Transcript Highlights:

• only rules applying to them limits how contracts between referral agencies and assisted living facilities
• a sub that requires agencies to clearly disclose how they are paid and any ties they have to the facility
• If a consumer is only provided with a list of facilities that directly pay the referral agency, then
• I'm the owner and CEO of a group of assisted living facilities in the DFW area.
• OK, and The high quality service, I mean, it, it states that facilities we contract with will provide

Bills: HB 1531, HB 2667, HB 2809, HB 2865, HB 3589, HB 3151, HB 3748, HB 3750, HB 4419, HB 4643, HB 3597, HB 4129, HB 4130, HB 4131

Keywords: workplace violence prevention, health and safety code, Chapter 331, facility definition, home and community support services agency, home health agency, home health care, nursing staff, registered nurses, health care workplace safety, hospital, nursing facility, ambulatory surgical center, freestanding emergency medical care facility, mental hospital, Texas health care regulation, provider compliance, occupational safety, senior living, referral agencies

Transcript Highlights:

• the only rules applying to them limit how contracts between referral agencies and assisted living facilities
• substitute that requires agencies to clearly disclose how they are paid and any ties they have to the facility
• If the consumer is only provided with a list of facilities that directly pay the referral agency, then
• I'm the owner and CEO of a group of assisted living facilities in the DFW area.
• Okay and The high quality of service, I mean, it states that facilities we contract with will provide

Bills: HB1531, HB2667, HB2809, HB2865, HB3589, HB3151, HB3748, HB3750, HB4419, HB4643, HB3597, HB4129, HB4130, HB4131

Keywords: workplace violence prevention, health and safety code, Chapter 331, facility definition, home and community support services agency, home health agency, home health care, nursing staff, registered nurses, health care workplace safety, hospital, nursing facility, ambulatory surgical center, freestanding emergency medical care facility, mental hospital, Texas health care regulation, provider compliance, occupational safety, senior living, referral agencies

Transcript Highlights:

• According to the Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies, approximately 75% of Texas nurses have experienced
• We applied this standard and requirement to a wide range of facilities.
• A range of healthcare facilities including hospitals, nursing facilities, ambulatory surgical centers
• , mental health facilities, and freestanding emergency clinics.
• This is a public hearing that happens before anyone is even placed in the facility.

Bills: HB1531, HB2667, HB2809, HB2865, HB3589, HB3151, HB3748, HB3750, HB4419, HB4643, HB3597, HB4129, HB4130, HB4131

Keywords: workplace violence prevention, health and safety code, Chapter 331, facility definition, home and community support services agency, home health agency, home health care, nursing staff, registered nurses, health care workplace safety, hospital, nursing facility, ambulatory surgical center, freestanding emergency medical care facility, mental hospital, Texas health care regulation, provider compliance, occupational safety, senior living, referral agencies

Bills: SB 623, SB 1266, SB 1310, SB 1373, SB 1580, SB 1952, SB 2032, SB 2269, SB 2544, SB 2653, SB 2796

Keywords: pharmacist, vaccine administration, COVID-19, exclusive authority, healthcare, Medicaid, provider enrollment, credentialing, administrative burden, Texas Health and Human Services, senior retirement communities, emergency response, residential safety, contract provisions, health and safety regulations, medical staff privileges, hospital administration, healthcare regulation, Texas Health and Safety Code, consistency in privileges

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and with this being said, the bill uh would be known as the Nursing Mother's Act.
• Um, and with this being said, the bill would be known as the Nursing Mother's Act.
• Um, and it as the Nursing Mother's Act.
• <00:41:28.640> mother accommodations for uh the nursing mother accommodations for uh the nursing
• <00:44:42.319> and nursing mothers need to to nurse and nursing mothers need to to nurse and

Bills: HB161, HB146, HB289, HB290, HB31, HB146, HB289, HB290, HB31

Keywords: consumer protection, app store, age verification, parental consent, data protection, minors, HB146, ivermectin, pharmacist, standing order, prescription drug, non-patient-specific order, dispensing, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, licensed health care provider, pharmacy board, medical licensure, disciplinary action, drug access

Transcript Highlights:

• facility payment rates.
• Supplemental Nursing Services Agency updates, assisted living facility updates, and medication training
• First is the Faith Community Nurse Network of the Twin Cities.
• Cloud facility, and House File 1579 would allow this facility, as well as the Minneapolis Village, to
• rate on top of that, and those rates vary by facility.

Bills: HF2115, HF2276, HF1644, HF99, HF2068, HF2707, HF2704, HF2406, HF1674, HF1579

Keywords: human services, aging services, disability services, behavioral health, long-term care, nursing home, nursing facility, assisted living, waiver services, medical assistance, Medicaid, case mix reimbursement, PDPM, RUG, direct care and treatment, developmental disabilities, day services, positive support, guardian, conservator

Transcript Highlights:

• facility payment rates.
• conformity, supplemental nursing conformity, supplemental nursing services<00:05:05.680> agency
• Cloud facility, and House File 1579 would allow this facility, as well as the Minneapolis facility, to
• And those rates vary by facility.
• And those rates vary by facility.

Bills: HF2115, HF2276, HF1644, HF99, HF2068, HF2707, HF2704, HF2406, HF1674, HF1579

Keywords: human services, aging services, disability services, behavioral health, long-term care, nursing home, nursing facility, assisted living, waiver services, medical assistance, Medicaid, case mix reimbursement, PDPM, RUG, direct care and treatment, developmental disabilities, day services, positive support, guardian, conservator

Transcript Highlights:

• individuals who qualify for the Advantage Waiver Medicaid program to reside in an assisted living facility

Bills: SB1423, SB1426, SB1502, SB1377, SB1983, SB1466, SB1645, SB1647, SB1847, SB1565, SB1562, SB1329, SB1383, SB1833, SB1555, SB1344

Keywords: Oklahoma Hospital Advisory Council, hospital licensure, public health, State Department of Health, State Board of Health, hospital regulations, healthcare regulation, hospital standards, hospital construction, hospital operations, stroke care, stroke system, emergency medical services, EMS transport, psychiatric treatment, chemical dependency treatment, substance use disorder, drug storage, pharmacy, quality indicators

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:14:09.520> shortage a nursing shortage a nursing shortage that<01:14:11.160> matches
• The CNEE is Minnesota's nursing The CNEE is Minnesota's nursing workforce<01:15:32.480> center
• Nurses make up half of Minnesota's licensed healthcare workforce, and Minnesota is facing serious nursing
• $1.4 million to launch the pre-licensure nurse apprenticeship program.
• Nurses make up half of Minnesota's licensed healthcare workforce, and Minnesota is facing serious nursing

Bills: HF3843, HF3597, HF4003, HF3167, HF4193

Keywords: workforce development, appropriations, nonprofit organizations, employment services, state funding, paid leave, S corporations, employment law, exemptions, Minnesota Statutes, cancer, healthcare, appropriation, Rural Cancer Institute, Minnesota clinicians, pilot program, nursing, education, University of Minnesota, equity

Transcript Highlights:

• First as an employee health nurse and now as a nurse leader.
• First as an employee health nurse and now as a nurse leader.
• nurse lure compact. nurse lure compact.
• health nurse and now as a nurse employee health nurse and now as a nurse leader.<01:37:51.360> The
• c> at the nursing as a nursing practice and at the nursing as a nursing practice and education<01:43:

Bills: HF1925

Keywords: nurse licensure, multistate license, healthcare, public safety, interstate compact, nursing regulation, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• SESHA, which is the Semiconductor Environmental Safety and Health Association, as well as Ultra Facility
• A fab is a facility that makes semiconductors.
• And, of course, you folks know that there are many of these facilities in the world, many of them centered
• There are many of these facilities in the world, many of them centered in Arizona.
• And where the customer does not have enough staff to actually operate the facilities, we can provide

Bills: SB1041

Keywords: electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, 1182, all

Summary: The committee convened and announced that Senate Bill 1041 would not be heard, with the meeting limited to a presentation to keep the schedule moving. Brian Jenkins of Nalco Water, part of Ecolab, gave an informational presentation on the company’s work in the semiconductor industry, especially in Arizona. He described Ecolab’s role in helping chip manufacturers maximize production while reducing water and energy use, including data management, water reuse and recycle systems, and energy optimization for fabs. He also discussed anticipated semiconductor growth in Arizona, citing SEMI data projecting four additional fabs in the state over the next several years. Jenkins emphasized the high water and energy demands of semiconductor fabrication, explaining that fabs can use billions of gallons of water annually and that chip features have become extremely small, increasing the need for precise, resource-intensive manufacturing. He outlined technologies Ecolab uses to identify reusable water streams, model treatment options, and design and operate reuse systems, including treatment of hydrogen fluoride, CMP wastewater, and neutralized acid waste. He gave an example of a fab where Ecolab’s work reduced water consumption by 11 million gallons per year, cut contaminant discharge by 64%, and saved about $675,000 annually. Members thanked Jenkins for the presentation and referenced a prior tour of the facility. They discussed the importance of water conservation for Arizona’s growth in chip manufacturing and data centers, and encouraged follow-up conversations outside the meeting. Jenkins invited members to visit Ecolab’s facility in Naperville, Illinois. No votes were taken, and the meeting concluded after the presentation, followed by adjournment as the room was prepared for House members to join.

Transcript Highlights:

• On our rural healthcare and our nursing homes and our providers, so just really trying to understand
• HB 405 by Representative Blackshare, concerning nursing facilities' privilege assessments and surcharge
• on each nursing home bed.
• The extension of the current supplemental privilege assessment on each nursing home facility is set to

Bills: HB186, HB185, HB184, HB183, HB181, HB312, HB405, HB182, HB460

Keywords: Alabama budget, general fund appropriations, fiscal year 2026, state budget, appropriations act, HB186, executive branch funding, legislative branch funding, judicial branch funding, debt service, capital outlay, corrections, Medicaid, public health, mental health, transportation, education, law enforcement, tourism, veterans affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Not just the home care care nursing Not just the home care care nursing costs,<00:04:02.880>
• With only 10 days of nursing hours.
• happens, nurses leave home care. happens, nurses leave home care.
• <00:26:40.040> While home care nursing services. While home care nursing services.
• for home care nursing. for home care nursing.

Bills: HF3794, HF4472, HF4410, HF4347, HF4412, HF4398, HF4397, HF4201, HF4199, HF4203, HF3706, HF4071, HF4120, HF4175, HF4188

Keywords: surveillance, price discrimination, wage discrimination, automated decision systems, consumer protections, data privacy, biometrics, school district health insurance, charter school health benefits, employee benefits, public sector health insurance, health insurance survey, Legislative Budget Office, LBO report, premium costs, retiree coverage, broker commissions, third-party administrator, health plan transparency, health reimbursement arrangement

Transcript Highlights:

• In a survey of Florida OR nurses last fall, 95% reported their facility already has the equipment, yet
• And the supervising nurse must have been a registered nurse.
• The Florida Nurses Association supports the Board of Nursing in its critical role in ensuring that nursing
• nursing programs must meet.
• I'm a registered nurse of 45 years. We've been hearing a lot from nursing this morning.

Bills: S0162, S0254, S0688, S0794, S1110, S1574

Keywords: surgical smoke, health standards, hospital safety, patient protection, medical regulations, nursing education, licensure, remedial courses, temporary license, graduate nursing preceptorship, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, background screening, support coordination services, developmental disabilities, Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome, public hearings, orthotics, prosthetics, healthcare, Medicaid

