Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to move to DHS and then get the rest of the bill heard today. >> Great. Thank you, Mr.
• And please note, members, we are focusing move to DHS and then get the rest of the move to DHS and then
• So add a team at DHS to assist counties in areas where they have large backlogs.
• And the last piece of this proposal is to do a comprehensive study on all of the programs that DHS is
• So add a team at DHS counties are doing.

Bills: HF4609, HF4401

Keywords: infertility, fertility treatment, fertility preservation, IVF, assisted reproductive technology, ART, oocyte retrieval, embryo transfer, egg freezing, sperm freezing, reproductive health, maternity coverage, health insurance mandate, health plan benefits, Medical Assistance, Medicaid, MinnesotaCare, family planning, oncology fertility preservation, chemotherapy

Transcript Highlights:

• through to anyone at DHS. through to anyone at DHS.
• Uh, the provision also creates a benefit cliff, as uh DHS testified.
• Uh, the provision also creates a benefit cliff, as uh DHS testified.
• Um, DHS has made certification periods.
• <01:15:19.199> and representatives of the DHS and representatives of the DHS and qualifying

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :14:18.040> other<00:14:18.399> testifiers<00:14:18.959> from<00:14:19.399> DHS
• This specifically has to deal with the amount of requests that DHS has gotten in, so we'll start off
• with that third paragraph where the line starts: DHS continues to experience an increase in OA requests
• This specifically has to deal with the amount of requests that DHS has gotten in, so we'll start off
• with that third paragraph where the line starts: DHS continues to experience an increase in OA requests

