Transcript Highlights:

• I am here testifying for this bill as I I have experience administering Narcan.
• Two years ago, on the light rail, a man was suffering from an overdose, and a fellow passenger had Narcan
• It is only a matter of minutes between the time of overdose and administering Narcan, typically between
• the room, one of the issues we are facing is that some individuals in our community adamantly say Narcan
• I will say that when I administered Narcan on a passenger on the light rail, when he came back to life

Transcript Highlights:

• Only this has to do with Narcan.
• <01:12:44.400> that agencies that distribute Narcan that agencies that distribute Narcan that
• Narcan is not considered paraphernalia. Narcan is not considered paraphernalia.
• You'd be effectively use Narcan.
• They distribute more Narcan, more doses of Narcan to individuals using drugs than anyone in our state

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are looking at providing funds to provide opiate antagonists, and it says, for example, Narcan.
• Our contract primarily distributes Narcan to individuals in the community, in part because it is the
• So, in hearing what you're saying now, am I to understand that it's not just simply for the Narcan?
• My question is, is this money primarily going simply to purchase and distribute the Narcan, but then
• I'm trying to find out whether this is going toward Narcan or if it's going to other activities.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the January 14 minutes and then considered a large agenda of contracts, including personal services contracts, amendments, memoranda of agreement, and Kentucky Entertainment Incentive Program items. The chair noted the agenda contained 240 items and emphasized the need for transparency in how contract approvals work. Several items were pulled for questions, while the rest were approved without objection. The first major discussion involved seven contingency-fee contracts for the Attorney General’s office. Committee members asked about the apparent $20 million maximum per contract, and staff explained that the amount was a ceiling, not a guarantee, and that under the statutory waterfall in KRS 45A.717 a $20 million fee would require roughly $355 million returned to the Commonwealth. Staff also said the new batch included some new firms, that these contracts are being handled in 6- to 12-month batches, and that no money had yet been spent from the prior cycle. The committee then approved those contracts. Members also questioned a Cabinet for Health and Family Services training contract, which officials said was needed because Finance provides only Kentucky-specific training, while the outside vendor offers broader procurement and federal-funds training; the committee approved that item. A University of Kentucky capital project contract for the State Capitol exterior renovation was approved after questions about the open-ended date, total project cost, and expected completion, with staff saying the overall project is projected for substantial completion by the end of 2026 and final warranty work could extend into 2027. A DCBS amendment for SSI eligibility determinations for children in out-of-home care was explained as an increase caused by a protest, a reissued RFP, and more children entering care; the committee approved it after discussion of the protest and scoring details. The committee also approved a Transportation Cabinet amendment for an I-71 widening and interchange project in Oldham County after staff explained it was a time extension with no additional funds, though the project had evolved due to traffic changes and now includes an eight-lane bridge design. Finally, the committee discussed two Finance Cabinet facilities and support services amendments tied to the Capitol renovation and juvenile justice facility retrofits. Staff said the Capitol project contract covered the full design team, with completion projected around 2029, while the juvenile justice amendments covered additional design work for McCracken and Breathitt facilities, with final bid documents expected in June or July and construction anticipated to begin in the latter half of 2025. Both items were approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• , like my husband would not be alive if I did not have Narcan in my home.
• All the anecdotal stories of Narcan parties were as false then as they are today.
• All the anecdotal stories of Narcan parties were as false then as they are today.
• Narcan. Narcan.
• Even in 2024, after allies were allowed to dispense Narcan, we saw a big drop.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would increase access to opioid antagonists and other medications like Narcan by requiring
• Four weeks before my son's death, he overdosed and was revived with Narcan.
• Narcan and other opioid antagonists are a critical part of general harm reduction efforts.
• When Narcan was first available, we wanted to get it into the hands of first responders and to people
• We need to have Narcan as easily available as possible.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a public hearing on a wide range of bills, with testimony first focused on H. 1315/S. 824, which would require insurance coverage for pain management options during IUD insertion. Representative Sabadosa, Planned Parenthood clinicians, and policy advocates said sedation can reduce fear and trauma, improve access to effective contraception, and should be reimbursed so providers can continue offering it. A Tufts OB-GYN resident also testified that pain control should be standard care for intrauterine procedures. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee then heard extensive testimony on firefighter health bills, especially H. 1230/S. 690 requiring insurance coverage for cancer screenings for firefighters. Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts leaders, a Dana-Farber oncologist, and firefighters themselves described occupational exposure to carcinogens and personal stories of late-stage cancer detection, arguing that early screening can save lives and reduce long-term costs. Representative Crichton and Representative Howitt also spoke in support, and Representative Ayers testified for H. 4012, which would require neurological disorder screenings for firefighters. Committee members expressed support and sympathy, but no action was taken. The hearing also covered H. 3946/S. 756 on hearing aid coverage, with testimony from students, adults with hearing loss, disability advocates, and HLAA representatives describing the educational, social, and financial barriers caused by lack of coverage and urging broader insurance mandates. Later, Representative Donahue and Representative Vargas testified for H. 1337 to expand insurance coverage for opioid antagonists and related medications, including naloxone dispensed at discharge. The committee additionally heard testimony on H. 1134 to improve chronic pain care coordination and non-opioid access, and H. 4162 to improve ostomy supply coverage and access to certified ostomy care, with patients and clinicians describing denials, quantity limits, and non-medical switching. The transcript ends while testimony on H. 1315/S. 824 is still ongoing; no votes or formal committee actions are recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• reverse this do you >> and does narcan reverse this do you know?
• If Narcan doesn't work, this is 100%.
• Uh, if you react to the Narcan, it wouldn't do anything to you.
• Uh, if you react to the Narcan, it wouldn't do anything to you.
• <02:03:20.800> Um,<02:03:21.280> Narcan<02:03:22.000> will Narcan will work

