Video & Transcript Research : 'therapy'
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FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
January 14, 2025 - 01:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Compact, or IMLC, the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact, and the Physical Therapy
- The Physical Therapy Compact Commission notified the state of Florida that the bill language deviated
- The Board of Massage Therapy engaged in rulemaking.
- For any single violation of the new inspection requirements, the Board of Massage Therapy can impose
- If occupational therapy has a compact, I'll have to research that and get back to you.
Summary:
The Health Professions and Program Subcommittee met for an introductory and oversight briefing from the Florida Department of Health on implementation of several 2024 laws. The committee heard first from Jennifer Winhold on practitioner-regulation measures, including SB 1716 and SB 1600, which expanded workforce pathways through foreign-trained physician licensure, area-of-critical-need temporary certificates for APRNs and physician assistants, graduate assistant physician licenses, interstate compacts, and a new universal licensure-by-endorsement process. She also reviewed HB 197 on massage therapy enforcement, HB 975 on broader background screening, HB 1561 on office-surgery and liposuction safeguards, HB 159 on pharmacist HIV post-exposure prophylaxis certification, and HB 1063 on chiropractic dry needling and foreign degree licensure. Members asked about compact scope, foreign graduate requirements, massage enforcement overlap with DBPR, and registration thresholds for liposuction procedures.
Dr. Emma Spencer then outlined implementation of SB 76 and related programs, including changes to the FRAME and dental loan repayment programs, the volunteer health care provider program, the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program, the Health Care Innovation Council and revolving loan program, and the Andrew John Anderson Pediatric Rare Disease Grant Program. She said the department had updated portals, posted forms, launched or was developing public search tools, and submitted required reports and contracts. Members questioned whether loan repayment funds were reaching rural and underserved areas, how nonprofit applicants were being informed about the Alphonse screening grant program, the short application window for that grant, and how the department would evaluate whether the programs were improving recruitment and retention.
A third presentation, delivered by Mike Mason standing in for Shea Holloway, covered maternal and child health and other public health initiatives. He reported on the telehealth maternity care program’s expansion from a pilot in Duval and Orange counties to 23 counties, the pregnancy-and-parenting resources website required by HB 415, CMV newborn screening requirements under SB 168, sickle cell registry and research grants under HB 7085, and the swim lessons voucher program under SB 544, which received nearly 10,000 requests for 3,500 vouchers and enrolled 86 facilities. Members asked about utilization, marketing, website launch timing, and how the department was promoting these services. No bills were voted on; the meeting concluded with the chair noting that more committee presentations and bills would follow and that briefing materials would be distributed to members.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII Feb 25th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII
Transcript Highlights:
- We're going to take up the Executive Council of Physical therapy and occupational therapy examiners.
- Therapy examiners.
- Therapy examiners.
- I'm Ralph Harper, executive Director for the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy
- As it relates to occupational therapy, we have about 20,000 active OTs and OTAs in Texas.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
April 10, 2025 - 10:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- reclassifies registered interns as registered associates for clinical social work, marriage and family therapy
- reclassifies registered interns as registered associates for clinical social work, marriage and family therapy
- We have Melinda Pillar with the Florida Family Therapy Alliance, waves in support.
- I'm currently getting my PhD in marriage and family therapy over at Florida State University.
- Therapy over at Florida State University. So is this a different bill? Never mind. I'm so sorry.
Summary:
The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee met with a quorum present and considered two bills. HB 361, by Rep. Nix, would reclassify registered interns as registered associates for clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental health counseling, and would streamline supervision rules by removing the requirement that licensed supervisors be physically present in private practice settings. Supporters said the bill would modernize terminology, reduce barriers to practice, and expand access to mental health care while maintaining supervision and public safety. Several members raised concerns about possible unintended effects on community health centers and Medicaid workforce issues, but the bill drew broad support and passed 17-0, reported favorably.
The committee then heard HB 1341, by Rep. Gonzales Pittman, which is aimed at preventing misuse of physician specialty titles and limiting those titles to practitioners who are actually board-certified in the specialty they claim. The sponsor emphasized that the bill does not address the general use of “doctor” or “physician,” only specialty designations such as dermatologist, gynecologist, neurologist, or plastic surgeon. Testimony in support came from medical and professional groups, including anesthesiologists and plastic surgeons, who said clearer titles help patients know who is treating them and improve safety. The Florida Optometric Association opposed the bill, arguing it could create confusion or omit optometric titles and other designations.
