Transcript Highlights:

• we're seeing in disability services rights and protections.
• rights and disability services rights and protections.<01:02:11.599><c> At</c><01:02:11.839><c> the<
• we're seeing in disability services rights and protections.
• It establishes that people with disabilities have a legal right to access programs.
• c><01:08:35.600><c> to</c> disabilities have a legal right to disabilities have a legal right to access

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right.
• All right. Thank you all. And again, thank you all so much on the call.
• But I like this visual because it talks about the apprentices, right?
• They do work with individuals who are, who have disabilities.
• , of all disabilities.

Summary: The Workforce Support Subcommittee met to discuss how registered apprenticeships could help address workforce shortages in disability services, human services, and other high-need fields. Co-chairs and staff introduced the session as a practical overview of apprenticeship pathways, with a focus on how employers, intermediaries, and training providers can work together to build programs. The discussion emphasized that apprenticeships can be used not only in the trades, but also in health care, early childhood education, medical interpreting, and other occupations facing recruitment and retention problems. Amara Ramon of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards explained the structure of registered apprenticeships in Massachusetts, including employer-led on-the-job training, related technical instruction, wage progression, credentialing, and state support through templates, compliance oversight, and grants. Melissa Sebeli described her role as an intermediary at the MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board, saying intermediaries help employers design, register, and manage programs, recruit apprentices, and keep programs compliant. She said the model offers employers a pipeline of workers, retention benefits, tax credits, and flexibility to tailor training to local needs. Lisa Morris described a new apprenticeship for medical interpreters, built from an existing training program and employer demand for experience, with a pre-apprenticeship, 2,000 hours of work-based learning, and related technical instruction tied to certification requirements. Members and attendees asked about where apprentices come from, how employers recruit, how wages are set, and whether state agencies or workforce boards can serve as intermediaries. Speakers said recruitment can come from career centers, youth programs, incumbent workers, community colleges, job fairs, ESL centers, and community-based organizations. They also discussed accommodations and modified curricula for people with intellectual, developmental, and neurodiverse disabilities, citing Bridgewater State’s Excel program as an example. No votes were taken; the meeting concluded with encouragement for organizations to contact the presenters or Division of Apprenticeship Standards to explore apprenticeship options and with notice that materials and the recording would be posted online.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> I think I'm pretty sure that I sent it on behalf of the Disability Rights Center for both bills. >
• </c><00:10:54.000><c> rights</c> it on behalf of the disability rights it on behalf of the disability
• Uh, Hawaii Disability Rights Center. >> Okay, sounds good.
• Uh, Hawaii Disability Rights support.
• Uh, Hawaii Disability Rights Center.<00:16:38.639><c> Okay,</c><00:16:39.040><c> sounds</c><00:16:39.440

Bills: SB2094

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: toxic chemicals, environmental action levels, public notice, environmental safety, pollution control, Hawaii State Constitution, public participation, government transparency, environmental health, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 2094, which would require state agencies monitoring environmental toxins and pollutants to establish environmental action levels and limit changes to those levels without meeting procedural requirements. The chair recommended passing the bill with amendments, including inserting estimated costs for a secure portal website and webinars into the committee report and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. The motion passed unanimously among those voting, with excused members noted. The committee then considered several other measures and adopted recommendations to pass them with amendments, generally adding technical and clarifying changes and setting a defective date of 2525. SB 2862 was amended to broaden the preamble, make additional appointees confirmable, clarify reporting requirements for gubernatorial appointees, and was held for further discussion. SB 2781 on lei production created a working group to review existing studies and conduct a statewide study of Hawaii’s floriculture industry. SB 3015 adopted California’s definition of PII, applied it to government agencies and political subdivisions, created a private cause of action, and required a compliance report. SB 3230 removed a categorical prohibition on certain third-party project management procurements while preserving state oversight responsibility, in line with procurement office requests. The joint GVO Health and Human Services agenda then focused on two related bills requiring universal changing accommodations in public restrooms. SB 2932 would apply to new state building construction beginning July 1, 2026, and testimony from disability advocates, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and others supported the measure while asking for language clarifying that the requirement applies only where technically feasible and, in some cases, only to state-managed buildings. SB 2268 was described as broader, extending beyond government buildings into the private sector and including a private right of action; witnesses supported the concept but raised implementation concerns, especially for smaller businesses, and requested the same technically infeasible language and other clarifications. Both bills were advanced with amendments, and the committee noted adoption of the recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Laurel Nedsbitt, and I'm with Disability Rights, New Mexico, where we assist students with
• The Disability Rights New Mexico (DRNM) strongly supports HB 120, which reflects a number of the recommendations
• That's right, Senator Ezzell.
• That's right. Senator, welcome. It's no problem.
• Mexico Islands that's in the budget right now?

