Video & Transcript Research : 'Developmental Disabilities Division'
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 01/23/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- its archiving work of developmental disabilities and Minnesota.
- For the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities to continue its archiving work of developmental
- disabilities to continue developmental disabilities to continue its<00:50:54.200>
archiving <00 - Disabilities history and Developmental Disabilities history and people<00:58:01.640>
just <00: - Holocaust people with developmental Holocaust people with developmental disabilities<00:58:52.760
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 049 Mar 4th, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- No<00:29:54.040>
division. No division. No division. Senate<00:29:55.600>services. - Today we recognize people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the community of family
- Today we recognize people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the community of family
- Today we recognize people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the community of family
- intellectual and developmental intellectual and developmental disabilities<00:34:33.879>
and<
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, suspended Rule 1B to allow a non-senator to lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard a special guest introduction before approving the March 2, 2026 journal. The chamber then received committee reports and messages from the House and revisor, including action on several bills and appointments, and briefly moved out of order for personal privileges recognizing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and the challenges facing that community amid budget pressures.
The Senate adopted House Joint Resolution 1018, designating State Highway 86 through Elbert County as the Plains to Pines Scenic Corridor, after lengthy remarks describing the route, local communities, and scenic and historic features. The resolution passed 35-0, and the current roll call was added as co-sponsors. The Senate also passed the consent-calendar bills on third reading: SB 59, SB 50, SB 51, SB 110, SB 61, and SB 26, with several senators recording no votes on SB 59, SB 50, and SB 51. SB 21, concerning the clean fleet enterprise and replacement of high-emitting trucks and fleets, also passed 33-2.
The Senate confirmed governor’s appointments to the Colorado Tourism Office Board of Directors on the consent calendar, including Lisa Augustin, Carolyn Glover, Megan Letham, George Keriannac, and Lisa Boyer, all by a 35-0 vote. It also laid over general orders, second reading of bills, until March 4, 2026. The meeting ended with announcements about committee meetings, Read Across America Week, and a Colorado Optometrist Association reception, followed by a motion to recess until 11:00 a.m., which was adopted.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor. (2-13-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- I also am the mother of a 19-year-old with developmental disabilities and intellectual disabilities.
- We have to have 19-year-old with developmental 19-year-old with developmental disabilities<00:15:32.399
- with disabilities.
- with disabilities.
- with disabilities.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00
Roll Call 00:13
SB 15 Discussion 00:45
SB 15 Vote 08:40
SB 103 Discussion 11:12
SB 103 Vote 29:49, 958, all
Summary:
The Senate Committee for Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor heard two bills. Senate Bill 15, sponsored by Sen. Amanda Bledsoe, was presented with testimony from Major League Baseball in support of exempting minor league baseball players from Kentucky wage-and-hour treatment. Witnesses said the bill would preserve the negotiated collective bargaining structure for players, avoid impractical time-tracking requirements, and keep Kentucky aligned with other states. Senators discussed minor league salary levels, the importance of baseball to Kentucky communities, and the bill’s relationship to minimum wage law. The committee then took a roll call vote and passed the bill with unanimous support from members present.
The committee next heard Senate Bill 103 from Sen. Danny Carroll, which would require the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to adopt regulations under Chapter 13A, limit reciprocal agreements with other states until in-state provider contracts are exhausted, establish procedures for service fee memos before a new fiscal year, and require an annual report with operating and financial information. Testimony from community rehabilitation providers and disability advocates emphasized that the bill would increase transparency, protect local providers, and improve services for people with disabilities seeking competitive employment. They said Kentucky has a large disability population, that many working-age individuals with disabilities are not employed, and that better oversight could help address workforce shortages and reduce reliance on public assistance. Senators asked about the disability population, age ranges served, funding, and recent changes to provider rates and selection processes. The committee then voted to pass Senate Bill 103 unanimously.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Katie Walden, Bureau of Legislative Research, Fiscal Division.
- Number one is with the Division of County Operations.
- Number three, also with the Disability Coalition, this is increasing by $17,500 for the Arkansas Disability
- consultant for disability case processing services.
