Transcript Highlights:

• it as a parent.
• I had wonderful parents.
• This is the second time I've been up here. Giving parents permission to control their youth.
• me as their parent.
• And only bad parents.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1272 on guardianship, which would limit a guardian’s ability to isolate an adult ward from family and require notice to family or other named persons about major events such as a ward’s death or medical relocation. Senator Jones said the bill was intended to curb abuse by bad actors while not affecting good-faith guardians. Fortuna Smuggler and Phyllis Smith spoke in support, describing the need for family notification and closure. The bill passed unanimously, 8-0, and was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS/SB 1284 on wrongful death for an unborn child. Senator Graal explained that the bill would expand Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow parents to recover economic and non-economic damages for the death of an unborn child. An amendment was adopted to define “unborn child” as a member of the species Homo sapiens carried in the womb and to state that the act does not authorize a wrongful death action against the mother or a health care provider acting within the applicable standard of care. The amendment drew questions about abortion, medical emergencies, and whether fathers could sue; the sponsor said the bill was not intended to create claims against mothers or lawful medical care. Public testimony was sharply divided, with supporters arguing it gives families parity and accountability, and opponents warning it could be used to target abortion care, increase malpractice pressure, and worsen physician shortages. The committee approved the bill as amended by a 6-4 vote. Finally, the committee heard a strike-all amendment to SB 1288 on parental rights. The amendment would strengthen parental consent requirements for minors’ medical care, with exceptions for emergencies, court orders, certain legal categories of minors, and other existing statutory exceptions. It also would require parental consent for treatment related to STD screening, give parents more control over school or health surveys, and address use of biofeedback devices. Supporters said the measure restores parents’ authority and protects children from inappropriate questioning or treatment, while opponents argued it could block needed care for minors in unsafe homes, reduce access to STI treatment and mental health services, and create unintended consequences. The amendment was adopted, and the committee continued hearing testimony on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The second time, I think you have to pay a certain amount. amount and your parent has to come get it
• or you have to pay the certain amount the third time your parent has to come get it and pay a certain
• What age should a parent I'm just asking my kids are I mean, I probably messed up a long time ago, but
• Well unfortunately at times the child is... barreled because the parents are barreled. Absolutely.
• more time with the bad parents, and so we sort of overestimate what percentage of parents.

Bills: HB6, HB27, HB 123, HB210, HB213, HB222, HB610, HB 1085, HB1481, HB6, HB27, HB123, HB210, HB213, HB222

Keywords: mental health, telehealth, public schools, discipline management, behavioral interventions, financial literacy, high school education, curriculum requirements, economics, personal finance, HB 123, kindergarten readiness, early literacy, early numeracy, reading screening, math screening, foundational literacy, foundational numeracy, dyslexia screening, reading intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• Parents' income or the difference in time.
• So these parents are theoretically getting more time with the child.
• But you have a parent, and I've seen it multiple times, that are evading the system.
• child spending time with each parent.
• of separating from that partner and determining custody and parenting time, increases the risk of violence

Bills: HB40, HB1916, HB1973, HB2524, HB2530, HB3180, HB3421, HB3783, HB4170, HB4213

Keywords: business court, civil procedure, litigation, jurisdiction, arbitration, divorce, property division, family law, court jurisdiction, marital assets, parent-child relationship, birth certificate, identity proof, Family Code, court process, attorney fees, court costs, legal expenses, dispute resolution, child support

