Transcript Highlights:

• Committee on Public Education.
• HB 3614 by Pearson relating to the nurse profiles of certain information concerning nurses maintained
• Trox clear relating to the creation of an Office of Inspector General for Education at the Texas Education
• on Public Education.
• Of certain public school student records relate to special education for the Committee on Public Education

Transcript Highlights:

• This must be consistent with the Uniform Core Curriculum developed by the Department of Education.
• We also are creating the Autism Education Loan Forgiveness Program.
• It also directs the department to implement a statewide education campaign... ...birth.
• other unions. educators and all the other unions and bargaining units that do not encompass educators
• The ones that came up here, they were educated, they're aware of the legislation.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a brief introduction of the doctor of the day before moving to the special order calendar. The chamber first took up several claims bills, including SB 6/HB 6507 for relief of L.E. through the Department of Children and Families, which was described as compensation for severe injuries after DCF returned the child to unsafe parents; the House bill was substituted and passed 34-0. SB 26 for the estate of Mark Legata, involving catastrophic injuries tied to FDOT negligence, was also substituted with the House version and passed 35-0. SB 42/HB 47 on specific medical diagnoses and child protective investigations passed 34-0 after supporters said it would require child protection teams to consider certain medical conditions that can mimic abuse. Later, SB 1002 on child welfare passed 37-0 after sponsors said it clarifies that parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect and allow earlier court intervention and services, while not changing parental rights law. The Senate then considered education and health-related measures. SB 206/HB 851 on students with autism spectrum disorder was amended to the House bill and passed 35-0; the sponsor said it expands teacher preparation, requires autism-related training, creates a loan forgiveness program, and adds salary supplements for teachers with autism endorsements. SB 556/HB 453 on high school diploma requirements passed 36-0 and would allow students with disabilities to use Special Olympics participation to satisfy PE requirements, while also fixing a marching band credit issue. SB 688 on naturopathic medicine passed 33-3, reestablishing licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors. SB 878/HB 1347 on clinical laboratory personnel passed 37-0 to address staffing shortages by aligning Florida more closely with federal CLIA standards. SB 914/HB 867 on dry needling by occupational therapists passed 37-0, clarifying authority for that treatment. SB 530 on state lotteries passed 36-0 with updates to operations, security, and retailer rules. SB 964/HB 6011 on financial disclosures and gifts/honoraria passed 36-0 after an amendment restored a percentage-based reporting option. The chamber also approved several government-administration and public-records measures. SB 326/HB 131 on curators of estates passed 36-0, updating probate rules for temporary court-appointed curators. SB 758/HB 625 on the Justice Administrative Commission passed 37-0 after an amendment broadened the judicial member to a judge or senior judge rather than only a circuit judge. SB 830 on public records passed 31-5, creating exemptions for the personal information of county and city managers and certain family members. The Senate also passed SB 21/HB 218 on land use regulations, which preserves hurricane-recovery restrictions in affected counties while lifting them later for unaffected counties, and the sponsor thanked colleagues for helping address unintended consequences from prior law. SB 354 on Blue Ribbon Projects was debated extensively over concerns about local control, conservation protections, and vague standards; after a late amendment excluding data centers from commercial areas, the bill was temporarily postponed rather than passed. Finally, SB 1632/HB 1471 on ideologies inconsistent with American principles and domestic terrorist designations drew significant debate over references to Sharia law, religious freedom, notice, and due process; one amendment striking Sharia references failed, and a second amendment with broader revisions was under discussion when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Education.
• As an educator and an advocate who cares deeply about ensuring each student has equal educational opportunities
• I'm an educator and professor at UC Davis.
• I'm a pediatric nurse here in Sacramento.
• and their respective institutions of higher education.

Committee: House Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, uh, Senator Grrew, there's for for K12 education. Uh the standing for for K12 education.
• </c> uh under the under this Senate Education uh under the under this Senate Education version<00:10:
• </c><00:14:27.920><c> uh</c> Wyoming Department of Education uh Wyoming Department of Education uh establishes
• </c><00:15:50.160><c> Committee</c> added by the Senate Education Committee added by the Senate Education
• </c> to as pared educators for that purpose. to as pared educators for that purpose.

