Transcript Highlights:

• Aligned, when we talk about behavioral health, they are aligned in some of the behavioral health districts
• Justice Amor often talks about behavioral health...
• We are not here to be the behavioral health experts.
• I don't have behavioral health scientists. I don't have behavioral health providers.
• Behavioral health for a long time before this bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the other area I want to focus on this morning is behavioral health.
• But when I hear behavioral health, and this might be where Chris and Rep.
• There is a Behavioral Health Workforce Center that's a separate website, too.
• Yeah, it appears I'm reading ahead on the Behavioral Health Workforce.
• That's the research agenda within behavioral health workforce, behavioral health and workforce.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The subcommittee met to approve the April and May minutes, welcome a new member, and hear an update from Gina Frey of EOHHS on statewide health and human services workforce development efforts. Frey described cross-secretariat initiatives under the Workforce Skills Cabinet, including MA Repay loan repayment awards, expanded community college and tuition supports, ESOL/work-readiness programming for immigrants, and efforts to build career pathways and reduce attrition in nursing, behavioral health, direct care, and primary care. She also reviewed a $46 million ARPA-funded home and community-based services grant program that supported 82 grantees, led to hiring 8,752 new staff, over 1,000 interns, 2,000 new certifications, and a drop in vacancy rates from 22% to 12%. Members raised concerns about the impact of immigration policy changes on the direct care workforce, including losses of trained workers in provider agencies, and asked whether any exemption or other relief efforts were underway. Frey said EOHHS is tracking the issue closely but did not identify a specific exemption effort. The discussion also touched on Medicaid and related program changes, with Frey noting the administration is focused on understanding potential impacts to eligibility and work requirements. Rep. Howard asked about initiatives for direct support professionals and wraparound supports, and Frey said those efforts are often led by individual agencies such as MassAbility and DDS, with EOHHS coordinating across them. The latter part of the meeting shifted to planning FY26 subcommittee goals and possible events. Members discussed using the Health Policy Commission’s Behavioral Health Workforce Center and possibly asking for a study comparing compensation in DDS and related direct care roles against health care and education jobs. They also discussed a possible cross-state public event on immigration’s impact on the workforce, especially for people with disabilities and direct support services, and agreed to continue refining goals and event ideas by email and at the next meeting. Frey provided a website link and contact information for Amy Doyle at the Health Policy Commission to facilitate future presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• to this committee is not any single failure; it is the pattern of Access implementing a covered behavioral
• Arizona Medicaid members, particularly those seeking behavioral health treatment, recovery services,
• For behavioral health-specific prior authorizations, our average processing time is 17 days.
• For behavioral health prior authorizations, the average processing time is 17 days. Okay, perfect.
• And even within behavioral health, for example, there are multiple iterations of service types.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I am a licensed behavioral health therapist. I practiced for a number of years.
• There is a huge need for access to behavioral health services.
• Kind of an overview of the state of behavioral health with DHS.
• Kind of an overview of the state of behavioral health with DHS.
• It's just our forensic behavioral health services.

Summary: The House Health Services Subcommittee met to approve the October 7, 2024 minutes and then shifted to behavioral health as the main topic. Representatives Woodridge and Vaught described the work of the behavioral health working group, saying Arkansas needs a more proactive system that improves access, reduces red tape, and focuses on a few achievable policy changes for the 2027 session rather than many bills. Members discussed barriers such as low reimbursement, workforce shortages, licensing and credentialing hurdles, rural access problems, and the need to better use community providers, compacts, and step-down services. Director Paula Stone of DHS’s Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health gave a detailed overview of the behavioral health system. She said Medicaid pays for more than 75% of behavioral health services in Arkansas and explained that when people are jailed or admitted to the state hospital, Medicaid generally stops, leaving state general revenue to cover care. She described current efforts including family-centered treatment for children, community reintegration group homes, a new adolescent substance use disorder residential unit, expanded community mental health center contracts, a secured restoration unit to reduce state hospital backlogs, and an IMD waiver to allow Medicaid payment for certain residential services. She also said DHS is working on crisis services, forensic evaluations, and provider rebidding in areas previously served by ERISA. Members asked about reimbursement for jail services, the lack of a statewide behavioral health dashboard, civil commitment options, crisis stabilization units, and whether Arkansas should expand step-down or long-term facilities for people who cannot safely return to the community. Stone said the state hospital backlog remains significant, average stays are still about 14 months, and crisis stabilization units have had mixed success, with Fort Smith and Jonesboro performing better than Fayetteville and Little Rock. The meeting ended with a commitment to continue the work, with more substantive discussion planned for August.