- of Developmental Disabilities.
Summary:
The committee met to review a supplemental agenda item, procurement rule revisions, methods of finance, discretionary grants, contracts, reports, and a member disclosure. The supplemental agenda was accepted, and the Office of State Procurement’s rule revisions were approved after Jessica Patterson explained they were driven by 2025 legislative changes, including Act 782, CASO Consulting recommendations, and updates to sole source, bid, protest, and debarment provisions. The methods of finance and discretionary grants were also approved, covering a range of university capital projects, health and human services grants, historic preservation awards, and tobacco prevention and cessation programs.
The committee then reviewed RFQs and six ratifications. The ratifications included a Workforce Connections payment to ACT WorkKeys for services provided during a contract gap, a Department of Health ratification for water-leak repairs, a large Department of Public Safety ratification for Motorola’s Arkansas Wireless Information Network upgrade, a Veterans Affairs HVAC ratification, an ADFA medical services ratification, and a UA Little Rock painting contract ratification. Members questioned the Public Safety ratification at length about why the expired Motorola contract was not caught sooner and why it took months after discovery to come forward; agency officials said the work was tied to bond funding and was not tracked in ASIS, and the chair urged agencies to develop better monitoring procedures.
The committee approved a large slate of construction, intergovernmental, out-of-state, and in-state contracts, including many recurring service agreements for DHS, higher education institutions, corrections, health agencies, and state support functions. Several members asked about specific contracts, including aerial application services for correctional farms and a Southern Arkansas University custodial contract, and staff or agency representatives provided brief explanations. The meeting concluded with review of reports and approval of a member disclosure involving Representative Andrew Collins’ investment interest in a company leasing property to Arkansas Rehabilitation Services.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Feb 6th, 2026 at 11:19 am
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Cheryl Jeff, Division of Community Development, Navajo Nation, advocate for the Navajo Nation capital
- disabilities.
- disabilities.
- Speaker, gentlelady, currently in the process, the HED also has an audit division.
- Are you aware of the audit division? Mr. Speaker and gentlelady, I am. Mr.
Bills:
HB111, HJR1, HB61, HB8, HB30, HB43, HB156, HJM2, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB70, SB3, HJM3
Keywords:
water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- We're going now to Developmental Disabilities, Ms. Waltz. Yes, sir.
- The next is the Division of Developmental Disability Services and its appropriation summaries on page
- miss waltz yes sir the next is the division of developmental disability services and its appropriation
- It's the second from the bottom, 896 Division of Developmental Disability Services.
- It's the second from the bottom, 896 Division of Developmental Disability Services.
Summary:
The committee heard a series of Arkansas Department of Human Services budget presentations and questions, beginning with the Secretary’s Office and then the Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services. Staff described the divisions’ appropriations, funding sources, and major programs, including senior centers, Meals on Wheels, mental health grants, substance abuse treatment, community alcohol safety, the Medicaid tobacco settlement program, and crisis stabilization units. Members raised concerns about flat or limited funding for senior services, the use and tracing of federal block grants, the lack of a funding source for the veterans’ mental health grant, and the mechanics of the community alcohol safety and treatment programs. The committee also discussed patient benefits funds at state facilities, transportation for senior center clients, and whether some special-language appropriations or fund balances should be revisited. Executive recommendations were adopted for the divisions considered.
The committee then reviewed the Division of Children and Family Services and the Division of County Operations. Questions focused on foster care growth, adoption subsidies, professional fees tied to staff training and onboarding, vacancies, the Children’s Trust Fund, and TANF subgrants. Members asked about the reduction or elimination of TANF funding to child advocacy centers and other subgrantees, and DHS explained that prior reserves had been spent down and that the department was now trying to live within the annual TANF block grant and rebuild reserves. County operations questions also covered summer EBT, SNAP employment and training, the farmers’ market program, and the expected impact of a federal SNAP administrative match change, which DHS estimated would increase state costs by about $24 million annually, with roughly $18 million affecting the current year because the change begins October 1. Executive recommendations were again adopted.
