Video & Transcript : 'Imagination Library' :
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- I would imagine everybody on this panel has a story.
- to the specialized gynecological care I received, my quality of life has improved in ways I never imagined
- To help illustrate why this legislation is so important, imagine that your three-year-old child has waited
- And imagine that you're going to have to wait another six months before your child can be evaluated to
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services
Summary:
The committee held a hearing on several health care access and insurance-related bills, with most testimony focused on H.1136 to improve the prior authorization process. The Massachusetts Medical Society, Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, Health Care for All, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, physicians, and hospital representatives all supported the bill, arguing that prior authorization delays care, increases administrative burden, contributes to clinician burnout, and can worsen patient outcomes. Witnesses described examples involving delayed cancer treatment, diabetes care, COPD medication, shingles pain treatment, and hospital discharge delays. They said the bill would preserve prior authorization but add guardrails such as longer validity periods, continuity-of-care protections, faster responses for urgent care, clearer lists of services requiring authorization, and more transparency and standardization.
The committee also heard testimony on H.1142/S.783 regarding equitable reimbursement for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), with Senator Lovely and CRNA advocates supporting parity with physician anesthesiologists. They said CRNAs provide the same services at the same standard of care, but private insurers sometimes reimburse them at lower rates than physicians, which they argued is inconsistent with federal and state policy and harms access. Senator Keenan testified in support of a bill addressing claim denials and appeals, saying insurers should provide clearer explanations, time to resubmit claims, and timely appeal responses. Dr. Lorraine Schratz supported H.1126 to align state patient disclosure requirements with federal No Surprises Act rules, and Dr. Michael Trimbley supported H.1120 to recognize direct primary care as not being insurance and to encourage primary care participation.
The committee also heard testimony on H.1140/S.801 to remove barriers to patient care by updating insurance statutes to reflect nurse practitioners’ full practice authority, and on H.1168/S.A.18 to eliminate the PCP referral requirement for specialty gynecological care. Witnesses on those bills described delays and denials affecting autism diagnosis, nutrition coverage, and endometriosis care, and said the proposals would reduce unnecessary barriers and improve timely access. After testimony and a few member questions, the chair closed the hearing; no votes were taken during the session.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- But I can't imagine the pressure that they're under to get these drafts out.
- That $80 does not make us whole by any stretch of the imagination.
- You can imagine what those costs look like as time goes on.
- So, as you can imagine, an airbag system from a 1990 whatever is significantly different than today's
Committee:
Senate Judiciary and Rules
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- be hard to get back and forth, but in places like close to me, Freeport, things like that, I can’t imagine
- I just can’t imagine, again, have...” As many people beforehand as we can.
- I just can't imagine, again, having gone through my area campaigning, and that would come up, and I would
- I can't imagine the questions that you get daily and the people that work for you, that they get.
Committee:
House Appropriations
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, I know it's not your bill, but I imagine that if you had enough space in a yard or in front of
- I mean, I know it's not your bill, but I imagine that if you had enough space in a yard or in front of
- I mean, I know it's not your bill, but I imagine that if you had enough space in a yard or in front of
- I mean, I know it's not your bill, but I imagine that if you had enough space in a yard or in front of
Committee:
Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
Keywords:
permit processing, permitting reform, county permits, development permits, building permits, land use, construction delays, housing development, infrastructure development, county workforce, differential pay, salary incentive, performance bonus, recruitment and retention, expedited hiring, vacancy rates, permit backlog, government modernization, county mayor, county council
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs heard two measures. SB 2671, relating to essential permitting positions, drew no oral testimony beyond written comments from the Department of the Attorney General and the Office of Planning. The chair said the bill was intended to make government more efficient and reduce red tape in the permitting process.
SB 2902, relating to renewable energy, received testimony from the Division of Consumer Advocacy, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, the Public Utilities Commission, Kauai Island Cooperative, Bright Saver, and 350 Hawaii. Supporters described the bill as a way to expand access to plug-in or balcony solar, lower electricity bills, improve resilience, and broaden access for renters and apartment residents. Several testifiers urged amendments to avoid limiting the measure to condominiums, to remove condominium board approval language, and to eliminate utility or PUC registration requirements. The PUC said registration could help with safety, linemen protection, and circuit hosting-capacity concerns, and noted that improper installation or oversizing could create problems.
