Video & Transcript : 'nursing program' :
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House DFL Press Conference 3/4/26
Transcript Highlights:
- calls their friends garbage, where Republican policy makers are cutting supplemental nutrition programming
- Here at the Minnesota House, we can be that village. programming, and trying to limit whether programming
- Teachers, nurses, construction workers, regular people.
- Teachers, Teachers, Teachers, nurses,<00:11:51.839><c> construction</c><00:11:52.400><c> workers,</c>
- <00:11:52.839><c> regular</c> nurses, construction workers, regular nurses, construction workers, regular
Summary:
House DFL leaders held a press event outlining an affordability agenda focused on housing, child care, health care, groceries, energy, and taxes. Speakers argued that Minnesota families are being squeezed by rising costs and income inequality, and said the caucus would pursue policies aimed at lowering everyday expenses and shifting more costs onto corporations and wealthy residents. Representative Bierman said health care costs are pushing people to skip care and called for system reforms, including moving toward a more universal model and reducing the role of insurers and pharmacy benefit managers.
Representative Kotiza-Wazhushk said the caucus is pushing for universal or low-cost child care, expanded pre-K and community-based care, and a bill to stop grocery surveillance price gouging. Representative Acomb and other energy leaders said the House DFL wants to lower utility bills through more energy assistance, weatherization, renewable energy support, limits on utility cost recovery for lobbying and executive pay, and stronger PUC authority to prevent shutoffs and limit rate increases. Representative Agbaje described housing as unaffordable for many renters and homeowners, cited a shortage of housing units, and said the caucus supports restricting private equity and corporate purchases of single-family homes.
Leader Stevenson framed the agenda as a response to a budget picture that he said reflects gains for corporations and wealthy Minnesotans, and he criticized federal tax policy and Medicaid cuts. In response to questions about cost, he said several proposals would not require state spending, while others could be funded by looking at new revenue and at those who benefited most from recent tax changes. The event also included a detailed explanation of the grocery surveillance pricing proposal, which would restrict the use of personal data and AI to set individualized prices and limit rapid electronic shelf price changes. No votes were taken.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- There's a nurse licensure compact that we joined in 2018 with 40 other states, Guam and the Virgin Islands
- There's a nurse licensure compact that we joined in 2018 with 40 other states, Guam and the Virgin Islands
- So it doesn't say, oh, this is a dietitian compact, but we want to say these nurses in the medical field
- You stay in your own lane. ...say these nurses in the medical field need to do something different.
- Maybe not in this bill, but need to look at other programs like the post program.
Committee:
Senate Commerce and Human Resources
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Professional Registration and Licensing Feb 18th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Professional Registration and Licensing
Transcript Highlights:
- , graduate from, let's say, this is just hypothetical, a certain type of certified makeup artists program
- I did research on what are the five or six best programs for historical renovation in the country, made
- What if they botch up my, you know, tax return, or a nurse, or other things?
- But I don’t think nurses are coming here that are not qualified.
- We’re not letting nurses practice here or physicians that don’t meet Missouri requirements.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Local Government Jan 21st, 2026 at 08:00 am
Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- And it may be narrowed down to just, who knows, it could be a pilot program at the time after everything
- The bill would also require the department to develop and operate a grant program to provide grants to
- So DNR has a program... Sure, Rep. Hall. Thank you. Just a quick one.
- So DNR has a program where they help cities with their tree ordinances, right?
- stroke patients looks like, these critical care patients require one to two doctors, two to three nurses
Committee:
House Local Government
Keywords:
urban forestry, local government, environmental policy, tree management, community planning, heat response, counties, public health, emergency management, climate action, crash prevention, traffic safety, roadside regulations, emergency zones, public safety, state legislation, infrastructure, county resources, road construction, maintenance
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 38 Apr 9th, 2026
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Kimberly, your support of the Oklahoma nurses serving as Nurse of the Day is greatly appreciated.
- I'm looking at Head Start programs that asked for $22,000 and got zero. ...programs that asked for 222,000
- Yes, that's what that program does.
- I would have zero issue with this program.
- This program has the ultimate accountability.
