Transcript Highlights:

• I can attest as a parent who successfully navigated our state's public school system and shared with
• We can support parental rights while protecting kids' safety.
• I'm looking for extra data to give to our parents.
• I am safe,' which actually deterred parents from coming to school.
• Thank you, and I appreciate the comments that were just shared.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee began with brief announcements and thanks to staff and members as this was described as the last regular House Education Committee meeting of the 57th Legislature. Chad Heinrich of the University of Phoenix invited members to an upcoming lunch-and-learn on artificial intelligence and education. The chair and ranking member both offered closing remarks recognizing staff, pages, and public testimony over the session. The committee then heard SB 1497, which requires school districts with at least 300 employees and a self-insurance program to seek quotes for health coverage and related services at least every four years, with some exceptions for certain self-insurance arrangements. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to increase competition, transparency, and better benefits for school employees. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed 10-0 with a due pass recommendation. Members next considered SB 1711, which directs the State Board of Education to compile age-appropriate resources on preventing and recognizing inappropriate contact, including sexual conduct, and requires schools to make those resources available to students and parents. Supporters said it would provide vetted, voluntary resources without mandating curriculum; opponents argued it was too limited and should include more robust, trauma-informed, age-appropriate sex education and accessibility requirements. The bill passed 7-3. SB 1798, creating a FAFSA awareness program and school designation for schools that promote FAFSA completion, also passed after testimony from a college student and the Arizona Board of Regents in support; the vote was 8-2. The committee also heard SB 1143, which requires schools to submit federal civil rights data collection information to ADE and directs ADE to publish an annual school safety report. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure for parents and policymakers, while opponents said it was duplicative, could be misused, and should apply to private schools as well. It passed 7-3. Finally, SB 1684, as amended, creates a private right of action against public schools for serious physical injury caused by bullying after a prior report and a negligent failure to respond; an amendment narrowed the bill to on-campus or school-sponsored events and removed verbal reports from the definition of prior report. Trial lawyers and the ACLU opposed it, warning about litigation and zero-tolerance discipline, while supporters said it would hold schools accountable for serious bullying. The amended bill passed 6-3.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why we call it a parental policy.
• They did not call her parents.
• And I just want to share that with y'all. Thank you, Mrs.
• I'm not sure if the author meant that the parent would...
• Okay, well, what would the parent be doing?

Bills: HR249, HR251, HB395, HB902, SB83, SB132, SB157, SB338, SB450, SB484, SB501, SB507

Keywords: artificial intelligence, AI, BESE, State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, content standards, K-12 education, public schools, curriculum, digital literacy, computer science, STEM, technology education, student privacy, ethical AI, workforce development, future-ready workforce, instructional resources, education policy, school standards, Louisiana education

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to get my parents the parental consent.
• But there's not a law that backs that really supports the parent. I mean, that gives that parent.
• I'm going to get my parents the parental consent.
• And I share some of the similar concerns that my members, other members here on the committee, shared
• Or, you know, where is this shared, these entities or this service being offered in a shared space at

Bills: SB57, SB405, HB62, HB193, HB203, HB222, HB246, HB420, HB475, HB486, HB574, HB584, HB815, HB949, HB1092, HB1214

Keywords: SB 57, Act 735, Act 463, nutrition, public health, food additives, artificial colors, banned chemicals, ingredient labeling, food labeling, FDA, food and beverage regulation, consumer disclosure, school nutrition, Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 40, Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 17, food manufacturers, food retailers, compliance, effective date delay

Transcript Highlights:

• That parents are aware that like this is coming up.
• So they have to create this instance where Miami then is able to share data after all the data sharing
• We've launched parental controls.
• I think they collaborate and share resources in share data and do that.
• I was in the parent, right?