Transcript Highlights:

• So how is this going to help your behavior?
• Okay, Madam Chair, Senator Kavanaugh, how is this going to help the behavior?
• "Madam Chair, I think the behavior of a child is helped by the discipline that it receives.
• "Asella, how does this bill offer a solution to student behavior?" "It really doesn't.
• So that would be, I mean, the behavior itself, So that would be, I mean, the behavior itself is what

Bills: SB1074, SB1327, SB1475, SB1582, SB1583, SB1598

Keywords: student discipline, classroom management, temporary removal, administrative action, education policy, foreign relations, university governance, research security, international agreements, Arizona Board of Regents, interscholastic activities, student eligibility, criminal offenses, school district, youth sports, academic participation, conduct, planned communities, homeowners association, HOA

Transcript Highlights:

• Verbal outburst, shouting, and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.
• In 2024, there were over 460 traffic fatalities in Minnesota, with human behavior playing a role in many
• Within our plan, we have three intervention levels that are based on the per-passenger subsidy.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They can get away, it appears to me, with any amount of reckless behavior and they simply have no checks
• 33:13.760> reckless to me, with any amount of reckless to me, with any amount of reckless behavior
• and they simply have no checks behavior and they simply have no checks on<02:33:19.600> that.
• So we want to intervene during the window where intervention is actually open.
• So we want to intervene during the window where intervention is actually open.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The idea is that it should be able to function on its own without constant intervention or subsidies,
• on its own without<00:57:03.599> constant<00:57:04.000> either<00:57:04.319> intervention
• <00:57:04.720> or without constant either intervention or without constant either intervention

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• on lines 29, there's a reference to tier one benchmarks, and are you referring to response to intervention
• are you referring to to<00:16:29.040> response<00:16:29.360> to<00:16:29.519> intervention
• <00:16:30.000> tier<00:16:30.279> one<00:16:30.880> uh to response to intervention
• tier one uh to response to intervention tier one uh benchmarks<00:16:31.560> or<00:16:31.680>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee began by announcing that afternoon hearings, including House Bill 283, would be moved to Representatives Hall because of expected public interest. It then took up House Bill 671, which would establish a kindergarten literacy readiness program. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Mark Pearson, described the measure as a way to close gaps in early reading readiness and said it was intended as a first step, with only a placeholder appropriation while details are developed. He framed it as a targeted effort to help children who are not entering first grade ready to read. Testimony on HB 671 was largely supportive. Representatives asked about the bill’s structure, whether a specific program had been identified, how it would interact with play-based learning, and why the provider was limited to a registered nonprofit. Waterford.org representatives Teresa Rosenberger and Rob Riley testified in support, describing Waterford Upstart as a home-based, evidence-based early learning program already used in New Hampshire. They said the program provides adaptive instruction, family coaching, and technology support, including computers, tablets, internet access, and translation services in more than 100 languages. They also said the model has been successful in New Hampshire, including a Nashua pilot and later statewide efforts, and that similar legislation has existed in other states. Rep. Jonah Wheeler also spoke in support of the bill. The chair then closed the hearing on HB 671. After a fiscal note for HB 671 was distributed, the committee moved to House Bill 781, which would require school districts to adopt policies for a cell phone-free education and includes an appropriation. The transcript cuts off as Rep. Litchfield was introduced to testify on that bill, so no testimony, debate, or vote on HB 781 is included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:19:03.000> Health in A funds to Behavioral Health in A funds to Behavioral Health Administration
• Drug Abuse Administration and Behavioral Drug Abuse Administration and Behavioral Health<00:19:15.640
• <00:19:26.080> Health in A funds to Behavioral Health in A funds to Behavioral Health Administration
• <00:19:36.240> Health in A funds to Behavioral Health in A funds to Behavioral Health Administration
• Behavioral Health Administration. Behavioral Health Administration.