Finally, the committee heard from the Division of Developmental Disability Services and the Division of Medical Services. DDS testimony covered vacancies, staffing shortages, human development center construction and repairs, the reopening of the Boonville work training program, and funding for infant infirmary and child/family life programs. Medical Services testimony covered the Medicaid program, the current FMAP rate, the Our Kids B CHIP program, Medicaid payments to schools, nursing home distress funding, and large appropriation lines used to provide flexibility for claims and potential facility closures. Members asked for more detail on school Medicaid payments, reserve balances, and why some appropriations were much larger than actual spending. In each division, the committee moved and adopted Executive REC after questions concluded.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Dec 9th, 2025 at 08:40 am
Transcript Highlights:
- We will talk about the Medicaid program, the Developmental Disability Supports Division, and the Behavioral
- Okay, I'm going to shift now to DDSD, or the Developmental Disability Supports Division.
- On page 17, when we're looking at the Developmental Disability Supports Division and I just want to say
- I'm the director of the Developmental Disability Support Division.
- This Rate study is specific to the Developmental Disability Supports Waiver Program.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary (2-6-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Crystal Adams, I am the chair for the work group for the intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- disabilities work group.
- <00:04:21.000>
workg intellectual and developmental workg intellectual and developmental workg - <00:10:24.320>
and clear definition of disability and clear definition of disability and prevent - <00:10:30.640>
this based upon a parents disability this based upon a parents disability this
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00:05
Roll Call: 00:00:14
SB 26: 00:01:50
SB 64: 00:18:29
SB 73: 00:22:54, 958, all
Summary:
The Senate Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and heard three bills. Senate Bill 26, sponsored by Chair Storm, would protect parents and prospective parents with disabilities by barring disability alone from being the sole basis for denying an adoption petition or terminating parental rights. Testimony from Judge Marcus Vanover and Crystal Adams described the bill as a product of the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health and its work groups, cited Kentucky and national cases and federal ADA guidance, and said the bill would require consideration of supportive services, clearer documentation, retention of records, and conforming language changes. Senator Carroll asked how the bill would apply to a hypothetical adult child with special needs; witnesses said the bill is aimed at adoption and termination proceedings where the Cabinet is already involved, not proactive service requests. The committee approved SB 26 by a unanimous 7-0 vote and sent it to the floor with favorable expression.
The committee next considered Senate Bill 64, also sponsored by Chair Storm, which would expand the definition of key infrastructure assets to include telecommunications services such as telephone lines and broadband and make damaging, tampering with, or rendering those services inoperable a Class D felony. Representatives from Charter/Spectrum and AT&T testified that copper theft and vandalism have increasingly damaged fiber and other facilities, citing more than 20 incidents in Kentucky in 2024 affecting over 30,000 customers and diverting resources from broadband expansion. The committee adopted a committee substitute and then passed SB 64 by a 7-0 vote with favorable expression.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 73, sponsored by Senator Julie Adams, which would create a felony offense for sexual extortion, allow victims or their representatives to bring civil actions, include the offense in Kentucky’s sex-crime definitions, and require school-based notification and education efforts along with resource information for students. Senator Adams and witness Lady T. Thompson described sextortion as a fast-growing online crime targeting minors, often through social media, gaming, and messaging apps, and argued that stronger penalties and prevention efforts are needed. The transcript cuts off before any committee action on SB 73.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Government Contract Review Committee (9-9-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the director for the Division of Mental Health within the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental
- and Intellectual Disabilities.
- , Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities.
- and Intellectual Disabilities.
- Disabilities. Disabilities.
Summary:
The committee first approved the August 12 minutes and then handled a large agenda of 355 contracts totaling about $278.7 million. It agreed to defer three Office of Energy Policy items to the October 2025 meeting and reviewed a deferred Kentucky Educational Television contract without objection. The main substantive discussion centered on two University of Louisville legal services PSC amendments and a Seven Counties Services MOA item.
