Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:06.000><c> I'll</c> programs that are not in use. I'll programs that are not in use.
• </c><00:01:45.480><c> in</c> the Office of Justice Programs in the Office of Justice Programs in Department
• </c> and in enacting a program such as this. and in enacting a program such as this.
• That if you cannot repeal a program, a massive statewide program that has nothing to do with anything
• </c> "We're going to destabilize the program. "We're going to destabilize the program.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Will have an impact in group homes, will have an impact in nursing homes, will have an impact on those
• If you're in a nursing home, we wanted to make sure that the staff who are working in that nursing home
• Yes, we understand shelter saves lives, and we're making sure that we fund some of the shelter programs
• Is it going to be our nursing homes and our elderly care?

Transcript Highlights:

• It relates to the Rural Economic Development and Investment Program in the Texas Economic Development
• As you know, the Major Events reimbursement Program, MERP.
• We're big fans of the TIERRA program.
• I represent the Texas Nurses Association.
• over 20 specialty nursing organizations.

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Decades ago, our state started a warm water fisheries program.
• It also clarifies the pilot program is only available to international medical graduates and corrects
• The underlying bill is concerning the 340B drug pricing program. Thank you, Mr. President.
• She also holds a practical nursing diploma and an associate of science in nursing.
• She founded the children's nursing services at-home community health care service in Renton.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so the bill is inspired by program. conduce to their safety and find themselves an environment that
• Today, we lead comprehensive, data-informed programs that close achievement gaps, build resilience and
• and expand program capacity.
• program.
• community support, meet the workforce need, and build upon an already successful program.

Committee: House Education & Employment Committee

Summary: The Education and Employment Committee heard and voted on several education-related bills. HB 129 on Florida Virtual School was presented as a cleanup bill responding to audit-related statutory updates; it would remove priority language, allow all Florida students and eligible overseas military dependents access, clarify teacher employment/retirement status, permit local schools to administer required exams, and authorize direct support organizations. The bill drew support from Seminole State College and Florida Virtual School and was reported favorably 15-0. HB 423 on student elopement, sponsored by Reps. Eskamani and Tramont, would require schools to establish safety teams and procedures to prevent and respond to elopement by students with autism or similar needs. Testimony from the Autism Society of Greater Orlando and a student advocate emphasized safety risks and the need for clear school protocols. Members spoke strongly in support, and the bill passed unanimously 16-0. CS for CS for HB 753 on school counselors removed two certification barriers, kept the master’s degree requirement, and aligned evaluations with Florida school counseling standards; school counselor groups and several members argued it would help address counselor shortages and workload issues. It also passed unanimously 16-0. The committee also approved CS for CS for HB 1253, which would let school-employed coaches use up to $15,000 per team per year of personal funds to support student-athletes with items like food, transportation, therapy, and rehabilitation, with an amendment requiring written parental consent. Several members raised concerns about liability, fairness, and guardrails, but the bill passed 17-0. PCS for CS for HB 833 on private school facilities would allow small private schools of 150 students or fewer to locate in commercial or mixed-use zoning without rezoning and to use certain existing buildings if fire and life-safety standards are met; members discussed traffic, school zones, and proximity to dispensaries, and it passed 15-0. PCS for CS for HB 1325 on the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund clarified matching contributions, allowed use of funds for expansion or modernization of existing space, and permitted two-year awards; it passed 16-0. Finally, CS for HB 1437 on conversion charter schools created dispute-resolution options over facility maintenance and, via amendment, allowed capital outlay funding if the charter assumes full maintenance responsibility; despite some opposition, it passed 13-3. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Port of San Francisco's Waterfront Resilience Program Director.
• I started our program about four years after I came home.
• But in the next days, obviously these programs are effective also in reducing recidivism.
• and Prevention (RAMP), San Bernardino County Medical Society, Society of Latina Nurses, St.
• Pernardino County Medical Society, Society of Latina Nurses, St.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 1938, which would create a voluntary process for local governments to designate California surf reserves through the Ocean Protection Council. The author and supporters, including Save the Waves Coalition, the League of California Cities, and the California State Association of Counties, argued the bill would recognize surf breaks as important natural and economic assets. The bill received a due pass recommendation to Appropriations and passed on a roll call vote, with the measure left on call. The committee also approved the consent calendar, which included AB 1699, AB 1780, AB 1891, AB 1893, and AB 2566. The committee then took up AB 2051, which would convene a coastal resilience permitting working group to develop a roadmap for streamlining permits for coastal resilience projects. The author and supporters from the Bay Area Council, Port of San Francisco, and others said the bill would reduce duplicative permitting delays while preserving environmental protections. One member raised concerns about giving too much authority to the Coastal Commission, but the bill still received a due pass recommendation to Water, Parks and Wildlife and passed on a roll call vote. AB 2494, dealing with the management of demonstration state forests, drew substantial debate. The author said the bill would update outdated 1947-era management goals to emphasize biodiversity, carbon sequestration, wildfire resilience, recreation, research, and tribal co-governance, with strong support from Mendocino County, tribal representatives, and environmental groups. Opponents from the Farm Bureau, California Forestry Association, and others argued it would shift the forests away from sustainable timber production, create funding instability, and invite litigation. After extensive questioning about forest science, old growth, funding, and tribal co-management, the bill received a due pass recommendation to Appropriations and passed on a roll call vote. The committee also approved AB 2483, which would create a permanent certification pathway for formerly incarcerated firefighters who served on Cal Fire hand crews. Supporters said the bill would recognize their training and improve job prospects after release, and it passed unanimously to Public Safety. Finally, AB 1777, the California Clean Skies Act, was heard; it would affirm CARB’s authority to adopt indirect source rules to address pollution from vehicle-heavy facilities such as warehouses and ports. Environmental, health, and labor supporters backed the bill as a tool to protect public health, while trucking, business, port, and industry groups opposed it as costly and overly broad. The bill remained under discussion at the end of the transcript, with members debating whether it clarified existing authority or created new regulatory power.

