Transcript Highlights:

• response to human trafficking.
• The second part of this bill is it expands our human trafficking victim advocacy services to labor trafficking
• They still need these services.
• to get the services they need.
• services.

Summary: The committee held its inaugural meeting and heard opening remarks from the chair and vice chair about the committee’s purpose: studying issues affecting women and children in Louisiana, including health, education, economic opportunity, safety, and criminal justice. After roll call, the committee proceeded with informational presentations rather than taking any formal votes. Members emphasized the committee’s role in gathering testimony and identifying policy solutions. The first major presentation came from the Governor’s Office of Human Trafficking Prevention. The director reviewed 2025 data showing 2,963 identified victims, 15,437 service instances, and trafficking reports in 62 of 64 parishes. She explained Louisiana’s coordinated response system, including screening tools, child advocacy center referrals, and the DCFS hotline option for trafficking reports. She also described familial trafficking, new victim outreach and identification tools, and two priority bills: HB 321, which would create immunity from prostitution offenses for child victims under Safe Harbor principles, and SB 83, which would require school board trafficking policies and expand victim advocacy services to labor trafficking victims and survivors up to age 21. Committee members asked about reporting procedures, school use of the tools, service gaps, and whether the data showed increases due to better identification. The committee then heard from the Attorney General’s office on online child exploitation and child sexual abuse material. The presenter said the Louisiana ICAC Task Force received 31,203 tips in 2025, made 545 arrests, identified or rescued more than 80 child victims, and executed over 1,500 search warrants. He described rapid tip-to-arrest responses in recent cases, the expansion of partner agencies statewide, and the creation of an Orleans Metro ICAC task force. Members asked about community presentations, the role of social media in exploitation, the use of geolocation, the prosecution of out-of-state offenders, and the need for more analysts and outreach staff. The discussion also covered sadistic online enticement, sextortion, live-streamed abuse, and the need for parents and schools to monitor children’s online activity. At the end of the meeting, the committee began receiving a legislative auditor’s presentation on the treatment and care of incarcerated women, focusing on jail policies, health care, restraint use, and reentry, but the transcript cuts off before that presentation is completed. No committee votes or formal actions were recorded in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• to the Committee on Human Services.
• I move that Senate File 3755 be withdrawn from the Committee on Health and Human Services and referred
• to the Committee on Human Services.
• to the Committee on Human Services.
• ><c> Services</c> Committee on Health and Human Services Committee on Health and Human Services and<00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, thank you, because we don't allow animals in our committee rooms unless they are certified service
• Okay, thank you, because we don't allow animals in our committee rooms unless they are certified service
• about service animals and establishing<01:20:11.560><c> a</c><01:20:11.719><c> committee</c><01:20:12.080
• </c><02:17:45.280><c> that</c> service animal maybe the service that service animal maybe the service
• Humane World for Animals.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on a bill arising from the Lee case involving animal seizures and humane society involvement. Members and the commissioner discussed concerns about due process, lack of clear notice to animal owners, the need for owners to understand when they are surrendering ownership, and whether humane agents should have additional training or certification. Several members also questioned the role of the NH SPCA and humane societies, the absence of oversight, and whether there was any financial or policy conflict in their involvement. The commissioner said the Department of Agriculture does not have a direct relationship with humane societies, but does coordinate with police on seizures, and noted that problems tend to arise when agencies do not consult the department first. Testimony and discussion focused on possible fixes to the bill, including clearer written notice of rights, requiring a third-party qualified veterinarian or other neutral evaluator, establishing the condition of animals at the time of seizure for later court proceedings, and possibly using teleconferencing with a veterinarian in limited circumstances. Some members suggested the bill may need a broader study committee, while others said it should be amended now rather than delayed. The chair said the bill would be worked on further and sent to the subcommittee for more detailed review. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 250, which would allow local governing bodies to regulate dog muzzling. Representative Jodi Newell testified that the bill was intended to let municipalities respond to dangerous dogs, citing Keene’s attempt to require muzzling after a serious incident but lack of clear authority under current law. Deborah LeBlanc also testified about a dog attack that seriously injured her dog and said a muzzle requirement could have prevented the attack. Committee members asked about the incident, existing dog-control laws, and whether the dog had been leashed; the discussion suggested the bill was meant to clarify local authority over muzzling as a public safety measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Resources Committee, the House Health and Human Services Committee, then to the House Judiciary Committee
• to the House Health and Human Services Committee, then to the House Government, Elections and Indian
• the House Health and Human Services Committee, and the House Judiciary Committee.
• It should go to the House Health and Human Services Committee, then to the House Taxation and Revenue
• The House Health and Human Services Committee will be meeting in room 307 ten minutes after we leave