After a brief recess, the committee voted to recommend both bills for passage with amendments and deferred each to April 19, 2042. The recommendations were adopted without objection.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Ways and Means General Fund Committee Jan 21st, 2026
Ways and Means General Fund
Transcript Highlights:
- deadline for crime victims' compensation benefits presents some significant challenges, as you can imagine
- c><00:09:53.680><c> can</c> significant challenges, as you can significant challenges, as you can imagine
- 54.560><c> finding</c><00:09:54.880><c> piece</c><00:09:55.519><c> after</c><00:09:55.760><c> a</c> imagine
- , the factf finding piece after a imagine, the factf finding piece after a crime<00:09:56.240><c> has
Bills:
HB66 , HB79 , SB35 , HB255 , SB134 , HB159 , HB181 , HB66 , HB79 , SB35 , HB255 , SB134 , HB159 , HB181
Committee:
House Ways and Means General Fund
Keywords:
elder abuse, financial exploitation, inheritance, joint tenancy, conviction effects, off-label, pharmacists, medical treatment, state board of pharmacy, employment protection, sexual extortion, criminal law, felony, threat, blackmail, HB255, Employees' Retirement System of Alabama, ERSA, State Police Tier II Plan, annual leave
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Rural Health Transformation Committee - Appropriations Division Jan 13th, 2026 at 02:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- this bill and the end of the period so that if there is a program that is wildly successful, I would imagine
- this bill and the end of the period so that if there is a program that is wildly successful, I would imagine
- And I'll go to my point that I brought up several times is that I can't imagine this in an area working
- And I'll go to my point that I brought up several times: I can't imagine this area working very well
Summary:
The Appropriations Division met in a work session on the draft Rural Health Transformation appropriations bill, 25.1392.01000, with no public testimony taken. Legislative Council and the Department of Health and Human Services walked through the bill, which would appropriate about $397.8 million in federal grant funds over two federal fiscal years, provide transfer authority, allow certain federal funds to be used for salaries and wages without counting against existing transfer limits, and authorize OMB to adjust other agencies’ spending authority if they receive grant awards through HHS. The bill also includes several temporary statutory exemptions to help implement the program, plus recipient acknowledgement/reporting requirements, periodic reports to Legislative Management, and an immediate effective date upon filing.
Committee discussion focused heavily on how the federal rural health transformation money can be used and administered. Department officials explained that CMS will review projects for allowability and sustainability, that the state has flexibility to move funds among categories, and that the grant is limited to 10% administrative costs. Members asked about whether the funding could support renovations, equipment, ambulances, bulk purchasing, food distribution, and other rural health ideas, and were told many details will depend on CMS approval and the eventual applications. Questions also addressed cash flow, timing of obligations and reimbursements, FTE funding, and whether grant recipients should be told the program will not continue beyond the federal period; officials said the language is meant to prevent expectations of automatic continuation, not to bar future legislative action.
The committee also discussed the bill’s use of a two-year appropriation amount, with staff explaining that the state must appropriate enough authority to cover the federal grant cycle and that unused authority would lapse if the full amount is not received or spent. Members raised concerns about whether the bill’s language could limit creativity or future program design, but department officials and several members emphasized the need for flexibility because CMS may reject overly specific directives. After discussion, the committee voted to recommend the bill draft to the full committee; the motion carried on a roll call vote, and the chair said the full Joint Appropriations Committee would take up the bill at the special session next week.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 7 on Accountability and Oversight May 7th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So if you imagine, you know, sort of thousands of possibilities for the future, right, which we have
- constructed based on the economy in the past, you can imagine that at one end of the spectrum we have
- So I can certainly imagine a scenario where there's a different balance between the base amount and the
- Now imagine being told that once your savings account reached a certain amount, you have to stop.
