Video & Transcript Research : 'Autism Spectrum Disorder'

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FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Health Policy Jan 14th, 2025

Health Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • On the other end of the spectrum, we cover approximately 62 percent of nursing home days in the state
  • the comprehensive health care coverage specific to pregnant women and infants, and it covers the spectrum
  • We work with them on their education for women for substance use disorder.
  • This month happens to be Substance Use Disorder Awareness Month. I was good. You're recognized.
  • This month happens to be Substance Use Disorder Awareness Month.
Summary: The Senate Health Policy Committee met to discuss maternal and infant health, beginning with a presentation from New Jersey’s Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority (MiHA). Pamela Taylor described New Jersey’s statewide effort to reduce maternal mortality and racial disparities through the Nurture New Jersey campaign, a strategic plan with more than 80 recommendations, universal home visiting, Medicaid-covered doula care, hospital report cards, limits on non-medically indicated early elective C-sections, and a new maternal and infant health innovation center. Senators asked about doula certification, funding, home visiting, and how New Jersey coordinates across agencies; Taylor said the authority uses quarterly stakeholder meetings, annual summits, and a tracker for recommendations, and that community input helped shape its programs. Florida Agency for Health Care Administration Deputy Secretary Brian Meyer then outlined Florida Medicaid’s maternal coverage and managed care structure. He reviewed eligibility and services for pregnant women, labor and delivery, postpartum coverage, newborn coverage, and family planning, noting 12 months of postpartum coverage, expanded benefits in managed care plans, and new contracts launching February 1 with more maternal-health-focused benefits, quality measures, and a new quality withhold incentive structure. Senators questioned doula certification and duplication with Healthy Start, provider access and network adequacy, kick payments, quality reporting, and whether Florida should consider broader eligibility standards; Meyer said many details are still plan-driven, that quality metrics are public, and that the agency is working on maternal-health work groups and incentives. Department of Health Division Director Shea Holloway followed with an overview of Florida’s maternal and child health programs and data. She cited Florida CHARTS data showing pregnancy-related deaths, severe maternal morbidity, and infant mortality trends, and described the Title V block grant, the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, the Florida Perinatal Quality Collaborative, the electronic prenatal risk screen, Healthy Babies, BH Impact for perinatal mental health, Healthy Start, WIC, family planning, telehealth maternity care, and the Pregnancy Care Network. Senators asked about delays in mortality review reporting, preterm birth, substance use disorder in pregnancy, WIC participation, cesarean rates, and the impact of the abortion ban; Holloway said the department is continuing to monitor outcomes, expand screening and telehealth, and use data and hospital partnerships to improve care. The committee then adjourned without further business.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

AEN-EEP-AGR Informational Briefing 02-24-2025

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • These include developmental delay, meaning you're not developing properly, autism, attention deficit
  • disorders, other disabilities, and the increase in asthma.
  • > and autism attention deficit disorders and autism attention deficit disorders and other<00:24
  • <00:25:00.520> and<00:25:00.640> the attention deficit disorders and the attention
  • deficit disorders and the increase<00:25:01.120> in<00:25:01.399> asthma<00:25:02.279><
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The joint informational briefing focused on restricted use pesticides in Hawaiʻi, with Senate and House members opening the meeting and explaining that the session was intended to hear expert presentations and community concerns. Fern Holland outlined the background for the briefing, describing how restricted use pesticides differ from general-use products, why state-level regulation matters, and how community advocates have sought disclosure and protections for years. She summarized 2019 reporting data, saying a small number of users accounted for most reported use, with especially heavy application in North Central Oʻahu and on the west side of Kauaʻi. She highlighted concerns about applications near schools, homes, and coastlines, and identified 1,3-dichloropropene and metam sodium as among the heaviest-used fumigants. She also noted concerns about highly hazardous pesticides, some banned in other countries, and the lack of research on long-term combined exposure to multiple pesticides. Greg Takashima of the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture described the department’s pesticide program and regulatory authority under FIFRA and state law. He explained the distinction between general-use and restricted use pesticides, the certification requirements for applicators, and the department’s role in tracking RUPs from sale through use. He reviewed the branch’s functions in enforcement, education and certification, registration and technical review, and laboratory analysis, including inspections, complaint response, market surveillance, product registration, groundwater review, and outreach on drift reduction and integrated pest management. He also noted staffing and funding limitations, saying the branch lacks a toxicologist and long-term monitoring capacity, and compared Hawaiʻi’s resources to California’s much larger pesticide regulatory program. Takashima thanked the legislature for passing Act 231 the prior year and said the department supports the measure as it moves forward this session. Dr. Lee, speaking for the Hawaiʻi chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and as a former member of the Kauaʻi Joint Fact-Finding Task Force, said pediatric guidance has shifted from focusing on acute poisoning to recognizing chronic low-level pesticide exposure as a concern. He cited AAP publications linking pesticide exposure to cancer, brain tumors, leukemia, birth outcomes, neurobehavioral effects, and asthma, and said pediatricians are now encouraged to advise families on reducing exposure and to support right-to-know measures and buffer zones around schools and public gathering places. He also described the Kauaʻi task force’s work, saying it found the west side of the island to be an unhealthy community but could not prove causation because of missing drift, geospatial, and biomarker data. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational, questions were held until after presentations, and the department expressed support for Act 231.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN SENATE BILL 398, AWARENESS PROGRAMS FOR ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA RELATED DISORDERS
  • SENATE BILL 756 DEALS WITH REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO DIAGNOSIS OF AUTISM.
  • THIS BILL SET ASIDE THAT DIAGNOSIS BY AGE 8 REQUIREMENT AND ALSO SAYS IF SOMEBODY IS DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM
  • HE WAS, HE HAD DOWN SYNDROME, AUTISM AND THE COGNITIVE ABILITIES OF A TWO-YEAR-OLD.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
MA
Transcript Highlights:
  • And our contract for MAT services to Spectrum is $14 million. Thank you, too.
  • Is that just what you're contracting with Spectrum to do the delivery of it?
  • trauma history that you have described, they most likely would be seen with a post-traumatic stress disorder
  • That is a separate contract from Spectrum medication for opioid use disorder or alcohol use disorder
  • So Spectrum Health Systems is the major provider of our programming, although it’s supplemented with—thank
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The commission met with a new member from Prisoners’ Legal Services and approved the July 11 minutes. The main presentation came from Department of Correction Commissioner Sean Jenkins and Deputy Commissioner Mitzie Peterson, who gave an overview of DOC facilities, population trends, and the department’s broad mission, including sentenced prisoners, pretrial detainees, civil commitments, Bridgewater State Hospital, and the Section 35 program. They noted the custody population has fallen from about 10,000 in 2016 to roughly 6,000–6,600, while the share serving first- or second-degree sentences has increased. They also reviewed the department’s facility footprint, including Souza-Baranowski, MCI Norfolk, MCI Framingham, Bridgewater, and the planned transfer of the Section 35 program to Health and Human Services by the end of 2026. A large portion of the discussion focused on programming, education, health care, and reentry. DOC described tablet access for all incarcerated people, free phone calls, email, and more than 330,000 hours of educational, vocational, and reentry use. They highlighted partnerships with colleges and universities such as Tufts, Boston College, Emerson, and others, along with HiSET completion, vocational training, and programs like The Last Mile and Persevere. Health care spending was discussed in detail, including a total annual health-related contract cost of about $300 million, with separate contracts for prison health care, Bridgewater State Hospital, MassAQC, and MAT services. DOC said it has nearly eradicated Hep C and MRSA and now offers all three FDA-approved MAT medications, including long-acting injectables when clinically indicated. Commissioners also asked about specialized programming, language and disability access on tablets, and how programming is distributed across facilities. DOC explained that nothing is mandatory, but program participation is encouraged and can affect parole consideration. Staff described assessments using COMPAS, criminal thinking interventions, trauma-related treatment, and specialized units for emerging adults, mental health, and substance use. The department said programming costs were about $101 million in fiscal year 2025, or roughly 12% of the operating budget, excluding health care. Members praised the elimination of restrictive housing and the rollout of body-worn cameras, while DOC said the cameras required new policy and union negotiations but are now used for training, accountability, and de-escalation. The meeting ended with a plan for DOC to return in September with more detailed information on SAUs, programming statistics, and facility structure, and the commission voted to adjourn.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Judiciary Feb 18th, 2026 at 05:22 pm

Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • education services, particularly those who have diagnoses that can manifest as problem behaviors, such As autism
  • It's a spectrum. Furthermore, these tactics escalate unwanted behaviors.
Keywords: 996, all
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 017 Jan 31st, 2026

Colorado Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • organization exclusively focused<00:38:32.240> on<00:38:32.400> the<00:38:32.560> spectrum
  • <00:38:32.800> of<00:38:32.960> FTD<00:38:33.520> disorders focused on the spectrum
  • of FTD disorders focused on the spectrum of FTD disorders with<00:38:34.160> a<00:38:34.320><
Keywords: 981, all
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the January 29, 2026 journal as corrected, and received committee reports advancing several bills. The Health and Human Services Committee reported Senate Bill 17 to Appropriations with a favorable recommendation and Senate Bill 32 to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation. The Local Government and Housing Committee reported Senate Bill 1 to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation. The chamber then handled resolutions. Senate Joint Resolution 007, recognizing February 2026 as Black History Month, was laid over until February 3. Senate Bill 004 was also laid over until February 2. Senate Joint Resolution 004, recognizing September 20–26, 2026 as Frontotemporal Degeneration Awareness Week, was read at length, with sponsors and supporters describing FTD as a serious, underdiagnosed neurodegenerative disease and noting the resolution came from a constituent request. The resolution was adopted 32-0, and the current roll call was added as co-sponsors. During announcements and personal privileges, Senator Amabile spoke about her recent appendectomy and used the experience to emphasize access to health care amid the state budget deficit. Senator Coleman recognized the Colorado chapter of the American Institute of Architects for its contributions to the built environment and the state’s communities. Senator Cutter announced a joint transportation and energy hearing on Xcel’s recent power outages, and Senator Sullivan shared a personal remembrance of his son, who was killed in the Aurora Theater Massacre. The Senate also heard procedural reminders about guest introductions and fines, sang happy birthday to members with interim birthdays, and then adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 2, 2026.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Nov 19th, 2025

Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • And then recently, last year, the Spectrum Alert was passed.
  • wasn't because he's a bad kid or he was committing a crime or he didn't like us; it's because he has autism
  • wasn't because he's a bad kid or he was committing a crime or he didn't like us; it's because he has autism
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met to hear budget presentations from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), an FDLE update on the Uniform Arrest Affidavit and Florida Incident-Based Reporting System (FIBERS), the Department of Juvenile Justice on Florida Scholars Academy, and the Clerks of Court Operations Corporation. FDLE requested funding for a wide range of items, including a new Fort Myers regional operations center lease, technology upgrades for missing persons alerts and criminal justice data systems, replacement breath-test instruments, recurring support for critical public safety contracts, cybersecurity, a career offender registry unit, expanded wellness and peer support for law enforcement, cryptocurrency seizure efforts, vehicle replacement, forensic lab and digital forensics upgrades, a repaired Jacksonville firearm range, and additional resources for criminal alien detection, fentanyl enforcement, and other operational needs. Senators questioned FDLE about the reported 79% increase in officer misconduct cases, body cameras, masking by officers, public records request burdens, and the status of criminal alien detection funding. FDLE’s second presentation explained that FIBERS is Florida’s incident-based crime reporting system and that 61% of agencies, covering 74% of the population, have transitioned to it. The agency also described the Uniform Arrest Affidavit initiative, which standardizes arrest data for statewide sharing. Senators asked about NCIC/FCIC access, hate crime reporting requirements, and why more agencies have not adopted the UAA and FIBERS systems; FDLE said it is working with law enforcement associations and vendors to address technology and implementation barriers. The committee also heard from DJJ Secretary Matt Walsh, who praised FDLE’s wellness program and then reported on Florida Scholars Academy’s first year, including unified education across 39 residential facilities, security fixes after early website access issues, strong enrollment and graduation numbers, and extensive support for students with disabilities. Walsh said the program still faces staffing shortages and a wait list for residential beds, and estimated about 260 additional beds are needed. The final presentation came from Clerk of Court and Comptroller Stacey Butterfield, who said clerks are operating with outdated funding levels and requested $22 million to stabilize operations. She highlighted reimbursement shortfalls for injunctions for protection and other high-risk cases, rising postage and summons costs, and the need to fund clerk staffing for 37 new judges under the “fund the entire courtroom” concept. Senators asked about SB 532, a CPI-based court-fee bill, and about collections of court fines and fees. Butterfield said clerks work with defendants on payment plans and collections, but the system still faces a structural deficit. After the presentations and questions, the committee adjourned without taking any substantive votes or other action.
MA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Our funding for hospital-based substance use disorder care in the emergency department, bridge clinics
  • Spectrum has a mobile van in Worcester, Massachusetts, that...
  • Spectrum has a mobile van in Worcester, Massachusetts, that does exceptional work, but we're only one
  • I serve as a senior medical director for substance use disorder at Mass General Brigham.
  • and really need to be readily available for all people with opioid use disorder.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Special Commission on xylazine held its first meeting, with House Chair Mindy Domb and Senate Co-Chair John Keenan outlining the commission’s charge and a proposed work plan. The commission is tasked with studying the public health and safety impacts of xylazine in the illicit drug supply, including whether it should be scheduled as a controlled substance, how to regulate its production and distribution, and how to improve outreach and treatment for people exposed to it. Members were told the report deadline had been extended to March 30, 2026, and staff proposed a series of public hearings and working groups leading to a final report. The meeting also included attendance, packet materials, and procedural planning. The first major testimony came from BSAS Director Deirdre Calvert, who described xylazine’s appearance in Massachusetts drug supply data, the state’s public health alerts, and DPH’s partnership with Brandeis, CDC, and harm reduction organizations. She emphasized four priorities: reducing stigma and discrimination in health care, expanding self-directed wound care support and coverage for supplies, expanding access to drug checking and test strips, and supporting low-barrier services such as mobile vans and