Video & Transcript Research : 'PCA'
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- working group to inform the Legislature about possible changes in the PCA program.
- She talked about the work that this PCA working group is doing.
- We also did try to recruit as many PCA employers and PCAs to participate in the upcoming event as well
- And I believe we were successful in getting one of the PCA employers involved.
- And I believe we were successful in getting one of the, one of the PCA employers involved.
Summary:
The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities held its quarterly meeting virtually and in person at the State House. The commission approved the March minutes and elected its officers by unanimous roll call vote: Denise Garlick as chair, Chris White as vice chair, Carl Richardson as treasurer, and Osmondahar as secretary. The meeting also welcomed several new commissioners, including Rep. Jay Livingstone, Rep. Vanna Howard, Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, Rep. John Marzi, and Leo Sarkisian, with brief introductions from the new legislative members.
A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the commission’s current work and the broader policy environment affecting people with disabilities. Commissioners and subcommittee leaders raised concerns about federal threats to Medicaid/MassHealth, Section 504 accessibility protections, DEI-related rollbacks, immigration policy impacts on the direct care workforce, and the loss of funding for youth employment and vocational rehabilitation programs. Members also discussed ableist language in public discourse and the need for stronger advocacy and communication in response to these developments.
Subcommittee reports highlighted recent activity on disability employment, workforce supports, and long-term services and supports/health equity. Presentations included veterans with disabilities, employment programming for young adults with disabilities, immigration and labor protections, MassHealth’s PCA working group, and a health equity roundtable. The commission also discussed future plans to create an advisory board, develop successor and mentoring planning, and launch regional “meeting the moment” listening sessions across the Commonwealth to strengthen outreach and leadership development. The meeting ended with an open invitation for commissioners to share urgent information with staff for broader distribution and a unanimous motion to adjourn.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Revenue Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- Should they make cuts to the PCA program, reducing hours for people who need home care services?
- I'm a PCA and have been for over 21 years. Excuse me.
- and the PCA services that they provide, my consumer would have been dead over 20 years ago.
- Another thing that I'm concerned about are threats to the PCA program.
- Is it going to be the PCA program?
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Revenue, chaired by Senator James Eldridge and Representative Adrian Madaro, opened its hearing with a moment of silence for the late Lowell State Senator Ed Kennedy and reviewed hearing procedures and deadlines. The committee then took testimony on several corporate tax bills, including S. 2033/H. 3110 on offshore tax avoidance, H. 3248 on a manufacturing tax exemption, H. 3057 on a tiered corporate minimum tax, and S. 2041 on a corporate tax haven blacklist, along with a separate business interest deduction bill. No votes were taken during the hearing.
Supporters of S. 2033/H. 3110, including labor unions, health care workers, educators, public health advocates, seniors, and several legislators, argued that Massachusetts needs new revenue to offset federal cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, health care, education, and other services. They said the bill would raise roughly $400 million annually by increasing the share of offshore profits included in the state tax base from 5% to 50%, and they framed it as a fairness measure that would require large multinational corporations to pay more while leaving most local businesses and workers unaffected. Testimony emphasized risks to MassHealth, PCA services, adult dental care, hospitals, schools, and public health programs if new revenue is not raised.
Opponents, including the Mass Taxpayers Foundation and the Council on State Taxation, argued the proposal is poor tax policy and likely unconstitutional because it would tax foreign-source income without allowing foreign tax credits or a comparable apportionment method. They said Massachusetts should take a broader, coordinated approach to federal tax changes rather than a standalone bill, and warned of litigation risk and possible double taxation. Supporters such as MassBudget and former tax counsel Don Griswold countered that the bill is a reasonable rough-justice approach, consistent with federal and neighboring-state treatment, and that it would primarily affect a small number of very large multinationals. On S. 2041, the Global Business Alliance opposed the proposed tax haven blacklist, while supporting a separate bill allowing business interest deductibility.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Combatting Fraud with Training / Studying Seclusion in Schools / Lowering Costs for Communities Feb 27th, 2026
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- services, adult daycare, all from the same kind of family and said, "Hey, we have great suspicion and PCA
- "Hey, I got the nexus to um another say, "Hey, I got the nexus to um another type<00:05:01.440>
PCA - services, adult daycare, all type PCA services, adult daycare, all from<00:05:03.600>
the <00: - "Hey, we have great suspicion and PCA "Hey, we have great suspicion and PCA programs<00:05:09.280
- daycare site, adult daycare site, PCA daycare site, adult daycare site, PCA services,<00:07:23.520
Summary:
The program focused first on Minnesota Republicans’ efforts to combat fraud and improve government accountability, featuring Sen. Mark Koran. He argued that fraud in programs such as Medicaid, childcare assistance, PCA, autism services, housing support, and food aid harms both taxpayers and vulnerable recipients, and he cited cases where people in need were left without services. Koran said the problem stems from weak agency oversight, overreliance on self-attestation, and poor use of available data and site visits. He described a bill and related work to strengthen an independent inspector general structure, standardize eligibility checks, require better verification and external data use, and improve agency accountability; he also said federal involvement is necessary because many programs include federal dollars. No vote was taken in the interview, but he said the Senate had already passed an inspector general-related measure and that broader reform is still needed.
