Video & Transcript Research : 'unlicensed practice'
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HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EDN Public Hearing - Thu Mar 19, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- And while they were practicing, they wore shirts that said, "Pay us what you owe us."
- practice in the United States? practice in the United States?
- implement best practices implement best practices >> to<00:41:33.040>
make <00:41:33.280 - >> I mean, we do agree it's best practice.
- They need to de taking practice.
Summary:
The committee on Education met on March 19 and moved through several bills under time pressure, hearing mostly brief testimony. SB 2024 SD2 and SB 896 SD2, both concerning public-private partnerships for charter school facilities, drew support from the Department of Education, the Charter School Commission, White Kids Can, and Hawaii Technology Academy. DOE said any P3 model should apply only to charter schools on private land and not affect public schools on DOE land. Supporters argued the approach could speed construction, reduce costs, and keep public money in public assets, while UPW and HGA raised concerns about privatization. In response, SFA said the intent was to mirror the existing conversion charter school model, with public ownership of assets and unionized staff, and noted some regions have waited years for schools.
SB 2613 SD1 on TMK transfers was heard next. DOE said the bill had originally been supported as part of the governor’s package but was amended to require DOE to convey lands for 13 libraries on DOE property, which DOE said would create “donut holes” in campuses and was unnecessary because existing agreements already govern library use. The State Public Library System supported the bill, saying it has long coexisted with DOE but needs clearer separation and more reliable control over its sites. The Attorney General’s office said the library system currently lacks express statutory authority to own real property and flagged implementation issues because some of the affected parcels are not currently owned by DOE. Committee members questioned both sides about current agreements, communication, and how the bill would change operations.
SB 494 SD2, concerning charter school audits, received comments from the Charter School Commission, which said the bill was redundant because charter schools already undergo annual audits during the term of their contracts. The Office of the Auditor was also present. SB 2391 SD2, relating to automatic pay increases for teachers, drew strong opposition from the Office of Collective Bargaining, which said step movement and longevity increases are negotiated in each contract and do not automatically carry over when a contract expires; it warned the bill could affect upcoming negotiations with HSTA. HSTA and several other supporters argued the bill would standardize annual step movement, improve retention, and reflect existing contract language. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- SB 17 would require common sense safeguards, adopting standards of safety and accountability practices
- I practiced complex litigation for 40 years. The Cattle Growers oppose SB 17.
- warfare, our kids are confronted with the threat from guns in their day-to-day lives and have to practice
- warfare, our kids are confronted with the threat from guns in their day-to-day lives and have to practice
- dealer, all unsecured. ammunition, all bought from an unlicensed dealer, all unsecured.
Keywords:
SB38, pet food, registered pet food, registration fee, fees, sunset repeal, repeal of repeal, revenue, state fee, business regulation, animal feed, pet food registration, New Mexico, gun control, firearm safety, dealer regulation, illegal trade, background checks, sexual crimes, statute of limitations
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Executive Departments and Administration (04/15/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- But what this uh practice for anything.
- Were the worst-kept secrets in all of town and, um, as unlicensed establishments, because there's no
- Ty Flower Salon by an unlicensed massage therapist.
- Um, current practice that we see inadvertently... I'll follow up if that's okay.
- Um current practice<01:12:01.679>
that <01:12:02.000>we <01:12:02.239>see <01:12:
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Sep 4th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 694 by Senator Archuleta and others, relating to unfair business practices.
- I understand that the senator is trying to address this by banning these unlicensed operators.
- And last but not least, I would like to just say one thing about the predatory practices.
- Assembly Bill 578 by Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan, an act relating to business practices.
- He truly found his calling in 1987 when he joined the oral surgery practice of Dr. Ronald B.
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then handled a long consent and concurrence calendar. Early procedural actions included moving several bills to the inactive file, waiving the floor amendment deadline for certain measures, rescinding prior action on SB 733, and approving a motion to withdraw AB 710 from committee to the third reading file by a 42-12 vote. The chamber also re-referred AB 406 to Labor and Employment and later AB 754 to Housing, while taking up numerous Senate and Assembly measures out of order to accommodate authors and guests.
