Transcript Highlights:

• Uh so, for<01:11:33.440><c> whatever</c><01:11:33.840><c> reason</c><01:11:34.240><c> they</c><01:11:
• <01:11:47.920><c> or</c><01:11:48.400><c> person</c><01:11:48.720><c> A,</c><01:11:48.840><c> B,</c><
• 01:11:49.080><c> and</c><01:11:49.200><c> C,</c><01:11:49.760><c> I</c><01:11:50.080><c> I</c><01:11:
• :50.600><c> that</c><01:11:50.800><c> I'm</c><01:11:50.920><c> a</c><01:11:51.000><c> part</c><01:11:
• It's<01:11:55.560><c> not</c><01:11:55.760><c> necessarily</c><01:11:56.240><c> that</c><01:11:56.360

Summary: The Senate reconvened with a quorum present and then proceeded through committee reports, largely adopting favorable reports and amendments without objection. Early measures included SB 530, which funds grants for multigenerational social connection programs for older adults; SB 731, clarifying the legal status of the Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council; SB 809, directing a feasibility study on a caregiver infrastructure program; SB 860, creating an Aging Resilience Fund with reporting and budget protections; SB 910, requiring insurance reimbursement for services provided by graduate-level clinical interns under supervision; and SB 972, making several Baltimore City alcoholic beverages licensing changes. Each of these bills was advanced to third reading after committee amendments were adopted. The Finance Committee also advanced SB 555, establishing a Dementia Services and Brain Health Program and a provider resource toolkit for dementia care; SB 757, creating a Maryland Local Sourcing Portal to connect businesses with local sources for tariff-impacted goods; SB 772, creating an employment training and opportunity database to help people qualify for or maintain Medicaid and SNAP; SB 792, requiring hospitals to adopt and train staff on immigration-enforcement policies consistent with Attorney General guidance; SB 869, establishing a workforce training pilot program through Commerce and community colleges; SB 905, creating an advanced manufacturing grant program through TEDCO; and SB 974, changing who may serve as inspector for the Caroline County Board of License Commissioners. Most of these bills were reported favorably with technical or narrowing amendments and then ordered printed for third reading. Budget and Taxation advanced SB 28, which would create binding arbitration for state employee collective bargaining impasses and include a proposed constitutional amendment requiring funding in the Governor’s budget; SB 466, expanding a physician preceptor tax credit and adjusting training-hour requirements; and later SB 704, concerning estate tax treatment for qualified agricultural property transferred to an LLC. SB 557, a gaming-related bill, was laid over until the end of the evening at the majority leader’s request. In the Education, Energy, and the Environment report, the committee advanced SB 35 on a state natural science museum designation, SB 166 on shellfish aquaculture permit sanctions, SB 189 on municipal drainage inlet safety requirements prompted by a child’s death, SB 242 on civil relief for service members and spouses, SB 266 on local regulation of invasive trees and tree-of-heaven, and SB 267 on a corporate rental-property registry and local housing application review process. SB 267 drew a brief question from the minority leader, who asked whether prior opposition remained and how the amended bill differed; the sponsor said the opposition had gone away and described the bill as now focused on a responsible-owner registry and an administrative review process.

Transcript Highlights:

• :27.360><c> 26,</c> recorded as a no vote on House Bill 26, recorded as a no vote on House Bill 26, 11
• :15. 11:15. 11:15.
• Members of the Building Decarbonization Enterprise Board of Directors for terms expiring September 1st
• </c><00:40:08.000><c> Mark</c><00:40:08.240><c> Mike</c> expiring September 1st, 2028.
• Mark Mike expiring September 1st, 2028.

Transcript Highlights:

• :29.040><c> Dr</c><07:11:29.520><c> s</c><07:11:30.040><c> Sarah</c><07:11:30.600><c> Mandy</c><07:11
• </c><07:11:33.280><c> of</c><07:11:33.440><c> the</c><07:11:33.558><c> School</c><07:11:33.798><c> of
• as peom Dr Reese<07:11:39.520><c> has</c><07:11:39.638><c> been</c><07:11:39.760><c> a</c><07:11:39.878
• 07:11:41.638><c> since</c><07:11:42.000><c> 2010</c><07:11:43.000><c> having</c><07:11:43.200><c> served
• before<07:11:50.680><c> joining</c><07:11:51.120><c> the</c><07:11:51.280><c> peom</c><07:11:51.798>

