Transcript Highlights:

• And as a parent navigating it, I sure know the system is not set up for parents to know how things work
• And so I think we have to recognize that even well-equipped parents who are educated and have a lot of
• So how do we make things easier either for parents or easier for emergency educators, or make those systems
• and parents could identify.
• specifically for education.

Summary: The meeting was a 14(c) Task Force hearing focused on employment experiences of Oklahomans with disabilities and the state’s use of subminimum wage. Numerous self-advocates and workers testified about their jobs, accommodations, pay, transportation barriers, and the importance of community integration. Several speakers described positive experiences in competitive or community jobs, while others recounted being underused, fired without explanation, or paid by piece rate or minimum wage in sheltered or enclave settings. Many emphasized that fair pay, independence, ABLE accounts, and supportive employers matter to them, and several said they want future careers, promotions, or even to own businesses and help others with disabilities find work. Task force members discussed recurring themes from the testimony: transportation as a major barrier, the importance of community and self-advocacy, employer misconceptions and stigma, the need for better transition services from school to work, and the difficulty families face navigating benefits and employment systems. Members also raised concerns about people being fired without explanation and about the need for meaningful options for those not ready for competitive employment. Suggestions included more employer education, reverse job fairs, job coaching, benefits planning, better coordination between DDS and DRS, and stronger transition supports in schools and through programs like Project SEARCH. Staff then presented research on how other states have phased out or eliminated 14(c) certificates. Examples included Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington, with common approaches such as phase-out timelines, technical assistance, provider transition plans, and support for competitive integrated employment. The presenters noted that Oklahoma still has 40 entities using 14(c), most of them DDS providers, but many providers are already moving away from it. Members discussed potential unintended consequences, the need for a clear timeline, the possibility of blending or braiding services, and whether Oklahoma should create a more one-stop, employer-friendly system. No votes were taken, and the group agreed to continue gathering information and return in June to begin shaping priorities and possible policy directions.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's more than 20,000 parents in Massachusetts every year.
• It's a lifeline for parents like me, babies, and families across Massachusetts. Thank you.
• And that's literally over 20,000 parents here in the Commonwealth every single year.
• And most importantly, these disparities are not explained by education or income.
• These disparities are not explained by education or income.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery held a public hearing on 17 bills focused on behavioral health workforce shortages, studies, and commissions. Chairs Mindy Domb and Senator John Velis opened by emphasizing the severity of the Commonwealth’s mental and behavioral health workforce crisis, the resulting gaps in access to care, and the legislature’s ongoing use of loan repayment programs, studies, and commissions to address these issues. They outlined hearing procedures and noted that testimony would be limited to three minutes, with written testimony also accepted. A major portion of the hearing focused on bills to expand the primary care workforce, including H. 2205/S. 1385, which would broaden eligibility for the Mass RePay loan repayment program. Testimony from the Massachusetts Medical Society, Senator Jo Comerford, and Dr. Kate Atkinson described severe primary care shortages, long wait times, physician burnout, high debt burdens, and the need to recruit and retain physicians in more practice settings and regions. Committee members asked about the likely impact of loan repayment, the role of nurse practitioners and physician assistants, and how to prioritize limited funding. Witnesses argued that primary care investment improves access and outcomes and that the bill would help sustain community-based practices. Another large block of testimony supported H. 2208/S. 1411, the proposed perinatal behavioral health care workforce trust fund, often referred to as the Moms Matter Act. March of Dimes, perinatal mental health advocates, doulas, clinicians, parents, and organizations such as the Boston Public Health Commission and Empty Arms Bereavement Support testified that postpartum depression, anxiety, substance use, and grief are widespread, often untreated, and worsened by long waitlists and a shortage of trained, culturally competent providers. Speakers repeatedly stressed that screening alone is not enough without a workforce to provide timely treatment, and several shared personal stories of postpartum illness, loss, and difficulty accessing care. The bill was also framed as a needed complement to the Commonwealth’s recent maternal health law, which increased screening and therefore increased demand for treatment. The committee also heard support for the Bridge Act, H. 2207/S. 1388, which would create mental health capacity grants for organizations serving communities at high risk of hate crimes or hate incidents. Testimony from the Jewish Community Relations Council and the bill’s sponsor described the mental health harms of hate, including anxiety, trauma, isolation, and loss of trust, and argued that community organizations need resources to build resilience and provide support. In addition, the committee heard from the Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association on H. 2218/S. 1380, which would update job classifications to explicitly include licensed mental health counselors and licensed supervised mental health counselors in state behavioral health roles. Witnesses said the change would modernize hiring, expand access, and better reflect current licensure and scope of practice. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the session ended with a motion to adjourn after all testimony was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's really your kids; the kids' parents become your friends, the friends of your kids' parents.
• I think not only do parents need to have exactly the same information that parents who are opting in
• But we did have a parent.
• All parents should be free to choose, and at the end of the day, the parents, not state government and
• the right to an education, and parents being empowered to make medical decisions they believe are best

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> they never mention the word education. they never mention the word education.
• </c> own parents. own parents.
• My wife Kim and I met Matthew's parents at a recent Parent Heartwatch conference and learned how not
• </c> My wife Kim and I met Matthew's parents My wife Kim and I met Matthew's parents at<00:46:19.599>
• </c><01:06:15.680><c> There</c> always parents in the stands. There always parents in the stands.

