Video & Transcript Research : 'forensic testing'
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AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee Feb 4th, 2026
Public Safety and Homeland Security
Transcript Highlights:
- handle being released early, when they get out though, they also have some supervision, some drug testing
Keywords:
driver license, English examinations, language requirement, immigration, testing standards, motor vehicles, window tint, law enforcement, prosecutors, vehicle regulations, medical condition, communication, first responder, invisible disabilities, anaphylaxis, day care centers, training, child safety, healthcare, parole
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Apr 23rd, 2025 at 10:04 am
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 4879 creates a grant program to help local law enforcement agencies pay for lab testing of
- But many agencies can't afford this testing.
- , how many tested over the legal THC limit... ...the weight of substances tested, how many tested over
- the legal THC limit, the types of substances tested, the average cost per test, any resulting cases,
- They go through psychological testing, physical testing, academic farms, and investigation.
Bills:
HB1455, HB1777, HB2101, HB2136, HB2609, HB3142, HB3552, HB3846, HB4155, HB4514, HB4879, HB4995, HB5014, HB5139, HB5228, HB5436, HCR40
Keywords:
mental health, jail diversion, law enforcement, reporting requirements, criminal justice, data collection, criminal justice reform, intellectual disability, mental illness, data reporting, public safety, reporting, substance abuse, sex offender, driver's license, identification, gunshot detection, unreported gunshots, municipal police, crime investigation
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and heard several bills, generally leaving them pending after testimony. HB 4995 would create a training/certification program allowing licensed physicians and certain EMS personnel assigned to tactical units to carry firearms during high-risk deployments, with supporters saying it would protect tactical medical staff and improve emergency care; the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill left pending. HB 2609 would repeal the OmniBase/failure-to-appear-or-pay license hold program; the author and supporters argued it unfairly compounds debt and traps drivers in noncompliance, while judges and municipal court representatives said it is an effective, voluntary tool that prompts court appearances and reduces warrants. HB 4879 would create a grant program to help local law enforcement pay for lab testing of suspected hemp/THC substances, and HB 5436 would allow licensed auto recyclers to purchase certain untitled vehicles for scrap or parts to curb illegal sales, VIN cloning, and chop shop activity; both bills drew supportive testimony and were left pending.
The committee also heard HB 1777, which would place a discrete sex-offender designation on driver’s licenses and state IDs for registrants under Chapter 62. The author said the marker would help law enforcement and businesses quickly identify potentially dangerous offenders and cited other states and research in support, while opponents argued it would function as a scarlet letter, increase harassment, and punish people who are already complying with the law. HB 4155 would create a Family Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force in the Governor’s Office to study risk factors, coordinate agencies, and recommend policy changes; the author, HHSC, TCFV, and a survivor testified in support, emphasizing the number of family violence homicides and the need for coordinated, data-driven prevention, and the bill was left pending.
Finally, HB 4514 would authorize DPS to use facial image verification, with consent and confidentiality protections, to help businesses verify identities and combat fraud. Supporters from the lumber and identity-verification industries said it would reduce losses from fake IDs and organized theft, while the author stressed privacy safeguards and limited, consent-based use. The committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Apr 23rd, 2025
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 4879 creates a grant program to help local law enforcement agencies pay for lab testing of
- , but many agencies can't afford this testing.
- . ...to pay for third-party laboratories to test suspected substances containing delta-9-THC.
- Agencies that receive funding must report each year on the number and types of substances tested, how
- many tested over the legal THC limit, and the types of substances. tested, the average cost per test
Bills:
HB1455, HB1777, HB2101, HB2136, HB2609, HB3142, HB3552, HB3846, HB4155, HB4514, HB4879, HB4995, HB5014, HB5139, HB5228, HB5436, HCR40
Keywords:
mental health, jail diversion, law enforcement, reporting requirements, criminal justice, data collection, criminal justice reform, intellectual disability, mental illness, data reporting, public safety, reporting, substance abuse, sex offender, driver's license, identification, gunshot detection, unreported gunshots, municipal police, crime investigation
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Is that close to the test as you understand it? ...that you said it well.
