Video & Transcript : 'direct care' :

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FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Appropriations Feb 12th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • Line 1203, if I can direct you there. Mr.
  • I don't know who that's directed to—whoever can answer the question. Mr. Chair?
  • So I would have directed a number of these questions. I know Ms.
  • Leader Pizzo continued: “What does guidance and direction look like?
  • We should have sought that guidance and direction before.
Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee met to hear SB 2-C, a major immigration enforcement bill sponsored by Senator Gruters and co-introduced by Senator Fine. The sponsor described the bill as a response to federal immigration priorities and said it replaces a single immigration officer with a State Board of Immigration Enforcement, expands local-federal cooperation, increases penalties for crimes committed by unauthorized immigrants, requires detention in certain cases, broadens information sharing, funds detention-bed expansion and law-enforcement training, and ends in-state tuition waivers for undocumented students. The bill also includes provisions related to sanctuary policies, voter fraud, transport of unauthorized aliens, and driver’s license-related offenses. The sponsor said the bill appropriates roughly $300 million overall, including $250 million for grants and $48 million for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for interdiction and border-related enforcement work. Committee members questioned the bill’s scope, costs, and implementation. Senators focused heavily on the tuition-waiver repeal, asking how many students would be affected and whether the bill would harm students who have long lived in Florida. They also pressed on whether the bill should include stronger E-Verify provisions, how sanctuary-policy enforcement would work, whether local officials could be penalized for policy choices, and how immigration status would be verified in court and jail settings. The sponsor and Senator Fine said the tuition waiver would be removed for undocumented students, that the bill does not address E-Verify, and that the measure is intended to make immigration status a factor in detention and sentencing. Questions also addressed detention-bed capacity, reimbursement rates, and whether corrections staff would receive bonuses or salary increases; sponsors said bonuses are included for participating law enforcement, while broader salary issues would be handled in the regular budget process. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters and information-only witnesses, including Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and former officials, said the bill would help Florida coordinate with federal authorities, expand bed space, and close loopholes in existing immigration enforcement. Opponents from the Southern Poverty Law Center, ACLU of Florida, Florida Policy Institute, labor groups, and immigrant advocates argued the bill is unconstitutional, likely to trigger litigation, and harmful to families, schools, and the economy. They warned that the pretrial detention provisions could lead to wrongful detentions and that the tuition changes would reduce access to higher education and cost the state tuition revenue. No final vote is reflected in the transcript excerpt, but the committee continued through public comment and extended the meeting to complete the agenda.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

