Transcript Highlights:

• But from a practical standpoint, the industry is going to adjust to this.
• they would be able to, in this case, come to California and practice.
• And so we felt that once you are practicing six years after that, having practice in good standing and
• medicine and are instead practicing below their expertise.
• Excuse me, ready to practice independently. And that is absent from this bill.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's brand new, so it takes time to put this program in practice.
• States that started to put it in practice were then kind of derailed by COVID.
• I've transitioned my practice starting in COVID to really focus...
• And I own and operate a private practice.
• I no longer have an active private practice, but I do volunteer.

Summary: The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee heard and advanced three bills. HB 21 would create a new licensed profession of dental therapy under the Department of Health and Board of Dentistry, allowing trained dental therapists to provide a limited scope of care under a supervising Florida-licensed dentist through a collaborative management agreement. Sponsor Rep. Cheney argued the bill would help address severe dental shortages and improve access in underserved areas; opponents from the Florida Dental Association and oral surgery groups warned that the bill would allow irreversible procedures by less-educated providers and could compromise patient safety. Supporters, including dentists, hygienists, and community health center leaders, said dental therapists would expand access and free dentists to handle more complex care. An amendment was adopted to require proof of local anesthesia training, adverse-incident reporting, and updated background screening language. The bill was reported favorably as amended by a 14-1 vote. The committee then considered HB 27, which creates the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact to allow licensed social workers to practice across member states, including through telehealth, and to help military families and address workforce shortages. Supporters from the National Association of Social Workers and other advocates said the compact would improve mobility, reduce administrative burdens, and expand access to mental health services, especially in underserved and rural areas. A technical amendment restoring model language and setting an effective date of July 1, 2025 was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably as amended on a 15-0 vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 29, the public-records companion to the social work compact, which creates exemptions needed for compact compliance and allows the compact commission or its committees to meet in closed session when discussing information exempt under law. After a technical amendment authorizing closed meetings for exempt matters was adopted, the bill was reported favorably as amended on a 15-0 vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Retail and service ag businesses practices of aging vets wanting to sell their practices have been unsuccessful
• I'm working with the Minnesota Veterinary Association to ensure that best practices are kept to protect
• For instance, in our town, Minnesota, the vet clinic closed because she preferred practicing medicine
• In my immediate area, we've lost five veterinarians who would have loved to sell their practices.
• And so it allows him to practice his craft without all the added weight of owning a business.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have been using the practice of restorative practices in Yellow Medicine County for almost 25 years
• We use a practice called Circle.
• We have been using the practice of restorative practices in Yellow Medicine County for almost 25 years
• We use a practice called Circle.
• substantial change in existing practice substantial change in existing practice not<02:17:29.639

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think we need to talk about the practice act.
• But a person engages in the unlawful practice of law.
• The unlicensed practice of medicine. Thank you.
• If if you if I'm trying to look or if you already on your unlawfully practicing the practice advertising
• that we can look at the practice act compact.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Almost all of our faculty members have practiced law.
• Almost all of our faculty members have practiced law.
• We have a robust curriculum in immigration law and practice, including practice-based courses.
• And practice here and practice in our communities as DAs, as public defenders Right.
• And practice here and practice in our communities as DAs, as public defenders As legislative staff, et

Bills: SB1, SB3

Keywords: interstate medical licensure compact, physician licensure, medical license reciprocity, expedited licensure, medical practice act, New Mexico medical board, compact commission, physician mobility, telemedicine, license portability, background check, disciplinary action, joint investigation, reproductive health care, gender-affirming care, scope of practice, medical board transparency, multistate compact, licensure renewal, health care workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• The scope of practice in New Mexico, just to let you know.
• So the current practice model now, in New Mexico, dental hygienists can only practice under the supervision
• A collaborative practice dental hygienist is certified to practice without supervision in a cooperative
• As an example, with the advanced practice dental hygiene, some of the expanded scope of practice could
• Hygienists only have so much scope of practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• But just to clarify, we’re not practicing medicine because in the state of Louisiana, practicing medicine
• Today you’re not practicing medicine, but this bill would allow you to practice medicine.”
• scope of practice, including opioids—and we're not asking for that.
• So I really have questions as to how this works in practice.
• You know, I don't really see it working in practice.