Bills: HB0150

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: Wyoming business council, economic development, task force, evaluation, policy reform, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in education, since everything else was funded from General Funds.
• in education, since everything else was funded from General Funds.
• </c> the education trust fund the education the education trust fund the education is<00:17:28.360><c
• </c><00:27:51.799><c> Freedom</c> maintaining the education Freedom maintaining the education Freedom
• </c> and the state's higher public education and the state's higher public education sector<00:34:31.800

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first considered an amendment to add a new “Lakes” license plate to HB 2, with proceeds directed to the cyanobacteria fund for lake cleanup. Representative McGuire said the bill had already passed on consent and asked that it be included in HB 2; members discussed that it had also gone to the Senate. The motion to adopt the amendment failed on a 7-8 vote. The committee then took up an amendment imposing a 5% administrative fee on certain dedicated funds, with several exemptions for funds that could not legally or appropriately be charged, such as those involving federal money or bequests. Supporters said it would make the treatment of dedicated funds more consistent and raise roughly $31 million over the biennium for the general fund, while opponents questioned the number of carve-outs and who currently pays the administrative costs. The amendment failed on a 4-5 vote. Next, the committee reconsidered and then adopted an amendment changing the distribution of business profits tax and business enterprise tax revenue, reducing the share going to the Education Trust Fund from 41% to 30% and increasing the General Fund share. Supporters argued the Senate had overfunded the Education Trust Fund and that the change would help balance the budget without changing education spending levels; opponents said they could not support taking money from the Education Trust Fund. The amendment passed 5-3. The committee also adopted, by the same 5-3 margin, an amendment incorporating HB 741 language on open enrollment and student attendance in public schools, with supporters calling it House policy and opponents noting it had been a close, partly partisan vote in the House. Finally, the committee considered a change to the University System of New Hampshire budget that would reduce general fund appropriations by $40 million per year, offset in part by $15 million in previously approved unique dollars for a net reduction of $25 million per year. Supporters said the cut was necessary to balance the budget and that other options had been exhausted; opponents called it harmful to the university system and argued the committee should instead look to other areas, including education freedom accounts, for savings. The discussion continued, but the transcript excerpt ends before a final vote on the UNH item.

Transcript Highlights:

• teachers, and educational opportunities for Arizona’s kids.
• , teachers, educational opportunities for Arizona's kids. education, classrooms, teachers, educational
• The reason for the state land trust is to generate these dollars for education.
• Yeah, she's not Carol, I'm a nurse, I get to the point. Hopefully quicker. Much.
• data makes my nurse heart happy, and with that I vote aye.

Bills: HB2014 , HB2055 , HB2145 , HB2150 , HB2696 , HB2755 , HB2763 , HB2781 , HB2782 , HB2787 , HB2795 , HB2889 , HB2975 , HB2985 , HB2986 , HCM2009 , HCR2020 , HCR2038

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, brackish groundwater, water supply development, desalination, Arizona Revised Statutes, water infrastructure, financial assistance, environmental reviews, fuel reformulation, gasoline standards, environmental regulations, ethanol supply, Air Quality, state land department, mineral lease, renewals

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:20:01.200><c> association</c> nursing association nursing association um<00:20:03.600><c> to</c><
• </c><02:11:36.079><c> if</c> they can return to the school nurse if they can return to the school nurse
• It was verified by the school nurse.
• A student going to serve on the State Board of Education that was before the House Education Committee
• that was before the House education that was before the House Education<02:34:38.479><c> Committee</

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, 75% of our nurses are RNs in Arkadelphia or traveling nurses, or they were.
• Of our nurses are RNs in Arkadelphia or traveling nurses, or they were.
• That means we're paying them way more than we are the current nurses because we can't hire nurses there
• You know, 75% of our nurses are RNs in Arkadelphia or traveling nurses, or they were.
• Of our nurses are RNs in Arkadelphia or traveling nurses, or they were.