Transcript Highlights:

• They'd call the parent, the parent would deal with it.
• They'd call the parent, the parent would deal with it.
• They'd call the parent, the parent would deal with it.
• They'd call the parent, the parent would deal with it.
• They'd call the parent, the parent would deal with it.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Parents who did everything right during pregnancy, parents who brought home what appeared to be a healthy
• , they go after parents' children.
• We know how ...they go after parents. They go after parents' children. We know how this all goes.
• So parental rights is important. Health rights are important.
• In fact, a positive screen gives parents information.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House took up several Senate and House bills, mostly under suspension of the rules, and advanced a number of measures to third reading or engrossment. Early in the session, the House dealt with a Senate bill on student learning and mental health by insisting on its position and appointing a committee of conference. It also referred a Senate petition on alleviating poverty to the Committee on Children and Families after the House declined to concur with a Judiciary referral. The chamber then considered and advanced multiple Ways and Means bills, including legislation on police interactions with people with autism spectrum disorder, honoring Blue Star families, land conveyance in Bolton, newborn screening for congenital cytomegalovirus, affordable housing and cultural space in Brighton, increasing access to epinephrine, and civil rights and technology. Several bills drew extended floor debate. Supporters of the epinephrine bill emphasized its life-saving purpose and described the death of Michael Brown as a catalyst for the measure; the House adopted the bill after a roll call vote of 149-0. The newborn CMV screening bill also prompted substantial testimony in favor from public health advocates and parents, who argued that universal screening would enable earlier treatment and reduce long-term harm; an amendment to add other rare diseases was withdrawn, and a later amendment creating a broad opt-out was defeated 1-153 before the bill passed 154-1. The civil rights and technology bill focused on banning weaponized drones and robotic devices, restricting misuse, and preserving law enforcement and civil liberties; it passed 154-1. The Blue Star families bill, creating commemorative plates for families of fallen law enforcement officers, passed 156-0 after emotional remarks from members and supporters. The House also passed without recorded opposition a bill facilitating better interactions between police and people with autism, and it approved a Bolton land conveyance bill and the Brighton affordable housing/cultural space bill. The chamber observed moments of silence for former Congressman Barney Frank and State Trooper Kevin Traynor, welcomed several guest groups, and concluded by adopting an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Parental rights.
• But which parent? Because of course... But which parent?
• say parent?
• The parent, the definition of parent, what is that in this bill?
• parent.

Summary: The House opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the 58th day by roll call vote, 123-1. Members also introduced a number of special guests, including physicians, sheriffs, students, interns, and a police chief, before moving to third reading and perfection of bills. House Bill 1758, dealing with permanent daylight saving time in Missouri, was debated at length. Supporters said it would end the twice-yearly clock changes and argued it could benefit children, productivity, and quality of life. Opponents warned it would create darker morning commutes, safety concerns, and health issues tied to circadian rhythms. The bill passed third reading by a vote of 107-31 with two present. The chamber then perfected and printed House Bill 3329, which repeals expired or unused tax credits, and House Bill 3405, which clarifies that SALT/pass-through entity provisions are deductions rather than tax credits for Department of Revenue processing. Both bills were described as cleanup and efficiency measures, with supporters emphasizing accountability and reduced manual work at DOR; both moved forward without opposition in committee and were approved on the floor. Finally, House Bill 2426, a parental rights bill, drew extensive debate and an amendment. The bill would elevate parents’ rights in education, medical, privacy, and related decisions to a fundamental-rights standard and add provisions on school records, recordings, evaluations, and certain health-care decisions. Critics argued it was overly broad, could interfere with school operations and existing protections, and might create problems in areas such as IEPs, truancy, and medical consent; supporters said it simply codified and strengthened parental authority. House Amendment 1, focused on IEP procedures and requiring parental consent for major changes, was adopted 98-25 with six present, and debate on the underlying bill continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• But she wanted me to share her story today.
• We protect children by empowering parents.
• You need parental consent. That is the law.
• I want to flag that parents' rights are parents' rights and they still have them, and the rights of parents
• And if you were to share that proprietary information, which already is being shared, but add to it property

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I can't say any more poignantly than you shared today.
• information and brochures with parents and guardians.
• You're balancing the safety of a child that a parent is leaving with that parental choice of the place
• Parents will always find a way.
• That's 100 parents that have to go figure out. Any more?