The second major topic was the Senate DFL’s “ICE accountability agenda” in response to federal immigration enforcement activity in Minnesota. The package includes bills to protect sensitive spaces such as schools and hospitals, ban law enforcement officers from wearing masks while on duty, and allow Minnesotans to sue the federal government in state court. DFL members framed the issue as one of constitutional enforcement tactics rather than immigration policy, and said the measures are intended to prepare the state if ICE returns. No committee vote or final action was described.
The final segment covered school seclusion policy. Sen. Judy Seeberger explained that seclusion is intended as an emergency safety tool, not discipline, but said the 2023 law banning it through grade 3 removed a resource without replacing it. She said supporters of the ban point to misuse and trauma, while she and a working group sought a compromise with tighter safeguards: extending the policy through grade 12, requiring explicit parental consent and access to the room, interpreter services when needed, and reporting if seclusion is used repeatedly. She said the working group’s recommendations were largely reached by consensus, but the issue remains unresolved and it is unclear whether further legislation will advance this session.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- We have people in PCA services, so we have, I don't know, was it 11 PCA agencies across the state?
- injury, you know, independent living centers, which some of them do focus, right, on helping people get PCAs
- We have people in PCA services, so we have, I don't know, was it 11 PCA agencies across the state.
- injury, you know, independent living centers, which some of them do focus, right, on helping people get PCAs
- Right, on helping people get PCAs and stuff like that. So how does the investment work?
Summary:
The subcommittee opened with roll call and approved the January minutes. Members then heard from Undersecretary of Labor and Workforce Development Josh Cutler, who gave an update on the Healey-Driscoll administration’s apprenticeship efforts and emphasized apprenticeship as an earn-while-you-learn model that can help address workforce shortages while including people with disabilities. He described growth in apprenticeships across sectors such as banking, bio, early education, health care, and human services, and noted recent milestones including the state’s 10,000th registered apprenticeship, expanded tax credits, reduced program fees, added apprenticeship liaisons, and Grow grants to support program development.
Committee members focused on how apprenticeship could be adapted for human services and disability-related jobs, including early education, direct care, PCA work, sterile processing, and related health occupations. They asked about funding structures, employer participation, community college involvement, and how to make programs accessible to people with disabilities. Cutler explained that apprenticeship programs are employer-designed but must meet core requirements such as paid employment, at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning, related technical instruction, mentorship, and progressive wages. He said the state can support programs through the registered apprenticeship tax credit, which he said is $4,800 per apprentice and can be stacked with the disability employment tax credit, and through Grow grants, which were most recently awarded at about $2.1 million statewide.
Members and Cutler discussed using intermediaries such as trade associations, nonprofits, and disability organizations to help employers set up programs and navigate incentives. He said the commission could be useful as a convener and suggested a targeted panel or information session with apprenticeship liaisons, employers, and existing sponsors to identify a few specific occupations and build a proof of concept. The meeting ended with agreement to follow up offline on potential partner employers, including Eastern Bank, and on possible next steps for a focused panel or pilot opportunities.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/11/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a program that the PCA program is transitioning to, and we started that transition in October
- This forecast is updated due to a slower transition over to CFSS from PCA, and as people transition to
- Representative Gillman followed up, asking about PCA training and eligibility.
- She asked what steps are needed to ensure that people are qualified to serve as PCAs.
