Bills: HF257 , HF394 , HF550 , HF756 , HF757 , HF913 , SSB1219 , SF307 , SF613 , SF165 , SF57 , SSB1216 , SSB1226

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: HF 257, ATV, UTV, all-terrain vehicle, off-road utility vehicle, secondary roads, county fee, local fees, county authority, Iowa Code 321I.10, recreational vehicles, off-road vehicles, road use permit, municipal regulation, county revenue, preemption, implements of husbandry, state highways, interstate designation, vehicle weight regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• go to long you know process of selecting God parents and in our community we we look at God parents
• as the kids second parents and and it seems to me that I understand as the kids second parents and and
• I am a foster youth and currently work as direct care staff in a foster group home that I myself grew
• is a protective parent.
• These should be up to the parental individuals, and like the foster children we've had here listening

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The committee approved the March 18 and 19 minutes and heard a presentation from the University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix on its new tuition-free, three-year regional medical school branch in Yuma. The presenter said the program is designed to address Arizona’s primary care shortage by training students in a high-need rural area, with 18 months in Phoenix and 18 months in Yuma, and members asked about residency placement, applicant eligibility, and whether students would be required to remain in rural Arizona after training. The program was described as open to applicants from in and out of state, with no post-graduation practice commitment, but with an emphasis on recruiting students already interested in rural care. The committee then heard several health and child welfare bills. HB 2923 would expand judicial review procedures for court-ordered mental health treatment, add timelines and counsel protections, and require clear and convincing evidence to continue treatment; supporters said it updates outdated 1970s law and preserves due process. HB 2434 would change the controlled substances prescription monitoring program by requiring updated patient utilization reports before opioid or benzodiazepine prescribing, tightening reporting rules, and replacing a task force with a compliance workgroup. HB 2035 would broaden kinship foster care to include extended family, strengthen sibling and family placement preferences, require written findings when kin placement is denied, and shift the standard from promoting to presuming kinship placement as in the child’s best interest; DCS said the policy largely matches current practice but raised an implementation concern about a report deadline before preliminary protective hearings. The committee also heard HB 2611, which would expand foster youth rights and safety protections in group homes, including anti-retaliation rules, drug-screening requirements for staff, and new safety rules for DCS and DHS; foster youth and group home staff testified in support, while DCS was neutral and noted possible fiscal and operational impacts. HB 2732 would continue the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy until 2032, and HB 2733 would make various pharmacy regulation changes, including medication delivery flexibility, continuing education timing, change-of-ownership permits, and wholesale distribution permitting. HB 2830, as amended, would require instruction on fetal and prenatal development and initially restricted abortion-provider materials in schools, but the amendment removed that prohibition; testimony split between supporters who framed it as educational and opponents who objected to its implications for reproductive rights. HB 2932, as amended, would require AHCCCS contractors to reimburse noncontracting providers for referred lab services and limit prior authorization and retaliation; health plans opposed it as a threat to managed care tools, while lab providers supported it as fair payment for covered services. Finally, HB 4004 would require DCS to investigate credible abuse or neglect reports even when one parent is considered protective, and to report annually on cases where it declined to intervene. Parents testified that abuse was minimized or left uninvestigated because of the “protective parent” concept, while supporters said the bill would close a dangerous gap. The committee also considered HB 2086, which would bar government and businesses from imposing mask or vaccination requirements, though an amendment removed the business prohibition; supporters framed it as bodily autonomy and opponents argued it would weaken public health protections. The committee voted to give do pass recommendations to HB 2035, HB 2086 as amended, HB 2434, HB 2611 as amended, HB 2732, HB 2733, HB 2830 as amended, HB 2923, HB 2932 as amended, and HB 4004, with recorded no votes on some measures, including opposition from members on HB 2086, HB 2830, HB 2932, and HB 4004.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it's giving them information to better manage our foster cares.
• Would you believe that as a former foster parent and recruiter of foster families that throughout the
• Would you believe that as a former foster parent and recruiter of foster families that throughout the
• It does say if foster parents are going to place with these, they have to notify the department, that
• The state becomes the parent of these children.