FL House Floor Session - 2026-06-02 (10:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have senior services in Broward County, elder care.
  • And so now we're saying we don't care about that.
  • And so now we're saying we don't care about that.
  • And so now we're saying we don't care about that.
  • So I want to direct this to the veterans.
Summary: The House met in special session, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and adopted the special order report setting the day’s calendar. The chamber then took up CS/House Joint Resolution 1F, the Governor’s property tax proposal, which would raise the homestead exemption for non-school taxes, lower the annual assessment cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5%, and restrict county and municipal ad valorem revenue to public safety and certain other uses. Sponsor Rep. Overdorf said the measure would return money to homeowners and give local governments flexibility, while opponents repeatedly argued the ballot language was misleading and that the proposal could create large local revenue shortfalls, shift costs to other taxpayers, and threaten local services and debt obligations. Members debated a series of amendments aimed at protecting specific programs from the bill’s effects. Rep. Bartleman’s amendment to exempt Children’s Services Councils and Children’s Trusts was defeated 25-74 after supporters said those entities fund child care, mental health, aftercare, and family support, while opponents said local governments could still choose to fund them. Rep. Cross’s amendment to include water management districts in allowable uses of ad valorem taxes was also defeated, despite testimony that the districts are essential for flood control, water supply, Everglades restoration, and drought response. Rep. Eskamani’s amendment to require the Legislature to backfill public safety funding failed 25-71 after debate over whether the proposal could reduce police and fire budgets and response times. The House then rejected Rep. Woodson’s amendment to require state backfill for senior services, with supporters citing Meals on Wheels, transportation, adult day care, and other aging services, and opponents saying the state already funds senior programs. Finally, Rep. Gant’s amendment to protect veteran services was introduced and debated, with members emphasizing housing, mental health, transition assistance, and homelessness concerns for veterans; the transcript cuts off before the vote on that amendment. Throughout the debate, sponsors and supporters of the main resolution maintained that local governments would retain spending discretion and could use other revenue sources, while critics argued the measure lacked clear backfill provisions and could force cuts or tax shifts at the local level.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session May 19th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • care at a fraction of the cost of private insurance health care plans.
  • of care and an increase in costs.
  • , and long-term care.
  • basic medical care to those who can least afford it, ...denying basic medical care to those who can
  • We need to train health care providers in implicit bias and trauma-informed care.
Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long Daily File with several guest introductions and floor speeches. Members recognized visiting student leaders, championship football teams from Tuolumne County, Alpha Kappa Alpha members at their Capitol day, and later a descendant of Wong Kim Ark. The chamber also adopted a procedural motion allowing certain members to host guests in the rear of the chamber. Among the major policy items, AB 578 on food delivery platform refund practices passed 47-2, AB 344 on successor beer manufacturer definitions passed 61-0, AB 454 to make California’s migratory bird protections permanent passed 55-12 on the urgency clause, AB 482 updating the Table Grape Commission passed 64-1, AB 1237 to support transit access for 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket holders passed 56-15 on the urgency clause, AB 738 on wildfire rebuild solar exemptions passed 42-2, AB 1460 on 340B pharmacy access for clinics passed 41-5, AB 750 on homeless shelter oversight passed 49-1, AB 1061 on housing in historic districts passed 41-13, AB 1523 on expanding mandatory mediation thresholds passed 65-0, and AB 316 on AI-related civil liability passed 56-0. AB 761 authorizing the Monterey-Salinas Transit District to seek a sales tax ballot measure passed 47-12. The chamber also adopted several resolutions. AJR 3 urging protection of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid passed 53-2 after extensive debate that included criticism of federal cuts and counterarguments focused on state Medi-Cal policy and budget decisions. ACR 65 proclaiming California Tourism Month was adopted by voice vote after coauthors were added, and ACR 62 recognizing California Nonprofits Day was also adopted by voice vote with 65 coauthors. AJR 5 affirming birthright citizenship and opposing efforts to end it passed 58-1 after a lengthy, highly partisan debate centered on the 14th Amendment and the Wong Kim Ark precedent. The session also included passage of AB 571, a CEQA exemption for the Southern California Veterans Cemetery at Gypsum Canyon, which was presented as a long-running bipartisan effort to create a final resting place for Orange County veterans.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 3/12/25 - Part 1

Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> member programs who provide Direct member programs who provide Direct Services<01:09:00.679><c>
  • </c> everything we've heard from our direct everything we've heard from our direct service<01:10:08.880
  • Trust is fundamental to providing the central trauma-informed health care following an assault.
  • Access to quality and affordable health care should not be dependent upon immigration status.
  • What does our health care system need? What does our workforce need? What does our economy need?
Keywords: 1183, house
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Hied Committee Meeting - 2025-04-03

Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • facilities and adds one board member specializing in health care.
  • So health care, as defined by the Minnesota Department of Health.
  • For example, a long-term care facility may come forward wanting to expand its memory care unit or add
  • In the definition of health care organization, it does require that the health care organization be authorized
  • Over 16,000 of those vacancies are in health care alone.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