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs heard several bills on January 27, 2025. SB 24, relating to identification, would require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to help inmates obtain civil ID cards and other vital documents for reentry. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from DCR, the Hawaiʻi Correctional System Oversight Commission, DHS, the Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center, health and youth advocates, and others, with comments emphasizing that reentry should begin on day one and that lack of identification is a major barrier to housing and employment. A senator asked about the low number of IDs issued in 2022 and DCR said it already has a satellite ID card machine at Hālawa and plans to procure more for other facilities. The committee recommended passage of SB 24 as is. SB 474, relating to psychologists, would require DCR clinical psychologists to obtain licensure within 10 years of employment and would sunset in 2035. DCR strongly supported the bill, citing a severe staffing shortage, low exam passage rates, and many vacant positions, while the Hawaiʻi Psychological Association expressed concerns and one testifier argued psychologists serving incarcerated people should be licensed before employment. Committee members questioned whether the 10-year period was too long and discussed alternative solutions such as pay incentives and shortage differentials. The committee ultimately recommended passage with amendments, shortening the licensure period to 5 years, moving the sunset to July 1, 2030, and making other technical changes. SB 353, relating to emergency management, would clarify emergency authority, bar suspension of public records or vital statistics requests during emergencies, define “severe warning,” and allow the legislature or city councils to terminate a state of emergency. DHS and HMA opposed the bill, arguing it could limit executive flexibility and cut off access to the major disaster fund, while supporters included public-interest and good-government groups. The committee discussed whether legislative termination authority could interfere with ongoing emergency response and recovery, with the bill’s sponsor explaining it was aimed more at situations where emergency conditions have ended, such as prolonged COVID-era proclamations. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including a delayed effective date and committee report notes referencing DHS request data and HMA’s opposition. The committee also heard SB 259, relating to recordkeeping for secondhand dealers and pawn brokers, and SB 37, relating to recordings of law enforcement activities. SB 259 was set for amendment and deferred decision-making to January 29, 2025, so the committee could seek input from HPD. SB 37 drew support from the Legal Clinic and other advocates, with a clarifying question about civil enforcement actions, and the committee recommended passage with amendments and a delayed effective date. The meeting concluded with the committee adopting its recommendations and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• , which means DHS is notified of every person who is in local custody.
• , which means DHS is notified of every person who is in local custody.
• , which means DHS is notified of every person who is in local custody.
• DHS, which means DHS fingerprints with DHS, which means DHS is<00:07:16.600> notified<00:07:17.480
• And DHS has the ability, local custody.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the staff from the agency uh from DHS the staff from the agency uh from DHS and<00:02:05.680>
• authorizations as well as uh DHS authorizations as well as uh DHS approval<00:15:16.800> of
• um due to some TA we received from DHS um due to some TA we received from DHS in<01:14:15.120>
• 14:20.560> adds<01:14:20.960> fees increases DHS licensing fees, adds fees increases DHS
• DHS. But for just a moment, if something DHS.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Members met to review a budget bill agreement using a nonpartisan spreadsheet and summary materials. Chairs and members thanked fiscal, research, revisers, and agency staff for the collaborative process, noting the bill had been difficult and that the final product reflected compromise. The chair also said only minor technical changes were expected before final enactment, and the spreadsheet walkthrough was then turned over to fiscal staff. Fiscal staff explained that the agreement met the overall budget target and walked through major human services provisions. Key items included nursing facility payment changes, including a phased PDPM change, APS inflation, modified single-bed incentives, and a CPI-U capped payment cap; a nursing facility surcharge; workforce standards board rule costs; continuation of certain nursing facility property tax rates; regulation of for-profit acquisitions of nursing homes and assisted living facilities; repurposing assisted living special project funds; funding the SEIU self-directed worker agreement; CFSS reimbursement in acute care hospital settings; and multiple disability waiver rate and authorization changes, including CPI-U inflation caps, waiver authorization reforms, and a waiver reimagined advisory task force. The agreement also included family residential service rate increases, a temporary extension of customized living disproportionate share payments, tribal eligibility for targeted case management, positive supports training changes, out-of-home respite modifications, swimming lessons as an allowable service for certain children with disabilities, a provisional EID provider license, and program integrity services funded by licensing fee increases. Additional provisions covered MinnChoices studies and assumed savings, behavioral health fund changes, substance use disorder treatment billing and rate changes, supportive recovery housing, housing support supplemental rates for specific providers, disability determinations, enteral nutrition payment timing, temporary funding for Boundary Waters Care Center, several one-time human services grants, senior nutrition funding, and grant reductions and extensions. No formal vote was described in the transcript; the discussion focused on explaining the agreement and its fiscal effects.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rolling into that, where are we at with DHS?
• When I had OMEs and DHS in the same room, It was because they could get them cheaper through DHS.
• But when I had OMEs and DHS in the same room, they did not get what what DHS showed them.
• DHS was in that meeting, if my if if I remember right.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires DHS to conduct an analysis of the cost to staff or construct or renovate an existing structure
• So I first want to just say a quick thank you to DHS, Governor's Office, AG's Office, Speaker, and the
• DHS doesn't know. We don't know what states could take on these individuals.
• DHS doesn't know. We don't know what states could take on these individuals.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus briefly reviewed House Bill 2307, which addresses the placement and treatment of dangerous, incompetent defendants when no secure mental health beds are available in Arizona. Staff explained the Senate amendments would allow one such defendant to be housed temporarily at the Arizona State Hospital in a secure setting, require DHS to study the cost of building or converting a secure facility on ASH grounds, create a study committee on long-term secure mental health facility options, and include an emergency clause. The sponsor said the bill is intended as a temporary fix while the state works toward a permanent secure facility, and noted the individual would receive mental health treatment aimed at restoring competency to stand trial. Members asked about where the person would be housed, whether treatment would be provided, and whether out-of-state compacts might be used if needed. The group then discussed House Bill 272, which as passed the House would have created an optional state certification program for lactation care providers and a related advisory committee under the Arizona Department of Health Services. Staff reported that the Senate adopted a strike-everything amendment turning the bill into an emergency measure repealing Dr. Cesar Estrada Chavez Day. The sponsor, Representative Fink, was reported to concur with the Senate amendments. No votes were taken during the caucus discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a current employee of DHS, and I am one of the very, very few DHS employees who can publicly speak
• I'm a current employee of DHS, and I am one of the very, very few DHS employees who can publicly speak
• Um, but as minor as they were, it was not something that DHS leadership could hear.
• I was banned from all DHS-owned and licensed property.
• Here's what DHS did, here's what DCY, here's what Department of A did. Here's where they're at.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: Judge Tim O’Malley, Minnesota’s director of program integrity, presented a roadmap to program integrity and fraud prevention built around nine areas for improvement, including leadership and culture, stronger program controls, better coordination among agencies and prosecutors, training, technology modernization, independent oversight, stakeholder engagement, and expanded resources. He said long-standing vulnerabilities in state programs have been exploited by organized criminals, and argued the state must shift from reactive enforcement to front-end prevention, faster detection, and recovery of improper payments. He emphasized that modern data sharing and analytics are especially urgent, and said oversight and accountability are essential for lasting change. Fay Bernstein, a long-time DHS employee, testified that she experienced retaliation after raising contract compliance concerns years ago. She said she was removed from the building, barred from DHS property, investigated for months, and accused of racism and threatening leadership, which she denied. Bernstein argued DHS leadership lacks a fraud-prevention mindset and said the department’s culture punishes employees who speak up, while serious program failures have harmed vulnerable Minnesotans. She called for major leadership changes and firings at DHS. Members questioned O’Malley about whether fraud was driven more by sophisticated criminals or by weaknesses in state systems. He said the vulnerabilities have existed for a long time and organized criminal groups are taking advantage of them, especially where data sharing is weak. Members also pressed him on whistleblower protections and retaliation; O’Malley said he should have included the legislature among places employees can report concerns, and said complaints should be thoroughly investigated with accurate information and appropriate consequences for supervisors who fail to act, ranging from coaching to termination depending on the case. No votes or formal actions were taken in this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to work with policymakers, DHS, and counties and are also engaged in the upcoming meeting to
• to weeks with the advocates and with DHS to talk<00:18:14.320> through<00:18:14.640> some<
• 00:18:44.320> with<00:18:44.559> policy<00:18:44.960> makers,<00:18:45.600> DHS
• We want to work with policy makers, DHS We want to work with policy makers, DHS and<00:18:46.559
• and the Department of with both uh DHS and the Department of Commerce<00:23:49.280> when<00:23

