Transcript Highlights:

• Human Services.
• Page 5 is an informational item on TRS CARE, the retiree health care program.
• TRS Active Care.
• for those services.
• We hope this will shift the Federal Education Service to a service intensity model.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today I'm presenting AB 308, which directs the Department of Developmental Services to conduct a statewide
• So when we talk about child care, we are not just talking about service.
• By pairing direct services with whole-family support, food, transportation, and child care, we've cut
• AB 2765 directs the California Department of Social Services to seek a waiver for the able-bodied adult
• AB 2765 directs the California Department of Social Services to use every tool available to protect foster

Summary: The committee heard several child welfare, food assistance, child care, and developmental services bills. AB 308 would require a statewide evaluation of regional center safety training and crisis-response services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; supporters said it would help reduce reliance on law enforcement and improve de-escalation and emergency preparedness. AB 1049 would remove sponsor deeming from the California Food Assistance Program, with supporters from food banks and legal aid arguing the rule creates confusion, chilling effects, and wrongful denials, while one member raised concerns about accountability and fraud. AB 1201 would narrow when a parent’s prior violent felony can bar reunification services, limiting the bypass to offenses involving a child or a child’s other parent/guardian; county and advocacy witnesses said the bill preserves judicial discretion and avoids automatic denials, though a member expressed concern about child safety in violent or criminal environments. AB 2379 would require family child care providers to be notified of constitutional rights and receive multilingual training regarding immigration enforcement; it drew broad support and no opposition. AB 2429 would make ACEs screening optional and reduce required classroom observations in the early childhood mental health consultation program, with supporters saying it would reduce administrative burdens and expand participation. AB 1755 would eliminate CalWORKs’ 100-hour monthly work penalty for two-parent families, and supporters said it would reduce poverty and administrative burden without changing income eligibility. AB 1981, presented later, would advance “true cost of care” child care rate reform, with providers describing the current reimbursement system as unsustainable. AB 2478 would create a streamlined kinship family approval pathway for foster care placements with relatives and other kin, and AB 1969 and AB 1996 would create statewide structures to coordinate cradle-to-career services and reduce child poverty, respectively; both were presented as data-driven, place-based efforts to align services and set measurable reduction goals. Most bills received strong support from county agencies, advocacy organizations, and service providers, with little or no opposition testimony. Members generally praised the goals of the measures but asked questions about implementation, accountability, and child safety in the reunification and benefits bills. The committee took roll calls on the bills it heard, and the votes shown in the transcript were largely unanimous or near-unanimous, with several measures held on call after passing committee votes. AB 1049 was voted out 2-1, AB 1201 and AB 2379 were each voted out 3-0, AB 2429 and AB 1755 were voted out 2-0, and AB 2478, AB 1969, and AB 1996 were each voted out 2-0; the chair repeatedly noted that some bills would remain on call pending absent members. AB 1981 drew extensive support testimony from child care providers and allies, but the committee did not take a final vote in the portion of the transcript provided because no motion was available at that moment.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would disenfranchise thousands of trusted care relationships and directly reduce access to care services
• Care relationships and directly reduce access to care services in California. Thank you.
• We receive direct referrals from osteopathic physicians and medical doctors for our services.
• And in a rural agricultural district, it's very difficult to get health care services, period.
• By expanding access to affordable,... ...medical care and animal control services.