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing on proposals to reform California’s Budget Stabilization Account, or rainy day fund, ahead of the May Revision. Members and witnesses reviewed how Proposition 2 (2014) changed reserve rules, including mandatory deposits, a 10% cap on the fund, and limits tied to the Governor’s declaration of a budget emergency. LAO staff explained that California’s revenues are highly volatile, that current reserve rules are complicated by interactions with Proposition 98 and the Gann limit, and that under current law reserves would cover only about one-third of funding shortfalls in a benchmark scenario over 50 years.
The LAO presented its report recommending a larger reserve target, including raising the cap to 50% by 2055 and pairing that with either broader, more flexible deposit rules or a simpler approach that deposits all excess capital gains. The Department of Finance described the Governor’s proposal to raise the cap from 10% to 20% and exempt BSA deposits from the state appropriations limit, while Assembly Member Valencia presented ACA 1, which would make similar changes and was described as an evolving proposal. Testimony generally supported saving more during boom years, but differed on how much to hardwire into the Constitution versus leave flexible, and on whether to broaden the deposit formulas beyond capital gains.
Public witnesses and committee members raised additional issues, including whether reserve reforms should also address debt repayment, the treatment of unemployment insurance fund debt, and whether the Gann limit should be adjusted to better allow reserve growth. Supporters argued that stronger reserves would protect Californians from cuts during downturns and help the state weather volatility and federal funding threats. Some advocates warned that reforms should not come at the expense of current public needs, while taxpayer representatives cautioned against turning the BSA into a pass-through account that weakens constitutional spending limits. The hearing ended without a vote, with the committee chair noting the complexity of the issue and adjourning after public comment.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
April 16, 2025 - 08:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- I would imagine that that translates to what is being charged.
- I would imagine each of your members have a different perspective on this, but my assessment would be
- And we know nothing for certain, but I would imagine that this provision will help expedite the permit
- And we know nothing for certain, but I would imagine that this provision will help expedite the permit
Summary:
The Ways and Means Committee met on April 16, 2025, with one agenda item: PCB WMC-2502, the committee’s tax package. Chair Duggan presented the bill as a broad tax measure covering sales tax, tourist development taxes, ad valorem/VAB procedures, affordable housing property tax changes, tangible personal property, special assessments, fuel taxes, communication services taxes, corporate income tax updates, pari-mutuel/card room taxes, local incentives, and a redistribution of horse industry trust fund money. He also noted emergency rulemaking authority for the Department of Revenue and estimated a recurring state impact of $34.6 million in FY 2025-26.
Members questioned several provisions, including the aviation fuel tax repeal, the delay of the natural gas fuel tax, the extension of the local communication services tax freeze, the charitable trust corporate income tax clarification, the reduction in card room taxes, and the affordable housing changes tied to the Live Local Act. Public testimony included support from airlines, UPS, child care management, and others, while the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association opposed the lifeguard/TDT change, the Florida Association of Counties and Florida League of Cities opposed the missing-middle exemption changes, and local government representatives raised concerns about revenue impacts and the loss of local opt-out authority. The committee also adopted Amendment 1 by Representative Rizzo, which limits certain special assessments on RV parks when based on square footage.
During debate, members split on some provisions but generally supported the package, with comments focused on aviation competitiveness, preschool assessment relief, lifeguard funding, affordable housing, and the horse industry funding shift. Representative Duggan closed by emphasizing that the bill was only the beginning of the process and would continue through conference and floor consideration. The committee then voted 16-1 to report PCB WMC-2502 favorably, with Representative Alvarez voting no.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Commerce committee approves omnibus liquor bill, HF2027 3/27/25
Transcript Highlights:
- I couldn't imagine, but for the duration of that time we couldn't get employment into that service.
- very upset about that and I<00:16:07.279><c> I</c><00:16:07.600><c> couldn't</c><00:16:07.839><c> imagine
- <c> uh</c><00:16:08.959><c> for</c><00:16:09.199><c> the</c><00:16:09.600><c> um</c> I I couldn't imagine
- but uh for the um I I couldn't imagine but uh for the um you<00:16:10.639><c> know</c><00:16:10.800>
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- perhaps say maybe that's not the best indicator of my quality, but I think at a higher level, you could imagine
- I mean, imagine if we were doing our taxes every 3 years, it might be harder and more engaging and if
- You can imagine that period of time being potentially problematic.
