Transcript Highlights:

• Second reading of the bill: An act relative to increasing access to epinephrine, House No. 4607.
• Clerk will read title: An Act to Increase Access to Epinephrine, House No. 5443. Ms.
• And in those minutes, epinephrine is not optional.
• Maine and New York, and expanding public access to epinephrine.
• I rise today in strong support of H. 54-43, an act relative to increasing access to epinephrine.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House took up several Senate and House bills, mostly under suspension of the rules, and advanced a number of measures to third reading or engrossment. Early in the session, the House dealt with a Senate bill on student learning and mental health by insisting on its position and appointing a committee of conference. It also referred a Senate petition on alleviating poverty to the Committee on Children and Families after the House declined to concur with a Judiciary referral. The chamber then considered and advanced multiple Ways and Means bills, including legislation on police interactions with people with autism spectrum disorder, honoring Blue Star families, land conveyance in Bolton, newborn screening for congenital cytomegalovirus, affordable housing and cultural space in Brighton, increasing access to epinephrine, and civil rights and technology. Several bills drew extended floor debate. Supporters of the epinephrine bill emphasized its life-saving purpose and described the death of Michael Brown as a catalyst for the measure; the House adopted the bill after a roll call vote of 149-0. The newborn CMV screening bill also prompted substantial testimony in favor from public health advocates and parents, who argued that universal screening would enable earlier treatment and reduce long-term harm; an amendment to add other rare diseases was withdrawn, and a later amendment creating a broad opt-out was defeated 1-153 before the bill passed 154-1. The civil rights and technology bill focused on banning weaponized drones and robotic devices, restricting misuse, and preserving law enforcement and civil liberties; it passed 154-1. The Blue Star families bill, creating commemorative plates for families of fallen law enforcement officers, passed 156-0 after emotional remarks from members and supporters. The House also passed without recorded opposition a bill facilitating better interactions between police and people with autism, and it approved a Bolton land conveyance bill and the Brighton affordable housing/cultural space bill. The chamber observed moments of silence for former Congressman Barney Frank and State Trooper Kevin Traynor, welcomed several guest groups, and concluded by adopting an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to move over to House 2500, and it's an act relative to increasing access to epinephrine.
• This bill will save lives because it will safely place epinephrine in public places where emergencies
• This bill will save lives because it will safely place epinephrine in public places where emergencies
• I urge you to support this bill to expand access to epinephrine in our communities, because for some,
• There was no epinephrine on hand, and because of that, my brother didn't survive.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health heard testimony on a wide range of bills focused on environmental health, disease prevention, and access to care. Major topics included restricting polystyrene use, creating a pancreatic cancer awareness and early-detection initiative, improving indoor air quality through a task force and new regulations, expanding access to epinephrine in public places, improving access to health care for people with long COVID, creating an OBGYN loan repayment program for underserved areas, expanding access to hygiene products, modernizing licensure for dietitians and nutritionists, updating school postural screening requirements, and restricting harmful diet pills and muscle-building supplements. Several legislators also testified in support of their own bills, including measures on menstrual product access and ingredient disclosure, and surgical smoke protections. Testimony on the polystyrene bill emphasized local municipal bans and the need to reduce plastic pollution. Pancreatic cancer advocates and patients described the disease’s low survival rate, the difficulty of early diagnosis, and the need for an awareness campaign and implementation of commission recommendations. Indoor air quality supporters from environmental justice groups, public health organizations, and residents described asthma, mold, pollution, and the need for a task force with technical expertise; some witnesses urged adding remediation professionals to the task force. On epinephrine access, family members of a man who died after a bee sting and an allergy organization stressed that anaphylaxis can be sudden and fatal and that stock epinephrine in public venues could save lives. Long COVID advocates said the condition affects hundreds of thousands of residents and called for better surveillance and access to care, with a request to include MECFS in the bills’ scope. Other testimony focused on workforce and equity issues. Supporters of the OBGYN loan repayment bill said it would help address maternal health disparities and provider shortages, especially in rural and underserved communities. Hope and Comfort described widespread hygiene insecurity and a long waiting list for basic products, urging a task force to study statewide solutions. Dietitians and nutritionists supported modernization of licensure to clarify standards for medical nutrition therapy while allowing broader wellness counseling. School nurses backed reducing mandatory postural screenings, arguing the current law is not evidence-based, is not reimbursed by MassHealth, and takes time from other student health needs. On the supplement bill, the industry trade group opposed restrictions as overbroad and burdensome, while a public health expert cited research linking weight-loss and muscle-building supplements to serious harms and urged passage. The committee also heard support for menstrual product access and surgical smoke protections, with legislators and advocates describing those bills as longstanding priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I mean, best practice is really give Benadryl first before you use epinephrine. That's...
• There's not harm in using the epinephrine, but yeah, usually the school...
• epinephrine on the ambulances epinephrine on the ambulances subcutaneously,<01:15:38.719> not
• I want to use this language, but put epinephrine in there, or epinephrine.
• I would need to I'd maybe epinephrine.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sections seven, eight, and nine relate to epinephrine in schools.
• They update the terminology from epinephrine auto-injectors to epinephrine delivery systems and also
• um from um epinephrine the terminology um from um epinephrine auto<00:10:02.000> injectors<00
• epinephrine delivery auto injectors to epinephrine delivery systems<00:10:04.560> and<00:10:04.800
• for distribution of these uh epinephrine for distribution of these uh epinephrine delivery delivery

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On Section 8, it says a pharmacist may dispense epinephrine auto-injectors and epinephrine nasal spray
• and epinephrine Auto injectors and epinephrine<00:03:27.799> nasal<00:03:28.159> spray
• bill earlier this morning, which added just epinephrine nasal spray, but we know that epinephrine is
• <01:11:12.199> Bill have like we had an epinephrine Bill have like we had an epinephrine Bill
• nasal spray but we know that epinephrine nasal spray but we know that epinephrine<01:11:17.159> is

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Senate File 48, Stem Cell Freedom Act, and Senate File 19, Epinephrine Delivery Methods.
• Um, there are programs available where school districts can have stock epinephrine available.
• And only because epinephrine pens, um, I checked with my Walmart pharmacist.
• And so now you're seeing generic epinephrine or auto-injectors.
• now you're seeing um generic epinephrine now you're seeing um generic epinephrine or<01:12:22.000

Bills: HB0003, HB0117, HB0041

Keywords: pregnancy centers, abortion, pro-life, healthcare, women's rights, state regulation, civil rights, freedom of speech, informed consent, civil liability, coercion, healthcare rights, law enforcement, death benefits, retirement, survivor support, public safety, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• EpiPen, an epinephrine auto-injector is how it's typically called out in statute.
• Okay. epinephrine delivery methods simply goes epinephrine delivery methods simply goes into<00:01:05.920
• updates the language around epinephrine updates the language around epinephrine where<00:01:13.040
• That's the entire epinephrine delivery.
• So currently schools have an option to opt into the epinephrine program where they have epinephrine that

Bills: HB0117, HB0126

Keywords: informed consent, abortion, civil liability, coercion, healthcare rights, fetal heartbeat, termination of pregnancy, medical emergency, Wyoming legislation, rights of minors, healthcare regulations, parental consent, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first three sections relate to epinephrine in school.
• So you'll see in several spots in each of those three sections replacing references to epinephrine auto
• injectors with a more generic reference to epinephrine delivery systems, which would include the newer
• epinephrine inhaler that's now available.
• Commissioner of Health to provide a district or school with a standing order for distribution of epinephrine

Bills: HF1306

Keywords: education, school policy, teacher training, student health, emergency response

Transcript Highlights:

• But we're going to add it everywhere it says epinephrine. We're going to say FDA-approved.
• But we're going to add it everywhere it says epinephrine. We're going to say FDA-approved.
• <03:50:52.800> for the school providing epinephrine for the school providing epinephrine for
• suppliers of epinephrine auto-injectors, or health care offices to obtain the epinephrine auto-injectors
• <04:14:53.040> Auto purchase the epinephrine Auto purchase the epinephrine Auto injectors<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Division 2 hearing took testimony from the director of New Hampshire Police Standards and Training on the agency’s budget request and operations. He described the agency’s role in setting hiring, education, certification, and discipline standards for police, corrections, probation and parole, and court security officers, and noted that the agency runs the full-time, part-time, corrections, and court security training programs. He also outlined the agency’s staffing, facility, and budget request for FY 2026-27, including a request to keep funding level with the governor’s recommendation while shifting funds to support an IT manager position by defunding a vacant administrative slot. The agency requested several statutory changes in Chapter 106, including clarifying the definition of police misconduct, allowing a temporary member on the Conduct Review Committee, clarifying reporting requirements for misconduct allegations, and codifying the Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission. The director also reviewed new responsibilities added in recent years, including crisis intervention training, statewide accreditation, the Conduct Review Committee, and increased annual in-service training requirements. He explained that crisis intervention funding is carried in a continuously appropriated, non-lapsing account and that some budget lines were reclassified, including software and janitorial services, to reflect actual spending needs. Members asked about national standards, the different academy tracks, crisis intervention funding, maintenance and contract changes, temporary positions, and the court security training program. The agency said it coordinates with national peers through IADLEST, that the part-time and corrections academies are longstanding programs, and that the new court security academy can be delivered either as a full academy or as in-service training depending on resources. The director also said the agency has been running extra full-time academies because of high vacancy rates, but expects to return to three full-time academies this year, with two corrections academies and one or possibly two part-time academies. He also explained the current approach to misconduct records and public disclosure, saying sustained findings under RSA 106-L are heard by the council and published, replacing the older, less standardized exculpatory list process.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is why it is so important to expand access to epinephrine, which would allow schools to include
• the new nasal spray Neffy, a new way to administer epinephrine without a needle.
• This epinephrine nasal spray is another option for schools to keep on hand and can be a much less frightening

Bills: HB3000, HB2622, HB2283, HB541, HB1776, HB1803, HB1669, HB2588, HB220, HB3415, HB50, HB1314, HB 107, HB220, HB50, HB107

Keywords: ambulance service, rural healthcare, grants, financial assistance, qualified counties, mental health, patient transport, female attendants, security measures, healthcare regulation, epinephrine, anaphylaxis, health care, school safety, training, emergency response, direct patient care, healthcare, physicians, medical services

Transcript Highlights:

• It will help ensure that schools can provide students with the latest federally approved epinephrine
• The Fast Act merely evolves the outdated language in the Education Code that refers to epinephrine in
• one way, an auto-injector, to encompass all FDA-approved epinephrine devices, to make room for choice
• And at five years old, I experienced my first epinephrine shot, and the memory of a large...
• And I believe it's crucial that we allow schools to stock new types of epinephrine delivery systems.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee met for its first hearing of the session, adopted its committee rules on a 6-0 vote, and then heard several bills. AB 347, which would require written notice to students about the right to opt out of animal dissection and receive a comparable assignment, drew strong support from the author, a student, and multiple advocacy and education groups, while opponents argued it would burden teachers and duplicate existing law. The committee approved AB 347 on a 7-0 vote and sent it to Appropriations. AB 281, which would expand parent access to sex education materials and require disclosure of outside consultants’ credentials, drew mixed testimony. Supporters framed it as a transparency and parent-rights measure, while school administrators and county education officials said current law already allows inspection and that the bill would create an unfunded administrative burden. After extended member discussion, the bill failed on a 4-3 vote with one abstention, though reconsideration was granted. AB 65, which would provide paid pregnancy leave for educators without requiring them to exhaust sick leave first, was supported by teachers, CTA, and the State Treasurer, but opposed by school administrators and business officials over cost concerns; it passed 6-0 to Higher Education. The committee also approved AB 361, which would extend and expand LAUSD’s best-value procurement authority for school construction to all school districts for five years, on a 5-0 vote with one abstention. AB 86, which would require the State Board of Education to adopt standardized K-8 health education instructional materials, passed 5-0. Finally, AB 228, the Zaki Fast Act, was introduced to clarify that schools may stock any federally approved epinephrine delivery system, including newer devices beyond auto-injectors, and was presented with testimony from the bill’s young namesake and his family; the transcript cuts off before the committee vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• emergency epinephrine and ensures that students are covered at all times while at school.
• emergency epinephrine and ensures that students are covered at all times while at school.
• of epinephrine to the schools.
• to maintain and supply of epinephrine to maintain and supply of epinephrine and<01:39:14.800>
• <01:39:22.719> I epinephrine to the schools. I epinephrine to the schools.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in<00:31:11.279> the<00:31:11.520> area<00:31:11.840> of<00:31:12.159> epinephrine
• <00:31:12.960> uh<00:31:13.120> for in the area of epinephrine uh for in the area of
• epinephrine uh for example<00:31:13.600> and<00:31:13.840> I<00:31:14.080> believe<
• example<00:31:23.039> on ideas could be for example on ideas could be for example on epinephrine
• or an epien for a standing epinephrine or an epien for a standing order<00:31:25.760> to<00:31

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:

• Uh, it updates epinephrine to a more, uh, modern delivery system, uh, nasal sprays, and um, I think that's
• Uh, it updates epinephrine to a more, uh, modern delivery system, uh, nasal sprays, and um, I think that's
• Uh, it updates epinephrine to a more, uh, modern delivery system, uh, nasal sprays, and um, I think that's
• Uh, it updates epinephrine to a more, uh, modern delivery system, uh, nasal sprays, and um, I think that's
• Uh, it updates epinephrine to a more, uh, modern delivery system, uh, nasal sprays, and um, I think that's

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 02:05 - Discussion of 26RS HB 178 14:05 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 178 15:05 - Discussion of 26RS HB 280 20:00 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 280 22:00 - Discussion of 26RS HJR 24 24:30 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HJR 24 26:00 - Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Health Services Committee met for the first time in the 2026 session and established a quorum before taking up three measures. House Bill 178, sponsored by Rep. Kim Moser with support from the Kentucky Psychiatric Medical Association, was presented as a budget-neutral collaborative care model to improve access to mental health treatment in primary care settings. Testimony emphasized workforce shortages, long wait times, stigma, and the potential for the model to reduce costs and improve outcomes by having primary care providers work with behavioral health care managers and psychiatric consultants. The bill received a favorable recommendation by roll call vote. The committee then considered House Bill 280, also sponsored by Rep. Moser. The bill and committee amendment were described as cleanup and policy updates affecting Kentucky Board of Nursing licensure standards, including restoring language related to abuse, neglect, and exploitation in the central registry, preserving the board’s ability to investigate out-of-state applicants, and adding an emergency provision. The bill also updated school medication provisions to allow certain prescribed rescue medications, including bronchodilator inhalers, nebulizers, glucagon, Solu-Cortef, and updated epinephrine delivery. The committee adopted the amendment, approved the bill with favorable expression, and then approved a motion to roll the committee amendment into the House committee substitute. Finally, the committee took up House Joint Resolution 24, sponsored by Rep. Ken Fleming, with a committee substitute adopted first. The resolution was explained as a request for the cabinet to withdraw a previously submitted Medicaid-related waiver application so it could be resubmitted under new requirements tied to House Resolution 1. The committee approved the resolution with favorable expression and also adopted a title amendment. The meeting concluded with notice that the next committee meeting would be Thursday, January 22nd at noon.

Transcript Highlights:

• Effective administration of epinephrine.
• Currently, districts may stock epinephrine injectors or EpiPens, but as with all technology, things have
• evolved, and we now have pre-measured epinephrine administered nasally.
• it with epinephrine delivery...
• Protocol, a requirement for stocking epinephrine.

Transcript Highlights:

• FQHC funding on them being able to provide basically free insulin and epinephrine.
• And, um, so this portion would require them to provide um free insulin and epinephrine as part of their
• How you measure the most favored nation price for insulin and, and um epinephrine, is that what you're
• So, um, If we were doing the most favor nation pricing for insulin or epinephrine, I mean, it would be
• Um, but, you know, those are still distinct ideas because the insulin and epinephrine was specifically

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill requires public schools to maintain supplies of epinephrine injectors.
• purchase their own epinephrine or if a student brings it in.
• Our insurance does not cover epinephrine.
• Uh one epinephrine for free to schools.
• It's down to about 168 or epinephrine.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, districts may stock epinephrine injectors or EpiPens.
• It removes the language specifying EpiPens or epinephrine injectors and replaces it with an epinephrine
• effective administration of epinephrine. effective administration of epinephrine.
• We modeled this after the specifying EpiPens or epinephrine specifying EpiPens or epinephrine injectors
• delivery system, basically epinephrine delivery system, basically an<00:10:39.519> FDA<00:10:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Epinephrine auto-injectors, often known as EpiPens, are life-saving treatments that reverse the symptoms
• The committee substitute simply rephrases 'epinephrine auto-injectors' to 'epinephrine delivery systems

Bills: HB163, HB216, HB721, HB2035, HB2038, HB3057, HB3153, HB3233, HB3595, HB3801, HB3812, HB4076, HB4129, HB4377, HB4535, HB4666, HB4730, HB4743, HB4903, HB5149, HB5155, HB1534

Keywords: epinephrine, healthcare, emergency response, administration, medical policy, health care, itemized billing, patient rights, provider regulations, Texas Health and Safety Code, cost disclosure, insurance, benefit plan, administrators, chemical dependency, treatment facilities, minor admissions, parental notice, mental health, medical licensing

Summary: The committee met without a quorum at first, then established a quorum with five members present. Members heard and left pending several House bills, including HB 4743 on allowing hospitals to license mobile stroke units under a hospital license, HB 4129 on earlier DFPS enforcement tools for single-source continuum contractors in community-based foster care, HB 4903 creating a Quad Agency Child Care Initiative to coordinate child care regulations across state agencies, HB 3812 revising the gold card/prior authorization process for physicians, HB 4535 requiring written informed consent before COVID-19 vaccination and a standardized state information sheet, and HB 4666 reducing the frequency of some HHSC reports to the legislature. The chair also noted HB 35 would be voted on later after a subcommittee back was received, and that a large number of bills would be heard the next day. Most of the testimony focused on HB 4535 and HB 4730. On HB 4535, supporters argued the bill would strengthen informed consent for COVID vaccination by requiring written consent and clearer state-level information about risks, manufacturer liability protections, and adverse-event reporting; opponents, including a pediatrician and medical groups, said existing federal and state informed-consent materials already cover these topics and warned the bill could create duplicative paperwork and penalties. On HB 3812, the Texas Medical Association supported changes that would extend the gold-card evaluation period to one year, raise transparency, and make prior authorization exemptions easier to administer, while health plans said they were neutral and viewed the bill as a balance between reducing burden and preventing fraud or unsafe care. HB 4730 drew extensive testimony from adoption professionals, birth mothers, adoptive parents, and child welfare advocates. The bill would require DFPS to create a relinquishment form, train child-placing agency staff, and extend the minimum waiting period for voluntary relinquishment from 48 hours to seven days. Supporters of the current law argued the 48-hour period aligns with hospital discharge, allows informed decisions, and helps birth parents and adoptive families begin healing and bonding without pushing children into foster care or creating legal and Medicaid complications. The author said the bill would be revised and that the seven-day provision was a work in progress. No votes were taken on the bills during the meeting; each bill was left pending after public testimony closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of those, 66 students did not have a prescription for epinephrine and used the school's stock epinephrine
• provide a stock of EP epinephrine provide a stock of EP epinephrine however<03:56:38.279> it<
• not have a prescription for epinephrine not have a prescription for epinephrine and<03:57:37.120
• The statute says epinephrine auto-injectors, and further defines that an epinephrine auto-injector also
• the statute piece does say epinephrine the statute piece does say epinephrine Auto<04:06:46.880>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and noted weather-related absences and a large number of new bills. The chair said a subcommittee would be formed to review three cell phone bills, and a full committee work session on bullying would be scheduled for the week after next. The committee then began a hearing on House Bill 121, which would create local special education advisory councils in school districts. Representative Glenn Cordelli, the sponsor, said the councils would be parent-driven, with parents of children with disabilities advising districts on education, safety, program development, evaluation, planning, policies, and communication with administrators. He said the bill would require at least quarterly meetings with district administration, an annual parent workshop, and a year-end report to the school board. He also cited federal guidance from the U.S. Department of Education on parent advisory councils and said the goal was to improve collaboration between parents and schools. Members raised questions about the use of “shall,” how councils would be formed in districts without PTAs/PTOs, whether the councils could function in very small districts, privacy concerns about parents disclosing their children’s disabilities, whether the councils should include guardians or educational professionals, and whether the councils would have any direct tie to the state advisory council. The sponsor said the requirement was intended to make the councils mandatory, that local districts could organize them organically if needed, that participation would be voluntary, that parents would not be required to disclose private information, and that the councils would remain advisory rather than determinative. He also said costs should be minimal. Testimony then began from Nicole Sheath, a pediatric occupational therapist and parent of four children with disabilities, who described her experience balancing advocacy, school collaboration, and the demands of her children’s therapies and education.