For the University of Louisville items, members questioned a large increase in hourly rates and the scope of the legal services, especially complex litigation work and a Colorado estate matter. University officials said the contracts followed an RFP, involved specialized litigation, included local counsel where required, and were expected to be offset by savings in other PSCs and by a potential financial recovery in the Colorado matter. The committee also discussed whether the $125 hourly rate was a statutory requirement or committee policy; the chair later said staff would verify whether it was an executive-branch regulation or statutory rate. Both University of Louisville items were ultimately approved, though Senator Meredith voted no on one and Senator Douglas explained his support while urging future adjustments and more information sharing.
The Seven Counties Services contract drew questions about how the $18.7 million would be used and whether federal changes could affect future funding. Cabinet officials described 988 crisis response, outpatient mental health and substance use treatment, prevention, recovery, and harm-reduction services, and said they were monitoring federal developments daily. Representative Petrie and Senator Thomas pressed the cabinet on the long-running Seven Counties bankruptcy and the need to push for resolution; officials said the matter was pending on a motion for reconsideration and that they would try to help move it along. The contract was approved.
At the end of the meeting, the committee approved the remaining agenda items as reviewed without objection, but Senator Meredith voted no on the blanket approval motion because of numerous retroactive contract requests and what she said were insufficient explanations such as administrative error or staff being on conference. She said retroactive approvals should be rare and supported stronger internal controls.
VA
Virginia 2026 1st Special Session
Disability Commission Jun 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It adds developmental disabilities to the conditions for which a defendant may qualify for a deferred
- disabilities.
- This would be someone more located at the school division level, so requiring each school division, perhaps
- disabilities.
- disabilities.
Summary:
The Virginia Disability Commission held its first meeting of the year on June 18, established a quorum, and introduced members. Senator Barbara Favola was elected chair and Delegate Amy Laufer was elected vice chair, both unanimously. The commission also reviewed and unanimously approved its electronic/remote participation policy, which mirrors last year’s policy and allows limited remote participation under Virginia FOIA rules.
Staff then reviewed a package of 14 disability-related bills that passed last session and were signed into law. Topics included disabled veterans’ vehicle registration fee exemptions, open captioning requirements for movie theaters, guardianship/conservatorship order forwarding, service dog team definitions, education and transition planning for students with disabilities, Blue Envelope and driver communication training for law enforcement and driver education, deferred disposition and jury service protections, voting rights in guardianship cases, expansion of the Virginia Human Rights Act, continuation of a DD waiver eligibility change, and DMAS training authority for autism competency checklists. Members discussed implementation concerns, especially making the Blue Envelope/driver communication program more visible and considering a follow-up letter and DMV presentation.
The commission then adopted its interim work plan unanimously, with discussion of possible presentations on DMAS and Medicaid waivers, DBHDS telehealth training implementation, SCHEV and VDOE transition planning, transition from institutions to community settings, criminal justice reform, transportation and parking accessibility, adult-sized changing tables, and school accessibility. Members also suggested adding EVV concerns, seclusion and restraint, rare disease issues, and insurance coverage problems for needed medications. Public commenters urged the commission to address burdensome EVV requirements for family caregivers, improve accessibility for local government meetings and documents, and explore a standardized credential/career pathway for direct support professionals. The chair said follow-up work would be assigned on EVV and implementation issues, and the meeting location would move to the Senate side of the Capitol going forward.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Human Committee Meeting - 2025-04-09
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- and the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities.
- disabilities.
- the metro serving about 300 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Developmental disabilities, substance abuse issues, or many other barriers that prevent them from living
- With developmental disabilities, but also individuals who have criminal histories—individuals who are
Bills:
HF2434
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 102 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- An act relative to tax abatement for permanently disabled veterans. House number 315.
- Pike, an employee of the Department of Developmental Services.
- Those voting in favor: First Division, 1; Second Division, 1; Third Division, 0; Fourth Division, 0.
- Those in opposition: First Division, 0; Second Division, 0; Third Division, 0; Fourth Division, 0.
- Pike, an employee of the Department of Developmental Services.