Bills: HB30 , HB120 , HJR1 , SB210 , SB306

Committee: Senate Senate Education

Keywords: teacher residency, Teacher Residency Act, public schools, teacher preparation, educator pipeline, teacher recruitment, teacher retention, student teachers, apprenticeship, co-teaching, mentor teachers, residency stipend, teacher salary, level one teacher, charter schools, school districts, New Mexico education, teacher workforce, principal stipend, cohort model

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, the process right now, and I'm also a disabled veteran, you get evaluated by the VA and you get
• All right.
• All right. Thank you for just a fine. All right.
• </c> All right, you're up. All right, you're up.
• All right. Um, Connecticut says Did I? All right.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing began with SB 12, which would let certain veterans who already qualify for a disabled veteran license plate use that VA disability determination to obtain a walking disability placard without having to undergo a second physical or submit additional proof. Senator Waters, the prime sponsor, said the bill was prompted by a constituent and would reduce redundant paperwork. Melinda Sims of United Spinal and Leo Pacquin of the State Veterans Advisory Committee both supported the bill, saying veterans already go through an extensive VA certification process and should not have to repeat it for the state. A DMV representative said the department had no known objection and explained that the change would let the placard travel with the veteran in another vehicle. The hearing on SB 12 was then closed. The committee then took up SB 40, which would allow safe boater education certificates to be completed and tested online, rather than requiring an in-person final exam. Representative Coker and Senator Tim Lang described the bill as a cleanup measure to make a COVID-era online process permanent and said it would improve convenience and keep more revenue in New Hampshire. Tom Praol, representing the vendor, said the state lost significant revenue when the online option ended and argued that online proctoring can verify identity and prevent cheating. The New Hampshire Marine Trades Association supported the bill, saying it would help boaters learn New Hampshire-specific laws and keep dollars in-state. The Department of Safety Marine Patrol was neutral: Captain Tim Dunlvy said the current system includes classroom and online coursework followed by an in-person proctored final exam, and he raised concerns about safety, exam integrity, and lower scores in computer-only testing, while noting New Hampshire’s strong boating safety record. Committee members asked about reciprocity, proctoring methods, costs, and crash data, but no vote was taken in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right. All right. Good morning, senators. Hello.
• environment at the right time.
• You were here last year, right? I thought you were here last year. Oh, yes, I was. Right.
• We’re all working together, right. We’re all working together, right.
• All right. My name is Jane Wright-Viles. Okay. All right. My name is Jane Wright-Viles.

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The committee met for public testimony on the Finance budget, with the main discussion focused first on funding for disability services and then on the LA GATOR scholarship program. Several individuals testified in support of fully funding Families Helping Families and Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS), describing how advocacy, transition services, and direct support workers help people with disabilities access education, employment, and independent living. Witnesses urged the committee to preserve or increase state general funds to draw down federal matching dollars, and provider groups said current reimbursement rates and staffing shortages are leaving agencies in deficit, creating waitlists, overtime costs, and difficulty retaining workers. Committee members thanked the speakers and noted that the testimony would be used to compare the governor’s, House, and remaining budget requests. The committee then heard extensive testimony in support of increasing funding for the LA GATOR scholarship program. Supporters included policy groups, school leaders, parents, and students who argued that the program expands educational choice, helps low-income and special-needs students find schools that fit their needs, and should be fully funded at the level of demonstrated demand. Speakers from Catholic and Christian schools said GATOR funding had helped students thrive academically and spiritually, but that shortfalls left many eligible students without awards, hurt kindergarten enrollment, and forced schools to raise private donations to cover gaps. Several witnesses emphasized that the program is not a zero-sum attack on public schools, but a way to let education dollars follow students. A few committee questions focused on the fiscal impact and on whether choice programs improve outcomes without harming public schools. Testimony cited enrollment growth, parent demand, and data from other states to argue that school choice can improve student and parent outcomes and may also strengthen traditional public schools through competition. No votes or formal actions were taken during the public testimony portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Local aging and disability action plans.
• And right now, that's the entire questions of the subcommittee.
• Because you've seen these pictures, right?
• And people say you always bring out outlier issues, right?
• All right, we'll hand it back over to me.

