Transcript Highlights:

• That relates to the monetary assistance provided by DFPS to certain parents.
• And people are getting reported, parents, because they don't want their child to be transcended. to the
• Here's this innocent, really great family, great parents and, like I say, law enforcement.
• do want to be clear that it's not my intent to enable prosecutors or law enforcement to go after parents
• This bill gives prosecutors the tools they might need to close an investigation of a parent or other

Bills: HB741 , HB 1199 , HB2070 , HB2402 , HB2542 , HB2665 , HB2789 , HB3096 , HB3396 , HB3595 , HB3747 , HB4116 , HB4127

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• The photos of children holding on to their parent because that is all that they have, and this is the
• But more importantly, these are our neighbors, coworkers, small business owners, caregivers, and parents
• Can you imagine all the summer sports that, as parents, as I am, you enjoy by having that extra daylight
• Again, I think that ultimately parents should decide for their children.
• It's the decision of the parent. So I will respectfully be withholding my support for this bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Parents picking up their children from schools, students walking home from class, mothers going to the
• Her parents came over here from Ireland, and they did it in a very difficult way.
• While it may include parents and siblings, it mostly includes children under the age of 21.
• Picture parents sitting in chairs... Students proudly hang their artwork on the walls.
• Picture parents sitting in chairs much too small as they watch their children's winter concert.

Summary: The House first handled several routine matters, including adoption of a resolution honoring Caroline San Martino Moran on her 80th birthday and suspension of Joint Rule 12 to allow consideration of a petition involving the City of Waltham and the Veterans Memorial Rink. It then advanced a bill authorizing DCAMM to release a sewer line easement in West Roxbury, adopting the Ways and Means amendment and ordering the bill to a third reading. The chamber also took up and advanced another bill, Promoting Rule of Law, Oversight, Trust, and Equal Constitutional Treatment (the “Protect Act”), after a brief recess and a quorum call. Most of the transcript focused on House Bill 5305, the Protect Act, which was described by supporters as a measure to separate state and local law enforcement from civil immigration enforcement, prohibit ICE arrests in courthouses without a judicial warrant, limit cooperation with ICE on civil matters, strengthen notice and language-access protections for detainees and workers, expedite U and T visa certifications, and create rules for sensitive spaces and enforcement by the Attorney General. Supporters from both parties and several caucuses argued the bill would protect due process, encourage victims and witnesses to come forward, and preserve public safety by maintaining trust in courts, schools, and communities. Several members also spoke from personal experience as immigrants, survivors of domestic violence, or law enforcement professionals. The House considered and voted on a series of amendments to H.5305. Amendment 6 to strike Section 4 failed; Amendment 7, which would have required ICE civil warrants to be presented to a court and reviewed for impact on justice, failed; Amendment 2, adding immigration judges to the bill’s definition of government, failed; Amendment 3, concerning 287(g) agreements and federal reimbursement, was withdrawn; Amendment 13, expediting U visa certifications when a family member is aging out, was adopted by roll call 150-3; Amendment 10, clarifying the definition of law enforcement agency/officer to include sheriffs’ correctional roles, was adopted 127-25; Amendment 5, expanding a release-date provision, was adopted 154-0; and Amendment 14, addressing school-related protections and ICE presence, was adopted 135-18. The bill itself was still under consideration at the end of the transcript, with debate continuing after the adopted amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• I remember my parents working multiple jobs, long hours, low wages, no safety net, doing everything they
• Parents picking up their children from schools, students walking home from class, mothers going to the
• Her parents came over here from Ireland, and they did it in a very difficult way.
• While it may include parents and siblings, it mostly includes children under the age of 21.
• Picture parents sitting in chairs, ...students proudly hanging their artwork on the walls, picture parents

Transcript Highlights:

• My parents twice at Cameron, and I paid them back.
• And that's when college students become parents and in college.
• And especially unwed parents.
• Under Title IX, there's pregnancy protections or parenting protections.
• or it's a parenting issue.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a parent institute every spring, and we would love to have you come and be part of it, just to
• We also have meetings with community and parents.
• Parents said, 'If it's different than the other bilingual program, I want that one.'
• and to parents and their guardians.
• We have parents that believe oh, someone in Washington said that English is the official language of

Transcript Highlights:

• shape policies, advocate for change, and improve the outcomes of young learners statewide by engaging parents
• House Resolution by Representative Marcel to commend student parents pursuing higher education.
• House Resolution by Representative Marcelle to commend student parents pursuing higher education.
• House Bill 986 by Senator Kerner, persons convicted of vehicular homicide, provides relative to parents
• Members, I'd ask that you join me in recognizing Officer Abney's parents, Ike and Teresa Abney, and my

Bills: HR58 , HR59 , HR60 , HR61 , HR62 , HR63 , HR64 , HCR32 , HB43 , HB447 , HB573 , HB1000 , HB1001 , HB1002 , HB1003 , HB1004 , HB1005 , HR46 , HR48 , HR50 , HR51 , HR52 , HR53 , HR54 , HR55 , HR56 , HR57 , HCR31 , HB20 , HB21 , HB166 , HB494 , HB710 , HB795 , HB985 , HB986 , HB987 , HB988 , HB989 , HB990 , HB991 , HB992 , HB993 , HB994 , HB995 , HB996 , HB997 , HB998 , SB128 , SB149 , SB174 , SB191 , SB205 , SB213 , SB218 , SB220 , SB229 , SB238 , SB243 , SB375 , SB379 , HB8 , HB9 , HB10 , HB15 , HB16 , HB17 , HB18 , HB19 , HB22 , HB33 , HB34 , HB35 , HB44 , HB46 , HB47 , HB48 , HB61 , HB101 , HB126 , HB135 , HB142 , HB164 , HB185 , HB215 , HB226 , HB232 , HB233 , HB242 , HB284 , HB292 , HB297 , HB301 , HB334 , HB436 , HB468 , HB548 , HB571 , HB582 , HB593 , HB594 , HB609 , HB613 , HB712 , HB722 , HB732 , HB746 , HB781 , HB827 , HB845 , HB848 , HB921 , HB923 , HB951 , HB953 , HB999 , HB129 , HB130 , HB287 , HB489 , HB545 , HB553 , HB555 , HB570 , HB854 , HB952 , HB28 , HB36 , HB50 , HB52 , HB56 , HB62 , HB68 , HB92 , HB110 , HB117 , HB119 , HB124 , HB140 , HB147 , HB171 , HB182 , HB193 , HB196 , HB203 , HB228 , HB234 , HB260 , HB268 , HB271 , HB285 , HB289 , HB351 , HB400 , HB413 , HB469 , HB534 , HB551 , HB552 , HB574 , HB576 , HB634 , HB649 , HB677 , HB735 , HB739 , HB779 , HB784 , HB796 , HB842 , HB850 , HB919 , HB149 , HB733 , HB875 , HB868 , HB901

Keywords: waterfowl conservation, wetlands preservation, Ducks Unlimited, environmental stewardship, Louisiana, tennis, athlete recognition, family legacy, sports achievements, coaching, student parents, higher education, academic support, family stability, workforce equity, Homeland Security, federal funding, public safety, emergency services, TSA

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Kerner, provides relative to Title 9, persons convicted of vehicular homicide, and a parent

Bills: HR46 , HR47 , HR48 , HR49 , HR50 , HR51 , HR52 , HR53 , HR54 , HR55 , HR56 , HR57 , HCR31 , HB20 , HB21 , HB166 , HB494 , HB710 , HB795 , HB985 , HB986 , HB987 , HB988 , HB989 , HB990 , HB991 , HB992 , HB993 , HB994 , HB995 , HB996 , HB997 , HB998 , HR42 , HR43 , HR44 , HR45 , HCR22 , HCR23 , HCR24 , HCR25 , HCR26 , HCR27 , HCR28 , HCR29 , HCR30 , SCR13 , HB894 , HB983 , HB984 , SB19 , SB23 , SB26 , SB30 , SB39 , SB45 , SB46 , SB50 , SB51 , SB55 , SB69 , SB71 , SB73 , SB84 , SB85 , SB89 , SB96 , SB98 , SB101 , SB110 , SB148 , SB150 , SB160 , SB164 , SB303 , SB340 , HB28 , HB36 , HB50 , HB52 , HB56 , HB62 , HB68 , HB92 , HB110 , HB117 , HB119 , HB124 , HB140 , HB147 , HB160 , HB171 , HB174 , HB182 , HB193 , HB196 , HB198 , HB203 , HB228 , HB234 , HB237 , HB260 , HB268 , HB271 , HB285 , HB289 , HB316 , HB351 , HB393 , HB400 , HB413 , HB446 , HB469 , HB486 , HB534 , HB551 , HB552 , HB574 , HB576 , HB634 , HB649 , HB677 , HB735 , HB739 , HB779 , HB784 , HB796 , HB807 , HB842 , HB850 , HB919 , HB474 , HB487 , HB503 , HB606 , HB633 , HB707 , HB720 , HB728 , HB733 , HB846 , HB852 , HB856 , HB868 , HB875 , HB129 , HB130 , HB287 , HB489 , HB545 , HB553 , HB555 , HB570 , HB854 , HB952 , HB221 , HB148 , HB331 , HB149 , HB901

