Transcript Highlights:

• the prescribed pediatric extended care services, are provided under managed care rather than fee for
• And parents really want the choice between the managed care and the fee for service.
• So, yes, we as a state of Florida implemented managed care away from the fee-for-service model.
• Traditionally, Florida implemented managed care away from the fee-for-service model.
• We're going to take up HB 1353, Home Health Care Services, by Representative Franklin.

Summary: The Health Care Facilities and System Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered five bills. HB 1101 on out-of-network providers drew the most discussion; Rep. Albert said it would require written notice when a patient is referred to an out-of-network provider and would count certain insurer payments toward deductibles. Several members and the Florida College of Emergency Physicians raised concerns about placing the burden on doctors’ offices, possible delays in referrals, and unclear enforcement, but the bill was reported favorably 16-2. Public testimony included support from AARP and concerns from emergency physicians about ER workflow and insurance-network transparency. The committee then unanimously approved PCS for HB 475, reducing fines for ambulatory surgery centers that violate good-faith estimate requirements from $1,000 to $250 per day, with a lower maximum penalty. The bill sponsor said the change was intended to right-size penalties for smaller facilities; witnesses from surgery centers and HCA supported it. HB 797, which would allow a nonprofit retirement community serving veterans and spouses to create veteran-and-spouse nursing home beds and transfer a certificate of need within 100 miles, also passed unanimously after members discussed whether it could affect access for veterans; the sponsor said it would create additional private beds rather than displace existing ones. HB 1085 on the Children’s Medical Services Program was amended and reported favorably 14-3. The bill would move managed care plan operations for medically fragile children from the Department of Health to AHCA, keep clinical eligibility at DOH, and shift PPEC services fully into managed care. The adopted amendment changed the waiver provision to require AHCA to develop and present a comprehensive redesign plan for the Medicaid model waiver for children receiving private duty nursing. Several members supported the goal but raised concerns about eliminating family choice and the impact on medically fragile children. Finally, HB 1353 on home health care services passed unanimously. The bill would remove geographic limits on home health administrators, allow more licensed RNs including contract RNs to perform visits, and revise the home health excellence award program. Supporters said it would address workforce shortages and improve access, while one member warned it could increase costs and competition for nurses. The committee adjourned after reporting all five bills favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Central services include services that are provided on behalf of schools, including things like statewide
• care first, and only if it's not needed to provide that health care can it drop into the discretionary
• care can it drop into the discretionary bucket.
• The first is, the school to take care of that.
• The student division includes various centralized services that provide assistance and services to LEAs

Summary: The committee received a detailed JFAC presentation on the K-12 public school support budget from Legislative Services analyst Kellan McGurkin, followed by testimony from Superintendent Debbie Critchfield. McGurkin reviewed how Idaho’s school funding formula works, including support units, staff allowance, career ladder salary funding, discretionary funding, health insurance, transportation, facilities, and the Public Education Stabilization Fund. He explained the FY 2026 revised budget, including a reduction in projected support units and an ongoing $22.3 million general fund rescission, and then walked through the FY 2027 request and the Governor’s recommendation. Major FY 2027 items included health insurance adjustments, transportation growth, federal fund authority, and proposed one-time special education initiatives: a $5 million high-needs fund and a $1 million regional service model, both tied to interest or transfers from other funds. The Governor also recommended eliminating or reducing some items, including virtual school-related payments and a reduction to Idaho Digital Learning Academy funding, which would lower the general fund request compared with the agency proposal. Critchfield framed the budget around enrollment trends, shifting student populations, and the need for flexibility in how districts use existing dollars. She highlighted gains in literacy, graduation rates, dual credit and career technical participation, and said the department wants more categorical flexibility for professional development, technology, and digital content funds so districts can redirect unused money to higher priorities such as literacy or special education. She also described the Idaho Career Ready Students grant as having created 170 new programs and said remaining funds are obligated. On special education, she said costs are growing faster than current funding and argued for a bridge solution while broader funding issues are addressed; she also said the department is pursuing a regional service-center model to help rural districts share hard-to-fill specialists. Critchfield additionally outlined planned federal waivers on assessments and flexibility, and said the state is seeking more control over education decisions. Committee members focused heavily on funding mechanics, especially whether career ladder and health insurance money is distributed per teacher or through support units, how discretionary funds are used, why insurance amounts in the budget book differed from current projections, and whether districts can use leftover health insurance dollars for other purposes. Members also questioned the proposed special education funding, the use of interest earnings from dedicated funds to support the general fund, the size and use of school contingency balances, and whether the state should revisit the funding formula itself. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting; the discussion remained in presentation and questioning, with several follow-up requests for data and clarification.