Transcript Highlights:

• a space program and wants to do space mining, so she wants to go down to U of A to do her PhD.
• We use it to recruit people into rural health positions, nurse practitioners.
• We use it to recruit people into rural health positions, nurse practitioners.
• Rural health positions, nurse practitioners.
• like there's a program for housing to refinance if you're having problems.

Committee: House House Artificial Intelligence & Innovation Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1020, which would create Arizona Space Commission special license plates. Staff explained that by December 31, 2026, an applicant would pay a $32,000 implementation fee to ADOT, with $8 going to an administrative fee and $17 from each plate donation going to the Space Exploration and Aeronautics Research Fund. Senator Shamp and Arizona Space Commission representatives spoke in support, describing the bill as a way to raise awareness for Arizona’s space economy and support future aerospace and research efforts. A commission chair also noted that the commission has no dedicated funding stream and that the bill would help generate revenue for its aerospace and innovation work. After discussion, members asked about the bill’s timing and a likely floor amendment to extend the implementation deadline from 2026 to 2027. The committee then voted 5-0, with two members absent, to return SB 1020 with a do-pass recommendation. The chair and members made several supportive remarks about Arizona’s space industry, including Yuma’s future role and the state’s broader competitiveness in aerospace. The committee then received a Deloitte presentation on artificial intelligence in government. Deloitte described how AI and large public data sets can be used to improve state services, but emphasized questions of accountability, privacy, workforce impacts, and responsible use. In response to member questions, the presenters explained their data sources, how they handle minors through household-level records, and how they use predictive models to identify likely needs such as veteran benefits or rural health outreach, while stressing that the models are not used to make final eligibility decisions. A final presentation from Pano AI focused on wildfire detection technology. The presenter explained that the system uses high-definition cameras, AI, and human review to detect smoke early, provide location data to responders, and improve initial attack on fires. Members asked about coverage, weather limitations, funding, and future improvements. The presenter said the system is already deployed across Arizona through public and private partners, including utilities and fire agencies, and that it has helped identify fires early and support faster containment. The committee adjourned after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Similar programs to this exist program.
• </c> program through end of season program program through end of season program evaluations. evaluations
• Thank you for... programs? programs?
• program.
• . program. program.