Two amendments were adopted without objection. One removed a hospital name-tag requirement from the bill. The other changed a claims-denial provision so that denial letters need only disclose that a Florida-licensed physician in good standing made the decision, while the insurer must retain the physician’s identifying information for potential litigation or discovery. Some members supported the privacy protections, while others questioned whether the amendment was germane to the bill. As amended, HB 1341 passed 13-4 and was reported favorably.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the CFO of Kids Developmental Therapy and Kids Developmental Clinic.
- The impact of underfunding therapy has been borne out in the data reported in HHSC's biannual therapy
- I'm asking that SB 1 include a 10 percent increase to pediatric therapy services. Thank you.
- , and speech therapy, as well as specialized skills services and service coordination.
- Therapy or talk therapy is an early intervention, ultimately reducing reliance on emergency rooms, inpatient
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee Jun 29th, 2026
Business, Professions and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- AB 2773 is a sunset vehicle for the Board of Occupational Therapy.
- A.B 2773 is a sunset vehicle for the Board of Occupational Therapy.
- Jessica Rana, with Capital Advocacy on behalf of the Occupational Therapy Association of California,
- He said AB 2774 is a sunset bill for the Physical Therapy Board of California.
- Carl London, on behalf of the California Physical Therapy Association, offered brief support.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 2/18/25
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- And even for EGA, I think we changed it to Equine Therapy.
- And even for EGA, I think we changed it to Equine Therapy.
- And even for EGA, I think we changed it to Equine Therapy.
- And even for EGA, I think we changed it to Equine Therapy.
- <00:57:07.680>
we think we changed it to Equine Therapy we think we changed it to Equine Therapy
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (10/08/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- of access to non-opioid therapies. of access to non-opioid therapies.
- Step therapy can be know, is a barrier.
- nonalopathic therapies like behavioral therapies<00:07:18.960>
um <00:07:19.199>chiropractic - <00:07:19.919>
care, therapies um chiropractic care, therapies um chiropractic care, acupuncture - therapies as well. therapies as well.
Summary:
The committee first took up an insurance-related chronic pain bill and an amendment modeled on language from Massachusetts and Maine. The sponsor explained the amendment was developed after stakeholder meetings because the original bill would have created an unaffordable insurance mandate in New Hampshire. The amendment was intended to improve access to non-opioid therapies by limiting prior authorization and step-therapy barriers so they are not more restrictive than for other treatments, including opioid therapies. After questions, the committee took a straw vote and advanced the amendment.
The next item was a department-sponsored bill involving the state’s all-payer claims database. Insurance Department officials explained that the bill would encourage self-funded employer plans to opt in voluntarily by giving them aggregated, deidentified claims information in return. They said self-funded plans cannot be required to report data because of federal law, but the bill would provide an incentive while protecting employee privacy. Members asked detailed questions about who would see the data, whether individual employees could be identified, and how privacy would be enforced; the department said access would be aggregated and deidentified, and employer privacy issues would be governed by ERISA and the U.S. Department of Labor.
The committee also discussed a glucose-monitoring bill. Members debated whether the bill was aimed at type 1 diabetes coverage or broader access to continuous glucose monitors, and whether it would amount to an unnecessary insurance mandate that could raise premiums. Department testimony estimated the equipment cost and said the annual impact per member would be modest, but also noted that non-insulin therapies have not consistently shown clinically significant A1C reductions. The chair and some members emphasized that the bill should be considered on its own terms as a CGM coverage issue, not as a general diabetes mandate. The committee discussed the bill’s cost implications and asked the department for any prior cost analysis.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (03/19/2025)
Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- I also want to point out that there are many women who still receive various types of hormone therapy
- receive various types of hormone therapy receive various types of hormone therapy especially<00:
- <00:11:11.480>
by uh concerns that estrogen therapy by uh concerns that estrogen therapy by - hormone therapy for everybody it's<00:11:27.639>
Banning <00:11:28.040>it <00:11:28.360 - This session, we're looking to do away with hormone therapy. We just voted to send that out.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- They do not receive therapy, yet are still held to the same treatment-based release requirements.
- So therapy is imperative. They should be in therapy, not once a week, not once a month.