Bills: HB389, HB469, HB1510, HB1573, HB1705, HB1858, HB1875, HB1946, HB1961, HB1962, HB2001, HB2093, HB2096, HB2097

Keywords: HB389, uncrewed aircraft, drone, drones, UAS, unmanned aerial vehicle, misuse of uncrewed aircraft, criminal offense, felony enhancement, drone crime, public safety, police, deputy sheriff, fire department, intoxicated operation, registration number tampering, property damage, bodily injury, Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Package, Hawaii Revised Statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to talk a little bit more about behavioral health.
• So with our model, and I'm thinking specifically of behavioral health, we spent a lot more money on behavioral
• So with our model, and I'm thinking specifically of behavioral health, we spent a lot more money on behavioral
• Behavioral health is challenging in terms of its metric profile and how to review that.
• We have huge issues elsewhere in the behavioral health space.

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing focused first on Oregon Medicaid coordinated care organization (CCO) finances and rate setting. Oregon Health Authority staff explained how 2025 CCO financial results will inform 2027 capitation rates, including reserve requirements, subcapitation arrangements, and major cost drivers such as behavioral health, pharmacy, rural hospital costs, and dental directed payments. They said the Legislature’s added 2025 funding materially improved CCO margins and that, without it, the program would have been negative overall. Members asked about retained earnings, subcapitation, behavioral health utilization, ABA therapy, and whether outcomes are being evaluated; OHA said rate setting is actuarial and that CCOs, OHA, and other partners all play roles in monitoring efficacy and access. OHA also reviewed House Bill 4039 changes intended to increase transparency and give CCOs earlier access to rate information and reconciliation exhibits. CCO representatives then testified that the system is under significant financial pressure and that behavioral health state-directed payments, benefit changes, and federal uncertainty from H.R. 1 are reducing flexibility. CareOregon said it has lost more than $500 million over the last couple of years and is now making provider terminations and other network changes to align spending with available funding, while emphasizing that CCOs must make hard decisions about which services and providers can be sustained. Eastern Oregon CCO said rural and frontier factors, cost-based hospitals, air ambulance needs, and statewide efficiency adjustments are not fully reflected in rates, and that dental funding is especially strained. Trillium similarly warned that state-directed payments and benefit expansion pressures are constraining the global budget model and that H.R. 1 could worsen acuity and volatility. Members pressed the witnesses on who is responsible for evaluating treatment effectiveness, especially for ABA and psychotherapy, and on how utilization limits and reimbursement changes are being used to control costs. The committee then shifted to an overview of the Affordable Care Act and Oregon’s commercial insurance market. Department of Consumer and Business Services staff explained actuarial value, metal tiers, premium tax credits, medical loss ratio rules, and the main drivers of premium rates: cost trend, utilization trend, and administrative costs. They said mandates have likely added only a limited amount to premiums over the past decade, though the exact effect is difficult to isolate, and they gave examples of how high-cost, low-volume services versus broad, high-utilization services can affect rates differently. Staff also noted that Providence Health Plan and PacificSource Health Plans are withdrawing from the individual market, though consumers should still have at least three insurer options in every county and may have four in many counties. The division said it is in the middle of reviewing proposed 2027 rates and will continue its public rate review process, including hearings and written comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a board-certified behavior analyst.
• I'm a board-certified behavior analyst, and we run this organization based on behavioral principles.
• We do have people with challenging behaviors.
• Behavior as a go-to.
• Her behavior is very complex and also very destructive to herself.