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The witness responded that Educators for Excellence was part of the coalition supporting the Educator
• to educator training to create educational equity for gifted and beyond-grade-level children, and I
• Certainly, again, with such a rapidly changing field of child education, parents have many opinions and
• We need educator training.
• I want to note that today I'm speaking from personal experience as an educator and a parent, not as a

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held its 13th hearing, chaired by Senator Jason Lewis and Representative Gordon, and heard testimony on a large slate of bills covering personnel and miscellaneous education issues. The first major topic was House Bill 711 and Senate Bill 327, the “So All Students Thrive” proposal, which would change reduction-in-force rules so districts could consider teacher effectiveness, student impact, staffing needs, and diversity-related factors alongside seniority. Supporters from Educators for Excellence, including teachers and a former school committee chair, argued that current seniority-based layoff rules can push out effective early-career educators and harm efforts to build a more diverse workforce. Committee members raised questions about tenure, union involvement, and how the bill would interact with the Educator Diversity Act and local contract negotiations; members generally said they shared the goal of diversifying the educator workforce and encouraged continued collaboration and feedback. The committee then heard testimony on House Bill 658, which would require educator training on gifted and advanced learners. Parents, teachers, researchers, and advocates said Massachusetts lacks required preservice or professional development on gifted education, leaving many advanced students unchallenged and underserved. Witnesses described students who are bored, under-identified, or even discouraged in school, and argued that training would help teachers recognize and support gifted students, including students of color, multilingual learners, low-income students, and students with disabilities. Testimony also supported related prior bills on advanced learners and emphasized that the state should act on a 2019 DESE report recommending such training. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 736 and Senate Bill 435, which would establish de-escalation training for school transportation. The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council said the measure would improve safety for students and bus operators, fill a gap in current school bus driver certification requirements, and better support students with disabilities. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 4720, concerning the Athol-Royalston Regional School District’s state bailout-related reserve requirements; the superintendent said the district has long maintained fiscal stability but is still forced to leave over half a million dollars unspent each year, limiting resources for a high-poverty student population. After testimony concluded, the chairs read the full list of bills on the agenda, thanked the committee and staff, and the hearing was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was not in Education Committee.
• I move that the amendment to the Education Committee amendment be adopted, the Education Committee amendment
• I move that the amendment to the Education Committee amendment be adopted, the Education Committee amendment
• It was under public education. Third reading, House Bill 2621.
• I was under public education. Here, third reading, House, Bill, 26, 21.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to work alongside our partners, including educators, parents, doctors, community members, and
• make, you deserve access to a strong public education.
• Our teachers, our parents, our communities, they haven't given up, and neither will we.
• We're asking for an education that truly prepares us for the world, not one that limits us.
• Trust our educators to guide discussions responsibly.

Summary: Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT) held an advocacy day at the Texas Capitol with more than 300 young Texans and allies to press lawmakers on education policy. Speakers framed the event around student visibility in policymaking and criticized recent Texas actions on school vouchers, book bans, and legislation affecting LGBTQ students and classroom content. Representative Donna Howard briefly attended and voiced support for students having a seat at the table, citing a prior effort to add a student to a school board as an example of the kind of participation SEAT is seeking. Several student speakers described how voucher expansion threatens public schools and argued that public education is being underfunded and undermined rather than failing on its own. Others focused on LGBTQ inclusion, saying bills such as SB 12 and SB 13 would erase queer students’ experiences and make schools less safe and welcoming. One speaker also condemned book bans and censorship, arguing that students need access to diverse books and honest, inclusive education to think critically and feel represented. SEAT executive director Cameron Samuels closed by describing the group’s earlier organizing against book bans and internet restrictions and by connecting that work to broader demands for public schools, student rights, and safety. The event did not include any legislative vote or formal committee action; it was an advocacy press conference aimed at influencing lawmakers during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• education with teachers.
• Students, parents, educators, and community members could all be swept into this overly broad statute
• No parent is forced to immunize a child to access education.
• No parent is forced to immunize or make their child receive an immunization to access education.
• And parents ought to have the right to provide for both when they are getting their taxpayer-funded education