drop-in centers. Commission members asked about first responder awareness, medical education, and whether harm reduction services might face federal restrictions; Calvert said misinformation remains a problem and noted ongoing training efforts, including collaboration with public safety agencies. Several other speakers reinforced the need for low-barrier care and drug checking. Dr. Raghini Jala, an infectious disease and addiction medicine physician, said xylazine has become a common component of the unregulated opioid supply and urged support for rapid-response education teams, community-based drug checking, and better hospital and detox protocols for xylazine withdrawal and wounds. Recovery coach Alan Young testified from lived experience, describing severe wounds, fear of inadequate withdrawal treatment in emergency settings, and the value of mobile care vans that can provide methadone, buprenorphine, and wound care in the community. Dr. Sarah Wakeman echoed the need for naloxone, rescue breathing, low-threshold treatment, and non-stigmatizing health care settings, while Sarah Macon of the Boston Public Health Commission described Boston’s harm reduction and drug checking work, including on-site testing, wound care, and a decline in opioid mortality. Tracy Green of the Massachusetts Drug Supply Data Stream explained that xylazine has declined in recent samples while metatomidine is rising, said drug checking is increasingly used but still not enough, and argued for more funding, staffing, and statewide access to real-time drug checking and harm reduction services.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Finance Division III (09/29/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • many outpatient substance use disorder many outpatient substance use disorder service<00:38:45.119
  • substance use disorder treatment substance use disorder treatment facility<00:39:40.320> is<00
  • Um, so we are disorder facilities.
  • <01:05:13.440> treatment substance use disorder treatment substance use disorder treatment
  • And her child really significant autism.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The House Finance Division 3 work session opened with routine announcements, including new and absent members, a tribute to former chair Rep. Jess Edwards, and an explanation that Division 3 is advisory and will make recommendations to full Finance. Chair Mooney also distributed a self-created index to the budget binder and reviewed the committee’s options under House Rule 45. Members discussed scheduling a future visit to the Veterans Home in Tilton, with several October dates unavailable, and the chair said she would circulate possible dates. The committee also reviewed the second-year budget context and sources of funding, including surplus monies, existing and new revenue streams, grants, reappropriations, and the rainy day fund. The committee then took up several retained bills and repeatedly heard that their substance had already been addressed in the budget. House Bill 519, funding the Waypoint Youth and Young Adult Shelter, was moved ITL and passed 10-0. House Bill 547, county reimbursement funds, was also moved ITL and passed 10-0 after members noted the reimbursement had been included in HB 2. House Bill 570, repealing the prescription drug affordability board, was moved ITL and passed 10-0, with minority members saying they still believed the board had value but acknowledging the repeal had already occurred in HB 2. House Bill 704, concerning caregiver respite and senior volunteer programs, received the most discussion. Mr. Ripple explained that most items were already funded or suspended in the budget, leaving only the senior volunteer grant program unfunded. Chair Mooney offered amendment 2963H to fund the RSVP program at $180,000 for one year, contingent on surplus funds, and DHHS witnesses explained that RSVP is a federally funded AmeriCorps program that would be added to existing state licensing structures. The amendment was adopted unanimously, and the bill was reported ought to pass as amended on a 10-0 vote. The committee then heard House Bill 751, which would require licensure of outpatient substance use disorder treatment facilities and create an ombudsman-related complaint process. DHHS witnesses said the bill had been narrowed substantially from an earlier certification model with multiple positions and IT costs to a licensing model using existing department infrastructure, reducing the fiscal note to $211,000 for one position. They also said the ombudsman section was no longer needed because licensed facilities would fall under existing oversight. Members questioned how many facilities exist and whether licensing fees would cover costs; DHHS said it did not know the full provider landscape and that licensing revenue across the board does not cover the department’s costs. Rep. Daniels then proposed amendment 2964H to form a study committee because of the remaining questions and lack of a clear revenue stream, and the committee was still discussing that amendment when the transcript ended.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 03/12/26

Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • And unfortunately, while Minnesota saw the issues with fraud within our autism services space, we are
  • And the headline was, "The boom in autism therapy is Medicaid's fastest growing jackpot."
  • It gets to continuity of care issues and as well as having a full spectrum of mental health services
  • <00:18:42.320> of<00:18:42.559> mental um having a full spectrum of mental um having
  • a full spectrum of mental health<00:18:43.120> services<00:18:43.520> available<00:18:
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Licensing & Administrative Procedures May 6th, 2025

Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Transcript Highlights:
  • I have a set of twins, some of you know, that are on the autism spectrum, and we joined this organization
  • That Kinetic Kids program gives you a bunch of things that you can do for kids who are on the spectrum
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Human Services - 04/08/26

Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • MDLC helped Robert, a 48-year-old veteran diagnosed with a seizure disorder stemming from his military
  • LaGoda to do an article about, you know, the woman living with autism who's in the, you know, she got
  • who's in the you living with autism who's in the you know,<01:30:31.880> she<01:30:32.080>
  • I'm the executive director of MARRCH, a statewide association for substance use disorder programs and
  • And one of for substance use disorder.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Fiscal Policy Mar 27th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • If anyone is interested in them, the economic impact will be devastating for spectrum products.
  • I urge you not to ban full-spectrum hemp products.
  • I am a person that Leo with substance use disorder disease, a disease that impacts my brain in my behavior
  • trying to stop anybody from making money, but I can tell you as a person that we with substance use disorder
  • Incarcerating people like me with substance use disorder.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs Apr 7th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • That's a broader spectrum of products to regulate and test.
  • You'll hear about full-spectrum CBD today.
  • hemp, broad-spectrum hemp, and CBD.
  • And there are a wide spectrum of vape pens.
  • Like we've discussed about slow batch, really delicate, full-spectrum hemp.
Bills: HB28, SB3, SB 3
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • weight loss drugs that are out there, GLP-1s, now into how that specifically initially alcohol use disorder
  • We serve a really wide range of diagnoses, such as cerebral palsy, autism, Down Syndrome, seizure disorder
  • , chromosomal disorders, fragile X, Willie Prader.
Keywords: 914, all
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • This was the case with my son; he was diagnosed with autism at the age of three by the school district
  • After nearly 15 years of declining disciplinary incidents, disorder is once again on the rise in Texas
  • Despite this crisis of safety and disorder.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Finance (03/17/2026)

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • We had, we voted to, um, get rid of the autism spectrum disorders commission, and that had a budget of
  • that was a group with 25 volunteers who meet monthly to work to improve the health of those with autism
  • We had, we voted to, um, get rid of the autism spectrum disorders commission, and that had a budget of
  • <04:46:37.520> And the health of those uh with autism.
  • And the health of those uh with autism.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Oct 8th, 2025

Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • , including Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).
  • Disorder (known as MOUD), which is considered the gold standard of treatment.
  • Those are medications specifically for opioid use disorders.
  • Medications for opioid use disorder.
  • Every individual suffering from opioid use disorder does not necessarily... for opioid use disorder,
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Human Services Committee May 27th, 2026

Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • background, the leading causes of visual impairment include cerebral visual impairment, eye movement disorders
  • compliance and child safety practices, reliance on required topics alone may limit exposure to the full spectrum
  • They wanted him to have what they had understood, and they're very tuned into autism.
  • Our autism waiver is 1.3%, and one medically fragile waiver is also 1.3%.
Summary: The committee first approved the February 11, 2026 minutes and then received an update from the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency on the interagency council on homelessness and continuum of care funding. Testimony described rising homelessness tied to tight housing markets, low incomes, aging homelessness, barriers to rental assistance and public benefits, and limited shelter and case-management capacity. Members discussed the need for more affordable housing, continued one-time funding for the North Dakota Homeless Grant and Housing Incentive Fund, better coordination with Health and Human Services on economic assistance and human service zones, landlord engagement, recovery housing, and reentry housing. The committee also heard that federal continuum of care funding remains uncertain, with possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing and housing-first models; members asked for a future update on the impact if federal rules reduce the share available for permanent housing. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described current screening and service delivery, including infant referrals, regional staff, short-term programs, and collaboration with vocational rehabilitation. He said the targeted screening system is working, recommended maintaining the current model, and noted ongoing challenges with staffing, public awareness, and accessible state websites and documents. Public testimony from a visually impaired resident and a deaf resident emphasized barriers such as CAPTCHAs, inaccessible PDFs, employment forms that screen out applicants based on driver’s license status, shortages of interpreters, and the need for video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training for users and agencies. Finally, the committee heard a final report on the study of child care provider licensing from HHS Early Childhood Director Kay Larson. The report summarized provider input and committee discussion on simplifying North Dakota’s child care licensing structure, reducing administrative burden, and balancing that with health and safety standards. Key topics included licensing categories, child care assistance eligibility, food program sponsorship, staff qualifications, training requirements, ratios and group size, age bands, and preschool exemptions. The committee’s recommendations included streamlining to three provider types plus a preschool designation, revising ratio and age-band rules, and carrying forward certain preschool outdoor-space exemptions. Larson noted that any changes would require statutory changes, rulemaking, and a transition period before new licensing rules could take effect.