Transcript Highlights:

• Do you know, does the Guardian program actually provide the weapon to the guardian? Mr. Chairman?
• with a bill that makes students eligible to be guardians.
• be dealing with a bill that allows guardians to open carry on college campuses.
• . and the wrong kind of people sign up to be guardians.
• and the wrong kind of people are going to sign them to be guardians.

Bills: S0118, S0896, S1690, S1756

Keywords: recreational vehicle parks, special assessments, property tax, occupancy rates, commercial assessment, school safety, guardian program, firearms, crimes near schools, security assessments, public postsecondary education, medical freedom, vaccination, ivermectin, healthcare practitioner liability, immunization exemptions

Summary: The committee first took up CS for SB 896, a school safety bill expanding the Guardian program to public postsecondary institutions. The bill requires active assailant response plans, security risk assessments, threat-management protocols, use of the suspicious activity reporting tool, and allows voluntary participation in Guardian for colleges and universities. A late-file amendment by Senator Polsky was adopted to clarify that students who are also employees or faculty are not eligible for Guardian. Members debated campus carry concerns, storage of firearms, and whether the bill could lead to broader gun access on campuses. Several faculty and gun-safety advocates testified against the bill, while supporters argued trained guardians can deter violence. The committee reported the bill favorably by roll call vote. The committee then approved CS for CS for CS for SB 1690 on child care and early learning services. The bill updates child care laws, clarifies regulations, and reduces overregulation of before- and after-school programs. An amendment expanded authority for the Florida Education Foundation to fundraise for early learning from birth to VPK. Testimony was largely supportive, emphasizing affordability, access to quality child care, and relief for working families, though one speaker opposed the bill as an expansion of government. The bill was reported favorably. Next, the committee passed CS for CS for SB 118, which clarifies how non-ad valorem special assessments are applied to recreational vehicle parks and limits the square footage used for assessment purposes to the maximum size of an RV space. The committee also approved CS for CS for SB 1220, the Department of Transportation package, which addresses seaport and airport planning, personal delivery devices, autonomous vehicles, advanced air mobility, toll programming, and other transportation-related changes. Amendments modified provisions on personal delivery devices, utility permits, autonomous vehicle penalties, and law-enforcement cruiser lights. Both bills were reported favorably. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1756, the medical freedom bill, which proposes new vaccine information requirements, conscience-based school immunization exemptions, limits on compelled vaccination during public health emergencies, and behind-the-counter access to ivermectin for adults. The sponsor and supporters framed the bill as strengthening informed consent and parental rights, while opponents and some senators raised concerns about vaccine hesitancy, herd immunity, and the inclusion of ivermectin. Public testimony was extensive and sharply divided. The transcript ends during continued testimony and debate on SB 1756, before a final vote is taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• These guardians don't— they have certain training they have to go through now, correct?
• I mean, I guess guardians are always appointed by the court. "But is it a court-appointed guardian?
• I mean, is it for everyone that's taking the role of guardian?
• "If the person who is the guardian does not...
• You don't have to be a guardian to do that. Any further questions of Judge Herman?

Bills: HB368, HB3311, HB1734, HB2495, HB2716, HB793, HB3376, HB2524, HB3421, HB3446, HB3181

Keywords: electronic devices, family violence, criminal prosecution, protective orders, tracking, harassment, family allowance, decedent's estate, surviving spouse, minor children, inheritance, child support, maintenance, HB 1734, Family Code, Section 155.207, suit affecting the parent-child relationship, SAPCR, continuing exclusive jurisdiction, jurisdiction transfer

Transcript Highlights:

• Names Billy Joe as her guardian. Names Billy Joe as her guardian?
• So you reported that to his guardian?
• Toit to represent me as guardian ad litem.
• She appointed Brian Twight, guardian ad litem.
• They ordered a guardian to help. Yeah, right.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and guardianships, and guardian ad litem.
• So if an attorney recommends a guardian ad litem, the court might appoint that guardian ad litem even
• And so some guardians are basically not even getting paid at all.
• And so some guardians are basically not even getting paid at all.
• And that's also one of the reasons why guardians are leaving this profession because of the pay. guardians

Summary: The work session began with a discussion of expanding opportunities in the legal profession, especially in response to shortages of lawyers in rural Washington and in public service roles. Washington State Bar Executive Director Tara Nevitt described a slowly growing but aging attorney population, noted that younger attorneys have declined, and outlined efforts such as supervised practice pathways to bar admission, reduced admission-by-motion experience requirements, expanded law clerk capacity, rural job fairs and grants, and a pilot program allowing innovative legal service delivery models. Members asked about bar passage score changes, loan repayment assistance, and the former Limited License Legal Technician program; Nevitt said the bar is monitoring other states and remains in dialogue with the court about paraprofessional licensing. Law school representatives from UW, Seattle University, and Gonzaga emphasized public service pipelines, financial barriers, and rural legal deserts, citing LRAPs, scholarships, stipends, clinics, and hybrid or regional programs designed to recruit and retain students in Washington. Seattle U highlighted its FlexJD and hybrid hub partnerships in underserved areas, while Gonzaga and UW reported substantial shares of graduates entering public service, though most still cluster in urban regions. The committee also heard from the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and the Office of Public Defense, both of which described severe recruitment and retention problems in rural counties, with vacancies, low applicant pools, and the need for higher salaries, housing help, internships, and loan support. The Office of Public Defense said its internship and fellowship program, created by SB 5780, has already placed interns in rural counties and produced some commitments to return after graduation. The Washington State Bar’s law clerk program was also presented as a pathway that helps people train locally and remain in their communities, including by supporting succession for aging solo practitioners. The committee then shifted to family law and guardianship issues. On Title 26 guardian ad litem practice, presenters from Northwest Justice Project and private family law practice said GALs can play an important role but that training, oversight, and consistency remain major concerns, especially in domestic violence cases. They described problems such as inadequate training, bias, inconsistent recommendations, high fees, and lack of accountability, and suggested stronger, standardized training, more use of mental health professionals for custody evaluations, and better oversight mechanisms. Members asked about county practices, including rotation systems for GAL appointments and whether King County’s family court assessors provide a useful model. The discussion then moved to minor guardianships under the Uniform Guardianship Act. A Superior Court judge said the 2021 changes increased the need for court visitors and appointed counsel, but courts are struggling to find qualified attorneys and visitors, especially in rural areas. A former commissioner said most of the bill under discussion was technical cleanup to align prior amendments, though it would add some fiscal burdens. Administrative Office of the Courts staff reported that the statewide reimbursement program for UGA implementation has repeatedly run out of money earlier each year, with minor guardianship costs making up most of the expense. The Office of Public Guardianship then described rapid growth in demand for adult guardianship and less restrictive alternatives, noting that referrals and caseloads have risen sharply, but that the office is constrained by a shortage of certified professional guardians and low compensation levels. Finally, the committee began an update on Blake implementation from the Office of Civil Legal Aid, which funds civil legal services related to the decision, before the transcript cut off.

Transcript Highlights:

• So is this looking at trying to make sure the guardian is there and putting that on the guardian, or
• as guardian for weeks after their individual ward is inpatient.
• So what if the guardian doesn't show up?
• takes that assessment without having the guardian present?
• It's intended to be additive if possible to have that guardian there.

Bills: SB1195, SB1245, SB1379, SB1420, SB1473, SB1534, SB1743, SB1769, SB1945

Keywords: nuisance, racing facility, racetrack, qualified defense, local property rights, noise regulation, legal claims, felony offenses, criminal justice reform, drug offenses, DUI penalties, residential treatment, human trafficking, victims, prevention, support services, Attorney General, pilot program, grant funding, public comment

Transcript Highlights:

• The Guardian ad Litem Board administers the Minnesota state Guardian ad Litem program.
• <01:43:28.239> at with extensive training Guardians at with extensive training Guardians at
• today and talking about the guardian today and talking about the guardian program<01:47:59.000><
• of interest too perhaps um the Guardians of interest too perhaps um the Guardians play<01:51:47.639
• supervise um future volunteer Guardians supervise um future volunteer Guardians at<01:53:15.239>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Require guardians to notify the court within 30 days of any changes in contact information of the guardian
• or of a newly designated guardian, and requires clerks of courts with jurisdiction over proceedings
• to secure criminal histories of newly designated guardians.
• We focus on education for guardians, professional guardians, private guardians, volunteer guardians,
• So this tightens that up, creates the duty on the guardian or the applicant to provide the names and

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:26:58.320> and guardian uh the adult adult guardian and guardian uh the adult adult guardian
• ,<00:28:12.559> conservator, person needs a guardian, conservator, person needs a guardian
• If only partial a a full guardian.
• But it is very will get a guardian.
• family guardians to be appointed at 17. family guardians to be appointed at 17.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call – 00:00:24 Discussion of The Center for Courageous Kids – 00:02:46 Discussion of Adult Protective Services and State Guardianship Programs – 00:25:22 Discussion of Annual Report of the External Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Panel – 01:00:34 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations – 01:33:41 Adjournment – 01:42:07, 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on Families and Children opened its first meeting with roll call and a reminder about the number of children in out-of-home care with active placements, which the chair said was 8,641 as of June 1, 2025. The committee then heard a presentation from the Center for Courageous Kids, a donor-funded camp in Scottville that serves children with lifelong illnesses and disabilities at no charge. Representatives described the camp’s year-round family retreats and summer sessions, its medically safe and inclusive model, and examples of campers gaining confidence and independence. They said the camp has served more than 43,000 campers from Kentucky, other states, and other countries, and that it is seeking legislative support for two capital projects: a new art barn and a medical lodge, with a combined request of $3.2 million. Members praised the program and asked about awareness, staffing, volunteer recruitment, accreditation, and how the projects would expand capacity; the camp said the medical lodge would help increase volunteer housing and allow future growth beyond its current summer cap of 128 campers per session. The committee then moved to adult protective services and state guardianship programs. Jessica Wayne, director of the Division of Guardianship, and Cliff Bryant of DCBS explained the legal framework for guardianship and conservatorship, including state guardianship as a last-resort option when no family member or private entity is available or appropriate. They outlined the court petition process, emergency appointments, and the distinction between full and limited guardianship or conservatorship. They emphasized that guardianship is based on legal incapacity to make decisions, not simply on a medical disability diagnosis, and noted that state guardianship can be arranged for some 17-year-olds aging out of youth services. The presenters said the state currently serves 4,645 individuals under guardianship, with most cases involving developmental intellectual disabilities, supported community living waiver participants, and people in nursing homes or long-term care facilities. They also described the division’s three branches: field services, which handles visits and day-to-day decisions in all 120 counties; a benefits branch that applies for public benefits; and a fiduciary branch that manages funds and pays bills. They reported 89 field workers statewide, an average caseload of 52, and said the agency is hiring to reduce that load. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Administration Cabinet, and the Department of Public Advocacy all here to discuss aspects of the guardian
• We are excited to be here today and talk with you a little bit about what we know about the guardian
• 2019 the gross fees charged by Guardians 2019 the gross fees charged by Guardians ad<00:03:16.920
• <00:04:19.160> ad<00:04:19.440> lium the guardian ad lium the guardian ad lium CAC<
• that was noted there was training for the court-appointed counsel and the guardians ad litem.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee met to discuss the guardian ad litem system, including appointment qualifications, training, payment, and whether any changes are needed. Roll was called, the February 25, 2025 minutes were approved, and the chair emphasized that the meeting was informational only and no vote would be taken. Representatives from the Court of Justice, including Chief Justice Deborah Henry Lambert and several family and district judges, testified about how the system has evolved since concerns raised in 2019 about overappointment and fees. Court witnesses said the judiciary responded to earlier concerns by requiring open appointment lists of trained and qualified attorneys, improving training, and increasing oversight of fee orders. They reported that statewide GAL fees have fallen from a little over $14 million in 2019 to about $12 million, even as caseloads have grown, and said the average payment works out to about $650 per case, with the statutory cap for trial-level GAL fees still set at $500 since 1986. They argued that the current local appointment model works well, especially in rural areas, and warned that moving to a DPA-style regional model would create serious scheduling and conflict problems because of overlapping dockets and related criminal cases. Judges from rural districts described shortages of available attorneys, high burnout, travel burdens, and the difficulty of finding enough counsel in smaller counties. They also said the Court of Justice cannot seek certain federal Title IV-E reimbursements, but urged the legislature to encourage the Finance and Administration Cabinet and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to pursue that funding through an MOU. One judge noted that some appointed attorneys are effectively underpaid relative to private rates and that better compensation would help attract and retain lawyers. The discussion also covered training standards adopted after the 2019 audit. Witnesses said Rule 37 now requires initial training and four hours of multidisciplinary continuing training every two years, with topics including child development, trauma-informed care, substance use, child welfare, forensics, ethics, and communication with clients. They said the Court of Justice has offered in-person regional trainings and remote options, and that the goal is to keep qualified attorneys on the appointment lists while improving representation for children and parents in dependency, neglect, abuse, and termination-of-parental-rights cases.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and members, Senate Bill 2342 relates to the application for appointment of a guardian, and
• or of a newly designated guardian and requires clerk support. with jurisdiction over proceedings to
• secure criminal histories of newly designated guardians.
• , professional guardians, private guardians, volunteer guardians. and people that are those providers
• It's tight and set up creates the duty on the guardian or the applicant to provide the names.

Bills: SB66, SB2165, SB2342, SB2878, SB2903

Keywords: disability, supported decision-making, legal assistance, confidentiality, access to justice, autonomy, civil rights, advocacy, Texas Family Code, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child welfare, foster care, substitute care, missing child, missing from placement, permanency hearing, parent-child relationship, SAPCR, conservatorship

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the legal guardian on line five or the minor when requested by the parent or legal guardian who has
• Um, it doesn't differentiate. the parent or legal guardian. I'm not the parent or legal guardian.
• <01:13:06.640> Is your parent or guardian? Correct. Is your parent or guardian? Correct.
• guardian and the become the legal guardian and the library.<01:14:19.440> The<01:14:19.679>
• right I'm saying as a as legal guardian right I'm saying as a legal<01:14:33.040> guardian<01

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:26:54.080> and guardian uh the adult adult guardian and guardian uh the adult adult guardian
• family guardians to be appointed at 17. family guardians to be appointed at 17.
• looking at this statutorily. at the role of guardian at light items at the role of guardian at light
• is that a appointed as the guardian is that a guardian<00:53:24.000> of<00:53:24.079> item
• , not guardian ad litem.

Keywords: 1. Call to Order and Roll Call – 00:00:24 2. Discussion of The Center for Courageous Kids – 00:02:46 3. Discussion of Adult Protective Services and State Guardianship Programs – 00:25:22 4. Discussion of Annual Report of the External Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Panel – 01:00:34 5. Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations – 01:33:41 6. Adjournment – 01:42:07, 958, all

Summary: The committee’s first interim meeting opened with roll call and a reminder that Kentucky had 8,641 children in out-of-home care with active placements as of June 1, 2025. The first presentation was from the Center for Courageous Kids (CCK), a donor-funded camp in Scottsville that serves children with lifelong illnesses and disabilities at no charge. Representatives described the camp’s history, its year-round family retreats and summer sessions, its medical and accessibility supports, and its impact on campers’ confidence and independence. They said CCK has served more than 43,000 campers from 46 states and 13 countries, including 22,000 from Kentucky, and noted plans to reach all 120 Kentucky counties. CCK also outlined future capital needs: a new art barn and a medical lodge. The organization said the art barn project would cost $2.5 million, with a legislative request of $1.5 million, and the medical lodge would cost $2.875 million, with a legislative request of $1.75 million. Members responded very positively, with several praising the camp’s work and one member asking about operational challenges. CCK said its main challenges are awareness, staff and volunteer recruitment, and expanding medical and housing capacity; it also said it is accredited by the American Camp Association and receives health and safety visits and audits. The committee then moved to a presentation on adult protective services and state guardianship programs from Jessica Wayne and Cliff Bryant of DCBS. They explained the legal framework for guardianship, the difference between full and limited guardianship/conservatorship, emergency appointments, and the state’s role as a last-resort guardian when no family member or private entity is available. They reported 4,464 individuals under state guardianship as of June 1, with most cases involving dementia, developmental disability, intellectual disability, nursing home or long-term care placement, severe mental illness, or brain injury. They also said the division has 89 field workers across 14 regional offices, with an average caseload of 52 and a goal of reducing that into the mid-40s through additional hiring.

Transcript Highlights:

• ad litem, cross examine the Guardian ad litem.
• The court is not bound by the Guardian ad litem's recommendations.
• So the Guardian ad litem helps in that regard.
• So due to that responsibility of the Guardian, the court usually gives a lot of weight to what the Guardian
• But the Guardian ad litem is one of those.

Transcript Highlights:

• 598 which is an act relating to guardian 598 which is an act relating to guardian edidum<00:27:00.480
• So a guardian ad litem is an attorney that represents children in cases, and this bill talks about guardian
• in<00:38:02.880> cases<00:38:03.359> where guardians at lidum in cases where guardians
• Right we're paying guardian at items.
• There are some good guardian edits doing There are some good guardian edits doing a<00:56:38.720>