Summary:
The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several committee reports and local bills. It concurred in a Senate referral of a petition on fair tax treatment for zero-emission vehicles and suspended Joint Rule 12 for additional petitions, including measures on construction supervisory licensing, the Athol-Royalston Regional School District Financial Stability Fund, and zero-emission vehicle taxes. The House also acted on a Judiciary Committee report recommending passage of House No. 4647, establishing a sick leave bank for Amy Tangway, and ordered it to a third reading.
The chamber then considered a series of bills reported by Steering, Policy and Scheduling, including measures for tax abatement for permanently disabled veterans, line-of-duty death benefits for firefighters, Building Trades Recovery Week, and a civil service exam exemption for a Haverhill police officer candidate. These bills were advanced to third reading. The House also passed several engrossed bills to enactment, including a sick leave bank for Candy J. Pike, a special fund for the Festival of Hills in Conway, authorization for Watertown to lease property, a change to the Holden moderator term, and an update to Medford’s linkage exaction program.
Later, the House concurred in Senate amendments related to sewer service authority in Sharon, and passed to engrossment bills authorizing parking fines in Marblehead and an additional liquor license in Somerset. It also engrossed sick leave bank bills for David A. Russell and Jean McCarran; the McCarran bill was amended to add an emergency preamble before passage. Finally, the House enacted the Candy J. Pike sick leave bank bill, adopted an order to meet the following Wednesday at 11 a.m., and adjourned in formal session.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC) Mar 20th, 2026
ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)
Transcript Highlights:
- The Hospital, Medicaid, and Developmental Disabilities Studies Subcommittee met on February 24th at the
- Jennifer Brisei, Director of the Division of Developmental Disability Services.
- Adult Mental Disability Services.
- Jennifer Brisei, Director of the Division of Developmental Disability Services.
- Adult Mental Disability Services.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 103 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It's our job as legislators to make sure that the people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- The Disability Law Center, the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council, the Arc of Massachusetts
- The new words like persons with disabilities instead of disabled persons, ...thing.
- The new words like persons with disabilities instead of disabled persons, or American veterans with disabilities
- disabilities.
Summary:
The House opened with routine ceremonial business, including the Pledge of Allegiance and adoption of several resolutions, such as congratulations to the Williamsburg Grange on its 125th anniversary and to Fire Captain Melissa Blodgett on her retirement. The chamber also concurred in a Senate petition to establish a sick leave bank for a Bristol County Sheriff’s Department employee and suspended Joint Rule 12 to advance local petitions, including one involving the Dalton Fire District and another renaming a Chelmsford bridge.
The main floor action centered on several Ways and Means bills. The House advanced a bill amending laws relative to individuals with disabilities, replacing outdated and offensive terminology in the General Laws with person-first language; members spoke at length in support, emphasizing dignity, inclusion, and the bill’s non-substantive nature. The bill was engrossed by a roll call vote, 152-0. The House also took up and engrossed a bill to improve Massachusetts home care, which would create a licensing and oversight framework for private-pay home care agencies, establish standards for contracts, background checks, training, insurance, and consumer protections, and create advisory committees to guide implementation. An amendment establishing a Family Caregiver Commission was adopted 154-0, and the bill itself was then engrossed 153-1.
In addition, the House passed or engrossed several other measures, including a bill authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to provide sewer services to land in Sharon, a sick leave bank bill for a Trial Court employee, a Marblehead parking fines bill, a Hingham municipal property bill for a center for active living, and a Taunton bill allowing continued employment of Police Chief Edward J. Walsh. The chamber also handled numerous calendar items, holding or passing over many while advancing a few. The session ended with a special adjournment in memory of former Representative George L. Sacco Jr., and the House adjourned to meet the next day at 11 a.m. in informal session.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 10, February 20, 2026-PM
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- >
disabled Um, if you're developmentally disabled Um, if you're developmentally disabled and<03 - disability waivers to try developmental disability waivers to try to<03:17:30.280>
help <03:17 - Uh, I am talking about our developmental disability rate providers.
- This is for our developmentally disabled children. This is specialized training.
- developmentally disabled children. developmentally disabled children.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Health and Human Services Feb 5th, 2025
House Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Comparable to New Mexico's waiver program for persons with developmental disabilities.
- I'm Jim Copeland, Executive Director of the Association of Developmental Disabilities Community Providers
- We think that there are currently people being served on the developmental disabilities waiver that are
- disabilities were not met.
- disabilities.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Families and Children. (3-5-26)
Families & Children
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:15:38.399>
and behavioral health, developmental and behavioral health, developmental and - intellectual<00:15:39.279>
disabilities. - intellectual disabilities. intellectual disabilities. >> Good<00:15:42.079>
morning. - health, developmental and intellectual disabilities.<00:15:50.800>
also <00:15:51.120>an disabilities. also an attempt survivor. disabilities. also an attempt survivor.
Keywords:
00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call
01:10 - Discussion of 26RS HB 669
08:25 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 669
09:25 - Discussion of 26RS HCR 36
13:15 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HCR 36
14:05 - Discussion of 26RS HB 686
29:20 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 686
30:10 - Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Families and Children met and first adopted a House committee substitute for House Bill 669, which would protect federal benefits belonging to children in out-of-home care. The sponsor explained the bill is intended to prevent the state from using a child’s Social Security survivor, disability, or death benefits to offset care costs, instead requiring those funds to be preserved in an account for the child and made available at certain milestones or when the child leaves care. Members asked about who would oversee the funds, how annual eligibility reviews would work, and when the child could access the money; the sponsor said the cabinet would set the review process by rule and that the funds would remain available for the child. The committee approved HB 669 15-0 with favorable expression.
The committee then considered House Concurrent Resolution 36, as amended by committee substitute, which creates a child welfare and family court reform task force. The substitute changed the reporting structure to send the task force’s report to the interim joint committee on families and children and the judiciary committee, rather than a now-defunct Health and Human Services committee. Supporters said the task force should review child abuse and neglect, foster care, and family court processes, and gather input from experts and people with lived experience. Members discussed whether the work should be divided into separate family court and child welfare task forces, but the resolution moved forward and passed 15-0 with favorable expression.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 686, which would establish a Kentucky Positive Youth Development Commission and a dedicated trust and agency account to support community-based youth programming up to age 25. The sponsor and witnesses said the bill responds to rising youth mental health concerns, self-harm, and suicide, and would coordinate statewide efforts, support evidence-based out-of-school programming, and provide technical assistance to local partners. Testimony emphasized the importance of connectedness, trusted adults, community-based responses, and using settlement funds from social media-related harms to youth to support the trust. Members asked about how the bill compares with other states and how the “dose-response” language relates to adverse and positive childhood experiences. HB 686 also passed 15-0 with favorable expression. The committee announced its next meeting for Thursday, March 12 at 9:00 a.m. and then adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 49 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- with intellectual disabilities, to the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
- Elliott that the Commissioner of the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance be authorized
- with intellectual disabilities, to the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
- First Division: 0, Second Division: 1, Third Division: 0, Fourth Division: 1.
- Those in opposition: First Division: 0, Second Division: 0, Third Division: 0.
Summary:
The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several routine matters from the Committee on Rules, including ceremonial resolutions recognizing the Concord-Nenezi sister city relationship, the 35th anniversary of the Massachusetts-Hokkaido sister-state relationship, and congratulating Rachel Cohen on earning Eagle Scout. The House suspended the rules and adopted those resolutions. It also suspended Joint Rule 12 on a number of petitions, including proposals involving neuropsychology evaluations for persons with intellectual disabilities, pharmacists’ participation as preferred providers, a sick leave bank for a Department of Transportation employee, and land/easement authority for the City of Lowell.
The main substantive issue was House Bill 4001, the fiscal year 2026 state budget, which came from the Senate with a full substitute amendment. The House suspended the rules but voted not to concur with the Senate amendment. The chamber then agreed to reappoint a conference committee, naming Representatives Michlewitz, Ferrante, and Smola to negotiate with the Senate. The House also considered and advanced several Public Service Committee bills establishing sick leave banks for state and local employees, including Kendra Winner, Dana Johnson, Stephen Forget, Daniel Yender, and Martin Kratman; each was ordered to a third reading after suspension of the rules.