The body adopted several resolutions recognizing October 2025 as California Promotoras Month (HR 58), National Fried Rice Day and National Rice Month (HR 71), Direct Support Professional Recognition Week (HR 70), and All California Day (HR 67). Members also concurred in Senate amendments on a wide range of bills covering insurance, horses, emergency vehicles, health facilities, restitution, education, tribal regalia at graduation, behavioral health, air pollution, energy, dams, greenhouse gases, foster youth, court interpreters, tenancy language access, patient privacy notices, discrimination in school facility rentals, hospital visitation rights, diversion, agriculture, insurance studies, electricity, and environmental stewardship. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, though a few drew recorded noes.
Several higher-profile policy bills drew debate. SB 694 on veteran claim assistance generated the most extensive discussion, with supporters arguing it would stop predatory, unaccredited companies from charging veterans for VA claims help, and opponents warning it could reduce veterans’ choices and should be paired with broader fixes to county VSO access; the bill ultimately passed 46-0. Other notable actions included concurrence on SB 576 limiting loud streaming ads, SB 512 on transportation tax initiatives, and SB 785 creating a tax credit for durable medical equipment for children with complex medical needs. The Assembly also concurred in SB 250 on Medi-Cal provider directories, SB 831 on the Geological Survey, SB 788 on CPA regulation, SB 456 on muralist licensing, SB 72 on the California Water Plan, SB 76 on used-car fee protections, SB 246 on rural health workforce support, SB 484 on coastal affordable housing, SB 680 on sex offender registration, SB 695 on climate-resilient highway projects, and SB 783 on outdoor advertising. Votes were overwhelmingly favorable across the board, with the chamber repeatedly adopting Senate amendments and resolutions by voice vote or recorded roll call.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Apr 23rd, 2025
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- So all I'm saying is that particular practice does not produce the result that we want, and it further
- And a good portion of them, except for the first one, are the result of this practice.
- This restriction has fueled the growth of illegal sales. and untitled vehicles operated by unlicensed
- That’s certainly happening, and it's unlicensed, unregulated operators doing this.
- At the end of the day, I think that this is a practical measure. We are being responsible.
Bills:
HB1455, HB1777, HB2101, HB2136, HB2609, HB3142, HB3552, HB3846, HB4155, HB4514, HB4879, HB4995, HB5014, HB5139, HB5228, HB5436, HCR40
Keywords:
mental health, jail diversion, law enforcement, reporting requirements, criminal justice, data collection, criminal justice reform, intellectual disability, mental illness, data reporting, public safety, reporting, substance abuse, sex offender, driver's license, identification, gunshot detection, unreported gunshots, municipal police, crime investigation
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- But if we're talking about NADOs, they've been practicing here.
- No training, no regulatory practices put in place to tell these people you can’t do this.
- No regulatory practices are put in place to tell these people, you can’t do this.
- I'm here today as a voice for my brother and others who were victimized by this practice.
- As you get into your practice, you need to continue training, like an athlete.
Keywords:
body donation, medical science, forensic science, willed body program, informed consent, boarding home, boarding home facility, adult care home, group home, assisted living, county reporting, municipal reporting, annual report, reasonable accommodation, fair housing, disability accommodation, local ordinance, permit requirement, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 2480, which would clarify that the Texas Medical Board may collect license renewal surcharge fees from all licensees to fund the Texas Physician Health Program and related administrative costs. The bill author explained the funding fix was needed after prior language was found to allow surcharges only for physicians and physician assistants. Witnesses from the Texas Physician Health Program supported the measure and described the program’s confidential monitoring and treatment services; members asked about the fee amount, which was described as capped at $15 per two-year registration cycle. The bill was left pending.
The committee then took up Senate Bills 1406 and 2721, both authored by Senator Parker, addressing the handling of human remains by non-transplant anatomical donation organizations, willed body programs, and related facilities. Senator Parker and several witnesses described alleged abuses involving unclaimed bodies, consent problems, body leasing, hotel-based dissections, and mishandling of cremains, and argued for strict licensing, inspections, transparency, and criminal penalties. Supporters included families of deceased veterans and other relatives, a biomedical ethicist, the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, and some public safety and hotel industry representatives who said legitimate training should continue but bad actors should be shut down. Opponents or cautious witnesses from accredited donation organizations and bioskills labs said they support stronger oversight but warned the bills could unintentionally disrupt legitimate medical education and urged clearer language and implementation of existing law. Both bills were left pending.
