Transcript Highlights:

• You've heard from the proponents that this is the attack on free speech.
• However, it's simply not true that this is a free speech issue.
• However, it's simply not true that this is a free speech issue.
• So you do run into some speech issues, and when it comes into religious speech, which I believe this
• protection, much like political speech.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• We are grateful that God blessed us with our amazing therapists.
• Despite our best efforts, we're still struggling as an industry to hire enough therapists to meet our
• Yeah, my speech was handed out about 3 o'clock. It had a postcard attached to it, a colorful one.
• I come to you today both as the lead therapist there at the center and as a concerned citizen.
• Lawrence, and I've been a pediatric physical therapist for 20 years.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• You better not tell me you went to go see a psychiatrist or a therapist or whatnot, right?
• And so for me, connecting, and like I said in my speech, peer-to-peer connection.
• So honestly, through schools and therapists, the connection, through rehab facilities, hospitals, and
• therapist connection, I do believe that that is extremely important.
• students are also saying that they are indeed getting care from professionals like counselors or therapists

Summary: The Select Committee on Youth Mental Health and Treatment Access held its third hearing to review the state of youth mental health, progress under the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), and remaining implementation and funding challenges. The chair emphasized that schools are often the main point where education, health care, and social services intersect for students, and that the committee’s goal is to ensure public investments translate into better access and outcomes. The hearing featured testimony from researchers, a youth advocate, state officials, and local practitioners. PPIC researcher Shalini Mostala reported that teen mental health remains a serious concern, with high rates of chronic sadness, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts, though recent California data show some improvement since the pandemic. She noted persistent disparities by gender, race, and rural status, and said school-based health centers, wellness centers, and community schools are associated with lower suicidal thoughts. Youth advocate Ella Cruz, speaking for NAMI California, described her own mental health struggles and argued that youth voice, peer-to-peer support, and reducing stigma are essential; she also said technology and AI cannot replace trusted adults or trained professionals. Committee members asked about phone use, stigma, cultural barriers, and how to make supports more accessible and relatable to students. Dr. Sohill Sood of the California Health and Human Services Agency said statewide survey data show declining stigma, increased counseling use, and lower suicide ideation among students, and he highlighted CYBHI’s certified wellness coaches, digital tools, awareness campaigns, and the first-in-the-nation fee schedule that allows schools and colleges to bill health plans for behavioral health services. He said the program is growing quickly, with more than 230,000 claims and over $11 million in new revenue to date, while acknowledging that billing systems and coordination are still being built. Trina Frazier of Fresno County described a multi-tiered system of care supported by CYBHI, CalAIM, and other grants, serving thousands of students through school-based services, wellness centers, and mobile therapy units; she said ongoing funding and flexibility are critical. Rachel Kroberniski of El Segundo High School’s James Morehouse Project described a long-running wellness center and peer mentorship model that supports students in multiple languages, and said peer programs help students feel seen, connected, and more willing to seek help. Members broadly praised the flexibility, collaboration, and peer-based approaches described by the witnesses. Questions focused on sustaining funding after one-time grants expire, improving coordination among schools, counties, and providers, expanding the fee schedule to higher education, and ensuring continuity of care for students after high school. Officials said county offices of education, DHCS, and other partners are using communities of practice and technical assistance to spread best practices, and that CYBHI services can follow some young adults through age 25, with additional supports through community-based programs and digital platforms.

Transcript Highlights:

• But yet there's an exception for Palestine when it comes to free speech and it remains strong.
• But yet there's an exception for Palestine when it comes to free speech and it remains strong.
• In living rooms turn sacred spaces, therapists pack up their tools of possibility.
• In living rooms turn sacred spaces, therapists pack up their tools of possibility.
• </c> therapist who taught her how to speak. therapist who taught her how to speak. as<00:50:50.160><c

Transcript Highlights:

• We do not license massage therapists.
• </c><01:01:13.520><c> ever</c> massage uh therapists ever massage uh therapists ever inappropriately<
• </c> tell me how many massage uh therapists tell me how many massage uh therapists that<01:25:08.239>
• </c> licensed therapist. licensed therapist.
• </c> allegation, that's not on the therapist. allegation, that's not on the therapist.

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:23:54.360><c> a</c><00:23:54.760><c> audiology</c><00:23:55.360><c> and</c><00:23:55.520><c> speech
• </c> the purpose of a audiology and speech the purpose of a audiology and speech language<00:23:56.400
• I'm not stepping on the author's<00:55:14.320><c> final</c><00:55:14.600><c> speech.
• I just got a note author's final speech.
• And really, the proposal just changes the Marriage and Family Therapists licensure reciprocity law by

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• [No audible speech captured.] [No audible speech captured.] [No audible speech captured.]
• [No audible speech captured.] [No audible speech captured.] [No audible speech captured.]
• [No audible speech captured.] [No audible speech captured.] [No audible speech captured.]
• [No audible speech captured.] [No audible speech captured.] [No audible speech captured.]
• [No audible speech captured.] [No audible speech captured.] [No audible speech captured.]