Keywords: HR 46, House Resolution 46, water well drillers, water wells, well drilling, driller licensure, licensing requirements, Department of Conservation and Energy, R.S. 38:3098.1, LAC 46.LXXXIX.507, professional references, two years drilling experience, workforce development, barriers to entry, water infrastructure, natural resources, groundwater, public health, state water resources, occupational licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> for pregnant and parenting students. for pregnant and parenting students.
• </c> and took the parents and took the parents leaving<04:30:10.960><c> children</c><04:30:11.680><c>
• </c> parents at dismissal. parents at dismissal.
• ><c> they</c><05:31:53.200><c> asked</c> parents were so scared they asked parents were so scared they
• President, no parent should be Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:51.040><c> on</c> for uh the people of or the parents on for uh the people of or the parents
• They are calling the parents. The parents say, "Oh, I'm just waking up."
• They're going to the the parents. They're going to the parents<03:33:03.200><c> house.
• </c> parents house. They're sending messages. parents house. They're sending messages.
• </c> the parent need to get the child home? the parent need to get the child home?

Transcript Highlights:

• And in America, we have a lot of laws about parents' rights.
• And in America, we have a lot of laws about parents' rights.
• I have heard from parents who lost a child due to a speeding car.
• permission, which my colleagues are always talking about parental consent.
• And parental consent is not a defense. Lastly, you know, it's, like I said, it's discriminatory.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, journal approval, guest introductions, and recognition of doctors and other visitors. The chamber then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, considering a large number of bills on topics including public schools and curricula, transportation, health care, child welfare, municipal and county governance, homeowners’ associations, speech, and election-related matters. Several measures were retained on the calendar, while many others were advanced with committee or floor amendments. Among the more notable debates, senators discussed SB 1094, which would impose civil liability related to gender reassignment surgery on minors; supporters said it would compensate minors harmed by such procedures, while opponents argued it would discriminate against transgender youth, raise malpractice costs, and chill access to care. SB 1813, concerning the state hospital governing board and Maricopa County bed limits, drew concern about litigation and the need to expand capacity for people with serious mental illness, while supporters said the bill would remove a legal cap and allow more beds to be used. SB 1496 on Department of Child Safety procedures was amended to clarify representative payee requirements and received generally favorable comments, though some members raised concerns about child safety and DCS discretion. The Senate also advanced SCR 1004, a photo radar ballot referral, after an amendment requiring voter approval in jurisdictions that use photo radar; Senator Leach thanked the sponsor for the change. Other bills moved forward included measures on school firearm safety instruction, civics instruction, chiropractic claims, behavioral health prior authorization, psychiatric evaluations, DCS procedures, AHCCCS procurement contracting, county recorder and HOA-related issues, and legislative qualifications. The chamber adopted the Committee of the Whole reports and properly assigned the bills after each calendar was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• They were trying to apparently limit, they asked for people limiting that clients' parents could not
• So, they were overtly talking to DHS. limiting that clients parents could not limiting that clients parents
• </c> biggest problem is the client parent biggest problem is the client parent moving<00:58:30.440><c
• '</c><00:59:08.360><c> choices</c> artificially limit the parents' choices artificially limit the parents
• are experiencing a lot know that parents are experiencing a lot of<01:44:47.720><c> challenges.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> are parents of preschool age children. are parents of preschool age children.
• Parents are desperately waiting list.
• </c> whose parents aren't eligible for TANF. whose parents aren't eligible for TANF.
• Do we want that single parent?
• Do we want that child to have a parent?

