and possible sanctions for parents and driving privileges. The committee heard first from University of Florida professor Dr. Chris Curran, who presented state and national absenteeism data showing chronic absenteeism has risen sharply since the pandemic, with Florida at about 31.4% in 2023-24. He emphasized that absenteeism has multiple causes, including transportation, mental health, housing instability, safety concerns, and family barriers, and said effective responses include early warning systems, multi-tiered supports, mentoring, and community partnerships rather than relying only on punitive measures. Members questioned Dr. Curran about whether absenteeism is a behavior or barrier issue, whether exclusionary discipline is counted, the need for a uniform definition across districts, and whether more punitive truancy enforcement is effective. He said the issue is usually a mix of barriers and choices, that excused and unexcused absences both matter for chronic absenteeism data, and that root-cause analysis and supportive interventions are generally more productive than punishment alone, though consequences can still play a role. The committee then heard from Collier County Superintendent Leslie Ricciardelli and district staff, who described a highly structured attendance system built around attendance specialists, social workers, mental health staff, home visits, attendance contracts, multilingual outreach, and frequent parent notifications. They said Collier’s chronic absenteeism rate was about 9% in 2023-24 and credited their success to early contact, community partnerships, and a strong district culture around attendance. Volusia County Schools Executive Director Mike McAuliffe described a newer districtwide attendance initiative that uses automated letters, same-day notifications, data dashboards, MTSS tiers, incentives, and community supports such as bikes, washers and dryers, and faith-based partnerships. He reported Volusia reduced chronic absenteeism from 34% in 2023-24 to a projected 29% and said the district is now seeing about 20% in the first quarter of the current year. No formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, in my system, for example, I'm hearing a lot of concerns from teachers and paraprofessionals around
• Um, we will continue to do that, but we meet with our teachers union and our paraprofessional union just
• But um I'm actually here today to share my experience as a former paraprofessional who did the physical
• Uh, some days it could be that a child's preferred paraprofessional or staff member wasn't there that
• Uh, some days it could be that a child's preferred paraprofessional or staff member wasn't there that

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and experience among us, and our programs are all accredited by those national accrediting and credentialing
• and experience among us, and our programs are all accredited by those national accrediting and credentialing
• note is that MDE, in partnership with the regional literacy network, has already developed the paraprofessional
• single individual that walks into school, whether they're a teacher, a cook, a custodian, a paraprofessional

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 375, Nguyen, qualified autism service paraprofessionals, do pass out on an A roll call.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on January 22, 2026, for its regular order hearing and suspense-file hearing. In regular order, the committee approved consent-calendar bills AB 683, AB 763, AB 1126, and AB 1278 on unanimous due-pass motions, and AB 34 and AB 442 on a second unanimous due-pass motion. The committee then heard and advanced several bills, including AB 35, which would create an APA exemption for Proposition 4-funded programs to speed implementation of water, wildfire, energy-storage, and grid-support projects; AB 748, establishing pre-approved housing programs for local agencies; AB 939, allowing immediate transfer of certain affordable homeownership units to qualified nonprofit housing organizations; AB 643, adding a narrow organic-waste-derived agricultural fertilizer product to SB 1383 procurement options; and AB 96, removing the high school diploma requirement for certified Medi-Cal peer support specialists. Testimony on these bills was largely supportive, with sponsors and coalition representatives emphasizing reduced delays, lower costs, and improved housing, environmental, or behavioral-health outcomes. The Department of Finance offered general budget comments but no bill-specific positions. The committee voted the bills out, with AB 643 and AB 96 receiving no recorded opposition in the transcript and AB 939 passing with some members noting support and interest in coauthoring. The committee also received a presentation-only discussion of AB 1091, a proposal to authorize eight-letter specialty license plates, which the author said could generate revenue for rural programs such as the Williamson Act; the bill was not acted on at that time. After public comment, the committee moved to the suspense-file hearing on 53 bills. Using a substituted motion for due-pass and due-pass-with-amendments items, the committee held some bills and advanced many others, often with amendments that narrowed scope, deleted provisions, or required reports or studies. Bills held in committee included AB 405, AB 298, AB 333, AB 296, AB 1091, AB 1241, and AB 577, among others. The committee reported moving 43 bills to the Assembly floor, with several on A roll calls and others on B roll calls or with amendments, and noted that amendment language would be posted later online.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our school districts right now are losing their minds because they can't have teachers and paraprofessionals