Keywords:
education funding, mental health services, public safety, housing, state budget, tax credit, parental choice, private school, income tax, dental insurance, health care, medical necessity, insurance claims, dentist rights, military discharge, veterans, DD Form 214, confidentiality, grandchildren access, veteran burial
Summary:
The House convened, completed the roll call, received an invocation focused on grief and remembrance, and heard several special presentations recognizing a brave child, visiting groups, and multiple student-athlete teams and school groups in the galleries. The chamber also introduced the Doctor of the Day and Nurse of the Day. The main business was consideration of the Joint Committee report on Senate Bill 1177, the general appropriations bill, presented by Chairman Caldwell-Trey.
Most of the floor time was spent on extended questions about the budget’s major features. Caldwell-Trey explained the bill as a largely flat or modestly increased budget that includes a $200 million transfer to a new sovereign wealth fund, $225 million in set-asides, a $12.5 million “dream accounts” program for newborns, and funding tied to teacher pay, education, workforce, public safety, agriculture, and health agencies. Members questioned the use of one-time funds for recurring expenses, the reduction in state contributions to the OPRS pension system, Medicaid assumptions, emergency management funding, veterans’ services, child care, school counselors, and the lack of funding for some requested items such as National Board Certified Teacher stipends and veterans’ facility maintenance. Caldwell-Trey defended the budget as transparent, early, and designed to preserve cash reserves while supporting core services.
No final vote on the appropriations report is reflected in the transcript excerpt. The House also heard explanations that the limits bills would be run later in committee, and that the budget negotiations were still ongoing with the Senate and governor on some related items. The session ended with the queue closed after the budget questioning, and the transcript cuts off during additional remarks from Representative Timmons.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- That's the Arkansas Linking Industry to Grow Nurses Program.
- The ALIGN program—that's the Arkansas Linking Industry to Grow Nurses program—is requesting to move $18,000
- or the crime victims program.
- It’s a once-a-year grant program.
- And then we manage that program.
Committee:
All ALC-PEER
Summary:
The committee met to review a large slate of fiscal year 2026 and 2027 appropriation, transfer, and continuation requests across multiple sections. Early items included temporary appropriations for agencies such as Health, DHS, Education, Public Safety, State Police, Emergency Management, Aeronautics, Military, Economic Development, and Game and Fish, covering items like maternal health outreach, energy assistance repayments, Wynne High School tornado rebuilding, senior food services, cybersecurity, crime victim reparations, aviation grants, conservation incentives, and emergency tower maintenance. Members asked questions on several items, including DHS aging carry-forward funds and Treasury custodial banking fees tied to COVID-era balances; the committee also approved a disclosure by the chair on the Game and Fish-related item before voting to approve the section.
The committee then approved continuation requests, CARES Act and ARPA reallocations, and federal grant appropriations. Notable discussion included the Boonville developmental disability project, ALIGN program reallocations at several universities, a small business technical assistance grant at UA Little Rock, and a Department of Public Safety highway safety grant, for which members requested more detail on operating expenses and professional fees. Additional approvals covered a transfer to the Merit Teacher Incentive program, restricted reserve fund transfers for military medical command and university projects, and a state central services deduction held at 2%. The Department of Commerce also received approval for a reallocation of positions and spending authority tied to its organizational realignment.
Later sections included shared technology and higher education transfers, cash fund appropriations for school Medicaid reimbursements, corrections, youth mental health, narcotics detection canines, bike safety equipment, a state motor pool pilot, and law enforcement safety costs. The committee also reviewed budget classification transfers, including a Governor’s Office legal fee transfer related to a California lawsuit, and heard explanations about E-Rate reimbursements affecting the Office of State Technology. Members asked about VOCA funding levels for crime victim services and about the National Security Grant Program for nonprofits and faith-based organizations; officials said federal funding had declined from prior highs but appeared to have stabilized, and that the nonprofit security grant is an annual federal program. The meeting concluded with review of pay plan requests, DHS overtime funding for child protection caseloads, and a year-end adjustment request allowing DFA to make up to $1 million in transfers to close the books, after which the committee adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 06:00 pm
Massachusetts Joint Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- to keep going, and we passed the strongest protections in the country for patients and doctors and nurses
- We're making sure that people get the, on the SNAP program, get the benefits that they need.