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do registered nurses now qualify under that, as they are now, or why the exchange there?
• And in this, we're asking for these other licensed types of nurses to get this EMT training.
• And in this, we're asking for these other licensed types of nurses to get this EMT training.
• </c> difference between skilled nursing difference between skilled nursing facilities<00:26:36.559><c
• </c> nursing and uh assisted living overall. nursing and uh assisted living overall.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• :04:54.840><c> integrity</c> asking about the program integrity asking about the program integrity language
• </c> on public programs. on public programs.
• </c> executive talking about the nurse executive talking about the nurse uh<01:14:40.480><c> nursing<
• Um, the Senate demonstrated support for the 340B program, which is an existing program that allows us
• A little history the BI program.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It has grown from a $1.6 billion program to a $2 billion program in a very short period of time.
• intact and kept the integrity of the program intact.
• intact and kept the integrity of the program intact.
• So a lot of these LTSS programs are entitlement programs, but is that not true?
• One of the programs that I expect you to see that related to will be the AFC program, which has grown

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened with roll call and approved the November 2025 minutes. Commissioner Charlie Carr then introduced Leslie Darcy, chief of LTSS at MassHealth, who provided an update on the PCA working group and on federal and state budget pressures affecting MassHealth and long-term services and supports. Darcy said the PCA working group had completed its work and submitted recommendations, including reinstating the 66-hour overtime cap, strengthening program integrity, and ending paid paperwork time for EVV users; she said those changes were implemented on 11/26 and were expected to save $7.4 million. She also described additional consensus recommendations to lower the overtime cap from 66 to 60 hours, create a seven-hour weekly meal-prep support limit, and continue exploring benchmarks, though the group could not reach consensus on a benchmark standard. Darcy warned that a federal bill enacted about six months earlier would significantly affect MassHealth, with an estimated $3.5 billion loss to the Commonwealth by 2028. She outlined upcoming changes including revised immigrant eligibility rules in October 2026, work requirements for certain non-disabled adults beginning in January 2027, six-month redeterminations for some adults, and shorter retroactive coverage periods. In response to questions, she said people with disabilities and Medicare beneficiaries would be exempt from the work and six-month redetermination requirements. She also explained that reduced federal ACA subsidies were being offset in Massachusetts by state spending, including $250 million in additional state support to keep premiums lower for middle-income families. Members raised concerns about community hospitals, the health safety net, and the impact of federal funding changes on provider rates and uncompensated care. Darcy said restrictions on provider taxes would limit MassHealth’s ability to use those revenues to support rates, and she noted a current $300 million shortfall in the health safety net. She said FY27 would likely include a rate freeze, targeted reductions, one-time budget measures, and further work groups to examine programs such as adult foster care, which she said had grown 40% in two years. Carr emphasized that the situation was serious but potentially fluid, and the meeting ended with no further business; the subcommittee agreed to adjourn before the next meeting and noted an upcoming February presentation from the Department of Public Health.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, CMA sharing that what their members have not submitted any concerns of the program.
• The program provides coverage to over 1,200 public agencies and schools.
• with how few people have completed the Care Court program.
• SB 874 takes meaningful steps to strengthen... ...in the Medi-Cal program.
• As an autistic consumer of public programs, my survival depends on Medicaid.