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills on access to care, professional licensing, and consumer protection, beginning as a subcommittee because quorum was initially lacking. AB 1307 would create a pilot program allowing up to 30 qualified dentists from Mexico to work in underserved California areas for up to three years; the author and sponsor framed it as a cost-neutral way to address dental shortages, the California Dental Association moved from opposition to neutral after amendments, and members expressed support. AB 1703 would restrict use of osteopathic titles and osteopathic manipulative treatment to licensed DOs; supporters said it would prevent patient confusion and unlicensed practice, while non-physician osteopaths argued it would criminalize a long-standing, safe practice and reduce access. Members raised concerns about consumer clarity and access, and the author said she would continue working with opponents. AB 2250 made technical cleanup changes to last year’s hemp enforcement law, with support from the cannabis industry and no opposition. AB 1758 would raise the annual seller-of-travel assessment for the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund from $35 to $60, and AB 1794 would allow prescribed enteral nutrition formulas to be drop-shipped directly to patients’ homes with pharmacist oversight; both drew support and no opposition. AB 1775 would expand state licensing priority and related support for veterans discharged because of a federal transgender military policy, with emotional testimony from a transgender Army captain and support from equality and women’s organizations. AB 1939 would allow licensed professional fiduciaries to form corporations, and AB 2477 would create a limited provisional period for new pest control employees to work under supervision while licensing is pending; both were supported, though AB 2477 drew questions about supervision and committee amendments. AB 1999 would address veterinary workforce shortages by creating retired volunteer status, a shelter-veterinarian pathway, changes to VCPR rules, and narrowing the owner exemption to exclude surgical procedures; supporters cited animal welfare concerns, while some opponents warned about overreach. AB 2010 would permit high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter clinics in nontraditional settings to expand access, but the Veterinary Medical Board and some advocates opposed it unless amended over safety and clarity concerns. AB 2311 would let public health care district hospitals directly employ physicians, with supporters saying it would improve recruitment and access and opponents warning about erosion of physician autonomy; the author said the bill included safeguards, a sunset, and reporting requirements, and continued negotiations were ongoing. After quorum was established, the committee took roll-call votes and advanced the bills, generally on party-line or broad bipartisan votes, with several measures placed on call and others sent to Appropriations, Judiciary, Revenue and Taxation, Military and Veterans Affairs, or other committees as noted.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> health care to find the best health care health care to find the best health care insurance<00:36
• funds to fund services for individuals funds to fund services for individuals served<00:56:10.400><c>
• Moving on to the Medicaid services.
• Medicaid services. right. Medicaid services.
• </c> care, this would amplify that as well. care, this would amplify that as well.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2917 directs the Department of Health Services to establish and administer a firefighter cancer
• House Bill 2917 directs the Department of Health Services to establish and administer a firefighter cancer
• directive by using an orange symbol.
• The bill exempts any medical system personnel, hospital emergency department personnel, direct care staff
• The bill exempts any medical system personnel, hospital emergency department personnel, direct care staff

Summary: The meeting was a rapid bill review caucus with the chair emphasizing a hard stop before 11 a.m. and asking members to keep questions brief. A large number of bills were introduced or summarized, with many placed on third-read consent or consent calendars and several receiving brief sponsor explanations. The topics ranged widely, but much of the discussion centered on artificial intelligence, education, health care, water policy, state land management, commerce, transportation, public safety, and local government finance. In the AI and education sections, members heard bills requiring disclosure when minors interact with AI, allowing AI-assisted divorce arbitration by consent, creating an AI education program, recognizing certain AI communications as privileged, and requiring schools to teach AI ethics and basic prompting. Other education measures addressed superintendent employment rules, school district oversight, anti-Semitism prohibitions, fetal and prenatal development standards, and a resolution expanding race- and ethnicity-based nondiscrimination rules in public education. Health-related bills included funding and oversight for ESA administration, childhood cancer research grants, health facility licensure and complaint timelines, a firefighter cancer registry, nurse anesthetist reimbursement parity, and a bill criminalizing nonconsensual abortion-inducing drugs. The committee also reviewed many land, water, and natural resources bills, including measures on groundwater transportation fees, assured water supply reviews, water hauling, state land audits and oversight, solar and mining land-use mapping, and state land disposition planning. Several bills focused on wildlife and ranching, such as landowner permits for deer and wolves, expanding predatory animal definitions, and a memorial urging federal reform of the Endangered Species Act and Migratory Bird Conservation Act. Transportation and public safety bills covered towing regulation, DUI interlock rules, motorcycle lane splitting/filtering, digital driver licenses, and a resolution on tax and fee increases for municipalities and counties. Members asked a number of questions on controversial items, especially the municipal tax/fee moratorium, water policy, and state land governance, but no roll-call votes were taken in the transcript; most items were simply advanced or noted as consent-calendar measures, with one bill (HB 2913) being pulled from consent for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Medicaid Services. Medicaid Services.
• <00:04:07.800><c> payments</c> directed payments directed payments and<00:04:09.440><c> those</c><00:
• So those are exempt from services.
• care organization.
• </c> limitation on our directed payments. limitation on our directed payments.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee for Health and Family Services met for its first meeting, established quorum, and heard a presentation from Department for Medicaid Services Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Becktold. The department reviewed its compliance with House Bill 695, which requires legislative approval before certain Medicaid eligibility, service, benefit, or waiver changes, along with fiscal impact reporting to the Legislative Research Commission. They described current waivers, including home and community-based waivers, managed care and transportation waivers, and the 1115 re-entry waiver, and said the community engagement waiver is in public comment and on track for submission to CMS. They also said required reports and other HB 695 tasks, including a pharmacy rebate fund, budget analyses, expenditure reports, and a behavioral health scorecard, are underway or completed as required. The CFO outlined Medicaid’s budget, saying the department has two appropriation units and projecting near-full use of state funds while leaving some federal funds unspent because of matching-rate differences. They reported roughly 211 filled positions and 11 vacancies. Members asked about the vacancy makeup, the behavioral health scorecard, and whether a provider involved in quality metrics could have a conflict if used in the scorecard process; the department said it would follow up. Members also asked about the community engagement waiver and its interaction with federal policy, and the department said CMS guidance is still pending and that it will proceed under HB 695. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on federal Medicaid policy changes under a reconciliation bill, including possible limits on provider taxes, directed payments, cost-sharing, and community engagement requirements. Department officials said the final federal impact is still uncertain because the Senate bill is not finalized, but they have modeled several scenarios and warned that any reduction in federal support or benefits would be harmful, especially for hospitals and rural hospitals. They estimated Medicaid benefits are funded about 80% federal and 20% state overall, with expansion populations closer to 90% federal funding, and said administrative costs would also rise if federal requirements change. Members also asked about work requirements and eligibility. The department said the community engagement waiver would mainly affect the expansion population, which they estimated at about 450,000 people out of roughly 1.5 million total Medicaid enrollees, and that many groups are exempt, including children, the aged, blind, disabled, and people in substance use disorder treatment. Officials said they can provide data on how many enrollees are working or work-ready and explained that their eligibility system is designed to prevent duplication by automatically placing people in the correct category and correcting errors quickly. They also noted a federal proposal to require expansion eligibility reviews every six months, compared with current annual renewals.