Transcript Highlights:

• This will allow the Agency of Human Services an additional year to best determine how to seek Centers
• This will allow the Agency of Human Services an additional year to best determine how to seek Centers
• This will allow the Agency of Human Services an additional year to best determine how to seek Centers
• Our committee heard testimony from the Director of Medicaid Policies, Agency of Human Services; Chief
• </c><00:18:43.440><c> Services,</c> Policy Unit, Agency of Human Services, Policy Unit, Agency of Human

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're here for a joint hearing with the Human Services and Health...
• we</c><01:10:05.000><c> have</c><01:10:05.159><c> a</c> of Human Services in fact we have a of Human
• </c> Human Services and the health Human Services and the health department<01:10:13.880><c> also</c>
• </c> comments from the Department of Human comments from the Department of Human Services<01:11:24.800
• </c><01:23:09.600><c> Services</c><01:23:10.040><c> shall</c> the Department of Human Services shall

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The hearing began with HB 1113, which would create an intensive mobile team pilot program in the Department of Health for chronically houseless individuals with serious brain disorders such as schizophrenia. The Department of Health Adult Mental Health Division strongly supported the bill, and written support was also submitted by several health and harm-reduction organizations. Members asked about the program’s size and coordination with existing services; the testifier said the team would use a low-caseload, 24/7 mobile model, coordinate with police, ERs, hospitals, housing, dual-diagnosis treatment, and other case-management resources, and continue serving participants even if they cycle through jail or hospital. The committee amended the bill to change the participant language from a maximum of 40 to “at least 40,” blanked out the appropriations section, deferred the effective date to July 1, 3000, and then adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass with amendments by unanimous vote in both committees. The next measure, HB 1140, would appropriate funds for DLNR to clean up homeless encampments on department lands. DLNR testified in support, saying it conducts about 22 to 24 cleanups per year and the bill would help it address homelessness statewide. Members asked whether the funds would be used to sweep people out of areas; DLNR said its practice is to give notice, allow time to leave, and then clean up what remains, with storage procedures for personal property. The department also said people still present are told to move to the county area across the road. DLNR confirmed the bill is not in the governor’s budget, though it is in the governor’s legislative package. The committee then heard HB 1486, which would make it disorderly conduct to remain or loiter within 20 feet of a bus stop without intent to use bus services. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that criminal enforcement is not the right tool, could lead to arrests of people who are simply tired or unhoused, and could create a cycle of repeated low-level cases and constitutional issues around questioning and intent. HPD supported the bill, saying officers would generally try to get people to move first, but could also use field questioning, citations, or arrests depending on the circumstances; HPD said such incidents can be documented and later used in ACT or other mental-health interventions. A private resident testified in support, describing bus stops near her home as occupied overnight and burdening nearby residents and small businesses. Written support came from the City and County of Honolulu Mayor’s Office, and one individual opposed the bill. Members also asked about neighbor-island impacts, property handling, and whether the bill could help connect people to services; HPD said it had not consulted other counties and would follow up. Finally, the committee began hearing HB 877, which would prohibit encampments within 100 feet of the property line of a K-12 public or private school or school facility. DLNR stood on its written testimony, and the Department of the Attorney General raised concerns that the bill did not specify how violators would be removed, what would happen to property or the encampment, or whether the buffer zone applies only to public spaces. The AG suggested making violations petty misdemeanors and adding clearer definitions and due-process guidance. Members asked whether charter schools are included and whether private-property situations within the buffer zone should be clarified; the AG said public schools include charter schools and indicated the bill may need more specificity about private property and trespass situations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Services Committee, thence the House Judiciary Committee.
• Services Committee, thence the House Appropriations and Finance Committee.
• Services Committee, thence the House Appropriations and Finance Committee.
• Services Committee, then to the House Judiciary Committee.
• House Health and Human Services Committee, Ranking Member Jenifer Jones (member_14063).