Summary: The committee heard presentations on three Arkansas programs serving students and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. University of Arkansas representatives described the Empower Program, a non-degree, four-year inclusive postsecondary program for young adults with mild intellectual disabilities, and the Autism Support Program, which provides intensive academic, peer, and career coaching for degree-seeking students with autism. They explained the programs’ person-centered planning, residential and employment supports, fee structure of $5,000 per semester for each program, and scholarship/fundraising efforts to offset costs. Members asked about dorm arrangements, mentoring, individualized plans, and how students move in and out of support services, and the presenters emphasized independence, integrated campus life, and transition planning. Pulaski Technical College staff then presented the 3D program, a three-year transition program in culinary, baking, and hospitality for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They outlined integrated classes, internships, job placement outcomes, and data showing strong completion and employment retention rates. Questions focused on how success is measured, tuition and financial aid, and the challenge of securing community partners for practicum and employment sites. The presenters said the program uses rubrics that include technical and professional skills, charges $5,700 per semester, and is pursuing accreditation through the Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council. The final presentation was from SLS Community, a Fayetteville nonprofit serving neurodivergent adults through residential supports, supported employment, and community initiatives. Leaders described their vision for a future mixed-use “live-work-play” development at Cato Springs, current residential and vocational services, and community events such as a 5K and a neurodiversity health care conference. Family members testified about the need for adult services, trained direct support professionals, and better reimbursement and behavioral health supports after age 21. No formal votes were taken beyond approving the prior meeting minutes, and members also announced upcoming autism-related events and requested future discussion on task force appointments and ABA-related issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• It depends on the path of behavioral health that you're seeking out.
• To be an addiction counselor or a behavioral health specialist.
• Degree here in behavioral health or addiction counseling.
• not included in behavioral health?
• Thinking back to my days, admittedly, it wasn't in behavioral health.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I am a licensed behavioral health therapist. I practiced for a number of years.
• So it's time that we be a proactive state when it comes to behavioral health.
• There is a huge need for access to behavioral health services.
• Representative Wooldridge, do you think the CCBHC helps access behavioral health?
• Representative Woolridge, do you think the CCBHC helps access behavioral health?

Summary: The House Health Services Subcommittee met to approve the October 7, 2024 minutes and then shifted to a broad discussion of behavioral health policy, taking up work previously handled by a behavioral health working group. Representatives Wooldridge and Vaught described major gaps in Arkansas behavioral health care, emphasizing access problems, workforce shortages, rural service barriers, low reimbursement, and the need to move from a reactive crisis system to more proactive community-based care. Members discussed possible 2027-session priorities such as reducing red tape, improving provider licensing and supervision pathways, expanding billing codes and reimbursement structures, and considering interstate compacts and other workforce fixes. A major focus was the state’s crisis and forensic system, including long waits for competency evaluations, the backlog at the Arkansas State Hospital, and the use of county jails for people awaiting treatment. DHS Director Paula Stone explained that Medicaid pays for most behavioral health services, but cannot pay for services in jails or state hospitals because those individuals are treated as inmates of public institutions, leaving state general revenue to cover much of that cost. She outlined DHS efforts including secured restoration beds, therapeutic communities, community mental health center contracts for jail-based services, and plans for an institution-for-mental-disease waiver that could allow Medicaid payment for certain hospital-based services. Members also discussed crisis stabilization units, with DHS noting that Fort Smith and Jonesboro have been more successful than Fayetteville and Little Rock, largely because of location, partnerships, and law enforcement coordination. Questions covered reimbursement for county jails, step-down facilities, civil commitment options, non-emergency behavioral health transportation, and whether DHS should create a bed-availability dashboard similar to hospital systems. DHS said it does not currently have such a dashboard but is exploring the idea. The meeting ended with a commitment to continue the work, with more detailed discussion planned for August, and the subcommittee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Behavioral Health Trust Fund was created to provide permanent support for behavioral health services
• Or it's the Behavioral Health Trust Fund or Tax Evasion Reserve that are finalized.
• They are for behavioral health, or for Medicaid, or for early childhood.
• Okay, I thought it was 55-45: 45 to Medicaid and 55 to Behavioral Health.
• No, to Behavioral Health. Sorry. Behavioral Health. Behavioral Health.

Transcript Highlights:

• I guess if you can clarify that this bill only applies to behavioral health.
• I'm speaking to the behavioral health. That's what I know is the behavioral health. Thank you.
• So, to your point, this is happening on an extreme level in the behavioral health.
• Again, another bill legislating Access into good behavior.
• This is true for all behavioral health providers, not just CBI.