Committee: Senate Health

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1377, a bill on medical exemptions for school immunizations. The author and supporters said the measure was a narrow reform to restore physician discretion and reduce what they described as chilling effects from audits and license discipline; opponents from pediatric, medical, public health, and school groups argued the current system already works, protects against fraudulent exemptions, and should not be weakened. Committee members debated the data, the number of exemptions reviewed or revoked, and the effect of the proposed amendments. The bill was amended in committee, but because there was no quorum it was not formally voted on at that time. The committee then heard SB 995, the Masuma Khan Justice Act, which would create a statewide inspection and compliance framework for large private detention facilities. The author and supporters described severe conditions in immigration detention, including denial of medication, unsafe food and water, and lack of oversight, and the bill was presented as a response to those abuses. The California Hospital Association raised concerns about duplicative regulation and overlapping standards, but said it was continuing to work on a solution. The committee discussed constitutional and jurisdictional issues, and the bill was moved on a do-pass motion to the Committee on Judiciary with a 5-0 vote placed on call. Next, SB 1089 was heard, proposing expanded access through CalPERS and CalRX to GLP-1 medications for chronic weight disease and diabetes prevention. The author and supporters from the American Diabetes Association and medical groups argued the drugs are effective tools to prevent type 2 diabetes, reduce long-term costs, and improve health equity, while the author also shared personal experience with weight loss and medication access barriers. There was no opposition testimony. The bill was moved on a do-pass motion to the Committee on Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement with a 5-0 vote placed on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 1221, dealing with Murphy conservatorships for people found not guilty by reason of insanity or otherwise under criminal-mental health conservatorship. Supporters, including prosecutors and psychiatrists, said the bill addresses a gap created by a court decision and would improve public safety and placement decisions for a small population of high-risk individuals. Opponents from county behavioral health and disability rights groups warned it would turn a civil process into a quasi-criminal one, expand district attorney involvement, and disrupt bed prioritization and least-restrictive-placement principles. The discussion centered on the scope of the bill and its amendments, but no final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It has grown from a $1.6 billion program to a $2 billion program in a very short period of time.
• intact and kept the integrity of the program intact.
• intact and kept the integrity of the program intact.
• So a lot of these LTSS programs are entitlement programs, but is that not true?
• One of the programs that I expect you to see that related to will be the AFC program, which has grown

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The Long-Term Services and Supports and Health Equity Subcommittee met with roll call, approval of prior minutes, and a presentation from Leslie Darcy, chief of LTSS at MassHealth. The main discussion focused on the Personal Care Attendant (PCA) working group, which had completed its legislatively mandated review and submitted recommendations. Darcy said several earlier recommendations were already implemented, including reinstating the 66-hour overtime cap, strengthening program integrity efforts, and removing paperwork-related authorized hours for EVV users. The group then reached consensus on additional recommendations to reduce the overtime cap from 66 to 60 hours, set a seven-hour weekly meal-prep support limit, and continue work on benchmarks, though no consensus was reached on a benchmark standard. Darcy said the proposed changes were intended to preserve program integrity while addressing rapid cost growth in PCA services. Darcy also reviewed the expected effects of a recent federal Medicaid-related bill, estimating that Massachusetts could lose about $3.5 billion by January 2028. She described upcoming changes affecting Medicaid eligibility for certain immigrant groups in October 2026, work requirements for some non-disabled adults beginning in January 2027, six-month redeterminations for certain adults, and shorter retroactive coverage periods. She emphasized that people with disabilities and people on Medicare would be exempt from the new work requirements and six-month redeterminations. Members asked about the impact on community hospitals, the health safety net, and ACA premium subsidies; Darcy said federal changes could worsen uncompensated care pressures, but Massachusetts used state funds to offset the loss of enhanced ACA premium tax credits, helping keep premiums lower for middle-income families. In response to questions about the FY27 budget, Darcy said MassHealth expected targeted reductions, some one-time measures, and likely a rate freeze rather than large base cuts, with further cost-containment work to follow in FY28. She noted that LTSS is a major share of MassHealth spending and that programs such as PCA, adult foster care, and adult day services are state-plan entitlements once adopted by the state, even though the federal government does not require them. Charlie Carr and other members stressed that the PCA work group had been difficult but collaborative, and Carr said the recommendations were modest compared with other options considered. The meeting ended with a brief planning discussion about a February guest presentation from the Department of Public Health and a motion to adjourn, which was approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a program we have had in place for some time now to help bring some technology and content into
• Those are individuals that would be supervising, directing, coordinating curriculum, or other programs
• of which we've also defined in here for the first time the last time that was touch was 19 nurses, of
• education coordinator, etc., per pupil staff, which in definition right now is just librarian and nurse
• And nurse, because that language hasn't been changed since 1994.