Bills: HR31 , HR152 , HR192 , HR144 , HR189 , HR164 , HR153

Keywords: committee appointments, House of Representatives, government structure, legislative process, membership, committee assignments, elections, legislation, government, oversight, US-Canada relations, economic security, energy security, bipartisan, trade and investment, Ramadan, faith, Islam, community, charitable contributions

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, with 11 present, 9 being absent, we don't need a quorum today, as this is public testimony, so
• They run in November, but they don't take office until September 1st of the next year.
• You basically start an assessment cycle in September.
• Now, as it does work out when September comes, if it's a year they've raised values and taxes go up,
• You basically start an assessment cycle in September.

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Summary: The Special Committee on Property Tax Reform heard public testimony on House Bills 3253 and 3254, presented by Representatives Steinhoff and Jobe. The bills would expand assessor training and continuing education requirements, require physical inspections for large assessment increases on commercial property as well as residential property, allow greater use of technology and remote imagery in assessments, create optional electronic notices and communications for taxpayers, and move toward setting property tax levies by subclass with a small-parcel exception. The bill also included provisions to raise the per-parcel reimbursement floor for assessors, reimburse local governments for revenue losses tied to SB 190 and SB 3, provide payment options during appeals, and require counties to offer installment payment options for property taxes. The sponsors said the proposal was built from bipartisan committee discussions and statewide listening sessions, and they emphasized assessor professionalism, taxpayer flexibility, and fairness in the assessment process. Committee members asked about assessor training, the fiscal note, the parcel reimbursement formula, and how the subclass levy system would work in small jurisdictions. Witnesses from the Missouri Special Districts Association and school administrators generally supported the concepts of better assessor training, more resources, and taxpayer payment flexibility, while also warning about implementation burdens and the fiscal impact of state backfill for SB 190 and SB 3. Testimony also focused on the accuracy of ratio studies and the fairness of moving to subclass-based levies. Some members argued the current system can shift tax burdens unfairly between residential, commercial, and agricultural property owners, while others cautioned that the new structure could create winners and losers depending on local assessment practices. A representative from the State Tax Commission clarified that commissioners do receive training, corrected the parcel reimbursement discussion to note the first 20,000 parcels are treated differently under current law, and said the commission already provides assessor training. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:11:01.600><c> Um</c><01:11:01.920><c> they</c><01:11:02.239><c> just</c><01:11:02.400><c> sat
• 11:15.440><c> them</c><01:11:15.679><c> a</c><01:11:15.920><c> safe</c><01:11:16.239><c> part</c><01:
• So<01:11:24.080><c> our</c><01:11:24.400><c> journey</c><01:11:25.120><c> um</c><01:11:25.360><c> back
• </c><01:11:25.600><c> in</c><01:11:26.080><c> 2023</c><01:11:26.960><c> is</c><01:11:27.280><c> when<
• you<01:11:33.280><c> a</c><01:11:33.520><c> little</c><01:11:33.600><c> bit</c><01:11:33.760><c> to<

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate adjourns today, it do so in memory of Mary O'Connor Blancher, who passed away on Saturday, September
• 14. ...in memory of Mary O'Connor Blancher, who passed away on Saturday, September 14, 2025, at the
• clerk will read: that when the Senate adjourns today, it adjourn to meet again on Thursday next at 11
• Thursday next at 11 o'clock a.m. in a full formal session with the calendar.
• To meet again on Thursday next at 11 a.m.