Transcript Highlights:

• care gaps, which will lead to wealth, to increase wealth gaps. the health care gaps, which will lead
• But we also know that it's a proven model that we can apply within health care, within financial services
• Take care of yourself.
• We are licensed clinical psychologists who provide clinical care and direct psychology training programs—myself
• and human services, make up that gap in social services and human services that the federal government

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And you can take part of the services away, and, hey, I'm in a health care desert, so I understand what
• So as a practical matter, MU Health Care can accommodate every person in that 25-county service area.
• health care services.
• to less available care for both preventive and routine services.
• That included complete contracted services, which were not inexpensive and also really lacked in care

Committee: House Special Committee on Rural Issues

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on House Bill 1714, adopting an amendment that clarified the bill would not apply to hunting dogs or animals not under direct control of the hunter and would not affect a specified section of law. The committee then rolled the amendment into a House Committee Substitute and voted the substitute do pass, with the roll call showing passage. The committee then heard House Bill 317, which would authorize MU Health Care to collaborate with hospitals and providers in a 25-county area and seek state-action antitrust immunity for those transactions. The sponsor and MU Health Care testified that the bill is intended to help preserve rural hospitals and keep care local, citing multiple hospital closures in Missouri and examples from Alabama and other states. Supporters from MU Health Care, rural hospitals, and local business and health leaders described the bill as a way to stabilize struggling facilities, maintain emergency access, and protect rural economies. Opponents, including the Missouri Insurance Coalition and the Missouri Health Plan Association, warned that the bill could codify monopoly power, raise prices, and reduce competition, and argued that the language was too broad and not limited to distressed hospitals. Some committee members also raised concerns about antitrust immunity, facility fees, market share, and whether the bill should be tightened to ensure voluntary participation and clearer limits. No vote was taken on House Bill 317 before the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• But federal law and Idaho law restrict the department in how many services and the certain types of services
• But an example of that might be dental services, chiropractor services, you know, Medicaid expansion,
• But federal law and Idaho law restrict the department in how many services in the certain types of services
• But an example of that might be dental services, chiropractor services, you know, Medicaid expansion,
• Rehab services, you know, Medicaid expansion, eligibility—lots of eligibility decisions and services