Bills: HB946, HB1093, SB26, SB29, SB30, SB195, SB219, SB222, SB255, SB314, SCR2, SCR22

Keywords: healthcare transparency, hospital pricing, consumer protection, collection actions, fines, naturopathic medicine, Louisiana Board of Naturopathic Medicine, licensing, healthcare, prescriptive authority, natural therapies, opioid treatment, regulation, addiction recovery, state law, SB 29, Act 732, coroner, autopsy, child death

Summary: The committee first heard and favorably reported SB 255, which expands the educational qualifications for psychosocial rehabilitation services to include health sciences and therapeutic recreation degrees, and SB 314, which cleans up prior language on community psychiatric support and treatment services so a limited scope certified social worker license can still be issued even if the applicant is slightly late renewing. Members and witnesses said both bills were intended to improve access to behavioral health services, especially in rural areas, and there was no opposition on either measure. The committee then advanced SB 26, which repeals facility need review for opioid treatment programs to make it easier to open more OTPs in Louisiana, and SB 29, which requires child autopsy reports to include immunization records and access to the LINKS vaccine database. SB 29 drew some concern about whether singling out immunizations could imply causation, but the author and supporters said the bill is only about adding data and that the records would be part of broader medical information. Both bills were reported favorably. Members also reported favorably SB 30, as amended, to allow telehealth for obesity/weight-management treatment with synchronous interaction and other safeguards, though some providers warned the language should not unduly limit future board authority. SB 219 was approved to create an Office of Health and Nutrition within LDH, with testimony from the department, the Alzheimer’s Association, and Pennington Biomedical supporting the focus on nutrition, physical activity, and brain health. SB 222 was reported favorably with amendments to reduce duplicative behavioral health administrative requirements, streamline supervision rules, and expand telehealth for psychosocial rehabilitation. The committee also approved SB 195, the “Danny’s Dose” EMS bill, allowing EMS personnel to administer a patient’s own prescribed time-critical medication in emergencies; testimony from families with rare conditions described life-threatening delays under current rules. Finally, SCR 2 was adopted to update hospital construction standards to the most recent Facility Guidelines Institute edition, and SCR 22 was reported favorably to request a more detailed legislative auditor report on opioid settlement spending and outcomes. The committee then began hearing HB 1093 on naturopathic medicine, with the author proposing a licensing framework under the State Board of Medical Examiners and a large amendment set; members raised questions about scope, prescriptive authority, training, and whether the profession should have its own board, but no final action on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Approximately 75% still practice in this state.
• Approximately 75% still practice in this state.
• Approximately 75% still practice in this state.
• Approximately 75% still practice in this state.
• Approximately 75% still practice in this state.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• subjected to long discredited practices subjected to long discredited practices of<00:29:24.240>
• who know what those practices entail. who know what those practices entail.
• There is no evidence-based practice.
• organizations and allowing practices organizations and allowing practices like<00:38:02.079>
• <00:42:59.040> termed standards that uh practices termed standards that uh practices termed