Bills: SB1086, SB1193, SB1318, SB1345, SB1346, SB1451, SB1496, SB1611, SB1630, SB1631, SB1632, SB1672

Keywords: reimbursement, healthcare, laboratory services, noncontracting providers, Arizona health care cost containment, personal identifying information, PII, privacy, confidential records, public records exemption, commercial disclosure, data privacy, licensure, certification, health professions, health care licensing, Arizona Department of Health Services, ADHS, emergency medical care technician, EMCT

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Melissa Martin Millard with the Commission for Behavioral Health. Our executive...
• Good morning, Melissa Martin Millard with the Commission for Behavioral Health.
• These investments are critical to supporting counties, strengthening implementation of the Behavioral
• This is the future of our behavioral health infrastructure. Thanks so much. Thank you.
• health crisis response continuum for Californians experiencing behavioral health crises.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a board-certified behavior analyst.
• I'm a board-certified behavior analyst, and we run this organization based on behavioral principles.
• We do have people with challenging behaviors.
• Behavior as a go-to.
• Her behavior is very complex and also very destructive to herself.

Summary: The meeting opened with routine business, including approval of the January 13, 2026 minutes, and a brief recognition of Autism Awareness Month. The task force then heard a presentation from the University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions on two student support programs: the Empower Program for non-degree-seeking students ages 18–24 with mild intellectual disabilities, and the Autism Support Program for degree-seeking students with autism. Speakers described academic coaching, peer and career coaching, residential supports, person-centered planning, internships, and scholarship/fee structures, noting that both programs charge a $5,000 per-semester fee and rely on scholarships and fundraising to offset costs. Members asked about dorm arrangements, individualized plans, and how students transition in and out of supports; presenters explained that Empower students remain in the program throughout, while Autism Support Program students may enter or leave services as needed. The committee next heard from Pulaski Technical College’s 3D program, a three-year transition and post-secondary program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities focused on culinary, baking, and hospitality training. Presenters outlined integrated classes with traditional students, faded support over time, internships, and outcomes such as 97 students enrolled since the program began, 57 graduates, strong completion rates, and many graduates obtaining and retaining jobs in the food service industry. Members asked about how success is measured, why rates are not 100 percent, the role of integrated classes, tuition, and community partnerships; staff explained that grading includes technical and professional skills, tuition is $5,700 per semester, and scholarships such as GETS and FAFSA help reduce costs. They also noted plans to expand offerings and pursue accreditation through the Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council. Finally, the task force received a presentation from SLS Community, a Fayetteville nonprofit serving neurodivergent adults through residential supports, supported employment, community activities, and advocacy. Leaders described a long-term vision tied to the Cato Springs mixed-use development, where housing, jobs, clinical services, and community amenities would be integrated in a “live, work, play” model. They discussed a residential program, a new vocational program called Program Forge, community events, and the challenges of the “services cliff” after age 21, especially for adults with complex support needs. Members and parents spoke about the importance of trained direct support professionals, ABA-based supports, and the need for better funding and service models for adults. The meeting ended with announcements about upcoming autism-related events and a request for future discussion on task force appointments and broader issues around ABA oversight and misuse.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a licensed behavioral health therapist. I practiced for a number of years.
• And look at the deficits and the gaps that exist in behavioral health in Arkansas.
• So it's time that we be a proactive state when it comes to behavioral health.
• There is a huge need for access to behavioral health services.
• It's just our forensic behavioral health services.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to recognize the community behavioral health providers and members of the Colorado Behavioral
• to recognize the community behavioral to recognize the community behavioral health<00:28:50.559>
• They behavioral healthc care safety net.
• units being built on behavioral units being built on behavioral healthcare<00:30:02.960> campus
• 13 in the world of behavioral health. 13 in the world of behavioral health.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with 55 members present and 10 excused, established a quorum, and approved the journal of Monday, January 26, 2026, as corrected. The chamber then took up Senate Joint Resolution 5, designating Colorado 4-H Day. Representatives Johnson and McCormick spoke in support, noting the visit from 4-H members and reciting the 4-H pledge. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 59-0, with six excused. The remainder of the meeting consisted largely of announcements and recognitions. Members highlighted upcoming legislative receptions for the Colorado Airport Operators Association and livestock groups, committee meetings including SMART Act hearings, Judiciary Committee items, Transportation/Housing/Local Government business, and a House Finance Committee meeting. Several members also recognized visiting groups and constituents, including behavioral health providers, Aurora Mental Health and Recovery, Heritage Heights Academy students, and House District 6 community leaders. A significant portion of the floor time was devoted to a personal privilege statement by Minority Leader Caldwell, who responded to concerns about immigration enforcement, emphasized the rule of law and due process, and criticized rhetoric he said endangered law enforcement and others. The House then moved into recess later in the day.