Summary: The committee met briefly to discuss how to use available funding and to clarify priorities after a recent JFAC action removed funding from one program. Senator Kevin Cook was invited to outline several behavioral health and Medicaid-related options, emphasizing that he was not lobbying but providing cost and program information. The main programs discussed were assertive community treatment (ACT), adult peer support services, and Healthy Connections. Cook described ACT as an evidence-based team service for people with severe mental illness, peer support as a trained recovery-based support model, and Healthy Connections as a statutory program that had ended due to legislation rather than a department decision. Department of Health and Welfare Medicaid administrator Sasha O’Connell explained that ACT had been cut under the governor’s holdback direction and that the department had already pursued rate reductions and other cuts to meet budget targets. She said ACT and peer supports were not protected in statute, while some other services were, and that the department had limited options once it reached the point of service reductions. She also clarified federal match rates for ACT participants and said the program had been moved into the Magellan contract to leverage federal funding. Estimated costs to restore the programs were discussed, including about $1.3 million for ACT in fiscal year 2026 and $4.1 million in fiscal year 2027, $2 million and $6 million for peer support, and $1.5 million and $6.3 million for Healthy Connections. Several members expressed support for restoring ACT, citing its impact on law enforcement, hospitals, and vulnerable individuals, and noting reported deaths among former participants after the service ended. Others questioned how the program fit within the committee’s mission and whether it should be funded from the Millennium Fund or through a statutory change. No final vote was taken; the chair said the committee would consider the information, possibly meet again, and then decide on next steps.

Transcript Highlights:

• Health services in Idaho.
• They may be forced to curtail services or close, leaving tens of thousands of Idahoans without care,
• Without Medicaid, she'll be unable to care for her son. Without medical care, her son might die.
• The safety net systems I'm referring to are Medicaid, CHIP, SNAP, rural health care services for foster
• youth, senior services, and services for victims of domestic violence.

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee heard House Bill 559, which would conform Idaho tax law to portions of the federal “One Big Beautiful Bill,” including changes affecting individual tax cuts, senior deductions, overtime and tips, and business research and experimentation expensing. Representative Jeff Ehlers, the sponsor, argued the bill is primarily a tax cut for Idahoans, said the fiscal note of about $155 million was reasonable, and emphasized that the bill does not conform to bonus depreciation. He also said the bill spreads some corporate impacts over time and that the measure is about tax conformity rather than budgeting. Committee members questioned the sponsor closely about the research and experimentation provisions, the timing of deductions, and whether the bill would affect the current budget year or require cuts elsewhere. Ehlers said some business tax effects would “wash out” because of timing, that some taxpayers may have underpaid in anticipation of conformity, and that any budget decisions would be handled by JFAC rather than this committee. He also said interest and penalties would apply to underpayments like any other tax liability. During closing, he reiterated that the bill’s revenue impact was already reflected in the fiscal note and that the measure benefits individuals more than businesses overall. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters such as Ron Nate, Ken McClure, Mark Wynn, and Miguel Legoretta urged conformity for simplicity, filing clarity, and tax competitiveness, though some of them criticized the bill for not fully conforming on the business side or for eliminating the state R&D credit. Opponents, including seniors, taxpayers, disability advocates, mental health advocates, and faith-based speakers, argued the bill’s cost was uncertain, could worsen budget pressures, and could lead to cuts to Medicaid, education, and other services. After testimony and debate, Representative Monks moved HB 559 to the floor with a due pass recommendation; the motion was debated by several members, with concerns raised about uncertain fiscal impacts and possible service cuts.

Transcript Highlights:

• continue that tradition of service through<00:05:44.320><c> the</c><00:05:44.479><c> care</c><00:05:
• The bill directs the Forest Service to issue a 10-year special use permit for the seasonal placement
• The bill directs<03:55:59.920><c> the</c><03:56:00.080><c> Forest</c><03:56:00.479><c> Service</c><03
• This bill directs the Forest Service to issue the permit. In short, it's simple.
• </c><04:15:11.680><c> care</c> technology to view VA's direct care technology to view VA's direct care

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that our health care industry relies on University of Minnesota graduates to be your health care
• to disparities and access to care.
• </c> funds wisely ensuring they are directed funds wisely ensuring they are directed towards<00:02:13.520
• </c> also be impacted but the direct also be impacted but the direct Appropriations<00:28:29.640><c>
• service to people places and direct service to people where<01:35:19.760><c> they</c><01:35:19.960><