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the support for higher education.
• higher education continuing their higher education Journey<01:03:17.680><c> until</c> Journey until
• </c> Investments made in higher education Investments made in higher education including<01:04:20.839
• and special education.
• Education is too high.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes significant for education capital outlay.
• and engagement in Florida's K-12 education system.
• in higher education in the entire country.
• , including requiring parental notice before use of the tools, allowing a parent to opt their child out
• Parents need to have an understanding of what it looks like, regardless of the educational situation

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The students are here in the gallery with their parents.
• I will specifically speak to the parents' rights legislation.
• And parents' rights ordinances are only about making sure that parents know what's going on with their
• You can't get more pro-LGB than saying, we want to make sure the parent knows so the parent can provide
• Make sure the parent knows so the parent can provide love and support.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call and opened with a prayer and pledge, then held a ceremonial observance for Jewish American Heritage Month. Assembly Concurrent Resolution 195 by Assembly Member Gabriel was presented with extensive remarks from members of multiple caucuses highlighting Jewish Californians’ contributions, the importance of solidarity amid rising antisemitism, and themes of tikkun olam and tzedakah. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 67 co-authors were added, and the chamber then recognized 14 honorees for their service in public life, philanthropy, media, faith leadership, education, and civic engagement. The floor also featured guest introductions and a procedural vote on Assembly Constitutional Amendment 9 by Assembly Member Borrero, which would add affordability as a required consideration in CPUC rate-making, remove telecommunications from the commission’s portfolio, create an office of broadband, and expand legislative appointments. The amendment was adopted. The Assembly then moved through a long third-reading file, passing measures including AB 1697 delaying implementation of a 2025 employment law, AB 2322 on stormwater permit definitions, AB 1653 on hearing-illness education, AB 2274 closing a loophole involving secrecy in trafficking cases, AB 2512 on Anaheim Angels naming language tied to a land exemption, AB 1956 prioritizing young men and boys in suicide prevention, and AB 2273 addressing prosecutorial handling of a local sexual abuse case. Additional bills passed included AB 1809 extending job order contracting for school and community college districts, AB 1970 banning step therapy for serious mental illness and substance use disorder medications, AB 1973 expanding practice authority for advanced practice clinicians, AB 2055 updating vessel law, and AB 2059 narrowing CEQA vehicle-mile-traveled mitigation for certain rural highway projects. The Assembly also adopted ACR 186 designating May 2026 as California Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being Month and H.R. 11 recognizing the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia after a lengthy debate that included support from several caucuses and some disagreement over the resolution’s framing of current threats to LGBTQ+ communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• An act for the Department of Education, Educational Television Division appropriation for the 2026-2027
• An act for the Department of Education, Educational Television Division appropriation for the 2026-2027
• "Parents will make the best decision on education for their kids and about everything for their kids
• Because I believe in the selfishness of parents. Because I believe in the selfishness of parents.
• We fund education. We don't educate entities. We educate people. When they're young, hopefully.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a former family child care educator on a military base.
• I hold both a bachelor's and a master's in early childhood education.
• I'm a former family child care educator on a military base.
• I hold both a bachelor's and a master's in early childhood education.
• Parents are being misled, and that's really at the heart of this.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> does the parent get the misdemeanor? does the parent get the misdemeanor?
• The parent is innocent. innocent. The parent is innocent.
• </c> virtual. the parent virtual. the parent &gt;&gt; the<03:46:51.199><c> parent</c><03:46:51.680><c
• &gt;&gt; No parent knows.
• </c> believe as parents is not being parents believe as parents is not being parents is<03:54:03.279>

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is more than just an education bill, members.
• Special education got it right the first time.
• by the State Board of Education.
• support through educational institutions.
• We're not telling the idea isn't to tell parents how to parent.