- That's close to the test as I understand.
Keywords:
gambling, criminal offenses, penalties, defense, electronic devices, tobacco advertising, youth protection, public health, criminal offense, retailer regulation, e-cigarettes, nicotine products, health, public safety, regulation, advertising restrictions, health and safety, elections, election audit, county elections
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Criminal Jurisprudence S/C New Offenses and Changed Penalties May 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Just because you took a Xanax yesterday to relax after work, you're Testing positive the next day, even
- Just because you took a hydrocodone this weekend for knee pain, you're still testing positive today,
- I am a forensic psychologist. I oppose Senate Bill 1362.
- As a forensic psychologist, I worked in federal law enforcement.
- Forensic evidence later showed that Jocelyn was sexually assaulted by her killers.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Madam Chair, to the point again, has it been tested in an adult patient setting?
- So it's very unrelated to a psych evaluation, and they have every opportunity to drug test them.
- So it's very unrelated to a psych evaluation and they have every opportunity to drug test them.
- after that. ...and a forensic interview is done by the forensic interview training is actually in statutes
- And in each county, sometimes there's forensic detectives or they're sent to advocacy centers.
Bills:
SB1052, SB1115, SB1118, SB1120, SB1121, SB1124, SB1171, SB1172, SB1174, SB1175, SB1214, SB1233, SB1235, SB1316, SB1345, SB1372, SB1399, SB1458, SB1494, SB1496, SB1564, SB1602, SB1621, SB1628, SB1630, SB1631, SB1668, SB1672, SB1814, SB1821
Keywords:
assisted living, health care, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, physician orders, informed consent, AHCCCS, remote work, state agency, employment, public health, housing, zoning, middle housing, urban development, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, historic preservation, radiation protection
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 1121, which would prohibit hospitals from requiring lead aprons for cardiac catheterization staff when a radiation protection system is in place, while still allowing hospitals to require aprons outside the designated safety zone or when exposure levels warrant additional protection. An amendment added flexibility for radiation safety officers to require lead or other PPE if exposures approach occupational limits and removed expedited rulemaking language. Supporters, including the sponsor and interventional cardiologists, argued the devices reduce radiation and orthopedic injuries and improve recruitment and retention; hospital groups shifted to neutral after the amendment. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1121 on a 9-2 vote.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 1120, which would require hospitals performing cardiac catheterization procedures to equip at least 50% of those rooms with radiation protection systems by 2027. Supporters said the systems protect clinicians from radiation and long-term injury, while opponents, including hospital and radiology groups, argued the bill was overly prescriptive, could create a captive market, and might not fit all rooms or procedures. After adopting a children’s hospital exemption amendment, the committee passed SB 1120 on a 6-6 vote, with the chair breaking the tie in favor of the bill.
Senate Bill 1118, an appropriation measure tied to the radiation protection system proposal, was also advanced after brief discussion, passing 6-5. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1214, which would create guardrails for non-FDA-approved stem cell and regenerative therapies, including provider standards, informed consent, advertising limits, reporting requirements, and a private right of action for violations. Supporters described it as a patient-protection and access bill, while testimony emphasized concerns about unregulated “bad actors” and patients traveling out of state for treatment. The committee adopted an amendment removing a reference to the National Law and passed SB 1214 on a 9-3 vote. The transcript then began discussion of SB 1630, which would create a Medicaid-funded home and community-based service benefit for adults with serious mental illness, with AHCCCS taking a neutral position and estimating a significant fiscal impact.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Budget Section Commerce and Legal Service Division Jun 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- provides may not exceed $100 for each defendant, and it's related to the cost of additional digital forensic
- We do a lot of work in the children forensic interviews, so those are children who have been abused,
- And then we also support the forensic nurse examiner programs to pay for their administrative costs,
- The forensic lab architects determined that approximately 53,000 square feet would be the projected need
- So they have officers that are trained by our ICAC forensic professionals that will teach them how to
Summary:
The committee met as the Commerce and Legal Services Division and first approved the minutes, then received a Legislative Council overview of the Attorney General’s current budget status and a blue-sheet summary of the AG’s base budget for the next biennium. Staff highlighted compliance with legislative intent items, including FTE changes, one-time funding updates, litigation pool spending, opioid settlement receipts, and continuing appropriations. Members asked about specific funds such as the Missing Indigenous People Grant Fund and the Internet Crimes Investigation Fund, and staff explained the statutory basis and status of those items.
