Video & Transcript Research : 'state ethics code'
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HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
ECD Public Hearing - Fri Feb 6, 2026 @ 8:30 AM HST
Economic Development & Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- 8, United States Code, Section 1101(a)(15)(U).
- States code section 1101 title 8 United States code section 1101 A15T<01:54:46.880>
and <01:54: - States code section 1101 title 8 United States code section 1101 A15U.
- <01:59:16.719>
code <01:59:17.040>section to title 8 United States code section to - title 8 United States code section 11101<01:59:18.560>
A15U3.
Bills:
HB1838, HB1870, HB2445, HB2540, HB1886, HB1839, HB2269, HB1939, HB2037, HB1635, HB1941, HB1576, HB2568, HB2267, HB2590, HB2266, HB2597, HB2499, HB2500, HB2502, HB2607, HB2137, HB2357, HB1782
Keywords:
HB1838, Hawaii, Act 142, U visa, T visa, U nonimmigrant status, T nonimmigrant status, immigration certification, visa certification, Form I-918 Supplement B, Form I-914 Supplement B, noncitizen victims, crime victim, human trafficking, victim helpfulness, law enforcement certification, prosecutor certification, judicial review, circuit court, confidentiality
Summary:
The committee opened testimony on House Bill 1838, relating to visas. Testifiers from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, the legal clinic, the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the ACLU, CARES, and immigrant-rights groups strongly supported the bill, saying it would bring Hawaii into compliance with federal law, standardize and speed up certification for U and T visa applicants, and better protect survivors of crime and trafficking. Supporters emphasized that delays in certification can leave eligible survivors waiting years for federal visa access and can undermine public safety by discouraging victims from reporting crimes. The chair announced there were 103 testimonies in support and one in opposition, and the committee then moved on without taking a vote on the bill in the hearing.
The committee next heard House Bill 1870, concerning protected locations and immigration enforcement. Testimony from the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, ACLU of Hawaii, educators, students, and community advocates supported limiting immigration enforcement at schools and other essential-service sites, arguing that families should be able to access education, health care, shelters, libraries, and social services without fear. The Department of Education said it had already issued guidance in March 2025 for how staff should respond when law enforcement comes onto campus, and the Public Charter School Commission noted implementation would need to occur at the school level. Testifiers said the bill would create standardized protocols and protect students and families from fear and disruption; the chair reported 142 testimonies in support, one in opposition, and five comments.
The committee then took up House Bill 2445, relating to student safety and law enforcement on campus. The Department of Education again said it had already rolled out statewide guidance and described its process for staff to notify administration, verify law enforcement identification and purpose, and route matters through the complex area superintendent and attorney general, while noting emergencies would be handled differently. A committee member questioned whether the procedures were sufficiently standardized and whether staff were trained for unusual situations. Student and community testifiers supported the bill, saying schools should remain safe havens and that clear procedures are needed if federal immigration enforcement appears on campus. The Department of Law Enforcement testified in opposition to parts of the measure, raising concerns about masking requirements, vehicle markings, officer safety, doxxing, retaliation, costs, and possible supremacy-clause conflicts, and suggested more exemptions and a compromise approach. The chair reported 106 testimonies in support, two comments, and no opposition for the bill before moving on to the next measure.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, which is likely going to fall on state taxpayers.
- Um, I don't know the Secretary of State.
- issues relating to the the new state issues relating to the the new state agency<00:45:37.760>
- They don't just represent a state.
- And I particular section of the state.
Keywords:
veterans, military affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Military Affairs, omnibus veterans bill, appropriations, National Guard, state active service, armory, State Armory Building Commission, veterans homes, veterans cemeteries, county veterans service office, Minnesota GI Bill, Gold Star families, Blue Star families, Secret War in Laos, Hmong veterans, Laos veterans, special guerrilla units
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Omnibus energy bill, HF2442, amended in House Ways and Means Committee 4/24/25
Ways and Means
Keywords:
veterans, military affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Military Affairs, omnibus veterans bill, appropriations, National Guard, state active service, armory, State Armory Building Commission, veterans homes, veterans cemeteries, county veterans service office, Minnesota GI Bill, Gold Star families, Blue Star families, Secret War in Laos, Hmong veterans, Laos veterans, special guerrilla units
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Rules Apr 16th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I'VE ARCHITECTED SOFTWARE BEFORE BUT I HAVE NOT CODED IT.