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services heard a series of budget items focused first on the California Department of Aging and then on the Department of Social Services. For Aging, the director reported the state is at the midpoint of the Master Plan for Aging, with about 300 initiatives launched and roughly three-quarters completed, nearly $1 billion invested, and expanded local planning, research, and stakeholder engagement. The committee also discussed HICAP modernization, which would add ongoing funding from the Special HICAP Fund to expand Medicare counseling capacity, and senior meal programs, including support for virtual congregate/to-go meals and the use of prior one-time nutrition investments. The chair raised concerns about federal H.R. 1 and its downstream effects on older adults, food assistance, and other safety-net programs, and the department said its direct budget was not affected but that other programs serving older adults could be under pressure. The committee then reviewed multiple CDSS proposals. These included implementing the federal Medicaid Access Rule by creating a statewide grievance process and critical incident reporting system for IHSS and other home- and community-based services; housing and homelessness programs such as CalWORKs Housing Support, Housing and Disability Advocacy, Home Safe, and Bringing Families Home, where the department described strong outcomes but warned that one-time funding is expiring and services are scaling back; and permanent position authority for the Housing and Homelessness Division. Members also heard about the facility management system modernization for Community Care Licensing, home care services branch solvency and regulation work, child care centers in multifamily housing, the Seizure Emergency Response Act, licensing during emergencies and disasters, the Family Preparedness Plan Act, and social services automation projects including CalSAWS, the enterprise data pipeline, and CalWORKs child support notices. The LAO and Department of Finance generally had no additional comments or were still reviewing several requests. A notable exchange occurred on the Community Care Licensing item, where Senator Grove pressed the department about the Autumn Oaks facility in Tulare County, citing dozens of complaints and severe conditions affecting seniors. The department said it had worked with the county and ombudsman on relocation, was reviewing what went wrong, and had authority to pursue administrative action even after a license surrender. The hearing ended with a stakeholder presentation from the California Association of Area Agencies on Aging supporting a $62.3 million Older Californians Act request, followed by public comment from advocates for housing, Meals on Wheels, HICAP, Home Safe, and H-DAP. The subcommittee adjourned without taking votes, and all items were held open.

Transcript Highlights:

• services, bring up Medicaid disability services, bring up Medicaid rates<00:04:27.840><c> for</c><00
• </c> our health care system and disability our health care system and disability service<00:04:37.360
• That's right. And it can mean that they no longer are close to family.
• All right, Senator, thank you so much for your time. Thanks for having me. Absolutely.
• All right, Senator, thank pretty neat.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:37.360><c> right</c><00:15:37.600><c> to</c> right on the links to go right right to right
• All right. the people that are there. All right.
• Right? If we're building a lot another. Right?
• </c><04:09:02.160><c> This</c> disability rights center. This disability rights center.
• All right.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right. All right.
• I'm the policy director at the Disability Rights Center, which is the state's protection and advocacy
• I'm the policy director at the<02:13:10.239><c> Disability</c><02:13:10.800><c> Rights</c><02:13:11.119
• ><c> Center,</c><02:13:11.840><c> which</c><02:13:12.000><c> is</c> the Disability Rights Center, which
• is the Disability Rights Center, which is the<02:13:12.320><c> state's</c><02:13:12.719><c> protection