The Attorney General’s office then presented an extensive overview of its divisions and budget pressures. Chief Deputy Attorney General Clare Ness described the office’s 14 divisions, the role of the office in defending the state and recouping funds, and concerns about attorney pay, recruitment, and retention. Members discussed whether attorney salaries should be benchmarked across state government and whether more legal work could be centralized in the AG’s office. The office also described challenges with the new-and-vacant FTE pool, operating expense cuts, leased office space, and the criminal justice information systems used to connect law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts.
The Crime Laboratory director gave a detailed update on space and infrastructure problems, saying the current lab is overcrowded and outdated, with safety, workflow, air-handling, glycol leak, alarm, and maintenance issues that can delay casework and risk evidence integrity. She said a 2024 study projected a need for a much larger facility and that the preferred option would be a new building on the current health department site, at an estimated cost of roughly $40 million to $45 million. She also reported that backlogs have improved significantly in DNA, firearms, fingerprint, and drug cases, though toxicology had recently developed a small backlog after an air compressor failure.
The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, gaming division, and BCI also provided updates. MFCU’s new director said the unit is federally funded 75/25, focuses on fraud, abuse, and neglect, and is seeking two attorney hires while continuing to work with federal partners on cases and recertification. Gaming staff reported continued growth in charitable gaming and electronic pull-tab activity, with concerns about site competition, large trust balances, possible ineligible expenditures, and the need for more scrutiny as revenues have grown. BCI outlined its staffing, drug task forces, ICAC work, and the Missing Indigenous Person Task Force, which is using its $250,000 appropriation to help tribal nations develop emergency response plans and purchase alerting tools such as IPAWS. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Mar 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- THE CRISIS LIFELINE INCREASES ACCESS TO MEDICATION -ASSISTED TREATMENT AND INCREASED TRAINING FOR FORENSIC
- REGARDING FORENSIC EVALUATORS ARE COURTS RELY ON FORENSICS EVALUATORS TO MAKE TERMINATION ON COMPETENCY
- TREATMENT FOR FLORIDIANS TO COMBAT THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC AND THE BILL REQUIRES IT TO BE LISTED AS A FORENSIC
- HOWEVER YOU STILL CAN DO A BLOOD TEST AND AN EPIPEN DOESN'T GET YOUR BLOOD AND IF THERE'S AN EMERGENCY
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 4/2/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- mental health beds 20% increase forensic mental health beds 20% increase in<00:21:27.679>
inoa - The current average wait times to access beds at Direct Care and Treatment for forensic services and
- And I can tell you from lived experience from working in forensics, not all counties are the same.
- And I can tell you from lived experience from working in forensics, not all counties are the same.
- And I can tell you from lived experience from working in forensics, not all counties are the same.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Delivery of Government Efficiency Mar 19th, 2025
Delivery of Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- UTSA already has a forensics lab.
- The state hospital system are forensic, coming from the jails.
- CWD testing works.
- In 2023, there We were ready to test and bring in more deer because we now needed to test five deer.