Summary: The committee heard several House bills, most of them relating to family law and court procedure, and left each bill pending after testimony. House Bill 1916 would clarify that the court that issued a final divorce decree retains exclusive jurisdiction over later actions involving undivided property. House Bill 1973 would require a certified birth certificate, if reasonably available, to be filed with a SAPCR petition or allow alternative proof of parentage while keeping the information confidential. House Bill 2530 would add qualifications and procedural safeguards for appointing amicus attorneys in SAPCR cases, including notice and hearing requirements, minimum qualifications, conflict rules, and limits on what amicus attorneys may do. House Bill 2524 would make Family Code references to attorney’s fees consistent by using “reasonable and necessary” language. House Bill 3180 would correct a scrivener’s error in the civil discovery rules by changing “settlement” to “statement.” The committee also heard House Bill 4213, which would change the interest rate on overdue child support from the current 6 percent simple interest to a fixed 5 percent and require the Attorney General to report on the impact of the change. Testimony was sharply divided: supporters argued lower interest could improve collections and help low-income obligors catch up, citing research and the size of child-support arrearages; opponents said lowering the rate would reduce incentives to pay and harm custodial parents and children. The Attorney General’s office raised implementation concerns about a House version that would have created a variable rate, while the committee substitute was described as restoring a simple fixed rate. After testimony, the bill was left pending. The committee also discussed House Bill 40, updating business court provisions and supplemental jurisdiction; House Bill 3421, streamlining probate procedures for original wills and copies; and House Bill 417, clarifying venue for lawsuits involving private transfer fees on real property. Each drew limited testimony and was left pending. Finally, House Bill 3783 drew extensive testimony on court-ordered counseling and reunification therapy in family cases. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would protect children and abuse victims from coercive, unregulated reunification practices, while opponents argued it was too broad, could interfere with legitimate therapy and judicial discretion, and might affect military families and other high-conflict cases. The committee heard testimony from judges, therapists, parents, survivors, and advocates, but took no final action and left the bill pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• time. ...to contempt proceedings for intentional interference with court-ordered parenting time.
• time order alleges the other individual subject to the same parenting time order intentionally interfered
• with court-ordered parenting time, the court shall hold the hearing within 30 days after the request
• time order alleges that the other individual subject to the same parenting time order interfered with
• court-ordered parenting time.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it is time for the state of Minnesota to explicitly codify to law protections for inalienable parental
• So it is time for the state of Minnesota to explicitly codify to law protections for inalienable parental
• Please vote yes on the parental Bill of Rights. Thank you for your time.
• Please vote yes on the parental Bill of Rights. Thank you for your time. Thank you for your time.
• parent parents parents navigating single parent parents parents navigating gender<01:18:56.760> identity

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , spending time with parents that have kids with special needs, spending time with teachers, one of the
• But a lot of parents can't do that. There are times when the private school environment...
• But I have seen time and time again where again one size does not fit all and sometimes a parent would
• It's something that we have changed over time. We let the parent know that they are responsible.
• Now at that same time, our parental involvement volunteer hours were documented at 414,210.

Bills: HB 3

Keywords: emergency communication, public safety, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, grant program, emergency communications, public safety radio, first responders, radio system, dispatch, 911, emergency management, Texas Division of Emergency Management, public safety infrastructure, Project 25, P25, broadband emergency alerting, outdoor warning sirens, homeland security, disaster response

Transcript Highlights:

• Probably just give Beth a little time to give one item, and then give her a little bit of time: parental
• To contempt proceedings for intentional interference with court-ordered parenting time.
• time order alleges the other individual subject to the same parenting time order intentionally interfered
• time order alleges that the other individual subject to the same parenting time order interfered with
• court-ordered parenting time.