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , Gary, for all of your service.
• of what they need to take care of.
• I just feel that this process, They're going to take care of what they need to take care of.
• Hopefully we didn't steer you away from public service because I think you got a great heart for service
• Thank you for your service. Thank you for your service. Thank you, Mr. President.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing interns, pages, a retiring sergeant-at-arms employee, and advocates visiting for a Prader-Willi Syndrome awareness resolution. Leaders also noted ongoing budget talks with the House and said senators should not plan to be in next week while negotiations continue. The main floor debate centered on Committee Substitute for House Bill 12.5, a citizen-initiative elections bill. Sponsors said it was intended to address petition fraud and protect the integrity of the constitutional amendment process, citing investigations, arrests, and fraudulent petition activity tied to recent initiatives. Opponents argued the bill would make it much harder and more expensive for citizens to place amendments on the ballot, chill volunteer participation, and effectively favor wealthy or corporate interests. After extensive debate, the bill passed 28-10. The Senate then moved through a series of education bills, including measures on Bright Futures, Gold Seal, Florida ABLE, dual enrollment, educator preparation, and broader education policy, all of which passed unanimously. After a recess, the chamber took up House messages and concurred in amendments to bills on stem cell therapy, student athlete ECGs, cardiac emergency response plans, and school safety. Those measures also passed with broad support, with the school safety bill drawing some questions about the Guardian program and child care facilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the Pick and Shovel also offers a variety of in-house consumer services.
• And the Pick and Shovel also offers a variety of in-house consumer services.
• Please join me in wishing the Hamlet family another 50 years of service.
• Yeah, you know, I care about accuracy.
• and what these care providers will look like in the next 5 to 10 years.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This has to do with health care.
• and abortion is health care.
• This has to do with health care.
• services agencies.
• Obviously, every year the licensed home care service agencies have to report some data.

Committee: Senate Health

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Health Committee met to consider a series of bills, many of them repeat proposals from prior sessions. Early measures included S.11 on disclosure for non-invasive prenatal screening, S.92 allowing redaction of certain physician names from birth certificates, S.135 creating practical support grants for abortion care, S.428A requiring chain restaurants to label high-sodium menu items, S.555 prohibiting visual images of people undergoing medical treatment without consent, and S.1614A establishing presumptive Medicaid eligibility for people leaving incarceration. The committee also advanced S.1438A to create an abortion clinical training program, S.1468 on access to medical records and limiting copy charges to actual cost, S.1619 expanding pharmacists’ authority to order and administer certain tests, and S.1714 banning the use of “excited delirium” as a diagnosis or cause of death. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on S.1633A, which would add protections for sensitive health information and allow patients to restrict disclosure of specified categories of data. One senator argued the bill could hinder care by limiting access to complete records, especially in emergencies, while supporters said the measure was needed to protect patients and providers from legal action by other states or the federal government, particularly in reproductive health cases. Staff clarified that the bill would allow segregation of specific sensitive data rather than locking an entire record. The committee also discussed S.1913, a 340B prescription drug anti-discrimination bill; supporters said it would protect safety-net providers and federally qualified health centers from pharmaceutical company practices, while one senator raised concerns about broad state intervention in a federal program. Additional bills advanced included S.5981 establishing a comprehensive sexual and reproductive health program, S.6178 directing a sickle cell disparity study, S.7457 permitting cremation or natural organic reduction for certain unclaimed decedents, S.7541 moving up reporting timelines for licensed home care services agencies, and S.8257A directing an alternative payment methodology for federally qualified health centers to support fertility care. Most bills were moved by committee vote, generally with some opposition or without recommendation, and were referred to first reading, rules, or finance as appropriate.