Senate Bill 1681, by Senator Menendez, would require counties and municipalities that regulate boarding homes to report facility standards and related information to the Health and Human Services Commission. The author said the bill is intended to improve state oversight of boarding homes that serve elderly and disabled residents and to address abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The bill was left pending after brief discussion.
After the testimony portion, the committee returned to voting on pending business and unanimously reported Senate Bills 527, 912, 1580, 1952, and 2032 to the Senate with recommendations that they do pass and be printed, and each was also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 407 and reported the substitute favorably, with six ayes and three nays. The committee then moved on to Senate Bill 500 as pending business.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- True of so many things in practice.
- 20 minutes of day of practice reading. 20 minutes of day of practice reading.
- And so our minutes a day of practice.
- >
and <00:39:30.400>they inequitable pricing practices, and they inequitable pricing practices - practicable and workable. Thank you. practicable and workable. Thank you.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- purposes like a medical clinic practical purposes like a medical clinic and<00:13:44.160>
whether - unregulated unlicensed unregulated unlicensed programs<00:20:39.080>
that <00:20:39.600> <00:21:30.679>program <00:21:31.679>all of an unregulated unlicensed program all of - an unregulated unlicensed program all across<00:21:32.200>
the <00:21:32.360>state <00: - Representative standard HIPAA practices are in place in these centers, absolutely, for data protection
Keywords:
pregnancy support, women's health, maternity homes, nonprofit organizations, grant funding, abortion, family services, tax relief fund, budget surplus, surplus revenue, tax rebate, tax refund, one-time refund, income tax, property tax, constitutional amendment, Minnesota Constitution, general fund, budget reserve, taxpayer relief
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- They are just the unlicensed exempt homestead food operations. Thank you. All right. Any others?
- They are just the unlicensed exempt homestead food operations. Thank you. All right. Any others?
- They are just the unlicensed exempt homestead food operations. Thank you. All right. Any others?
- They are just the unlicensed exempt homestead food operations. Thank you. All right. Any others?
- <00:22:32.320>
food the unlicensed exempt homestead food the unlicensed exempt homestead food
VA
Transcript Highlights:
- This would require the Department of Ed to convene a work group to determine best practices.
- This deals with unlicensed cameras.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Apr 15th, 2025 at 10:04 am
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- And waiving deductibles and the unlicensed practice of public adjusting are addressed in laws elsewhere
- And waiving deductibles and the unlicensed practice of public adjusting are addressed in laws elsewhere
- , not here in. ...and the unlicensed practice of public adjusting are addressed in laws elsewhere, not
- I'm a pediatrics resident practicing in Austin.
- I also happen to be a lawyer who has been practicing about 25 years.
Bills:
HB2963, HB3005, HB3287, HB3288, HB3289, HB3290, HB3344, HB3712, HB3862, HB3874, HB4196, HB4308, HB4901, HB4984
Keywords:
digital equipment, repair rights, manufacturers, maintenance, consumer rights, construction contracts, payment regulations, public works, dispute resolution, audit procedures, construction, trust funds, mechanic's lien, contractor, subcontractor, residential properties, disputes, payment obligations, accountability, payment disputes
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several bills related to technology, construction, economic development, and consumer protection. HB 3862 would restrict minors’ access to certain social media apps and limit smartphone use in classrooms; supporters, including Champions for Childhood, argued that smartphones and social media contribute to addiction, distraction, depression, self-harm, and trafficking risks, and the bill was left pending. HB 3712 would change Texas retainage rules so owners could not withhold payment on specially fabricated construction materials once they are delivered, approved, and warranted; subcontractors and suppliers said current retainage practices delay payment for years and create financial risk, and the bill was left pending. HB 2963, the right-to-repair bill, would require manufacturers to provide parts, tools, and information for independent repair of digital devices, with exemptions for medical devices, vehicles under existing agreements, and trade-secret protections; consumer, environmental, business, and repair advocates supported it, while Safelite asked that automotive manufacturers not be excluded from the bill, and it was left pending. HB 4308 would create county industrial development districts to attract major employers and finance infrastructure through local elections and bonds; Fort Bend County supported it as a tool to add jobs and broaden the tax base, and it was left pending.