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted an order declaring the First Middlesex District seat vacant following the death of Edward J. Kennedy, with a precept issued for a special election on March 3, 2026. The chamber also adopted a resolution congratulating the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection on its 50th anniversary and observed a moment of silence in memory of Mary O'Connor Blancher, with remarks honoring her service as an educator and longtime Sturbridge public servant. The Senate then advanced several local and special legislation items, generally by unanimous consent and voice vote. These included bills on residency limits for Wells police and fire personnel, a Boston police age waiver for Antonio Perez, additional liquor licenses for Palmer, cemetery-related and treasurer-payment matters in Norton, increasing the Lanesborough select board, bond-related legislation, and a Quincy telecommunications revenue bonds bill that was amended with a new draft before being engrossed. The chamber also considered Massachusetts Water Resources Authority service bills for parcels in Sharon, adopting emergency preambles and passing them to engrossment, and a bill removing Hull from regional commissions on the status of women. The Rules Committee reported several matters for immediate consideration, including suspensions of rules and Joint Rule 12 for certain Senate petitions. The Senate also adopted a special order governing future consideration of House No. 4615, the fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill, setting deadlines and procedures for amendments and requiring immediate third reading and engrossment after amendment. The session closed with remarks recognizing Diwali and wishing the clerk a happy birthday, followed by adjournment to meet again on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. in formal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh. 11.<01:09:48.799><c> Well,</c><01:09:49.160><c> 11.</c> 11. Well, 11. 11. Well, 11.
• Clerk will<01:11:02.520><c> read</c><01:11:02.600><c> the</c><01:11:02.680><c> next</c><01:11:02.840>
• </c><01:11:40.320><c> years</c><01:11:41.280><c> for</c><01:11:41.360><c> those</c><01:11:41.560><c>
• Or<01:11:43.840><c> for</c><01:11:43.960><c> the</c><01:11:44.240><c> surviving</c><01:11:44.760><c>
• </c><01:11:46.720><c> I</c><01:11:46.800><c> just</c><01:11:46.960><c> move</c><01:11:47.080><c> favorable

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; Absolutely.<00:11:36.720><c> So</c><00:11:36.959><c> again</c><00:11:37.279><c> I</c><00:11:
• 37.600><c> I</c><00:11:37.839><c> if</c><00:11:38.079><c> if</c><00:11:39.519><c> I</c><00:11:39.760>
• </c><00:11:41.440><c> I</c><00:11:41.839><c> I</c><00:11:42.079><c> I</c><00:11:42.480><c> the</c><00
• </c><00:11:44.160><c> the</c><00:11:44.399><c> word</c><00:11:44.560><c> new</c><00:11:45.680><c> um<
• um a new<00:11:46.640><c> tax</c><00:11:46.959><c> gas</c><00:11:47.279><c> taxes</c><00:11:47.680><

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• doing uh forward.<02:11:39.920><c> And</c><02:11:40.159><c> so</c><02:11:40.800><c> we</c><02:11:41.040
• </c><02:11:46.480><c> of</c><02:11:46.560><c> the</c><02:11:46.960><c> work</c><02:11:47.119><c> that
• we've done<02:11:47.679><c> with</c><02:11:47.840><c> them</c><02:11:48.000><c> that</c><02:11:48.159
• </c> So<02:11:53.199><c> this</c><02:11:53.440><c> is</c><02:11:53.520><c> a</c><02:11:53.760><c> whole
• </c><02:11:56.560><c> The</c><02:11:56.639><c> the</c><02:11:56.960><c> law</c><02:11:57.199><c> really

Transcript Highlights:

• So in my work, all my years, I started with 11- to 21-year-old pregnant parenting teens.
• Our report came out in September, I believe.
• Our legislative report and dashboard will again be published by September 1st of 2026.
• Our legislative report and dashboard will again be published by September 1st of 2026.
• You're going to do that report, September 2026.

Bills: SB6209 , SB6217 , SB6227 , SB6235

Committee: Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development

Keywords: financial aid, higher education, private institutions, student awards, affordability, Washington college grant, postsecondary education, nondegree programs, educational access, data collection, parenting students, education, support services, academic performance, college athletics, private equity, sovereign wealth funds, student athletes, financial agreements

Transcript Highlights:

• Those license plates then appear in Sections 10 and 11, and the rest of the bill is just striking out
• So if you look through then Sections 10, 11, and 12, there are... ...references to the license plates
• Senator Semmelroth, I’m looking at page four, Section 11, as it refers to the Idaho old-timer license
• both human-powered and electric-assisted bikes are bound by this requirement that you can't just put 11
• In September of that year, the judge ruled that e-bikers who are hit by a car are not covered under the

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• The county is governed by an 11-member quorum court and day-to-day operations are managed by seven elected
• The county is governed by an 11-member quorum court and day-to-day operations are managed by seven elected
• District Prosecuting Attorney, Cothran was charged with felony theft of property and abuse of office on September
• 11 and resigned from his position the following day.
• Cothran was charged with felony theft of property and abuse of office on September 11 and resigned from