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As we talked about last time, in every one of these, you'll see Narcan distribution because we distribute
• Narcan wherever. because we distribute Narcan wherever we can.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I also want to bring to your attention House Bill 113637, which expanded Narcan access.
• And I want to announce that we have sent out over 40,000 doses of Narcan.
• we have sent out over 40,000<00:29:18.720> doses<00:29:18.960> of<00:29:19.120> Narcan
• > I<00:29:21.200> have<00:29:21.520> at<00:29:21.840> my 40,000 doses of Narcan
• I I have at my 40,000 doses of Narcan.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 22 January, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, dispensed with the journal reading, and reported no select committee reports. Members then recognized visitors and guests, including representatives from Mississippi College and Coastal American Insurance. The chamber spent considerable time honoring Mississippi College’s 200th anniversary, with remarks from members about the school’s history, its law school, and personal experiences there, followed by the presentation of a proclamation and applause. On the rules calendar, the House adopted several resolutions in blocks, including three House concurrent resolutions and then five House resolutions, all by unanimous or near-unanimous voice vote. One motion to reconsider House Bill 534 was tabled. The House also granted immediate release on the adopted resolutions. Later, a member introduced an out-of-order birthday recognition and a family baseball photo, which drew laughter and applause. On the general calendar, the House took up House Bill 4, a County Affairs bill concerning municipal annexation. The bill would require an election in both the municipality and the proposed annexation area if 20% of electors in the area petition for one, with annexation failing unless both sides agree; if defeated, the question could be brought back after five years. Members questioned whether the measure would make annexation much harder, whether business owners would vote, and how it compared with current court-based annexation procedures. The bill was laid on the table subject to call after discussion. Military Affairs, Transportation, and Medicaid were then reported as passing. The clerk announced upcoming committee meetings and a suffrage bill deadline, members made additional announcements including recognition of the doctor of the day and Recovery Day 2026, and the House adjourned to reconvene Monday at 4 p.m., weather permitting, with a possible delay to Tuesday or Wednesday if roads were impassable.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some folks will say, well, overdoses are down, and that is true, thank God, because of Narcan and the
• 29.479> of that is true uh thank God uh because of that is true uh thank God uh because of Narcan
• 30.639> the<00:05:30.759> efforts<00:05:31.039> of<00:05:31.199> First Narcan
• <00:16:27.079> and that all schools um also have Narcan and that all schools um also have
• Narcan and other<00:16:27.480> opioid<00:16:27.959> antagonist<00:16:28.560> which