Transcript Highlights:

• intensified, threatening access to health care services for millions of Californians.
• All Californians deserve access to critical health care services without fear.
• All Californians deserve access to critical health care services without fear.
• guidance and advocacy services for consumers of long-term care in California.
• whose federal health care coverage does not include abortion services.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health-related bills, beginning with AB 2651 by Bonta, which would require schools to notify parents when school vaccination rates fall below herd immunity thresholds. Supporters, including family physicians, PTA representatives, and medical groups, said the bill would improve transparency and help parents protect children and vulnerable family members. Opponents argued the data could be misleading, could identify medically exempt or conditional students, and might lead to stigma or discrimination. The bill was later moved out of committee on a due-pass-as-amended motion, with one no vote recorded on the roll call. The committee also heard AB 2123 by Aguirre-Curry on medical debt relief, AB 1570 by Wilson to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for medically necessary breast diagnostic and supplemental imaging, AB 2201 by Berner to restore Medi-Cal eligibility and renewal flexibilities, AB 2448 by Berman to strengthen privacy protections for reproductive and gender-affirming care records, AB 2034 by Addis on food additive safety and transparency, and AB 2598 by Krell to require better notification of next of kin when a patient dies in a hospital. Each bill drew strong support from authors, advocates, and affected individuals, while some drew opposition from insurers, industry groups, or transparency critics who raised concerns about cost, duplication, implementation, or unintended harm. Several bills were moved forward on due-pass-as-amended motions, including AB 2123, AB 2201, AB 2448, AB 2034, and AB 2598. The committee also heard AB 2551 by Elhawary, which would require health plans to collect and publish data on how often enrollees must go out of network for behavioral health care and why. Supporters said the measure would expose access barriers and high out-of-pocket costs, especially for communities of color and people with language access needs; opponents said it would add another reporting mandate and might not solve provider shortage problems. Members generally expressed support for the bill’s goals and several described personal or district-level experiences with behavioral health access problems. The bill was then moved out of committee on a due-pass motion. The committee also took up consent items and other procedural motions, with multiple bills reported out and some placed on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• homes, licensed family child care homes, licensed group child care homes, or licensed child care centers
• home, licensed family child care home, or licensed group child care home.
• And we really learned a lot about health care and the struggles of health care.
• And we really learned a lot about health care and the struggles of health care.
• And so health care is key.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In managed care, their support coordinators are called care managers, and I met my care manager exactly
• Basically, my care manager from Children's Medical Services was like Annie singing, 'It's a Hard Knock
• because we all care.
• because we all care.
• They don't care.

Bills: S0042 , S0688 , S0762 , S1168 , S1296 , S1298 , S1300 , S1318 , S1332 , S1376 , S1548 , S1570 , S1574 , S1632 , S1634 , S1750

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Keywords: child protection, medical records, investigation, abuse, neglect, healthcare, Child Protection Team, diagnosis, criminal defense, legal representation, death penalty, indigent defense, regional counsel, conflict of interest, background screening, athletic coaches, youth sports, criminal history, expungement, Florida statutes

Summary: The committee first took up CS for SB 42 on specific medical diagnosis and child protective investigations. A late-file strike-all amendment was adopted that made only stylistic changes to align with the House version. Supporters said the bill would help DCF and child protective teams better identify rare medical conditions and give parents a chance to defend against mistaken abuse findings. The bill was then reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1570, which restores a prior program to help locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination with sheriff’s offices and CARD centers, with nonrecurring funding included. Members then advanced several education, disability, and public services measures. CS for CSSB 182 created a teacher training and mentoring program for high-performing current and retired teachers to mentor teachers in D- and F-rated schools, and CS for CSSB 794 required background screening for employees in residential and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities while directing APD to study support coordination quality, workforce issues, and service gaps. Testimony on SB 794 strongly supported better training, lower caseloads, and more consistent support coordination. The committee also favorably reported CS for CS SB 1168 on background screenings, CS for CS SB 214 to allow rural special districts to pay verified invoices directly, CS for SB 1376 to create grants for genetic counseling education, and SB 1574 (Maddie’s Law) to add newborn screening for biliary atresia; the latter drew emotional support and testimony that early screening could save lives and reduce transplant costs. The committee heard and passed a number of other policy bills, including CS for CS for SB 1510, the DEP agency package, after environmental groups warned that one provision could delay basin management protections and allow more septic systems in impaired watersheds; the bill still passed favorably. Members also approved CS for CS for SB 598 on funeral and cemetery regulation, SB 688 to license naturopathic doctors, SB 1318 on scholarship account reversion rules, CS for CS for SB 682 on domestic violence injunctions and penalties, SB 130 on workforce training for current and former inmates, and SB 1548, the latest Live Local affordable housing update. Several bills were briefly postponed or taken up later in the meeting. In the latter portion of the meeting, the committee approved CS for C.S. for SB 536 on criminal gang membership criteria, CS for C.S. SB 762 on assigning conflict capital cases across regional counsel offices, SB 1332 on career offender registration requirements, CS for CS for SB 1742 creating a new offense for indecent exposure of sexual organs to a child, and CS for SB 1750 increasing penalties for serious sex offenses and child sexual abuse material crimes. The committee also debated CS for SB 1226 on Public Employee Relations Commission procedures and union certification rules, including a late-file amendment setting a 60% threshold and 25% quorum for recertification; the discussion focused heavily on constitutional concerns, union rights, and differences between first responders and other public employees. The transcript ends while that bill’s debate is still underway, with the committee having already taken numerous favorable votes throughout the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have to contract out for specialty services. So that's... ...do specialty medical care.
• We also provide medical care, but that's more like outpatient services.
• We also made updates to our standardized screening and transition-of-care tools for mental health services
• , connect youth to ongoing services, and help them step down from higher levels of care, often for 30
• Marlene Press, Department of Health Care Services.