- But other examples might be imagine just the adequacy of one's network or the ability to look at that
Bills:
HB139
Committee:
House Insurance
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Transportation panel hears bill to fund expanded commercial truck driver training assistance 3/10/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So now imagine if that testing slot is more than 100 miles away.
- and to shower you to the location<00:05:12.199><c> so</c><00:05:12.400><c> now</c><00:05:12.600><c> imagine
- c><00:05:12.960><c> if</c><00:05:13.120><c> that</c><00:05:13.320><c> testing</c> location so now imagine
- if that testing location so now imagine if that testing slot<00:05:14.039><c> is</c><00:05:14.160><c
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: Addressing the Federal Funding Freeze on Victim Services - 02/24/25
Transcript Highlights:
- the way that this field—with there's so many people in this field that touch the lives of survivors—imagine
- 00:18:32.960><c> lives</c><00:18:33.200><c> of</c><00:18:33.400><c> survivors</c><00:18:34.280><c> imagine
- </c><00:18:34.720><c> what</c> the lives of survivors imagine what the lives of survivors imagine what
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EIG-EDT, EIG Public Hearings 02-11-2025
Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, but imagine now the Red Hill facility and the almost 1.9 million gallons that could have been released
- it</c><00:13:40.560><c> is</c><00:13:41.240><c> uh</c><00:13:41.839><c> but</c><00:13:42.199><c> imagine
- </c> ground uh yeah it it is uh but imagine ground uh yeah it it is uh but imagine now<00:13:43.040><
Committee:
Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
Summary:
The joint committees on Energy, Intergovernmental Affairs, and Economic Development and Tourism met on February 11, 2025, and heard testimony on several measures. Senate Bill 1338, relating to long-duration clean energy storage, received support from the Energy Office, DEED, HTDC, and the gas company. With no opposition or questions, the committees recommended passage with technical, non-substantive amendments and a deferred effective date of 5/13/2040.
The committees then heard Senate Bill 233 on climate resilience, which drew support from the Hawaii State Community Office and other testifiers. SB 492, relating to the general excise tax, had mixed testimony, with support from DHHL, the Office of Planning, county representatives, and others, and opposition from the Grassroots Institute and another testifier. The chair explained that SB 492 would be amended to remove language that would prevent DHHL from benefiting, along with technical amendments and the same deferred date of 5/13/2040.
For Senate Bill 1634, relating to water resources, the Board of Water Supply testified in support and urged expanding the bill from two to six monitoring wells, citing Red Hill contamination concerns, PFAS detections in Halawa Shaft, and the need for a broader monitoring grid to track groundwater movement. Members discussed the connected aquifers and the need for more data. The committee recommended passage of SB 1634 with amendments to allow funding for six monitoring wells, include a sentinel monitoring system, and make technical, non-substantive changes. The committee also voted to pass SB 233 unamended, and all recommendations were adopted by the members present.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Just imagine being a female or young adult and being stopped by a masked man with a gun, no uniform or
- I believe it addresses a real safety issue, public safety issue, and just imagine being a female or young
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
Summary:
The Senate State Affairs Committee met on a Friday and first approved minutes from January 21, January 23, and January 26, 2026. The committee then considered several Senate resolutions for printing. RS 33059, a bipartisan resolution condemning political violence and affirming that criticism of government is appropriate but violence has no place in politics, was introduced by Senator Ruttee and Senator Taves and sent to print after supportive comments from committee members.
The committee also heard RS 33130 from Senator Harris, which would require state and local governments and certain contractors with more than 150 employees and contracts over $100,000 to use E-Verify to verify employee work eligibility. The proposal included compliance steps and possible contract loss for continued violations, and it was sent to print. Finally, Senator Ward Engelking presented RS 33020, a proposal restricting facial coverings in certain public-law-enforcement contexts, with numerous exceptions for medical, safety, undercover, SWAT, and similar situations. She said the measure was intended to address public safety concerns and requested a hearing; after a brief question about law-enforcement input, the committee voted to send it to print.