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been a board-certified music therapist for 12 years, now serving as clinical lead music therapist
• And in the same manner, our speech therapists are certified, occupational therapists are certified, physical
• therapists are certified, and music therapists are...
• And in the same manner, our speech therapists are certified, occupational therapists are certified, physical
• therapists are certified, and music therapists.

Bills: HB5141 , HB4638 , HB2264 , HB2035 , HB4813 , HB4408 , HB2684 , HB1621 , HB2300 , HB216 , HB3829 , HB4466 , HB1747 , HB2284 , HB3614 , HB2587 , HB3219 , HB3318 , HB5147 , HB4014 , HB216

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: lease, state property, public purpose, Travis County, Health and Human Services, pharmaceutical initiative, drug distribution, healthcare services, generic drugs, advanced pharmaceuticals, cost savings, mental health, patient discharge, medical records, health care professionals, substance use, family involvement, chemical dependency, treatment facilities, minor admissions

Summary: The Committee on Public Health met with a quorum and heard public testimony on a long agenda, with members repeatedly reminded of a two-minute limit for witnesses. Several bills were voted out favorably, including HB 2588 on cottage food, HB 1639 on cancer incidence and female firefighters, HB 2581 on a reporting form for contracted services for pregnant women, and SB 922 on electronic disclosure of certain sensitive medical information. Those measures generally passed on party-line or near-unanimous votes, while HB 216 on itemized medical statements was left pending after the committee substitute was withdrawn. The committee also left pending HB 5141, HB 4638, HB 2035, HB 4813, HB 2264, HB 4014, and HB 3829 after hearing testimony and questions. The final item introduced in the excerpt was HB 4408 on health care market transparency and corporate consolidation, but the discussion was cut off before testimony or action was completed. A major theme of the hearing was mental health diversion and access to treatment. HB 5141, by Rep. Howard, would allow Travis County to use vacated Austin State Hospital property for a local mental health jail diversion center; law enforcement, the Travis County sheriff, county judge, and urban counties group all testified in support, describing the lack of alternatives for people in crisis and the burden on jails and emergency rooms. Members asked about eligible offenses, bed capacity, and whether the facility would serve only Travis County, and the bill was left pending. HB 2264, by Rep. Schoolcraft, would create a friends-and-family form for loved ones to provide information to providers during emergency mental health treatment; NAMI and hospital groups supported it, while one neutral witness and several members raised concerns about patient control, credibility of information, and liability protections. The bill was also left pending. The committee also heard multiple psychedelic-therapy and drug-policy bills. HB 4813 would speed Texas rescheduling of Schedule I substances if the FDA reclassifies them, with testimony focused on psilocybin and MDMA and their potential use for PTSD and depression; members questioned whether the bill was too broad and how state rescheduling works, and it was left pending. HB 4014 would direct HHSC to study psychedelic therapies, building on prior state research, and witnesses said Texas should prepare regulatory and clinical infrastructure before FDA approval; it too was left pending. HB 2035 would require parents to be informed that they may seek substance-use treatment for a child even if one facility turns them away, prompted by a constituent’s account of a fatal fentanyl overdose after receiving incorrect advice; it was left pending. HB 4638 would extend and expand the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative board and timeline, with the author saying the program is still in early implementation and needs more time, and it was left pending as well. Other bills addressed public health administration and animal welfare. HB 3829 would require a study of the animal-friendly account and its grant process for spay/neuter funding, with the author arguing that the current application and reimbursement process is too burdensome for shelters and nonprofits; no opposition was heard and the bill was left pending. HB 2581 and HB 1639 were reported favorably, while HB 216 drew discussion about enforcement of itemized medical billing and was held after the committee substitute was withdrawn. Throughout the hearing, members also discussed broader concerns about homelessness, competency restoration waitlists, jail overcrowding, and the need for more treatment options outside the criminal justice system.