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• A parent was removed for a reason back in 2020, and there was also legislative intent that was added
• I remember from uh from this time parent I remember from uh from this time um<00:35:25.880><c> after
• was removed for a reason as part parent was removed for a reason as part of<00:35:49.680><c> a</c><00
• But on line 1.14 to 1.16, those other additional factors were added in when a parent was removed.
• </c> which I think the word app parent which I think the word app parent creates<00:41:11.880><c> more

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• It is absolutely not you, um, or anybody on this committee, but last night, like every parent who has
• So his mother did what, you know, what we all do as parents, and she quit her job.
• So his mother did what, you know, what we all do as parents, and she quit her job.
• </c> significant ID are living with a parent significant ID are living with a parent or<00:59:32.599>
• Many parents in their 70s and 80s are afraid to die because the system's broken, folks.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the parent of two young people in their 20s, subject. To be safe.
• I'm the parent of two young people in their 20s, subject to married risks.
• When it comes to 2012, all the way through working with opioids, parents that are their kids are dying
• , he said, go home, because he had gone to my parents' house and had a confrontation with my father.
• Gretchen Burns Bergman, Executive Director of A New Path, Parents for Addiction Treatment and Healing

Summary: The committee heard several public safety and criminal justice bills. AB 837 by Assemblymember Davies would add ketamine transportation to existing drug trafficking law; supporters, including district attorneys and peace officer groups, said it would address a growing and dangerous drug trend, while opponents argued increased penalties do not reduce drug supply and can worsen health harms. The bill was approved on a due-pass-as-amended vote and sent to Appropriations. AB 352 by Assemblymember Pacheco would make threats against judges and court commissioners an aggravating factor in sentencing; judicial and law enforcement groups supported it as a response to rising threats, while ACLU and criminal justice advocates said existing law already covers threats and the bill is unnecessary. It also passed to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 938 by Assemblymember Bonta, which expands vacatur and affirmative-defense relief for survivors of human trafficking, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence, including for some violent offenses. Survivors and advocates testified that the bill would allow people coerced into crimes to tell their full stories and seek relief, while district attorneys and sheriffs warned it could sweep too broadly and affect public safety. The chair and several members strongly supported the measure, and it passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 475 by Assemblymember Wilson would make prison work assignments voluntary and is tied to a broader effort to remove involuntary servitude language from the state constitution; supporters framed it as a rehabilitation and dignity issue, while one member objected to the premise and cited the defeat of a related ballot measure. The bill was voted out to Appropriations but left on call pending additional votes. Assemblymember Lowenthal presented AB 704, which would allow people convicted of low-level offenses before age 26 to petition to seal and destroy records after a waiting period. Supporters said the bill addresses the limits of expungement in the digital age and recognizes young adult brain development; prosecutors and police groups raised Brady/disclosure concerns and objected to treating 18- to 25-year-olds like children. The committee debated those issues at length before sending the bill to Appropriations. Lowenthal also presented AB 812, which would expand resentencing opportunities for incarcerated firefighters who serve on conservation fire crews; supporters emphasized rehabilitation, wildfire response, and reduced recidivism, and the hearing continued with support testimony and the start of opposition testimony as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• You see, the present generation... ...my parents spoke to me with such passion and urgency in their voice
• Every day in my work of housing stabilization services, I see families on the brink: parents working
• working full-time but the brink parents working full-time but still<00:53:16.640><c> unable</c><00:53
• The parents work in multiple jobs to keep a roof over their children’s heads.
• </c> in future in mind this means that parent in future in mind this means that parent who<00:56:13.599

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• It includes both participation from the student and also the parent.
• </c> from the student and also the the parent from the student and also the the parent and<00:12:27.360
• What is the reason for the reluctance from the parents, or is it from the students, or both?
• What is the reason for the reluctance from the parents, or is it from the students, or both?
• What is the reason for the reluctance from the parents, or is it from the students, or both?