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 599, which would change the distribution of the Digital Content and Curriculum appropriation. Sponsors said the current first-come, first-served system exhausted the $1.6 million annual fund in minutes and left additional applications unfunded, so the bill would codify a needs-based rubric administered by the Department of Education. The proposal would prioritize districts serving economically disadvantaged, rural, or underserved students, projects tied to reading, math, or college and career readiness, alignment with improvement plans, strong implementation and evaluation, and applicants that did not receive prior funding. There was no public testimony, and the committee voted unanimously to send HB 599 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 728, a broader rewrite of school funding definitions in Title 33. The sponsors said the bill was intended to clarify categories such as instructional staff, administrative staff, classified staff, and per-pupil staff, after an LSO review found a growing number of people being paid from instructional dollars even though they did not directly instruct students. They said the bill would create a new “instructional support staff” category for mentors, coaches, and similar roles, while preserving flexibility for rural districts and keeping current administrative flexibility language intact. Several senators questioned whether the bill would reclassify instructional coaches and mentors as administrators and whether that would affect funding or certification requirements. Public testimony on HB 728 was mixed. The Twin Falls superintendent said instructional coaches are essential in his district and asked that the bill be amended so those positions could still be funded through the instructional category. The Idaho Association of School Administrators opposed parts of the bill, saying the affected roles are instructional in nature and that the current funding formula does not leave room in the administrator allocation for additional positions. An instructional coach testified that coaches are not administrators and warned that reclassification could undermine trust with teachers. After debate, the sponsor asked that the bill be sent to the amending order with two proposed amendments, and the committee agreed by roll call vote. The committee also rejected a motion to hold the bill at the call of the chair. Before adjournment, the chair noted the committee had not finished its agenda and would meet again the following afternoon.

Transcript Highlights:

• And administer their Medicaid programs.
• </c> administer the Medicaid program. administer the Medicaid program.
• We don't have enough nurses.
• The one good thing one nurses.
• </c> in the Medicaid program. in the Medicaid program.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on September 24, 2025, approved the minutes from the September 9 meeting, and then continued its discussion of Medicaid waivers with Leslie Hoffman and Carmen Hancock from the Department for Medicaid Services. Members asked for updates on the 2024 waiver waitlist management assessment recommendations, including aligning waiver policies, standardizing applications and waitlist placement, and modernizing data systems. DMS said that work is being done jointly with Aging and Independent Living and Behavioral Health/Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities through task forces, that ARPA spending delayed action, and that implementation timelines extend through March 2027. The board also reviewed per-member waiver cost averages for fiscal years 2023 through 2025 for ABI, ABI long-term care, HCBS, Model II, Michelle P, and SCL. DMS emphasized these figures were benefit-only averages based on paid claims, not full waiver costs, and explained that true budget neutrality is calculated on an aggregate basis against institutional care comparisons approved by CMS. DMS said all six waivers remain in compliance with budget neutrality and that the most recent 18-month lag review for FY 2022 and FY 2023 found costs at or below institutional care. Members also asked about unused waiver slots; DMS said slots generally cannot be reallocated mid-year if they have been used, except in cases such as death or reserved capacity, because CMS treats participants as unduplicated for the waiver year. A major portion of the meeting focused on the new child waiver created under House Bill 6. Legislators questioned whether the waiver’s design, including the exclusion of participant-directed services and the emphasis on high-acuity children with behavioral health, DCBS, or juvenile justice involvement, matched the bill’s intent to keep children at home. DMS said it used the $14.7 million appropriated for FY 2026 to develop the program, that there is no priority list, and that the waiver is intended to serve the highest-acuity children while also addressing residential needs for those sleeping in offices or placed out of state. Members also raised concerns about the rapid growth of the HCBS waiting list and asked for more detail on age and timing patterns, which DMS said it would provide later. Finally, DMS gave average processing times from application to eligibility determination and from approval to service start, and said the overall average from application to services beginning was about 80 days, while members requested follow-up information on the Carewise assessment contract and related costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 405 by Senator Talbot, relative to nursing facilities, to provide for a statewide quality
• oversight initiative for nursing facilities; to provide for goals and strategies; to provide for the
• It establishes a statewide quality oversight initiative for our nursing facilities.
• If they're on the bottom of the barrel, they're being judged whether they participate in this program
• Senator, is this big hospital system's own nursing home? Don't answer that question.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 26 for what was described as the last meeting of the legislative session. H.R. 318 was voluntarily deferred without discussion. The committee first took up H.R. 298, which would have directed the Louisiana Department of Health, with the legislative auditor, to study LDH’s relationships with certain nonprofits, foundations, professional associations, and other nongovernmental entities. The author presented amendments narrowing the definitions, but LDH testified the language was still too broad, would still require substantial review of contracts, memberships, conferences, and related interactions, and would still carry a significant fiscal note. Members raised concerns that hospitals, provider associations, nonprofit care facilities, and other stakeholders could be swept in. The author then voluntarily deferred the resolution, and the committee agreed without objection. The committee then heard Senate Bill 405, which establishes a statewide quality oversight initiative for nursing facilities, directs LDH to work with facilities on care standards and remediation for lower-rated homes, and requires reporting and transparency for families. The bill drew broad support from members and stakeholders, including nursing home and senior advocacy groups, and was reported favorably without objection. House Resolution 290, which asked LDH to study a possible correlation between gender-affirming hormone therapy medications and psychosis or related psychiatric conditions in people 26 and younger, prompted questions about the purpose of the study and concerns that it could affect broader policy debates. The author, a licensed clinical social worker, said the request was intended to examine whether medications were being used too quickly and what effects they might have on adolescent mental health; after discussion, the author voluntarily deferred the resolution, and the committee agreed. Finally, the committee considered Senate Concurrent Resolution 61, urging LDH and commercial insurers to increase reimbursement rates for behavioral health crisis centers operating under a crisis receiving center license. Testimony focused on the Bridge Center for Hope, described as the state’s only Level 3 crisis receiving center, and the need to revisit Medicaid reimbursement for the first 23 hours of crisis care. With no questions or objections, the resolution was adopted. The meeting ended with members thanking the chair and staff, and the committee adjourned for the year.