The meeting ended after the final minutes were approved and no further business was raised.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE Jun 18th, 2026
ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE
Transcript Highlights:
- And so you can imagine we had quite a backlog of trying to test these kits on top of the kits that were
- And as you can imagine, we get requests, multiple requests daily for records.
- And as you can imagine, we get requests, multiple requests daily for records.
Committee:
All ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE
Summary:
The committee met with representatives from the Arkansas State Crime Lab for what members said was likely the first appearance by the lab before this committee. Lab officials gave an overview of the new crime lab facility now under construction, saying it is on schedule, under budget, and expected to be completed by the end of July next year, with phased move-in beginning around August 1. They explained that the current building is over 40 years old and overcrowded, with caseloads having doubled over the past 20 years, and said the new facility will improve workflow, add morgue capacity, and allow new technologies and equipment to be brought online.
Members asked about staffing and recruitment, and the lab said recent pay changes and legislative support have made Arkansas more competitive for forensic specialists and medical examiners. Officials said vacancies have been reduced, a new deputy chief medical examiner has been hired, two more medical examiners are starting in August, and a new fellowship program has already attracted applicants. They also said the lab is prepared for the staffing needs of the new facility and that training periods remain long for many analyst positions.
The discussion also covered rapid DNA, CODIS, sexual assault kit processing, genetic genealogy, and overdose-related data sharing. The lab said rapid DNA is in final testing with pilot agencies in Faulkner and Saline counties and could go live by the end of July, which would make Arkansas among the first states to do so. Officials described CODIS as a key investigative tool, said DNA profiles are entered automatically when they qualify, and reported that the sexual assault kit backlog has been cleared with the lab now maintaining a 60-day turnaround. They also confirmed Arkansas uses a kit-tracking system, works with private labs such as Othram and Bode for genetic genealogy, and is developing an overdose dashboard to share toxicology and overdose data with public health and law enforcement partners. Members praised the lab’s progress and the committee adjourned after announcing an August site visit to Lake Conway and the dam project.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE Jun 18th, 2026
ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE
Transcript Highlights:
- And so you can imagine we had quite a backlog of trying to test these kits on top of the kits that were
- And as you can imagine, we get requests, multiple requests daily, for records.”
- And as you can imagine, we get requests, multiple requests daily for records.
Committee:
All ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE
Summary:
The committee met with representatives from the Arkansas State Crime Lab for an update on operations, staffing, technology, and major projects. Crime lab officials said the new facility is on schedule and under budget, with completion expected at the end of July next year and phased move-in beginning around August 1. They described the current building as overcrowded and outdated, and said the new lab will expand workspace, improve workflow, double morgue autopsy tables, and allow new technologies such as 3D firearms microscopy, improved drug testing for emerging synthetic drugs, and enhanced fingerprint visualization. Officials also said the lab has been able to hire positions tied to the 2023 overdose-autopsy law and that recruitment for medical examiners and fellows has improved, including two new medical examiners starting in August and a successful new fellowship program.
Members asked about rapid DNA, CODIS, forensic genealogy, sexual assault kit backlogs, and staffing. The lab said rapid DNA is in final testing with Faulkner and Saline counties and could go live by the end of July, which would make Arkansas one of the first states to do so. Officials explained that CODIS is used routinely, with DNA profiles from qualifying cases uploaded automatically and audited regularly, and cited it as a key investigative tool. On forensic genealogy, they said Arkansas currently relies on private labs such as Othram, Bode, and DNA Labs International, and is exploring whether to bring that capability in-house in the future. They reported that the sexual assault kit backlog from around 2016 has been cleared and that the lab is now meeting the statutory 60-day turnaround time, with kits tracked through a barcode-based system for transparency.
The committee also discussed overdose data and confidentiality. The lab said a new overdose dashboard is being developed with the Office of State Technology and should go live by the end of the year, using newly available reporting data to help public health and law enforcement target prevention efforts. Members praised a recent law allowing toxicology information to be shared with the state drug director and another law protecting coroner records and toxicology reports from public release during criminal investigations; lab officials said both changes have been very helpful. The meeting ended with no votes or formal actions on the crime lab items, and the chair announced an August site visit to the Lake Conway dam project.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE Jun 18th, 2026
ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE
Transcript Highlights:
- And so you can imagine we had quite a backlog of trying to test these kits on top of the kits that were
- And so you can imagine we had quite a backlog of trying to test these kits on top of the kits that were
- And as you can imagine, we get requests, multiple requests daily for records.