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Division 3 work session opened with routine announcements, including new and absent members, a tribute to former chair Rep. Jess Edwards, and an explanation that Division 3 is advisory and will make recommendations to full Finance. Chair Mooney also distributed a self-created index to the budget binder and reviewed the committee’s options under House Rule 45. Members discussed scheduling a future visit to the Veterans Home in Tilton, with several October dates unavailable, and the chair said she would circulate possible dates. The committee also reviewed the second-year budget context and sources of funding, including surplus monies, existing and new revenue streams, grants, reappropriations, and the rainy day fund. The committee then took up several retained bills and repeatedly heard that their substance had already been addressed in the budget. House Bill 519, funding the Waypoint Youth and Young Adult Shelter, was moved ITL and passed 10-0. House Bill 547, county reimbursement funds, was also moved ITL and passed 10-0 after members noted the reimbursement had been included in HB 2. House Bill 570, repealing the prescription drug affordability board, was moved ITL and passed 10-0, with minority members saying they still believed the board had value but acknowledging the repeal had already occurred in HB 2. House Bill 704, concerning caregiver respite and senior volunteer programs, received the most discussion. Mr. Ripple explained that most items were already funded or suspended in the budget, leaving only the senior volunteer grant program unfunded. Chair Mooney offered amendment 2963H to fund the RSVP program at $180,000 for one year, contingent on surplus funds, and DHHS witnesses explained that RSVP is a federally funded AmeriCorps program that would be added to existing state licensing structures. The amendment was adopted unanimously, and the bill was reported ought to pass as amended on a 10-0 vote. The committee then heard House Bill 751, which would require licensure of outpatient substance use disorder treatment facilities and create an ombudsman-related complaint process. DHHS witnesses said the bill had been narrowed substantially from an earlier certification model with multiple positions and IT costs to a licensing model using existing department infrastructure, reducing the fiscal note to $211,000 for one position. They also said the ombudsman section was no longer needed because licensed facilities would fall under existing oversight. Members questioned how many facilities exist and whether licensing fees would cover costs; DHHS said it did not know the full provider landscape and that licensing revenue across the board does not cover the department’s costs. Rep. Daniels then proposed amendment 2964H to form a study committee because of the remaining questions and lack of a clear revenue stream, and the committee was still discussing that amendment when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can go right ahead. Okay, sounds great.
• disabilities.
• You don't have to do it right now on the spot." "Okay, sure.
• Is that right?" "That's right. That's correct.
• Is that right? I did this one I'm actually neutral to. Okay. Is that right?

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a public hearing on H.5171, an act relative to safer schools, and H.3895, which would expand career and technical education opportunities for Lynn students. The chair outlined short testimony limits and noted the hearing was livestreamed. Most of the discussion centered on H.5171 and the role of school resource officers (SROs) in schools. Witnesses from the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee and the CPCS Education Law Project supported H.5171, arguing it would limit SRO involvement to serious criminal conduct, reduce school-to-prison-pipeline harms, and encourage restorative justice, de-escalation, and anti-bias practices. They described examples of students with disabilities being arrested or disciplined in ways they said reflected misunderstandings of disability-related behavior. Committee members asked about real-world school safety concerns, including gang activity and weapons in schools, and the witnesses responded that the bill would not eliminate SROs but would better define their role and improve training. A parent advocate, Joey Ford, testified neutrally on H.5171, saying over-criminalization in schools often stems from district discipline practices, restraint and seclusion, and inconsistent DESE oversight, not only from SROs. On H.3895, Ford spoke in favor of expanding CTE, saying such programs helped him succeed and stay engaged in school. After testimony concluded, the committee closed testimony on both bills and then adjourned without taking any votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> right in front of us. right in front of us.
• All right. Has being here today. All right.
• Yes, we were right there. Right there.
• All right.
• They're right here. All right. Any be. They're right here. All right.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Right?
• Right? I mean, because this is, unfortunately... What is that balanced approach, right?
• All right. Questions from committee? All right. Questions from committees?
• You're right, we cannot go back.
• Jackson and members, I'm Evan Fern with Disability Rights California.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right.
• Is that right? That's right. All right.
• All right.
• That’s right. In an emergency situation. All right. Thank you.
• Right. All right.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's right off the bat.
• </c> people with disabilities. people with disabilities.
• </c> right now to have a $6 billion deficit. right now to have a $6 billion deficit.
• I'm talking to you, right? You Yeah. I'm talking to you, right?
• Representative Kuran, who has been a really staunch supporter for disability rights and waiver services