March 20, 2025 - 11:30 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Cancer care coordination, this is in Section 8 of the GAA.
  • direction of getting your screenings done.
  • Because at the end of the day, typically it's your primary care doctor. has primary care doctors because
  • He will require a lifetime of future care.
  • You will require a lifetime of future care.
Summary: The Budget Committee met with a quorum and took up several bills. HB 677, relating to state-covered fertility preservation for employees undergoing cancer treatment, was introduced as coverage for egg and sperm preservation for up to three years, with an estimated fiscal impact of about $813,000. After brief questions and no public testimony or amendments, the bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS/HB 59, which would reform Florida’s wrongful incarceration compensation process by extending the filing deadline from 90 days to two years, removing the clean-hands requirement, and allowing exonerees to choose between the state compensation process and a civil lawsuit; it was supported by the City of Flagler Beach and passed unanimously. CS/HB 1313, which recreates the Resilient Florida Trust Fund in the Department of Environmental Protection before its scheduled termination in 2025, also passed unanimously after supportive testimony from advocacy groups. The committee received a lengthy presentation from the Department of Management Services on the State Group Insurance Program and the recent Revenue Estimating Conference. The presentation covered enrollment, revenues and expenditures, rising medical and pharmacy costs, emergency room utilization, GLP-1 drug spending, and options for tighter formulary and utilization management. Members asked about ER cost growth, GLP-1 coverage and copays, PBM oversight and potential conflicts, avoidable ER visits, cancer screening claims, dental and vision costs, specialty drug biosimilars, and possible savings from more restrictive pharmacy models. DMS said it would follow up on several questions and noted ongoing work on cancer coordination, preventive screening, biomarker testing, and a proposed member-facing benefits platform. The committee also heard extensive testimony on HB 301, which would raise sovereign immunity caps from $200,000 per person and $300,000 per incident to $1 million and $3 million, align limitations periods with private claims, and allow government entities to settle above the caps without a claims bill. Local governments, school-related entities, and county and city associations opposed the bill, warning of major fiscal impacts, higher insurance costs, and pressure on services; several speakers urged smaller increases or a tiered approach. Proponents, including families affected by catastrophic injury or death, argued the current caps are too low and the claims bill process is inefficient and unfair. After debate, the bill passed on a recorded vote, with some members voting no, and was reported favorably.
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

Finance - Room 216, 20 January, 2026; 10:30 AM

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • But we definitely look careful of that.
  • So you can direct your hearings.
  • </c> funds because the legislature cares funds because the legislature cares about<01:13:11.520><c> the
  • We all care about this topic a lot.
  • We all care about all our questions.
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks - Room 210, 18 March, 2026; 1:30 PM

Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks

Transcript Highlights:
  • I do want to express a concern that we need to be careful.
  • </c> if you would please take careful if you would please take careful consideration<00:09:05.000><c>
  • And as in the right direction with it.
  • We need to be careful with that.
  • </c><00:26:55.560><c> Um</c> to be careful with that. Um to be careful with that.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Special Committee on Property Tax Reform Feb 5th, 2026

Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Transcript Highlights:
  • We're moving in the right direction on it.
  • It's a direction that I want to move toward and move in.
  • But it's a really good direction.
  • I don't, as long as we get more voters to the poll, I don't care how we do it.
  • And I believe this is a good step in the right direction.
Summary: The Special Committee on Property Tax Reform met to consider a large committee substitute for House Bills 2780 and 2668, along with related amendments. Early discussion focused on the substitute’s changes, including removal of provisions dealing with nursing homes, apartment buildings, and the blind pension fund, plus a separate amendment to clean up ballot-language requirements so ballot measures would use neutral alphanumeric labels rather than descriptive titles. Members debated whether the labeling language was clear enough and whether clerks or the taxing entities would be responsible for assigning ballot names; the committee ultimately adopted the ballot-language amendment and the blind pension amendment, then rolled them into a new substitute. The committee then considered a more controversial amendment that would have required tax measures to receive affirmative support from 25% of registered voters and would have shifted certain elections to the November general election. Members raised concerns about public vetting, the practicality of the 25% threshold, possible strategic behavior, and whether the proposal would actually increase turnout or instead become a negotiating point. After extended debate, the sponsor withdrew that amendment, leaving the committee substitute with the ballot-language and blind-pension changes only. The committee also took up House Committee Substitute for House Joint Resolutions 148 and 111. An amendment was adopted to address Kansas City Public Schools’ concerns by bringing its levy treatment under Hancock-style rules and clarifying debt levy treatment. Members discussed the impact on school district financing and taxpayer bills, but the substitute and the HJR package were both reported do pass. The committee then reconsidered and re-voted House Bills 2780 and 2668 after a procedural reset, again adopting the substitute and reporting the bill do pass by a 13-3 vote. The meeting adjourned after the committee thanked members for their work and noted further action would continue later.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Community Safety Feb 3rd, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • It requires 98% of the revenue from the fees assessed for the offense to be directed to community-based
  • But it is a huge, huge problem in our system, and one that deserves our time and attention and our care
  • This is an important issue that all of us should care about.
  • This is an important issue that all of us should care about.
  • I don't think that this bill is going to move us in the right direction.
Summary: The House Community Safety Committee met in executive session on several bills previously heard, first reviewing proposed substitutes and amendments, then taking final action after a caucus recess. House Bill 1591, which provides sentencing, resentencing, and record-vacation relief for defendants who are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking, was advanced on a 7-2 vote after adopting substitute H3302.1. Members supporting the bill emphasized the need for a close causal connection and documentary proof of victimization; opponents raised concerns about cases involving harm to third parties and wanted more refinement. The committee also advanced House Bill 2146 on sexual exploitation of a minor after adopting Amendment 348, which clarified that the offense covers causing a minor to view sexually explicit conduct when the minor’s viewing will be photographed or part of a live performance. House Bill 2220, dealing with oversight and hearings procedures for the Criminal Justice Training Commission, was reported out on a 7-2 vote under substitute H3305.3, which dropped a higher burden of proof, adjusted hearing panel size, and allowed an administrative law judge to issue an initial order if the panel deadlocks. House Bill 2430, concerning the crime victim penalty assessment, was also reported out unanimously; its substitute increased assessment amounts, added a surcharge for defendants with substantial resources, tightened indigency exemptions, and restored an indigency exception for certain offenses. House Bill 2526 on prostitution generated the most debate. The committee withdrew one proposed substitute, then adopted substitute H3308.1 and Amendment Whale 275, which shifted the bill toward a model that increases penalties for buyers while requiring referrals to services for the first two investigative detentions of a person engaged in prostitution and limiting arrest until a third detention. Supporters said the changes would reduce criminalization of survivors and improve access to services, while opponents argued the bill and amendment would weaken enforcement and fail to protect trafficking victims. The committee reported the bill out 5-4. House Bill 2641 was deferred. Finally, House Bill 2648, addressing state and local law enforcement interactions with federal immigration enforcement, was amended with Lang 185 to require body cameras and reporting when officers encounter federal agents conducting immigration enforcement, remove a proposed Attorney General representation requirement, and require indemnification by the employing government. Supporters framed the bill as protecting civil rights and clarifying officers’ duties; opponents said it could hinder cooperation with federal partners and create operational problems. The committee approved the bill 6-3 and then adjourned.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Education Jan 20th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Is it your understanding, oh, and I was reminded, would you care to identify yourself for the record?
  • This program, however, is not required or directed by statute.
  • We serve direct school districts in our area, but we also work with OSPI in this program.
  • And turning to the vice chair, would you care to bring up a panel of those wishing to testify?
  • OK, so David Moon, if you care to turn on your camera and begin speaking.