Transcript Highlights:

• into the program.
• Many of the trades programs actually articulate with various programs, multiple programs.
• program.
• program.
• We have many programs, we have other programs within our RT suite, but just wanted to showcase this program

Summary: The work session focused first on Washington’s apprenticeship system, especially building trades programs and support services. Labor and Industries staff explained how registered apprenticeship works in the state, including the role of the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council, the requirements for paid on-the-job training and classroom instruction, and the difference between apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship. Panelists emphasized that apprenticeship is tied to actual jobs and training agents, and that many waitlists reflect a shortage of job openings and employer participation rather than a lack of interest. They also discussed youth apprenticeship, the growth of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, and the use of Career Bridge and L&I’s database to help people find programs. Representatives asked whether the state should expand apprenticeship programs and how people can find openings. Speakers said more programs alone would not solve the backlog without more employers signing on as training agents and more apprenticeship utilization on projects. The panel also highlighted the Constructed Career Initiative, a grant-funded navigation and support program that helps people enter and stay in building trades apprenticeships through outreach, case management, and wraparound aid such as transportation, tools, and work clothes. A related nonprofit, Build Up, described similar support services, including prison-based boot and PPE programs and assistance for reentry participants. The panel said these services are especially important because apprentices often face unstable income, housing, food, and transportation barriers. The panel also discussed House Bill 2084 and the new Construction Training Pathway Oversight Committee, which is examining construction training in correctional facilities and how to create clearer pathways from prison-based training to apprenticeship, college, or work. Speakers said the committee is still in its early stages and will report to the legislature. The session ended with committee members thanking the panel and noting the importance of support services and referral networks for apprentices. The meeting then resumed at Renton Technical College, where college leaders and faculty discussed serving non-traditional students. The college reported strong enrollment growth, a median student age of 30, a diverse student body, and high job placement rates, while also noting significant budget cuts and program reductions from the prior year. Health care and early childhood education programs were highlighted, including efforts to expand access through hybrid scheduling, evening and Saturday classes, Spanish-language offerings, and in-person wraparound support for admissions, financial aid, and registration. Faculty said these changes were driven by student data and were aimed at helping working parents, English learners, and other non-traditional students complete credentials and enter family-wage careers.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, you know, I tried an educational program to teach parents because, you know, we had pens, we
• My name is Laura LaRose, and, as the Senator said, I'm an oncology nurse practitioner.
• Maybe the doctor or nurse practitioner? Sorry, nurse. So the follow-up tests might...
• Nurse practitioner, but. Sorry, nurse. So the follow-up tests might. Sorry, nurse.
• and patient eligibility rules for those programs at any time.