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee heard and passed several bills. HB 293 would codify the Office of Faith and Community in the Executive Office of the Governor, create a liaison and advisory council, and was supported by faith-based and nonprofit groups; some members questioned possible duplication with existing services and the source of any future funding, but the bill passed 24-0. CS/HB 547 would create an exception to the 30-day notice requirement before hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers sell medical debt when the debt buyer agrees not to use interest, fees, or extraordinary collection actions and must return charity-care-eligible debt; it passed unanimously after brief support testimony. CS/HB 1553 would require reporting of uterine fibroid data to the Department of Health to create a de-identified public database and reauthorize funding for implementation; it also passed 24-0, with members noting the earlier database mandate had not been carried out. The committee then took up CS/HB 1195, “Gage’s Law,” which would require hospitals and hospital-based emergency departments to test for fentanyl in urine drug screens for suspected overdose or poisoning cases. The bill was presented as a response to overdose deaths and the need to better detect fentanyl, and emotional testimony from a parent described a son’s death after a hospital did not test for fentanyl. Members from both parties spoke in strong support, emphasizing stigma, the need for better treatment and data, and the potential to save lives; the bill passed 24-0. CS/HB 47 on child care and early learning providers would streamline inspections, speed background screening, offer free online training/testing, update definitions, protect certain family child care homes from insurance issues, and create a license-exempt category for employer-provided child care; after questions about parent notice, database listing, background checks, and insurance, an amendment was adopted and the bill passed 24-0 as amended. Finally, CS/HB 647 would allow advanced practice registered nurses to sign death certificates in hospice settings, addressing delays that can leave families waiting to complete burial arrangements. Support testimony came from advocacy and hospice groups, and members cited the bill’s importance for families and religious burial timelines. The bill passed 23-0. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, thank you for sharing.
• Well, thank you for sharing.
• Fourteen percent have both parents, or two parents, if they're in a two-parent family, or one parent
• > two<00:25:43.000> parents<00:25:44.039> uh 14% have both parents or two parents
• <00:31:30.840> the<00:31:31.080> parent because the parents the parent because the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Education Finance Committee met on January 21 with a quorum present for the first meeting of the 2025 biennium. The co-chairs described the temporary power-sharing arrangement in the tied Senate, introduced committee staff and pages, and had members briefly introduce themselves and share what subject they would teach. After the introductions, the committee moved to a presentation from State Demographer Susan Brower. Brower reviewed Minnesota’s school-age population trends and projections, noting that the state had just under 1 million children ages 5 to 17 in 2023 and that, for the first time, the older adult population exceeded the school-age population. She said the school-age population is concentrated in the Twin Cities metro and other regional centers, and projected an overall decline of about 5% over the next 15 to 20 years, driven mainly by declining birth rates and long-running net outmigration of young adults. She also explained that growth is expected in some areas, especially along the I-94 corridor north of the metro, while northern regions are projected to see the largest declines. She clarified for members that her figures measure resident children, not school enrollment, and that boundary changes are not reflected in the district-level data. The presentation also covered demographic change among students. Brower said about 35% of Minnesota children ages 5 to 17 are children of color, with growing multiracial populations and increasing linguistic diversity. She reported that about 20% of school-age children have at least one foreign-born parent, and about 18% of enrolled students speak a language other than English at home, with Spanish, Somali, and Hmong the largest home languages. She also discussed child poverty, saying Minnesota’s rate is just under 10%, below the national rate of about 15%, and that poverty is concentrated in Minneapolis-St. Paul, some first-ring suburbs, and parts of northern Minnesota, including districts with larger Native populations. Members asked questions about whether the projections accounted for migration and whether open enrollment affected the figures; Brower said the data reflect where children live, not where they attend school, and that the projections are based on recent migration and birth patterns, with future changes more likely to come from international immigration than from domestic migration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hi, Angela Herrera, parent anonymous, parent leader. When my mother first faced stage four... Ms.
• The California Parent and Youth Helpline gives parents, children, and youth a place to turn.
• Antonia Rio's, Parents Anonymous, parent leader.
• Antonia Rio's Parents, Anonymous Parent. Thank you again for having us here.
• Antonio Rios, Parents Anonymous, parent leader.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held an informational hearing focused largely on the implementation of federal HR1 changes and their effects on CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and related county workloads. CDSS, DHCS, DDS, CWDA, LAO, and Finance discussed the CalFresh able-bodied adult without dependents time limit, with CDSS saying about two-thirds of affected adults are already known to be exempt in the system and that roughly 200,000 more could be auto-exempt through new data matches with DHCS and DDS. Officials said those exemptions should be in place by mid-August, before the first possible discontinuance in October, and that counties would receive policy guidance, handbook updates, and client-facing materials. DHCS said Medi-Cal work requirements would be implemented later, with rules and testing completed ahead of a January 2027 rollout, and noted automatic exemptions for some IHSS-related cases. CWDA urged more county staffing and funding, citing examples where high-touch outreach improved exemptions, reduced churn, and increased participation, while warning that without additional resources counties expect delays, higher error risk, and reduced engagement. The committee also discussed a possible CFAP Plus expansion to provide state-funded food benefits to people losing CalFresh eligibility under HR1. CDSS said implementation could not occur before the planned October 1, 2027 CFAP expansion timeline and would depend on final policy choices, system design, and the complexity of adding new eligibility groups. Finance cautioned that any benefit expansion would carry significant General Fund costs, potentially in the hundreds of millions or more. Members asked for written timelines, county-by-county impact data, and feedback on trailer bill language, and CDSS agreed to provide follow-up materials and technical assistance. A separate item reviewed the CalFresh strategic plan and the revision of CDSS’s online mandated reporter training. CDSS said the strategic plan lead position should be posted in May and that the plan would be data-driven and collaborative. For mandated reporter training, CDSS reported that the revised curriculum is being developed with lived experts and stakeholders, will include content on structural racism, ICWA protections, implicit bias, and the distinction between reporting and supporting, and is on track to launch in fall/winter 2026 ahead of the statutory deadline. The committee also heard updates on Promise Neighborhoods, where advocates described strong outcomes and argued for continued and expanded state support, including AB 1969 to deepen partnerships with community schools; members emphasized the need for more stable braided funding and institution-building rather than short-term program funding. The hearing concluded with updates on the Stop the Hate program and housing assistance programs. CDSS said Stop the Hate has provided direct services, prevention and intervention programming, and statewide coordination, reaching millions through outreach and serving more than 11,200 people through transformative grants; advocates urged reauthorization and more targeted funding for solidarity, harm reduction, legal services, and education. Finally, CDSS said proposed one-time investments of $55 million for H-DAP and $105 million for HSP would help avoid funding cliffs and maintain homelessness prevention and housing stabilization services through 2026-27, while the absence of new funding would force reductions in emergency housing assistance, rental subsidies, and enrollments. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, thank you for being here today and sharing this with us.
• So there's a data-sharing agreement between DESE and DTA to share data about those households who are
• I'd like to use my time to share with you just one of their stories. Our client, Ms.
• So the hardest job, I think, is to be an unemployed parent in poverty.
• It is the most basic thing that parents can provide: a roof over a kid's head.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• In order to terminate parental rights, we would have had to have worked a treatment plan with the parents
• as their true parents.
• We have parents that have abused their kids, and hence the state has taken We have parents that have
• They need a foster parent.
• You need to be a parent and learn how to be a parent because you have the ability to hire a babysitter