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> week, on transforming human services. week, on transforming human services.
• </c><00:03:29.400><c> Services,</c> on the Department of Human Services, on the Department of Human Services
• I am still waiting for a hearing on that bill in the Health and Human Services Committee, so I thought
• Services Committee.
• Services Committee.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today is Wednesday, May 27th, and it's the meeting of the Human Services Committee, and we'll have Keith
• Good morning, Chairman Davison, members of the Human Services Committee.
• The Health and Human Services Medical Services Division The Health and Human Services Medical Services
• Chairman Davison, members of the Human Services Committee. My name is Dan Kramer.
• Chairman Davison and members of the Interim Human Services Committee, good afternoon.

Summary: The committee first approved the February 11, 2026 minutes and then received an update from the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency on the interagency council on homelessness and continuum of care funding. Testimony described rising homelessness tied to tight housing markets, low incomes, aging homelessness, barriers to rental assistance and public benefits, and limited shelter and case-management capacity. Members discussed the need for more affordable housing, continued one-time funding for the North Dakota Homeless Grant and Housing Incentive Fund, better coordination with Health and Human Services on economic assistance and human service zones, landlord engagement, recovery housing, and reentry housing. The committee also heard that federal continuum of care funding remains uncertain, with possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing and housing-first models; members asked for a future update on the impact if federal rules reduce the share available for permanent housing. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described current screening and service delivery, including infant referrals, regional staff, short-term programs, and collaboration with vocational rehabilitation. He said the targeted screening system is working, recommended maintaining the current model, and noted ongoing challenges with staffing, public awareness, and accessible state websites and documents. Public testimony from a visually impaired resident and a deaf resident emphasized barriers such as CAPTCHAs, inaccessible PDFs, employment forms that screen out applicants based on driver’s license status, shortages of interpreters, and the need for video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training for users and agencies. Finally, the committee heard a final report on the study of child care provider licensing from HHS Early Childhood Director Kay Larson. The report summarized provider input and committee discussion on simplifying North Dakota’s child care licensing structure, reducing administrative burden, and balancing that with health and safety standards. Key topics included licensing categories, child care assistance eligibility, food program sponsorship, staff qualifications, training requirements, ratios and group size, age bands, and preschool exemptions. The committee’s recommendations included streamlining to three provider types plus a preschool designation, revising ratio and age-band rules, and carrying forward certain preschool outdoor-space exemptions. Larson noted that any changes would require statutory changes, rulemaking, and a transition period before new licensing rules could take effect.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the House Committee on Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs.
• Witness: "Someone like the Health and Human Services commissioner, and then involving the fiscal committee
• </c> Department of Health and Human Services. Department of Health and Human Services.
• </c> Department of Health and Human Services. Department of Health and Human Services.
• Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome back to the House Committee on Health, Human Services, and Elderly

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to call the meeting to order of the Minnesota Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
• on Human Services.
• The bill does pass, and Senate File 1953, as amended, is referred to the Committee on Human Services.
• > members</c> the committee on Human Services members the committee on Human Services members all<01:
• <01:26:15.679><c> on</c><01:26:15.840><c> human</c> committee on human committee on human services<01