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Narcan and medication-assisted treatment are discussed or practiced.
• I gave her and her family Narcan.
• So to answer your question, we're doing good getting Narcan out there.
• I have little to-go bags, and they do have Narcan, but we talk about NA.
• I have little to-go bags, and they do have Narcan, but we talk about NA.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• need for the ability of the department to issue a standing order relative to administration of the Narcan
• 00:30:52.799> otherwise<00:30:53.120> known<00:30:53.360> as<00:30:53.440> Narcan
• Nlloxxone, otherwise known as Narcan. Nlloxxone, otherwise known as Narcan.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Legislative Administration Committee met to consider SB 197, which concerns medical supervision for the licensed registered nurse employed by the Legislative Facilities Committee. The main discussion focused on an amendment, 2025188H, that adds language about the chief medical officer’s authority to issue standing orders and includes immunity language for civil or criminal liability when acting in good faith and with reasonable care. John Williams of Health and Human Services explained that the language was modeled on similar provisions used for standing orders such as Narcan and epinephrine, and that it was vetted with the Attorney General’s office. Members raised questions about whether the immunity could shield mistakes or apply beyond the State House nurse; the chair clarified that the provision applies to the chief medical officer’s issuance of standing orders under this section, while the nurse’s practice remains governed by RSA 326. Representative Wade moved the amendment, which was seconded and adopted on a roll call vote of 10-0. The committee then voted on SB 197 as amended and recommended it ought to pass as amended, again by a 10-0 roll call vote. The bill was placed on consent, and the chair noted that a written committee report would be prepared. After the vote, the chair briefly updated members on other upcoming matters, including a Senate message on the Gold Star flag bill, the status of an enroll bills issue, and a Senate amendment to HB 248 on ethics. The committee also discussed scheduling for a joint historic committee meeting and a proposed Wentworth Cheswell portrait item, and members offered closing thanks to the chair, clerk, and staff for their work.

Transcript Highlights:

• I gave her and her family Narcan.
• She saw it in those kits, the resources that we leave behind with that Narcan.
• So to answer your question, we're doing good getting Narcan out there.
• And that's why getting Narcan pushed out and getting those folks trained is really important.
• , or if it’s after five, which sometimes that happens, I have little to-go bags, and they do have Narcan

Summary: The meeting focused on Missouri’s substance use prevention and treatment system, with repeated emphasis on recovery support services, peer support, recovery housing, transportation, and harm reduction. Dan Haniken of Into Action described his own recovery from addiction and incarceration and argued that treatment alone is not enough; he urged greater investment in recovery housing, peer support, employment, and community-based supports that help people stay sober and avoid relapse. Members asked about funding sources, program capacity, referrals, treatment court, transportation, and how Into Action supports people on medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Haniken said the organization is funded through a mix of federal, state, county, city, foundation, and private donations, and that housing and transportation remain major barriers, especially because support is often funded for too short a period compared with the longer time people need to stabilize. Matt Cushman of the Raytown Fire Protection District gave a strong endorsement of harm reduction, including naloxone distribution, syringe service programs, and broader decriminalization of harm reduction tools. He argued that stigma is a major barrier to care and that Missouri should expand access to clean needles, test strips, and other services, while also improving access to MAT in jails and communities. Committee members questioned the evidence base, the role of faith-based providers, and whether safe consumption sites should be pursued; Cushman said syringe exchange decriminalization should be the immediate priority, while safe consumption sites are a longer-term issue. He also described community paramedicine and mobile integrated health as valuable but funding-dependent, and said naloxone distribution is improving but still uneven, especially in rural and minority communities. Representatives from Central Ozarks Medical Center and Four Rivers Community Health Center highlighted the importance of peer support specialists, community health workers, care coordinators, and wraparound services in rural health centers. COMC’s Morgan McClure and Monet Lehman described a jail reentry program in Pulaski County, with Lehman sharing her trauma and recovery story and explaining how she helps incarcerated people prepare for release with housing, employment, benefits, transportation, and treatment connections. Four Rivers’ Devon Polarys and Cassandra Trout said their CEO would change Missouri policy to allow FQHCs to receive reimbursement for peer support and community health worker services similar to CCBHCs, arguing that these roles are essential for addressing barriers like transportation, housing, food insecurity, and insurance. Members discussed confusion over reimbursement rules, the differences between FQHCs and CCBHCs, and the need for better funding and clearer policy for peer and community health worker services. No votes were taken; the discussion ended with a suggestion to bring in a subject matter expert on community health workers for a future session.