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, no parent is going to do that, and very few, if any, parents ever did.
• You're going to hear from some parents today who are going to share their stories about how this process
• I'm here to share parents' stories today. The first story is Aban's.
• <01:46:53.679> parents<01:46:54.480> uh here today I'm here to share parents uh here
• today I'm here to share parents uh stories<01:46:55.239> today<01:46:56.239> uh<01:46:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a parent right whether or not you share that.
• a parent right whether or not you share that.
• a parent right whether or not you share that.
• a parent right whether or not you share that.
• Special education umbrella and I do think that's a parent right, whether or not you share that.

Bills: HF1247, HF628

Keywords: child care, aides, supervision, child care centers, staffing regulations, childcare, day care, licensed child care center, early childhood education, child care licensing, director qualifications, staff ratios, group size, staff-to-child ratio, substitutes, volunteers, assistant teacher, teacher qualifications, infant care, toddler age

Transcript Highlights:

• to share key discussions with parents to share key discussions with parents further<01:18:20.679
• parent parents parents navigating single parent parents parents navigating gender<01:18:56.760> identity
• respond to Parent A or Parent B, and how is that determined which parent, if they both have equal custody
• ><01:25:42.280> and to respond to parent a or parent B and to respond to parent a or parent B
• <01:26:07.159> um parents that are have they co-share um parents that are have they co-share