Bills: SB1558 , SB1983 , SB1796 , SB1806 , SB1426 , SB633

Committee: House Children, Youth and Family Services

Summary: The committee first announced that Senate Bills 1426 and 633 would not be heard and then took up several foster-care-related measures. Senate Bill 1983, presented by Representative Kane, would require the Department of Human Services to provide aggregated foster care data to private child-placing agencies under contract with DHS so they can better identify shortages, placement needs, and sibling separation issues. Members discussed how the information would be used and emphasized that no private information would be shared. The bill passed 6-0 and was sent to oversight. Majority Leader Lawson then presented Senate Bill 1796, which largely codifies existing foster care administrative rules and adds a 72-hour cap for informal care. Members asked about screening and background checks for temporary caregivers, and Lawson explained that caregivers must be screened and that DHS must verify placements are safe. The bill passed 6-0 and moved on. Lawson also presented Senate Bill 1806, extending foster care eligibility to age 21 for certain youth who are aging out or who achieved permanency after age 16, with education, training, or work requirements. Members discussed the need for post-21 services, possible future review of additional supports, and the bill’s potential to draw federal matching funds. It passed 6-0 and was reported out. Representative Geis presented Senate Bill 1558, which clarifies the definition of a child for licensing level E group homes so a youth can remain in a judge-ordered placement until age 19 to receive rehabilitation services. The committee had no questions or debate, and the bill passed unanimously 6-0. In closing, the chair thanked members for their attendance and work on children and family issues, noted the committee’s accomplishments during the year, and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• veterans affairs, or survivors of deceased adoptive parents or their parents before they went into foster
• I'm an adoptive parent and, as a former foster parent as well, I'm speaking on House Bill 2216.
• As a foster parent, I've seen the impact of different approaches.
• , and I am a foster adopt parent.
• I have represented foster parents, and I have represented grandparents.

Bills: HB18 , HB37 , HB 116 , HB388 , HB879 , HB913 , HB 1151 , HB2216 , HB2358 , HB2809 , SB577 , SB1590 , SB1782 , SB1887 , SB2744 , HB18 , HB37 , HB116

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• I have navigated the foster care system myself starting at a young age.
• I was in foster care from the age of six until I aged out at 18 in Hillsborough County.
• When I was living in Hillsborough County, I received the foster youth independence voucher.
• agencies, and child placing agencies, allowing a foster parent to amend their current like. agencies
• allowing a foster parent to amend their current license when they relocate without the need to submit

Summary: The committee met to consider a large agenda of health and human services bills, moving quickly because of a two-hour time limit. Early measures reported favorably included SB 976 on challenges to court-appointed psychologists in family law cases, SB 306 on Medicaid provider network access and after-hours availability, and SB 584 on housing supports for college students and youth in extended foster care. SB 1412 on home health regulation modernization also passed, with one support appearance from the Home Care Association. Members then approved several bills focused on research and care delivery, including SB 1800 creating a Parkinson’s disease research consortium at USF with an adopted amendment adding academic medical centers, SB 524 adding Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening, SB 1156 revising a Medicaid home health aide program for medically fragile children, and SB 1490 transferring and redesigning the managed care program for critically ill children. SB 1174 on foster home licensure transfers, SB 1620 implementing mental health and substance use commission recommendations, SB 1568 revising e-prescribing exemptions, and SB 788 on veterans nursing home beds were also reported favorably. The committee had more extensive debate on SB 1270, the Department of Health agency package, which included provisions on vaccination status, medical marijuana background screening, licensing and compact issues, and sovereign immunity for volunteer dental workers; it passed after an amendment and several members voiced concerns about patient treatment and “voting power” language. SB 1606 on patient access to records drew strong opposition from providers and health information professionals over privacy, HIPAA, and administrative burdens; it was initially reported unfavorably, then reconsidered and ultimately passed after a motion to reconsider. Other bills reported favorably included SB 1736 on insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives, SB 1808 on patient refunds from providers, SB 1842 on referral disclosure of network status, SB 1354 on behavioral health managing entity oversight, SB 1768 on stem cell therapies with informed consent requirements, and SPB 7032 on presumptive Medicaid eligibility for permanently disabled individuals, which was submitted and reported as a committee bill. The meeting ended after all agenda items were handled and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The program for children in foster care.
• Children stay safely with their families and out of foster care.
• These parents are doing everything they can to explore their options.
• avoid placement in the foster care system.
• I'm a licensed professional counselor supervisor.

Bills: HB231 , HB231 , HB475 , HB488 , HB632 , HB821 , HB1786 , HB1955 , HB2036 , HB2060 , HB2659 , HB2677

Committee: House S/C on Disease Prevention & Women's & Children's Health

Keywords: HB 231, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, permit exemption, dam, reservoir, erosion control, flood control, floodwater control, sediment control, watershed protection, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS, Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, local sponsor, water appropriation, small dam, water diversion, maintenance, rehabilitation

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 989 simplifies the foster care home licensure transfer process, ensuring that foster parents who relocate
• Members, this is a friendly amendment that clarifies to allow foster parents to transfer their license
• Our parents are economically challenged.
• parents to not be able to keep their licenses as foster parents.
• So there have been parents; foster parents have decided to no longer keep their foster children as they've

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and heard six bills, all of which were reported favorably. HB 1567, relating to insulin administration by direct support professionals, was amended to clarify the type of insulin that may be administered and to allow supervision of self-administration of an insulin pen. Supporters described the bill as a way to keep people with developmental disabilities in group homes rather than forcing institutional placement; the amendment and bill both passed unanimously, 17-0. PCS for HB 1103, on services for persons with disabilities, would expand the APD managed care pilot statewide in phases, require more transparency on waitlist data, create a statewide family care council, and address transition services for young adults leaving foster care. Testimony was mixed: supporters emphasized the long APD waitlist and the need for a voluntary option, while some witnesses and members raised concerns about the accelerated rollout, limited data, and preserving consumer-directed care. The committee adopted the bill 17-0. CS for HB 127, on exceptional student education, would create micro-credentials and coordinate with the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities and OSHA to support students with disabilities transitioning to work; it passed 17-0 after testimony from a parent and advocates. HB 989, concerning licensure of family foster homes, was amended to streamline license transfers for foster parents moving within Florida while maintaining oversight and directing DCF rulemaking. A teacher and other supporters said the bill would reduce bureaucracy and help children remain in stable homes; it passed 17-0. PCS for HB 1091, on substance abuse and mental health care, updates processes related to the 988 crisis line, methadone treatment needs assessments, and forensic evaluators, and adds data/reporting requirements for DCF managing entities. After one amendment and testimony from supporters and one opponent, it passed 16-0. Finally, HB 633, on behavioral health managing entities, was amended and then approved 17-0; it requires more structured data and reporting from managing entities to increase accountability and transparency in the behavioral health system.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also have a big hearted, loving, loving Minnesota, whose passions as a foster parent was impacted by
• My spouse and I are former foster parents who retired our license because we felt misled when the county
• As brand-new foster parents dealing with the unique situation, we reached out to the baby's social worker
• parents who retired or license because we felt misled when the county used the title social worker for
• As brand-new foster parents dealing with the unique Her social worker's actions were confusing.

Bills: HF3454 , HF3917 , HF2906 , HF3832 , HF3769

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the mother of two biological daughters and also a foster mom, and I have been mentoring foster kids
• Perfect example: a two-parent family, both parents are working, they’re not staying at home, they’re
• Parents apply online.
• It's not easy for a lot of parents.
• “A license. Are usually licensed by DCF.