Transcript Highlights:

• He resides in Tahlequah with his wife, Christy, a registered respiratory therapist. Dr.
• They also have three speech and debate state champions, and with that kind of consistency, that speaks

Bills: HR1041 , SB137 , SB1255 , SB1226 , SB1238 , SB1258 , SB1325 , SB1460 , SB1543 , SB1730 , SB1921 , SB1733 , SB1216 , SB1256 , SB1061 , SB1534 , SB1873 , SB1653 , SB540 , SB1948

Summary: The House convened, completed the roll call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through routine business including second-reading referrals and committee reassignments. Senate Bill 1627 and Senate Bill 625 were withdrawn from their prior committees and assigned to Rules. The chamber also recognized Dr. James David Campbell as Doctor of the Day and Courtney Copen as Nurse of the Day. Members held several floor presentations honoring the Choctaw High School drama team for winning the 2025 OSSAA 6A-1 one-act play state championship and related speech and debate honors, and the Arapaho-Butler Lady Indians for winning the 2025 Class A fast-pitch softball state championship. A proclamation was read designating March 31, 2026, as Affordable Housing Day, highlighting Oklahoma’s housing shortage and the economic impact of the state’s affordable housing tax credit program. The House adopted House Resolution 1041, which supports designation of a nuclear lifecycle innovation campus in Oklahoma, after Representative Archer explained the measure and requested unanimous consent. During announcements, members noted Transgender Day of Visibility, committee meeting changes, a rural caucus meeting, a public health meeting, and a Capitol devotion. The House then adjourned without objection until Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• can recognize and deal with the children, but also ancillary health care providers, occupational therapists
• , and speech therapists.
• So I had a speech written for this, but with the amendment, I kind of had to change that.
• So I had a whole speech prepared, and my phone died. All right. Speak from the heart.
• That’s how you deliver a speech. Don’t hug the phone.” “I do agree.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Transcript Highlights:

• therapist, the diagnostician - a big committee.
• It's therapists. It's everything that's allowable. Not the student. No, we don't do that.
• We also had a young girl speech therapy she needed.
• therapist would serve that child.
• For example, if the child had a speech impairment, the speech therapy was provided by the school.

Bills: HB3 , HB3

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: education savings account, educational expenses, certified educational assistance organization, school choice, funding, special education, tuition reimbursement, emergency communication, public safety, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, grant program, emergency communications, public safety radio, first responders, radio system, dispatch, emergency management, Texas Division of Emergency Management, public safety infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• Therapist, chiropractor, legal guardian, parent, stepparent, aunt, uncle, scout leader, or coach.
• So, a lot of the occupational therapists, you know, I know are part-time.
• , physical therapists, or school psychologists. >> Not that I'm aware of. >> Correct. >> And I'm sure
• I think them and the occupational therapist are very comparable in their jobs.
• I think there's no objection to the physical therapist getting the supplement.

Transcript Highlights:

• Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1062, a bill to be entitled an act relating to speech
• substitute for Committee substitute for Senate Bill 1062, a bill to be entitled and act relating to speech
• home health settings, and extends an existing licensure pathway for certain marriage and family therapists
• allowing cosmetologists to provide aesthetic body contouring services without registering as a massage therapist
• , and revising the DOH's emergency rulemaking authority related to medical marijuana. ...therapist and

Transcript Highlights:

• service and has a knee problem, right, we have individuals that are kinesiologists or physical therapists
• Individuals that are kinesiologists or physical therapists can help rehabilitate that individual instead
• Grom, we've raised over $1.5 million through letters, speeches like this at different civic organizations
• :22.120><c> letters,</c> over $ 1.5 million through letters, over $ 1.5 million through letters, speeches
• I've ever seen or any therapist I've ever seen or any medication<01:22:46.800><c> I</c><01:22:47.040

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans

Transcript Highlights:

• whether it's ambulatory surgery centers or unaffiliated urgent care centers or multiple types of therapists
• whether it's ambulatory surgery centers or unaffiliated urgent care centers or multiple types of therapists
• types of therapists they're all the<00:28:57.640><c> same</c><00:28:58.240><c> services</c><00:28:59.240
• The committee will be in recess for two minutes. yeah e e e e e [No audible speech.]
• [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.]

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• A bill to be entitled an act relating to dry needling by occupational therapists.
• The bill targets conduct, not belief, and protects free speech, religious liberty, and due process.
• And just to clarify, promoting could still be a form of speech. Is that correct?
• It's going to have a chilling effect on speech, on advocacy, and civic participation.
• It's going to have a chilling effect on speech, on advocacy, and civic participation.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions before taking up a special order calendar of bills. Early measures included a claims bill for relief to L.E. through the Department of Children and Families, which passed 34-0 after substitution from the House version, and a claims bill for the estate of Mark Legata, which passed 35-0 after the amount was reduced in the substitute. The chamber then approved CS for CS for SB 42 on child protective investigations and specific medical diagnoses, requiring investigators to consider certain medical conditions that can mimic abuse; the sponsor described it as a fix for cases where medical evidence is overlooked, and it passed 34-0. A bill on autism education for teachers was also substituted with the House version, amended to replace the Senate language, and passed 35-0 after supportive remarks from members. The Senate next passed a land-use bill, SB 218, adjusting hurricane-related development restrictions so they continue in storm-damaged counties but expire in unaffected counties in 2026, with debate focused on local control and recovery needs; it passed 36-0. The chamber then approved several other measures with little or no opposition: a probate bill modernizing curators of estates (36-0), a Blue Ribbon Projects bill creating a framework for large planned developments with conservation set-asides, which drew extensive debate over local control, growth management, and the bill’s breadth before being temporarily postponed, a state lotteries update (36-0), a diploma requirements bill allowing Special Olympics participation to substitute for PE and clarifying marching band credit (36-0), and a naturopathic medicine licensure/regulation bill that reestablishes a licensing framework and board, which passed 33-3. The Justice Administrative Commission bill was amended to broaden membership to include a judge or senior judge and passed 37-0. The Senate also passed a public records exemption for certain local administrators and their families (31-5), a clinical laboratory personnel bill easing staffing requirements by aligning more closely with federal CLIA standards (37-0), a dry needling bill clarifying occupational therapists may perform the practice (37-0), a financial disclosures bill revising gift/honoraria reporting and restoring a percentage-based reporting option via amendment (36-0), and a child welfare bill expanding when parental drug abuse can be treated as harm or neglect and allowing earlier court intervention and services (37-0). Later, the chamber took up a bill on ideologies inconsistent with American principles and terrorist organizations. The sponsor said it would prevent enforcement of foreign or religious law over the Constitution, create a due-process process for domestic terrorist designations, and bar public funds from supporting terrorism. Senators raised questions about the lack of a time limit on conduct used for designation and whether conviction is required; an amendment was then offered to remove specific references to Sharia law and the bill’s findings, with the sponsor of the amendment arguing the language stigmatized Muslim constituents and singled out Islam. The transcript cuts off during that amendment debate, so no final action on the bill is shown in the provided text.

Transcript Highlights:

• A bill to be entitled an act relating to dry needling by occupational therapists.
• The bill targets conduct, not belief, and protects free speech, religious liberty, and due process.
• And just to clarify, promoting could still be a form of speech. Is that correct? Senator Grohl.
• It's going to have a chilling effect on speech, on advocacy, and civic participation.
• Florida is now attempting... ...beliefs, association, and speech.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a brief introduction of the doctor of the day before moving to the special order calendar. The chamber first took up several claims bills, including SB 6/HB 6507 for relief of L.E. through the Department of Children and Families, which was described as compensation for severe injuries after DCF returned the child to unsafe parents; the House bill was substituted and passed 34-0. SB 26 for the estate of Mark Legata, involving catastrophic injuries tied to FDOT negligence, was also substituted with the House version and passed 35-0. SB 42/HB 47 on specific medical diagnoses and child protective investigations passed 34-0 after supporters said it would require child protection teams to consider certain medical conditions that can mimic abuse. Later, SB 1002 on child welfare passed 37-0 after sponsors said it clarifies that parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect and allow earlier court intervention and services, while not changing parental rights law. The Senate then considered education and health-related measures. SB 206/HB 851 on students with autism spectrum disorder was amended to the House bill and passed 35-0; the sponsor said it expands teacher preparation, requires autism-related training, creates a loan forgiveness program, and adds salary supplements for teachers with autism endorsements. SB 556/HB 453 on high school diploma requirements passed 36-0 and would allow students with disabilities to use Special Olympics participation to satisfy PE requirements, while also fixing a marching band credit issue. SB 688 on naturopathic medicine passed 33-3, reestablishing licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors. SB 878/HB 1347 on clinical laboratory personnel passed 37-0 to address staffing shortages by aligning Florida more closely with federal CLIA standards. SB 914/HB 867 on dry needling by occupational therapists passed 37-0, clarifying authority for that treatment. SB 530 on state lotteries passed 36-0 with updates to operations, security, and retailer rules. SB 964/HB 6011 on financial disclosures and gifts/honoraria passed 36-0 after an amendment restored a percentage-based reporting option. The chamber also approved several government-administration and public-records measures. SB 326/HB 131 on curators of estates passed 36-0, updating probate rules for temporary court-appointed curators. SB 758/HB 625 on the Justice Administrative Commission passed 37-0 after an amendment broadened the judicial member to a judge or senior judge rather than only a circuit judge. SB 830 on public records passed 31-5, creating exemptions for the personal information of county and city managers and certain family members. The Senate also passed SB 21/HB 218 on land use regulations, which preserves hurricane-recovery restrictions in affected counties while lifting them later for unaffected counties, and the sponsor thanked colleagues for helping address unintended consequences from prior law. SB 354 on Blue Ribbon Projects was debated extensively over concerns about local control, conservation protections, and vague standards; after a late amendment excluding data centers from commercial areas, the bill was temporarily postponed rather than passed. Finally, SB 1632/HB 1471 on ideologies inconsistent with American principles and domestic terrorist designations drew significant debate over references to Sharia law, religious freedom, notice, and due process; one amendment striking Sharia references failed, and a second amendment with broader revisions was under discussion when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• A bill to be entitled an act relating to dry needling by occupational therapists.
• The bill targets conduct, not belief, and protects free speech, religious liberty, and due process.
• Senator Polsky asked whether promoting could still be a form of speech.
• It's going to have a chilling effect on speech, on advocacy, and civic participation.
• It's going to have a chilling effect on speech, on advocacy, and civic participation.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest introductions before moving into a long special-order calendar. The chamber first considered two claims bills: SB 6/HB 6507 for relief of L.E. through the Department of Children and Families, described as compensation for severe injuries after DCF returned the child to unsafe parents, and SB 26/HB 6509 for the estate of Mark Legata, involving catastrophic injuries tied to FDOT negligence. Both bills were substituted with their House companions and passed overwhelmingly. Members then approved several policy bills focused on child welfare, education, and professional regulation. CS/CS/SB 42/HB 47 required child protective investigators to consider certain medical diagnoses before proceeding in abuse cases; CS/SB 206/HB 851 expanded autism-related training and incentives for teacher preparation programs; SB 556/HB 453 allowed Special Olympics participation to satisfy PE requirements for students with disabilities and clarified marching band credit; SB 688 reestablished licensure and regulation for naturopathic doctors; SB 878/HB 1347 addressed clinical laboratory personnel shortages by aligning more closely with federal CLIA standards; and SB 914/HB 867 clarified that licensed occupational therapists may perform dry needling. Each of these measures passed, most by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The chamber also approved bills on court administration, public records, financial disclosure, and child welfare. SB 326/HB 131 modernized rules for curators of estates; SB 758/HB 625 updated the composition of the Justice Administrative Commission, with an amendment broadening the judicial member to a judge or senior judge; SB 830 created a public records exemption for certain local government executives and their families; SB 964/HB 6011 revised how gifts and honoraria are reported and, via amendment, restored a percentage-based reporting option for financial disclosures; and SB 1002 clarified that acute or chronic parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect and allow courts to order assessment and services. These bills all passed, with SB 830 drawing the most opposition among them. The most contentious debate centered on CS/CS/CS/SB 354, the Blue Ribbon Projects bill, which would create a framework for very large planned communities with substantial conservation set-asides. Supporters argued it would provide a new growth-management tool and economic opportunity, while opponents warned it was too broad, lacked specificity, weakened local control, and could be exploited by large developers. After extensive debate and an amendment limiting data centers in commercial areas, the bill was temporarily postponed rather than brought to a final vote. The Senate also passed SB 530 on lottery operations, SB 1632/HB 1471 on foreign law and domestic terrorist designations after a lengthy and divisive amendment debate over references to Sharia law, and SB 21/HB 218 on land-use regulations tied to hurricane recovery, which preserves SB 180 restrictions in storm-affected counties while lifting them later for unaffected counties.

Transcript Highlights:

• The remedy is more speech, responsive speech, not political violence of any sort, certainly not with
• RESPONSIVE SPEECH.
• But we border on hate, and hate speech begets hate action.
• Speech eight, thank you. And Mme.
• SPEECH EIGHT THANK YOU AND MME.

Transcript Highlights:

• When I eventually went to get the surgery, the therapist I was seeing, who I started seeing, who had.
• Beyond that, that therapist lied in the letter, saying that I had lived congruent with my gender identity
• My name is Hannah Heimbaugh, I'm a licensed... and speech-language pathologist, a small business owner
• As a speech therapist, I teach people. To use their voices.

Bills: HB 1239 , HB1990 , HB1748 , HB1749 , HB2578 , HB2986 , HB1970 , HB3163 , HB2733 , HB1922 , HB 113 , HB 1088 , HB1938 , HB3004 , HB2637 , HB2960 , HB113

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: public health, access to healthcare, insurance reforms, medical expenses, healthcare providers, mental health, protective custody, preliminary examination, detention period, emergency circumstances, emergency detention, legal framework, detention, healthcare, liability, landowners, nonagricultural land, trespassing, public safety, interpreters