Video & Transcript Research : 'Developmental Disabilities Division'
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FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education Mar 26th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education
Transcript Highlights:
- Officer for Center Academy Schools, an organization that has been serving students with learning disabilities
- These deadlines and burdens would prevent students with disabilities from finding their best educational
- I’ve always believed that I don’t want a fair division. I want more than my share.
Summary:
The committee first heard the proposed Pre-K-12 education budget for fiscal year 2025-26, totaling $34.7 billion. The chair highlighted major increases for the FEFP, including $29.6 billion for public schools and K-12 scholarships, a $984 million year-over-year increase, along with higher per-FTE funding, $4 billion for the Family Empowerment Scholarship, $431.4 million for VPK, funding for school safety, the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, school hardening, Jewish day school security, and an education enrollment stabilization fund. With no public comment, the committee adopted a motion for staff technical corrections and then approved the budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee.
The committee then considered SB 1402 on dropout retrieval programs. The bill expands eligibility so any individual who has withdrawn from high school may enroll in dropout retrieval services and clarifies how school grades are calculated for virtual instruction providers that offer those services. An amendment clarifying the grading calculation was adopted, and the committee reported the bill favorably.
Next, the committee took up SPB 7030 on educational scholarship programs, a broad measure addressing school choice funding and administration. The bill would fund the Family Empowerment Scholarship as a separate categorical, expand the education stabilization fund, create fall and spring application windows, require a single scholarship application and more documentation, assign student IDs, standardize payment timing to monthly installments, require continued eligibility verification, and add Level 2 background checks for providers receiving state funds. Members raised questions about background-check enforcement, payment timing, data sharing, and the impact on homeschool and private-school families. Public testimony included support from school-choice advocates and concerns from private-school representatives about added regulatory burdens and deadlines. The committee adopted the bill as a committee bill and reported it favorably, with Senator Osgood voting no.
Finally, the committee considered SB 508 on the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, which requires private schools to disclose in writing what accommodations, modifications, and services they will provide to students with existing plans such as IEPs, EEPs, 504 plans, or ELL plans before enrollment. An amendment was adopted to require public schools to consult with private schools about equitable services. Testimony was mixed: supporters said the bill would give parents needed information for informed choice, while private-school representatives said the language could be burdensome and vague. The committee reported the bill favorably.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- The question, the first question, was whether or not Senate Bill 580 was divisible, as we amended it
- Was that particular version of the bill divisible? I ruled yes.
- Again, I thought we were voting on whether the question was divisible, not the two divisible questions
- questions that you had ruled. divisible questions that you had ruled.
- , or gender identity, deserve disability, or gender identity, deserve to<04:07:33.279>
move <04
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (01/21/2026)
Education Policy and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a disabled to address you guys.
- program, or students with disabling program, or students with disabling conditions. conditions.
- not extensive disabilities nor expensive disabilities.<05:14:08.560>
So <05:14:08.718>it's - disabilities. So it's not open to all. disabilities. So it's not open to all.
- <05:14:12.400>
and And if your child has disability and And if your child has disability and
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Administration of Criminal Justice Apr 28th, 2026
Administration of Criminal Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- homes are afforded many protections under the Fair Housing Act because they serve people with disabilities
- your fair housing service provider is complaints of housing discrimination against people with disabilities
- is often used colloquially to refer to a wide variety of arrangements for unrelated people with disabilities
- Molestation of a juvenile or of a person with a physical or mental disability, aggravated crime against
- But I would like to have our head of our ICAC task force division, David Ferris, give you a little bit
Summary:
The committee first deferred HB 374 without objection. It then heard SB 46, which creates the crime of unlawful operation of a group home aimed at protecting vulnerable adults living in unsafe, unlicensed residences where operators control residents’ assets. The Attorney General’s office described severe neglect and exploitation in some homes, while the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center opposed the bill over concerns it could create confusion, criminalize legitimate recovery or disability housing, and chill protected housing arrangements. After discussion, including assurances that the bill was narrowly targeted at bad actors, the committee reported SB 46 favorably.