- Because we fund it temporarily, and some of them want to use PCA with state funding.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Press Conference: Introducing Legislation to Streamline Minnesota’s Permitting Process - 02/13/25
Transcript Highlights:
- The average time for a PCA to review and issue an air permit for new construction or capital investments
- The average time for a PCA to review and issue an air permit for new construction or capital investments
- The average time for a PCA to review and issue an air permit for new construction or capital investments
- The average time for a PCA to review and issue an air permit for new construction or capital investments
- The average time for a PCA to review and issue an air permit for new construction or capital investments
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We cannot do these things without PCAs We cannot do these things without PCAs coming<00:57:57.200
- <00:58:25.560>
College sector, programs like the PCA College sector, programs like the PCA - <00:58:37.080>
College opportunity to share the PCA College opportunity to share the PCA College - ,<01:19:51.680>
CFSS, it's PCA, CFSS, it's PCA, CFSS, mental<01:19:53.960>health <01 - And someone who needs a 14-hour-a-day PCA, that’s not a nice thing. That’s essential.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships Apr 28th, 2025
S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships
Transcript Highlights:
- That comes down to kinship benefits that may come down to the PCA program, which you'll hear about in
- The main and almost only reason we request these extensions is for the benefit of PCA benefits to the
- They desperately will need PCA benefits because that means they get a stipend per child, which is very
- We talked a little bit earlier about PCA families.
- They don't always do what they need to do to qualify for the PCA benefits.
Bills:
HCR10, HB1814, HB2160, HB2353, HB2643, HB2971, HB3282, HB3382, HB3996, HB4507, HB4509, HB4805, HB5551, HB1863, HCR10
Keywords:
family abduction, child safety, custodial rights, parental kidnapping, awareness day, marriage license, informal marriage, family code, identity verification, child support, family law, child custody, court interview, parent-child relationship, child welfare, attorney ad litem, compensation, legal representation, government entity, HB 2643
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 2/19/26
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- leading to uncertainty about whether PCA leading to uncertainty about whether PCA expects<00:42:
- <00:58:20.160>
if by and I'm going to call back PCA if by and I'm going to call back PCA if - And for the record, Tom Johnson, government relations and external affairs for the PCA.
- Chair, and again, Tom Johnson with PCA.
- <01:43:27.040>
I'd <01:43:27.360>like I’d like to thank PCA.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships Apr 28th, 2025
S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships
Transcript Highlights:
- That comes down to kinship benefits that may come down to a PCA program which you'll hear about in a
- The main and almost only reason we request these extensions is for the benefit of PCA benefits to the
- They desperately will need PCA benefits because that means they get a stipend per child, which is very
- when we sometimes when these children are placed with families, we talked a little bit earlier about PCA
- 1600 caseload, and she's looking possibly to not extend, but one extension she will consider is for PCA
Bills:
HCR 10
Keywords:
balanced budget amendment, federal budget, deficit reduction, deficit spending, fiscal restraint, constitutional amendment, U.S. Constitution, Congress, PAYGO, Gramm-Rudman-Hollings, national debt, budget deficit, taxpayer dollars, balanced budget resolution, memorial resolution, Texas Legislature, federal spending, budget reform, fiscal conservatism
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- key challenges they've had to find employment or to maintain employment, and also giving the floor to PCA
- will be putting me in touch with NextGen, JVS, the Federation for Children with Special Needs, the PCA
- The PCA Council also agreed to provide...
- And so the pipeline to get to working as a PCA is faster than if they were to start on Indeed or any
Summary:
The Workforce Support Subcommittee of the Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met to discuss workforce issues affecting people who provide services to individuals with disabilities, with a focus on immigration enforcement concerns and an upcoming employment event. Ethan Marks, Deputy Chief of the Health Care Division at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, presented the AGO’s late-January guidance for health care providers and patients on how to respond to ICE activity at health care facilities, what information and access ICE may request, and what protections and access-to-care issues apply. He said the guidance is broad, includes contact information for the Civil Rights Division, and will be updated if federal policy changes. Committee members asked whether residential programs, day programs, DDS/DMH facilities, and similar settings would fall under the guidance; Marks said the guidance is intended to be broad but that specific scenarios may require follow-up with the Civil Rights Division. He also said he was not aware of significant ICE activity at health care facilities so far, though there is fear and some rumors, and members discussed sharing the guidance with hospitals, academic medical institutions, the Health Equity Compact, and other stakeholders.