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Sometimes it's five to 10 children per paraprofessional. It's not acceptable.
• question has to do with these scholarship granting organizations and wondering if there's any credentialing
• question has to do with these scholarship granting organizations and wondering if there's any credentialing
• question has to do with these scholarship granting organizations and wondering if there's any credentialing
• question has to do with these scholarship granting organizations and wondering if there's any credentialing

Bills: HF3490, HF4040

Keywords: education finance, scholarship-granting organizations, charitable purposes, student scholarships, nonpublic schools, K-12 education, tax credit, advance payment, Minnesota tax law, child education expenses, taxpayer assistance, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• While the public often confuses media specialists with paraprofessionals, a true licensed media specialist
• This is a globally recognized credential that helps teachers, and they have a program specifically for
• 17.679> a<00:31:17.919> globally<00:31:18.559> recognized<00:31:19.279> credential
• This is a globally recognized credential This is a globally recognized credential that<00:31:20.000

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Same with paraprofessional support.
• If the paraprofessional is in the student's IEP, I think the district at some level there would need
• Who's overseeing the paraprofessional? Is it the private school?
• Same with paraprofessional support.
• Who's overseeing the paraprofessional? Is it the private school?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Policy Committee opened a hearing on HB 748, which would establish a local education freedom account (EFA) program. The prime sponsor, Rep. Kevin Verville, described the bill as enabling legislation that would let local voters decide whether to create a local EFA program by petition and ballot vote, with a 60% threshold to approve or repeal it. He argued that public education is about funding rather than a specific school building, said the proposal would expand parental choice, and cited Deerfield’s move from a single high school option to multiple tuitioned options as an example of local flexibility. Verville said the local EFA would be funded at twice the state adequacy amount, with the district matching the state portion, while other aid categories such as free and reduced meals, English language learner, and special education aid would not be doubled. He said students using a local EFA would still count in average daily membership, that unspent EFA funds would revert to the district, and that the bill would prohibit double-dipping with other scholarship or EFA programs. He also said special education services would remain under district discretion and that local EFA participants would still take statewide assessments for accountability. Committee members pressed him on several issues, especially special education, transportation, and fairness. Rep. Woodcock and Rep. Murray asked whether districts would still have to provide special education and transportation services if a student used a local EFA; Verville responded that special education would remain in the local district at district discretion, while transportation would generally become the family’s responsibility unless already required in an IEP. Rep. Cornell raised an equity concern about no income eligibility cap, asking whether higher-income families should receive the same public support; Verville replied that New Hampshire does not means-test public education and that the local EFA is a public funding mechanism, not a tuition subsidy that would cover full private-school costs. No vote or committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• the New Hampshire school approval standards incorporated therein, teacher aides, now called paraprofessionals
• 43.840> now<00:06:44.160> called teacher aids now called teacher aids now called paraprofessionals
• c> do<00:06:45.919> not<00:06:46.160> constitute<00:06:46.800> part paraprofessionals
• do not constitute part paraprofessionals do not constitute part of<00:06:47.199> the<00:06:47.440

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, in other words, a paraprofessional who's in the classroom, who knows the kids, who knows the school
• staff, who knows the families, it's not considered like employment for that teacher then or that paraprofessional
• So, in other words, a paraprofessional who's in the classroom, who knows the kids, who knows the school
• staff, who knows the families, it's not considered like employment for that teacher then or that paraprofessional

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• are students here today because I'm sure every single one of them has a story about either a paraprofessional

Bills: HF1049

Keywords: school library aid, education finance, school districts, charter schools, funding eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• It also adds our paraprofessionals and volunteers, who are also going through the training, to make sure
• to come out with a degree, which may or may not make them a better teacher, but it gives them a credential
• life and go get a degree, which may or may not make them a better teacher, but it gives them a credential

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• literacy<00:32:24.320> skills<00:32:25.120> gain Improve their literacy skills, gain credentials
• ABE provides adults with the opportunity to learn English, complete high school credentials, and earn
• support children with disabilities so they can participate fully in the program, things like paraprofessionals

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We do eight days of staff training for every employee, including paraprofessionals, every single month
• We do eight days of staff training for every employee, including paraprofessionals, every single month
• We do eight days of staff training for every employee, including paraprofessionals, every single month
• We do eight days of staff training for every employee, including paraprofessionals, every single month
• We do eight days of staff training for every employee, including paraprofessionals, every single month

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• microcredentialing program that the DOE has and whether or not, with them using the program of credentials
• microcredentialing program that the DOE has and whether or not, with them using the program of Credentials
• microcredentialing program that the DOE has and whether or not, with them using the program of Credentials
• I'm also talking about property taxpayers, like a retired paraprofessional I know who is choosing between