Summary: The Child Custody Review Task Force met to approve prior minutes and then worked through draft legislation related to a possible family court study committee. The group discussed the proposed 15-member committee’s makeup in detail, including whether to add parent representation, judges, family law section members, child support, clerks of court, domestic violence advocates, and other stakeholders. The task force ultimately agreed to keep the committee at 15 members, reduce the legislative membership from eight to six, add two judges from different districts, add two family law section members with rural and urban representation, include one parent subject to a custody order, and replace the mental health professional with a clerk of court representative appointed through the trial court administrator’s office. The draft was also revised to keep domestic violence advocacy representation and to clarify that the study could consider juvenile court issues as part of the family court umbrella. The committee voted to approve the revised draft and recommend it to Legislative Management, with one recorded “no” vote from Judge Hovey after the meeting resumed. The task force then turned to a second draft dealing with requiring participation in a family transition program, which was renamed in discussion to a parenting education course. Members debated whether the bill should simply refer to an existing program like Parents Forever or instead specify broader education about the court process, parental rights, co-parenting, and related issues. Some members supported the requirement as a way to reduce conflict and improve understanding of the system, while others raised concerns about vague language, cost to parents, lack of exemptions, and whether the bill was too open-ended or potentially duplicative of other legislation. The discussion became lengthy and unresolved, with the drafter noting that more specific direction would be needed to revise the bill. The transcript cuts off before a final vote or action on this second draft is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of the time, the reason was they knew the parent wouldn't believe them or that they'd show their
• What we know is that most children do go to their parents, and most parents are probably good parents
• Every time this bill has come for the last two years, no one has questioned whether or not parental rights
• My parents gave us whatever we wanted. Good parents.
• My parents gave us whatever we wanted. Good parents.

Summary: The committee first took up CS/SB 1606 on patient access to records. Sponsor Senator Grall explained an amendment that aligned the bill more closely with HIPAA by defining “designated record set,” allowing a 14-day extension, and requiring records to be produced in the requested form if readily producible. Several senators asked about patient portals, legal representatives, and whether the bill applied post-mortem; Grall said the bill was limited to authorized access during the patient’s life. Testimony was largely opposed, with health information and provider groups warning that the bill could create cybersecurity risks, conflict with HIPAA and meaningful-use rules, burden facilities, and improperly broaden access to portals and sensitive records. Supporters argued it would improve patient access and speed. The amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably by roll call vote after debate on the bill as amended. The committee then considered CS/SB 712 on construction regulations. Grall described provisions on synthetic turf, change orders, public works bidding, elevator rails, alarm contractor scope, tall mass timber, pool and spa contractor scope, spaceport exemptions, permit document limits, and solar/energy storage inspections. Two amendments were adopted: one removed pool and spa contractor language and delayed the change-order provision until July 1, 2025; the other removed the tall mass timber section. Pool contractors testified against the scope expansion in the original bill, while others supported the remaining provisions. Senators raised concerns about the Florida Building Commission process and how the public-works language might affect small-business participation, but the bill as amended was ultimately reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard CS/SB 1288 on parental rights. Grall said the bill would require parental consent for most minor health care decisions, allow parental access to records, restrict surveys/questionnaires, and limit use of biofeedback devices, while preserving certain exceptions such as emergency care and STD testing. An amendment clarified questionnaire opt-outs for K-12 students, added court-order exceptions, addressed DNA sampling for criminal investigations, refined biofeedback language, and added emergency behavioral health exceptions; it was adopted. The bill drew extensive testimony both for and against: supporters said it restored parental authority and protected children from decisions they are not equipped to make, while opponents argued it would endanger minors seeking confidential STI, mental health, or abuse-related care, especially in unsafe homes. Senators also debated whether the bill would conflict with existing laws and whether it could leave some minors untreated. The transcript ends during continued public testimony on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen time and again that children that are reunified with their parents, not only the parents do
• So, basically, at the time you and most parents probably don't know this, but at the time you sign your
• at that point in time in order the<02:47:02.399> parent<02:47:02.640> to<02:47:02.800><
• c> has the parent saying, "My parent has the parent saying, "My parent has consent<02:52:55.359><
• limited time? limited time?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• could still do that as a parent. could still do that as a parent.
• But I've certainly heard stories of parents coming in and challenging multiple books at the same time
• Parents can use it.
• Parents can use it.
• . parents. parents.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , particularly if that's the only time that they're able to see their parents.
• , particularly if that's the only time that they're able to see their parents.
• , particularly if that's the only time that they're able to see their parents.
• , particularly if that's the only time that they're able to see their parents.
• so that the parent can do better next time, to help pay for things like treatment to the parent so that