The subcommittee then reviewed plans for a June 23 State House event titled Strength and Support: Networking and Resource Sharing Event for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities, Personal Care Assistance, Job Coaches, and Inclusive Workplaces. The event will feature a panel-style conversation with prepared questions, success stories, challenges to employment, and strategies to improve outcomes, while also highlighting the shortage of direct support and human services workers. Confirmed or potential participants and partners mentioned included Partners for Youth with Disabilities, MassAbility, NextGen, JVS, the Federation for Children with Special Needs, the PCA Council, and the Arc of Massachusetts, which has launched a PSA campaign for direct support worker hiring. The PCA Council’s resume directory for people interested in becoming PCAs was also noted as a recruitment resource.
Members suggested inviting employers and other stakeholders to the June event, including Eastern Bank, Mass General Brigham, and possibly representatives connected to apprenticeship programs. The group also discussed reaching out to contacts at the Federation and NextGen, and one member suggested Kathy Pitkowskis as a possible connection. The subcommittee said it would continue outreach and finalize the event details, and noted that the next regular meeting will be August 28, with Patricia Wu from EHS scheduled to provide statewide updates.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- We have PCAs that need to be hired for people, you know, that's a big issue too.
- And then, again, PCA could be part of that. Again, thinking of the cross-disability component.
- And then the second area would be our cross-disability friends—make sure we cover PCA, if that continues
- And, you know, again, I don't know how the immigrant issue affects PCA, but I was...
- And, you know, again, I don't know how the immigrant issue affects PCA, but I would think it does, you
Summary:
The subcommittee met to approve the April and May minutes, welcome a new member, and hear an update from Gina Frey of EOHHS on statewide health and human services workforce development efforts. Frey described cross-secretariat initiatives under the Workforce Skills Cabinet, including MA Repay loan repayment awards, expanded community college and tuition supports, ESOL/work-readiness programming for immigrants, and efforts to build career pathways and reduce attrition in nursing, behavioral health, direct care, and primary care. She also reviewed a $46 million ARPA-funded home and community-based services grant program that supported 82 grantees, led to hiring 8,752 new staff, over 1,000 interns, 2,000 new certifications, and a drop in vacancy rates from 22% to 12%.
Members raised concerns about the impact of immigration policy changes on the direct care workforce, including losses of trained workers in provider agencies, and asked whether any exemption or other relief efforts were underway. Frey said EOHHS is tracking the issue closely but did not identify a specific exemption effort. The discussion also touched on Medicaid and related program changes, with Frey noting the administration is focused on understanding potential impacts to eligibility and work requirements. Rep. Howard asked about initiatives for direct support professionals and wraparound supports, and Frey said those efforts are often led by individual agencies such as MassAbility and DDS, with EOHHS coordinating across them.
The latter part of the meeting shifted to planning FY26 subcommittee goals and possible events. Members discussed using the Health Policy Commission’s Behavioral Health Workforce Center and possibly asking for a study comparing compensation in DDS and related direct care roles against health care and education jobs. They also discussed a possible cross-state public event on immigration’s impact on the workforce, especially for people with disabilities and direct support services, and agreed to continue refining goals and event ideas by email and at the next meeting. Frey provided a website link and contact information for Amy Doyle at the Health Policy Commission to facilitate future presentations.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 04/10/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- What is the PCA?
- Uh the PCA is okay with the language. Uh the PCA is okay with the language.
- And that goes for the PCA as well. But I want you to know the PCA did sign off on this language.
- And that goes for the PCA inappropriate. And that goes for the PCA as<02:16:45.439>
well. - PCA did sign off on this language. PCA did sign off on this language. Okay. Okay. Okay.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Shared services is an option in both forms of the PCA and the traditional PCA choice, and also in forms
- <01:54:44.000>
and <01:54:44.080>the the PCA and the traditional PCA and the the PCA - and the traditional PCA and the PCA<01:54:44.639>
choice <01:54:44.880>and <01:54:45.040 - PCAs who provide shared dollars.
- all workers who provided PCA services. all workers who provided PCA services.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 3/5/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The PCA program is another example.
- The PCA program is another example.
- The PCA program is another example.