Committee:
All ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- So you can imagine, you know, we start to get on these wait lists, there's 12 to 18 months to get testing
- So that's, you know, why I would imagine that those were the professionals that are well trained in those
- So that's, you know, why I would imagine that that was the professionals that are well trained in those
Committee:
All TASK FORCE ON AUTISM
Summary:
The Arkansas Legislative Autism Task Force approved the April 1, 2026 meeting minutes and then reviewed several vacant membership slots on the task force, including appointments from the Arkansas Psychology Board, Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield, UAMS, and parent or guardian positions. Members discussed trying to fill those vacancies before the next meeting, and noted that if they remain open they may be addressed in the task force’s legislative report and through possible statutory changes in the next General Assembly.
Representatives from the Developmental Disabilities Provider Association (DDPA) and Civitan Services presented on DDPA’s role serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Arkansas. They said DDPA now represents 80 providers serving more than 13,000 individuals in 75 counties, with services including early intervention, adult day programs, supported employment, intermediate care facilities, work activities, and community/residential waiver services. They also shared survey data on older clients and said these services remain available to seniors with IDD, including people with autism.
The task force then heard a proposal to amend Act 656 of 2021 to include licensed psychological practitioners as qualified providers for autism waiver-related evaluations. The presenter argued this would reduce wait times, avoid duplicate assessments, and help families access services sooner, while still maintaining quality standards. Members asked about training, licensure, and whether other professionals such as speech-language pathologists or audiologists should be included; Dr. Scott noted that current practice already relies on a two-provider model and that speech-language pathologists play a role because autism diagnosis considers communication, cognitive ability, and language. The discussion also touched on the need for proper testing standards and board oversight. No vote was taken on the amendment, and the meeting ended with plans to return to fraud-related discussion and to begin prioritizing recommendations for the 2027 session before adjourning.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- So you can imagine, you know, we start to get on these wait lists.
- So that's, you know, why I would imagine that that was the professionals that are well trained in those
- So that's, you know, why I would imagine that that was the professionals that are well trained in those
Committee:
All TASK FORCE ON AUTISM
Summary:
The Arkansas Legislative Autism Task Force approved the April 1, 2026 meeting minutes and discussed several vacant membership slots, including positions tied to the Arkansas Psychology Board, Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield, UAMS, and parent or guardian appointments. Members said they would try to fill the vacancies and, if not, include the issue in the legislative report and consider statutory changes in the next General Assembly.
The task force then heard from the Developmental Disabilities Provider Association and Civitan Services about DDPA’s role in supporting 80 provider organizations serving more than 13,000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across 75 counties. They described services such as early intervention day programs, adult day programs, supported employment, intermediate care facilities, work activities, and community/residential waiver services, and said autism falls within the populations they serve. They also shared survey information on services used by older adults with IDD and offered contact information for providers.
Members also heard a proposal to amend Act 656 of 2021 to add licensed psychological practitioners as qualified providers for autism waiver-related evaluations. The presenter argued this would reduce wait times, avoid duplicate assessments, and help families access services sooner, while noting that Arkansas Medicaid already pays for some of these evaluations. Task force members and Dr. Scott discussed the roles of psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and the possibility of using training or board oversight to ensure evaluators are properly qualified, with some noting that speech pathologists’ inclusion has historical and clinical roots. The task force also said it still needs a future discussion on fraud, plans to invite the Attorney General’s office, and wants to identify priorities for the 2027 session before adjourning.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- So you can imagine, you know, we start to get on these wait lists, there's 12 to 18 months to get testing
- So you can imagine, you know, we start to get on these wait lists, there's 12 to 18 months to get testing
- So that's, you know, why I would imagine that those were the professionals that are well trained in those
Committee:
All TASK FORCE ON AUTISM