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first opened with brief remarks about a member’s recovery and then heard House Bill 518, which would require the commissioner of Health and Human Services to provide a detailed annual report of all costs related to DCYF. The sponsor, Representative Erica Layon, said the bill was intended to improve transparency, clarify how much time and money are spent on DCYF work versus other departmental work, and help future discussions about staffing, resources, and whether DCYF should remain within DHHS or become a separate department. She said the department could likely produce the report without additional cost, though she was open to adjusting the reporting date and possibly adding more detail about federal mandates. Former Representative Betty Gay and several members supported the bill as a way to better document costs and procedures, while DCYF Director Marie Nunan said the department was not taking a position on the bill, already has many policies and operating procedures, and believed it could comply without a fiscal note. Members raised questions about whether the reporting requirement duplicated existing oversight, whether it should apply to other agencies, and whether the report should include federal funding mandates. Some suggested that a broader review or subcommittee on DCYF might be more useful than a single reporting bill. In executive session, the committee voted 15-1 to retain HB 518, so it will not go on the calendar. Members said they wanted more time to discuss the bill, watch the budget process, and consider whether the reporting requirement could be implemented informally or through a broader oversight effort. The committee then moved on to House Bill 775, which was introduced by Representative Jodi Nelson as a measure to support supervised visitation centers. Dr. Scott Hampton testified in favor, describing the loss of visitation centers since 2019, the role of supervised visitation in protecting children and vulnerable parents in domestic violence cases, and the potential benefits for child safety, crime prevention, and family preservation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of those are parents.
• as a step backwards in this process of giving parental rights and empowering parents in the process.
• However, we do want clear parental opt-ins when it comes to stuff that parents have the direct say over
• When we talk about parent consent, we want parents involved, but sometimes students live with guardians
• As a parent of a child with special needs, parental choice is absolutely critical to this system and

Summary: The Pre-K-12 Education Committee took up a series of education, school safety, health, and student access bills. SB 754 on International Baccalaureate bonus funds was amended to clarify the theory of knowledge course and then reported favorably. SB 370 would allow routine non-invasive school health screenings, such as vision, hearing, and dental checks, to proceed with written notice and an opt-out process rather than active parental consent; supporters said it would improve participation and access, while opponents argued it was too broad and weakened parental rights. After debate over scope, funding, and consent, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also advanced SB 1070, which would require ECG screenings for student athletes under a phased rollout beginning in 2026, with religious and medical opt-outs. The bill was renamed the Second Chance Act in honor of Chance Gainer. Supporters described it as a life-saving measure to detect hidden cardiac conditions, while some members raised cost and implementation concerns. SB 508, the Family Empowerment Scholarship bill, would require private schools to disclose in writing what accommodations and services they will provide to students with IEPs, 504 plans, or ELL plans before enrollment; it was supported by parents, advocacy groups, and some school representatives and was reported favorably. School safety measures were also considered. SB 1470 would refine campus locking and supervision rules, create clearer exceptions, expand training and security options for school safety personnel, and allow district-employed law enforcement officers to use canines for threat detection. Witnesses from school safety and Parkland-related advocacy groups supported the bill but urged caution on exemptions and implementation details. SB 1472 would extend a public records exemption to certified school security guards, matching the protection already given to school guardians, and it was reported favorably. Finally, SB 248 would expand participation in FHSAA sports for private school and home education students at public schools when their own schools do not offer the sport, and SB 1618 made broad changes to VPK through grade 12 policy, including reading instruction, financial literacy, school funds restrictions, teacher certification, and advisory council rules; both bills were reported favorably. Several members later recorded votes in support of specific tabs before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• OF THE TIME THE REASON WAS THEY KNEW THE PARENT WOULDN'T BELIEVE THEM OR SHOW THEIR DISAPPOINTMENT FOR
• MOST PARENTS ARE PROBABLY A GOOD PARENTS AND HAVE GOOD INTENTIONS.
• EVERY TIME THIS BILL HAS COME FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS NOEL HAD ONE HAS QUESTIONED WHETHER OR NOT PARENTAL
• I HAD VERY GOOD PARENTS, I STILL HAVE VERY GOOD PARENTS AND I DIDN'T TELL MY PARENTS I WAS ACTUALLY ABUSED
• WHAT ARE THE PARENTS RIGHT? AS WE TALK ABOUT THE PARENTS A LOT.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of the time, the reason was they knew the parent wouldn't believe them or that they'd show their
• What we know is that most children do go to their parents, and most parents are probably good parents
• Every time this bill has come for the last two years, no one has questioned whether or not parental rights
• My parents gave us whatever we wanted. Good parents.
• What are the parents' rights, because we talk about parents' rights a lot here, where do the parents'