The committee also heard HB 3344, which would create a licensing system for re-roofing contractors, require insurance and bonding, and establish a public database and complaint process. Supporters said it would help curb storm chasers and protect homeowners after storms, while opponents argued it would add burdens on legitimate small roofers, duplicate existing fraud laws, and potentially restrict consumer choice and contractor pricing flexibility. After extensive testimony and questions, the bill was left pending. HB 4196 would create a task force on modernizing manufacturing through digital integration and automation; Schneider Electric and the Texas Workforce Commission supported it as a way to improve competitiveness and create skilled jobs, and it was left pending. HB 3874 would require contractors to receive copies of incorporated contract documents before signing if requested; subcontractors and construction attorneys said it would improve transparency and prevent parties from being bound by unseen terms, and it was left pending.
In pending business, the committee voted out several bills. HB 74, creating the Port Verde Port Authority District, was reported favorably to the full House without amendment. HB 112, relating to a science park in certain counties, was reported favorably as substituted. HB 2214, on floodplain notice requirements for leased dwellings, HB 3016, on rental vehicle damage waivers, HB 3133, on explicit deepfake material on social media, HB 3173, on workforce development program planning and evaluation, HB 3807, on child care waiting list priority for children of certain child care workers, HB 463, on unilateral memoranda of contract for residential property, HB 4115, on shareholder proposals to certain domestic corporations, and HB 5008, on use of the Skills Development Fund by certain entities, were all reported favorably, most without amendment and some as substituted. HB 2652, creating a certified caregiver pilot program in the Borderplex workforce area, was also reported favorably and sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 14th, 2026 at 08:34 am
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- provided are really the guardrails, sort of the sectors that we would like to see based on best practices
- We are still trying to help our unlicensed boarding homes become licensed.
- It is a best practice.
- And so we've been trying to think of strategies or glide path strategies to get unlicensed providers,
- unlicensed homes, to become licensed where they kind of meet the regulatory safety criteria.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee Mar 19th, 2025
Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- We don't have any enforcement with ADM by unlicensed water well drillers coming across state lines, and
- We had an unlicensed driller out of Florida come into my county, and he's been in Coffee County multiple
Keywords:
food trucks, mobile vendors, health inspection, fire safety, state law, regulation, food service, business license, subdivision, transfer of land, immediate family, exemption period, county regulations, Sweet Home Alabama Tourism Investment Act, tourism rebate, tax rebate, sales tax rebate, lodging tax rebate, transactional taxes, tourism development
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
CPC Public Hearing- Thu Jan 30, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Consumer Protection & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- Anyway, I most of my current practice is I serve as an expert on when matters become litigious between
- <00:26:47.799>
is <00:26:48.120>uh <00:26:48.559>I most of my current practice - is uh I most of my current practice is uh I serve<00:26:49.080>
as <00:26:49.200>an <00 - person on what's I'm a very practical person on what's fair<00:27:06.520>
what <00:27:06.640>< - In the case of my condo association, we had a sociate Hawaii that was unlicensed for four months, and
Summary:
The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on January 30, 2025, and heard testimony on several condominium-related bills, beginning with HB 70. HB 70 would require a budget summary disclosure for condominiums. Supporters, including Community Associations Institute, a real estate broker, and several condominium owners, said the bill would improve consumer protection by giving owners and buyers a clearer, more understandable snapshot of an association’s financial health and reserve compliance. One supporter noted the bill should help reduce confusion caused by lengthy reserve studies and emphasized the importance of accurate disclosure. A testifier also urged the committee to hear other condominium bills quickly, including measures related to an ombudsman, managing agents, parliamentarians, and attorney’s fees.