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 282 establishes the Childhood Cancer and Rare Childhood Disease Research Commission within DHS
• The Senate amended the bill to require the DHS director rather than the commission to award the grants
• We're working with DHS.
• So while this bill was sitting on the Senate, DHS suggested some improvements in case we have a dry year

Summary: The caucus reviewed several House bills with Senate amendments and conference committee changes. HB 282 would create the Childhood Cancer and Rare Childhood Disease Research Commission and direct DHS to award grants for pediatric cancer and rare disease research; the sponsor said the bill is intended to better use existing funds and federal or donated money, and the Senate amendment shifts grant-awarding authority to the DHS director and requires at least $5 million in funding. HB 2096 would let WIFA assist counties with cesspool remediation, replacement, or closure; the Senate added water-quality compliance language and definitions, and the sponsor said the bill helps smaller counties address illegal cesspools. HB 2749 would reclassify certain non-dangerous felonies as class 1 misdemeanors when criteria are met; the Senate added exclusions for some offenses and a delayed repeal date, and the sponsor’s concurrence was noted. HB 4001 would establish licensing for alternative nicotine product manufacturers and distributors, add enforcement and penalties for sales to minors, and the sponsor emphasized product tracking, stronger enforcement, and protections against youth-targeted marketing. The committee also discussed conference committee versions of HB 2010, HB 2874, HB 2133, and HB 2003. HB 2010 concerns advertising disclosures for digital goods and prorated refunds; the conference amendment limited refunds to digital goods purchased for $20 or more under specified license terms and increased the annual reduction rate. HB 2874 deals with campaign committee termination statements and penalties for late or missing reports; the conference amendment added public disclosure of committees owing penalties, capped penalties, required termination statements in some cases, and added an emergency clause. HB 2133 requires consent and age verification for publishing sexual material online, including AI-generated material; the conference amendment added exceptions for certain preexisting rated films and TV productions and adjusted definitions. HB 2003 lowers the age for an instruction permit to 15 and extends the permit-holding period for some teen drivers; the conference amendment grandfathered permit holders who are at least 15 and a half years old on November 30, 2026 so they are not subject to the longer waiting period. No votes were taken in the transcript, and the caucus ended after questions and brief explanations from staff and sponsors.

Transcript Highlights:

• In developing the rate study, our contracted vendor in partnership with DHS met with numerous community
• <00:01:46.280> uh<00:01:46.759> met<00:01:47.000> with partnership with DHS
• I wanted to again start by thanking the DHS folks, Miss Director Grammy and Mr.
• disorder rates as described in the DHS disorder rates as described in the DHS study<00:52:24.520
• But again, usually it's closer, more like— things from DHS that are on a different things from DHS that