Summary: The Joint State Agencies committee met to approve the October 8, 2025 minutes and then held an extended hearing on the death of Zachary Moore at the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center. DHS officials Lori McDonald, Jennifer Brise, and Melissa Weatherton described the HDC system, staffing and resident needs, and said Moore died after being held in a prone restraint for about 13 minutes, followed by a delayed chemical restraint and delayed CPR. They said the family settled a wrongful death claim for $725,000, 13 staff were terminated, the facility leadership was changed, and at least five staff had been criminally charged, with the death certificate later described as homicide and the cause of death as physiologic stress associated with struggle and prone restraint. Members pressed DHS on why the family was not kept informed, whether there was a written restraint protocol, how staff are trained, and why the agency did not have more complete information ready for the hearing. DHS said staff receive CPI restraint training, annual restraint training is mandatory, and a consultant is reviewing policies, retraining staff, and conducting a root cause analysis under a directed plan of correction from the Office of Long-Term Care. Legislators also raised broader concerns about low pay, staffing shortages, use of float and contract staff, and a waiting list of about 2,000 people for home- and community-based care. DHS said it is working on a retention and recruitment plan and a rate report for certain PASS services, but that the PASS rate study does not cover CNA pay. Several members said the incident reflected both a failure of restraint practice and a broader staffing and oversight problem. DHS acknowledged that prone restraint should not have been used, that the chemical restraint was given at the wrong time, and that multiple breakdowns occurred in supervision, communication, and equipment use. The committee also discussed whether there should be more regular independent audits of HDC policies, and DHS said it does not currently have a separate annual policy audit beyond existing oversight. At the end of the meeting, the committee asked DHS to keep it updated on recruitment, consultant reports, and to contact Moore’s mother about the communication she had been promised. The meeting adjourned without any additional formal action beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:33:57.279><c> homes</c> support for our nursing homes support for our nursing homes for<00:33
• </c><00:35:25.599><c> Child</c> tanif there's special education Child tanif there's special education
• Members, I would ask you for a yes vote on this amendment. education Revenue has meant to be the education
• levy sheets to track $3.8 billion in local property taxes for education.
• </c><01:18:44.320><c> home</c> long-term care and nursing home long-term care and nursing home facilities

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It would have a huge impact in our nursing homes. had a lot of extra money in the bank two had a lot
• Put on top of that what they might do to education and everything else.
• Put on top of that what they might do to education and everything else.
• Put on top of that what they might do to education and everything else.
• Put on top of that what they might do to education and everything else.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The nursing facility was just funded this year as far as the quality-based...
• I am not a nurse.
• But essentially, the nursing homes will... ...will process more cases, but essentially the nursing homes
• That happens on those nursing home cases.
• But I knew that when my grandmother was in a nursing home, she was, of course, a dual, and the nursing