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met with a quorum present and took up several health-related bills. CS/SB 1110 on Medicaid and insurance coverage for orthotics and prosthetics was heard first. The bill would require coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics without lifetime or continuous-use caps, direct AHCA to seek federal approval and update contracts, and require annual reporting. Testimony from a child using prosthetic “gymnastics blades,” his mother, and another young person with a prosthetic leg emphasized the high cost of activity-specific devices and the impact on children’s mobility, sports participation, and quality of life. Senators voiced strong support, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then approved SB 1574, “Maddie’s Law,” which adds newborn screening for biliary atresia using the existing blood specimen collected at birth. The sponsor and the child’s father described the condition as time-sensitive and potentially fatal without early detection, and argued the screening could prevent transplants and save money. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also considered CS/SB 794 on background screening for employees of residential facilities and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities, plus a review of waiver support coordination quality, training, and access issues. Parents and a support coordinator testified that strong support coordination is essential for families and that the bill would help standardize expectations and improve services. An amendment aligning the bill with the House companion was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. Members next heard SB 162, which requires hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. Supporters, including nurses and the Florida Nurses Association, described surgical smoke as a workplace hazard with toxic chemicals and potential cancer risks; hospital representatives said they support the intent but argued existing federal and state standards already regulate the issue and the bill is too prescriptive. A late-filed amendment clarifying the smoke must be “effectively captured and filtered” was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 254, a major nursing education bill that tightens oversight of low-performing nursing programs, creates a temporary provisional license and preceptorship pathway for graduates awaiting NCLEX results, requires remediation for delayed testing, and increases transparency by posting passage rates. Nursing groups supported stronger standards, while private nursing schools warned the bill could reduce capacity and discourage program directors; the amended bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 688, which would reestablish licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors in Florida, create a board of naturopathic medicine, set licensure and renewal requirements, and define the scope of practice while excluding most prescription authority. Supporters said it would expand health care choices and allow naturopathic doctors to practice openly, while opponents from the medical community warned the bill could authorize diagnosis and treatment without sufficient training and rely on unproven therapies. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned after members thanked staff for their work.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the Texas Board of Nursing rules allow nurses to delegate nursing tests to unlicensed persons, including
• Their facilities were short staffed. Some, there were no staff.
• So hospitals, nursing homes do have the regulation.
• Some of these facilities are charging us upwards of $6000 to $10,000.
• So my mother is in an assisted living facility right now.

Bills: HB 660, HB 4845, HB 3902, HB 5396, HB 4615, HB 1825, HB 1403, HB 4336, HB 4585, HB 4371, HB 863, SB 1589, HB 5223, HB 3195, HB 2734

Keywords: child protective services, adult protective services, caseload limits, call processing goals, child-care licensing, employee workload, reporting requirements, employee caseload limits, protective services, workload management, accountability, Department of Family and Protective Services, employee goals, call processing, child care, human resources, government accountability, Medicaid, provider enrollment, revalidation

Transcript Highlights:

• Duty nursing through Medicaid, but as you all know, we have a nursing shortage in this state.
• And so private duty nursing is one of those services.
• And these people are in these facilities.
• There are facilities with short staff, some that were...
• I have examples where facilities shipped their residents to the hospital. Who paid for it?

Bills: HB660, HB4845, HB3902, HB5396, HB4615, HB1825, HB1403, HB4336, HB4585, HB4371, HB863, SB1589, HB5223, HB3195, HB2734

Keywords: child protective services, adult protective services, caseload limits, call processing goals, child-care licensing, employee workload, reporting requirements, employee caseload limits, protective services, workload management, accountability, Department of Family and Protective Services, employee goals, call processing, child care, human resources, government accountability, Medicaid, provider enrollment, revalidation

Transcript Highlights:

• This prolonged lack of reimbursement strains nursing facilities and can jeopardize the care provided
• The agreement ensures integrity in the child process and that nursing facilities don't manipulate the
• Process more efficient while also creating accountability for nursing facilities.
• It repeals the nursing facility direct care staff rate enhancement program.
• However, one statistic that stands out to me is the 52%. turnover rate of Texas' nursing facility nurse

Bills: HB660, HB4845, HB3902, HB5396, HB4615, HB1825, HB1403, HB4336, HB4585, HB4371, HB863, SB1589, HB5223, HB3195, HB2734

Keywords: child protective services, adult protective services, caseload limits, call processing goals, child-care licensing, employee workload, reporting requirements, employee caseload limits, protective services, workload management, accountability, Department of Family and Protective Services, employee goals, call processing, child care, human resources, government accountability, Medicaid, provider enrollment, revalidation

Transcript Highlights:

• Will you now please recognize Senator Pugh to introduce the nurse of the day?
• Senator Pugh, you are recognized to introduce our nurse of the day. Thank you, Mr. President.
• She's a third-generation nurse entrepreneur and healthcare advocate born and raised in Enid, Oklahoma
• All across our system, the facilities are state-of-the-art.
• We're building this generation of doctors and nurses to take on these jobs.

Bills: HB3976, HB3000, HB3001, HB3003, HB3004, HB3066, HB3904, HB3644, HB1687, HB3920, SR40

Keywords: rural hospitals, small hospitals, grant program, healthcare funding, Oklahoma health department, cosmetology, barbering, massage therapy, State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, Service Oklahoma, license renewal, license reinstatement, licensing fees, sunset extension, board membership, human trafficking, victim services, beauty school, barber school, esthetics

Transcript Highlights:

• She's a pediatric nurse, and it's not good in the state of Oklahoma.
• artificial nutrition and hydration, clarifies the limits on surrogate authority, including restrictions on nursing

Bills: HB3976, HB3000, HB3001, HB3003, HB3004, HB3066, HB3904, HB3644, HB1687, HB3920

Keywords: rural hospitals, small hospitals, grant program, healthcare funding, Oklahoma health department, cosmetology, barbering, massage therapy, State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, Service Oklahoma, license renewal, license reinstatement, licensing fees, sunset extension, board membership, human trafficking, victim services, beauty school, barber school, esthetics

Transcript Highlights:

• Once it became clear that CMS requires this of nursing facilities, we believe all health care providers
• Nurses in Hawaii and facility lensure.
• facilities.
• <01:20:34.400> the<01:20:34.719> nursing home care agency or nursing the nursing home
• facilities as a condition of lensure. facilities as a condition of lensure.

Bills: SB2275, SB2390, SB2540, SB3142, SB2414, SB2340, SB2848

Keywords: Medicaid, disability, buy-in program, workers with disabilities, income eligibility, premium structure, biomarker testing, health insurance, medical coverage, state law, health maintenance organization, juvenile justice, youth penalties, minors, court fees, court costs, fines, surcharges, restitution, fee waiver

Summary: The House Committee on Health heard testimony on a series of bills related to public health, pharmacy regulation, disability access, and health care infrastructure. HB 1535, creating an income tax credit for automated external defibrillator installations, drew support from the Department of Health, tax department comments, and public testimony emphasizing AED access in community and transit settings. HB 1765, requiring safety warnings for spear fishing gear, received comments from DLNR and strong support from a free-diving safety advocate who described blackout risks and argued for point-of-sale warnings. HB 1549, which would repeal the law prohibiting drug paraphernalia, drew mixed testimony: the Department of Health, the Public Defender, and harm-reduction advocates supported repeal as a public health measure, while HPD and a county prosecutor opposed it, warning it could encourage drug use and create public safety issues. The committee also heard HB 1550, which would exclude drug testing products from the definition of drug paraphernalia. The Department of Health and harm-reduction advocates supported the bill, saying drug checking tools save lives and help prevent overdoses, while one written opponent was noted. HB 1995, allowing people who are blind or deaf to receive disabled parking permits, drew opposition from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Disability and Communication Access Board, and other opponents, while a few written supporters were also noted. HB 1671, allowing licensed dental hygienists to place interim therapeutic restorations in public health settings, received support from the Department of Health and several oral health organizations, with the Board of Dentistry offering comments. HB 1643, establishing a framework for pharmacy audits and record retrieval, prompted the most extended discussion. The Board of Pharmacy and independent pharmacy representatives supported the bill as a needed framework to limit burdensome audits and protect patient care, while HMSA raised concerns about possible conflicts with upcoming federal PBM reforms and potential unintended consequences. Committee members questioned both sides about timing and workload, and supporters argued the bill was needed now to protect rural and independent pharmacies. Finally, HB 1978, appropriating funds for a new outpatient care center in North Kona, received strong support from Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Queen’s Health Systems, the Kona-Kohala Chamber, and others, who described it as a long-term investment in West Hawaii’s health care capacity and economy. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.