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up administrative regulations, found no concerns, and then passed House Bill 389 with a favorable expression by a 9-0 vote. HB 389 was described as a cleanup bill for the CASPER prescription monitoring program: it clarifies that practitioners must have active CASPER accounts, exempts charitable health care providers from e-prescribing requirements, allows sharing CASPER data with certain federal entities such as military-base providers, and updates references to hydrocodone’s Schedule II status. The sponsor said there was no expected fiscal impact. The committee then passed House Bill 392, also by a 9-0 favorable expression. HB 392 would streamline payment for non-elective medical care for patients in state mental facilities when the facility cannot provide the needed treatment, allowing care in community-based settings and payment to those providers. The sponsor said the bill was intended to improve efficiency and would not have a fiscal impact on the cabinet. House Bill 501 was next and likewise passed 9-0 with favorable expression. The bill would allow pharmacists, in their professional judgment, to refill certain prescriptions for up to 180 days when a physician has died, while excluding controlled substances and preserving pharmacist discretion to require follow-up care. Senators raised concerns that the bill does not require patients to seek a new provider during that period, but supporters said the longer window addresses rural provider shortages and access delays. The committee then heard House Bill 495, as amended by a committee substitute. The substitute would prohibit Medicaid services and managed care organizations from covering cross-sex hormones above normal levels and gender reassignment surgery. Testimony on the bill was overwhelmingly opposed, with speakers including a former senator, psychologists, advocates, and legal and social work representatives arguing that conversion therapy is harmful, that the substitute would deny medically necessary gender-affirming care, and that the measure could increase suicide risk and litigation. One witness from the Family Foundation of Kentucky spoke in favor, arguing the executive order on counseling limits free speech and that counseling should not be restricted by government. The transcript ends during testimony, with no final committee vote on HB 495 shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• place that follows best practices place that follows best practices defined<01:25:54.960> by<
• It requires practitioners to practice only within the scope of their practice that's authorized by the
• state in which they're practicing.
• of practice and The Practice<01:49:17.239> Act<01:49:17.480> will<01:49:17.599> be<
• practice within the scope of practice practice within the scope of practice authorized<01:56:05.159

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Illegal marketing product practice. Practice. Okay. Not much better. Okay. Yeah.
• practice as opposed to a service? practice as opposed to a service?
• Illegal marketing product practice. Illegal marketing product practice.
• Practice.<01:28:05.600> Okay. Practice. Okay. Practice. Okay.
• practices by having 40-year agreements. practices by having 40-year agreements.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing on Senate Bill 25, which would allow state-chartered credit unions to compensate board members if the membership approves it. Prime sponsor Senator Dan Innis said the bill is enabling only, intended to help credit unions recruit and retain qualified directors and align New Hampshire with other states that already allow such compensation. Credit union representatives from the Cooperative Credit Union Association and St. Mary’s Bank supported the bill, saying board service has become more complex because of cybersecurity, asset-liability management, and other regulatory demands, and that compensation could be modest and take forms such as meeting fees or educational reimbursement. In response to committee questions, they said compensation would be set by the membership, disclosed in advance, and subject to bylaws and internal policies; they also noted that board members must be credit union members and that voting procedures vary by institution, with some using mailed ballots rather than proxy voting. Members raised questions about why credit union boards were historically excluded, what kinds of compensation were contemplated, whether there would be a cap, and how voting and confidentiality would work. Testimony explained that the historical rationale was the nonprofit, volunteer mission of credit unions, but witnesses argued that the modern environment and competition for talent justify a change. They also said the bill would not mandate compensation and would not create a salary structure comparable to banks, but would allow members to approve modest compensation or reimbursements. After no further testimony, the chair closed the public hearing on Senate Bill 25. The committee then opened a public hearing on Senate Bill 26, sponsored by Senator Howard Pearl, concerning the definition of deposits in land sales and escrowed accounts. Pearl said the bill would clarify that buyer funds for upgrades and luxury items in new-home construction are not treated as refundable deposits that must be held in escrow, arguing that the current Attorney General interpretation raises builder costs, increases home prices, and can limit buyer choices. He said the proposal would allow those upgrade funds to be paid directly to builders for construction, with signed disclosures making clear that the buyer requested the items and bears the risk if financing falls through. The hearing on Senate Bill 26 had just begun when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:55.200> for has been fairly standard practice for has been fairly standard practice
• , is pretty standard practice in any business, not even just the legislature.
• , is pretty standard practice in any business, not even just the legislature.
• actually<00:27:04.240> two practice.
• There were actually two practice.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We also found leading practices and other states' practices that provide examples of planning and performance
• Next, my colleague Nancy Patino will cover the practices we identified.
• practices that we found.
• In the following slides, I will go into further detail on all of these practices.
• For practice one, establish an economic development strategic plan, including goals and objectives.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee’s Initiative 900 subcommittee held a hybrid public hearing on two State Auditor performance audits. The first audit examined efforts to reduce non-emergency use of emergency systems through CARES programs. Auditors reported that Washington has 52 fire-agency-led CARES programs in 26 counties, but many communities without programs said they need one. Major barriers included unstable funding, difficulty hiring qualified staff, volunteer-based rural departments, and lack of statewide guidance. The audit also found that only about half of programs tracked both required performance measures, and it recommended that the legislature consider private insurance reimbursement options and convene a statewide work group to develop guidance, standards, and possible changes to the role of the Department of Health. Agency representatives and fire officials largely supported the findings and emphasized that short-term grants and one-year contracts make programs hard to sustain. Committee discussion focused heavily on financing, especially Medicaid reimbursement and accountable communities of health (ACHs). Auditors clarified that the 10% figure cited in the report referred to direct Medicaid reimbursement for treat-and-refer services, which some agencies do not pursue because the $115 rate is too low relative to the administrative effort. Several fire officials testified that their programs rely on grants and ACH support, but that funding is often year-to-year and uncertain. They also described the value of CARES programs in reducing emergency room use, jail detentions, and long ambulance wait times, while noting barriers to sharing patient records across systems. Members asked whether the new public safety sales tax authority could help, but fire district representatives said it is not a direct funding option for them. The second audit reviewed performance management in the Department of Commerce’s Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness. Auditors found that the division does not yet have a statewide economic development strategic plan and that performance management is inconsistent across its 16 programs. In a limited review, all six sampled programs had goals, but only half clearly identified performance measures and targets, and only three tracked outcomes and published results. The audit highlighted leading practices from other states, including strategic planning, regular progress reporting, aligning program goals with agency goals, and using performance-based contracts and grant monitoring. Recommendations urged Commerce to seek stakeholder input, assess internal and external conditions, set goals and measures, align programs with the strategy, and strengthen monitoring and evaluation. Commerce officials agreed with the audit and said the division is already working toward a strategic plan, with a new assistant director to be hired and a target of completing the work by mid-next year. Members pressed the department on how the plan would connect to workforce, higher education, housing, and other economic development systems, and asked Commerce to return to JLARC next year with progress updates. The meeting ended with instructions for submitting written public comments and notice of the next JLARC meeting schedule.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this is a practical modernization measure rooted in good government.
• existing laws and data practices. existing laws and data practices.
• Members, this is a practical Members, this is a practical modernization<00:03:22.959> measure
• So data practice requests about these requirements would go through that database rather than through
• So data practice requests requirements.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Practices Act as data on individuals needs to be data on individuals.
• When that is not done, that disrupts the balanced approach of the Data Practices Act.
• The Attorney General's office has plenty of money to deal with data practices requests.
• The Attorney General's Office is today subject to the Data Practices Act. Act.
• The same data practices tools that they get to use. The tools that you get to use.

