Transcript Highlights:

• We have one hospital that is opening a unit, and that is Unity Hospital in CERC.
• Unity Hospital in CERC is opening a unit. I can accept any questions you might have.
• Generally, talking to Unity Hospital, they're expecting about a 30- or 45-day length of stay, but that's
• What's the cost per day projected to be at the Unity Hospital? Yes, sir.

Transcript Highlights:

• And, Lord, we ask that you bring us unity. Amen.
• that</c><00:00:34.079><c> you</c><00:00:34.399><c> bring</c><00:00:34.559><c> us</c><00:00:35.239><c> unity
• </c> ask that you bring us unity. Amen. ask that you bring us unity. Amen.

Transcript Highlights:

• temptation for idleness, complicity, and competition, politics, and give them a hunger for community, for unity
• 00:01:34.799><c> for</c><00:01:35.479><c> community,</c><00:01:36.479><c> for</c><00:01:36.720><c> unity
• ,</c><00:01:37.280><c> for</c> hunger for community, for unity, for hunger for community, for unity,

Transcript Highlights:

• May our work be towards a unity that remembers the many, challenging as that may be.
• work</c><00:07:40.560><c> be</c><00:07:40.800><c> towards</c><00:07:41.320><c> a</c><00:07:41.520><c> unity
• </c><00:07:42.240><c> that</c> May our work be towards a unity that May our work be towards a unity that

Transcript Highlights:

• So I hope when they see that Unity has opened up a successful unit and what they're able to serve, that
• Do you know if Unity or Searcy had to do any kind of physical changes in order to meet any kind of criteria
• Do you know if Unity or Circe had to do any kind of physical changes in order to meet any kind of criteria
• But hats off to Unity. I'm just thank you. But hats off to Unity.
• So publicly, I just want to thank Unity for doing an incredible job in stepping up, and thank you for

Summary: The committee reviewed a series of Arkansas Department of Human Services and Department of Health rules, with most items receiving no objection. DHS Medical Services presented a rule to restore continuous glucose monitors to Medicaid durable medical equipment and pharmacy benefits after addressing provider concerns, and another rule to allow hospitals to bill at a rehabilitation level of care when patients are receiving only rehab services in an acute-care setting, while also moving Medicaid utilization management review from day 4 to day 7 for most hospitals and day 10 for rehab hospitals. Members questioned whether the rehab rule could lead to children being sent out of state, but DHS said the intent was to keep patients in-state and reimburse appropriately; the rule was reviewed without objection. DHS also presented PACE program updates to align with federal requirements and Act 144, and a separate personal care manual rewrite that would replace the Arkansas Independent Assessment with a claims-based medical eligibility review by Optum, clarify hourly service flexibility, and comply with Acts 625 and 853; both were reviewed without objection. The committee then heard a Medicaid eligibility rule from DHS County Operations that excludes foster care/adoption subsidy income for certain eligibility groups, clarifies treatment of 529 accounts, tax refund interest, and independence accounts for workers with disabilities, and carries an estimated fiscal impact of $485,000 in year one and $586,000 in year two. Members asked about account limits and how the independence accounts work; DHS explained they must be established while the person is in the workers-with-disabilities category and can continue to be excluded in other Medicaid categories, with no cap on deposits. The committee also reviewed a permanent DHS mental health rule allowing general or medical-surgical hospitals to operate adolescent substance abuse units and bill Medicaid, following an emergency rule approved in June. DHS said the first such unit had opened at Unity in Searcy, with no other hospitals currently in the pipeline, and members discussed follow-up care, grant support, and the use of existing hospital infrastructure. Finally, the Department of Health presented an annual update to the controlled substances list, adding substances tied to Act 934 of 2025 on intoxicating hemp and other DEA/Arkansas concerns, with no public comments received. Health also proposed repealing the separate synthetic marijuana products rule because those substances are already covered by the controlled substances list. Both Health items were reviewed without objection, and the committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• empower these individuals from various and diverse backgrounds to seek your truth and to discover unity
• backgrounds to seek your truth and<00:01:43.079><c> to</c><00:01:43.600><c> discover</c><00:01:44.200><c> Unity
• <00:01:45.479><c> together</c><00:01:46.479><c> a</c><00:01:46.719><c> proverb</c> and to discover Unity
• together a proverb and to discover Unity together a proverb States<00:01:48.200><c> a</c><00:01:48.360
• grant these legislators the wisdom to forgive transgressions one another in order to achieve greater unity

Transcript Highlights:

• In the interest of unity and alacrity for the bill, the chair said they can lay this over.
• /c><00:08:08.879><c> interest</c><00:08:09.199><c> of</c><00:08:09.759><c> uh</c><00:08:10.400><c> unity
• Uh in the interest of uh unity and Okay.
• Uh in the interest of uh unity and elacrity<00:08:12.800><c> for</c><00:08:12.960><c> the</c><00:08:13.120

Summary: House File 1239, authored by Representative Wam and presented by Legislative Auditor Judy Randall, would align reporting requirements for suspected theft, embezzlement, unlawful use of public funds, and similar misconduct by public employees and officers with existing language used for reporting to the state auditor. Randall said the bill is intended as a cleanup measure to clarify that such matters should be reported promptly to law enforcement and to the legislative auditor, and to remove language that she said had sometimes been used to delay reporting. Committee members raised concerns about the bill’s reference to “law enforcement,” saying the term is broad and could create confusion about where reports should go. They questioned whether reports should go to local police, the BCA, or another entity, and suggested that the current process may already work adequately. Randall responded that she was open to further discussion and said delays in reporting to law enforcement have been problematic. The author emphasized that the bill mirrors existing state auditor language and said any changes should remain consistent across both auditors’ reporting statutes. The chair said the committee should resolve the language and definitions before the bill moves further and preferred to address it in the policy omnibus bill. By agreement, House File 1239 was laid over for possible inclusion rather than advanced out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Give unity, God. Bring unity, God.
• God, we pray unity right now, Father God, on every side, God, Democratic and Republican.
• We speak unity. God, be with us, God. Give us courage, God.

Transcript Highlights:

• We pray for their health, strength, and unity, and that they may effectively carry out their duties.
• 58.960><c> and</c> We pray for their health, strength, and We pray for their health, strength, and unity
• 00.640><c> that</c><00:01:00.879><c> they</c><00:01:01.120><c> may</c><00:01:01.440><c> effectively</c> unity
• , and that they may effectively unity, and that they may effectively carry<00:01:02.480><c> out</c><00

Transcript Highlights:

• I pray for the unity in their purpose that may work together and build a better future for all Minnesotans
• commitment to the common good I pray for commitment to the common good I pray for the<00:02:20.040><c> unity
• 20.720><c> purpose</c><00:02:21.480><c> that</c><00:02:21.680><c> may</c><00:02:21.840><c> work</c> the unity
• in their purpose that may work the unity in their purpose that may work together<00:02:22.480><c> and

Transcript Highlights:

• that leadership is a calling to serve, and that true strength is found in compassion, integrity, and unity
• is found in compassion,<00:02:21.600><c> integrity,</c><00:02:22.680><c> and</c><00:02:22.880><c> unity
• </c> compassion, integrity, and unity. compassion, integrity, and unity.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have one hospital that is opening a unit, and that is Unity Hospital in CERC.
• Generally, talking to Unity Hospital, they're expecting about a 30- or 45-day length of stay, but that's
• What's the cost per day projected to be at the Unity Hospital? Yes, sir.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then heard an emergency rule from the Department of Human Services on hospital-based residential treatment for adolescents with substance use disorder. Paula Stone explained that the rule would allow Medicaid reimbursement for services in a general hospital unit for ages 12 and up, with Unity Hospital in CERC expected to open the first such unit. Members asked about length of stay, cost, and capacity; Stone said stays would be determined by ASAM criteria with no fixed cap, the proposed Medicaid rate is $850 per day pending CMS approval, and the unit would have 24 beds split between boys and girls with on-site schooling. The committee then considered a rule on electronic visit verification for in-home personal care, attendant care, respite care, and home health services. Elizabeth Pittman said the update is intended to keep the state compliant with federal EVV requirements under the 21st Century Cures Act, improve auditing and corrective action plans for providers with too many manual claims, and remove the W-9 submission requirement in favor of IRS verification. Members confirmed that federal law requires an EVV system, and Pittman noted Arkansas uses an open system that allows providers to use the state option or their own vendor. No objections were raised to the EVV rule, which was reported as reviewed. The meeting then concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have one hospital that is opening a unit, and that is Unity Hospital in CERC.
• Generally, talking to Unity Hospital, they're expecting about a 30- or 45-day length of stay, but that's
• What's the cost per day projected to be at the Unity Hospital? Yes, sir.

Summary: The committee opened with prayer and approved the minutes. It then heard an emergency rule from the Department of Human Services on hospital-based residential treatment for adolescents with substance use disorders. Paula Stone explained that the rule would allow Medicaid reimbursement for residential treatment services provided in a hospital unit for ages 12 and up, with Unity Hospital in Searcy expected to be the first provider. Members asked about licensure, length of stay, and cost; Stone said stays would be determined by ASAM criteria rather than a fixed cap, the projected rate submitted to CMS was $850 per day, and the unit would have 24 beds split between boys and girls with an on-site school. The committee next considered an electronic visit verification rule for in-home personal care, attendant care, respite care, and home health services. Elizabeth Pittman said the update was intended to keep the state compliant with federal EVV requirements, improve auditing and corrective action authority, and encourage more electronic claims submissions. She also noted the rule would remove the W-9 submission requirement for provider enrollment to allow IRS verification. Members asked whether EVV was federally required and were told Arkansas uses an open system that allows providers to use the state option or a third-party vendor. After the presentations, the committee took no further action beyond noting that the EVV rule stood reviewed. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, Unity, can you raise your hand, please?
• If you are in the lobby program, you're going to follow Unity. She is right there in the back.
• You're going to follow Unity. She is right there in the back.
• Lobbyists, you can stand up and follow Unity.

Transcript Highlights:

• , guard them from corruption, from fear, and from division, and lead them by your Holy Spirit into unity
• We pray for the spirit of unity to cross these aisles, tear down every wall of division, every barrier
• Your Holy Bible promises us that where there is unity, there the blessing is commanded—life forevermore
• Let the spirit of unity release wisdom, clarity, and solution.
• And as unity flows, may righteousness be established.

Transcript Highlights:

• desk, it can be another feather in our hat to one display that during this time we could all stand in unity
• together and celebrate for all of our children this holiday, standing in unity like all the other holidays
• It can be another feather in our hat to one display that during this time we could all stand in unity
• together and celebrate for all of our children this holiday, standing in unity like all the other holidays
• So one, I would ask all. this holiday, standing in unity, like all the other holidays.

Committee: House Governmental Organization

Transcript Highlights:

• And God, most importantly, I pray for unity in this room.
• 12.959><c> for</c> make and God most importantly I pray for make and God most importantly I pray for Unity
• <00:04:13.799><c> in</c><00:04:14.000><c> this</c> Unity in this Unity in this room<00:04:15.959><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• Even in Unity, and the entity that we're talking about is Unity of Greater New Orleans, who, based for
• Unity subs out a lot of this work.
• I'm the director of Unity of Greater New Orleans.
• I'm the director of Unity of Greater New Orleans.
• I work with Unity the past 20 years. I've been doing this work over 30 years.

Bills: SB237

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 20, 2026, with eight members present and approved the May 13 minutes. The committee quickly reported several bills favorably, including SB 1224, which requires DCFS review when a pregnancy involves a child under 17 and makes children under 12 a child in need of care; SB 1100, which repeals an old statute on unenriched bread; HB 1220, a continuation of prior work to codify certain provisions related to the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners; HB 1231, clarifying that continuous glucose monitoring is covered through Medicaid for any insulin-dependent diabetic, including gestational diabetes; and HB 198, setting reimbursement rates for ambulatory surgery centers for certain Medicaid procedures. The committee also adopted a personal privilege welcome for physicians on White Coat Day and repeatedly noted that several bills were being advanced with the understanding that further work might continue before floor debate. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 1160, which would create a streamlined restricted license pathway for qualified international medical school graduates, especially for rural and shortage areas. Committee members pressed the Board of Medical Examiners about delays in promulgating rules under an earlier 2024 law and objected to rule language they said went beyond the statute. Board representatives acknowledged a misunderstanding about the original bill’s intent and said the program had been operating, but members warned against agencies writing rules that contradict enacted law. Despite the criticism, HB 1160 was reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably HCR 67, which creates a task force to study gaps in acute care for special-needs adults and children, following emotional testimony from the sponsor about her son’s death and the lack of appropriate care options. The committee then approved HCR 27, calling for a coordinated statewide evaluation of autism services by the Department of Health and Department of Education, with testimony emphasizing rising diagnosis rates, rural provider shortages, and the need for better data and coordination between medical and school-based services. HCR 28, which would study school nurse orientation and training, was also reported favorably after school nurses described the lack of standardized onboarding for new graduates and the risks of placing them alone in schools without adequate supervision. HB 469, which would have allowed pharmacy license renewal fees to be directed to Xavier University’s pharmacy school as well as public schools, was deferred after concerns about diverting funds from public institutions and the absence of testimony from affected schools. The committee also took up HB 223, which recreates DCFS, and adopted an amendment shortening the sunset date and requiring law enforcement reports to be accepted through a secure web-based platform; the bill was then reported favorably as amended. Another major discussion centered on HB 457 and HB 616, both tied to homelessness. HB 457, establishing minimum standards for shelters and related facilities, was reported favorably as amended after sponsor testimony and support cards. HB 616, which would allow the legislative auditor and local officials access to records and databases for audits of homelessness initiatives, drew extensive debate over privacy, federal funding, and accountability. Supporters cited a 2025 audit showing more than $216 million in federal homelessness spending in New Orleans and argued that auditors need access to performance data to detect waste and abuse; opponents warned about client privacy and the impact of funding cutoffs. The committee adopted an amendment changing permissive language to mandatory language for enforcement and then continued hearing testimony, with the discussion still centered on balancing oversight with confidentiality.

Transcript Highlights:

• Even in Unity, and the entity that we're talking about is the Unity of Greater New Orleans, who, based
• Unity subs out a lot of this work.
• I’m the director of Unity of Greater New Orleans.
• I work with Unity. I’ve been doing this work over 30 years.
• But I can tell you, we did positive work since my induction to Unity Welcome Home program.

Bills: SB237

Committees: Senate Health & Welfare , Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: child welfare, Department of Children and Family Services, mandatory reporting, abuse prevention, investigative teams, child ombudsman, forensic interviews, confidentiality