The committee next took up HB 276, which sets a statewide minimum bail amount for certain sexual offenses against minors. Testimony from a victim’s mother and an anti-trafficking expert supported the bill as a way to keep dangerous offenders detained and protect children, while members debated whether the original $50,000 minimum was too low and could be treated as a benchmark. The committee amended the bill in committee to raise the minimum to $1 million and to add human trafficking involving a victim under 18 to the covered offenses, then reported HB 276 favorably as amended.
Members then heard SB 42 and SB 110, both addressing AI-generated child sexual abuse material. SB 42 expands the definition of child sexual abuse material to include digital and AI-generated depictions, while SB 110 prohibits using a child’s image to train AI to produce such material. The Attorney General’s office and survivor advocates supported the measures as necessary updates to keep pace with technology and protect children; the committee reported both bills favorably. HB 998, dealing with forensic medical exams and reimbursement for domestic violence victims, especially strangulation cases, was also heard and amended to remove human trafficking references and set implementation steps; advocates said the bill would improve evidence collection and reimbursement, and it was reported favorably with amendments. Finally, the committee heard SB 51 on fraudulent representation of military service or awards, which was supported as a tool to address stolen valor and was reported favorably, and HB 323 on notification and reporting of inmate deaths, which was presented as a transparency measure after a family testified about learning of a relative’s death from the news rather than the facility.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- end their service, helping them understand the next processes and steps, whether it's beginning disability
- ><00:21:43.640>
for <00:21:43.880>your <00:21:44.400>your <00:21:44.640>disability - it's beginning for your your disability it's beginning for your your disability benefits<00:21:45.840
- So I'm trying to help them throughout that process with getting their disability benefits and reconnecting
- Well, the Hawaii Correctional Industries is a division within our department.
Summary:
The committees heard advice-and-consent testimony on several gubernatorial nominations, beginning with GM 644 for Steven Logan to serve as Adjutant General of the Department of Defense through December 7, 2026. Testimony from multiple state officials and others was strongly supportive, citing Logan’s military leadership, service during the COVID-19 period, and coordination during the fireworks-related patient transfer. Logan described his 44 years of military service, 22 years with the Honolulu Police Department, and his approach of “unity of effort,” including how he would help operationalize the Office of the State Fire Marshal by coordinating with county fire chiefs, the State Fire Council, and emergency management to pursue funding and implement recommendations.
The committee then took up GM 621 and GM 623 for the Correctional Industries Advisory Committee. Shante Asuda of Hawaii Correctional Industries supported both nominees and said the board is important for evaluating private-sector joint ventures that can provide work skills for incarcerated people. Carla Kashiwa said she wanted to help improve outcomes through public-private partnerships and vocational rehabilitation opportunities for people reentering society. Lee Shinato, however, gave a less prepared presentation, offering broad ideas such as crafts, lunch wagons, and ukulele-making, and acknowledged he was not fully clear on the board’s scope or goals. Committee members expressed concern about the lack of preparation and clarity around the board’s mission, and the administrator later explained that the board’s role is to review business plans for viability, return on investment, sustainability, and whether they provide marketable skills for inmates.
The final item discussed was GM 568 for Aris Banag to serve on the Advisory Board of Veteran Services. Supporters described him as community-minded and deeply committed to veterans. Banag said he has over 30 years of service, has worked as a mental health therapist and veterans resource coordinator at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, and helped create the first veteran service center there. In response to questions about federal VA cutbacks and veterans nearing retirement, he said the board must be a strong independent voice for veterans, advocate against reductions in benefits, and help service members plan for post-military life, including disability benefits, retirement, and financial planning. No votes or final committee actions were stated in the portion provided.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- In places where peace, healing, unity, and comfort are needed, be the source in a world where division
- The bill further clarifies that the Commission on Judicial Disabilities, the Judicial Ethics Committee
- The bill further clarifies that the Commission on Judicial Disabilities, the Judicial Ethics Committee
- Um, our early voting centers are accessible to people with disabilities.
- , or death of harm, permanent disability, or death of an<01:33:58.480>
animal <01:33:59.120>
Summary:
The Senate convened with an invocation, journalized the prayer, and recognized Read Across America Day with a special resolution congratulating the Maryland State Education Association on the program’s 28th anniversary. Senators also welcomed several guests and student groups, including Eleanor Roosevelt High School students, Maryland Federation of Republican Women members for Red Scarf Day, medical shadows from Johns Hopkins, a student page prospect, and a group from Matthew Henson Elementary School.