Keywords: 962, all

Summary: The Complex Care Committee meeting focused first on a new Diabetes Caucus launched at the Capitol. Rep. Johnson described the caucus as a forum to educate people about type 1 and type 2 diabetes, genetic risk, early testing, pregnancy-related diabetes, and ways Medicaid policy might improve prevention and lower long-term costs. Members agreed the caucus could intersect with care management, and Carolyn Grandell of CHNCT offered to share information about current diabetes-related care management services at a future meeting. The committee then heard a detailed presentation from Alex Rigger of the Office of Health Strategy, who is moving to the Office of Policy and Management. He reviewed Connecticut health care benchmark data, including total health care expenditures, medical spending, and market-by-market trends. He said 2023 to 2024 per-capita spending grew more than 8.5% statewide and 14% in Medicaid, with long-term care accounting for about 46% of Medicaid spending and retail pharmacy also identified as a major cost driver. Members asked about enrollment changes, dual-eligible populations, Medicare Savings Program members, 340B drug pricing, and value-based payment models. Rigger explained that his office tracks alternate payment models and quality benchmarks, but does not separately capture 340B data. Discussion then shifted to Medicare Advantage, dual eligibles, and hospital discharge planning. Members said they want better data on how many Medicaid members are in Medicare Advantage plans and whether those plans shift costs back to Medicaid or affect access to care, especially for complex-care patients. Staff noted DSS does have some Medicare Advantage indicators and that CMS is developing encounter-data rules for states. Kathy Holt and others raised concerns about denials, nursing home stays, and the need to compare Medicaid spending for dual eligibles in Medicare Advantage versus traditional Medicare. The meeting ended with plans for follow-up data sharing, including Alex Rigger’s slides, the diabetes caucus materials, and a future discussion with DSS and other agencies; no formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lucy Salcedo Carter with the Alameda County Office of Education, in support. Thank you.
• Motion is due pass to the Education Committee. Becker, aye. Laird, aye. Perez, aye.
• Motion is due pass to Education Committee. Becker. Aye. Becker, aye. a chobo.
• Jacqueline Flores with California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform in strong support.
• Kenner, California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, in strong support. Thank you.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on disability services, food security, veterans, aging services, and child care. SB 969 by Senator Reyes would make permanent the option for Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities to receive certain regional center services remotely; supporters said remote services improve access, continuity, safety, and choice, and there was no opposition. The committee initially lacked a quorum, so action on the bill was delayed until later in the hearing, when it was moved on a 4-0 vote to Appropriations. SB 1025 by Senator Hurtado would create an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate state food programs, improve CalFresh enrollment, reduce duplication, and support a 24-hour hunger hotline; supporters framed it as a coordination and strategic-planning measure, while some members questioned whether existing programs should be evaluated first and whether the bill needed stronger reporting and accountability. It passed 3-0 to Governmental Organization. The committee also heard SB 1052 by Senator Gonzalez, which would allow the State Council on Developmental Disabilities to appoint contingent authorized representatives so people with developmental disabilities are not left without support if a parent or other primary helper becomes unavailable. Supporters, including families and disability advocates, described emergencies, immigration enforcement fears, and service interruptions as reasons for the bill; members asked about the current approval and renewal process and whether the annual renewal requirement could be streamlined. The bill passed 3-0 to Appropriations. SB 1077, also by Senator Gonzalez, would require the Department of Social Services to prepare for future federal shutdowns by creating a communications and contingency plan for CalFresh disruptions and a state-backed emergency benefits mechanism; supporters cited the 43-day federal shutdown and delays in benefits, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. Other measures discussed included SB 1201 by Senator McNerney, the No Hungry Heroes Act, which would seek waivers and direct referrals to protect veterans from federal SNAP changes and job-search-related income calculations; it passed 3-0 to Military and Veterans Affairs. SB 1261 by Senator Laird would let aging and disability resource connections continue operating during partner transitions so people do not lose access to “no wrong door” services; it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. SB 1110 by Senator Becker would update child care subsidy funding and reimbursement structures to better reflect direct family services and stabilize providers; the author said a provision tied to the budget would be removed, and the bill passed 4-0 to Education. Finally, SB 991 by Senator Menjivar was presented to improve how abuse and neglect findings in residential care facilities for the elderly are categorized in the licensing database, so serious abuse is not lumped together with lesser violations; testimony described examples of sexual assault and restraint being recorded as generic residents’ rights violations.

Transcript Highlights:

• schools and continuing technical education, who all will be partners in this.
• And so docs are nurse practitioners, dietitians.
• And parents are also getting education as well. I do want to circle I don't know.
• Parents are also getting education as well.
• You could be a great nurse practitioner. You could be a great behavioral psychologist.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Rural Health Transformation Committee met to receive an extensive briefing from the Department of Health and Human Services on North Dakota’s federal Rural Health Transformation award. HHS leaders Pat Traynor, Donna Auckland, Jonathan Ollum, and Krista Freming described the $198.9 million award, the tight federal timelines for obligating and liquidating funds, and the need for rapid procurement, CMS approval, and technical assistance. They outlined broad funding priorities including connect tech/data, care closer to home, workforce recruitment and retention, and a “Make North Dakota Healthy Again” prevention initiative focused on chronic disease, movement, nutrition, behavioral health, and community connection. They also emphasized that the program cannot fund new buildings or supplant existing funding, and that sustainability will be a key requirement for all projects. The department previewed likely first-round grant opportunities, including recruitment and retention incentives, technical assistance and equipment grants for rural providers, financial analysis support for rural hospitals, and exploration of a unified electronic health record option. Freming also reviewed four policy bills tied to the award: a presidential fitness test, nutrition continuing medical education, the Physician Assistant Compact, and pharmacist scope-of-practice changes, explaining that these policy actions affect future scoring and funding. HHS said it will work with tribes, local public health, hospitals, medical and pharmacy associations, and other partners, and will use a website, listserv, listening sessions, and committee updates to communicate opportunities. Committee members raised concerns about how the money will reach rural residents, whether newspapers and existing local communication networks will be used, how “rural” and “frontier” will be defined, how faith communities might participate in behavioral health efforts, and how HHS will avoid CMS delays and supplanting issues. HHS responded that the focus will be on where the patient lives and on rural community need, that local public health units and existing structures will be part of outreach, and that technical assistance and template applications will help speed approvals. The committee approved the December 4, 2025 minutes, then recessed into divisions for further work on the appropriations bill and the four policy bills, with the full committee set to reconvene the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• You don't see me saying, oh, woe is me, that I have to pay for someone else's education.
• MILLION TO NURSING HOMES, 20 MILLION TO ASSISTED LIVING, AND, 80 MILLION TO FQHCs.
• Nursing homes lose money every single day on Medicaid patients...
• Just this year alone, I've had two nursing homes close in my district. Just this year.
• We're fully funding the thing that you voted for: every level of public education.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation, then approved the prior day’s Journal and moved into motions, resolutions, and budget-related business. Senator Gianaris called up Senate Print 5898A for reconsideration; the Senate voted 59 ayes to restore the bill to the third reading calendar. Several amendments were also received on third-reading bills, and the Finance Committee was called into session while the chamber proceeded with resolutions. The Senate adopted Resolution J.2106 recognizing Second Chance Month and the mental health impacts of incarceration, with Senator Brisport speaking in support and a guest from the community recognized in the chamber. The body also adopted Resolution J.1492 designating May 27, 2026, as Taiwan Heritage Day, with remarks from Senators Sepúlveda, Stavisky, and Liu highlighting Taiwanese contributions to New York and expressing support for Taiwan amid current geopolitical tensions. The Finance Committee then reported several budget bills, including Senate Prints 9003D, 9004D, 9007C, and 9009C, which were moved to third reading. The remainder of the session focused on the supplemental and controversial budget calendars, especially tax and spending provisions. Senators debated the “Protecting Our Wallets” energy rebate, with supporters describing it as a one-time check for eligible taxpayers and critics arguing it was too small and not tied directly to utility bills; the chamber accepted the message of necessity and laid the bills aside. Members also debated extensions and changes to tax provisions affecting corporations, alternative fuel exemptions, Broadway and theatrical production tax credits, charitable deductions for certain 501(c)(3)s, nicotine pouch taxes, a new New York City pied-à-terre tax, and a standardbred horse-racing testing fee. Several senators criticized the budget as raising costs or favoring certain industries, while supporters defended the measures as revenue-raising, affordability, or public-health policies. No final votes on the controversial budget bills are shown in the excerpt beyond procedural rulings, adoption of the resolution calendar, and acceptance of committee reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• We could be looking into special education.
• Chair, have you seen any trends related to the dissolution of the federal Department of Education as
• And that because of that, it has helped us be able to recruit more nurses into full-time roles.
• The OSU program is starting up to be able to produce new nurses.
• the education process.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Education is about learning and it's about helping kids become better people and helping them learn in
• </c><00:02:53.200><c> Uh</c><00:02:53.680><c> education</c><00:02:54.160><c> is</c> repercussions for
• Uh education is repercussions for them.
• Uh education is about<00:02:54.640><c> learning</c><00:02:54.879><c> and</c><00:02:55.200><c> it's</c
• Is there a problem with the nursing home situation? Yeah, in a big way.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• THE PROGRAM ALLOWS INDIVIDUALS TO DIRECTLY HIGHER THE PROVIDERS OF CERTAIN NURSING AND PERSONAL CARE
• SERVICES ELIGIBLE AND AGAIN INCLUDE PERSONAL CARE SERVICES AND ADULT COMPANION SERVICES AND SELECTED NURSING
• PARTNERSHIP WITH FLORIDA COMMUNITY CARE AND OF THE STICK LISTEN SISTER AGENCIES WAS OUTREACH AND EDUCATION
• WHEN THEIR RISK PROFILE BECOME OF ACTUARIES HAD TO MAKE EDUCATED GUESSES.
• OUTREACH AND EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION, WE INTEND TO CONTINUE THROUGH THE PROCESS.