The committee then heard HB 106, which would change the process for condominium fines and disputes. Phil Nery of CAI and other supporters said the bill would strengthen due process by requiring clearer notice, allowing an internal board appeal, and then permitting small claims court review without attorney’s fees unless the fine is upheld. They argued this would prevent fines from escalating into costly legal disputes and provide a more linear, fair process. Some supporters suggested amendments, including clarifying that the statute controls over association documents and refining refund language. During questioning, members raised concerns about small claims limits and whether associations would be represented by volunteers or attorneys. One testifier initially in support later said he would not support the bill as written after hearing HPD’s concerns.
HB 224, relating to property rights, drew opposition from the Department of the Attorney General and the Honolulu Police Department. Both agencies said the bill would improperly push law enforcement into a quasi-judicial role and could short-circuit existing due process procedures for occupants of residences. A realtor who had initially been listed in support changed his position after hearing the opposition testimony. The committee also heard emotional testimony from a resident describing a long-running squatter and utility theft problem at a neighboring property, which he said took years of court action and police involvement to resolve. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting reflected in the transcript.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-01-15 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- No one wants to practice in this state.
- I've spoken to doctors who practice here and then practice in Maryland, and they said that the way they
- practice medicine in this state versus the way they practice in Maryland is completely different.
- And I know this because I practice probate, okay?
- They get to buy their guns from an unlicensed seller.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum established, then adopted the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report for the day. The chamber first took up HB 167 on former phosphate mining lands. Sponsor Rep. McClure said the bill would remove strict liability for previously mined phosphate lands if a Department of Health study is done at the owner’s request and the former mining status is recorded publicly. Opponents, including Reps. Cross, Nixon, and Eskamani, argued the bill did not provide enough notice to future buyers and renters and could create health and disclosure concerns. The bill passed 87-24.
The House then passed HB 145 on suits against the government, which Rep. McFarland said updates Florida’s sovereign immunity caps for the first time since 2010, raising them to $500,000 per person and $1 million per incident with future automatic increases, aligning the statute of limitations with private claims, and allowing governments to settle above the caps if they choose. He said the bill would make redress more accessible without eliminating the liability shield. The bill passed 104-7.
The chamber then considered CS/HB 289 on civil liability for the wrongful death of an unborn child, a bill by Rep. Greco that would amend the Wrongful Death Act to allow parents and other survivors to bring claims for the death of an unborn child, while exempting the mother and lawful medical care provided within the standard of care. Debate centered on whether the bill could affect abortion access, fertility treatment, miscarriage care, surrogacy, and liability for doctors, friends, family members, and others. Multiple amendments were offered to narrow the bill or add carve-outs for abortion, fertility care, surrogates, perinatal professionals, rape/incest/human trafficking situations, and to require the mother’s consent before suit; sponsors and opponents argued over whether these changes would prevent frivolous lawsuits or instead create loopholes and weaken the bill. None of the amendments were adopted during the portion of the transcript provided.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
House Chamber - Tue Apr 14, 2026, 9:00AM HST - Day 44
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- There just isn't enough of it, licensed child care and probably even unlicensed child care.
- :08:15.240>
and <00:08:15.560>probably <00:08:15.919>even <00:08:16.360>unlicensed - <00:08:17.280>
child care and probably even unlicensed child care and probably even unlicensed
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- language in subsection F specifies that violating the act constitutes an unfair or deceptive act or practice
- 00:04:44.400>
deceptive <00:04:45.520>act <00:04:45.759>or <00:04:46.080>practice - <00:04:46.400>
in unfair or deceptive act or practice in unfair or deceptive act or practice - of beach or marine deposits includes sand seaward from the shoreline and includes licensed and unlicensed
Keywords:
foreign influence, campaign finance, contributions, state elections, transparency, election integrity, criminal offense, natural resources, tree protection, state property, environment, land use, boundary amendment, administrative fines, Land Use Commission, infrastructure compliance, highway safety, driver's license, administrative revocation, alcohol-related offenses
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee met in decision-making only session and considered several Senate bills, generally following recommendations to pass measures with or without amendments. SB 2981 would prohibit minimum off-street parking requirements for new development in urban districts and was adopted unamended, with Senator Awa voting no. SB 2982, which bars foreign entities and foreign-influence business entities from making election-related contributions or expenditures, was adopted with an amendment adopting Attorney General language for required advertisement statements.