Transcript Highlights:

• had an exercise where we practice had an exercise where we practice everything<00:03:22.720>
• Um, that practice uh aircraft incident.
• Again, we had just practiced this.
• Again, we had just practiced<00:06:58.720> this.
• That was set up by 6:15 practiced this.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force met, called the roll, and approved the November 4, 2025 meeting minutes. The main presentation came from Dan Mann, executive director of the Louisville Regional Airport Authority, who gave a recovery update on the November 4 aircraft incident at UPS Worldport/Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. He described the airport layout, FAA safety requirements, staffing, and the extensive emergency training and mutual-aid coordination that had taken place before the incident, including a full exercise two weeks earlier. Mann then walked through the response timeline, saying the tower reported the incident at 5:13 p.m. Airport firefighters responded within a minute, with Air National Guard support and mutual aid arriving quickly; by about 6:15 p.m. the airport emergency operations center was activated and agencies including Metro, Red Cross, FBI, UPS, and airline partners were coordinating. He said more than 50 companies and over 200 firefighters were on scene within two hours, and credited the prior training and close working relationships among responders for the effectiveness of the response. He also explained the operational impact on the airport: all runways were closed, five departures were canceled, 16 arrivals were unable to land, and officials were working with TSA, UPS, and the NTSB on messaging and next steps. Mann said debris and fire damage on multiple runways meant the airfield had to remain closed while investigators determined what was evidence and what was debris from the fire. No votes or other formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm very unfamiliar with the rules, but ...that I do not practice in family law.
• I've been practicing in the state of Florida for 17 years.
• Obviously, it's no secret I practice in this space, and this is much-needed clarification.
• I practice in this space, and this is much-needed clarification.
• We also prosecute non-lawyers who are engaged in the practice of law.