- And unfortunately, if you've tested deer within one year, you can't test them again in the subsequent
Keywords:
cybersecurity, state command, information resources, data protection, incident response, information technology, classification officer, job descriptions, state positions, competency-based, information sharing, government efficiency, public sector, private sector, distributed ledger, title registry, real estate, property liens, pilot program, healthcare
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 1/21/25
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- The need for forensic medical evaluations in criminal and civil commitment cases has really surged in
- The need for forensic medical evaluations in criminal and civil commitment cases has really surged in
- <00:19:11.120>
medical system the need for forensic medical system the need for forensic medical - Statute is if a person gets means tested Statute is if a person gets means tested income<01:12:47.719
- cases are going to be means tested cases are going to be means tested income<01:12:57.639>
and
Summary:
The House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee met to approve the January 16 minutes and then heard a budget presentation from State Court Administrator Jeff Shorba on behalf of the Minnesota judicial branch. Shorba described the courts’ structure, mission, and workload, noting 322 judges, about 2,800 staff, roughly 1 million district court filings annually, and a current budget of about $479 million. He emphasized the branch’s constitutional obligation to provide fair and timely access to justice and said the courts are funded almost entirely through legislative appropriations. He also highlighted recent accomplishments made possible by prior legislative funding, including eliminating the pandemic felony and gross misdemeanor backlog, expanding remote and hybrid hearings, improving courtroom technology, sustaining treatment courts, and increasing pay for interpreters and psychological examiners.
Shorba outlined the judicial branch’s 2026–27 budget request, which he said totals a 12% increase over the starting biennial base. Major requests included $77.3 million in 2026–27 and $104 million in 2028–29 for a 6% judicial salary increase and related compensation costs; $5.1 million in 2026–27 and $1.76 million in 2028–29 for digital accessibility compliance with new federal ADA rules; $4 million in 2026–27 and $800,000 in 2028–29 to modernize justice partner access to court records; $7.2 million in 2026–27 to raise pay for contract psychological examiners; and $18 million in 2026–27 to increase juror pay from $20 to $100 per day and align mileage rates with federal rates. He also discussed ongoing funding needs for interpreter services, jury costs, cybersecurity, and other statutorily required court services, saying temporary funding provided in the prior session will expire and that permanent support is needed.
Members asked questions about treatment courts, employee bargaining, and mental health competency issues. Representative Eric requested more detail on funding for newly launched and existing treatment courts, and Shorba said many treatment courts begin with federal grants before transitioning to state support after about three years. He confirmed the judicial branch negotiates its own employee contracts rather than the executive branch doing so, and said the branch has three unions plus many unrepresented employees. On mental health and competency, Shorba said the branch is focused on obtaining timely psychological evaluations and is not responsible for treatment services themselves, but acknowledged a shortage of examiners and treatment beds and said a related competency board would be testifying the following week. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond adoption of the minutes.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships Apr 14th, 2025
S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, so typically it's for paternity testing. Is that all it's used for, though?
- It's, it's not somebody who's undergoing a forensic evaluation if that, if that's what you're thinking
- Um, but it's not a forensic evaluation, OK?
- psychologist who's going to do a forensic evaluation and make my client sign a release stating that
- I'm testing for the bill. Yes, thank you, Representative, for bringing this up.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Public Safety Subcommittee - Afternoon Session Jan 12th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- We also Cleat was able to accomplish providing a curriculum for tested and Certified 817 new full-time
- But more of this would be to try to get some things paperless with our testing or like digital Scintron
- And we sent some of those kits out to be tested as well, but we're almost there.
- In addition to that, over at the lab, we have a forensic genetic genealogy.
- And then the forensic center repairs.
LA
Keywords:
carbon capture, damages, environmental liability, legal liability, site restoration, expert witness, expert testimony, witness fees, pecuniary interest, conflict of interest, civil procedure, evidence law, Louisiana evidence code, Louisiana civil litigation, expert report, discovery, pretrial disclosure, litigation transparency, settlement, damages award
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Health and Human Services Oversight Mar 4th, 2026 at 03:00 pm
Health and Human Services Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- Forensic assertive community treatment approaches these most difficult folks who have severe mental illness
- I cannot speak to whether these forensic assertive community treatment teams we have something called
Bills:
HB3552, HB2984, HB4124, HB3934, HB3448, HB3131, HB4200, HB4201, HB3011, HB1912, HB3380, HB3881, HB3538, HB3851, HB3907, HB4430, HB4431, HB4457
Keywords:
childcare, differential pricing, Department of Human Services, child care subsidy, licensed providers, emergency legislation, child care, subsidy program, annual report, program integrity, overpayments, ivermectin, over-the-counter medication, pharmacy immunity, healthcare access, FDA approval, prescription, public health, dentistry, licensing
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- proposes a practical and balanced accountability program by subjecting two school districts to a forensic
Keywords:
HB 123, kindergarten readiness, early literacy, early numeracy, reading screening, math screening, foundational literacy, foundational numeracy, dyslexia screening, reading intervention, math intervention, teacher academy, literacy academy, mathematics academy, interventionist academy, K-3 assessments, school readiness, prekindergarten, tutoring grant, parent-directed tutoring
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Performance Audit Oversight Committee (10/03/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Presently, we use a particular test called the Cooper test to test police officers every three years
- Presently, we use a particular test called the Cooper test to test police officers every three years
- that are going to help us design a test that are going to help us design a test that<00:14:50.639
- Uh and then to devise a series of tests.