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have thousands of educators, paraprofessionals, and support staff working in some of the poorest communities
• Many of our paraprofessionals and support staff cannot afford to live in the communities they serve.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 25-21, House Bill 508, an act to protect tenants by limiting rent increases. Committee leaders explained the Article 48 initiative process and said the hearing was intended to gather testimony for a report to the legislature. The measure would replace current state law that prohibits rent control, cap annual rent increases at the lower of CPI or 5%, exempt certain properties including owner-occupied buildings of four or fewer units, subsidized, university, nonprofit, and short-term rental housing, and exempt new construction for 10 years. It would also eliminate vacancy decontrol, so limits would continue when units turn over, and enforcement would rely largely on tenants and the Attorney General through the courts. The hearing began with expert testimony from Whitney Airgood-Obrien of Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, who described Massachusetts’ severe rental affordability problems and reviewed research on rent regulation, noting mixed evidence on supply and quality effects but clearer evidence that rent regulation can slow rent growth and improve tenant stability. Supporters of the petition, led by Carolyn Chow of Homes for All Massachusetts, argued that rent stabilization is needed now to curb displacement and runaway rent increases, especially for low- and moderate-income renters. Laura Frost described her Arlington building being bought by a large firm that sought steep rent hikes, and said rent control would help prevent “tenant flipping” and community displacement. Dave Foley of SEIU Local 509 said the issue affects workers’ ability to live near their jobs, while Dr. Mark Paul and Tram Huang argued that the evidence supports well-designed rent stabilization, that vacancy decontrol encourages displacement, and that the policy should be seen as a complement to new housing production rather than a substitute. Committee members questioned supporters about the 10-year new construction exemption, the lack of vacancy decontrol, and whether rent stabilization could discourage development; supporters responded that the measure targets corporate rent gouging, that small landlords are protected by exemptions, and that production and rent stabilization can coexist. Opponents, including representatives of small property owners, chambers of commerce, and labor/building trades, argued the proposal would hurt small landlords, reduce investment, and slow housing production. They said operating costs such as taxes, insurance, and maintenance are rising faster than the proposed cap, and warned that the measure would reduce property values and tax revenue and could push investment to other states. Several opponents emphasized that many Massachusetts housing providers are mom-and-pop owners rather than large corporations, and said the policy would make it harder to maintain and improve housing. Committee members pressed both sides on the need for a middle ground between affordability and preserving development incentives, but no vote was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• like we, uh, the, the, uh, I think forestry and NMDA are partnering together on this sort of paraprofessional
• , um, it's not a, a paraprofessional certification for the archaeological survey.

Bills: SCR47, SCR21, SCR163, SCR169, SCR170, SCR50, SCR75, SCR149, HCR83, HCR111, HCR110, HCR122, HCR118, HCR61, HCR162, HCR36, HCR19, HCR106, HCR14, HCR178, SB3022, SB3102, SB3144

Keywords: sister-state, Hawaii, Okayama, Japan, cultural exchange, economic partnership, tourism, agriculture, international relations, healthcare, rural clinic, feasibility study, access to care, community health, Volcano community, Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation, emergency services, health assessment, Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, Legislative Cooperation

Transcript Highlights:

• The first section is the qualifications for paraprofessionals.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The conference committee on Senate File 4282 met with a quorum present and heard a walkthrough of the bill, which contains forecast adjustments for several agencies. Senate staff explained that Article 1 makes education forecast adjustments for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, Article 2 adjusts appropriations for the Department of Human Services, Article 3 does the same for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, and Article 4 increases special transportation services funding for Metropolitan Council programs including Metro Mobility and Metro Move by $8.9 million in FY 2026 and $10.9 million in FY 2027 to match the February forecast. House staff noted that the House language matched Article 1 but did not include Articles 2 through 4. Representative Youakim presented amendment A26-0180, describing six sections that add provisions on paraprofessional qualifications, aid for tribal contract schools tied to revised permanent school fund distributions, expanded allowable uses of school operating capital revenue to include certain utility costs, an extension of an existing appropriation for gender-neutral single-use restrooms, and two school district fund transfer provisions for West St. Paul/Mendota Heights/Eagan and Maple Lake. Members discussed that several items were no-cost and that some fund transfer language had been previously discussed in committee. The amendment was adopted on an 8-0 roll call vote. After adopting the amendment, the committee voted on the bill as amended. The conference committee agreement for Senate File 4282 passed on an 8-0 vote, and the meeting was adjourned.