- BUT AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IF NOT THE STATE GOVERNMENT, STATE GOVERNMENT
- Bradley: I COULD NOT AGREE WITH YOU MORE, THAT'S THE REASON ALL THESE STATES AND A LOT OF US IN THE STATE
- SENATOR BERMAN, CURRENTLY THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN IN THE STATE.
- WHO WILL MONITOR ORGANS HARVESTED IN AN ETHICAL MANNER? >> Sen.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (01/22/2026)
Education Policy and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- of ethics and the code of conduct and how they apply.
- <00:21:13.920>
of <00:21:14.080>ethics about the professional code of ethics about - the professional code of ethics and<00:21:14.480>
the <00:21:14.640>code <00:21:14.800>< - <01:45:57.040>
of same in another state or territory of same in another state or territory - So we have some boarding schools within our state. We have some boarding schools within our state.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 24 March, 2026; 10:00 AM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- , example they are to our state, example they are to our state, and<00:03:47.720>
I <00:03: - of the state.
- presented to the governor of the state. presented to the governor of the state.
- of Ethics. >> Mr.
- Association Code of Ethics. Association Code of Ethics.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then dispensed with the reading of the journal and committee report titles. The main business was a lengthy exchange over Senate Bill 2632, the local governments disaster recovery emergency loan program bill. The governor’s veto message argued that the enrolled bill had been materially altered after conference adoption, specifically over the interest-rate language, and called for an investigation. Senate leaders responded that the veto message was inaccurate, saying the word “monthly” had been removed earlier by unanimous consent to avoid an unintended 12% rate and that the bill was intended to provide disaster relief financing for local governments affected by Winter Storm Erin. Senators McCaughn and others defended the process, criticized the governor’s accusations as false and offensive, and emphasized that the legislation was meant to help struggling cities and counties with no interest until FEMA reimbursement, followed by a 1% rate.
After the veto discussion, Senator McCaughn moved to refer the bill back to the committee from which it began, and the motion carried. The Senate then moved through routine business, including introductions and recognition of guests. Visitors included the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Peanut Committee, the Mississippi School for the Deaf and Blind, the doctor of the day, and an NCSL representative, along with a National Ag Day milking champions presentation and a large group of junior pages.
The chamber also honored the Starkville Oktibbeha County School District’s varsity boys and girls basketball teams. Senate Resolutions 64 and 65 were called up to commend the Starkville High School girls and boys teams for winning the 2026 Class 7A state championships, and both coaches addressed the Senate briefly to thank members for the recognition.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Rules Feb 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- enclave in those areas of state concern.
- Of the 36 states allowing captive insurers, 21 allow some form of PCC.
- I mean, Burden on the taxpayer in the state of Florida.
- And so, we're... code. 552-764.
- construction that we have here in the state of Florida.
Summary:
The committee first confirmed six appointees on a single roll-call vote, then took up a series of bills, many of them on land use, housing, public safety, child welfare, education, and professional licensing. Early debate centered on CS/SB 208, which would require development fees to better reflect review costs and impose objective compatibility findings for residential projects. An amendment folded in additional housing-related provisions, including manufactured housing and a study of urban development boundaries, prompting extended discussion about Miami-Dade’s Everglades protection area and local control. A late-filed rural-boundary amendment was withdrawn. The bill was reported favorably after support from business, housing, and advocacy groups, with some senators voicing district-specific concerns.
The committee then approved CS/CS/SB 686 on agricultural enclaves after amendments added conservation easement, wildlife corridor, and critical state concern protections, plus a further Everglades-related amendment. Members discussed balancing smart growth, infrastructure costs, and protecting environmentally sensitive areas. Other land-use and growth bills also advanced, including CS/SB 1434 on infill redevelopment, CS/SB 1138 on qualified contractor pre-application review, and SB 218 limiting the reach of prior hurricane recovery zoning protections in counties not affected by the 2024 storms. SB 1474 on biosolids management was amended to reduce the distance threshold for land application restrictions and delay the effective date, and SB 1708 on veterinary licensure by endorsement removed a three-year recent-practice requirement to address shortages.