Bills: HF1005

Keywords: health insurance, medical assistance, behavioral health, reimbursement rates, primary care services, physician fee schedule, managed care, residential services, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• These are DHS proposals related to day services and DTN rates.
• sections 13 and 15 are DHS sections 13 and 15 are DHS proposals<00:47:33.119> related<00:
• managers sections 14 and 16 are DHS managers sections 14 and 16 are DHS technical<00:47:44.480><
• Yeah, and DHS is saying there's a cost, but you know what I'm thinking, Senator?
• I believe this is technical assistance provided from DHS.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We already have a pilot project with DHS at two different facilities dealing with SNAP benefits before
• We already have a pilot project with DHS at two different facilities dealing with SNAP benefits before
• We already have a pilot project with DHS at two different facilities dealing with SNAP benefits before
• We already have a pilot project with DHS at two different facilities dealing with SNAP benefits before
• at two different pilot project with DHS at two different facilities<00:15:47.160> dealing<00:

Bills: HB389, HB1166, HB1510, HB1541, HB1605, HB1661, HB1663, HB1678, HB1769, HB1785, HB1801, HB1802, HB1815, HB1824, HB1838, HB1840, HB1853, HB1860, HB1891, HB1952, HB1960, HB1969, HB1970, HB1972, HB1976, HB2050, HB2094, HB2104, HB2158, HB2165, HB2171, HB2208, HB2246, HB2271, HB2300, HB2310, HB2315, HB2319, HB2338, HB2339, HB2343, HB2443, HB2498, HB2551, HB2599, HB2606, SB17, SB83, SB99, SB148, SB411, SB709, SB847, SB874, SB888, SB1032, SB1166, SB2001, SB2014, SB2031, SB2041, SB2050, SB2057, SB2061, SB2074, SB2075, SB2089, SB2095, SB2101, SB2102, SB2108, SB2109, SB2110, SB2125, SB2135, SB2138, SB2140, SB2146, SB2151, SB2152, SB2175, SB2203, SB2239, SB2246, SB2247, SB2253, SB2261, SB2268, SB2271, SB2272, SB2320, SB2340, SB2347, SB2353, SB2363, SB2367, SB2372, SB2376, SB2386

Keywords: HB389, uncrewed aircraft, drone, drones, UAS, unmanned aerial vehicle, misuse of uncrewed aircraft, criminal offense, felony enhancement, drone crime, public safety, police, deputy sheriff, fire department, intoxicated operation, registration number tampering, property damage, bodily injury, Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Package, Hawaii Revised Statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• Several months ago, we talked to somebody at DHS, and they said, well, we could change the rule, but
• and an employee of a group home or behavioral-supported group home to complete a form prescribed by DHS
• The amendment also requires DHS to conduct an investigation if the department receives a complaint from
• Specifically to your question, Senator, there are already violation requirements in DHS statutes and
• And then when you follow after, when an EMT or the mandatory reporter files a complaint, does DHS come

Bills: SB1176, SB1186, SB1235, SB1286, SB1446, SB1458, SB1515, SB1616, SB1641, SB1668, SB1670, SB1678, SB1747, SB1787

Keywords: stormwater, water storage, replenishment credits, groundwater, aquifer, Arizona Revised Statutes, disclosure, state contracts, procurement records, donations, transparency, EMS, reciprocity, interstate compact, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, licensure, public safety, military personnel, veterinary telemedicine

Summary: The committee approved the minutes and then heard Senate Bill 1668, which would extend the deadline for funeral establishments or responsible persons to submit required documentation from seven calendar days to 14 business days and make related changes involving disposition of unborn or stillborn children, minors, and abortion clinic forms. Funeral industry testimony said the current timelines are difficult to meet and create stress for grieving families, while a mother described problems caused by requiring an ex-spouse’s signature after her child’s death. The bill passed on a 4-3 vote, with some members supporting the timing and family-law fixes and others objecting to the abortion-clinic provisions. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1286, on veterinary telemedicine prescriptions. An amendment shortened the telemedicine prescription period for non-antimicrobial drugs from 60 days to 30 days, allowed antimicrobial prescriptions for up to 14 days based on an electronic exam, and barred further antimicrobial prescriptions without an in-person exam. Veterinarians and the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association moved to neutral on the amended bill but warned about safety, overprescribing, and the limits of telemedicine; supporters argued it would improve access for rural, elderly, and low-income pet owners. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill as amended on a 4-3 vote. Senate Bill 1235, creating the emergency services personnel licensure interstate compact, passed unanimously after sponsor testimony that it would improve reciprocity for EMTs and paramedics and help military personnel. Senate Bill 1446, which would change dialysis-center social worker documentation from monthly to quarterly, also passed unanimously, with DeVita Dialysis Services saying the change would reduce paperwork and align Arizona with federal and most-state practice. Senate Bill 1515, a cleanup bill for the Industrial Commission of Arizona that renames positions, removes outdated duties, and changes publication of fee schedules, passed after an amendment and supportive agency testimony. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1678, which would require direct-care staff in certain facilities to complete patient information forms and reestablish the Vulnerable Adult Systems Study Committee. An amendment removed the form requirement and instead required DHS to investigate complaints from EMS personnel about missing DNR orders; first responders and provider groups supported the revised approach, though some members wanted minority-party appointments added to the study committee. The bill passed as amended on a 6-0-1 vote. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 1747 on social media protections for minors, with the sponsor framing it as a child-safety measure and opponents from NetChoice, TechNet, and Meta warning about privacy risks, age-verification problems, constitutional concerns, and the possibility that teens would evade restrictions; supporters argued parents need stronger controls and pointed to app-store-based alternatives, but no vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• DHS needs the spending authority to send the funds back because they had administered the program when
• D is a letter from the Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health at DHS.
• Yeah, I'd like to ask DHS to come to the table. All right.
• Yeah, I have a question on the DHS number five.
• All right, do we have anyone from DHS to answer your question on item number five?