- Every day, they should have some kind of therapy.
- If not one-on-one therapy, then at least group therapy should be every day.
- They need to have more therapy than what they currently receive.
Keywords:
mental health, women's health, county jail, depression screening, criminal justice, inmate release, identification certificate, Texas Department of Corrections, personal identification, driver's license, state law, reentry services, nondisclosure, criminal history, criminal defendants, community supervision, misdemeanors, felonies, rehabilitation, hearsay
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Oct 6th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- , theranostics, and cell-based therapies and immune therapies.
- So also in this expansion, we will grow our bone marrow transplant and cell-based therapy program.
- So that's where Anesthesia Assistance Training occurs, or Occupational Therapy, or Physical Therapy,
- Physical therapy used to be one; I'm assuming it still is.
- , for example, functional family therapy, etc., have far better outcomes than...
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee (10-14-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- So, you discharge them from therapy.
- , if patients are not going to therapy, if patients are not going to therapy, you<00:35:30.480>
- We're calling the boards of nursing, physical therapy, and medical imaging and radiation therapy. 2011
- > therapy.
- <01:23:54.480>
2011 imaging and radiation therapy. 2011 imaging and radiation therapy. 2011
Summary:
The subcommittee met on October 14, approved the minutes, and then took up a large group of staff-suggested amendments to multiple regulations. Those staff amendments were approved without objection and were described as technical changes needed to comply with KRS Chapter 13A and other governing law. The committee then moved out of order to consider Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure regulation 2011 KAR 9:270, which governs buprenorphine prescribing and related standards.
Board representatives said the regulation has been updated over time since 2015 and that the current amendments are intended to streamline the rule, remove outdated federal references such as the X-waiver, narrow education requirements to addiction-related topics, and create exceptions for settings like emergency rooms and certain pain treatment situations. The agency amendment would also allow buprenorphine monoproduct for up to 30 days when a patient is transitioning from a full opioid agonist, and would add physicians certified in addiction medicine as eligible specialty consultants. Board officials said the regulation was developed through a two-year process with a work group, informal outreach to medical organizations, and multiple comment periods, and they argued the rule is working because overdose deaths have declined and provider numbers have increased.
Several witnesses and committee members raised concerns that the regulation remains too restrictive. Senator Rocky Adams noted that major medical organizations had said the proposed language could restrict access and worsen overdose risk, and he questioned whether the committee was being asked to choose between conflicting expert views. Opponents, including a medical student, a recovery advocate, and Dr. Colleen Ryan of the Kentucky Society of Addiction Medicine, argued the rule is outdated, creates unnecessary barriers to buprenorphine treatment, and should be repealed or substantially revised to align with federal guidance and evidence-based care. They said rigid requirements can discourage treatment and that addiction should be treated like other chronic illnesses. No final vote on the medical licensure regulation is reflected in the transcript excerpt, and the discussion ended with the chair preparing to hear from additional opponents.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations (3-27-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- First on our agenda is House Bill 255, an act relating to physical therapy.
- First on our agenda is House Bill 255, an act relating to physical therapy.
- Stephen Curley, I'm the executive director for the Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy.
- This bill will update the statutes governing the Commonwealth of Kentucky's physical therapy board.
- There's no changes to the practice of physical therapy.
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met on March 27, 2025, with a quorum present and first took up House Bill 255, relating to physical therapy. The bill sponsor and representatives of the Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy and APTA Kentucky said the measure is mainly a cleanup and modernization bill that updates outdated statutory language, changes PTAs from “certified” to “licensed,” gives the board authority to purchase liability insurance, moves fee and fine caps into regulation without changing current fees, renames temporary permits as provisional licenses, and creates a pathway to more easily recognize some internationally trained physical therapists already practicing in other states. Senators asked whether the bill changed training, scope of practice, Medicaid, or supervised practice standards; witnesses said it did not, and that supervised practice requirements remain in place with out-of-state practice accepted only when equivalent or more stringent. The committee approved HB 255 with favorable expression.