Several public safety, health, and family-related measures also passed. CS/CS/SB 436 expanded felony battery enhancement to include resisting an officer with violence and certain law-enforcement battery offenses. SB 830 extended public-records protections to county and city administrators and related family information. CS/CS/CS/SB 600 revised bail bond rules, and an amendment preserved the current treatment of charitable bail funds and nonprofits; the committee heard testimony from The Bail Project and others on both sides. CS/SB 914 expanded dry-needling supervision options for occupational therapists, CS/SB 1092 clarified podiatric use of certain cellular/tissue products, and SB 1504 and SB 1718 updated insurance licensing and educator certification pathways. On the education side, CS/CS/SB 7038 made broad postsecondary changes, including tuition waivers, residency clarification, and licensure rules, while CS/SB 186 required seizure-response training and action plans in schools.
The committee also advanced multiple child welfare and health bills. CS/CS/CS/SB 560 streamlined psychotropic medication procedures for children in state custody and added youth-voice and insurance-review provisions. CS/CS/CS/SB 902 combined several Department of Health changes, including medical marijuana distance rules, autism microcredential eligibility, a neurofibromatosis grant program, and NICU nutrition information. SB 1002 expanded child welfare definitions to address parental drug abuse and neglect, and SB 1708 eased endorsement licensure for out-of-state veterinarians. Most bills were reported favorably on roll-call votes, with several amendments adopted along the way and limited opposition or abstentions noted on some measures.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Apr 30th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- For many years, the state did not have guidelines for our various companies, For many years, the state
- As a state, we, for the reasons my colleague stated, do not agree with this particular arrangement, so
- States Council of Sheet Metal Workers, and the California State Pipe Trades Council in support.
- The state should honor it.
- One was an ethics advisor position in code at the Public Utilities Commission.
Summary:
The committee heard several energy and utilities bills, with testimony largely focused on wildfire mitigation, affordability, clean energy planning, and utility accountability. AB 706, by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry, would create a fund to support projects that use forest biomass waste from wildfire mitigation and forest restoration; supporters said it would reduce open burning and emissions while providing reliable renewable power, and the bill later passed 13-0. AB 39, by Assembly Member Zbur, would require larger cities and counties to adopt electrification planning strategies for transportation and buildings; it drew broad support from clean energy, labor, environmental, and local government advocates and passed 9-0. AB 1167, by Assembly Member Berman, would restrict investor-owned utilities from charging ratepayers for lobbying, promotional advertising, and similar shareholder-benefit expenses; supporters framed it as an affordability and transparency measure, while utilities argued the bill was overly broad and already covered by existing rules. It passed 7-0, with some members not voting and the roll left open.
The committee also considered AB 1417 on offshore wind community funding transparency, which was amended to remove new fees and instead require reporting on developer support for local and tribal community capacity-building; opposition was withdrawn and the bill passed 9-0. AB 367, by Assembly Member Bennett, would require water districts in high fire-risk areas of Ventura County to have backup power, full tanks during red flag warnings, and hardened facilities; water agencies opposed unless amended due to cost and liability concerns, but the bill passed 10-0. The consent calendar, including multiple additional measures, was approved 11-0.
Other bills drew more divided testimony. AB 745 would allow securitization to finance utility undergrounding and prohibit a return on equity for undergrounding projects; supporters said it would lower ratepayer costs, while utilities warned it would effectively discourage undergrounding and could raise other rates. The bill passed 7-4 and was left on call. AB 1423 would apply reliability standards to publicly funded EV chargers installed before 2024; supporters said taxpayers should get functioning chargers, while charging-network representatives objected to retroactive requirements and possible conflicts with existing agreements. It passed 13-0. AB 388 would create a narrow exception to utility regulation to facilitate green hydrogen projects using private power lines; supporters said it would unlock low-cost renewable hydrogen and jobs, while utilities raised concerns about customer protections and grid planning. It passed 12-0. The committee also began hearing AB 825, which the author said would address the high cost of financing major transmission and generation buildout, but the transcript cuts off before the full presentation and action on that bill.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Your state can be the first of all 50 states to do so.