The chamber then took up multiple Finance Committee consent calendars and individual local alcohol-related bills, all of which were reported favorably, adopted without objection, and ordered printed for third reading. Measures included changes to alcohol license fee refunds for uniformed service members, Anne Arundel County license classifications and compensation for liquor board officials, a Baltimore City racetrack license extension, a Cecil County license quota change, and new or expanded licenses for golf courses, sports venues, and barber shop/beauty salon establishments. The Senate also advanced bills on social work licensing, a rural readiness economic development program, a Maryland-Ireland Trade Commission extension, peer-to-peer car sharing insurance rules, telematics-based auto insurance disclosures and appeals, and veteran status notation on public profiles.
Several bills were amended before being advanced, generally with technical or clarifying changes and no recorded opposition. Senate Bill 18 would create a provisional social work license; Senate Bill 351 would regulate insurer use of vehicle telematics data; Senate Bill 395 would revise insurance and liability rules for peer-to-peer car sharing; and Senate Bill 197 would alter comprehensive plan elements in land use law. Senate Bill 439, protecting fire and rescue public safety employees from adverse action based on medical cannabis certification, also moved forward without amendment.
One measure, Senate Bill 69, which would make permanent the nonprofit navigator position in the Department of Commerce, was discussed at length after a member raised concerns about oversight of nonprofit grant funding. On request, the bill was special ordered to the next day for further consideration. All other bills discussed in the transcript were advanced to third reading by unanimous or near-unanimous voice action, with no recorded roll-call votes.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session May 7th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill also includes a technical fix to ensure all seniors or disabled citizens who meet program eligibility
- At a time when our nation faces division, uncertainty, and many challenges, this special day reminds
Summary:
The Senate met with a quorum present and opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. The chamber then took up Assembly Bill 108, a budget bill providing a one-time $25 million grant program through HCAI for hospitals in immediate financial distress, along with a technical fix for the property tax postponement program. Senators Laird and Jones spoke in support, and the bill passed 36-0 with immediate transmittal.
The Senate also adopted several resolutions by unanimous or near-unanimous votes, including SCR 162 recognizing CASA Appreciation Day, SCR 165 designating California Wildfire Preparedness Week, SCR 84 proclaiming California Rail Month, SCR 153 for the National Day of Prayer, SCR 167 recognizing Mother’s Day, and SR 106 memorializing Black April Month. Floor remarks highlighted the work of CASA volunteers, wildfire preparedness and local fire mitigation efforts, the importance of rail to California’s transportation and climate goals, the role of faith and prayer, the contributions of mothers, and the history and sacrifices of Vietnamese refugees and Vietnamese American communities. Most of these measures passed on unanimous roll calls; SCR 153 passed 31-1.
The Senate also passed SB 1175, which requires lobbyists to file registration changes directly with the Secretary of State to improve transparency and reduce delays; SB 949, designating the Santa Cruz Mountains as a landscape of statewide significance; SB 1038, strengthening CalPERS audit notification for unions; and SB 965, easing library card access for 16- and 17-year-olds by prohibiting a parent’s physical presence requirement. All of these bills passed on roll calls with no opposition. The consent calendar was then approved, committee announcements were made, and the session ended with an adjournment in memory of Dan Hughes, a former public safety officer and local parks district member.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- security protocols, equipment, and infrastructure; making an appropriation to the Income Support Division
- And for those with disabilities, there's a variety of populations that this serves.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Health Policy Mar 4th, 2025
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 2/26/26
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Pat Rivers, Deputy Director for the Division of Fish and Wildlife at the Minnesota DNR, testified that
- that administer these lands in divisions that administer these lands in terms<00:39:42.560>
of - It is a pretty divisive issue and polarizing issue amongst archery hunters.
- It is a pretty divisive issue hunters.
- It is a pretty divisive issue uh<01:15:31.760>
and <01:15:32.320>polarizing <01:15:32.960
Bills:
HF624
Keywords:
HF624, Minnesota fishing law, game and fish, walleye stamp, walleye stamp validation, angling, angler, fishing lines, two lines, four lines, open water fishing, ice fishing, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, fishing regulations, fish harvest, conservation, Minnesota Statutes 97C.315, 1183, house
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
JLCAR Administrative Rules (07/16/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, Brian Clark, counsel for the Division of Economic Stability.