Later, the House took up Senate No. 2521, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill. After suspension of the rules, the bill was read a second time, ordered to a third reading, passed to be engrossed, and then enacted. The emergency preamble was separately adopted by a recorded vote, and the bill was finally passed. The House also adopted an order to meet again the following Monday at 11 a.m., then adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 47 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- First division: 25.
- delays, seizures, and other lifelong disabilities.
- Seizures, and other lifelong disabilities.
- Division 1. Zero. Division 2. Thank you.
- Upon support, the rise of Division 1, 20.
Summary:
The House took up several Senate and House bills, mostly under suspension of the rules, and advanced a number of measures to third reading or engrossment. Early in the session, the House dealt with a Senate bill on student learning and mental health by insisting on its position and appointing a committee of conference. It also referred a Senate petition on alleviating poverty to the Committee on Children and Families after the House declined to concur with a Judiciary referral. The chamber then considered and advanced multiple Ways and Means bills, including legislation on police interactions with people with autism spectrum disorder, honoring Blue Star families, land conveyance in Bolton, newborn screening for congenital cytomegalovirus, affordable housing and cultural space in Brighton, increasing access to epinephrine, and civil rights and technology.
Several bills drew extended floor debate. Supporters of the epinephrine bill emphasized its life-saving purpose and described the death of Michael Brown as a catalyst for the measure; the House adopted the bill after a roll call vote of 149-0. The newborn CMV screening bill also prompted substantial testimony in favor from public health advocates and parents, who argued that universal screening would enable earlier treatment and reduce long-term harm; an amendment to add other rare diseases was withdrawn, and a later amendment creating a broad opt-out was defeated 1-153 before the bill passed 154-1. The civil rights and technology bill focused on banning weaponized drones and robotic devices, restricting misuse, and preserving law enforcement and civil liberties; it passed 154-1. The Blue Star families bill, creating commemorative plates for families of fallen law enforcement officers, passed 156-0 after emotional remarks from members and supporters.
The House also passed without recorded opposition a bill facilitating better interactions between police and people with autism, and it approved a Bolton land conveyance bill and the Brighton affordable housing/cultural space bill. The chamber observed moments of silence for former Congressman Barney Frank and State Trooper Kevin Traynor, welcomed several guest groups, and concluded by adopting an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. before adjourning.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- She was sales manager for banking divisions.
- She was sales manager for banking divisions.
- She was sales manager for banking divisions.
- I have a long-term disability myself.
- <00:37:58.079>
and a board member for the disability and a board member for the disability
Summary:
The joint hearing began with SB 59 on prescription drugs, which drew extensive testimony from insurers, pharmacies, patient advocates, and health organizations. Supporters argued the bill would address PBM practices such as spread pricing, unclear reimbursement, and patient steering, and would help independent pharmacies and lower patient costs by passing rebates through to consumers. Opponents from health plans and PBM-related groups raised concerns, while Walgreens supported the measure and suggested amendments to establish a reimbursement floor. After questions, the committee accepted the Hawaii Pharmacist Association’s proposed amendments, added technical changes and a defective date of December 31, 2050, and voted to pass SB 59 with amendments.
The remainder of the hearing focused on a series of nominations and reappointments to health, aging, disability, mental health, juvenile justice, and advisory boards. Nominees and agency representatives generally described their backgrounds and interest in serving, with support testimony emphasizing experience, continuity, and the value of volunteer service. Several nominees highlighted issues such as mental health access, substance abuse treatment, elder services, language access, disability access, and rehabilitation services. The Department of Health, SHPDA, DHS, and other organizations largely testified in support of the nominees.
No votes were taken on the nominations during the transcript excerpt, and the chair repeatedly thanked the nominees for their service and testimony. The hearing also included brief procedural remarks about time limits, Zoom testimony, and a possible reconvening date in case of technical difficulties.