- I care about politics, the state of this country, and the well-being in my state.
- And finally, states can regulate this area. I say again, states can regulate this area.
- Practitioners in the state.
- A state-issued ID, and they're good for 180 days. A state-issued ID, and they're good for 180 days.
Bills:
SB1015, SB1049, SB1066, SB1081, SB1092, SB1133, SB1134, SB1139, SB1147, SB1148, SB1168, SB1189, SCR1001, SCR1002, SCR1005, SCR1010
Keywords:
gender transition, detransition, healthcare liability, medical malpractice, youth protection, legal action, Arizona law, spousal maintenance, court guidelines, self-sufficiency, financial support, marriage dissolution, child safety, dependency cases, attorney regulation, foster care, legal representation, probation, dangerous crimes, children
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (01/20/2026)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- of ethics which are put forth by the state.
- /c><01:54:46.719>
put <01:54:46.960>forth <01:54:47.440>by codes of ethics which - are put forth by codes of ethics which are put forth by the<01:54:47.920>
state. - of ethics for more suited for a code of ethics for that<02:31:26.960>
community? - code of ethics for due process in the code of ethics for behavior<02:31:33.760>
like <02:31:33.920
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Special Legislative Commission on Emerging Firearm Technology Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:30 am
Transcript Highlights:
- State Senator Catherine Blacksphere, Jim Wallace, Executive Director, California State Senator Catherine
- the state to establish standards and criteria for testing microstamped firearms, ...direct the state
- States v.
- Green (2005) and United States v.
- All the codes I have are ASCII codes. They're not anything dramatic.
Summary:
The Special Commission on Emerging Firearm Technology met to review its work on intentional microstamping and personalized firearms and to discuss draft recommendations for a final report. The co-chairs summarized testimony received from manufacturers, advocates, law enforcement, and officials from New Jersey, New York, and California. For microstamping, the discussion focused on how the technology could help trace spent casings, its limits in forensic use, and concerns about wear, tampering, implementation costs, and whether it would burden lawful gun owners. For personalized firearms, members reviewed testimony about biometric smart guns, their current commercial availability, higher cost, and potential benefits for preventing accidental shootings and unauthorized use, especially involving children and suicide prevention.
Commissioners expressed a range of views. Several supported microstamping as a crime-solving tool and endorsed a recommendation that the legislature direct a feasibility and viability study, set standards and training, fund implementation, and create penalties for tampering. Others opposed microstamping, arguing it has not worked in other states, may not reduce crime, and could impose costs on manufacturers and owners. On personalized firearms, most commissioners supported encouraging the technology, but there was disagreement over whether to create a temporary sales tax exemption; some favored an incentive to promote adoption, while others opposed any tax subsidy for firearms or questioned whether the data justified it.
The co-chairs said they would draft a report reflecting the majority consensus and circulate it for review before a final vote at a later meeting, likely in July. The commission also discussed which executive branch agency should conduct the microstamping feasibility study, with the Attorney General’s office and EOPSS mentioned as possibilities. The meeting ended with agreement to reconvene for final votes on the report and recommendations.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- I rise today in opposition to HB 235, which seeks to alter the educator code of ethics and code of conduct
- ethical standards, which could lead to disciplinary action, including the loss of both the code of ethics
- The code of ethics and the code of conduct for New Hampshire educators sets forth those responsibilities
- The code of ethics and the code of conduct for New Hampshire educators sets forth those responsibilities
- The code of ethics and the code of conduct for New Hampshire educators sets forth those responsibilities
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Joint Administrative Procedures Committee Mar 31st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- As stated by the First District Court of Appeal in State DHS v.
- As stated by the First District Court of Appeal in State DHS v.
- , water management districts, state universities, state colleges, and the judicial branch.
- , water management districts, state universities, state colleges, and the judicial branch.
- , state universities, state colleges, and the judicial branch.