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Summary: The Legislative Joint Audit Committee met on February 13, 2026, and first adopted the January 9, 2026 minutes and then adopted reports from its executive and standing committees. The Executive Committee reported on scheduled audits, denied a special report request concerning the I-owned fire department, approved questions to the Arkansas Department of Health about Title V sexual risk avoidance education funds, authorized the Office of Property Risk to hire a CPA for its annual audit, and asked staff to gather information on circuit judge caseload assignments in Benton County. The Counties and Municipalities Committee reported progress on delinquent private water and sewer audits, including reinstatement of 19 entities after required reports were filed and 59 of 64 delinquent 2023 entities submitting reports. It also noted that Adona was now in substantial compliance with municipal accounting law, while officials from Denning and Gum Springs appeared regarding noncompliance. Of 109 current reports reviewed, 15 were referred to prosecutors and the Attorney General, two were certified to the Governmental Bonding Board, 94 were filed, and 15 were deferred. The Education Institutions Committee filed 31 audit reports, including one for Cedarville School District that was referred to the prosecuting attorney, Attorney General, and Governmental Bonding Board, and the State Agencies Committee filed 10 reports involving issues at DHS, Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, Corrections, and Veterans Affairs. The committee also heard a Medicaid Subcommittee report that included presentations from DHS, the Office of Medicaid Inspector General, and the Attorney General’s Office on their Medicaid-related roles. In special reports, Legislative Audit presented a review of Cleburne County’s library expenses, finding more than $80,000 in unauthorized or questionable disbursements, including purchases lacking a documented business purpose, undocumented disbursements, and possible improper fuel expenses; the matter was referred to the 16th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney and the Attorney General. The committee also reviewed the Charles W. Donaldson Scholars Academy at UALR, where auditors found scholarship awards to ineligible students, numerous disbursement-processing exceptions, and that the program had ceased in 2024 with remaining funds returned to the school districts. After discussion, the committee filed both special reports and adjourned, with the next meeting set for March 12-13, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• :11:20.160><c> per</c><00:11:20.399><c> year</c><00:11:21.279><c> but</c><00:11:21.399><c> you</c><00
• :11:29.000><c> time</c><00:11:29.399><c> time</c><00:11:29.720><c> that</c><00:11:30.000><c> gross</c
• ><c> is</c><00:11:35.959><c> why</c><00:11:36.519><c> over</c><00:11:36.800><c> that</c><00:11:37.000
• </c><00:11:45.680><c> net</c><00:11:46.040><c> tuition</c><00:11:46.600><c> fees</c><00:11:47.000><c>
• 11:57.920><c> um</c><00:11:58.399><c> run</c><00:11:58.680><c> its</c><00:11:58.839><c> operation</c>

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from the University System of New Hampshire chancellor on the system’s budget, enrollment, finances, workforce role, and response to federal policy changes. The chancellor said the governor’s recommended budget would reduce university system funding by about $16.5 million over the biennium, or roughly 8.3%, and asked that state funding be held at the governor’s level. She described planned cost reductions already underway, including lower headcount, reduced benefits and retirement contributions, property sales, and lease reductions, and said the system expects to remove about $20 million from its cost structure in fiscal year 2026. A large portion of the discussion focused on enrollment and finances. The chancellor said fall 2024 enrollment was about 23,000, with New Hampshire enrollment increasing for the first time since 2013, and noted that the system remains a major workforce pipeline, with about 3,000 graduates entering the state workforce each year. She explained that net tuition has fallen over time because of declining enrollment and increased financial aid, while research grants and contracts have grown significantly. She also walked through endowment funding, explaining that payouts are based on a 12-quarter rolling average and are intentionally smoothed to reduce volatility; members asked for follow-up information on payout comparisons, administrative salaries, headcounts, and compensation per student. Members questioned the university about the relationship between state support, tuition, endowments, and research spending. The chancellor said the system has used state capital support to leverage major investments, including the UNH Life Sciences building, Plymouth’s Hyde Hall, and the Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center, and described partnerships with businesses such as Lonza and regional manufacturers. She also explained a long-running New Hampshire 529-related revenue stream that has built endowment support for scholarships, and said the system’s endowment now totals about $988 million. In response to questions about possible cuts, she said the system is considering academic program sharing, consolidation of specialties, online delivery, AI-assisted administrative efficiencies, and footprint reductions, but declined to name specific programs. The committee also discussed DEI-related issues and federal grants. The chancellor said the system is reviewing executive orders and a U.S. Department of Education Dear Colleague letter, and that general counsel is working through websites, programs, and more than 1,200 federal grants to ensure compliance. She said the system spends about $3 million on what it calls DEI-related offices and services, but emphasized that these services include disability support, veteran support, Title IX, ADA, and employment-law compliance, and that the system does not have race-based programs, separate housing, or separate graduation ceremonies. She reported that the system had received stop-work orders on four federal grants totaling about $700,000 and warned that reductions in federal direct or indirect costs could affect research, jobs, and innovation.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the Global War on Terrorism began on 9/11 and it continues across the world today.
• So the Global War on Terrorism began on 9/11 and it continues across the world today.
• One of the core mottos that came out of September 11th was 'Never Forget.'
• One of the core mottos that came out of September 11th was Never Forget.
• Veterans of the post-9/11 era upheld their commitment to this country.