Transcript Highlights:

• You don't care if we're Democrat or Republican. You don't care what our policies are.
• Thank you for your service to the Senate.
• You cannot say that it's a veteran service.
• My own son just completed his military service.
• President, I'm directed to Mr.

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then spent much of the session honoring Sister Michelle Gorman, the Senate chaplain, on her final day after 11 years of service. Members from both parties praised her prayers, compassion, humor, and steady presence, and several noted her long career in education and religious service. The chamber also welcomed delegations from the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California and the Japanese Business Association of Southern California, as well as a delegation from Morelia, Mexico, in connection with Sacramento’s sister-city relationship. The Senate then handled several procedural items, including Assembly messages and motions to remove or withdraw certain bills from consent or committee. The chamber adopted a motion to move Budget and Fiscal Review Committee measures to third reading, and later approved author’s and floor amendments. The main floor action was on ACA 20, the Save for California Futures Act, which would expand the state Rainy Day Fund target from 10% to 20% of general fund taxes, change how reserve deposits count under the Gann limit, and extend and broaden debt repayment provisions, including federal unemployment insurance debt. Supporters argued it would strengthen fiscal stability and reduce volatility; opponents said it was too complicated, still allowed too much borrowing, and did not sufficiently prioritize paying down existing debt. The measure passed 29-2. The Senate also took up SB 623, a compromise measure addressing transportation network company accident cases and medical lien practices. The bill would cap certain lien-based medical charges, restrict attorney referrals and kickbacks tied to lien providers, require more standardized billing, and add rideshare safety requirements such as background checks and additional disqualifying offenses; it passed 36-0. The chamber then considered SB 417, the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026, an $11.25 billion housing bond with $10 billion in general obligation bonds and $1.25 billion for veterans home loan assistance. Supporters said it would fund shovel-ready affordable housing, preservation, homeownership, youth housing, infrastructure, and veterans’ housing; opponents criticized it as a “bait-and-switch” that used veterans to justify broader housing debt and argued the state should focus on existing programs and private financing. Despite the opposition, the measure passed 29-2.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we will be discussing the Governor's May revise proposal in child care and human services.
• First, I want to appreciate that this may not cut child care rates or services.
• How are those in need of services expected to continue receiving care?
• We've protected the Lanterman Act entitlement, direct services, including direct services to young children
• We think Department of Health Care Services and Social Services is a better model.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the care delays. the care delays.
• </c> apply direct patient care. apply direct patient care.
• </c><01:59:25.920><c> services</c> changing the covered service services changing the covered service
• services.
• </c> service, services, level of services. service, services, level of services.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But again, I'd have to defer to our California Correctional Health Care Services.
• I'm Duane Reeder, deputy director for the California Correctional Health Care Services in the fiscal
• I’m the deputy director over fiscal services for health care.
• We want to provide adequate care at every level of our mental health services delivery system.
• And then there's a telepresenter... ...that provides the direct service to the incarcerated patient,