Summary: The Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee met with a quorum and took up House Bill 413, relating to attorney’s fees, suit money, and costs in family law cases. Representative Gottlieb explained that the bill and strike-all amendment were intended to promote fairness, create more uniformity across circuits, expand judicial discretion in awarding fees, and strengthen enforcement language. Members discussed how the amendment’s reference to good-faith settlement offers would apply only after trial in fee determinations, not during the trial itself. Jamie Epstein of the Florida Bar’s Family Law Section supported the measure overall, saying it would improve consistency and deter bad-faith litigation, but noted concern about one paragraph creating a presumption of entitlement to fees in contempt actions. The committee adopted the strike-all amendment and then passed HB 413 favorably as amended by a 13-0 vote. Chair Koster said the bill would provide needed clarification in family law practice and help parties litigate more professionally and amicably. After the vote, the committee heard a presentation from Florida Bar President Sayah Baker Barnes on the Florida Bar’s role and the impact of artificial intelligence on the legal profession. Baker Barnes described the Florida Bar as an arm of the Florida Supreme Court responsible for regulating lawyers, protecting the public, handling discipline, reimbursing some victims of lawyer theft through the client security fund, and providing continuing legal education. She said AI use among lawyers has grown rapidly and that the Bar has created committees, guidance, and an ethics opinion to help lawyers use AI responsibly. She emphasized that lawyers remain responsible for the accuracy of AI-generated citations and work product, noted that Florida courts have already disciplined lawyers and a pro se litigant for fake AI-generated citations, and discussed confidentiality, privilege, and deepfake concerns. Members asked about protecting client information and finding best-practice resources, and she directed them to the Bar’s LegalFuel site and AI guidance materials. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• settings, aligning Florida's practice standards with those... ...in private practice settings, aligning
• You still cannot practice psychotherapy on your own.
• I currently practice in the Tampa area.
• I currently practice in the Tampa area.
• Noticeably absent is the practice of optometry.

Summary: The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee met with a quorum present and considered two bills. HB 361, by Rep. Nix, would reclassify registered interns as registered associates for clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental health counseling, and would streamline supervision rules by removing the requirement that licensed supervisors be physically present in private practice settings. Supporters said the bill would modernize terminology, reduce barriers to practice, and expand access to mental health care while maintaining supervision and public safety. Several members raised concerns about possible unintended effects on community health centers and Medicaid workforce issues, but the bill drew broad support and passed 17-0, reported favorably. The committee then heard HB 1341, by Rep. Gonzales Pittman, which is aimed at preventing misuse of physician specialty titles and limiting those titles to practitioners who are actually board-certified in the specialty they claim. The sponsor emphasized that the bill does not address the general use of “doctor” or “physician,” only specialty designations such as dermatologist, gynecologist, neurologist, or plastic surgeon. Testimony in support came from medical and professional groups, including anesthesiologists and plastic surgeons, who said clearer titles help patients know who is treating them and improve safety. The Florida Optometric Association opposed the bill, arguing it could create confusion or omit optometric titles and other designations. Two amendments were adopted without objection. One removed a hospital name-tag requirement from the bill. The other changed a claims-denial provision so that denial letters need only disclose that a Florida-licensed physician in good standing made the decision, while the insurer must retain the physician’s identifying information for potential litigation or discovery. Some members supported the privacy protections, while others questioned whether the amendment was germane to the bill. As amended, HB 1341 passed 13-4 and was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Businesses' payroll is one of the highest expense categories in small animal practice.
• A veterinary practice is not obligated to hire a VPA.
• practice, obviously, disaster preparedness, disaster response, and mitigation.
• It is an option if it works for their practice. Thank you. Thank you.
• It's up to the vet whether they want to have this program in their practice or not.