Summary: The Education Administration Subcommittee held an introductory meeting focused largely on member introductions and “homework” reports about education issues in each district. Members raised a wide range of concerns and priorities, including early childhood care and VPK access, school choice and school closures, teacher recruitment and retention, conflict resolution and school safety, early literacy and preparedness, technology and AI/STEM instruction, attendance and mental health, ESE services, dual enrollment and career/technical education, caregiving youth, and real-time student enrollment/funding tracking. Several members also emphasized local challenges such as housing-driven teacher turnover, disaster-related attendance problems, and funding inequities across counties. The committee then heard a detailed presentation on Florida’s early learning system from Chancellor Carrie Miller of the Department of Education’s Division of Early Learning. She outlined the structure and funding of School Readiness, VPK, and the Gold Seal Quality Care program, the role of early learning coalitions and DCF, and the state’s quality and accountability measures. She highlighted the importance of kindergarten readiness, teacher quality, and the new School Readiness Plus program, which helps families transition off subsidy more gradually. Additional panelists from the Children’s Forum, the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe, and a Tallahassee child care provider discussed workforce shortages, low wages, provider turnover, the TEACH scholarship program, Help Me Grow, local coalition operations, and the need for more providers and more consistent regulation. During questions, members asked about wait lists, special needs services, teacher retention, provider onboarding, and DCF regulation. The panel said Miami-Dade’s wait list was about 4,000 children and described priority categories for service; they also said children with disabilities are screened and referred for support, though not given a separate priority category. Panelists reported that TEACH has helped reduce turnover through education support and service commitments, but said wages and career pathways remain major issues. Members also pressed for clearer, more consistent licensing standards and more support for new providers entering the field. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kate student parents, staffed by licensed social workers who provide confidential support for any pregnant
• Kate student parents are seeking reliable, trustworthy child care, whether through a licensed provider
• Kate student parents, staffed<01:24:30.320><c> by</c><01:24:30.480><c> licensed</c><01:24:30.960><c>
• Like most parents, St. Kate future. Like most parents, St.
• At Foster Advocates.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• The parents that I came in contact with yesterday, 12 parents came, have had a really Horrible, tragic
• Parents need to know that it's gone.
• At its core, the Texas Parental Bill of Rights and education is about reaffirming that parents are the
• parental consent.
• of parents.

Bills: SCR5 , SCR13 , SB3 , SB6 , SB10 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB17 , SB18 , SB19 , SB24 , SB35 , SB57 , SB65 , SB112 , SB284 , SB290 , SB388 , SB400 , SB402 , SB412 , SB495 , SB499 , SB502 , SB509 , SB621 , SB706 , SB740 , SB815 , SB842 , SB854 , SB875 , SB893 , SB917 , SB974 , SB1025 , SB1061 , SB1073 , SB1106 , SB1268 , SB1281 , SB1300 , SB1362 , SB1379 , SB1447 , SB1451 , SB1555 , SB1902 , SJR36 , SJR12 , SCR13 , SCR25 , SCR5 , SCR22 , SCR12 , SCR24 , SB495 , SB412 , SB10 , SB18 , SB565 , SB372 , SB842 , SB765 , SB62 , SB19 , SB666 , SB707 , SB888 , SB687 , SB706 , SB847 , SB290 , SB13 , SB1248 , SB740 , SB14 , SB1006 , SB504 , SB917 , SB925 , SB388 , SB1902 , SB1121 , SB995 , SB857 , SB305 , SB296 , SB284 , SB35 , SB6 , SB815 , SB3 , SB1281 , SB1379 , SB1300 , SB1497 , SB1499 , SB1498 , SB1451 , SB1061 , SB15 , SB65 , SB241 , SB304 , SB402 , SB499 , SB621 , SB974 , SB1023 , SB1024 , SB1025 , SB1106 , SB686 , SB112 , SB371 , SB204 , SB400 , SB609 , SB1447 , SB670 , SB502 , SB427 , SB850 , SB854 , SB413 , SB1555 , SB1362 , SB1346 , SB1033 , SB1220 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB987 , SB1539 , SB893 , SB447 , SB875 , SB406 , SB509 , SB985 , SB965 , SB17 , SB1119 , SB1505 , SB12 , SB24 , SB57 , SB1194 , SB1253 , SB1215 , SB1532 , SB1268 , SB1302 , SB856 , SB650 , SB583 , SB673 , SB840 , SJR57 , SCR8 , SB213 , SB681 , SB1172 , SB1252 , SB378 , SB610 , SB918 , SB1343 , SB608 , SB487 , SB955 , SB957 , SB988 , SB990 , SB1019 , SB1021 , SB1120 , SB251 , SB958 , SB535 , SB761 , SB1 , SB541 , SB315 , SB379 , SB1018 , SB1737 , SB266 , SB1415