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bottlenecks in service delivery, and ensure more children receive timely, high-quality care.
• As a result, our modeling assumes that the proposed change would result in a shift in direct service
• MPAC appreciates and shares the Commonwealth's goal of providing access to quality health care services
• and especially for direct care workers.
• It can also delay service access for children ready to begin care.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Health Care Financing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a range of health care financing bills focused largely on autism services and kidney disease coverage. Committee chairs John Lawn and Cindy Friedman outlined hearing procedures and noted that written testimony would continue to be accepted until each bill is acted upon. They said the day’s bills addressed affordability and access to behavioral health services, provider reimbursement, Medicare coverage for vulnerable patients, and MassHealth eligibility asset exemptions. A major portion of the hearing concerned House Bill 4623, which would recognize board-certified assistant behavior analysts (BCABAs) in the MassHealth reimbursement framework to help address long wait lists for autism spectrum disorder services. Representative Lisa Field and several providers testified that Massachusetts families face long delays for ABA services and that adding BCABAs would expand workforce capacity, reduce costs, and improve access. Wakely actuary Annie Tasman Ewing said a three-tier model could reduce MassHealth costs by up to 6% annually, while Dr. Sandra Beaton and others described severe wait lists and said the bill would allow more families to be served sooner. The committee also heard extensive testimony on House Bill 4425 and Senate Bill 2737, which would allow people under 65 with end-stage renal disease to purchase Medigap coverage. Representative Stanley, Senator Gomez, and advocates from the American Kidney Fund and Dialysis Patient Citizens argued that current law unfairly excludes these patients, leaves them with high out-of-pocket costs, and can delay transplant eligibility because many centers require secondary insurance. Testifiers said the change would help about 846 residents, could cost insurers only a small premium increase, and might reduce Medicaid spending by avoiding asset spend-downs. Committee members asked questions about the existing statutory carve-out and the practical effects on transplant access. The hearing also included testimony on House Bill 4353 and Senate Bill 2587, which would require regular Medicaid rate reviews for ABA services. Providers and clinicians said current MassHealth rates no longer reflect the cost of delivering care, especially with new 2026 policy requirements, workforce shortages, and accreditation obligations. They emphasized that the bills would not mandate a rate increase but would create a data-driven, transparent review process. At the end of the hearing, the chairs thanked participants, invited additional written testimony, and the committee voted unanimously to adjourn the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Government Code specifically states that water service is a property-related service that aids in
• Finally, it offers state support, directing the California Office of Emergency Services and the Governor's
• As the California Office of Emergency Services interprets current law as directing the completion of
• As the California Office of Emergency Services interprets current law as directing the completion of
• I think as we talk about health care and the sustainability of health care and even rural health care

Committee: House Emergency Management

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• care to ensure direct care, meaning child protective service workers or New Hampshire Hospital staff
• It is one of our priorities to grow the direct care workforce, but I also think that folks are retiring
• It is one of our priorities to grow the direct care workforce, but I also think that folks are retiring
• What we know is that growing the direct care workforce is going to be even more vital as we saw that
• </c><01:14:37.360><c> care</c> we know is that growing the direct care we know is that growing the direct

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including roll call and approval of the prior meeting minutes, with one member abstaining because of absence and one member opposing. The main informational items were a Department of Health and Human Services update on the rural health transformation grant and a public health briefing on vaccines, followed by a quarterly budget and staffing update and an annual report from the Permanent Subcommittee on Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Related Dementias. Commissioner Lori Weaver reported that the department submitted the rural health transformation grant application on November 4, described it as reflecting input from communities and providers statewide, and said CMS review and budget negotiations would follow before final approval on December 31. She said the grant could support hiring as long as administrative costs stay within the 10% cap, and that the governor’s office will oversee administration with HHS. Ian Watt then testified that New Hampshire remains committed to vaccine access, including through the universal purchase program and annual respiratory virus guidance for flu, RSV, and COVID-19. He said the state continues to use evidence-based review for vaccine policy, noted the CDC’s change regarding the combined MMRV vaccine for the first dose in young children, and said New Hampshire’s school vaccine mandates remain at nine for schoolchildren and 10 for child care, with statutory exemptions still in place. Department staff also said there have been no supply or funding problems affecting childhood vaccine access. Nathan White, the department’s CFO, reviewed the DHHS budget and vacancy trends. He said DHHS makes up a large share of the state budget, that about 31% of its budget is general funds subject to lapse, and that lapse projections are difficult because much of the budget is driven by utilization rather than personnel. He reported current projected general fund lapse of just under $20 million, compared with about $39 million in the statewide surplus statement, and explained that only about a third of DHHS general funds can actually lapse because of statutory restrictions. He also said the department has about 400 unfunded positions, contributing to roughly a $30 million general fund reduction across the biennium, and that the hiring freeze has pushed vacancy trends upward while critical direct-care positions are being prioritized. The Alzheimer’s subcommittee reported six meetings this year, presentations on state services, silver alerts, brain health awareness, and palliative/hospice care, and work toward a new state Alzheimer’s plan. The subcommittee is developing a needs-assessment survey for people living with dementia, caregivers, and service providers, with the goal of using the results and other data sources to inform the plan. Its recommendations focus on integrating Alzheimer’s and dementia materials into chronic disease and aging outreach, embedding brain health into systems of care, adding cognitive health measures to BRFSS, and continuing partnerships with statewide organizations. Members also discussed recent research and prevention efforts, and the committee noted that a separate bill is being pursued to include Alzheimer’s and dementia in existing public health awareness campaigns.