Summary: The committee first took up CS/SB 1606 on patient access to records. The sponsor explained that the bill, as amended, would align Florida law more closely with HIPAA by defining “designated record set,” requiring providers to furnish requested records within set timeframes, allowing a limited extension with notice, and requiring records to be produced in the requested form if readily producible. Several members asked about patient portals, legal representatives, and whether the bill affected meaningful-use rules or post-mortem access. Multiple witnesses opposed the bill, arguing it could create cybersecurity risks, conflict with existing privacy rules, and burden providers; supporters said it would improve patient access and consistency. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee then considered CS/SB 712 on construction regulations. The bill would direct DEP to establish rules for synthetic turf and limit local governments from banning it if state rules are followed, while also addressing change orders, public works bidding, elevator rails, alarm contractor work, building code updates, spaceport exemptions, permit document limits, and single-trade inspections. Amendments removed the pool and spa contractor provisions and the tall mass timber language. Testimony on the bill centered heavily on the pool industry, with contractors and the Florida Swimming Pool Association opposing expansion of scope to general and building contractors, while some speakers supported other parts of the bill. After adopting the amendments, the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee heard CS/SB 1288 on parental rights. The bill would allow minors to be tested for STDs without parental consent but require parental consent for treatment, expand parents’ rights to access records and control certain health decisions, and restrict health care services, medical procedures, and biofeedback devices for minors absent consent or an exception. An amendment moved survey and questionnaire provisions into the education code, added an explicit court-order exception, clarified DNA and biofeedback provisions, and added emergency behavioral health exceptions. The committee heard extensive public testimony both for and against the bill, with supporters emphasizing parental authority and opponents warning it could delay STI treatment, mental health care, and other services for vulnerable minors. The transcript ends during public testimony on the bill, before any final committee action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• fourths of the time. fourths of the time.
• parent? parent?
• > parent<00:15:23.360> of<00:15:23.600> the Custodial parent is a parent of the
• it's not a parent. it's not a parent.
• parent? parent? >> Yes. Thank<00:16:04.280> you.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some parents parents and school systems.
• Parents rule, right? Unless there's a reason for the parent not to—the parents' right. Right.
• Um, wouldn't it be a lot better for the parents who spend most of the time with their kids, and I mean
• The parent is just not ready to be a supportive parent at this moment in time.
• The parent is just not ready to be a supportive parent at this moment in time.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with Senate Bill 22-FN, which would expand child care licensing background checks so the Department of Health and Human Services can receive fuller criminal history information, including pending charges and other non-conviction records, similar to the system already used for school staff. Grant Bossi, for Senator Pearl, and DHHS officials Melissa Clement and Christine Sheay testified in support, saying the bill closes a gap that can allow people with disqualifying charges to work with children. They explained that the FBI record is a snapshot in time, that juvenile records are not included, and that the bill would apply to child care programs including residential group homes. Questions focused on what “confidential criminal history” means and how often checks are repeated; DHHS said checks are done every five years or sooner if new charge information is received. The hearing on SB 22 was then closed. The committee then took up Senate Bill 23-FN, which would expand the child endangerment statute and remove the word “purposely” from part of the language. Senator Pat Long said the bill is intended to strengthen protection for children and allow more serious conduct to be charged appropriately. Testimony from law enforcement, including Executive Counselor Dave Wheeler, Sergeant Ryan Rooney of Nashua Police, and Nicholas Georgulis of Manchester Police, supported the bill as a way to distinguish routine misdemeanor cases from the most egregious abuse and neglect cases, such as children living in squalor or being exposed to severe danger. Wheeler and some members raised concerns that the language could be vague or overbroad and cited a prior Manchester firearm-in-a-car arrest as an example of possible unintended consequences; supporters responded that the bill still requires knowingly violating a duty of care and that the serious bodily injury or death standard limits its reach. Rooney also described a fentanyl overdose case involving an 11-year-old and said the current misdemeanor charge did not fully reflect the seriousness of the conduct. The committee recessed SB 23 briefly to open and close SB 161, then returned to SB 23, which remained under hearing with no final vote taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, every time there's a field trip, there's a permission slip signed; you got to get parental consent
• And I'm just curious how many times you can't reach a parent.
• And I'm just curious how many times you can't reach a parent.
• Parents can opt out of objectionable materials if they know about them ahead of time, but when those
• Parents can opt out of objectionable materials if they know about them ahead of time, but when those

