Transcript Highlights:

• If you gave my child all those services for free and her child was provided for by private insurance,
• To ensure extra eyes, put the fiscal reports on a website.
• LFC is amazing, and they write these reports regularly.
• Now, have we found all fraud and abuse?
• We have over about 300 active cases of fraud, waste, and abuse.

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you haven't had a chance to read that report... That report came out this summer.
• So if you haven't had a chance to read that report, it was the State Oversight Committee's report on
• And then also, if it's a crime, that would go to child protection anyway and to child abuse, and it would
• We had no private way to contact our parents or report abuse.
• But it's our duty to report anything that we see that could be fraud or abuse of the system.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• So, of child abuse and neglect? You're right. And so, exactly.
• In Texas, they are required to report suspected abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
• Has DFS received reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation related to surrogacy cases in Texas?
• Yeah, I would say, I mean, all people in the state of Texas are mandatory reporters for abuse, neglect
• So for a child, those would always be required to be reported to DFS.

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, child grooming is a serious offense that often leads to more severe abuse.
• , child abuse in general.
• But today I want to talk about child sexual abuse.
• And the only reason I ever made a report, which I was able to do since I was abused in Illinois.
• Additionally, this bill includes child grooming as a reportable offense.

Bills: HB268 , HB305 , HB307 , HB380 , HB548 , HB727 , HB268 , HB305 , HB307

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• child sexual abuse in representation of child sexual abuse in other<01:23:44.960><c> words</c><01:23
• ><c> um</c> taking child sexual abuse material um taking child sexual abuse material um the<01:46:17.880
• work to child abuse uh child<01:48:49.280><c> sexual</c><01:48:49.679><c> abuse</c><01:48:50.400><c>
• 19.640><c> the</c> child abuse allegations prioritizing the child abuse allegations prioritizing the
• </c><02:30:09.520><c> abuse</c> to enhance resources for child abuse to enhance resources for child abuse

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• of child... ...in Representative Cabral in direct response to deeply troubling reports of child labor
• So it really doesn't do anything to protect victims or children or child sexual abuse material.
• A doctor that specializes in sexual abuse once told me that the most important thing for a child to be
• It's inappropriate for a child to be forced to engage with their abuser who is unable to prove themselves
• Decades ago, Richard Gardner noted rising claims of child abuse.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Summary: The committee hearing began with opening remarks from the House and Senate chairs outlining procedures for a large public hearing with more than 100 witnesses on 64 legislative proposals. They explained time limits, rules for in-person and virtual testimony, written testimony procedures, and the committee’s reporting deadline. Testimony then moved through a series of juvenile justice, child protection, and civil liberties bills, with witnesses generally urging favorable reports or, in one case, opposing expanded juvenile court transparency and child advocate access to records. Several witnesses supported bills aimed at juvenile justice reform. Representative Hendricks backed H. 1744 to prevent child labor exploitation and trafficking, citing federal findings of child labor in seafood processing and calling for stronger penalties and a ban on minors working in such facilities. Senator Gomez supported S. 1131 and S. 1121 to reduce juvenile fees, fines, restitution burdens, and bail-related costs, arguing they worsen racial and economic disparities. Senator Crean and other advocates supported S. 1051/H. 1695 to expand juvenile diversion eligibility, while multiple witnesses from juvenile justice and immigrant advocacy groups supported H. 1657/S. 1058 to expand juvenile expungement and to limit sharing juvenile fingerprints with federal authorities, describing recent ICE detentions of Chelsea students and the resulting fear in immigrant communities. Witnesses also supported H. 1918/S. 1240 to narrow the youthful offender statute, raising the minimum age and reducing mandatory adult-style penalties for youth. The committee also heard testimony on child safety and bodily autonomy bills. Middlesex District Attorney Marion Ryan supported H. 1752 to protect children left in extreme temperatures, explaining it would create civil penalties, allow emergency responders to remove children from cars without liability, and add criminal penalties when serious injury results. Representative Thurber and Senator O’Connor testified for H. 2011/S. 1227, a bill prohibiting coercion or mandates for health-related interventions, including vaccinations, and allowing legal remedies for violations. Senator Jalen supported S. 1136/H. 1847 to prevent false confessions by requiring recording of interrogations and banning deceptive tactics, and several innocence-project and legal-services witnesses described wrongful convictions tied to false confessions and coercive interrogations. Another major topic was H. 1626, which would require age verification for pornographic content and launch an education campaign about online sexual exploitation; Representative Cruz and survivor Udoz Wallace testified in support, describing nonconsensual image sharing and deepfake harms. Not all testimony was supportive. The Committee for Public Counsel Services opposed S. 1035, which would increase transparency in juvenile court proceedings, and H. 1689, which would expand the child advocate’s access to confidential juvenile records, arguing both would undermine privacy and trauma-informed protections for children and families. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the session consisted of opening remarks and public testimony on the listed bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• In many families where domestic violence is happening, the child has also been abused or is at high risk
• has also been is happening, the child has also been abused<00:04:47.120><c> or</c><00:04:47.360><c>
• </c><00:04:49.199><c> even</c> abused or is at high risk of abuse even abused or is at high risk of abuse
• </c><00:25:26.480><c> and</c> child dependency neglect and abuse and child dependency neglect and abuse
• </c> child protection cases. child protection cases.

Committee: House Families & Children

Transcript Highlights:

• abuse case. was because Placer County has arrested him on another child abuse case from 1996.
• child abuse.
• They could also be charged with other items like child abuse endangerment.
• All these things continue to abuse of a child. Those things are still in there.
• They could also be charged with other items like child abuse endangerment.

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Summary: The committee met without a quorum and operated as a subcommittee while hearing several bills, with members repeatedly noting that votes would be taken later once a quorum was established. Early in the meeting, the committee heard SB 1446 on parole en banc review and SB 1278 on elderly parole eligibility for certain sex offenses. SB 1446’s author said the bill would give commissioners more discretion in en banc review, make votes public, and allow referral for sexually violent predator evaluation in certain cases; supporters included the California District Attorneys Association, while opponents from Uncommon Law, the Ella Baker Center, and public defender groups argued it would add confusion, create constitutional and litigation concerns, and duplicate existing safeguards. SB 1278 would exclude certain rape, child sexual abuse, and habitual/serial sex offense convictions from elderly parole eligibility; district attorneys and police chiefs supported it as a victim-safety measure, while civil rights and defense organizations opposed it as unnecessary, costly, and inconsistent with evidence on aging and recidivism. Both bills were discussed but not voted on due to the lack of quorum. The committee then heard SB 1354, which would bar out-of-state military or law enforcement personnel from entering California to perform such functions without the Governor’s permission. The author and supporters framed it as protecting state sovereignty and limiting unauthorized armed incursions; the committee accepted an amendment removing a criminal penalty and leaving enforcement to the Attorney General. No opposition testimony was offered, and members expressed support, but no vote was taken because quorum was still lacking. The committee also heard SB 926, a bill to fund implementation of Proposition 36. Supporters, including sheriffs, district attorneys, probation officials, and the League of California Cities, said local agencies need funding for treatment, supervision, and administration; opponents argued the proposal was fiscally reckless, lacked accountability, and overemphasized incarceration. Amendments removed a specific appropriation and shifted funding decisions to the budget process, but the bill was also held pending quorum. Later, the committee heard SB 874, which would require background checks for unlicensed providers of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, create a stakeholder workgroup, and direct DHCS to issue guidance and report on program integrity. Support came from local health plans and behavior analysis providers, who said the bill would improve safety and consistency; there was no opposition testimony. The committee then heard SB 1210, which would extend CalGang oversight and due process protections to local gang databases as well as shared ones. Supporters described privacy abuses, racial disparities, and personal harm from inaccurate gang labels; law enforcement opposition argued the bill would impose CalGang standards on informal investigative files and would significantly change the gang definition. The author said the bill closes a loophole and preserves prior reforms, but no vote was taken. The committee also began hearing SB 1019 on creating a California Cargo Thief Task Force, with strong support from BNSF, trucking, shipping, port, and supply-chain representatives who described organized, multi-jurisdictional cargo theft and rail sabotage; no opposition was heard, and members indicated support, but action was deferred pending quorum. The meeting then moved to SB 1217 on a non-consensual intimate image clearinghouse, with the chair and author describing privacy-related amendments and the bill’s focus on helping survivors remove exploitative images; the transcript cuts off as that presentation began.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, they shared one child<00:10:34.000><c> together.</c> child together. child together.
• You also have, as unfortunate as it is, you have a black market for child abuse material.
• When an officer is speaking in regards to the horrors of child abuse, there's actually a black market
• When an officer is child abuse material.
• <c> a</c><00:14:29.279><c> black</c> child abuse, there's actually a black child abuse, there's actually

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• abuse, neglect and exploitation and child care licensing standard violations.
• We have Child Protective Investigations, which investigates reports of abuse. neglect and exploitation
• So professional reporters account for most reports to statewide intake.
• . to really make sure professional reporters understand what does constitute an abuse. neglect, time
• child safety.

Committee: House Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have schools that refuse to restrain any child, even if that results in the child running out
• the child safe at her risk and the risk of the child she was carrying.
• Think of this as your own child.
• How did I fail my child? I live with that every single day. I failed my child.
• it's child abuse of all sorts, whether it's housing insecurity, whatever the case might be.

Bills: HJR6 , HJR7 , HB120 , HB60 , HB151 , HR1 , HM13 , SB40 , SB104

Committee: House House Judiciary

Summary: The committee first heard two related House Joint Resolutions sponsored by Representative McQueen. H.J.R. 6 would equalize the legislature’s 60-day and 30-day sessions into two 45-day sessions, remove the germaneness requirement from the second session of a biennium, and clarify veto-override language. H.J.R. 7 would keep the current 60-day and 30-day session lengths but make the same germaneness and veto-override changes. Supporters argued the measures would modernize the legislature, improve internal control of the agenda, and make the flow of work more efficient; opponents warned of more bills, lobbying fatigue, and reduced public participation. Both resolutions were moved on due pass and passed the committee 8-0. The committee then heard House Bill 120 on limiting student restraint and seclusion in schools. The sponsor and LESC staff said the bill arose from a stakeholder working group and would clarify definitions, prohibit dangerous practices such as mechanical, chemical, and prone restraint, require training and school safety plans, improve reporting to parents and the Public Education Department, and strengthen oversight. Testimony from educators, disability advocates, parents, and state officials strongly supported the bill, describing harmful and sometimes underreported restraint and seclusion incidents and emphasizing the need for clearer rules and de-escalation training. Some members raised concerns about implementation, definitions, teacher safety, and whether the data were sufficient; the sponsor and staff said the bill was meant to give teachers tools and minimum standards, not to require intervention in every situation. The bill passed on a due pass motion 9-1. Next, the committee considered House Bill 60, which would add certain crimes against peace officers to the Victims of Crime Act so officers injured in the line of duty would receive the same notification, participation, and restitution-related rights as other victims. The sponsor and the district attorney supporting the bill said it was a public safety measure with negligible cost and would also extend protections to affected family members. Support came from law enforcement, business, and public safety groups. Members asked about whether the officer must know the assailant is a peace officer, how the rights would work if the officer is also a witness, and how restitution interacts with workers’ compensation; the sponsor said the bill applies when the officer is acting in the lawful discharge of duties and the defendant knows the person is an officer. The committee passed HB 60 unanimously, 11-0. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 151, a committee substitute on the childhood sexual abuse statute of limitations. The sponsor said the bill, called the Survivor’s Justice measure, would extend the time for survivors to file claims from age 24 to age 58, add public actors to the bill’s scope, and create an administrative compensation fund supported by an appropriation, with $12.5 million already in the budget and a request for another $12.5 million. The sponsor explained that the change reflects the average age at which survivors come forward and that the bill is part of a long-running effort to address childhood sexual abuse claims.

Transcript Highlights:

• is expecting to have privacy, that could create a situation for this child, maybe abuse at home or some
• would cause the child any harm, then I would hope that, as the mandatory reporter, they would call CPS
• No, I'm not saying that if the child is reporting abuse at home.
• And then, I don't know, one of the parents, who maybe is the... abuser finds out that the child is sharing
• Not that the child is being abused, but that this is happening at home.

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

Committee: House S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships

Transcript Highlights:

• animal abuse.
• of animal abuse.
• animal abuse.
• of animal abuse.
• Their children were abused.

Committee: House General Laws

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on House Bill 3070, a firearms-related bill. Representative Koslow argued the bill was not truly Second Amendment friendly, saying it could block return of stolen firearms, expose taxpayers to large payouts, and harm firearm dealers. Representative Greg said local law enforcement did not support it. The committee then voted 3 ayes and 9 noes, and HB 3070 failed to be reported do pass. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 2904, which would expand animal mistreatment law to include starvation and add a House committee substitute addressing false reports of animal abuse. Representative Don Mayhew said the bill responds to cases of animals left chained and neglected, and supporters from the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Humane World for Animals, and the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation backed the measure. No opposition testimony was offered. The bulk of the meeting focused on House Bill 2933, which would allow school districts in St. Louis County to withdraw from the Special School District of St. Louis County through board action and a local vote. The sponsor and supporters, including Lindbergh officials, parents, and an attorney, said the current SSD structure is too rigid, lacks accountability, and can fail to meet students’ individualized needs; they cited service delays, litigation, and concerns raised by families. Opponents, including SSD administrators, superintendents, parents, and advocates, said SSD provides specialized services that many districts could not replicate, warned the bill could fragment services and create instability, and pointed to the countywide history and existing review mechanisms for SSD. The hearing ended without a vote on HB 2933.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, there was in the DOJ report.
• Barton stated, our reporting...
• confirmed abuse findings but were still mentioned in the DOJ report.
• I'm a former foster child.
• And you've read the DOJ report? Yes.

Bills: HB31 , HB3360

Committee: House S/C on Juvenile Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• Delayed disclosure is common in grooming and child sexual abuse cases, and this was true with Hannah.
• </c><00:10:35.320><c> And</c><00:10:35.440><c> this</c> and child sexual abuse cases.
• And this and child sexual abuse cases.
• I have a bill that would remove the statute of limitations for civil liability for child sexual abuse
• </c><00:19:21.360><c> sexual</c><00:19:21.720><c> abuse,</c> civil liability for child sexual abuse,

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Shame wants you to hide, and hiding protects your abuser.
• Grooming is not a precursor to abuse; it is abuse on its own.
• One cannot accidentally groom a child.
• Grooming is not a prelude to abuse; abuse is abuse.
• Ruling is not a priest or person to abuse is abuse and indoor or 5 years.

Bills: HF3489 , HF3990 , HF3825 , HF3826 , HF3827 , HF3822

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We have another motion by Representative Lavidame to adopt the report to report HB 225 with amendments
• Nguyen to read the 6.8A report.
• Is there any objection to adopt the 6.8 report? Seeing no objection, the 6.8 report is adopted.
• for you to stop that abuse.
• abuser, maybe not every time.