Transcript Highlights:

• “For sexual assault nurse examiners, they have to take days off to attend court and incur the expenses
• So it would be that if you are the nurse on the end of which is the hub site, you're a trained forensic
• I'm here to represent the Missouri Emergency Nurses Association.
• I like what I hear and see the purpose of this bill from a nursing standpoint.
• When I work as a staff nurse on the floor or in the clinic or an ED, I'm dealing with one patient that

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the Senate, Senate Bill 1234, by the Education Committee, an act relating to education, providing
• Today, LC State graduates are teachers of your children, nurses for those you love, small business owners
• The Idaho State Board of Education unanimously approved this legislation to move forward on April 16,
• It needs its teachers, nurses, career technical professionals, and more.
• It needs its teachers, nurses, career technical professionals, and more.

Summary: The Senate convened with 32 members present, heard prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the corrected journal. It then received committee reports referring newly printed Senate Bills 1261-1268 to the appropriate committees, and heard a gubernatorial appointment of Trent Ney to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, which was referred to the Commerce and Human Resources Committee. The Senate also received House Concurrent Resolution 25 from the House for introduction. In the 10th order, the Senate adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 116, concerning findings related to Water District 1. It also adopted Senate Resolution 113, a bipartisan measure condemning political violence and affirming the importance of peaceful political engagement. The Senate then adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 115, supporting consolidation of the Soil and Water Conservation Commission into the Idaho Department of Water Resources, with supporters citing efficiency, improved coordination, and continued support for local soil and water districts. Under final consideration, the Senate passed Senate Bill 1239, which revises Idaho sex offender law to extend residency protections to legally operating daycares approved by local governments as well as state-licensed facilities. It also passed Senate Bill 1234, which changes Lewis-Clark State College’s name to Lewis-Clark State University throughout Idaho Code, with supporters arguing the change better reflects the institution’s degree offerings and would reduce confusion without changing its mission or adding ongoing costs. Both bills were transmitted to the House, and the Senate adjourned until the next day after miscellaneous announcements about upcoming deadlines and the final day for non-privileged committee bill introductions.

Transcript Highlights:

• to ensure high-quality education for all students here in Massachusetts.
• Nurtury Early Education provides daily early education and care to 1,200 children ages 0 to 5 through
• We've heard a lot about how we're going to exacerbate education outcomes.
• In my nursing practice, I have In my nursing practice, I've witnessed several individuals with a history
• These hardships inspired his educational and career goals.

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

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hybrid hearing on a range of bills affecting children, families, disability rights, homelessness, and social services. Early testimony focused on H.215, which would support children experiencing homelessness by speeding access to child care vouchers and early intervention screenings. Boston officials, Horizons for Homeless Children, Head Start, pediatric and early education advocates, and families described delays in child care and early intervention, the developmental risks of homelessness, and the need for automatic referrals and faster access to services. Testimony also supported H.216, which would improve emergency housing assistance by restoring presumptive eligibility, reducing documentation barriers, extending shelter stays from six to nine months, and creating an ombudsperson; providers and legal advocates said current rules leave families sleeping in cars or outside and create unnecessary administrative hurdles. The committee also heard strong support for H.210, which would repeal the “Learn Fair” school attendance sanction that cuts cash assistance to families when children miss school. Advocates from legal aid, education, and anti-poverty organizations argued the policy is punitive, burdensome, and ineffective, disproportionately affecting low-income, disabled, and Hispanic/Latino families. Several speakers said chronic absenteeism should be addressed through supports such as family outreach, wraparound services, and school engagement rather than benefit cuts. Legislators and school officials from Salem also testified that their districts reduced absenteeism through supportive strategies, not sanctions. Additional testimony addressed children’s vision bills H.202 and H.166, with optometrists and researchers urging better screening, data systems, and treatment access to close achievement gaps caused by untreated vision problems. Senator Lovely also presented S.2714, proposing a study of discrimination in public accommodations for people with service animals. Later, testimony on H.279 supported changing social work licensure rules to remove exam requirements that speakers said disproportionately exclude multilingual candidates and candidates of color. The hearing also included testimony on bills related to the Judge Rotenberg Center and electric shock devices, with disability rights advocates opposing continued use of the devices and urging the committee to reject licensing or authorization for them. No votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing.