Video & Transcript Research : 'released time'
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NH
Transcript Highlights:
- And um at this time I'm not in charge.
- Uh, it passed the House last time and this time on a voice vote on the consent calendar.
- being released into the air. being released into the air.
- :44.000>
voice House last time and this time on a voice House last time and this time on a voice - if there's a release of a cluster of 20. if there's a release of a cluster of 20.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Early Learning & Human Services Oct 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- At Green Hill School today, 74 young people have a release date, an adult release date that extends beyond
- Just Ella one more time. Yeah. One more time? Justella, can you come off mute?
- I spent time at the county juvenile justice center, and that time really did damage me.
- get released, and the last day when I got released from Echo is when I saw my therapist.
- I've got lots of time for you. Thank you so much. Meet. I've got lots of time for you.
Summary:
The committee began with a work session on juvenile rehabilitation institution capacity, services, and staffing. DCYF Assistant Secretary Jennifer Redmond described overcrowding at Green Hill School and Echo Glen, driven by longer adult-style sentences extending past age 25, limited community placements, and small facility sizes. She said Green Hill remains above safe operating capacity, but staffing, injuries, large-scale aggression, and use-of-force incidents have improved over the past year. She also discussed Harbor Heights, a new 46-bed flex facility that had opened with 22 youth and would expand once a medical trailer arrives, as well as community transition services, vocational programming, behavior management reforms, and a request for more resources for mental health-focused facilities and staffing. Members asked about success metrics, developmental disability screening and supports, college access at Echo Glen, Mission Creek planning, and gender-responsive programming; Redmond said JR uses assessments, family involvement, and specialized living units, and that some requested funding had already been secured for returning a girls’ program at Echo Glen.
The committee then heard from Team Child and the Youth Action Coalition. Greta Schultz said youth perspectives should guide system reforms and identified key concerns: overuse of sentence extensions, underuse of community transition services, continued criminal referrals from Green Hill to Lewis County, limited family contact, inadequate mental health access, and unequal education opportunities, especially for young women at Echo Glen. Justella Gonzalez, a former system-involved youth, said her time in county and state facilities was harmful, with staff mistreatment, poor education, limited therapy access, and humiliating restraint practices; she also said girls at Echo Glen lacked the same college opportunities as boys at Green Hill. Committee members asked for follow-up on county versus state experiences and on telehealth mental health services.
The next presentation covered county-level services for youth involved or at risk of involvement with the justice system, led by juvenile court administrators Christine Simon-Smeyer and Judge Rachel Anderson. They outlined the juvenile court continuum from prevention and truancy work through diversion, detention alternatives, community supervision, and disposition alternatives, emphasizing evidence-based, trauma-informed, and restorative practices. Clark County was used as an example of a court that partners closely with schools and community providers, uses risk assessments and wraparound behavioral health probation, and offers detention alternatives without electronic home monitoring. They said most courts do not use detention for status offenses, but instead use court involvement to connect youth to services. They also described funding, noting that courts rely on a mix of state block grant and local dollars, and that recent cuts to early intervention funding reduced programming and staff hours. Members asked about detention for truancy, developmental disability identification, restorative justice practices, and the juvenile block grant.
Finally, DCYF Assistant Secretary Nicole Rose and Katie Warren of the Washington State Association of Head Start and ECAP discussed child care and early learning impacts from recent policy and budget changes. Rose said Fair Start for Kids investments had increased child care access, provider participation, and kindergarten readiness, with more than 60,000 children in Working Connections care and rising ECAP enrollment and provider capacity. She said recent reductions will raise most family copays in 2026, delay eligibility expansions, eliminate some expanded eligibility categories, reduce ECAP slots by about 3,000, delay entitlement timelines, and cut provider supports such as rate increases for centers, complex-needs grants, trauma-informed and dual-language incentives, and infant/early childhood mental health consultation. Warren emphasized ECAP’s role in family stability, workforce participation, and reducing poverty, and noted its two-generation approach to supporting both children and parents.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Keith Kavorkian was released twice in five hours, and both times released on PR bail.
- He was once again released on PR bail just six days after being released on PR bail.
- Castro was released on PR bail.
- Both times he was released on PR bail. This murder was in the trails that my children used daily.
- on<00:25:36.120>
PR attack both times he was released on PR attack both times he was released
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 03/09/26
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- So with that, I'll take my seat here and let those people come up three at a time.
- This was during stoppage time in the last legislative session.
- This was during stoppage time in the last legislative session.
- IT'S FITTING BECAUSE EVERY TIME ENTERPRISE ENERGY BRINGS A NEW PROJECT ONLINE.
- Thank you for your time. Thank you, Mr. Caroline Kelly. Very well done.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Public Safety Subcommittee Feb 11th, 2026 at 04:30 pm
Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- This dovetails with the Sarah Act by adding a high school equivalency diploma to the inmate's release
- Yeah, they are eligible for release. They are eligible for parole. Let's clear that up.
- So yeah, they're eligible for release when the time is served.
- At this time, I move for passage and open for questions. First and second.
- At this time, I ask for passage and move for adoption. And open for questions.
Keywords:
rural law enforcement, grant fund, public safety, financial assistance, coordination districts, grant funding, law enforcement coordinators, municipal assistance, education, inmates, literacy, high school equivalency, Department of Corrections, parole, rehabilitation, law enforcement, mandatory training, mental health, domestic violence, peace officer certification
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee Feb 4th, 2026
Public Safety and Homeland Security
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, at last it's probably in the 20s, 20% release.
- >> Um, at last it's probably in the 20s, 20% release.
- We got time.
- We got We got time. We can do it floor. We got We got time.
- <00:41:20.560>
But it multiple times. But it multiple times.
Keywords:
driver license, English examinations, language requirement, immigration, testing standards, motor vehicles, window tint, law enforcement, prosecutors, vehicle regulations, medical condition, communication, first responder, invisible disabilities, anaphylaxis, day care centers, training, child safety, healthcare, parole
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Administration Committee Meeting Jun 30th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- I have a motion to release by Representative Spiegelman, seconded by Representative Dukes.
- Can I hope that he needs to come in here with the title next time?
- Motion to release. Second. Any questions or comments?
- Motion to release. Second. All right, entertain a motion. Motion to release.
- I have a motion to release by Representative Osienski, seconded by Representative Dukes.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- , prior to the time that they are released, the burden is on the Department of Corrections to check and
- They meet three times a year for I think about three years, and they have not done it in that time.
- Three times per week. Yes, sir. week. Three times per week. Yes, sir.
- Now we have this mandatory release which almost lets everyone out. release which almost lets everyone
- times... uh, sentences for how many times often they can come back set aside.
Keywords:
law enforcement, immunity, civil liability, use of force, recruitment, bail reform, cash deposit, judicial discretion, criminal justice, Alabama law, youthful offender, capital murder, public safety, victims' rights, juvenile offenders, delinquent acts, juvenile court, nonfelony offenses, water safety offenses, illegal immigration
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 1762 is left pending at this time.
- s, the perpetrator receives minimal jail time. time.
- Many times, I wonder how we got so lucky.
- It's the first time that I'd heard that.
- At this time, we're going to call up...
Keywords:
education, funding, student resources, technology access, equal opportunity, veterans treatment court, mental health, criminal justice, rehabilitation, eligibility criteria, veterans, treatment court, military service, legislation, private prisons, inmate confinement, criminal justice reform, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, government contracts, inmate housing
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This time the chair calls up Adam Haines.
- And being released.
- He was gonna do time.
- This time the chair calls up Tammy Bentha.
- It's the first time that I'd heard that.
Bills:
HB153
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services Mar 12th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you for your time.
- by January of this year in order to give enough time for the automation to occur, released in December
- The allocation CFL has also been released, and it is under review and should be released in the near
- The anticipated release of that guidance is forthcoming. The anticipated release is July of 2025.
- Funding is unlikely at this time.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 2 March, 2026; 4:00 PM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- President, uh with the unanimous consent I'd like uh immediate release.
- President, uh with the unanimous consent I'd like uh immediate release.
- Immediate release has been requested. Immediate release has been requested.
- Immediate release has been requested. Immediate release has been requested.
- I'm reminded us at this point in time I'm reminded us at this point in time we've<00:19:17.440><
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum present, received the invocation and pledge, and then dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. The body also heard introductions of guests, including DeSoto County Superintendent Cory Uselton and Dr. Becky Roberts, an OBGYN from Hattiesburg and clinical faculty at William Carey College of Osteopathic Medicine, along with seven medical students.
On the calendar, Senate Bill 68, House Bill 1758, the Foster Youth Earned Benefits Protection for Success Act, was taken up. Senator Blackwell explained that the bill would place survivor benefits for foster youth into a special account for their direct needs rather than sending the money into CPS’s general operating budget. The Senate adopted the strike-all amendment, then passed the bill by the use of the morning roll call, and immediate release was granted.