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it is time for the state of Minnesota to explicitly codify into law protections for inalienable parental
• I’m a parent; there are no parents for my kids.
• But I really appreciate that being brought up all the time as the way to be a parent.
• And at the same time, I think it really comes back to the parents, right?
• And at the same time, I think it really comes back to the parents, right?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The parents is no.
• with it as a parent.
• I had wonderful parents.
• This is the second time I've been up here giving parents permission to control their you.
• me as the parent.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And most of the time, parents were not part of the conversation when there was an issue in the school
• We always do the email because lots of times parents don't pick up their phones at work.
• And most of the time, parents were not part of the conversation when there was an issue in the school
• We always do the email because lots of times parents don't pick up their phones at work.
• We always do the email because lots of times parents don't pick up their phones at work.

Summary: The Student Academic Success Subcommittee met to review Florida’s cell phone and social media literacy law, with Representative Brad Yeager describing the 2023 policy as aimed at removing classroom distractions and teaching students how to use social media responsibly. He said the law was intended to keep phones out of classrooms unless used for instruction, require social media literacy education, and limit access to certain sites on school Wi-Fi and government devices. Yeager said feedback since passage has been mixed: many teachers support it and some have adopted inexpensive shoe-organizer or pouch systems, but implementation varies by school and administrator enforcement. He said he is not currently pursuing a broader statewide mandate. Superintendent Dr. Maria Vazquez and Timber Creek High School Principal Mr. Wasco described Orange County’s approach as bell-to-bell phone restrictions, while Pasco County’s Dr. Zetchy described a similar policy with some flexibility during lunch or passing periods at the high school level. Both districts said the policy was implemented with parent communication, town halls, surveys, and transition periods, and that concerns about emergencies were addressed by allowing phones to be returned at the end of the day and by establishing procedures for parent contact. They reported few theft problems and said discipline issues related to phones have generally been manageable, though some teachers still struggle with enforcement or with students trying to evade the rules. A major portion of the discussion focused on social media literacy instruction. Orange County said it uses counselor-led programs, Canvas courses, resiliency days, and curriculum materials to teach students about cyberbullying, human trafficking, privacy, and the permanence of online posts, with progress tracked through the learning platform. Pasco said it has some resiliency modules but lacks a fully built-out, pre-made social media curriculum and would welcome more guidance from DOE, especially for high school classrooms where instructional time is limited. Members also asked about student anxiety, 504/IEP accommodations, caregiver students, and parent education; the districts said exceptions are handled through school committees and that parent academies and district resources are being used to help families set boundaries and understand the risks and benefits of phones and social media. No votes were taken.