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:04.079><c> It</c> important issue right now. It important issue right now.
• All right.
• </c> We had a board member who lives right We had a board member who lives right behind<00:21:50.000>
• </c> families of students with disabilities families of students with disabilities right<00:36:43.839
• </c> benefiting from the program right now. benefiting from the program right now.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we'll call some additional in-person folks up right now.
• All right, looks like I'm live here. My name is Eric Carlson.
• Please don't cut disability services.
• Disability services are already seeing cuts at the federal level.
• Having a right to counsel attorney involved ensures that the right to do process observed in eviction

Bills: HB2289

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: appropriations, budget, fiscal matters, state spending, general fund, supplemental budget, biennial budget, substitute bill, public defense, civil legal aid, courts, judicial branch, homelessness, supportive housing, affordable housing, behavioral health, juvenile rehabilitation, youth services, child welfare, foster care

Transcript Highlights:

• It is the right thing to do.
• We need the disabled... ...for the disabled community.
• We need the disabled parking spots exclusively for disabled folks.
• We need the disabled parking spots exclusively for disabled folks.
• And the reason is, is I understand that the disabled community is not happy right now, and this may not

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The guidance covers the rights of The guidance covers the rights of health care providers and patients
• All right. Thank you. Have a good day. Take care. Thank you. Thank you, then. All right.
• With that, all right.
• All right.
• All right. All right. Thank you all. Take care. Have a good one. Enjoy your summer. You too.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Workforce Support Subcommittee of the Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met to discuss workforce issues affecting people who provide services to individuals with disabilities, with a focus on immigration enforcement concerns and an upcoming employment event. Ethan Marks, Deputy Chief of the Health Care Division at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, presented the AGO’s late-January guidance for health care providers and patients on how to respond to ICE activity at health care facilities, what information and access ICE may request, and what protections and access-to-care issues apply. He said the guidance is broad, includes contact information for the Civil Rights Division, and will be updated if federal policy changes. Committee members asked whether residential programs, day programs, DDS/DMH facilities, and similar settings would fall under the guidance; Marks said the guidance is intended to be broad but that specific scenarios may require follow-up with the Civil Rights Division. He also said he was not aware of significant ICE activity at health care facilities so far, though there is fear and some rumors, and members discussed sharing the guidance with hospitals, academic medical institutions, the Health Equity Compact, and other stakeholders. The subcommittee then reviewed plans for a June 23 State House event titled Strength and Support: Networking and Resource Sharing Event for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities, Personal Care Assistance, Job Coaches, and Inclusive Workplaces. The event will feature a panel-style conversation with prepared questions, success stories, challenges to employment, and strategies to improve outcomes, while also highlighting the shortage of direct support and human services workers. Confirmed or potential participants and partners mentioned included Partners for Youth with Disabilities, MassAbility, NextGen, JVS, the Federation for Children with Special Needs, the PCA Council, and the Arc of Massachusetts, which has launched a PSA campaign for direct support worker hiring. The PCA Council’s resume directory for people interested in becoming PCAs was also noted as a recruitment resource. Members suggested inviting employers and other stakeholders to the June event, including Eastern Bank, Mass General Brigham, and possibly representatives connected to apprenticeship programs. The group also discussed reaching out to contacts at the Federation and NextGen, and one member suggested Kathy Pitkowskis as a possible connection. The subcommittee said it would continue outreach and finalize the event details, and noted that the next regular meeting will be August 28, with Patricia Wu from EHS scheduled to provide statewide updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right?
• Right? And so in this case, the the yes. Right?
• Um, so right now we're assessing the claims right now.
• Or um SB SPA right now, but CBA, right?
• Right?

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all