- <00:25:19.320>
program going on with abuse of the PCA program going on with abuse of the PCA - <00:25:56.559>
I specific so when we talk about PCA I specific so when we talk about PCA I
Keywords:
whistleblower, whistleblower protections, public employees, state employees, retaliation, reporting fraud, misuse of authority, personal gain, state government, state services, state programs, legislative auditor, constitutional officer, public corruption, fraud reporting, government accountability, employee rights, labor law, Minnesota Statutes 181.931, Minnesota Statutes 181.932
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 3/24/26
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- This is about giving PCA This is about giving PCA a<00:27:38.960>
little <00:27:39.120> - The PCA says that it will information.
- PCA says it's going to be fine. But what I heard from Director Johnson was we are ready.
- PCA says it's going to be fine. But what I heard from Director Johnson was we are ready.
- PCA says it's going to be fine. But what I heard from Director Johnson was we are ready.
Keywords:
boat storage structures, public waters, natural resources, rule amendments, watercraft canopy, PFAS, environmental regulation, manufacturers, public health, product safety, groundwater, water appropriation, water-use permit, water permit, aquifer test, aquifer, well construction, groundwater permit, Department of Natural Resources, DNR
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 2/11/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I was going to say if there's someone from PCA that would like to talk about injection wells.
- <00:46:34.040>
that say if there's someone from PCA that say if there's someone from PCA that - the rules for mining as well where PCA the rules for mining as well where PCA may<00:52:36.000><
- We are pleased that the PCA in the state has taken a small step by acknowledging all products cannot
- in the state we are pleased that the PCA in the state we are pleased that the PCA has<01:14:12.800
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- work, ERS, or PCA workers or CFSS workers, and it also applies to workers in that Consumer Directed
- program under our state plan our PCA program under our state plan authority<00:18:20.159>
to < - work, ERS, or PCA workers or CFSS workers, and it also applies to workers in that Consumer Directed
- The proposal would apply to PCA work, ERS, or PCA workers or CFSS workers, and it also applies to workers
- The proposal would apply to PCA work, ERS, or PCA workers or CFSS workers, and it also applies to workers
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a bill, Cile 815, that would expand the training options and eliminate barriers for PCAs and
- The intent was to reward PCAs who provide care to service recipients who have the highest care needs
- Requires training for all PCA, all CFSS.
- There's also requirements in PCA statute, so in 256B.0659.
- There's also requirements in PCA statute, so in 256B.0659.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Environment Committee Meeting - 2026-04-09
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- It requires the PCA to do an assessment of how many abandoned feedlots there are.
- PCA has been mentioned a couple of times.
- <00:15:16.959>
PCA <00:15:17.760>has <00:15:18.200>been Thank you, Mr. - PCA has been Thank you, Mr. Chair.
- I'm glad PCA was able to also come and testify.
Keywords:
financial assurance, feedlot permits, manure storage, environmental compliance, agriculture regulation, abandoned infrastructure, pollution control, environmental impact, animal feedlot, livestock, regulations, Minnesota Rules
Summary:
The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes and then heard House File 4740, authored by Rep. Hansen, which would require feedlots with at least 1,000 animal units to provide financial assurance for closure costs. Hansen argued the bill would shift cleanup responsibility from taxpayers to owners, citing abandoned feedlots, changing ownership structures, and the 2024 Pure Prairie Poultry bankruptcy as examples of why public funds should not be used for closures and cleanup. He also said the bill would apply to new or renewed permits and suggested a statutory definition of abandoned feedlot storage units may be needed.
Farm and livestock groups testified in opposition. Minnesota Farmers Union, Minnesota Milk Producers Association, Minnesota Pork Producers Association, and Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation said existing MPCA and county permit rules already require closure planning and reporting, and that the bill would add unnecessary costs and barriers for family farms, beginning farmers, and expansion. They warned the financial assurance requirement could function like an animal-unit cap, encourage fragmentation or out-of-state relocation, and impose annual costs that would not improve environmental outcomes. Several testified that true abandonment is rare and that current permitting and closure processes already address it.
MPCA staff said the agency has concerns with the bill, noted there is currently no formal fiscal note, and said the agency would need to ensure any appropriations cover ongoing staffing needs. MPCA officials explained that permitted feedlots already must notify the agency before closure, follow a checklist of closure requirements, and undergo follow-up inspection; they said abandonment notifications are uncommon and they are not aware of any currently permitted facilities in abandonment process. Members questioned whether the bill was needed, what form financial assurance would take, how other states handle similar requirements, and whether the proposal would unfairly burden smaller or family operations. No vote on HF 4740 was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.