Summary: The House Committee on Education met on February 6 at 2:00 p.m. and heard testimony on a series of education-related bills. HB 1200, which would codify teacher ratios in statute, drew support from the Department of Education, the Democratic Party of the Education Caucus, and 11 individuals; no opposition was noted and the committee moved on without questions. HB 1344, concerning mandatory FAFSA completion, received testimony from the Department of Education, Hawaii P20, and a University of Hawaiʻi student who cited unclaimed Pell Grant funds and low FAFSA completion rates as reasons to support the bill. Committee members asked about current outreach efforts, and DOE and P20 described FAFSA tracking data, hotlines, email support, school-based FAFSA nights, and coordination with counselors; members also raised concerns about federal education funding and Pell Grants. The committee then heard HB 1499, which would authorize staff and volunteers to administer certain medications. The Department of Education, Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi nursing leadership, and the Hawaii State Center for Nursing all testified in support, along with several individuals and the Democratic Party Environmental Caucus. The next measure, HB 902 on the Public Safety Power Shutoff program, was supported by DOE, the Public Utilities Commission, and Hawaiian Electric, but it prompted extensive questioning from the Vice Chair about whether taxpayers should fund a study to help schools remain open during shutoffs. Hawaiian Electric said the bill would help DOE assess impacts in wildfire-risk areas and noted its wildfire safety strategy, outreach efforts, and potential community resource centers, while the Vice Chair argued the utility should bear more of the cost. The committee also heard HB 961, a bill on school libraries and a CASS pilot program, with DOE offering comments and HSTA and the Hawaii Library Association strongly supporting it. HSTA argued certified librarians are important for literacy, research, and digital literacy, and said many schools lack them because of cost; the association and 14 individuals testified in support. HB 962, a related bill on DOE libraries and the system, also drew support from DOE, HSTA, and the Hawaii Library Association, with 15 individuals in support. Finally, HB 730, concerning the Civil Rights Compliance Branch, received support from DOE, White Children’s Action Network, AAW of Hawaiʻi, and many individuals. Testifiers said the branch needs more resources and training and handles more than Title IX, including Title VI, Title VII, and ADA matters. A student plaintiff in a Title IX lawsuit described unequal treatment in athletics and facilities, and another supporter said the bill would help ensure compliance with federal civil rights laws. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• A college student in New Hampshire may choose his their parents live or where they have a their parents
• </c> scenario happened where the parents scenario happened where the parents moved<01:26:25.719><c> away
• They're with their parents. They're going home to their parents.
• They're with their parents. They're going home to their parents.
• They're with their parents. They're going home to their parents.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• The parent, and say they came in at 140 as an example of the federal poverty limit, that parent might
• </c> the federal poverty limit um that parent the federal poverty limit um that parent might<00:30:34.200
• </c> household size because the the parent household size because the the parent has<00:36:29.240><c>
• And are parental consent required for them?
• </c><01:25:47.440><c> employer</c> insurance through their parents employer insurance through their parents

Summary: The House Finance Division III held an informational hearing on Medicaid, Medicare, Choices for Independence, and related financing, while postponing nursing facility financing and the county cap discussion to a later date. DHHS officials Ann Landry, Jonathan Ballard, and Medicaid Director Henry Litman provided an overview of Medicaid’s role, noting it is a federal-state partnership with state-specific eligibility and benefits, and emphasizing that Medicaid is a major funding and programmatic support for other DHHS initiatives. They also distinguished Medicaid from Medicare and explained that Medicaid funding is not the same as grant funding, though some providers may also receive federal grants through other channels. The presentation focused on New Hampshire’s relatively small Medicaid program and why it differs from national averages. Officials said about 184,000 residents are covered, roughly one in seven Granite Staters compared with one in five nationally, and attributed the difference largely to the state’s higher per-capita income and older population. They highlighted that about 65% of Medicaid-enrolled adults in New Hampshire are working, that only 22% of births are covered by Medicaid versus 42% nationally, and that the state’s uninsured rate is lower than the national rate. Members asked about covered services, income limits, federal matching rates, and the names of optional eligibility groups; staff explained that New Hampshire offers the optional groups discussed, with matching rates varying by category, including 90% for Granite Advantage and certain other groups, and 65% for children above the required level. A substantial portion of the hearing covered eligibility rules and recent policy changes. Officials reviewed the history of Medicaid, including HCBS waivers, the CFI program, Katie Beckett, the Olmstead decision, the ACA, and the end of continuous enrollment after the public health emergency. They also discussed the 2023 legislative expansion of postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months and child eligibility changes. In response to questions, DHHS said it is tracking utilization and costs for the postpartum expansion and reported that many maternal deaths occur after the prior 60-day coverage period, often involving substance use disorder or suicide; they said the longer coverage is intended to improve access to treatment and prevention. The committee also walked through household-income examples, clarified that Medicaid eligibility is based on household income and categorical rules, and confirmed that Granite Advantage ends at 138% of the federal poverty level unless another categorical basis applies. No votes were taken, and the hearing remained informational.