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today is Wednesday, May 27th, and it's the meeting of the Human Services Committee, and we'll have Keith
• Good morning, Chairman Davison, members of the Human Services Committee.
• Good morning, Chairman Davison, members of the Human Services Committee for the record.
• Chairman Davison, members of the Human Services Committee. My name is Dan Kramer.
• Chairman Davison and members of the Interim Human Services Committee, good afternoon.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then going to House 223 and S130, an act relative to a livable wage for human service workers.
• Direct care workers... ...exacerbated a workforce crisis in the community-based human services sector
• The state sets the benchmark for a direct care one staff member in the community-based human services
• Sorry, I'm just going to— president and CEO of BAMSI, a full-service human services organization... .
• The Commonwealth is the largest purchaser of human services from organizations like BAMSI.

Keywords: 995, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• helpful for the committee as well, that 40% of folks who seek assistance through those services have
• human customer service representative a human customer service representative available.<01:16:05.679
• </c><01:16:21.440><c> customer</c><01:16:21.840><c> service</c> of those customer human customer service
• </c><01:16:35.520><c> customer</c><01:16:36.000><c> services</c> c human customer services c human customer
• He said the committee may be assuming a Home Depot-type situation where human customer service representatives

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a human issue.
• And we went through this in committee. So during committee, that standard...
• We discuss this in committee.
• And I think just for what the bill sponsor said, our decency is human beings to other human beings.
• Committee Substitute for House Bill 269, House Bill 2208, House Committee Substitute for House Bill

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• on Human Services.
• S. 157, as voted out by your Committee on Human Services, takes a two-pronged approach.
• on Human Services?
• by the Committee on Human Services?
• The ayes do have it, and you have amended the report of the Committee on Human Services.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to welcome you all to the night hearing of the Joint Committee on Public Service in the 198th
• It will be posted publicly on the Joint Committee on Public Service page.
• Or mail to the House Chair, Dean Ryan, Joint Committee on Public Service, 24 Beacon Street.
• Chair Ryan, Joint Committee on Public Service, 24 Beacon Street, Room 156.
• And I thank you for your public service. Thank you. Are there any questions from the committee?

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service held a hearing focused first on teacher retirement legislation, especially H. 2932 and S. 1884, which would give long-serving educators a one-time opportunity to enroll in Retirement Plus after the program’s 2001 rollout was described as confusing and inconsistently communicated. Legislators, union leaders, and many teachers testified that some educators missed the opt-in window because of faulty notices, leave status, transfers, or misinformation about payroll deductions, and that many have had to work several extra years as a result. Supporters said the bills would correct an unfair administrative error, provide a buyback option with interest, and could also save local school districts money by allowing earlier retirements. Representative Mark Sylvia also testified for H. 4234, a Fairhaven-specific bill to raise the age limit for special police officers from 65 to 70 and clarify appointing authority, citing experience and budget needs. The committee then heard testimony on several pension investment and divestment bills. Supporters of H. 2811 and related climate-risk measures argued that PRIM should assess, disclose, and address climate-related financial risk in the state pension fund, warning that fossil fuel investments could threaten long-term returns and public finances. Environmental advocates and financial experts said climate risk is systemic and urged transparency, divestment planning, and alignment with the Commonwealth’s climate goals. Another set of speakers supported H. 2984, which would divest pension investments from companies selling weapons to Israel; they argued the state should not be complicit in violence in Gaza and cited humanitarian and human rights concerns. Additional testimony supported H. 2900 and S. 1869 to divest from the firearm industry, with speakers saying pension investments should not undermine Massachusetts gun laws. No votes were taken during the hearing. The chairs repeatedly thanked speakers, limited testimony time, and noted that written testimony could be submitted later. The hearing concluded with the committee moving through the sign-up list and hearing extensive public testimony on the teacher retirement and divestment proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• When Polaris, a national database that advises Congress on how to spend Health and Human Services monies
• We obviously, you can see, work there with Homeland Security, FBI, our Marshal Service, Secret Service
• Because human life begins at fertilization, there are many fertilized human eggs on hand that have been
• human being?
• There was no miniature human being in there.