- I do want to clarify that households with individuals aged 60 to 64, if they are also disabled, they
- They haven't amended their definition of elderly or disabled. No, that's fine.
- elderly or disabled. elderly or disabled.
- Okay, so another division there.
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes and consent calendar, then took up several rule items. For Department of Safety rule 2611, DMV leadership explained the rule had been under development since January but needed to be updated to reflect a new statutory change and to align the rule with RSA 266. Members discussed narrowing the rule to road-safety items rather than automobile inspection provisions, and the department said it would issue a new public notice and hold another hearing. The committee voted to grant a waiver and postpone the item until the October 15, 2026 meeting.
The Board of Active Puncture Licensing item 26-47 was postponed one month at the agency’s request so it could incorporate OS feedback, with no waiver needed. The Insurance Department’s claim settlement rule 25-234 and related item 26-78 drew more extensive discussion over waiver language. Committee members objected that the proposed language gave the commissioner broad discretion to set waiver periods without clear criteria, while agency counsel argued the rule already contained standards and that the language allowed temporary waivers. After discussion about consistency, permanency, and the need for clearer documentation, the committee voted to postpone 25-234 with a waiver and to postpone 26-78.
Finally, the committee considered Health and Human Services rule 2690, which sets SNAP certification periods for a pilot demonstration authorized by SB 499. Staff explained that federal changes now require the age threshold for the 36-month certification period to be 65 instead of 60, and that the agency had been directed to make the change by August 12. Agency staff said the rule needed to be updated to match federal direction, and members generally agreed. The committee discussed whether the federal citation was sufficient and whether the rule should reference the law change directly, but no final objection was raised in the portion shown.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Tim Stevenson, Department of State Health Services, Consumer Protection Division, and on the bill.
- I'm the Chief of the Crime Laboratory Division for the Texas Department of Public Safety.
- Other than they are causing slower, less conspicuous deaths and disabilities.
- I had to file for disability because of my gut health.
- I'm a disabled veteran, an opioid survivor, and founder of Always Forging Ahead. for pain relief.
Keywords:
Texas Education Code, public schools, school district, open-enrollment charter school, teacher speech, employee speech, biological sex, pronouns, gender identity, retaliation, discipline, workplace protections, school personnel, education policy, LGBTQ, transgender, charter schools, SB 965, religious speech, prayer
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the director of the Alzheimer's and Memory Disorders Division at Barrow Neurological Institute.
- Two years ago, I retired on disability, but I have good prospects because I know what to expect.
- this, including pregnant women, parents of children 13 years or younger, tribal members, blind or disabled
- SNAP serves adults, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, people with special dietary needs, and
- SNAP helps people who may not have a kitchen in which to prepare their food or who may have a disability
Keywords:
physician assistants, licensure compact, medical services, multistate practice, patient care access, healthcare workforce, military families, adverse actions, dementia care, telementoring, healthcare education, rural communities, grant funding, HB 2233, rural health transformation, rural health transformation program, AHCCCS, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, Joint Legislative Budget Committee, JLBC
Summary:
The committee began with a presentation from the Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter and Dr. Anna Burke of Barrow Neurological Institute on the scope of Alzheimer’s disease, the shortage of specialists, low rates of timely diagnosis, and the need for caregiver support and early intervention. Speakers emphasized that Arizona is a leader in Alzheimer’s research and that lifestyle changes, new therapies, and research funding offer hope, but only if patients are diagnosed earlier and providers are better trained.
The committee then heard House Bill 2202, which would appropriate $300,000 over three years for a dementia care telemonitoring/telementoring grant program through the Department of Health Services to help providers statewide learn best practices in dementia care. Supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association, Dr. Danny Cabral, and a patient advocate, said the bill would address major gaps in provider training and improve early diagnosis and treatment. There was no opposition, and the committee voted 11-0 to give HB 2202 a do pass recommendation.
The committee next took up House Bill 2251, the “Jordan and MacTerry Act,” which would expand licensed midwives’ authority to administer certain medications, require liability insurance disclosure and reporting, and create an Arizona Midwifery Advisory Committee. Supporters said the bill would improve safety, oversight, and access to emergency medications in home births, while opponents from ACOG and the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association raised concerns about the adequacy of oversight, the medication list, and whether eight hours of pharmacology training is sufficient. After testimony from midwives, physicians, and stakeholders, the bill was held for further stakeholder work and anticipated floor amendments. House Bill 2252, which would allow certified nurse midwives, certified professional midwives, or licensed midwives to accompany a patient in a ground ambulance during transport if approved by medical direction, also drew support and opposition. Supporters argued it would preserve continuity of care in emergencies, while firefighters and EMS representatives objected to ambiguity and scene control concerns. That bill was likewise held for further stakeholder meetings. The committee then recessed and reconvened for later presentations on federal budget and health-related topics.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, March 31, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- to congratulate the Portsmouth High School girls' basketball team on winning the first-ever Ohio Division
- DIVISION 5 STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP. HAVING DREAMT OF SECURING THIS TIGHT SINCE GRADE 5.
- This includes women of color, immigrant women, women with disabilities, and lesbian and trans women,
- DISABILITIES AND LESBIAN AND TRANSWOMEN AND OTHERS WHO HAVE LED THE CHARGE IN PUSHING AMERICA FORWARD
- We are including everyone, women with disabilities, and women of color to our national fabric, and not
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Funding (05/20/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- They had the winning team, Division I, every season, and Lightner, who went and played for Coach K at
- separate private school for disabled separate private school for disabled students<03:19:11.600>
- And so we pay for students that are placed, students with disabilities who are placed for an episode
- <03:53:52.000>
analytics <03:53:52.479>and um division of educational analytics and - um division of educational analytics and statistics.<03:53:53.359>
So <03:53:53.600>not
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 209, which would require schools seeking building aid for construction or reconstruction projects to use an owner’s project manager. The chair explained an amendment that would remove the bill’s requirement that the manager be engaged before application and instead revert to current law, while updating the project threshold from the older $1 million figure to a more current amount and clarifying that the manager’s role is to protect the project owner’s interests. Members asked about the cost of hiring a project manager over several years before a project is funded, the 1.5% fee in rule, and whether the rules already define the manager’s duties. The chair said the amendment addressed those concerns by leaving the timing to current law and relying on existing administrative rules for qualifications and responsibilities. The committee then voted 18-0 to adopt the amendment and 18-0 to recommend SB 209 OTPA, placing it on the consent calendar.
The committee then moved to SB 99, which concerns allowing students enrolled in career and technical education programs at receiving comprehensive high schools to take additional academic courses there. The chair said the bill was intended to make it easier for students to access CTE without being blocked by scheduling conflicts in their sending schools, and to clarify how agreements between sending and receiving districts would work. He described concerns about the bill’s cost formula, transportation, part-time versus full-time status, and whether the proposal could unintentionally create open-enrollment or athletic-transfer issues. He said the amendment would mirror existing treatment for homeschool and charter school students, use a familiar funding model, and limit participation to students already enrolled in one or more CTE classes at the receiving school.
The chair also emphasized that comprehensive high schools already have a statutory definition and that the bill would help more students participate in CTE, which he said currently reaches only a relatively small share of students statewide. He noted that transportation would be covered only when a CTE bus is available, otherwise students would be responsible for arranging travel as under current practice. After brief discussion, the committee voted 18-0 to adopt the amendment and 18-0 to recommend SB 99 OTPA, also placing it on the consent calendar.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I do know of somebody as well for her little division.
- I do know of somebody as well for her little division.
- I do know of somebody as well for her little division.
- I do know of somebody as well for her little division.
- <00:53:11.839>
She as well for her little division. She as well for her little division.
Keywords:
higher education, college affordability, student aid, state grants, North Star Promise, scholarships, financial aid, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, Office of Higher Education, tuition relief, work-study, child care grants, hunger-free campus, food insecurity, student parents, pregnant students, parenting students, sexual misconduct, Title IX
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Delivery of Government Efficiency Mar 26th, 2025
Delivery of Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- We have a team in our workforce development division that helped us get through all the paperwork and
- Under its provisions, the division is empowered to either use AI technology developed by the department
- that not every project is transferred automatically to the division. ...but the projects that might
- We're glad to support House Bill 2818 and its establishment of an AI division.
- One of those products is Star Plus, which caters to the age-blind and disabled population.
Bills:
HB149, HB252, HB643, HB1442, HB1500, HB1672, HB1851, HB1893, HB2028, HB2768, HB2818, HB149, HB252
Keywords:
artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance, employment compensation, state agencies, salary payments, general appropriations, government efficiency, public works, contractors, payment bonds, government contracts, construction law, transparency, open meetings, government accountability, public access
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- What I had in mind disability.
- originally was if you have a disability originally was if you have a disability driving<00:43:19.599
- <00:43:40.480>
the 3,000 people with a disability the 3,000 people with a disability the chance - Uh, just a with their disability to go.
- <00:53:18.240>
Thank disabilities. Um Senator Abler. Thank disabilities.
PA
Transcript Highlights:
- PANS and PANDAS are often misdiagnosed as psychiatric or developmental disorders.
Summary:
The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and first handled routine business including postponing approval of the prior journal and confirming a quorum. Several committee reports were adopted, including measures from Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness, Tourism and Recreation and Economic Development, Appropriations, Rules, Commerce, and Environmental and Natural Resource Protection. The chamber also adopted House Resolution 531, designating June 2026 as Scoliosis Awareness Month, after testimony from Rep. DeLosier and discussion of a constituent’s experience with severe scoliosis; the resolution passed 201-1.
The House then adopted a series of additional resolutions and bills, including Diaper Need Awareness Week, a study on PANS/PANDAS, 717 Day, Little League World Series Week, and a resolution commemorating America 250 in Pennsylvania. It also passed bills on Sunshine Act agenda notice changes, veteran death notifications, Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, township audit deadlines, first responder memorials, road transfers, parole board succession, and restrictions on HOA limits for rooftop solar. The solar bill drew multiple failed amendments on HOA voting rules, native plants, energy-source discrimination, and net metering; one amendment on indemnification for elected officials at special events was adopted.
In final passage votes, the House approved legislation to prohibit NDAs related to data centers, with debate centered on transparency and local control; it passed 171-31. The chamber also passed bills allowing Pittsburgh school administrators to collectively bargain, requiring hunting and trapping education options in schools, expanding SWIF’s equity investment authority, and scheduling metatomidine as a Schedule 3 controlled substance. The Counseling Compact bill and a parole-record privilege bill both passed unanimously or near-unanimously, and the House signed those measures for presentation to the Governor. The session ended with referrals of new bills to committees, a motion to adjourn, and adjournment until July 1, 2026.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:30 am
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
Transcript Highlights:
- three-year-old patient who was not being adequately treated for a congenital condition, which can cause developmental
Summary:
The hearing focused on the Safe Communities Act, House 2580 and Senate 1681, along with related proposals to limit local and state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, prohibit 287(g) agreements, and expand legal defense for immigrants. Most testimony came from advocates, attorneys, labor leaders, health care professionals, educators, and community members who argued that fear of ICE discourages immigrants from reporting crimes, seeking medical care, attending school, or cooperating with courts, and that a clear statewide policy would improve public safety, due process, and trust in institutions. Several speakers described personal or client experiences involving domestic violence, trafficking, workplace abuse, or children affected by deportation, and many emphasized economic harms to workers, families, and small businesses.
Health care witnesses said immigration enforcement is causing patients to miss appointments, avoid emergency rooms, and delay preventive care, with resulting public health consequences. Labor and education representatives said immigrant workers and students are increasingly fearful, and that the state should not allow local police to act as ICE agents or enter 287(g) agreements. ACLU and coalition witnesses cited examples they said showed existing or recent collaboration between local agencies and ICE, including courthouse alerts, vehicle stops, and use of municipal spaces, while also arguing that the bill would still allow cooperation on criminal matters and public safety emergencies. One witness opposed the bill, arguing that serious criminal offenders should be deported and defending ICE’s role.
Committee members asked several questions about whether the harms described were widespread or anecdotal, and about the distinction between assisting ICE in civil immigration arrests versus responding to violent or public safety emergencies. Witnesses said the bill was aimed at civil immigration enforcement, not criminal investigations or emergency situations. At the end of the hearing, a committee member requested a study on immigration enforcement’s effect on emergency room wait times, and the committee then adjourned without taking a vote on the legislation.