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:05 - Discussion of 26RS HB 418 21:23 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 418 22:40 - Discussion of 26RS HB 611 26:00 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 611 26:52 - Discussion of 26RS HB 598 51:25 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 598, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Families and Children met to consider three bills. House Bill 418, relating to domestic violence and child custody, was presented by Rep. Neimus with testimony from ZeroV and Greenhouse 17. The bill, as amended by a committee substitute, would require courts to prioritize family violence in custody decisions, create a rebuttable presumption against unsupervised visitation and custody after two or more acts of domestic violence, require certain offenders to complete parenting or intervention programs before unsupervised contact, require training for paid supervised visitation providers and parenting coordinators, and ensure victim advocates are available in protective order hearings. Members discussed the two-incident threshold, the definition of domestic violence under Kentucky law, fiscal impact, and whether the bill adequately addresses severity and context; the bill passed 14-0 with favorable expression. The committee then heard House Bill 611, also on domestic relations, presented by Rep. Dietz with support from ZeroV. The committee substitute would create a 10-year interpersonal protective order upon conviction for certain felony assaults, sexual offenses, and stalking involving family members, unmarried couples, or dating partners, and would expand reporting requirements related to domestic violence data, legal representation in protective order hearings, and child dependency/neglect/family violence data. Testimony emphasized improved tracking of cases and survivor safety. The bill passed the committee 14-0 with favorable expression. Finally, House Bill 598, relating to guardian ad litem and other appointed counsel, was presented by Rep. Dietz with testimony from Kentucky Youth Advocates. The bill, titled the Family Representation and Advocacy Act, would reorganize how legal representation is provided in child welfare cases by creating a Family Representation and Advocacy Commission under the Supreme Court, allowing the department to hire staff attorneys or contract with private attorneys, nonprofits, law school clinics, and social workers, and aiming to improve quality, accountability, compensation, and support. Testimony cited high caseloads, low compensation, attorney turnover, and delays in foster care cases. The committee substitute was adopted, and the bill passed 14-0 with favorable expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• IT EXPANDS THE GUARDIAN PROGRAM TO ALLOW POST SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS TO OPT IN. OPT IN.
• Hunschofsky: THIS CLARIFIES THAT WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE GUARDIAN PROGRAM THAT A STUDENT IS NOT
• ABLE TO BE A GUARDIAN.
• IN THE UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE SYSTEM TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GUARDIAN PROGRAM.
• WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE GUARDIAN PROGRAM. I DO BELIEVE IT MAKES OUR SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES SAFE.

Transcript Highlights:

• Whereas, for professional guardians, we are paying them indefinitely.
• are terminated or until they're transferred to a family guardian or some other kind of guardian that
• Are they assigned a guardian separate from their guardian at large.
• Without a guardian.
• They don't need a guardian. So the long answer is, I hope that one day we will get there.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Space Force remains focused on developing guardians with the foundational skills... and experience
• To ensure the long-term pipeline of Guardians, we have established a recruiting squadron, which is the
• first. time for the Space Force to have a Guardian recruiting other potential Guardians.
• The Space Force is committed to fostering support for Guardians and their families as well.
• Child Development Centers that the Space Force Guardians leverage, so the adjusted salaries that the

Keywords: NDAA, military recruitment, personnel readiness, testimony, military leaders

Summary: The committee meeting focused on pressing issues related to the U.S. military's recruitment and personnel strategies, especially in light of the upcoming NDAA for fiscal year 2026. Chairperson expressed appreciation for the service of witnesses including senior military leaders from different branches, emphasizing the importance of personnel as the backbone of national defense. Discussions revealed concerns regarding the recent lowering of recruitment standards across military branches, which could potentially affect the quality of service members and long-term military readiness. Witnesses were asked to address the implications of these changes on military health and efficiency.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is where the guardians help.
• setting this this is where the Guardians setting this this is where the Guardians come<00:18:02.600
• <00:18:15.799> and family or pets the OPG Guardians and family or pets the OPG Guardians and
• same issues as uh the public uh Guardian same issues as uh the public uh Guardian off<00:40:32.200
• Who determines that that patient needs a guardian? So it's a team.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:27:27.679> or someone other than the legal guardian or someone other than the legal guardian
• <00:27:32.000> actually the parents or legal guardian actually the parents or legal guardian
• Whether that's it, it's the parent or legal guardian.
• <00:35:24.400> that made the case or their guardian that made the case or their guardian that
• I understand for abortion guardian.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe a guardian ad litem, like Ms.
• He served as a guardian ad litem.
• He served as a guardian ad litem.
• I think the guardian ad litem system is I think the guardian ad litem system is important.
• I've been a guardian ad litem for children.

Keywords: House Committee Room C, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all