Transcript Highlights:

• While overdose deaths have declined thanks in part to increased Narcan availability, nonfatal overdoses
• On all the topics that we cover, including but not limited to Narcan, Steve's Law, recognizing signs
• you know we're saving people's of Narcan you know we're saving people's lives<01:25:24.040> and
• Number one, the thing that has been key is harm reduction, getting Narcan available and out in public
• I have another bill to change verbiage in that curriculum bill that would just add Narcan instruction

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• are either being laced with more fentanyl and illicit substances, which may not be as responsive to Narcan
• But in response to what we are doing at DHSD, we're increasing the number of access points for NARCAN
• So, I'll just give an example for Las Cruces, we added three sites for distribution of NARCAN.
• They're giving out an additional 100 doses of NARCAN per month since we’ve done that in the last eight

Transcript Highlights:

• how to recognize the behavior and respond to it, in particular something as simple as the use of Narcan
• particular something as simple as the<00:08:45.519> use<00:08:45.600> of<00:08:45.760> Narcan
• > And<00:08:47.040> I<00:08:47.360> know<00:08:47.519> almost the use of Narcan
• And I know almost the use of Narcan.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And so as a result, you can use Narcan to help them on the side of fentanyl or carfentanil, but Narcan
• And as they said, the biggest thing was this actually stops Narcan from saving other lives.
• Naloxone, Narcan will not bring someone back if they have overdosed on xylazine, and often it's mixed

Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee heard and advanced a series of bills on inmate medical billing, court-order transmission, animal abandonment during disasters, first responder peer support, firearm purchase waiting periods, capital felony aggravators, domestic violence protections, boating safety, restitution for leaving the scene of a crash, xylazine trafficking, and offenses against law enforcement officers. Testimony was generally supportive across the agenda, with some opposition or caution raised on the xylazine bill, the boating safety bill, and parts of the law-enforcement-officer bill. Several measures were presented as responses to specific tragedies, including the Martin County jail medical billing bill, the Baker Act transmission bill, Trooper’s Law for restrained dogs, the Jason Rayner Act, and Lucy’s Law. HB 407 would cap certain emergency medical charges for Martin County jail inmates at 110% of Medicare rates, mirroring Department of Corrections practice; it passed 15-0. HB 513 would require faster electronic transmission of certain court orders, including Baker Act orders, to law enforcement within six hours; it passed 15-0. HB 205, Trooper’s Law, creates a third-degree felony for abandoning a restrained dog during a natural disaster; it passed 15-0. HB 421, as amended, expands peer support for first responders to certain support personnel involved in crime scene work or evidence handling; it passed 16-0. PCS for HB 383 would let law enforcement, correctional officers, correctional probation officers, and active military service members bypass the three-day handgun waiting period without a concealed carry permit; it passed 18-0. HB 693 adds an aggravating factor in capital cases when the victim was gathered with others for a school, religious, or public government meeting; it passed 17-1 after opposition testimony from Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. PCS for HB 19 and HB 41, the Haven Act, would expand domestic and dating violence protections, including a feasibility study for a web-based 911 alert system and confidentiality/public-records protections for victims; both passed 18-0. PCS for HB 289, Lucy’s Law, would align boating penalties with driving offenses and expand boating safety card requirements; it passed 18-0 despite concerns from one witness that the bill should go further. HB 479 would allow courts to order restitution in leaving-the-scene property-damage cases; an amendment changing mandatory to discretionary restitution was adopted, and the bill passed 18-0. PCS for HB 57 would regulate xylazine, add trafficking penalties, and include veterinary-use exceptions; it passed 17-0 after one witness opposed mandatory minimums. HB 175, the Jason Rayner Act, clarifies that officers are protected when acting within the scope of their duties and adds manslaughter of a law enforcement officer to offenses requiring life imprisonment; it passed 17-0 after debate over self-defense and unlawful police conduct.