Committee: Senate Health

Summary: The committee heard several health-related bills, beginning with SB 1124 on lung cancer screening awareness. The author and supporters said the bill would require CDPH signage about lung cancer screening eligibility at tobacco point-of-sale locations to address low awareness and low screening rates. Support came from medical students, physicians, and the California Academy of Family Physicians, while retailers raised concerns about sign size, retailer notification, and implementation. Committee members generally supported the bill and noted the need to work through those concerns. SB 1150 sought to require clearer patient notice when cancer cases are reported to the California Cancer Registry. The author described the bill as a response to inconsistent notification practices and privacy concerns, and the chair and other members shared personal stories about learning they or family members were in the registry without knowing it. Cancer registry and university stakeholders expressed appreciation for amendments but continued to have concerns or wanted more time to review the language. The bill was discussed as a patient-awareness measure rather than a change to reporting requirements. The committee also heard SB 1400 on Alameda Health System governance, SB 1094 on biosimilar substitution and health plan policies, SB 1314 on smoke shop regulation and nitrous oxide restrictions, and SB 1309 on eliminating cost-sharing for medically necessary follow-up after lung cancer screening. SB 1400 and SB 1314 drew support from local officials, labor, and public health advocates, with members emphasizing youth protection and local oversight. SB 1094 passed after extensive debate over pharmacist substitution authority and notification requirements, with a 6-0 vote and opposition from biotechnology and physician groups. SB 1309 also passed after members discussed the cost of follow-up care and the value of early detection, despite opposition from health plans over premium impacts; it received a 7-0 vote and was placed on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> psychiatric mental health nurse psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner<00:27:58.240><c> I<
• ><c> should</c><00:50:17.280><c> focus</c><00:50:17.559><c> on</c> program we should focus on program
• Can we afford another program to be added to our existing programs that we still have to fund?
• to our existing programs that we added to our existing programs that we still<01:41:32.560><c> have<
• Who is funding these programs?

Committee: House Health

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Health heard testimony on several bills. On SB 1441, which would repeal the transfer of the Oahu Regional Health Care System from HHSC to the Department of Health, the Department of Health said it strongly supports the measure and requested clarifying amendments. HHSC/Oahu Region also supported the bill and said it had no objection to the department’s amendments. In response to questions, witnesses said the agencies have been working on an MOU to support transfers of long-term care patients to Leahi, with the current goal being about 10 to 15 patients, but transfers would occur only as space and staffing allow; one patient was reportedly being admitted at the time, and the process was described as slow and case-by-case. The committee then heard SB 1443 on payment rates for state hospital patients and related Department of Health services. The hospital administrator said the bill would allow rates above Medicaid for community or foster-home placements if patients cannot be placed at Leahi or elsewhere, and would set Medicaid-level reimbursement for outside medical services used by state hospital patients. He said at least one provider was interested in offering services at that rate and that the population involved is largely non-ambulatory long-term care patients. Members asked about availability and training, and the witness said special training could be provided. SB 1322, a broad mental health bill, drew mixed testimony. The Department of Law Enforcement supported giving crisis-intervention-trained officers more discretion to transport people to medical care instead of arresting them. The Attorney General supported the bill but recommended revisions to emergency-transport language and restoring liability protections. HHSC and Queens Hospital supported the overall goal but sought amendments to preserve the mental health emergency worker role in decision-making and to avoid negative impacts on emergency departments. The Disability Rights Center and ACLU opposed parts of the bill, arguing that it weakens due process, reduces protections in involuntary treatment and transport, and should retain a three-person treatment panel rather than reduce it to one. A Queens representative said the current program works well and reported that more than 90% of MH1 cases once went to hospitals, but that figure has dropped to about 60-70%, with about 20% now diverted to community settings or the behavioral health crisis center. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• A really large one is called the 340B drug discount program.
• There's Star, Star Plus, Star Kids, Star Health, and the CHIP program.
• Those of you familiar with these programs know there are challenges.
• And we have a Safety net program that is basically 100% government run.
• And we had a couple of programs, 100% results.

Committee: House Health Care Affordability, Select

Keywords: 1184, house, all