The committee then considered House Bill 618, an alcoholic beverages measure with a Senate committee substitute. The bill was described as having three parts: allowing restaurants to buy limited quantities of alcohol from retail outlets to meet customer demand while keeping the three-tier system intact and requiring quarterly reporting; creating a temporary auctioneer license to auction previously retail-sold alcohol in original packaging, such as estate or bourbon collections; and giving quota bar license holders the same opportunity restaurants already have to sell barrel picks by the bottle. Testimony supported the bill as a way to help restaurants, auctioneers, and bars, while a senator raised a question about sales tax on auction sales and another noted that nonprofit or church-related alcohol auctions already require permits under existing law. One senator suggested future guardrails to encourage local purchasing, but no amendment was adopted. The committee passed HB 618 with favorable expression.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Families and Children.(6-17-26)
Families & Children
Transcript Highlights:
- therapy for autistic children. therapy for autistic children.
- <00:21:28.960>
in Pikeville to Bloom Behavior Therapy in Pikeville to Bloom Behavior Therapy - , occupational therapy, physical therapy, and applied behavior analysis.
- ABA is the most effective form of therapy for children with autism.
- . therapy. therapy.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session May 11th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The faster a diagnosis is made, the sooner a patient can work to limit the damage with therapies, medication
- , or clinical trials, which may slow disease progression or... ...therapies, medication, or clinical
- However, while research into enzyme replacement therapy, gene therapy, and other possible treatments
- Ensuring timely access to emerging therapies and participation in clinical trials is critical.
- I have speech therapy twice a week. I have eye therapy. I have therapy all the time.
Summary:
The Senate met with a quorum, approved the journals, and took up several gubernatorial appointments. Senators confirmed Clint Kellum as Director of the Cannabis Control Department, Jennifer Osborne as Director of the Department of Industrial Relations, Dr. Trinidad Solis and Dr. Gerald Tolbrook to the Medical Board of California, with roll-call votes showing broad support. The chamber also adopted a request to remove SB 830 from the inactive file for return to the Assembly.
A major portion of the session was devoted to Senate Resolution 97, recognizing May as Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month. Senators from multiple caucuses spoke in support, highlighting AAPI contributions to California, histories of exclusion and discrimination, solidarity with other communities, and the importance of visibility and representation. The resolution was adopted 39-0. The Senate also recognized numerous AAPI community honorees and guests, including leaders in advocacy, education, business, and public service.
Members then adopted several awareness resolutions: SCR 168 designating May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, SCR 148 declaring May 23, 2026 as GM1 gangliosidosis awareness day, SR 95 proclaiming May as ALS Awareness Month, SCR 156 recognizing Stroke Awareness Month, and SR 110 marking National Hospital Week in California. Each measure was supported by personal testimony or remarks from members and guests, often tied to lived experience or advocacy work, and each passed unanimously or by unanimous consent. The Senate also honored retiring California Professional Firefighters president Brian Rice and heard additional floor recognitions before adjourning until May 14, 2026.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 12th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The second one was just to say she can do therapy.
- So that time is critical for folks to get the physical therapy that they need instead of waiting for.
- These children require intensive, frequent, and highly individualized therapy.
- They may also need occupational and physical therapy, early intervention programs, and ongoing support
- We must continue to fight for state and federal investments in special education and therapy services
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- , and occupational therapy students from across Texas to your Capitol.
- Occupational therapy is a vital profession that empowers individuals of all ages to live fuller, more
- We know that occupational therapy is not just about rehabilitation.
- We remain committed to policies that expand access to occupational therapy services across our state.
- To all the occupational therapy practitioners that are here today and all the students, thank you for
Summary:
The Texas Senate convened with a quorum, heard the governor’s emergency message outlining priority issues for the session, including property tax relief, water supply and infrastructure funding, universal education savings accounts, teacher pay, career and technical education, creation of a Texas Cyber Command, and bail reform. The governor also submitted a State of the State message and several appointment nominations for Senate confirmation. The chamber then took up a series of ceremonial resolutions and recognitions for McAllen Day, UTSA and UT Health San Antonio Day, Wise County Day, and Houston East End Chamber of Commerce East End Day, along with visits from the Houston Realty Business Coalition, Cedar Creek Chamber of Commerce, Webb County/Laredo delegates, UT Dallas McDermott Scholars, Andrews County officials, and occupational therapy professionals and students.
Several senators spoke in support of the recognitions, highlighting local economic development, higher education, public health, and regional history. McAllen was praised for its growth, business climate, and cultural significance; Laredo and Webb County were recognized for trade, the Washington’s Birthday Celebration, and cross-border ties; UTSA and UT Health were commended for research, cybersecurity, and health science work; and UT Dallas scholars were recognized for academic achievement and public service. Wise County, the East End of Houston, and Andrews County were also described in terms of their economic contributions and community heritage.