Transcript Highlights:

• Prevention also requires ensuring... ...the highest level of access to opioid antagonists like Narcan
• The under-reported overdose deaths, the inconsistent Narcan use. documentation, and recovery homes misclassifying
• , treatment, and access to prevention programs, and access to life-saving opioid antagonists like Narcan
• After that, we broke it down into how do we, one, make sure that NARCAN is available to family members

Keywords: opioid crisis, overdose, naloxone, drug trafficking, law enforcement, treatment, prevention, older adults, Medicaid expansion

Summary: The meeting convened to address the dire opioid crisis affecting communities nationwide, with a particular focus on the alarming rise of opioid use disorder among older adults. Key testimonies highlighted the critical need for a comprehensive approach that encompasses prevention, treatment, and strict law enforcement actions against drug traffickers. Sheriff Dennis Lima from Seminole County outlined successful strategies implemented in Florida, including increased access to naloxone and legislative changes to hold drug dealers accountable for overdoses. Various members expressed a united front on tackling this multifaceted issue, advocating for the expansion of Medicaid and better access to treatment as essential steps to curbing the epidemic.

Transcript Highlights:

• that's one of the things we like about this bill because xylazine actually hinders the ability for Narcan
• the founders was seen on the Ring camera dying of an overdose in the backyard because nobody had Narcan
• Narcan didn't get there on time and they literally saw their brother die in front of them.

Transcript Highlights:

• fentanylfreecommunities.org, and includes, as our number one priority, fully funding the state's Narcan
• fentanylfreecommunities.org, and includes, as our number one priority, fully funding the state's Narcan
• fentanylfreecommunities.org, and includes, as our number one priority, fully funding the state's Narcan
• fentanylfreecommunities.org, and includes, as our number one priority, fully funding the state's Narcan
• fentanylfreecommunities.org, and includes, as our number one priority, fully funding the state's Narcan

Bills: HF1918, HF2305, HF897, HF2191, HF2617, HF2551, HF2137

Keywords: HF1918, Department of Children Youth and Families, DCYF, child welfare, foster care, out-of-home placement, permanency planning, relative search, noncustodial parent, kinship care, family preservation, African American Child and Family Well-Being, racial disproportionality, maltreatment reporting, educational neglect, truancy, school attendance, Great Start compensation, child care provider payments, TEACH early childhood program

Transcript Highlights:

• where there are several students who talked to their administration directly about having access to Narcan
• In our campus visits the following year, after being told that indeed there would be access to Narcan
• Um in our access to Narcan on campus.
• <00:46:05.359> We<00:46:05.520> found access to Narcan on campus.
• We found access to Narcan on campus.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up a series of “same and similar” provisions between the House and Senate higher education bills and adopted them one by one, with brief explanations from members and staff. The items included a cybersecurity addition for a doctoral degree program, Northstar Promise definitions and eligibility limits, self-loan provisions on institution eligibility and data disclosure, and dual training language requiring certificates, diplomas, or degrees to come from accredited postsecondary institutions. The committee also adopted an amendment to the private career school provisions that clarified exempt institutions remain within the act, and removed certain limited-license and renewal fees for institutions participating in dual training grants or the eligible training provider list. Each of these motions prevailed by voice vote. The committee then moved into policy differences between the House and Senate bills, beginning with emergency grants and hunger-free campus grants. Members discussed shifting funding from OHE-administered competitive grants to direct appropriations for the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State, while the Senate retained competitive grant access for private and tribal colleges and added reporting requirements. OHE Commissioner Dennis Olson said the added reporting would be an extra administrative task but raised no significant concerns. Testifiers from the University of Minnesota, Minnesota State, and the private college sector supported faster, more direct funding and described the grants as important for emergency housing, transportation, food insecurity, and other student basic needs. A LeadMN representative also supported the changes, saying campus staff and students wanted funds delivered more quickly. The committee also discussed direct admissions on R31. The Senate proposal would require public and charter high schools to participate in the direct admissions program by the 2029-2030 school year. Assistant Commissioner Wendy Robinson said OHE supports statewide expansion and that the program has improved FAFSA completion, college enrollment, and student retention in Minnesota. Members noted the bill had bipartisan support and heard from advocates such as Ed Allies and Students United. No votes were taken on the policy-difference items during this portion of the meeting, and the chair said further discussion of state grant and sexual misconduct policy differences would be held at a later hearing with additional OHE staff present.