The committee also advanced SB 2983, creating a misdemeanor offense for criminal destruction of a tree on state or county property; one member opposed it, suggesting a replanting requirement would be a better environmental remedy, but the bill was still adopted unamended. SB 2986, concerning Land Use Commission authority to amend or revise district boundary amendment decisions when conditions are not met, passed with an amendment addressing a defective effective date. SB 2991, on driver’s license revocations for certain alcohol-related offenses and re-examination requirements, passed with amendments clarifying revocation orders and re-examination procedures.
Members then approved SB 3001, which regulates conversational artificial intelligence services by requiring disclosures and protocols to prevent suicidal ideation, with amendments incorporating AG and OCP recommendations, including a personal data definition and broader data minimization language. SB 3010, allowing officials and in some cases private citizens to enter unattended vehicles to protect endangered pet animals, passed with amendments. The committee also adopted SB 3014 on higher fines for taking or harassing protected turtles, SB 3032 clarifying beach and marine deposit prohibitions, and SB 3033 allowing petitions to review beach structure integrity despite a bad effective date; Senator Awa again voted no on SB 3033. The meeting adjourned after the committee noted a later joint hearing with Ways and Means.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 2/24/26
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- So even what exists in licensing isn't always what happens practically.
- This is exactly what these practices.
- And that is how you improve practice in a lasting way.
- you improve practice in a lasting<00:31:58.080>
way. - <01:19:52.690>
[snorts] time un unlicensed. [snorts] time un unlicensed.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- If they’re not doing the treatment and they’re just a residence, you’re right, it would be an unlicensed
- authority, to provide for board membership, to provide for definitions, to provide for scope of practice
- authority, to provide for board membership, to provide for definitions, to provide for scope of practice
- are designated and structured and were developed with different universities and research-based practices
- are designated and structured and were developed with different universities and research-based practices
Summary:
The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 12 and considered a wide range of health, social services, and licensing measures. Early in the meeting, the committee reported favorably HCR 98, which asks the Louisiana Department of Health to study whether SNAP recipients should be allowed to use benefits for grocery delivery fees. The author said the proposal would not change SNAP rules directly, but would examine access issues for elderly, disabled, rural, and transportation-limited residents. The committee also advanced SB 273, a hospice patient-protection bill requiring documentation of hydration, nutrition, and care decisions in inpatient licensed facilities where hospice is provided, with LDH oversight and enforcement authority; members discussed how responsibility is shared between facilities and outside hospice providers, and adopted technical amendments.
The committee then approved SB 415, creating the Empower Louisiana Food Purchase Program, a privately funded charitable food-card program intended to let nonprofits distribute food-only cards to people in need. Members and the author discussed whether the cards would be reloadable, which retailers could accept them, and whether prepared foods could be included; LDH said the program could use all SNAP-authorized retailers, and the bill was reported favorably with amendments. SB 437, a cleanup bill for judicially referred residential substance abuse treatment facilities, was also reported favorably with amendments after LDH clarified that facilities providing treatment must be licensed, while residences only housing individuals would not be. SB 451, updating newborn hearing screening terminology and reporting requirements, was reported favorably after testimony that the bill would strengthen early detection and follow-up for deaf or hard-of-hearing children.
Later, the committee advanced SB 426, which modernizes the addictive disorder regulatory authority and creates a formal peer support specialist licensing pathway. Supporters said the bill would strengthen the behavioral health workforce, improve accountability, and create a progression from peer support to higher credentials; the committee adopted technical and transition amendments and reported the bill favorably with amendments. SB 236, requiring LDH annual reviews and reports on kidney disease treatment services in Medicaid, was also reported favorably with amendments. Additional measures approved included SB 39, allowing provisional licenses for massage therapy graduates; SB 190, which tightens oversight of poor-performing nursing facilities in the CMS Special Focus Facility Program and sets an 18-month improvement timeline; SB 124, allowing hospitals within the same health system to share peer review records without waiving privilege; HR 174, urging study of fenbendazole as a possible cancer treatment; SB 270, allowing terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana in health care facilities; SB 359, changing terms for certain Morehouse Parish hospital district commissioners; and HR 194, requesting de-identified school visual acuity screening data for research. The committee adjourned after reporting all measures favorably, several with amendments.