Transcript Highlights:

• information collected by the vendor in the course of providing health care services to the patient.
• Part of clinical care. Routine clinical care.
• But with care coordination, it makes perfect sense. And it's directed at one person, the patient.
• And it's directed at, access but with care coordination it makes perfect sense and is directed at one
• behavioral health care—coordinate care to rehab placement, referrals to in-house nursing care, PT, OT

Committee: House Joint Committee on Administrative Rules

Summary: The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules met with a quorum and approved the minutes from the prior meeting. Members announced that two Department of Natural Resources rules had been withdrawn, leaving only the Missouri Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) rule proposal for consideration. Public testimony focused on a proposed expansion of PDMP access to additional licensed behavioral health professionals, including licensed clinical social workers, licensed master social workers, marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, and psychologists, along with related clarifications to delegate access categories such as medical assistants and clinical nurse specialists. Testimony from the PDMP director and supporters from Compass Health and the Department of Mental Health argued the changes would improve care coordination, medication reconciliation, and overdose prevention within multidisciplinary behavioral health teams, especially in CCBHC settings. They said access would remain limited to licensed Missouri professionals working under supervision or collaboration with a prescriber or dispenser, and that the system is intended for treatment-related, view-only use. Opponents and skeptical committee members raised concerns that the rule would expand access beyond the original statutory framework without legislative change, could create privacy risks or misuse in non-treatment contexts such as custody disputes, and might exceed the committee’s rulemaking authority. One public witness opposed the rule, warning it could deter patients from seeking counseling and arguing the change should be made, if at all, by statute. After testimony, committee members debated whether the proposal was a permissible clarification or an impermissible substantive expansion of the law. Supporters of disapproval said the issue was legality, not the merits of PDMP access, and urged the department to seek a bill sponsor if it wanted the change enacted. A motion was made and seconded to disapprove Rule 1 CSR 60-1.010 on the grounds of lack of statutory authority, conflict with state law, and arbitrariness/capriciousness. The committee then took a roll-call vote and approved the motion by 7 ayes to 1 no, disapproving the rule and adjourning with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Specifically, the bill directs the Health Care Authority to adopt network adequacy standards for nursing
• as keeping care local to an enrollee's community, provider availability in a regional service area,
• We provide emergency care, inpatient care, surgical services, and obstetrics, delivering more than 400
• We provide emergency care, inpatient care, surgical services, and obstetrics, delivering more than 400
• We offer services regardless of patients' ability to pay for that care.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on a series of bills, beginning with House Bill 2689 on Working Connections Child Care. Staff explained that the proposed substitute would keep eligibility at 60% of state median income, eliminate scheduled expansions to 75% and 85%, reduce future subsidy rates from the 85th to the 75th percentile of market, end enhanced regional rates, and change reimbursement rules from prospective enrollment-based payments back to attendance-based payments with a reduced monthly payment after 11 absent days. Child care advocates thanked the committee for removing the proposed cap on the program but opposed the cuts to provider rates and eligibility expansions, warning of harm to families and providers. The committee then heard Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5124 on Medicaid network adequacy for post-acute care, with staff noting administrative costs and indeterminate fiscal effects; hospitals supported the bill as a way to reduce discharge delays and reliance on single-case agreements. Senate Bill 5832, which would raise the new motor vehicle arbitration fee from $3 to $6 to support the Lemon Law arbitration program, drew support from the Attorney General’s Office and auto dealers, who said the fee had not been updated since 1995 and the program was underfunded. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5862, providing a one-time 3% COLA for certain PERS 1 and TRS 1 retirees, with retirees testifying in favor and local government representatives warning about added employer costs. The committee next heard Senate Bill 5922, allowing school districts to transfer money from the Transportation Vehicle Fund to other funds if they reduce their fleet and receive OSPI approval; staff said the bill would mainly add administrative work for OSPI, and no one testified. Substitute Senate Bill 5923 would allow a hospital on an island in Skagit County to qualify as a critical access hospital if federally certified; Island Health testified that the designation would help sustain rural services, and a committee member asked about bed count and Medicaid/charity-care pressures. Senate Bill 5944 would require language access providers to bargain over compensation for missed or canceled appointments and clarify that statutes prevail over conflicting contract terms; WFSE supported the bill, saying it would equalize bargaining rights across agencies. Substitute Senate Bill 5972 would extend interest arbitration rights to correctional employees in city and county jails regardless of population size; labor supported the bill as a retention tool, while cities and counties opposed it, arguing it would raise costs and should include ability-to-pay protections. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5988, authorizing the Department of Health to continue accrediting opioid treatment programs and charge accreditation fees, which DOH said was needed to avoid winding down the program. Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 6151, which would move Ecology fee revenues for landfill methane emissions and laboratory accreditation into dedicated accounts; Ecology supported the bill as improving transparency and reinvesting fees into the programs, and staff said the lab fee shift would be offset by a related budget action. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6194 would pay a rural hospital on a federally recognized Indian reservation, specifically Astria Toppenish, at 150% of the Medicaid fee-for-service rate beginning in 2027; hospital leaders and community members testified that the hospital serves a high-Medicaid, rural, and tribal population and faces persistent losses. Finally, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6302 would direct L&I to investigate possible misclassification of independent contractors on public works projects involving multiple workers doing the same finishing work; labor and business representatives both described it as a negotiated compromise to address underground economy abuses. The committee took no final votes during the hearing and ended by reiterating amendment deadlines for bills scheduled for executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any text, any form, Snapchat—I don't care what it is. Yes, 100% yes.
• Furthermore, it directs the Department of Health Services to do everything within its authority to address
• Chairman and members, House Bill 2917 directs the Department of Health Services to establish and administer
• And then I see over in Subpart E, health care providers, health care facilities, yada, yada, yada, shall
• I too like the direction. I, after listening to Rep.

Committee: House House Public Safety & Law Enforcement Committee of Reference

Summary: The House Committee on Public Safety and Law Enforcement heard three bills. HB 2665, “Cade’s Law,” would update Arizona’s suicide-related manslaughter statute to make clear that intentionally providing advice or encouragement to a minor to die by suicide includes doing so through directed communication such as text, social media, or other electronic means. The sponsor and several bereaved parents and Teen Lifeline testified in support, emphasizing teen suicide prevention and the need to hold adults accountable for harmful online conduct. Members raised concerns about unintended effects on peer-to-peer support and the age threshold, and the committee adopted a verbal amendment clarifying the language before advancing the bill with a due pass recommendation by a vote of 10 ayes, 4 present, 1 absent. HB 2904 declared fentanyl trafficking across the Arizona-Mexico border a public health crisis and directed the Department of Health Services to use its authority to address it. The sponsor framed the bill as a response to cartel activity and overdose deaths, while the ACLU of Arizona opposed it, arguing the bill used vague and legally unprecedented terms such as “unlawful invasion,” could sweep in low-level drug offenses or migrants, and might encourage broader criminalization. Committee members debated the meaning of “invasion,” border security, and whether the bill duplicated existing drug laws. The bill was given a due pass recommendation on an 8 ayes, 6 nays, 1 absent vote. HB 2917 would create a firefighter cancer registry within the Department of Health Services to collect and analyze data on cancer incidence among Arizona firefighters. Fire service representatives supported the goal of improving occupational health data, but members questioned whether the bill made participation and reporting mandatory and whether it would allow sensitive medical information to be shared without consent. Witnesses said the intent was to make the registry voluntary and were open to clarifying amendments. Despite concerns about drafting and privacy, the committee advanced the bill with a due pass recommendation by a vote of 12 ayes, 1 nay, 1 present, 1 absent.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1110 authorizes Medicaid to cover specified orthotics or prosthetics services and directs the Agency
• for Health Care Administration to seek federal approval and update managed care and fee-for-service
• Two of my boys receive services through the APD waiver.
• primary care and specialty care doctors.
• health outcomes, reduce unnecessary health care spending, and help build a more sustainable health care

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met with a quorum present and took up several health-related bills. CS/SB 1110, covering Medicaid and insurance coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics, including activity-specific devices without lifetime or continuous-use caps, received emotional testimony from families and athletes describing high costs and the importance of access for children and adults with disabilities. Members voiced strong support, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 1574, which would add biliary atresia screening to the newborn screening program using the existing birth blood specimen. The sponsor and a parent testified that earlier detection could prevent severe liver damage, transplants, and deaths, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 794, dealing with background screening for employees at residential facilities and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities and a review of waiver support coordination, was amended to align with the House companion and then reported favorably after testimony emphasizing the importance of strong support coordinators for APD waiver families. Members then considered SB 162, requiring hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies for smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. Nurses and other supporters described surgical smoke as a serious occupational hazard, while the Florida Hospital Association said hospitals are already regulated in this area and the bill was somewhat prescriptive; an amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 254, which tightens oversight of nursing education programs, adds preceptorship and provisional licensure pathways for graduates awaiting NCLEX results, and increases transparency and accountability for low-performing programs, drew support from nursing advocates and opposition from private nursing schools concerned about workforce impacts; after amendment, it was reported favorably. Finally, SB 688 to reestablish licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors in Florida was heard with testimony both supporting expanded health care choices and opposing the bill over safety and scope concerns, and it too was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the services I receive is Louisiana Rehabilitation Services.
• One of the services I receive is Louisiana rehabilitation services. is Louisiana rehabilitation services
• rates and direct service workers' pay.
• And those services cost more.
• This is direction. The direction America is moving.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Direct care workers... ...exacerbated a workforce crisis in the community-based human services sector
• The state sets the benchmark for a direct care one staff member in the community-based human services
• Similarly, direct care three jobs make just more than $27 an hour, while the state role makes $31.25
• an hour, a difference of 15 percent... ...ways the state sets the benchmark for a direct care one staff
• Similarly, direct care three jobs make just more than $27 an hour, while the state role makes $31.25

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities held a hearing focused on accessibility-related legislation, with the chairs emphasizing ASL and CART accessibility and asking testifiers to speak slowly and clearly. The committee heard testimony first on H.223/S.130, a bill to establish a livable wage for community-based human service workers by reducing the pay gap with state employees. Providers’ Council, Communities for People, the Key Program, and BAMSI all supported the bill, describing persistent wage disparities, high vacancy and turnover rates, and the impact on continuity of care for children, youth, and families. Witnesses said the bill would help recruitment and retention and stabilize services across the Commonwealth. The committee then heard extensive testimony on H.224/S.160, the ACE Act, which would create a dedicated funding source to improve accessibility in the creative economy. Arts organizations and advocates, including Community Access to the Arts, Abilities Dance Boston, Jacob’s Pillow, the Multicultural Arts Center, Northampton Community Music Center, Mass Creative, Open Door Arts, and Monkey House, described barriers such as inaccessible buildings, lack of ASL interpretation and captioning, inadequate lifts and backstage access, and the high cost of renovations. Testifiers said the bill would help smaller and historic institutions make physical and programmatic improvements and allow people with disabilities to participate as artists, workers, and audiences. The committee also heard testimony on H.4180, which would require DDS to consider neuropsychological evaluations when determining eligibility for intellectual disability services. Parents and advocates argued that IQ cutoffs alone can miss significant functional needs, especially for autistic adults and others with complex developmental profiles, and urged broader access to DDS supports. Additional testimony supported S.101 on closed captioning and telecommunications in public areas, and S.158 on requiring restaurants to have some chairs with arms to better accommodate physically disabled and older patrons. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair adjourned after hearing from the scheduled witnesses and noting a few signups that were not present.

Transcript Highlights:

• So now moving to Department of Direct Care and Treatment. shift um for the human services response shift
• </c> department of direct care and treatment. department of direct care and treatment.
• </c> patients and clients of certain direct patients and clients of certain direct care<02:10:46.480>
• So this modifies the direct care and treatment agency structure. line 567.
• So that concludes the direct care and treatment.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> the</c><01:31:35.680><c> clinic,</c> home care services out of the clinic, home care services out
• This is the direct care services core pilot. We heard language in Senate File 4407 last week.
• c> care</c><02:04:54.640><c> services</c><02:04:55.360><c> core</c> This is the direct care services
• core This is the direct care services core pilot.<02:04:56.600><c> We</c><02:04:56.840><c> heard</c><
• Um, we support the policy direction of what you're doing with continuity of care here.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Essentially, the major components are: The components are that it enhances foster care prevention services
• A service coordination is the navigator, and the actual service delivery would be the care coordinator
• They do not directly provide services, so it was left to the care coordinators with referrals to CYFD
• Provide direct service, so it would have to be a different model with the care coordinators providing
• of care 2,633, and plans of care where they have accepted a specific service is 2,078.

Committee: House House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• We all know that 60 70% of care.
• </c> more direct access to one another? more direct access to one another?
• We want to take care of everybody who needs health care needs.
• ,</c><00:26:44.159><c> food</c><00:26:44.480><c> service</c> interventions, health care, food service
• interventions, health care, food service integration,<00:26:46.080><c> community</c><00:26:46.559><c

Committee: House Health Services

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:38 - Discussion of 26RS SCR 9 22:00 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SCR 9 23:15 - Discussion of 26RS SJR 23 33:20 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SJR 23 35:18 - Adjournment, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have direct care patients that the state is responsible for providing residential care.
• I have to prioritize the direct care and direct obligation needs above the continuing WIC program.
• direct care and direct obligation needs above<03:35:48.960><c> the</c><03:35:49.520><c> continuing</
• </c><04:43:26.040><c> services</c><04:43:27.040><c> and</c> in managed longterm care services and in
• We got a lot of people at direct care.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in Division 3 work session on HB 2 and began by noting a delayed start to allow the Legislative Budget Assistant to finish a large packet of updated amendments and revisions. The chair said the goal for the day was to move as many items as possible, with any cleanup deferred to a Friday follow-up. Members also discussed the process for handling public and department testimony on selected items before votes. Several early amendments were taken up and voted on. The committee unanimously recommended items dealing with repealing the liquor transfer to the alcohol fund and redirecting liquor-related revenue to the general fund, and it also approved an amendment revising Granite Advantage funding so there would be no automatic transfer from the liquor fund, instead using a general fund appropriation. Members then approved repealing the foster grandparent program by a 5-4 vote, and later approved an amendment requiring DHS contractors to comply with the patients’ bill of rights by a 9-0 vote. The committee also approved incorporating House Bill 94 on Medicaid coverage of circumcision by a 5-4 vote, while deferring the Wick Farmers Market Nutrition Program repeal for more discussion. The committee spent substantial time on the youth risk behavior survey amendment. Supporters said the change was intended to clarify opt-out procedures and ensure parents, guardians, and students are clearly notified that they may opt out without negative consequences. Some members raised privacy concerns and said the language could add administrative burden, but the amendment was ultimately recommended to Finance by a recorded vote of 8-1. Another amendment on civil rights and contractor standards for DHHS was discussed but not voted on after concerns were raised about vague enforcement language and possible penalties. The committee also struck amendment 1026 as redundant, with members noting related work in existing law and Senate Bill 134, and then moved on to other items, including a revised equity/access-related amendment that was postponed for later discussion.