Summary: The subcommittee heard presentations from the Department of State Hospitals (DSH), the Commission for Behavioral Health, and the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) on budget proposals and implementation updates. DSH outlined its proposed 2026-27 budget, including funding for patient operating expenses, IST solutions savings, conditional release program costs, LPS bed allocation changes, electrical infrastructure projects at Napa and Patton, SB 380 transitional housing feasibility work, and expanded dental services at Metropolitan and Patton. DSH also reported that it has met court-ordered IST treatment benchmarks in the Stiavedi v. Clinton case, with average time to initiate treatment down to about five days and pending placements reduced to roughly 250, while noting that Proposition 36 could increase referrals and SB 1323 may divert some individuals earlier into community-based treatment. Members asked about rising outside hospitalization costs, Medicare enrollment, the timing and structure of capital projects, and whether IST solution funds are being fully used; DSH said the savings reflect slower-than-expected ramp-up of community programs and that the Central California FACT replacement program is still on track for January 2027 activation. The Commission for Behavioral Health described its role under the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), including data, evaluation, grantmaking, technical assistance, and transparency work. It highlighted the new statewide Innovation Partnership Fund, a five-year, $20 million-per-year program with small and large grant categories; the first RFA drew strong interest, with more than 400 questions and over 1,000 bidders’ conference participants. The Commission also discussed a proposed extension to spend down about $4.1 million remaining for the Alcove Youth Drop-in Center grants so sites can finish implementation and Stanford can complete the final evaluation. Members asked about grant duration, whether projects can be renewed, what qualifies as innovation, and whether the fund could support service delivery rather than awareness campaigns or training; the Commission said awards are expected to be three-year contracts and that proposals must be new or meaningfully expanded approaches that support BHSA priority populations. DHCS reviewed major behavioral health changes under CalAIM and BH Connect, including peer support, mobile crisis, contingency management, traditional health care practices for tribal members, updated specialty mental health access criteria, and new substance use treatment standards based on ASAM’s fourth edition. DHCS reported strong contingency management results, with more than 13,000 members served and 95% testing negative for stimulant use during treatment, and said 21 Indian health care providers have been approved to offer traditional health care practices. It also described BH Connect initiatives such as the $1.9 billion access reform and outcomes incentive program, workforce investments, evidence-based practice expansion, IMD participation by four counties, and transitional rent services. On BHSA implementation, DHCS said it is not tracking individual county contract cuts but is monitoring county plans and statewide outcomes, while stakeholders raised concerns about local prevention and service gaps. DHCS also outlined its H.R. 1 implementation strategy, including outreach, streamlined renewals, exemptions for disabled, substance use, and medically frail individuals, and proposed clinic navigator and outreach funding; it said it has not yet produced a focused estimate of H.R. 1 impacts on behavioral health populations. The discussion ended with DHCS noting that B-CHIP bond funding has supported 437 infrastructure projects, creating 546 new or expanded facilities and more than 9,500 residential beds across the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• So according to the California Department of Social Services' own community care licensing record, one
• Individuals who require the care and services of a residential care facility find themselves particularly
• Individuals who require the care and services of a residential care facility find themselves particularly
• As the sub-chair on Health and Human Services, I've dived in so much into child care on this, and we
• I'm with the Department of Social Services and the System of Care Branch.

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: 988, house, all