- We did have a warden uh forensics.
Summary:
The committee opened by approving the September 5, 2025 minutes, with one member asking that future minutes use honorifics such as Mr. or Ms. The agenda was then adjusted so Police Standards and Training could present first. Director John Skipa reported on the 2019 performance audit, saying 12 of 16 findings were fully resolved and the remaining items were substantially or partially resolved. He highlighted work on a job task analysis to update curriculum and develop a more realistic physical aptitude test, including possible replacement of the long-used Cooper test and a shift away from mandatory baton training toward electronic weapons training. He said stakeholder work groups would meet in October and November, with a goal of completing the work by the first quarter of 2026.
On the strategic planning and performance measurement finding, Skipa said the agency had relied on the 2019 audit and the LEAC report as guides while also implementing a digital records system. He acknowledged that a formal forward-looking strategic plan with the council had not yet been completed, but said he and the council chair wanted to do so, possibly through a retreat-style planning session. Members asked how many LEAC recommendations had been fully implemented; Skipa said he did not know the exact number but believed nearly all of the 22 items assigned to his agency were complete. On the administrative rules finding, he said a part-time former director had been brought back to help revise outdated rules, the council subcommittee had finished its work, and proposed changes would be sent to the full council, then to stakeholders and the public, with a public hearing expected and implementation targeted for 2026.
For the Corrections Advisory Committee finding, Skipa said the committee had been reconvened in 2020 and 2021 but had limited usefulness because the statutorily named members were mostly high-level administrators rather than line supervisors or newer corrections staff. He said some positions later went unfilled because of budget and staffing issues, and the committee had not been called back, but he was open to either informal adjustments or possible legislative changes to make the committee more useful. Committee members suggested that the statute may need to be amended to allow more appropriate designees or supervisors to participate. After Police Standards and Training concluded, the committee moved on to the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, where the executive director said he would focus on the partially resolved items in the dental examiner audit and the National Path audit, noting that many changes were tied to recent statutory revisions.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- not be held accountable the same way as somebody who had gone through the steps, passed the driver's test
- to not be held accountable the same way as somebody who had gone through the steps, passed driver's test
- department under the Florida Department of Law Enforcement—the forensic analysts there don't have arrest
- For example, there's a forensics department under the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
- The forensic analysts there don't have arrest powers.
Keywords:
unauthorized aliens, commercial motor vehicles, safety regulations, civil penalties, law enforcement, bail bond, insurance regulation, foreign insurers, financial disclosure, premium reporting, pyramid schemes, consumer protection, fraud prevention, legal affairs, penalties, justice, administrative commission, membership, state attorneys, public defenders
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum present and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 1300 on education and workforce development for current and former inmates. Senator Claudio explained that the bill is intended to expand collaboration between the Department of Transportation and the Department of Corrections to provide training opportunities tied to Florida’s need for CDL drivers. The bill was reported favorably without debate.
Members then considered SB 896 on campus safety, as amended by strike-all and late-filed amendment. The bill would require postsecondary institutions to adopt active assailant response plans, conduct security risk assessments, improve threat reporting and information sharing, and allow voluntary participation in the guardian program; the late-filed amendment removed a prohibition on guardians wearing uniforms. After questions about the firearm-discharge provision near campuses and testimony both for and against, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also reported favorably SB 86 on commercial motor vehicles operated by unauthorized aliens, SB 642 on foreign and alien bail bond insurers, and confirmed appointees listed on tabs 10 through 19.