Summary: The House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee heard testimony on House Bill 2514, which would create a work group to plan a Global War on Terror Memorial on the Capitol campus. The prime sponsor and supporters, including veterans, Gold Star family members, and military advocates, said the memorial would honor Washingtonians who died in Iraq and Afghanistan and those who later died by suicide, while helping secure private fundraising and a concrete plan for the project. No opposition was recorded during the hearing, and the bill was later closed without a vote in the transcript excerpt. The committee also heard House Bill 2661, which would create a temporary task force to study public records request abuse, including frivolous, retaliatory, or harassing requests, and consider possible reforms. Supporters from cities and school-related organizations said some agencies face heavy costs, legal review burdens, and repeated or overly broad requests, especially in schools. Opponents from open-government and media groups argued the bill misdiagnoses the problem, could restrict access, and should instead focus on better staffing, training, technology, and compliance. The hearing ended without a vote in the excerpt. In executive session, the committee voted to advance several bills. It reported out proposed substitute House Bill 2637, which expands Public Records Act exemptions for certain personal information, on a 4-3 vote; House Bill 2632, which updates terminology for noncitizens, on a 4-3 vote; proposed substitute House Bill 2499, on conservation district governance and disclosure rules, on a 4-3 vote after rejecting two amendments; House Bill 2198, concerning the statewide credential catalog and online repository, on a 6-1 vote; and House Bill 2520, allowing emergency meetings outside a county seat and clarifying Open Public Meetings Act procedures, on a 7-0 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you can see, starting in September and running through just this last month, we met eight times.
• So the idea is that we're going to work night and day to open this facility between now and September
• September of this year does, you know, coincide with the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and the Minnesotans
• I'm really excited to visit in September. Thank you, Representative. Representative Bennett.
• </c> really excited um to visit in September. really excited um to visit in September.

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• We've paid over $11 million in local taxes to our independent cities in California alone and over $30
• A hundred million dollars has been lost in September 9th of last year when impacted $100 million has
• The problem is that the emergency regulations that were adopted last September by the governor, by the
• The vote is 11 to 3. That bill is out. File item number three, SB 97 by Senator Grayson.
• The vote is 11 to 1. That bill is out. SB 243 by Senator Padilla. The vote is 11 to 1.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard several bills focused on AI, health privacy, digital assets, and cannabis enforcement. SB 69 by Senator McNerney would create an AI-focused team within the Department of Justice to build expertise on civil rights, public safety, and consumer protection issues tied to AI; supporters said California needs in-house technical and legal capacity, and the bill drew no opposition. SB 81 by Senator Arreguín would codify hospital and health-facility protections limiting immigration enforcement access and disclosure of patient citizenship status absent a judicial warrant; nurses, immigrant-rights groups, hospitals, labor, and many local and advocacy organizations supported it, while no opposition was heard. SB 97 by Senator Grayson would update California’s digital financial assets law with technical clarifications developed with DFPI, industry, and consumer groups; it was described as a consensus bill with no opposition. SB 243 by Senator Padilla would regulate AI companion chatbots by requiring disclosures, limits on addictive engagement, and crisis-response protocols for self-harm or suicidal ideation, with a private right of action; the bill was strongly supported by the mother of a teen who died by suicide after interacting with a chatbot, while TechNet, CalChamber, CCIA, EFF, and CJAC opposed it over scope, definitions, First Amendment concerns, and cost. SB 378 by Senator Wiener would let consumers seek civil penalties against online marketplaces that advertise illicit intoxicating hemp and unlicensed cannabis products; supporters argued it would protect public health and the legal cannabis market, while hemp and tech groups warned it could sweep in lawful hemp products and needed narrower definitions. After quorum was established, the committee voted all five bills out: SB 69 passed 14-0, SB 81 passed 11-3, SB 97 passed 13-0, SB 243 passed 11-1, and SB 378 passed 13-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• SECTIONS NINE, TEN, AT 11 THE SENATE BILL 330 BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TEACHING HOSPITALS.
• BOARD OF PHARMACY RECEIVED ITS FIRST OF THREE CERTIFICATION COURSES IN SEPTEMBER IN A JOINT COMMITTEE
• THE SITE WENT LIVE IN SEPTEMBER FOR VENDORS AND PARENTS WHO CAN REGISTER FOR VOUCHERS.
• I SEE ON SLIDE NUMBER 11 WE ONLY HAD A 4,561 APPLICATIONS AND ONLY 1,311 LICENSE.
• I SEE ON SLIDE NUMBER 11 WE ONLY HAD A 4,561 APPLICATIONS AND ONLY 1,311 LICENSE.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:11:04.160><c> So</c><00:11:04.320><c> it's</c><00:11:04.560><c> just</c><00:11:05.519><c> also
• So it's just also doing the<00:11:06.800><c> $25,000</c><00:11:07.760><c> difference</c><00:11:08.000
• ><c> and</c><00:11:08.240><c> that's</c><00:11:08.399><c> in</c><00:11:08.640><c> on</c> the $25,000
• </c><00:11:10.640><c> The</c><00:11:10.959><c> third</c><00:11:11.200><c> instance</c><00:11:11.680><
• :11:15.920><c> to</c><00:11:16.160><c> the</c><00:11:16.320><c> agency</c><00:11:16.720><c> of</c> The