- Tonight, we're expanding a program that gives families $25,000 for a down payment on a home.
- And on top of that, we're expanding another program that lowers your interest rates and saves you a ton
- We know that our early college program, which allows you to be in high school and take community college
Summary:
The joint convention of the Massachusetts Legislature convened to receive the Governor’s State of the Commonwealth address. The session began with procedural motions to appoint committees to notify the lieutenant governor, constitutional officers, Executive Council, and Governor, followed by an invocation from Archbishop Richard G. Henning, the posting and retiring of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem. The Governor was then formally admitted to the chamber and delivered the address, with a benediction afterward by Rabbi Elaine Zacker.
Governor Maura Healey’s address focused on affordability and public services. She highlighted actions and proposals on housing, including faster permitting, use of state land for housing, accessory dwelling units, down payment assistance, and expanded programs to help first-time buyers. She also discussed energy affordability, saying she would oppose utility rate hikes, pursue an energy affordability bill, and temporarily reduce electric and gas bills. On health care, she described efforts to cap costs, prevent prior authorization for insulin, ban medical debt reporting to credit agencies, and form a health care affordability working group. She also proposed making subscription cancellations easier, improving transportation through bridge repairs and transit investments, and strengthening protections for children on social media.
The Governor also emphasized education, workforce development, and economic competitiveness, citing the state’s top national education ranking, expanded pre-K and child care, literacy and tutoring investments, early college opportunities, and a goal of 100,000 apprentices over 10 years. She praised Massachusetts’ response to federal actions, including support for vaccines, food assistance, abortion access, and research funding, and she criticized the Trump administration on tariffs, health care cuts, and immigration enforcement. She also noted public safety and veterans’ issues, including new assisted-living protections after the Gabriel House fire and the rebuilding of veterans’ homes. No substantive votes on legislation were taken beyond adoption of the ceremonial orders and the final adjournment motion.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Session Jan 22nd, 2026
Massachusetts Joint Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- to keep going, and we passed the strongest protections in the country for patients and doctors and nurses
- We're making sure that people get the, on the SNAP program, get the benefits that they need.
- It's got to, because we've got to be a state where your teachers and your nurses and recent grads can
- Tonight, we're expanding a program that gives families $25,000 for a down payment on a home.
- And on top of that, we're expanding another program that lowers your interest rates and saves you a ton
Summary:
The joint convention convened to receive the Governor’s annual State of the Commonwealth address. Before the address, the chamber adopted orders appointing committees to escort the Lieutenant Governor, constitutional officers, Executive Council, and Governor into the chamber, and the Archbishop of Boston and Rabbi Elaine Zacker delivered the invocation and benediction. The proceedings also included the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem, and formal acknowledgments of guests and former officials.
In her address, Governor Maura Healey focused on affordability and the state’s response to federal policy changes. She criticized actions by the Trump administration on tariffs, health care, immigration enforcement, and food assistance, while emphasizing Massachusetts’ efforts to lower costs and protect residents. She highlighted housing production and conversion of state and office properties, energy affordability measures, health care reforms including ending prior authorization for insulin and banning medical debt reporting, transportation improvements, economic development, education investments, and workforce training. She also announced short-term relief for winter utility bills, expanded support for food banks, and new proposals to protect children from social media harms.
The Governor also discussed public safety and veterans’ services, citing reforms after the Gabriel House fire and improvements to the Chelsea and Holyoke veterans’ homes. She framed the speech around Massachusetts’ historical role in the nation’s founding and the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence, urging continued unity and leadership. After the Governor’s remarks and the benediction, the joint convention adjourned without any legislative vote on policy matters during the session.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Session Jan 22nd, 2026
Massachusetts Joint Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- to keep going, and we passed the strongest protections in the country for patients and doctors and nurses
- We're making sure that people get the, on the SNAP program, get the benefits that they need.
- Tonight, we're expanding a program that gives families $25,000 for a down payment on a home.
- And on top of that, we're expanding another program that lowers your interest rates and saves you a ton
- We know that our early college program, which allows you to be in high school and take community college
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 4 June, 2026; 2:30 PM
Public Health and Welfare
Transcript Highlights:
- year. ...program covering 5 years from 2026 to 2030 at 10 billion per year.
- Oz, as head of CMS, announced the state awards for the first year of the program.
- The governor is running the program. The governor is running the program.
- All of these programs are going to run through these agencies.
- And we've talked about the grant programs in our webinar and in the programs in our webinar and in the
Committee:
Joint Public Health and Welfare
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS House Floor - 18 March, 2026; 10:00 AM
Mississippi House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> MTAC help and imminent scholar program MTAC help and imminent scholar program grants<00:19:05.280
- It's for the emergency performance grant program.
- </c><01:06:42.960><c> home</c> budget for the board of nursing home budget for the board of nursing home
- ,</c><01:07:51.119><c> and</c> for the military medics program, and for the military medics program,
- The Senate development grant program.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Time keeping our nurses. We're asking for travelers to come in.
- There is similar language in other statutes with similar programs.
- We do have a pretty rigorous contract oversight for our grant programs today.
- I'm a registered nurse. I'm a nurse and I'm with the United Health Professionals of New Mexico AFT.
- The federal reconciliation bill requires that states With hospital programs like New Mexico's, where
Committee:
Senate Senate Finance
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue (2-25-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Nursing represents 34% of our enrollment, and nursing is not going to be the only one in that building
- We will have other allied health programs as well as carved out space for our language program.
- in the PDI program and the grant<00:44:05.280><c> program</c><00:44:06.200><c> uh</c><00:44:06.319><
- c> in</c><00:44:06.520><c> recent</c> grant program uh in recent grant program uh in recent years<00:
- </c><00:51:00.799><c> fully</c> certain by which the program fully certain by which the program fully
Keywords:
Meeting start 00:06:05
Roll Call 00:06:33
HB 152 Discussion 00:07:55
HB 152 PHS 2 Vote 00:10:12
HB 545 Discussion
HB 545 PHS 1 Vote 00:13:47
HB 606 Discussion 00:15:15
HB 606 Vote 00:16:32
HJR 30 Discussion
HJR Vote 00:19:07
HJR 32 Discussion 00:20:25
HJR 32 PHS 1 Vote 00:23:11
HJR 34 Discussion 00:25:04
HJR 34 PHS 1 Vote 00:28:50
HJR 46 Discussion 00:30:09
HJR 46 Vote 00:34:15
HJR 53 Discussion 00:35:40
HJR 53 Vote 00:38:55
HJR 54 Discussion 00:40:15
HJR 54 Vote 00:40:50
HB 546 Discussion 00:42:15
HB 546 PHS 1 Vote 00:46:15
HB 605 Discussion 00:47:38
HB 605 PHS 1 Vote 00:52:10
HB 694 Discussion 00:53:46
HB 694 Vote 01:07:47
HB 695 Discussion Only 01:10:20, 958, all
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue met on February 25 and considered a series of bills and joint resolutions, mostly involving appropriations, capital projects, and local infrastructure funding. The committee first adopted PHS 2 and passed House Bill 152, which creates a Medicaid supplemental payment program for public ground ambulance providers; the sponsor said the substitute ensures no state general fund dollars will be used and that local agencies must identify a funding source for any required match. HB 152 was reported favorably on a 20-0 vote. The committee also passed House Bill 545, the annual claims bill, after members confirmed all executive-branch claims were included; it was reported favorably on a 21-0 vote. House Bill 606, requiring reporting for general obligation bonds, also passed unanimously and was reported favorably.
The committee then took up several joint resolutions tied to capital and infrastructure spending. House Joint Resolution 30, concerning water projects, was described as implementing ranked projects under the Waters program administered by KIA and was reported favorably on a 21-0 vote. House Joint Resolution 32, concerning school facilities construction, was amended by PHS 1 and advanced after discussion referencing the Auditor’s report and questions about a Johnson County Schools expenditure; it also passed 21-0. House Joint Resolution 34, relating to contingent appropriations for KCTCS, was amended by PHS 1 and advanced after testimony outlining three projects in Somerset, Jefferson Community and Technical College, and Glasgow; it passed 21-0. House Joint Resolution 46, for local road projects, was described as funding the highest-scoring local road requests from a larger pool of applications and passed 21-0.
The committee also advanced House Joint Resolution 53, authorizing release of funds for KSU’s Health Sciences Center project, after KSU officials said the building is needed for nursing and allied health programs and promised a business plan report by November 1, 2025; it passed 21-0. House Joint Resolution 54, authorizing funds related to the State Fair Board, also passed unanimously. Later, the committee considered House Bill 546, which revises the local roads and streets program by adding a DOT-developed scoring system, monthly reporting, a match requirement, and a $500,000 project cap; members asked about the cap and were told larger projects should be handled through other mechanisms. HB 546 was reported favorably on a 21-0 vote. Finally, House Bill 605, a technical corrections and update bill for the local economic relief grant program, was amended by PHS 1 and discussed as expanding eligibility, including to the Delta Regional Authority and certain local-affiliated applicants; the transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 605.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Feb 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- This section governs only the temporary care assistance program at the department and was created in
- here is somebody with assisted living—let's see what it is, it's on page two, three—so a skilled nursing
- facility and... ...page two, three—so a skilled nursing facility and intermediate care facility.
- So if we don't put things into statute like they want, would that put that nursing home in jeopardy of
- I think that program already exists.
Summary:
The Senate Health and Welfare Committee first considered House Bill 494, which would move background-check rules into statute. Representative Josh Wheeler and Department of Health and Welfare Chief of Staff Jared Larson said the change was needed to maintain access to the FBI’s national fingerprint database and to clarify who is subject to checks, without adding new categories of people. Senators questioned the bill’s reference to federal public policy and the FBI’s role, and some expressed concern about federal influence and state sovereignty. After debate, a motion to hold the bill in committee failed, and the committee voted to send HB 494 to the 14th order for possible amendment, with the intent of restoring language related to sex-offender background checks.
The committee then heard House Bill 526, which would expand Idaho’s cottage food law to allow certain time- and temperature-controlled foods to be sold directly by small entrepreneurs up to a $5,000 threshold. Representative Jeff Ehlers said the bill was meant to help startup food businesses avoid the cost of commercial kitchens and permits, while still requiring labeling and direct-to-consumer sales. Testimony from Food Northwest and public health district officials opposed the bill, warning that the foods involved carry greater foodborne illness risks, that the current cottage food labeling rules were designed for shelf-stable foods, and that the bill lacked training or safety standards. Supporters argued consumers should be able to choose and that regulation does not eliminate all risk.
After discussion, the committee voted to send HB 526 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Several senators voiced support for small business and consumer choice, while others noted concerns about food safety and liability. The committee adjourned after announcing it would meet again the next day.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a bill that allows an advanced practice registered nurse or physician assistant to serve as the
- Advanced practice registered nurse or physician assistant to serve as the acting local health officer
- It is a simple bill which transfers the Imagination Library Program from the Department of Children,
- Youth, and Family Services to SPI to better align the administration of the program with its mission
- All the people involved in the administration of this program at the local level are in support of this
Committee:
Senate Rules
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-03 (12:30PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We appreciate you, and we'll always ride for programs that pour into our girls like this.
- to pet insurance and wellness programs. Are there any amendments? None of the desks, Mr. Speaker.
- have to offer for a money-back guarantee program, and that is the bill.
- What happens if a grandparent's in a nursing home and it throws off the schedule?
- Under federal law, crimes in nursing homes must be reported.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for Walton County Deputy Will May, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. The Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report for April 3, 2025 was adopted, and CS/HB 947 was recommitted to the Judiciary Committee. The chamber then moved through a series of bills, mostly reviser and technical measures, with several companion Senate bills substituted and passed: SB 36 (Florida statutes adoption act), SB 42 (general reviser’s bill), SB 40 (deleting inoperative statutory provisions), and SB 38 (renaming references from the Division of Investigative and Forensic Services to the Division of Criminal Investigations). All of those passed unanimously or near-unanimously.
The House also passed HB 513 on electronic transmittal of court orders, requiring clerks to electronically send certain petitions, notices, summonses, and orders within six hours, including Baker Act, Marchman Act, and risk protection order documents. Members discussed whether judges needed to direct transmission and whether there were fail-safes if clerks did not comply. HB 615, on electronic delivery of notices between landlords and tenants, was amended to strengthen tenant protections and passed 108-0. HB 655 establishing a regulatory framework for pet insurance, HB 299 on elevator accessibility requirements, and HB 1145 on workforce education also passed, with HB 1145 receiving 100 yeas and 4 nays. HB 649, removing the paper supervised protocol for certified registered nurse anesthetists, passed 77-30 after structured debate.
A major portion of the meeting focused on CS/HB 1205, which would significantly revise Florida’s citizen initiative process. The bill adds a $1 million bond requirement after 25% of required signatures are collected, requires petition handlers to be Florida residents and U.S. citizens, imposes background checks and training for paid circulators, shortens petition turn-in deadlines to 10 days, increases penalties, adds signature revocation notices, and creates additional criminal penalties and enforcement provisions. Supporters argued the changes were needed to address fraud and protect petition integrity; opponents said the bill would burden First Amendment activity and make citizen-led amendments much harder to qualify. Numerous amendments were offered, including proposals to remove sensitive personal information from petition forms, soften deadlines and penalties, change validation thresholds, and alter the estimating conference process; most failed, though one amendment clarifying who pays for background checks was adopted. The transcript ends during continued debate on an amendment to strike most of the bill and prohibit public funds from being used to advocate for or against constitutional amendments.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/18/25 - Part 1
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- But I think we kept the programs.
- programs, milk distribution programs.
- </c> programs and milk programs, milk programs and milk programs, milk distribution<00:22:38.159><c>
- programs.
- </c> school and early care programs as well. school and early care programs as well.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- ; HB 2472, water; HB 2473, water; HB 2480, waste program; HB 2485, plant resources; HB 2513, water; HB
- HB 2806, lawful present public program. HB 2807, terrorist designation.
- He was 37 years old, an ICU nurse, a U.S. citizen with no criminal record.
- And every day, I see my dad's service program. And on the back, it's a picture of him.
- See my dad's service program, and on the back it's a picture of him, October 6th, 1972.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- It took two years to develop the program through the faculty there to get them to agree to the syllabus
- </c> took two years to develop the program took two years to develop the program through<00:15:22.040
- coordinator Tom Shoemaker our program coordinator Tom Shoemaker who<00:31:32.159><c> wears</c><00:31
- </c> commissions joint Powers public nursing commissions joint Powers public nursing homes<00:32:48.320
- Our training program has really improved over the past few years thanks to mediator Marshall Thompson
Committee:
Senate Labor
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Feb 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So this program is really to help folks live independently and keep working.
- So this program is really to help folks live independently, keep working.
- I have been on the Medicaid for Workers program since it started.
- So when you look at the program, I know you guys have heard of the ABLE program, right?
- He was on this program.
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from January 28 and January 29, 2026. It then heard several RS print requests. Senator Shippey presented RS 33115C1, a follow-up to prior foster care legislation that would set a basic 10-hour foster parent training expectation in statute, with training topics including trauma, behavior management, birth parents, court processes, and child safety; the committee voted to send it to print. Senator Wintrow presented RS 33213 to clarify that crime victims compensation and sexual assault forensic exam funding are not public benefits under prior immigration-status verification law; she explained the funds come from criminal fines and fees and are meant to support victims, and the committee voted to print it. Senator Galloway presented RS 3314 to establish the importance of voluntary newborn hearing screenings in Idaho code amid federal uncertainty, and the committee voted to print it.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 1266 from Senator Galloway, which would expand expedited foster placement eligibility from relatives to “kin,” including extended family members and others with a significant family-like relationship, while keeping licensing and safety standards in place. A foster/kinship parent testified in support, describing how kinship placement helped her family care for a newborn and later adopt him. The committee voted to send SB 1266 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Finally, Senator Wintrow presented Senate Bill 1267, which would direct the Department of Health and Welfare to study and prepare for changes to Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities so participants can continue working past age 65 without losing coverage or facing sharply higher costs. She and several testifiers described the program’s role in supporting independent living and avoiding institutionalization, and Wintrow said the bill was intended as a study/implementation directive rather than an immediate program change. Committee members raised questions about the federal changes, the meaning of “institutionalization,” and the bill’s metrics, but no motion was made; the bill was held in committee and the meeting adjourned.