Summary:
The Joint Administrative Procedures Committee reviewed several agency rules and objections under Chapter 120. First, the committee revisited prior objections to Agency for Health Care Administration rules containing sunset provisions. AHCA’s general counsel said the agency amended 26 of the objected rules but declined to amend five others, arguing sunset provisions are lawful, are not themselves rules, and were consistent with a 2019 gubernatorial directive. Committee members questioned that position, especially for licensing and certificate-of-need rules, and urged the agency to consider legislative changes; no formal action was taken on that item during the discussion.
The committee then considered an objection to Department of Management Services Rule 60G-1.001 defining the Governor’s Mansion grounds. Committee staff argued the rule is vague and improperly refers to future land acquisitions without updating the rule since 1998. DMS defended the rule as a general definition tied to publicly recorded property and a master lease, but said it would not object if the Legislature chose to codify the definition in statute. After discussion, the committee voted to file the objection.
Members also received informational updates from the Department of Environmental Protection on the Solaris state lands inventory system, and from the Florida Gaming Control Commission on its response to the Tampa Bay Downs unadopted-rule litigation, in which the commission said it has stopped relying on the prior tax interpretation and will not promulgate a rule on that issue. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation said it would remove an unsupported cigar wholesale dealer permit reference, repeal an obsolete excise-tax deduction rule, and amend penalty guidelines and an affirmation in its alcohol, beverage, and tobacco rules. Finally, the Division of Administrative Hearings’ interim director discussed case-processing times, possible changes to ALJ status, and whether the Florida Rules of Evidence should apply in administrative proceedings, emphasizing the need to weigh costs, independence, and impacts on pro se litigants. The chair noted this was likely the committee’s final meeting of the year.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Education Policy Committee Mar 5th, 2025
Education Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- This will help their state report card in that manner.
- The state.
- I'm the longest-serving synagogue Rabbi in the state of... serving synagogue Rabbi in the state of Alabama
- I know many of our state Gospel, I know many of our state legislators hold their faith dear, but taking
- , providing a foundational ethical framework for society.
Keywords:
education, diploma, adult education, dropout prevention, nontraditional high school program, driver's license eligibility, vaccination exemption, religious exemption, medical exemption, vaccine mandate, testing requirement, public schools, K-12, students, parents, guardians, higher education, college enrollment, university attendance, public institutions of higher education
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- You will see that our surrounding states You will see that our surrounding states already<00:10:
- making our state a safer place. making our state a safer place. Thank<00:10:57.880>
you. - which establishes a lawful and ethical which establishes a lawful and ethical framework<00:18:16.240
- would be um contracting with the state. would be um contracting with the state. >> Okay.
- 4,500 individuals across our state.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, May 14, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- /c><02:12:13.679>
law States Code to improve the law States Code to improve the law enforcement - Union Calendar number 58, H.R. 2243, a bill to amend Title 18, United States Code, to improve the Law
- A bill to amend title 18 United<04:48:51.200>
States <04:48:51.440>Code <04:48:51.760>- Code to improve the law United States Code to improve the law enforcement<04:48:53.200>
officer - /c><07:06:03.280>
law States Code to improve the law States Code to improve the law enforcement - Code to improve the law United States Code to improve the law enforcement<04:48:53.200>
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Administration of Criminal Justice May 6th, 2026
Administration of Criminal Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- We're pretty much leaving it up to the state, and the state has the choice whether or not to do how,
- We're pretty much leaving it up to the state, and the state has the choice whether or not to do how,
- And across many of the other states, I believe there's been a survey of states that do require grand
- juries for indictments. ...of the other states, I believe there's been a survey of states that do require
- Oregon Supreme Court stated that it was unconstitutional even by their state constitution standards,
Summary:
The Criminal Justice Committee met on May 6, 2026, and considered a series of juvenile justice, criminal procedure, public corruption, domestic violence, sentencing, and victim-notification measures. Early in the meeting, SB 396 was amended and reported favorably to allow children in Office of Juvenile Justice custody to attend review hearings by secure video conference, with OJJ staff also participating virtually. SB 181 was amended and reported favorably to create a limited raffle license for nonprofit health care organizations within a single health system. SB 81, a bill requiring prosecutorial consent before a defendant may waive a jury trial in a non-capital felony case, drew extensive debate; supporters said it would align Louisiana with federal practice and other states, while opponents argued it would give the state more power and reduce defendants’ control over their own trial rights. After testimony from district attorneys, defense lawyers, and advocacy groups, the committee reported SB 81 favorably by a 7-3 vote.
The committee then took up SB 207, which extends the prescriptive period for prosecuting certain corruption offenses committed by elected officials and public employees to 10 years after they leave office. Supporters said it would help prevent officials from using their influence to avoid prosecution; opponents raised concerns about optics and scope. The bill was reported favorably by an 8-3 vote. SB 92, requiring district attorneys to submit sexual assault kits to the statewide tracking system, was also reported favorably without objection. SB 156, which increases the maximum penalty for negligent homicide and includes special treatment for cases involving children under 13, was reported favorably after sponsors said they would make a technical fix before floor debate. SB 58, imposing a mandatory minimum sentence for aggravated flight from a law enforcement officer and dedicating fine revenue to pursuit training and technology, was reported favorably after supporters cited fatal high-speed pursuits and law enforcement backing.
Later, the committee approved SB 97, the constitutional amendment companion to SB 81, after similar testimony for and against the proposal; it was reported favorably by a 7-3 vote. SB 141, moving the Integrated Criminal Justice Information System Policy Board’s functions to the Louisiana Supreme Court, was reported favorably without objection. SB 410, increasing penalties for accessories after the fact to sex offenses, was also reported favorably. The committee then considered HB 251, which requires notice to victims or their families in resentencing proceedings; after amendments and testimony about post-conviction procedure and possible unintended consequences, it was reported favorably as amended. Finally, the committee heard HCR 50, a resolution calling for reports on opioid abatement and treatment programs in correctional facilities and guidance on available funding; the sponsor described it as a study effort to improve access to treatment and recovery, and the resolution was moved favorably.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations (3-10-26)
Licensing & Occupations
Transcript Highlights:
- It's kind of state by state. Correct. Okay. And is it wiser to do that?
- all 50 states regulatory all 50 states regulatory uh<00:27:16.760>
guidelines. - state state where<00:30:33.440>
we <00:30:33.720>had <00:30:34.440>people <00:30 - licensable in this state readily. licensable in this state readily.
- had in this state. had in this state.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 119 Part 2 May 13th, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HSH-HLT Joint Public Hearing - Tue Apr 7, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST
Human Services & Homelessness
Transcript Highlights:
- And we have four written testimonies in support: State Health Planning and Development Agency, Disability
- And we have four written testimonies in support: State Health Planning and Development Agency, Disability
- Two, creating a centralized state hub with local chapters responsive to the needs of their respective
- Number two, creating<00:13:08.280>
a <00:13:08.320>centralized <00:13:09.000>state - that teaches active listening, ethical that teaches active listening, ethical boundaries,<00:13:
Keywords:
disability, communication access, healthcare, sign language interpreters, deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, auxiliary aids, effective communication, peer counselor, youth mental health, social disconnection, Hawaii schools, wellness program, student support, cultural responsiveness, trauma-informed care, disability rights, peer counseling, education
Summary:
The joint Committee on Human Services and Homelessness and Committee on Health heard two measures on April 7, 2026. HCR 67/HR 61 would request the Disability and Communication Access Board to study communication needs in health care settings for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind and develop guidelines. Written testimony supported the measure from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, DCAB, Local Independent Living Hawaii, and one individual. A DCAB representative noted the proposal could serve as a backup if related measures do not move forward. No one testified in opposition, and both committees voted to pass the measure unamended.
The second measure, HCR 102/HR 94, urged the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health and the Office of Wellness and Resilience, to establish a statewide peer counselor program to address youth loneliness and social disconnection in schools. Support came from the Department of Education, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, and individual testifiers Katie Smith and Ray Ward. Smith said peer support can reduce stigma, increase belonging, and improve school climate. Ward, speaking from lived experience, described the harms of loneliness and trauma and said a peer counselor program could provide culturally grounded support and safer pathways to help. No opposition was offered, and both committees voted to pass the measure unamended.