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:11:35.679><c> Chairman,</c><01:11:36.000><c> if</c><01:11:36.239><c> I</c><01:11:36.400><c> may
• </c><01:11:41.840><c> that</c><01:11:42.239><c> I've</c><01:11:42.560><c> worked</c><01:11:42.960><c>
• worked a lot on.<01:11:43.600><c> and</c><01:11:43.760><c> I</c><01:11:43.920><c> I</c><01:11:44.400>
• <c> think</c><01:11:44.560><c> I</c><01:11:44.719><c> passed</c><01:11:44.960><c> the</c><01:11:45.120
• > um</c><01:11:48.159><c> thanks</c><01:11:48.480><c> for</c><01:11:48.719><c> working</c><01:11:48.960

Bills: HB60

Committee: Joint Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• was a grant, a five-year grant, that the LPTE will continue in various forums after it ends this September
• this was a grant, a five-year grant, the LPTE will continue in various forums after it ends this September
• We had, I don’t understand what an IEP is, at 11%.
• We had, I don’t understand what an IEP is, at 11%.
• We had 40 respondents say employment. 32 said skills for independent living. 11 had resources needed

Summary: The Employment Subcommittee of the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met on April 27 and approved the prior meeting minutes. The main presentation was from the Lawrence Partnership for Transition to Employment (LPTE), a five-year Administration for Community Living grant focused on improving transition outcomes for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Lawrence. Presenters described the project’s community conversations, consortium model, and four work groups, with emphasis on the family-partnership work group and a survey designed to better understand family engagement, barriers, and expectations around transition planning. The survey results showed that family participation increased significantly after Lawrence Public Schools helped distribute it, rising from a small number of responses to more than 200. Key findings included barriers such as meeting times, language access, child care, and limited understanding of IEPs and transition timelines. Families generally expected college or employment outcomes for their children, but many reported limited awareness of pre-employment training and transition planning, especially for younger students. Lawrence Public Schools described its five-person transition team, bilingual resources, workshops, and a new transition website, while noting that even with added supports, engagement remained lower than hoped and requires ongoing relationship-building. Committee members asked about cultural outreach, early transition planning, college and trade pathways, summer youth employment, and how to expand real-world work experiences. Presenters said the district is trying to start transition conversations earlier, improve access to accommodations and postsecondary options, and expand employment experiences beyond simulated settings. They also noted that the LPTE resource hub will be transferred to the Arc and remain available after the grant ends in September, and that the consortium model may continue in some form. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond adjournment, and members were reminded of an upcoming meeting with Seed on Massachusetts as a model employer and a future presentation from the Office of Veterans Affairs.