Transcript Highlights:

• I placed a pamphlet in there to help us recruit amazing foster parents.
• Well, I know two people in this capital that are looking to become foster parents.
• I know two people in this capital looking at becoming foster parents.
• They need a foster parent.
• Madam Secretary, could you arrange for the Secretary to have a foster parent of early childhood?

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• She said she knows what the bill is trying to do and respects it, but as a foster parent it is already
• </c><00:33:31.560><c> parent,</c> a foster parent, a foster parent, it<00:33:33.480><c> it</c><00:33:
• home for that 16-year-old because no foster parent is going to take a 16-year-old who has fentanyl if
• If they cannot go to a foster home because they bring fentanyl into the home, the foster parent is going
• Licensers should be able to licensing.

Bills: HF4407 , HF4382

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• new section 39-1225, Idaho Code, to establish provisions regarding the youth bill of rights and licensed
• Idaho Code, by the addition of a new section 39-12, Idaho Code, to establish provisions regarding foster
• , Idaho Code by the addition of a new section 39-12, Idaho Code to establish provisions regarding foster
• The presenter explained that foster youth in Idaho often become custodial responsibility of the state
• when their parents die, and that the state may take possession of Social Security benefits.

Transcript Highlights:

• parents, those children need care right away.
• The federal legislation known as Fostering Connections established the extended foster care program.
• The process starts when the youth turns 14 and is in foster care.
• Starting at age 14, like if we have a youth in foster care, and a foster care youth enters a system at
• With the Title IV-E extended foster care program, a youth can opt in.

Transcript Highlights:

• Have they come from the foster care families where they foster parents of the various children who are
• So there are there is no foster relative non relative license caregiver who is excluded on that basis
• However, unlike traditional foster homes treatment, foster parents receive the specialized training to
• Now, the also the training and what would be expected of these foster parent that has this high acuity
• foster parent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our programs do Address disparities, child and parental health, and family income, wealth, and parental
• This is in regards to treatment foster care.
• and health care service options for foster treatment care?
• Treatment foster care placements.
• We guess that there are a lot of people who are licensed, a lot of physicians who are licensed in New

Transcript Highlights:

• It was mostly up to my parents.
• youth whose parents have passed away.
• This only deals with the foster care youth.
• to take on foster kids in general.
• But within that, there's a lot of these foster kids that their parents do pass away.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• Anyways, families had no licensed care. Children were caring for themselves if parents had a job.
• cabinet, so surely you know that foster care parents are getting paid 21 an hour, maybe 24 if they're
• Can the foster care parents sign up and become the relative neighbor home care provider? Mr.
• We haven't fixed the problem for foster parents. Grandparents raising grandchildren already have...
• The foster care parents are getting $21 a day, but it sounds like they can sign up possibly to provide

Transcript Highlights:

• group homes or foster care homes.
• group homes or foster care homes.
• Her two younger siblings— that foster parent wanted them, but not her.
• She was adopted at age four from foster care.
• That foster parent wanted them, but not her. My daughter and her husband adopted her.