The committee next heard SB 712 on pyramid promotional schemes, which would create a new prohibition and increase penalties while preserving legitimate direct sales plans. Members raised concerns about whether participants in such schemes might themselves be victims, and the sponsor said prosecutorial discretion would distinguish victims from primary wrongdoers; the bill was reported favorably. SB 1224 on rental housing application fraud was also amended and reported favorably after testimony from apartment and realtor groups in support.
In the latter part of the meeting, Chair Martin presented SB 1370 to expand habitual traffic offender status to repeated unlicensed driving, and SB 1712 to create a statewide FDLE counterintelligence and counterterrorism unit. SB 1370 was reported favorably unanimously. SB 1712 drew extensive questioning and public opposition over concerns about broad language, surveillance, and possible impacts on speech and protest, but the sponsor said the unit would focus on protecting the state from adversary intelligence threats and operate within constitutional limits; it was reported favorably. Finally, SB 758 on the Justice Administrative Commission was amended to adjust commission membership and reported favorably unanimously. The committee then recorded additional votes for members and adjourned.
OR
Oregon 2026 Regular Session
House Interim Committee On Behavioral Health 06/17/2026 1:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- serves some of the highest-acuity patients in the state, including people who have navigated our forensic
- We are a state-run forensic psychiatric hospital.
- The governing body is to discharge the oversight and fiduciary responsibilities, test our assumptions
- , the oversight and fiduciary responsibilities, test our assumptions, which is helpful for leadership
- I'm a psychiatric physician with additional training in forensic psychiatry as well as public policy.
Summary:
The joint Senate and House Behavioral Health committee met for informational presentations on the Oregon State Hospital and civil commitment, followed by a planned tour of the hospital. Oregon Health Authority and Oregon State Hospital leaders reported that Sean Murphy will become the next permanent superintendent on July 13, with Sarah Castle to follow as permanent chief nursing officer on July 20. They described recent leadership turnover, a major organizational restructure, and efforts to build a culture of safety, transparency, and accountability. Officials said the hospital regained Joint Commission accreditation and CMS compliance, and they highlighted daily safety huddles, incident review processes, stronger escalation procedures, and improved management of seclusion and restraint. Committee members pressed hospital leaders on past prolonged seclusion practices, falls, staffing, and the need for better public reporting; OHA said it is building a public dashboard of key safety and workforce metrics.
The committee then heard a civil commitment overview from the Oregon Judicial Department. The presenter explained that civil commitment is a separate legal process from criminal cases, usually beginning with a hospital hold, investigation, court review, appointed counsel, and a hearing within five days. She summarized changes made in House Bill 2005, including revised standards for danger to self, danger to others, and basic-needs commitments, plus a second 14-day diversion option. She cautioned that the new law has only been in effect since January and that it is too early to draw firm conclusions from the data, though there has been a recent uptick in commitments and a decrease in diversions.
Testimony from NAMI Oregon and a forensic psychiatrist emphasized that Oregon still relies too heavily on jails and state hospitals because community services, housing, and outpatient supports are insufficient. They argued that the state needs more less-restrictive alternatives, including better use of assisted outpatient treatment or outpatient civil commitment, and more supported housing so people do not cycle between homelessness, incarceration, and hospitalization. A family member described a relative remaining psychotic in jail for more than 120 days before ending up back at the state hospital, urging faster intervention and better collaboration among courts, counties, hospitals, and state agencies. Committee members and witnesses also discussed workforce shortages, the expansion of secure residential treatment beds, and the need for broader system reforms beyond the hospital itself.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Select Committee on Tribal Relations, June 16, 2026
Select Committee on Tribal Relations
Transcript Highlights:
- do treadmill stress tests in the clinic.
- stress tests in the clinic. stress tests in the clinic.
- >> It's a simple breathing test, so kind of a basic-level test for asthma, COPD, that sort of thing.
- amongst testing and that sort of thing. amongst testing and that sort of thing.
- <03:55:33.480>
Um the forensic work done here. Um the forensic work done here.