During announcements, senators noted upcoming committee meetings, including Judiciary B, Insurance, Marine Resources and Ports, Energy, Government Structure, AET, Appropriations, and Judiciary A. Senator Chassaniol announced a legislative reception on March 4 with an Elvis impersonator, and several senators offered adjourning memories for deceased constituents and family members, including Shirley May, Tripp Jones, George Watson II, Jakolby and Jordan Long, and Representative Earl Banks’ mother. Senator Brumfield also reported that Senator Warren Barnett was recovering at home. The Senate then moved into recess until later in the day or the next morning, as specified in the motion.
DE
Transcript Highlights:
- There are no virtual attendees at this time. At this time, do I have a motion?
- At this time, do I have a committee motion? Yeah.
- At this time, I entertain a motion to release. Regularly move in the second to release.
- At this time, I'll entertain a motion. Motion to release. Do I hear a second? Second.
- Regularly moved and seconded to release. At this time, I will call the roll.
Keywords:
pesticide, licensing, agriculture, landscaper, grain inspector, record keeping, Delaware agriculture, certified applicators, regulatory compliance, HB371, Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Act, farmland preservation, agricultural lands, agricultural preservation district, Farmland Preservation Advisory Board, county advisory board, Delaware Foundation, Department of Agriculture, DNREC, planning and zoning
Summary:
The House Agriculture Committee met with a quorum present and considered three bills. Senate Bill 53 would codify and continue the Farm to Community Program if federal support is reduced or unavailable, prioritize Delaware farmers, and require reporting and transparency. Testimony in support came from the Delaware Farm Bureau, the Academy of Medicine and Public Health, and Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Jimmy Crone, who said the department supports the bill. Members raised no questions, and the committee voted to release the bill by roll call.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 311, a Department of Agriculture maintenance bill updating Title 3 provisions related to plant industry and pesticides. The bill removes an outdated $100 license fee, requires certified private applicators to keep pesticide application records available for inspection, expands the definition of landscaper to include commercial entities installing their own nursery stock, and removes a good-character requirement for grain inspector applicants. With no public comment or questions, the committee voted to release the bill by roll call.
Finally, House Bill 371, sponsored by Representative Vanderwyn, would streamline the Agland Preservation Act by eliminating a redundant county advisory board step for farmland preservation districts. Representative Vanderwyn and Deputy Secretary Crone explained that the advisory boards were more useful when the program was new, but now the county planning and zoning commissions and the Department of Agriculture already provide the needed review. After brief discussion, with no public comment, the committee voted to release the bill by roll call and then adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 05/11/26
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm not a lawyer, I played one one time I'm not a lawyer, I played one one time in<00:24:38.960>
- releasing the underlying information. releasing the underlying information.
- action that they may face for releasing action that they may face for releasing those<01:01:37.600
- would be helpful on the amount of time would be helpful on the amount of time um<01:10:19.360>
um that sort of average length of time um that sort of average length of time that<01:10:21.200>
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Removal of a fence surrounding a breeder deer release site.
- We all agree on that for a long time.
- or the time before.
- At this time, we have our.
- Now this amendment speaks to equal time.
Bills:
SCR46, SB31, SB39, SB227, SB330, SB401, SB407, SB467, SB482, SB500, SB506, SB512, SB527, SB584, SB619, SB636, SB646, SB647, SB648, SB659, SB663, SB715, SB732, SB758, SB801, SB816, SB847, SB870, SB884, SB1020, SB1055, SB1065, SB1137, SB1169, SB1181, SB1283, SB1383, SB1395, SB1410, SB1433, SB1490, SB1558, SB1574, SB1626, SB1666, SB1718, SB1727, SB1756, SB1757, SB1845, SB1924, SB1964, SB1972, SB2018, SB2031, SB2075, SB2076, SB2080, SB2111, SB2117, SB2154, SB2161, SB2173, SB2206, SB2225, SB2253, SB2268, SB2314, SB2322, SB2351, SB2371, SB2476, SB2533, SB2540, SB2570, SB2589, SB2623, SB2658, SB2660, SB2692, SB2693, SB2717, SB2722, SB2753, SB2779, SB2877, SB2880, SB2900, SB2920, SB3031, HJR4, SB5, SB260, SB1786, SJR3, SJR18, SB1, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SJR84, SJR59, SCR12, SCR39, SCR46, SCR48, SCR19, SB2023, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB1073, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB1502, SB507, SB1026, SB1433, SB1434, SB1376, SB1585, SB1772, SB2016, SB1163, SB619, SB1122, SB732, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB261, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB529, SB209, SB2429, SB1999, SB511, SB2309, SB510, SB1924, SB2253, SB2018, SB2206, SB584, SB1085, SB1490, SB2314, SB2046, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB1524, SB1137, SB636, SB2056, SB1558, SB884, SB227, SB517, SB1200, SB1410, SB1626, SB1845, SB1863, SB2681, SB2200, SB2199, SB1757, SB2050, SB2458, SB2201, SB1055, SB2660, SB2662, SB1065, SB801, SB2533, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB648, SB647, SB512, SB1721, SB2268, SB2366, SB1013, SB2692, SB2570, SB2797, SB2111, SB2371, SB2383, SB646, SB1169, SB1754, SB1718, SB2779, SB2004, SB1756, SB2119, SB527, SB2322, SB2448, SB1777, SB1283, SB407, SB2392, SB2076, SB2786, SB3031, SB2877, SB2876, SB2284, SB2225, SB1540, SB2920, SB2929, SB1395, SB1972, SB2540, SB2742, SB2595, SB2217, SB2117, SB715, SB2330, SB1964, SB1383, SB500, SB1640, SB2001, SB2080, SB2722, SB506, SB2514, SB2623, SB2658, SB1574, SB2900, SB2753, SB2398, SB401, SB1241, SB2927, SB2173, SB2538, SB898, SB467, SB1449, SB2529, SB1531, SB2846, SB2476, SB2031, SB986, SB1181, SB2075, SB2154, SB2864, SB31, SB2880, SB1359, SB2386, SB771, SB2844, SB2550, SB1351, SB1423, SB1931, SB2245, SB2589, SB2707, SB2807, SB2351, SB410, SB659, SB816, SB2776, SB2693, SB2580, SB1980, SB1886, SB1234, SB739, SB482, SB456, SB127, SB1666, SB2843, SB2801, SB800, SB2055, SB784, SB2986, SB735, SB1012, SB324, SB2926, SB2938, SB2007, SB2138, SB1242, HJR4, HB135, HB1109, SCR30, SCR3, SB2615, SB1049, SB2310, SB1224, SB2972, SB1568, SB2841, SB2885, SB3016, SB2858, SB2610, SB2139, SB1856, SB2035, SB2308, SB2306, SB2041, SB1528, SB1681, SB1141, SB2401, SB2530, SB2375, SB547, SB1266, SB1373, SB1467, SB2069, SB2269, SB2480, SB2544, SB672, SB904, SB2695, SB2891, SB2422, SB2543, SB1854, SB317, SB2539, SB2532, SB2925, SB1250, SB2082, SB2203, SB457, SB2357, HCR35, HCR64
Keywords:
Texas beef, cattle industry, agricultural heritage, Texas strip steak, economic growth, SB 31, Life of the Mother Act, Texas abortion law, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, miscarriage, unborn child, abortion exception, abortion ban, physician liability
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee Meeting Jun 23rd, 2026
Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- Have a motion to release? Is there a second? Second. Thank you. There's a motion and a second.
- Motion to release. Second. The motion, please. And the second. I will call the roll.
- Seven enough votes, the release from committee is released. Is there a motion to adjourn?
- Motion to release. Second. The motion please. In the second. I will call roll. Motion to release.
- Seving enough votes, the release from committee is released. Is there a motion to adjourn?
Summary:
The committee met with roll call attendance and took up two bills. First was Senate Bill 315 with Senate Amendment 1, which would allow the Division of Small Business to add state funding to existing federal small business programs, including the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs. There was brief public support from one in-person commenter, no virtual comment, and the committee voted to release the bill, though it did not yet have enough signatures for immediate release and was left open for absent members to sign.
The second item was Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 319, a women’s health insurance mandate requiring coverage for medically necessary menopause and perimenopause diagnostic and treatment services, including FDA-approved hormone replacement therapy, pelvic floor therapy, and related care. Representative Smith presented the bill as a response to gaps in menopause care and insurance coverage, and Department of Insurance witness Kennedy Cook explained the religious exemption as applying to certain religious employers and blanket health policies. Committee members asked about the scope of that exemption, and some expressed concern about religious carveouts, while others praised the bill as important women’s health legislation.
During public comment, one speaker supported the bill but warned that expanding mandatory health benefits can raise insurance costs. The Department of Insurance then testified in support, saying the bill would align Delaware with other states, many insurers already comply, and the department did not expect a meaningful premium impact. The committee voted to release Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 319 from committee.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Administration Committee Meeting Jun 24th, 2026
Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you for your time and consideration. Thank you.
- It is time to correct this inequity.
- Madam Chair, I'll make a motion to release. Second.
- Motion to release. Second.
- How much time do we actually have here? We have three days.
Bills:
SB231
Keywords:
school social workers, salary supplement, LCSW, mental health, education funding, Delaware Code, certification, professional standards
Summary:
The House Administration Committee met and first considered Senate Bill 231, which would extend the existing 6% salary supplement for school-based mental health professionals with advanced credentials to school social workers who hold licensed clinical social worker credentials and have passed the national exam. The bill sponsor and multiple witnesses described school social workers as essential to student mental health, crisis response, attendance, and family support, and argued the measure corrects an oversight and inequity in the current salary supplement structure. Public testimony was uniformly supportive, and the committee voted to release the bill.
The committee then heard Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 212, a constitutional amendment to protect the rights to hunt, fish, and trap. Supporters, including sportsmen’s groups and individual residents, said the amendment would preserve longstanding traditions, support wildlife management, and guard against future threats to hunting and trapping. An opposing witness argued there was no current threat in Delaware and said the Constitution should not be used to protect trapping or elevate hunting and trapping over other wildlife management approaches. Despite the opposition, the committee voted to release the substitute bill.
Finally, the committee took up Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 284, the First State Emergency Response Act, which would create a 25-foot buffer around first responders at emergency scenes after warning, with misdemeanor penalties for knowingly entering or remaining in the zone to interfere with duties. Supporters said the bill would protect police, firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics from interference, while opponents from the ACLU and the Office of Defense Services raised concerns about vague terms, potential First Amendment impacts, enforcement clarity, and jurisdictional issues. Committee members also questioned how the buffer would be marked and enforced. The sponsor and staff said they would continue working on the language, and the committee voted to release the bill.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- These are not one-time mistakes.
- Thank you for your time.
- Time and time again, we see the same pattern, and the conflict is too great.
- He was 41 at the time. She lived through He was 41 at the time.
- In that press release, Mr.
Summary:
The committee met without a quorum and operated as a subcommittee while hearing several bills on public safety, parole, criminal justice oversight, Proposition 36 implementation, behavioral health, gang database reform, cargo theft, and nonconsensual intimate images. The chair explained hearing procedures and noted that SB 906 was pulled from the agenda. Several measures were heard but not voted on because quorum was lacking.
SB 1446, a committee bill, would expand discretion in en banc parole review, make en banc votes public record, and allow CDCR referrals for sexually violent predator evaluation of certain incarcerated people serving determinate or indeterminate terms. Support came from the California District Attorneys Association; opposition came from the Ella Baker Center, Uncommon Law, public defenders, and others who argued it would add confusion, litigation risk, and unnecessary duplication. The author said the bill was intended to clarify review standards and improve transparency. SB 1278 would exclude certain sex offenses and habitual/one-strike offenders from elderly parole eligibility. The San Diego District Attorney’s Office and California District Attorneys Association supported it, citing cases such as Gregory Vogelsang and David Funston; opponents from Uncommon Law, the Ella Baker Center, and others argued elderly parole is already highly restrictive, evidence-based, and cost-effective. Vice Chair Seyarto strongly supported SB 1278, emphasizing victim justice and public safety.
SB 1354 would bar out-of-state military personnel not operating under Title 10 from entering California to perform military or law enforcement functions without the governor’s permission; a committee amendment removed a criminal penalty and left enforcement to the Attorney General. SB 926 would provide funding for Proposition 36 implementation, with committee amendments deleting a specific appropriation and shifting funding decisions to the budget process; supporters said counties need resources for treatment, probation, and administration, while opponents criticized the bill as fiscally reckless and duplicative. SB 874 would require background checks and clearer statewide standards for Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, especially ABA services for children; supporters said it would improve patient safety and program integrity. SB 1210 would extend CalGang-style oversight, notice, appeal, and DOJ regulation to all gang databases, not just shared ones; supporters described harms from inaccurate, unregulated local databases, while police chiefs opposed applying the CalGang framework to all local investigative files.
The committee also heard SB 1019, which would create a DOJ cargo theft task force and add reporting requirements; supporters from BNSF, trucking, shipping, ports, and law enforcement said organized cargo theft is harming supply chains and worker safety, and no opposition was presented. Finally, SB 1217 would create a DOJ clearinghouse to help victims remove nonconsensual intimate images, including AI-generated deepfakes, from covered platforms; amendments narrowed the bill’s scope and clarified law enforcement’s role. The author and survivor witnesses described ongoing trauma from repeated reposting of exploitative images and argued the bill would provide a centralized removal process. The transcript ends during testimony on SB 1217, with no final votes taken on the measures heard.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Judiciary (2-12-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- During that time, he was released from jail.
- All of that time was to take him to March 29 of this year.
- time he was released 10th during that time he was released from<00:08:03.840>
jail <00:08:04.479 - <00:09:37.839>
home <00:09:38.839>on <00:09:39.120>home released home on home released - <00:10:38.519>
within good inmate and he was released within good inmate and he was released
Summary:
The House Judiciary Committee met for its first meeting, established a quorum, welcomed new members and guests, and announced that committee rules would be sent out later. The committee then took up House Bill 38, sponsored by Representative Tipton, which would increase the penalty for repeated violations of an order of protection. Under the committee substitute, a third violation of the same protective order could be charged as a Class D felony instead of a Class A misdemeanor. The substitute was adopted by voice vote.
Representative Tipton said the bill was prompted by a constituent’s experience with repeated abuse and violations of protective orders, and he argued the change was needed to better protect the public. Maryanne Pratt testified in support of the bill, describing a long history of domestic violence, repeated violations of protective orders, stalking through calls and social media, and her fear for her safety. Several members expressed support and praised her courage. Questions focused on whether the bill would cover social media contact and on the committee substitute’s language requiring the same victim and same order.
Representative Burke raised concern that the same-victim language could allow an abuser to victimize multiple partners without triggering the felony provision. Tipton said the original bill was broader, that the change was added because of concerns about reverse protective orders, and that the issue might be revisited in the Senate. Scott West, speaking for the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, said the bill addressed some concerns but warned that the third-offense trigger could be based on technical contempt findings rather than violent conduct, and he noted that stalking already can be charged as a felony in some cases. The discussion continued on those concerns, but no final action on the bill beyond adoption of the committee substitute was taken in the portion provided.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 101 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Haggerty of Woburn and Ramos of North Andover relative to extending until Monday, November 17, 2025, the time
- Haggerty of Woburn and Ramos of North Andover relative to extending until Monday, November 17, 2025, the time
- The chair has been informed that House Bill 2335 has been released by the committee on bills in third
- House Bill 4135 has been released by the Committee on Bills in Third Reading.
- The chair is informed that House Bill 4312 has been released by the Committee on Bills in Third Reading
Summary:
The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several committee reports and procedural motions. The Committee on Rules recommended, and the House adopted, an extension for the Committee on Housing to report on House Document 4682. The House also concurred in Senate petitions referred under suspension of Joint Rule 12, including measures on equitable school transportation funding, BMX/motocross track safety standards, and public health and safety near aging nuclear facilities. Later, the House suspended Joint Rule 12 for additional petitions involving a board for licensed mental health counselors, constable and civil deputy sheriff training and certification, and retirement benefits for a retired state trooper.
The House then acted on a slate of local and special bills scheduled by the Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee. These included bills on veteran license plate eligibility, school bus transportation professionals, Milford town meeting vacancies, Fairhaven retired police officers serving as special police officers, and amendments to the Hudson town charter. The House also passed several bills to be engrossed, including measures extending residency requirements for certain Newton police and fire personnel, allowing Williamstown to expand eligibility for a senior property tax exemption, amending Arlington’s town manager act regarding the town clerk, changing Longmeadow’s charter, and establishing a fall annual town meeting in Swampscott.
The House further enacted House No. 4521, establishing a sick leave bank for Kathleen Rodriguez of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. It also concurred in a Senate petition to rescind prior Article 5 constitutional convention applications. Throughout the session, the chair welcomed visiting groups, including physical therapy advocates, Boston Age-Strong Senior Civic Academy members, and students and teachers from Nanai High School in Japan. The House adopted an order to meet again Monday at 11 a.m. and then adjourned.