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• that they do go back to their parents that they do go back to their parents nobody<00:12:57.480>
• I was getting threats of being feathered and tarred because I said not all parents are good parents.
• um<00:24:06.960> not<00:24:07.120> only all parents are good parents um not only all
• parents are good parents um not only am<00:24:07.400> I<00:24:07.480> going<00:24:07.600
• be great parents, um, but they just need the help to become great parents.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee continued work on HB 553, a bipartisan bill to update the child protection act’s definitions, especially around abuse, neglect, psychological maltreatment, and serious impairment. Supporters said the current law is outdated, vague, and too limited to address modern child welfare concerns, and argued the bill is intended to create clearer standards for DCF/DCYF, courts, and parents without adding criminal penalties or expanding authority to remove children. They also noted the bill had been developed over months of bipartisan work and that similar concepts exist in other states; a committee researcher had circulated a comparison of 17 states with prenatal and substance-use-related provisions. A major focus was whether the bill should include a more explicit definition of emotional abuse. Some members argued that the bill’s current language is not specific enough and could leave parents without fair notice, while others said the bill already addresses the issue through definitions of psychological maltreatment, emotional harm, and serious impairment. Office of Child Advocate staff explained that the drafting process intentionally avoided defining every emotional-abuse term separately and instead used a pattern-based psychological maltreatment standard with examples such as threatening, demeaning, humiliating, and belittling behavior. They said those provisions were drawn from other states and were meant to fill gaps seen in cases involving severe emotional harm and injured infants. The committee also discussed trauma-informed language related to substance use disorder and pregnancy. Members said the amendment was intended to avoid discouraging pregnant people with substance use disorder from seeking medical care, while still allowing intervention when a child is substance-exposed; they noted the proposal would include an exemption when a licensed health care provider is monitoring the pregnancy. Several members emphasized that the bill is meant to protect children while also giving parents clearer notice of prohibited conduct, and one member raised concerns about how the bill could affect other legislation dealing with criminal neglect. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• FFN is the best and the only option that will support single parents or parents with kids with special
• work or child care, especially our Black and Brown parents.
• work or child care, especially our Black and Brown parents.
• That is not a choice any parent should have to make.
• The parents have to work two jobs.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held its sixth public hearing and took testimony on a large slate of bills, with the chair moving H. 542/S. 341 on family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) child care to the top of the agenda so young constituents would not have to wait. Witnesses from labor, community organizations, and FFN providers strongly supported the bill, saying FFN care fills critical gaps for families working nonstandard hours, especially in low-income, immigrant, and BIPOC communities. Testimony emphasized that FFN providers are currently underpaid, often receive only about $24 per child per day, and should be guaranteed at least the state minimum wage. Witnesses also backed changes to the voucher system to allow families to combine formal and FFN care more flexibly, and they supported creating an FFN advisory council. Committee members asked about the difference between FFN and center-based care, registration requirements, fingerprinting/background checks, EEC’s ongoing study group, and the fiscal impact; witnesses said the current annual cost is about $1.8 million and could rise to about $6 million if all current FFN providers were paid minimum wage, still under 1% of the EEC budget. The committee then closed testimony on that bill. The committee next heard testimony on several preschool and universal pre-K bills, including H. 707 on public preschool facilities, H. 687/S. 339 on universal pre-K and mixed delivery, and related bills such as H. 606, H. 523, H. 618, H. 522, H. 510, and H. 615, many of which were later closed without additional witnesses. A Lowell school official testified that space and facilities funding are major barriers to expanding preschool and that the city has hundreds of children on voucher waitlists. Other witnesses and organizations, including the Early Care and Education Consortium and AFT Massachusetts, supported mixed-delivery universal pre-K and warned that public-school expansion should not undermine community-based providers, whose preschool tuition helps subsidize infant and toddler care. Several witnesses also urged stronger standards for preschool teachers, better staffing ratios, and more integrated special education and support services. The committee accepted written testimony on some bills and closed testimony on the others when no one else came forward. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 541/S. 373, which would ban school exclusion in pre-K through third grade. Advocates from Massachusetts Advocates for Children, Mass Appleseed, Citizens for Juvenile Justice, AFT Massachusetts, and the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee argued that suspensions and expulsions at young ages harm learning, worsen inequities, and contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline. They cited data showing disproportionate impacts on Black and Latinx students, students with disabilities, and low-income children, and described personal stories of children whose behavior improved when schools kept them in class and addressed underlying needs. Committee members asked for updated data on the number of students and districts affected, and witnesses said they would provide more detailed written information. After testimony on this and a few other bills, including S. 372, S. 357, and H. 275/S. 133, the committee closed testimony and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So when you're saying family, is that a two-parent household?
• Information and data was shared with OEP and Sure.
• Information and data was shared with OEP and Awards information and data was shared with OEP, and so
• And it helps parents that don't have ...level as they go into kindergarten, and it helps parents that
• These parents are able to purchase these resources, work with the parents, and get them on grade level