The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 27 for McAllen Day and Senate Resolution 32 for UTSA and UT Health San Antonio Day without objection. It also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 11, which granted permission for either house to adjourn for more than three days between February 5 and February 11, by a recorded vote of 30 ayes and 0 nays. Additional resolutions listed on the calendar were adopted without objection, and the Senate recessed until noon on Wednesday, February 5.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Rules Apr 16th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- THE BILL AUTHORIZES SPECIFIC DOCTORS TO PERFORM FDA APPROVED STEM CELL THERAPIES FOR CERTAIN MEDICAL
- CLARIFIES THE DEFINITIONS OF STEM CELL THERAPIES AND ALSO MAKES SURE THAT THE THERAPIES ARE UTILIZING
- CAN YOU PROVIDE ANY EVIDENCE DEMONSTRATING THESE TYPES OF THERAPIES ARE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE. >> Chair
- WHO DEAL WITH VERY DIFFICULT SITUATIONS BUT THE PROMISE OF STEM CELL THERAPIES IS PRETTY SUPERIOR TO
- AND REALLY CREATING THE GUARDRAILS AROUND ALLOWING THESE THERAPIES TO HAPPEN HERE IN THE STATE.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- I am Nina Guerrero, the clinical director at Sounding Joy Music Therapy, the only nonprofit music therapy
- Please help us have these people... telea Health speech therapy services telea Health speech therapy
- , including CT cell therapy treatment.
- , including CT cell therapy treatment.
- , including CT cell therapy treatment.
Summary:
The joint Ways and Means and Finance informational briefing on grants and aids was held February 14 and was organized as a high-volume public testimony session with strict procedures: no Q&A, one representative per applicant, one minute per testimony, in-person testimony first, and then Zoom participants. The chairs also announced a recess at 11:00 a.m. for floor sessions and a reconvening at 1:00 p.m. Testimony was heard first from neighbor island applicants, then Oʻahu applicants, with members repeatedly directing speakers to line up and keep remarks brief.
Neighbor island testimony focused on a wide range of capital and operating requests. Health and community projects included Hawaii Island Community Health Center’s workforce housing in Kau, Wuli Hawaiian Homestead Association’s learning center and predevelopment work, Rescue Tube Foundation’s beach rescue tube expansion, Puna Community Medical Center’s planned hospital/ER campus, Maui Humane Society’s free veterinary care after the wildfires, Hawaiʻi Care Choices’ palliative care readiness, and the Lyman Museum’s HVAC replacement. Other requests included the Maui Advanced Manufacturing Alliance’s Pāʻia Mill redevelopment, Laua 2020’s preschool and learning lab, Mālama Aina’s USDA-compliant meat processing facility, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association’s water safety programs, Kaha P Organization’s agriculture education support, Ohana Arts’ youth performance project, Friends of the Children’s Justice Center’s emergency closet, EOA Pacific’s Marshall Islands teacher training, and the Central Pacific Youth Athletic Club’s new facility.
Oʻahu testimony included the YWCA Oʻahu/Pythink Center’s renovation of Juliet M. Atherton Hall and its community kitchen, West Oʻahu Community Health Center’s wildfire protection and security needs, the Early School’s playground improvements, Surfing the Nations’ food distribution center expansion, and Sounding Joy Music Therapy’s weekly services for people with disabilities. Speakers generally emphasized community benefit, workforce development, health access, food security, disaster recovery, and support for children, seniors, and underserved populations. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- And the other three, ...that I represent, Madam Chair, are occupational therapy.
- , speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and emergency EMS.
- We are now on House Bill 12, Physical Therapy Licensure Compact, and there is a substitute.
- We're on the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact.
- So we are next on House Bill 13, Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Human Committee Meeting - 2025-04-02
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Minnesota has been a world leader in utilizing cellular therapies for these disorders.
- And more recently, we've assisted in international trials testing gene therapies, as we believe these
- Earlier this week at our clinic, I saw three babies that have undergone gene therapies for neurological
- Both are recently treated with gene therapy, where their blood stem cells were removed and engineered
- A little boy who is here from Kansas is a few weeks behind in his therapy, and his enzyme levels are