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met with a quorum and announced a full agenda, including combined public testimony for two bills related to student personal communication devices. The committee first took up Senate Bill 1262 by Senator Nichols, a school safety cleanup bill following House Bill 3. The bill would allow TEA to commission peace officers for school safety purposes, require annual renewal of good-cause exceptions to armed guard requirements, create a new report based on intruder detection audits and vulnerability assessments, and require behavioral threat assessment teams to include someone with specific knowledge of a special education student’s disability. Committee members asked about the difference between TCOLE licensing and TEA commissioning, the scope of the officers’ authority, and how the good-cause exception would work. The committee substitute was adopted, and public testimony included support from school safety and drone-response advocates, Disability Rights Texas in favor of the special education provisions, and a student witness raising concerns about the mental health impact of repeated lockdowns and the need for immediate, reliable school safety responses. The bill was left pending after testimony, then the committee briefly recessed and later reopened testimony to hear the student witness. The committee then laid out Senate Bill 2252 by Senator Creighton, a major early literacy and numeracy bill for kindergarten through third grade. Creighton said the bill builds on prior literacy efforts by funding teacher stipends for literacy and math academies, providing free and clearly administered screeners and assessments, expanding screening options, clarifying how results are used, supporting high-quality pre-K, and increasing the early education allotment. He emphasized low reading performance and the need for early intervention. Members discussed how the bill differs from earlier academy models and whether the assessments are diagnostic or high-stakes; Creighton and witnesses said the tools are intended to identify students needing support, not to serve as punitive testing. The committee adopted the substitute. Witnesses for SB 2252 largely supported the bill. A Uplift Education representative described strong gains from small-group literacy tutoring and said students receiving targeted support can make more than a year of growth in a year. An education specialist explained that the bill aligns general education screening with existing dyslexia and special education practices and helps districts identify students who need intervention before a disability evaluation is required. A Commit Partnership witness cited statewide reading data, the importance of high-quality pre-K, and the need for transparent, consistent progress monitoring and parent engagement. Members asked about the meaning of the growth data, how dyslexia screening works, and how the bill would help identify struggling students earlier. Before finishing all questions, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair after the floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Education will come to order.
• I'm Kim Brunzel, Department of Education.
• As a community school parent of a student, these schools do more than educate.
• Andrea Ball here on behalf of the Orange County Department of Education and a coalition of local educational
• I'm in strong support—we're in strong support of the $1 billion allocation for education. ...education

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals for universal school meals, the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), and community schools. On universal meals, the Department of Education supported continued funding for the Universal School Meals Program and a fourth round of Kitchen Infrastructure and Training Grants, citing meal-count growth, improved meal service, and the need to offset federal uncertainty, inflation, and reduced direct certification tied to immigration-related policy changes. The LAO recommended rejecting another kitchen grant round, arguing prior rounds are still being spent and the state has not clearly defined unmet need. Members also raised concerns about the state’s ability to backfill federal meal funding and about how federal requirements affect programs like Summer EBT/SUN Bucks. Public commenters largely supported school meals and kitchen investments, with some urging support for plant-based milk options and continued infrastructure funding. For ELOP, the Department of Finance proposed $4.7 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding, including $62.4 million to set a minimum Tier 2 rate of $1,800 per pupil. The LAO recommended going further and fully fixing the Tier 2 rate, saying rate uncertainty complicates district planning. CDE supported the proposal and said the program has improved attendance and academic outcomes, while noting new CalPADS reporting will provide more data soon. Senators discussed whether ELOP should remain a standalone program or be folded into LCFF, and whether the state should require stronger outcome reporting. Public testimony generally backed stabilizing Tier 2 funding, but some speakers urged more support for older youth and more timely, user-friendly reporting. On community schools, the administration proposed $1 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding to expand the model to thousands more schools and to support existing grantees, along with stronger technical assistance, statewide alignment, and an accreditation/self-certification framework. The LAO recommended continuing the current one-time grant approach instead of creating a new ongoing categorical program, warning about reduced flexibility, administrative burden, and the state’s capacity to support a much larger cohort. CDE supported the ongoing investment but asked for additional county office and technical assistance funding. Senators and public commenters were broadly supportive of community schools, emphasizing improved attendance, graduation, and student engagement, while also debating accountability, accreditation, and whether non-classroom-based charter schools should be eligible. Public testimony strongly favored ongoing funding and highlighted community schools’ role in mental health, family engagement, and wraparound supports.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> provide for pregnant and parenting provide for pregnant and parenting students<00:01:41.600><c>
• </c> all families with a positive parental all families with a positive parental contribution<00:15:35.920
• Uh this recommendation also parents.
• Those are Sarah distance education.
• Um not entirely of higher education.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the parent is 80 years old.
• The parents is no.
• with it as a parent.
• I had wonderful parents.
• Parents is fundamental rights.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am an education lawyer with a specialty in education equity for more than 25 years.
• I'm a voter and a concerned parent and educator, also representing Business and Housing Network.
• higher education.
• Every day I witness, as an educator, the resilience of our student parents balancing education, work,
• AB 2248 requires local educational agencies to notify parents through annual parent notification of the

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Despite the status, his parents emphasized the importance of education and supported him as he earned
• Educate undocumented students?
• We need to educate them.
• HB 232 guarantees that thousands of Texans will not pursue an education because the cost of education
• I didn't come here with my parents.

Bills: HB232

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: disaster recovery, natural disaster, weather disaster, emergency relief, flood relief, hurricane relief, storm damage, wildfire, tornado, hail, windstorm, extreme heat, ice storm, snowstorm, property damage, personal injury, temporary housing, relocation assistance, lost wages, state emergency management