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then heard a presentation from Maddie San Juan of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas on the report “Holding It All Together: Working Moms and Child Care in Arkansas.” She said the research found Arkansas moms are working and want to work, but child care costs, inflexible schedules, inadequate paid leave, and the mental load of caregiving are major barriers. She cited survey and focus group findings showing flexible hours were the most requested workplace support, 69% of moms identified child care costs as a barrier, and many families spend a large share of income on care. Members asked about labor force trends, what flexibility means in practice, and the cost and age structure of child care assistance programs. The presenter also noted child care affects economic development and workforce recruitment, and mentioned a Department of Commerce option that may help pay child care for people seeking training. Department of Education and Office of Early Childhood staff then gave updates on internal dashboards for enrollment, applications, and provider participation in School Readiness Assistance (SRA), saying the tools are now live for internal use and should improve transparency and data access. They said CLASS transition funding from the PDG grant would be released soon to providers who completed observations, and clarified that OEP awards based on CLASS scores are separate from OEC’s work. They also warned providers about a payment interruption during the transition to a new system: June 26 would be the last day to submit SRA payments for processing, payments would stop June 30, and billing would continue without processing from July 1 to 13, with back payments expected when the system resumes around July 14. Members raised concerns about provider cash flow, early childhood special education funding, an overpayment appeal involving a child care center, and whether CLASS data would be public; staff said the data is FOIA-able but not used by the department to set current quality or rates. The department also said it is reviewing audit requirements tied to Head Start and SRA, that Early Head Start children remained in their facilities after a closure, and that a market rate survey/cost analysis is still in procurement. Staff reported that the QRIS process will begin with a June 23 webinar and that CLASS will be part of a broader quality system still being developed with provider and parent input. They also said the local lead network was re-competed and will cover all counties starting July 1 with 23 local leads, and that the PDG partner group has been formed to provide ongoing stakeholder feedback. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• One or both parents of a child, you've affected their life forever.
• or parents.
• So Bentley and Mason's Law, basically, we're saying if you take a parent or parents away, you still have
• So Bentley and Mason's Law, basically, we're saying if you take a parent or parents away, you still have
• Thank you for sharing that very tragic and painful story.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Children and Families held a public hearing on Senate Bill 1135, known as Bentley and Mason’s Law, with nine members present. Senator Henderson presented the bill as a child-support-style restitution measure for children who lose a parent or parents because of a drunk or drug-impaired driver. He said the amount would be determined through the clerk and court process based on the offender’s finances and the children’s prior standard of living, and noted the bill includes a delay in payments if the offender is incarcerated. He also explained that if a family pursues a civil recovery from insurance, they would not also receive the maintenance order, to avoid double recovery. Committee members asked about how the payments would be calculated, whether health care or other needs could be included, whether the bill would affect FAFSA or survivor benefits, and whether there would be penalties for nonpayment. Several members praised the concept but raised concerns about enforceability, possible bankruptcy discharge, and the civil-suit limitation. Senator Henderson said he was open to further discussion on strengthening the bill, but noted some provisions were compromises made to keep the bill moving. Public testimony was strongly in favor. Brooke Stewart described how her husband was killed by a drunk driver in Tennessee and said a court award under Bentley’s Law would help support her daughters’ future needs, including college. Heather Elder of Mothers Against Drunk Driving supported the bill, said similar laws have passed in other states and territories, and urged the committee not to amend or delay it further. She also described the original Missouri family behind the bill and said the measure would provide accountability and relief for children left behind by impaired-driving deaths. No one testified in opposition, and the committee adjourned after closing the hearing on SB 1135.