Committee: House Civil Law and Procedure

Summary: The committee first considered HB 446 by Rep. Boyer, a constitutional amendment to set eligible dates for local bond and tax elections. Staff said it would amend Article 6, Section 22, could not be done statutorily, and was scheduled for November 3, 2026 to maximize turnout. The committee adopted the 6.8A report and reported the bill without amendments. Members then took up several constitutional amendments and civil law measures, including HB 244 on constitutional conventions, HB 214 on a property tax exemption for rehabilitated blighted or derelict property, HB 514 on an additional senior homestead-style ad valorem exemption, HB 27 on how non-recurring state monies may be applied to retirement system unfunded liabilities, and HB 225 on gubernatorial term limits. HB 244 and HB 225 were amended before being reported, while HB 214, HB 514, and HB 27 were reported favorably without amendments. The committee also adopted SB 127, which allows limited curator donations on behalf of interdicted persons and narrows forced heirship in certain disability-related estate planning situations. The committee approved HB 1043, as amended, to raise the civil jurisdictional amount for the First and Second Parish Courts of Jefferson Parish from $20,000 to $35,000. It also approved HB 473 by substitute on custody and child support, with the substitute preserving language that physical custody should be shared equally unless the court finds that infeasible or not in the child’s best interest. HB 71, which extends certain self-defense liability protections to registered armed private security officers, drew opposition over training and public safety concerns but was reported favorably after a roll call vote of 8 yeas and 1 nay. The committee also advanced HB 1082, which would require the Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System to sue municipalities in the local parish rather than East Baton Rouge when it is the plaintiff. Supporters said the current venue rule burdens small towns with travel and litigation costs; opponents argued Article 84 provides a consistent statewide venue and that the litigation is largely about municipalities failing to enroll officers properly. Finally, the committee heard extensive testimony on HB 306, which concerns court costs and fees in domestic abuse cases; members worked through a concept amendment to restore “reasonable” attorney’s fees and add court-approved evaluation and expert witness fees, and the discussion continued with testimony about federal grant compliance and victim protections.

Transcript Highlights:

• the hand of a child, and they decided to make a picture of nudity involving a young child.
• That child cannot report to school, but... ...a home school with that child.
• That child cannot report to school, but like with COVID-19, they can do homeschool and still maintain
• We report HB 171 favorably. Do we have any objection? Let HB 171 be reported favorably.
• Seeing no objections, report favorably. Thank you. Seeing no objections, report favorably.

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee met on March 18, 2026, with a quorum present and heard several criminal justice bills. HB 36 by Rep. Butler, as amended, removed Evangeline Parish from the Acadiana Regional Juvenile Justice District and was reported favorably. HB 160 by Rep. Knox increased penalties for domestic violence offenses involving strangulation; the committee adopted an amendment requiring at least one year without probation or suspension, heard strong support from survivors and prosecutors, and reported the bill favorably as amended. HB 552 by Rep. Bryant, handled by Vice Chair LaFleur, clarified DWI law to include impairment beyond alcohol; a technical amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably as amended. HB 119 by Rep. Fontenot created and strengthened penalties for AI-generated sexual images, especially involving minors; after amendments, including a new possession offense and a name change to “Act Ivy Daniels,” the bill was reported favorably as amended. HB 171 by Rep. Spell corrected a citation in the personal surety provisions and was reported favorably without opposition. HB 140 by Rep. Cox drew the most debate. The bill lengthened juvenile delinquency filing and adjudication timelines and changed procedures for extensions and dismissals. Prosecutors and law enforcement supported the bill as a practical update to account for modern evidence gathering and case complexity, while public defenders, juvenile advocates, and other opponents argued it would prolong detention, undermine speedy-trial protections, increase costs, and harm children. After extensive testimony and discussion, the committee adopted amendments and reported HB 140 favorably as amended by a roll call vote of 8-3, with Representatives Knox, LaFleur, and Moore voting no. The committee also heard HB 68 by Rep. Schlegel, combined with concepts from Rep. Glorioso’s similar bill, to update disturbing-the-peace law to protect houses of worship from intentional disruption. An amendment clarified definitions of worship spaces and interruptions and increased the mandatory minimum jail time from 15 to 30 days, while enhancing penalties to a felony for more serious conduct such as battery, property damage, or carrying a dangerous weapon during the offense. Supporters framed it as a deterrent and protection for religious liberty, while opponents, including the ACLU, raised First Amendment concerns and asked for tighter language. The transcript cuts off during opposition testimony, and no final vote on HB 68 is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• animal abuse.
• of animal abuse.
• Their children were abused. Their children suffered abuse at the Special School District.
• Their children were abused. Their children suffered abuse at the Special School District.
• So I read the whole report.

Committee: House General Laws

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will report the bill.
• </c> penalties for child grooming. penalties for child grooming.
• Grooming is not just a precursor to abuse. It is an abuse all on its own."
• off, we have to report it.
• <c> abuse</c><00:16:04.040><c> in</c><00:16:04.200><c> schools</c> sexual abuse in schools sexual abuse