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 20, 2026, with eight members present and approved the prior meeting minutes. The committee first advanced SB 1224, which requires DCFS to look into cases where a child under 17 is involved in a pregnancy, with added oversight for children under 12; it was reported favorably. The committee also favorably reported SB 1100, described as repealing an outdated statute. White Coat Day remarks welcomed physicians to the Capitol and thanked them for their service, including efforts to improve Medicaid reimbursement. Several health-related bills were then heard and advanced. HB 1220, a continuation of prior work to codify provisions related to the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners and physician licensure, was reported favorably. HB 1231 clarified that Medicaid coverage for continuous glucose monitoring applies to insulin-dependent patients, including those with gestational diabetes, and was also reported favorably. HB 198, which sets reimbursement rates for ambulatory surgery centers for certain Medicaid procedures such as colonoscopies, eye, ENT, and gastroenterology services, passed favorably. HB 1160, creating a streamlined restricted license pathway for qualified international medical graduates, prompted a lengthy exchange about delayed rulemaking and whether the board had added requirements beyond statute; despite concerns, it was reported favorably. The committee also advanced several resolutions and oversight measures. HCR 67, prompted by a personal family experience with a special-needs child’s acute care needs, creates a task force to study gaps in acute care for special-needs adults and children; it was amended and reported favorably. HCR 27, calling for a statewide evaluation of autism services by LDH and the Department of Education, was reported favorably. HB 223, which recreates DCFS, was amended to shorten the sunset date and require law enforcement reporting through a secure web platform, then reported favorably. HCR 28, creating a task force on school nurse orientation and training for new graduates, was reported favorably after testimony from school nurses about the lack of standardized orientation and the risks of placing inexperienced nurses alone in schools. The committee also took up HB 469, which would allow pharmacy license renewal applicants to designate a portion of fees to eligible schools including Xavier University’s College of Pharmacy; after opposition from Senator Cloud and a roll call, the bill was deferred. HB 1182, a cleanup bill changing the occupational therapy certifying entity and adjusting fees, and HB 1076, eliminating one of two sunset provisions for the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board, were both reported favorably. HB 1216, a major rewrite of clinical laboratory personnel rules, was deferred after concerns that it would restrict existing phlebotomy and lab functions in ways that could conflict with recent law. Finally, HB 457 and HB 616, both by Representative Knox and focused on homelessness, drew extensive testimony: HB 457 established minimum standards for shelters and similar facilities and was reported favorably as amended, while HB 616 would allow audits of homelessness-related funding and databases; after debate over privacy, federal funding oversight, and accountability, the committee adopted an amendment changing enforcement language from "may" to "shall" and continued hearing testimony from opponents and supporters.

Transcript Highlights:

• the fight for racial equity, economic justice, and civil rights is one we must pursue together with unity
• It calls upon us to honor the contributions to freedom, to unity, and to equity.
• What it demonstrates is that you are legitimately interested in conveying unity of purpose.
• Its values are radical in the best way: peace, love, unity, and respect, or as it's known, PLUR.
• means a lot, especially with what's been going on the last few days, that we are coming together in unity

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call and opened with a prayer, a Father’s Day reflection, and a moment of silence for the victims of the Minnesota lawmaker shooting. Members then moved through guest introductions recognizing student legislative programs, Black conservation leaders, interns, and first responders, including an off-duty firefighter who saved a driver’s life. The chamber also heard multiple adjournment-in-memory tributes, most notably for former Senator and Los Angeles Councilman Nate Holden, whose civil rights and housing discrimination work was highlighted, along with tributes to Stephen Golden Kranz, Emily Carpenter, and Doug Kranwinkel. On the Daily File, the Assembly adopted ACR 90, Assembly Member Gibson’s resolution recognizing Juneteenth. The measure drew strong support from multiple caucuses, including the Latino, Jewish, LGBTQ, Women’s, and AAPI caucuses, with members emphasizing Juneteenth’s historical significance, the legacy of slavery, and the continuing need to combat racism and inequality. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 66 co-authors were added. The Assembly also adopted ACR 92, Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez’s resolution declaring June 2025 as Electronic Dance Music Month in California. Supporters described EDM as a cultural and economic force rooted in diverse communities and praised its values of inclusion and unity; the resolution received 65 co-authors and passed by voice vote. Finally, HR 45, Assembly Member Castillo’s resolution for Animal Rights Awareness Week, was adopted by voice vote after 55 co-authors were added, with the author and a guest from Sierra Pacific Fur Babies speaking about animal rescue and welfare work. The session ended with announcements and adjournment until June 19.