Summary: The House Education Committee held public hearings on three bills. House Bill 2142 would replace statutory references to “alternative learning experience” with “remote and hybrid learning.” Committee staff and the prime sponsor said the change is intended to reduce stigma and more accurately describe programs that may be online, hybrid, or site-based. Several members raised concerns that the terminology could unintentionally affect fully in-person programs; the sponsor and a retired principal testified that the bill is meant as a name change and would not materially alter current programs. The bill drew 52 pro, 4 con, and 0 other sign-ins. House Bill 2369 would create a Washington Local Food for Schools program in OSPI to help schools procure and distribute Washington-grown foods through existing USDA food distribution systems. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would reduce logistical barriers for farmers and districts, support local agriculture, and improve the quality and appeal of school meals. Testimony came from school nutrition advocates, farmers, a school superintendent, students, and OSPI, with broad support and discussion of how the program would work through catalogs, ordering windows, and existing warehouses. The bill drew 455 pro, 64 con, and 1 other sign-in. House Bill 2432 would allow school districts and ESDs to sell or grant surplus technology hardware, such as laptops and tablets, directly to public school students and recent graduates at depreciated value, with priority for students with greater need. The sponsor said the goal is to help students transition to work, college, and other postsecondary opportunities. Committee members asked about whether the bill should address assistive devices and whether devices could be reserved for future graduating classes; staff noted existing law already covers transfer of assistive devices for students with disabilities. Testimony from district technology and finance staff supported the bill as a practical way to extend the life of devices and benefit students. The bill drew 57 pro, 5 con, and 0 other sign-ins. At the end of the meeting, the chair announced amendment deadlines for several bills scheduled for executive session later in the week and then adjourned the committee.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • have thought through all the angles of the difficult decisions. lead the commission in the right direction
  • He cared about each one of the people on the commission and considered them as colleagues, even though
  • And that deep care.
  • He cared for the commission and its employees and and it was apparent.
  • And so Those things were taken care of in the final report. And then.
Summary: In the latest meeting of the Texas Ethics Commission, significant discussions centered around newly passed legislation, specifically HB18 and SB12. HB18 introduces a civil penalty for members who accept political contributions while absent from the state, addressing potential obstructions to legislative actions. Senators and commissioners engaged in an in-depth dialogue about the implications of this bill, with many expressing concerns regarding enforcement and compliance. In contrast, SB12 expands the jurisdiction of the Attorney General to prosecute criminal election offenses, further tightening the oversight of election activities. The meeting concluded with acknowledgement of the efforts put forth by previous commission chairs, highlighting their contributions to the commission's success.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Finance Division III (03/04/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • the same things that you care about and the things that your neighbors care about: clean water, safe
  • same things that you care about and the same things that you care about and the<00:05:28.600><c> things
  • pediatric care for kids.
  • pediatric care for kids.
  • pediatric care for kids.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The Finance Division III work session focused on the Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health Services budget. Department staff said Public Health has a relatively small budget compared with other DHHS divisions, is supported mostly by federal and other non-General funds, and contains nearly 100 accounting units and more than 50 federal grants. They emphasized that the governor’s budget did not include significant cuts, but that federal funding uncertainty and the winding down of pandemic-era resources were major factors affecting the division. The division also explained that some apparent budget growth reflects reorganizations, including moving the Bureau of Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery and some programs from other DHHS divisions into Public Health. The presentation described Public Health’s mission as serving the entire state through food and water safety, disease surveillance, emergency response, maternal and child health, chronic disease prevention, WIC, community health center support, and public health data collection. Members asked about bird flu, and staff explained that human-health response would involve Public Health’s lab, infectious disease, and emergency preparedness units, while animal-health issues are handled with the Department of Agriculture; they also noted ongoing milk testing requested by FDA and USDA. The division said its organizational structure includes bureaus for Family Health and Nutrition, Infectious Disease Control, Public Health Protection, Emergency Preparedness, Prevention and Wellness, Statistics and Informatics, and Public Health Laboratories, with about a 15% vacancy rate. Committee members questioned whether the division’s budget and staffing had really grown since pre-COVID, and staff responded that full-time authorized staffing is about the same as in 2018, with the increase largely due to federal pandemic funding that has since receded and to program transfers between divisions. They said Public Health’s General Fund share is about $24 million out of roughly $1.1 billion in DHHS General Fund spending, or about 2.2% of the department total. Members also asked about the 3,000-position cap and unfunded positions; staff explained that the cap remains in chapter law through June 30, 2025, that 394 positions were unfunded in the governor’s budget, and that the division expects flexibility to move money from personnel lines and fill unfunded positions to manage changing needs. No votes or formal actions were taken in this portion of the work session.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 4/8/26

Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:05:19.920><c> housing</c> to address uh the direct housing to address uh the direct housing assistance
  • ,</c> restaurants, retail, home health care, restaurants, retail, home health care, and<00:09:18.480>
  • Nonprofits that care funding approach.
  • I also bring a lived experience with me of homelessness after being in foster care.
  • ,</c><00:14:18.000><c> I</c> After aging out of foster care, I After aging out of foster care, I experienced
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Health and Human Services - 04/01/25

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> take care of that uh system. Yeah. take care of that uh system. Yeah.
  • </c> compensated for the care they provide. compensated for the care they provide.
  • , including prenatal care, labor and delivery, and all of the postpartum care.
  • care, including prenatal<00:21:20.640><c> care,</c><00:21:21.039><c> the</c><00:21:21.200><c> labor</
  • my care.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session May 31st, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • If Senate Bill 457 doesn't pass, they have to spend 90% of those increases on direct care.
  • Child care. Child care. Okay. $100 million. Child care.
  • health care services.
  • I don't care what TALA says.
  • I don't care what Tala says.
Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation and then took up several conference committee matters and resolutions. It granted the House request for a conference committee on House Bill 46 and adopted a conference report on Senate Bill 37, which was described as higher education governance reform, including stronger board authority, changes to faculty senates, general education requirements, and a new ombudsman office. Senators also adopted a large package of resolutions and HCRs by voice vote. A major focus was Senate Bill 12, the “Parental Bill of Rights,” whose conference report was adopted after extended questioning. The bill was described as giving parents more access to school materials and grievance procedures, requiring parental consent for student clubs, and restricting school district employees from assisting with social transitioning or related gender-identity instruction. Senators raised concerns about effects on students already socially transitioned and on parental rights in medical or psychological decisions; the author said the House language was retained in key areas and that districts would need policies and parent notification. The report passed 20-11. The Senate then adopted a resolution allowing the conference committee on Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-2027, to go outside the bounds, and later adopted the budget conference report. Senators highlighted major funding for public education, property tax relief, public safety, health and human services, child care, water and transportation infrastructure, and the Texas Energy Fund. The budget discussion also covered higher education, mental health facilities, community attendant wages, rural hospitals, DFPS case management, child care assistance, and a study rider on TRS. The report passed unanimously, 30-0. Finally, the Senate suspended rules to take up Senate Bill 8 and adopted its conference report. The bill requires counties with jails or jail contracts to participate in the federal 287(g) immigration enforcement program, with sheriffs choosing among available models and counties receiving tiered grants to help cover costs. Supporters framed it as a public safety measure targeting criminal illegal aliens, while opponents questioned whether it would divert local resources and increase fear in immigrant communities. The report was adopted after debate.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh, Madam Secretary, do you care to please call the roll?
  • , or representing themselves as a medical or physical health care provider.
  • </c> is that mental and physical health care is that mental and physical health care all<00:08:39.839
  • </c><00:43:14.319><c> and</c> machine is not dictating care and machine is not dictating care and diagnosis
  • We would be at the forefront in our country with going down this direction.
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then heard testimony on the use of artificial intelligence in therapy and mental health settings. Representative Lisa Willner and Brenda Rosen of NASW Kentucky argued for “guard rails” on AI chatbots so they cannot present themselves as licensed therapists or replace school counselors, psychologists, or social workers. They said AI can support licensed professionals, but warned that chatbots cannot reliably recognize nonverbal cues, escalate crises, or provide accountable care, and they cited examples of harmful chatbot interactions, including a suicide case and a chatbot telling a user to “Please die.” The witnesses also raised concerns about data privacy, commercialization of sensitive mental health conversations, and the use of personal clinical content to train AI models. They said minors should require parental consent and suggested transparency about how a chatbot is trained and who created it. They distinguished between unvetted consumer chatbots and AI tools that have been scientifically validated or approved as digital therapeutics, noting that some evidence-based tools may be useful for specific conditions such as depression, anxiety, or eating disorders. Committee members asked whether regulation should be handled by the legislature or by professional boards, and whether a multi-state model would be preferable to 50 different state approaches. The witnesses generally favored expert-led standards and said a board or panel of experts could review and approve mental health chatbots, but members cautioned that boards can become too restrictive and that legislation should preserve flexibility and avoid discouraging children from seeking help. The discussion ended with a request for the witnesses to restate their proposed policy ideas, including privacy protections, bans on commercialization, limits on training AI with clinical content, transparency requirements, and informed consent.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

House - Health and Human Services Oct 2nd, 2025

House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's expanding the use of the Rural Health Care Delivery Fund.
  • , to specialists that they need in long-term care.
  • So under the Rural Health Care Fund that exists today, new health care services have been provided to
  • The original statute didn't direct.
  • to invest in primary care.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Finance - 03/18/26

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> care of in each um category? care of in each um category? Ms.<00:07:25.960><c> Davis.</c> Ms.
  • And the folks who take Continuum Care.
  • As, you know, Minnesotans, we care about our neighbors.
  • As, you know, Minnesotans, we care about our neighbors.
  • As, you know, Minnesotans, we care about our neighbors.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Delivery of Government Efficiency Mar 5th, 2025

Delivery of Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:
  • We manage a health care program for our retirees. That's called TRS Care. And then we also.
  • participate in active care.
  • subscriptions, direct primary care? I will get you that number. We have a.
  • In order to get care through our. plan, you have to go through a primary care doctor.
  • care.
Keywords: 1184, house, all