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been trying to reform the former DHS in many ways, and this was one of the models that came out.
• I've been trying to reform the<00:01:21.360> former<00:01:21.759> DHS<00:01:22.400>
• ways<00:01:23.360> and<00:01:23.840> this<00:01:24.159> was the former DHS
• in many ways and this was the former DHS in many ways and this was one<00:01:24.479> of<00:01

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we will start with the DHS commissioner's update. Recognize Commissioner Lori Weaver and Mr.
• Um, Dave Weers, chief operating officer for DHS. I appreciate your time today.
• bringing it back to an advisory committee that is made up of our providers in our community as well as DHS
• employees um to community as well as DHS employees um to manage<00:05:02.000> the<00:05:02.639
• very excited to be working with um DHS very excited to be working with um DHS and<00:24:22.320><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting opened without a quorum, so approval of the prior draft minutes was deferred until later. The committee then heard a DHS update from Commissioner Lori Weaver and COO David Weers, who described the recent flood at the Brown building and the relocation of nearly 400 DHS staff while operations are restored. They also outlined New Hampshire Care Connections, a privacy- and consent-focused closed-loop referral platform intended to improve referrals among providers, reduce duplication, and support continuity of care, with an Upper Valley implementation partnered with Dartmouth Health and an Epic integration already underway. Members asked whether the system would merge medical records or simply track referrals. DHS said it is not intended to store or transmit full medical records, but to integrate with providers’ electronic health record systems so referrals can be sent, received, and tracked, with consent controls limiting what information can be shared. Officials said the project will be tested over the coming months, with metrics, governance, and advisory committee oversight, and that it is tied to broader rural health transformation efforts and statewide implementation after the regional pilot. The committee also received the annual report from the Child Care Advisory Council. Maryanne Barter and Jessica Carver said the council worked with licensing to streamline the child care licensing rules, reducing the handbook by about 30%, and is now helping develop an informal dispute resolution process, revising the Granite Steps for Quality system, and creating a clearer handbook for providers handling state scholarship audits. They reported ongoing concern about child care closures and workforce shortages, said there is currently no wait list for child care assistance, and discussed questions about federal CCDF immunization requirements, which DHS said it would follow up on with federal technical assistance partners. After quorum was established, the committee moved to approve the minutes from the prior meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• we can request that someone from DHS we can request that someone from DHS come<01:02:05.320>
• Of like, what does DHS think is supposed to happen?
• The governor and DHS and the OIG designed a method to put these people in this position.
• DHS and the OIG designed a method to put these people in this position.
• <01:14:11.600> people highest and then the two at DHS people highest and then the two at DHS

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I've asked DHS to come and give us a presentation this morning covering all of what we do... ...to
• But if Janet Mann will come forth, Miss Misty Eubanks will come forth from DHS, we'll get this morning
• I just think it's really important for us to see what DHS is spending their money on.
• Our DHS, we pay for those in addition to cost settlements to eligible Medicaid hospitals.
• That actually is an accounting mechanism that helps DHS when they are doing the cost settlements for

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These just move money around from one budget activity to the DHS budget after the various changes that
• This is also a new proposal that will increase DHS licensing fees and add fees for program integrity
• It authorizes DHS to draw down federal match for re-entry.
• To this committee, we appreciate your review of the DHS Outpatient Medicaid Rate Study.
• Additional DHS oversight could be added to this language.

Bills: HF2434

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding