Transcript Highlights:

• They can make a program.
• through the program.
• And number three, future programs and grants should build upon existing programs and priorities rather
• We had a prior program pre-pandemic that didn't last the pandemic. That was a leadership program.
• , San Francisco, and that program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then it also includes longevity increases based on the years of service with the program or with the
• program.
• The majority of the programs program.
• or<00:10:53.200> with<00:10:53.440> the of service with the program or with the of
• service with the program or with the agency<00:10:54.240> as<00:10:54.560> well.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 29 January, 2026: 8:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Department of Mental Health presented its FY27 budget request and described its statewide responsibilities, including more than 600 grants totaling about $140 million, 11 community mental health centers, and state-operated programs for mental health, substance use, and intellectual/developmental disabilities. The request included $291.2 million in general funds, about $33.4 million above the current year, plus spending authority tied to ID regional programs and the IDD waiver. Major components included funding to enroll 250 additional people in the IDD home- and community-based waiver, a projected waiver rate increase, and added support for state-operated 24/7 programs facing staffing and operational shortfalls. The agency also asked to continue selected ARPA-funded services before those dollars expire, including 988 call center support, peer respite sites, court liaison positions, intensive community services for children and youth, and adolescent offender programs. Other requests covered salary adjustments and longevity increases for hard-to-fill positions, electronic health record support, IT security upgrades, a Jackson County crisis stabilization unit expansion from 8 to 16 beds, capital needs such as generator and boiler/chiller replacements, inflation-related increases for community mental health center grants, and restoration of general funds under a Joint Legislative Budget Committee recommendation. Officials emphasized that community-based care now accounts for 58% of funding and that the goal is to keep people out of institutions unless they need the highest level of care. Committee members asked about ARPA balances, forensic referrals, Jackson County’s request, and county support for community mental health centers. The department said about $25 million in ARPA funds remained and should be spent by September 30, with some delays due to reimbursement revisions. On forensic services, officials reported the new 81-bed maximum-security unit at State Hospital has cut the wait list roughly in half, but admission orders are up 51%, and some referrals may be unnecessary or used to delay proceedings. Members also discussed county contributions to community mental health centers, which the department said total about $9–10 million statewide, with most counties now meeting their obligations and only a few using small in-kind contributions.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 5086 by Ordaz, relating to establishing a pilot program to increase the supply of child care services
• HB 3156 by Rose, relating to the continuation of the pilot program designated to improve health services
• Program, is also referred to the Committee on Human Services.
• HB5536 by Howard relates to the establishment of the Child Protective Services Prevention Grant Program
• HB5639 by Garcia-Bear relates to a program to hire assistant veterans county service officers in certain

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, we focus on emergency services as well. ...and again, the Emergency Welfare Services SNAP program
• Child care services, we administer the state's Child Care Subsidy program.
• The Adult Protective Service program is a program that we have administered for a very long time.
• Under that current program, there are certain services you can't receive unless your injury happened
• We have to make sure the ones that truly need the services that you have in your program are the ones

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• PACT is an evidence-based program that provides many of the services available in an inpatient setting
• So this is likely to affect programs that are associated with lower-wage positions, such as human services
• entitled to those services and the services that they utilize.
• So any changes up or down to existing programs and services.
• So any changes up or down to existing programs and services.

Summary: The committee held a work session focused first on juvenile rehabilitation system capacity. DCYF officials said the juvenile rehabilitation population is older, includes more adult-sentenced youth, and has longer lengths of stay, especially for “post-25” youth who must remain in secure facilities and cannot go to community beds. They described overcrowding at Green Hill School, placement limits at Echo Glen and Harbor Heights, staffing turnover, mental health acuity, and the need for more medium-security and specialized mental health beds. DCYF said it is pursuing a Parkland facility proposal, a staffing model decision package, and a broader feasibility study and master plan update. No votes were taken; members were asked to follow up with questions later. The committee then heard on behavioral health system capacity from the Behavioral Health Administration and the Health Care Authority. DSHS described growth in forensic and civil bed need, expansion at Olympic Heritage, Maple Lane, and Brockman, and construction of a new 350-bed forensic hospital at Western State expected to open in 2028. HCA reported progress on long-term civil commitment beds, intensive behavioral health treatment facilities, PACT teams, and intensive residential treatment teams, saying the community-based system is being expanded to support step-down care and reduce hospital reliance. Members asked about whether capacity is right-sized, the difference between facility types, and federal match eligibility for services. A federal funding update followed, covering the effects of H.R. 1 and H.R. 5371 on SNAP, Medicaid, marketplace coverage, long-term services and supports, K-12, higher education, and hemp regulation. OFM and agency staff said H.R. 1 adds work requirements, changes non-citizen eligibility, increases state administrative and benefit costs, reduces Medicaid and marketplace subsidies for some groups, tightens redeterminations, and may significantly affect provider payments and state-directed payments. H.R. 5371 extended federal funding through January 30, 2026 and included some agency appropriations and other provisions, including changes affecting hemp producers. Members asked about SNAP error rates and special enrollment periods. Finally, budget coordinator Mary Monroe gave a 2026 supplemental budget preview. She reviewed the state’s near general fund outlook, noting revenue declines since the enacted budget, the effect of reversions, and a preliminary maintenance-level outlook showing a projected increase in NGFO spending over the four-year period. She said the supplemental will reflect updated caseload and cost forecasts and mandatory impacts from H.R. 1, but not policy proposals. No actions or votes were taken during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the focus of this program is to support enhanced career services.
• support uh enhanced this program is to support uh enhanced career<00:08:27.520> services.
• Our programs grew organically to meet community needs, and I highlight that domestic violence service
• provide the services that come from different program areas.
• , afterschool programming, and employment services that help families move toward stability.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if a service provided similar supports across the different programs, it now had the same name for
• So when you look at the service menu today and what the service menu would be under the new waiver programs
• So under Medicaid nationally, those programs are the services that people are entitled to, so you have
• So under Medicaid nationally, those programs are the services that people are entitled to, so you have
• So under Medicaid nationally, those programs are the services that people are entitled to, so you have

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Services to discuss early intensive behavioral interventions, or EIDBI programming, otherwise known as
• of autism services and EIDBI program. of autism services and EIDBI program.
• ><00:04:48.640> integrity Services or CMS on program integrity Services or CMS on program integrity
• Seriously, the qualifications for providers that we allow to provide services in our Medicaid program
• Seriously, the qualifications for providers that we allow to provide services in our Medicaid program

Bills: HF3542

Keywords: data privacy, investigative data, welfare system, public funds, transparency, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• disability studies and disability services, autism waiver program.
• Kouhartchik to talk more about the services that the program provides. Thank you, Dean.
• program is supported is through fee-based services.
• And this Autism Support Program provides intensive support services from academics to services related
• Koharchik will talk more about some of the details of the types of services that the program provides

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:

• The governor’s first proposal for the Office of Justice Programs is for Crime Victim Services Grants.
• They serve over 90 member programs from every part of Minnesota who provide direct services to victims
• The services that our member programs offer are varied and The services that our member programs offer
• our programs are providing services our programs are doing<01:03:54.599> their<01:03:54.839><
• also uh you've got direct service also uh you've got direct service programs<01:24:27.639> who

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The plan provides targeted, primarily one-time augmentations to a number of human services programs,
• program, HAP, as well as funding for homelessness programs in the Department of Social Services.
• PACE programs provide critical health and social services for seniors, allowing them to continue living
• It's threatening health care access, safety net programs, and services that millions of Californians
• requests and that the programs invest in the civil service workforce, not contractors.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the 2026 Budget Act, which leaders said was the negotiated compromise with the Senate and was expected to move to the floor that evening. Opening remarks emphasized that the plan balances the budget over two years, reduces the structural deficit, and builds reserves, while also protecting core services in the face of federal cuts. Jason Sisney outlined the legislative budget framework and the likely floor bills, including AB 109, SB 110, SB 122, and SB 125. Department of Finance representative Eric Khali said the administration appreciated the two-year balanced approach and supported the modification in SB 122, while noting the package uses additional revenues and new spending to soften or reject some proposed cuts. Most of the discussion focused on major spending areas. Members and subcommittee chairs highlighted protections and additions for health care and human services, including rejecting the proposed Medi-Cal asset limit change, delaying premium increases, restoring clinic and dental funding, supporting distressed hospitals and county indigent care, and expanding county eligibility staffing to handle H.R. 1-related workload. Education members described record or expanded support for TK-12 schools, child care, special education, community colleges, teacher recruitment, and higher education, including a change to extend Cal Grant eligibility to age 30 for some community college students. Housing and homelessness funding was increased for HAP, multifamily housing, and the low-income housing tax credit, while public safety members pointed to investments in victims’ services, restorative justice, and prison closure savings. Several members also raised concerns or priorities tied to the budget deal. Some praised the package as a moral document that protects vulnerable Californians, immigrant communities, LGBTQ residents, seniors, and people with disabilities. Others noted unresolved issues, including the MCO tax’s impact on districts, the need for more support for local journalism, arts, biotech R&D incentives, transit and GGRF-related concerns, and the need for continued work on Prop. 98 and long-term fiscal resilience. The vice chair cautioned that despite the current progress, the state remains vulnerable to revenue volatility and warned that the budget should build more resilience against a possible downturn. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided, but the committee was preparing the budget package for floor action and final negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Expanding the Children's Crisis Pilot Program to include services such as short-term residential treatment
• The child support program also provides families with access to a broad range of services, and...
• The child support program also provides families with access to a broad range of services, including
• is supported by wraparound services through the Homeless Assistance Program.
• It wasn't until I went to neighborhood legal services that an attorney told me about the program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• disability studies and disability services, autism waiver program.
• Kouharchik to talk more about the services that the program provides. Thank you, Dean.
• program is supported is through fee-based services.
• And this autism support program provides intensive support services from academics to services related
• Koharchik will talk more about some of the details of the types of services that the program provides

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:

• We thank you for the robust investment in legal services, particularly the One California program, and
• Additionally, thank you for funding the enhanced services for asylees and vulnerable non-citizens program
• We thank you for the robust investment in legal services, particularly the One California program, and
• We thank you for the robust investment in legal services, particularly the One California program, and
• This will go a long way to support. enhanced services for Asylees and vulnerable non-citizens program

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the final three-party agreement for the 2026-27 state budget and 19 implementing bills, including two budget bill juniors and 17 trailer bills. Committee leadership and administration officials described the budget as a balanced plan that reduces out-year structural deficits, maintains large reserves, and makes major investments in health care, education, housing, child care, public safety, and other core services while also responding to expected federal cuts and fiscal uncertainty. The Department of Finance outlined the package’s major components, including Medi-Cal adjustments, education funding increases, higher education changes, child care and human services updates, housing and homelessness funding, energy and transportation provisions, and tax and general government changes. Members asked questions about several provisions, including CSU enrollment targets and turnaround plans, the Prop. 98 settle-up mechanism, the plastics market development payment program, housing accountability measures, NextGen 9-1-1 implementation, and veteran services. Staff and administration witnesses explained that the higher education language is intended to improve campus-by-campus reporting and oversight, that Prop. 98 settle-up would be finalized later through the statutory certification process, and that NextGen 9-1-1 now includes one-time funding, quarterly reporting, an independent technical review, and a state audit. Members also discussed the HAP homelessness funding increase to $900 million and the balance between accountability and timely distribution of funds. The most extended exchange centered on comparisons between funding for veterans and Medi-Cal/immigrant health coverage. Republican members argued the budget spends far more on undocumented immigrant services than on veterans, while Democratic members and Finance staff responded that the comparison was misleading because many veterans’ services are federally funded and the state budget also includes dedicated veteran support. The chair and other members emphasized that the budget reflects difficult tradeoffs and that the package protects vulnerable populations, preserves health care access, and advances affordability. No final vote was described in the excerpt, but members indicated support for the overall package and said they would support it on the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• The plan provides targeted, primarily one-time augmentations to a number of human services programs,
• program, HAP, as well as funding for homelessness programs in the Department of Social Services.
• PACE programs provide critical health and social services for seniors, allowing them to continue living
• It's threatening health care access, safety net programs, and services that millions of Californians
• requests and that the programs invest in the civil service workforce, not contractors.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In Missouri, syringe service programs and overdose prevention centers remain strictly illegal.
• Syringe service programs, or SSPs, also known as needle exchanges, are outlawed.
• I have filed in the House several times a bill to address the issue of the Surin Service programs.
• There are 38 states plus D.C. that have syringe service programs in their state.
• It saves us in other social services programs. It saves us money in other programs.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . services. services.
• care services. >> [clears throat] Uh financial assistance program for nuclear energy related projects
• increases in Medicaid fee-for-service increases in Medicaid fee-for-service program.
• Page 106, the Senate also added a service requirement to the optometry scholarship program on a year-for-year
• requirement to the optometry a service requirement to the optometry scholarship<01:04:58.680> program

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Free Conference Committee on the 2026 General Assembly budget met to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of House Bill 500. Leaders opened by thanking the other chamber’s work, asking members to turn microphones on and off to avoid feedback, and stressing the need to clearly note decision points so both chambers record the same actions. Staff then walked through the bill page by page, explaining that the committee was comparing only House and Senate differences, not the governor’s proposed budget. The discussion covered a wide range of appropriations and language items, including next generation non-911 services, school safety reporting tools, restored funding for brain injury, epilepsy, veteran service, homeless veterans, and rocket docket programs, debt service changes, rural infrastructure, disaster aid caps, Attorney General and Medicaid fraud funding, agriculture and county fair grants, auditor and pension-related appropriations, school facilities and SEEK funding, and numerous education programs. Members also discussed charter-related funding such as Star Academy, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, school resource officers, school-based mental health providers, AP/IB exams, Governor’s Scholars and Entrepreneurs, and several pilot or initiative programs in economic development, energy, and labor. Several items were described as technical corrections or restorations of language and funding, while others reflected differences in amounts or how funds would be distributed. There were several questions and comments from members about wording such as “implement and carry out,” the absence of the governor’s budget from the comparison document, and whether SEEK funding should be tied to teacher raises. The chair and other members emphasized that the committee’s role was to reconcile the two chambers’ budgets, not to adopt the governor’s proposal. Members also raised concerns about opioid settlement funds and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library match rate, with one senator urging restoration of the House language. No final vote or formal action was taken in the portion provided; the meeting primarily consisted of explanation, questions, and discussion of proposed budget differences.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, 70% of participants in our 24-hour customized living program began receiving services prior
• began receiving Services Living Program began receiving Services prior<00:40:11.200> to<00:40
• <00:43:23.559> and<00:43:23.839> programs person- centered services and programs person
• <01:19:27.600> essential services and programs that are essential services and programs that
• the program and the services<01:20:16.719> that<01:20:16.880> we<01:20:17.040> need

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill transitions away from the hotel motel program to a continuum of housing services at the local
• to a continuum of housing motel program to a continuum of housing services<01:31:42.680> at<01
• The program components include different levels of services.
• This is a program between Agency of Human Services and the Vermont State Housing Authority, where those
• and shelters when the for those services and shelters when the program<02:03:47.520> is<02:03

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• look at how the state operates and navigates human services programs.
• She said she could pass it off if other members had comments. human services programs.
• Uh and human services programs.
• This is an adjustment to the focused program. This is not paying directly for those services.
• service program<00:55:00.559> which<00:55:00.800> includes<00:55:01.119> Metro<

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House began with a point of personal privilege honoring Master Sergeant Nicole M. Amimer of White Bear Lake, including a House resolution recognizing her military service and sacrifice and a moment of silence. Members then took up House File 4987, which would rename a highway in White Bear Lake as the Master Sergeant Nicole M. Amimer Memorial Highway. The motion to suspend rules and advance the bill prevailed, and the bill later passed 126-0 after supportive remarks from Representatives Olsen and Curran about honoring Amimer and her family. The chamber then considered Senate File 476, the human services policy bill. Representative Noor described it as a broad package covering direct care and treatment, Department of Health policy, aging and disability services, behavioral health, vulnerable adult maltreatment, continuity of care, and miscellaneous policy changes. Representative Schumacher said the bill reflected stakeholder work and added guardrails, especially around fraud and provider processes. Several amendments were offered and adopted, including a technical A13 amendment; an A8 amendment was withdrawn; and an A1 amendment on individualized home supports was also withdrawn. The bill passed 93-39. Finally, the House took up House File 4546, the forecast adjustment bill for the Department of Human Services and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Representative Noor said it was a routine biennial adjustment to align spending with the February forecast. Representative Johnson W offered an amendment on foster family information-sharing but withdrew it after concluding it was not germane. Debate focused heavily on the size of the forecast increases, especially in medical assistance and housing supports, with Representative Schultz arguing the bill reflected large cost growth and urging a no vote. Noor responded that the increases were driven by forecasted utilization, eligibility, rate changes, and program integrity changes. The bill passed as amended 93-39.