Bills: S0164, S0656, S0892

Keywords: wrongful death, unborn child, civil liability, medical provider, parental rights, habitual felony offenders, violent crimes, enhanced penalties, criminal justice, recidivism, 999, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy presentation from State Attorney Catherine Fernandez-Rundle on human trafficking in Florida, especially in Miami-Dade. She described trafficking as a modern form of slavery driven by money, emphasized that most victims are local girls and young women ages roughly 14 to 24, and said recruitment increasingly occurs online. She highlighted several cases, including one that led to a law restricting tattooing minors without adult consent, and discussed Miami-Dade’s task force, shelter and medical partnerships, hotel and business training, and public awareness campaigns tied to major events like the Super Bowl and upcoming World Cup. Members asked about information-sharing with other states, school-based trafficking, warning signs, and technology used to identify online exploitation; Fernandez-Rundle said more training and better interstate communication are needed. The committee then took up CS for SB 656, which Senator Bradley said would codify FDLE’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Funding Program and rename and expand the online sting operations grant program to better support investigations, training, technology, and personnel. The bill drew supportive comments from Senator Wright, and it was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call vote. The committee also passed SB 892 by Senator Martin, which streamlines the designation process for habitual and violent felony offender classifications by clarifying clemency-related procedures and notice requirements; it too was reported favorably unanimously. The committee spent substantial time on SB 164 by Senator Grall, which would expand Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow parents to recover civil damages for the death of an unborn child at any stage of development. The sponsor said the bill is intended to recognize unborn children in civil law and align with existing statutory definitions, while opponents argued it is effectively a personhood bill that could affect abortion access, IVF, miscarriage care, and liability exposure for doctors, friends, family members, and businesses. Supporters from pro-life groups urged broader language and stronger protections, while opponents included medical, civil liberties, domestic violence, and reproductive rights advocates who warned of chilling effects on health care and possible abuse by rapists or abusive partners. The bill was not reported out during the portion provided, and the discussion ended with additional public testimony still pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Conference Committee report on House File number 2115, an act relating to human services.
• Services to Human Services, and the policy that we have contains a lot of provisions that were in the
• budget bill, but because they were policy in nature, just wanted to say thank you to the Human Services
• Noor continued: “From Health and Human Services to Human Services, and the policy that we have contains
• </c><00:07:32.960><c> your</c> Human Service area and encourage your Human Service area and encourage

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House considered and adopted the conference committee report on House File 2115, a human services bill. Representative Schumacher, the House author, said the conference agreement preserved most of the House position while resolving differences with the Senate. Representative Noor described the report as bipartisan and bicameral, thanked conferees and staff, and said the bill includes provisions affecting personal care attendants, nursing home services, behavioral health, and substance use disorder. Representative Frederick also praised the collaborative process and said the bill contains important substance use disorder provisions and other policy changes. Members repeatedly thanked legislative staff, revisers, and agency staff for helping negotiate the final agreement. Schumacher said the conference process opened new opportunities to continue work in the health and human services area, and Noor noted that some provisions came from the Senate Health and Human Services work and from policy items previously in the budget bill. After discussion, the motion to adopt the conference committee report prevailed, the bill was given its third reading as amended by conference, and a roll call vote was taken. The bill was repassed as amended by conference by a vote of 124 ayes and 10 nays, and its title was agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, members of the committee.
• Thank you, members of the committee.
• The budget committee has every single department come and speak to the budget committee every year about
• Chair, committee. I am George Pedigrew, a member of the Board of Directors for Missouri Humanities.
• Chairman, members of the committee.

Keywords: 959, house, all