Video & Transcript Research : 'multisystemic therapy'
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NH
Transcript Highlights:
- If a Medicaid student first needs speech therapy, then midyear needs physical therapy, then later specialized
- If a Medicaid student first needs speech therapy, then midyear needs physical therapy, then later specialized
- additions or subtractions in therapies um<00:11:13.760>
program <00:11:14.200>that <00: - So, in the type of services covered: occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language, applied
- A fraud investigation can shut down services to children who receive therapy in school.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 03/13/25
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- We changed therapists to one who did animal-assisted therapy and EMDR, and we began to see progress.
- And especially with things like therapy, you can do that over the phone.
- medication Family Support uh therapy medication Family Support uh assistance<01:10:22.960>
with - Therapy connections help us heal through relationships.
- connections we heal through therapy connections we heal through relationships<01:57:59.159>
and
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
ALC-STATE INSURANCE PROGRAMS OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE Jun 17th, 2026
ALC-STATE INSURANCE PROGRAMS OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- This is our cell and gene therapy policy.
- There's a lot of work that is going on with cell and gene therapies.
- So what we are proposing to do is actually exclude all cell and gene therapies at this point so that
- have the professionals that are involved in evaluating the efficacy and the advancement of these therapies
Summary:
The State Insurance Programs Oversight Subcommittee met on June 17 and reviewed a series of Employee Benefits Division and Office of Property Risk items. The committee approved formulary changes for March and April that favored lower-cost generics, removed some new-to-market drugs from coverage pending more evidence, and made maintenance changes to migraine and diabetes medications. Members also approved a cell and gene therapy policy that would route those therapies through prior authorization rather than automatic coverage; officials said the process should not delay urgent cases and that no current members would be affected. The committee then reviewed a UAMS pharmacy benefit consultant contract amendment, but after extended discussion about the written scope and dollar amounts, the motion was approved with the understanding that any use of optional services would return to the committee for further review. The committee also reviewed the U.S. Able Mutual/Blue Advantage third-party administration contract and the CompSack employee assistance program contract, which officials said would reduce per-member costs and add services.
The subcommittee approved proposed 2027 rates for state employees and public employees, with a 9.8% increase for state employees and a 4.9% increase for public school employees. Officials also reported that the UnitedHealthcare rebid was in its final negotiation stage and would return in August, with medical and pharmacy coverage split as previously recommended. In response to questions, the director said the division was considering broader preventive-care offerings, including weight-loss drug coverage, but would proceed cautiously and with strong utilization controls and holistic support if such a program were adopted.
On the property risk side, the committee reviewed permanent rules making prior temporary rules permanent, a contingency-fee subrogation contract, and renewals for claims management, actuarial services, and investment management. Members raised concerns about Sedgwick’s claim-adjustment timeliness and communication with school districts after severe weather events; officials said performance guarantees and communication expectations had been strengthened, but the renewal was kept at three years for continuity. Finally, the committee approved 2026-27 captive insurance program rates, which included no change to minimum deductibles, a 10% overall rate reduction, and bucketed rate changes by entity type. Officials said the captive program was working as intended, with improved actuarial support and claims experience, and the meeting adjourned after the approvals.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- this bill simply creates a clear and responsible regulatory framework for stem cell regenerative therapies
- This bill simply creates a clear and responsible regulatory framework for stem cell regenerative therapies
- This bill will authorize qualified providers to offer these therapies under strict guardrails.
- committee that stem cells are currently not regulated, so let's catch up in Arizona when it comes to this therapy
Summary:
The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior journal, and recognized Dr. Corinna Saldana as Doctor of the Day. Members also offered several points of personal privilege, including introductions of guests and a proclamation congratulating Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on its centennial anniversary. The chamber briefly highlighted the House softball championship trophy and discussed the upcoming charity softball game.
The House then took up a series of Senate bills in Committee of the Whole. Bills receiving due pass recommendations included SB 1038, SB 1042, SB 1133, SB 1327, SB 1431, and SB 1447. SB 1429 and SB 1566 were amended before receiving due pass recommendations, and SB 1167, SB 1214, SB 1315, SB 1635, and SB 1763 were also amended and recommended for passage. SB 1501 was retained on the calendar. Debate on several measures focused on foreign funding and university research (SB 1327), local initiative disclosure requirements (SB 1429), school-law enforcement interoperability systems (SB 1315), and a public-safety/immigration-related bill (SB 1635), with opponents raising constitutional and policy concerns while supporters emphasized transparency and safety.
After the Committee of the Whole report was adopted, the House moved several bills to engrossing or third reading. On third reading, SB 1067, SB 1160, SB 1235, SB 1620, and SB 1668 all passed the House, with SB 1160 drawing a floor explanation of vote over First Amendment concerns and SB 1620 drawing concern about reimbursement language. SB 1235 and SB 1668 passed with broad support, and the House adjourned until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 015 Jan 29th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, one of my favorite days is physical therapy day at the Capitol.
- <00:28:39.840>
days <00:28:40.080>is <00:28:40.480>physical <00:28:40.880>therapy - <00:28:41.200>
day <00:28:41.440>at favorite days is physical therapy day at favorite - days is physical therapy day at the<00:28:41.679>
Capitol.
Summary:
The House convened, led the pledge, and completed a roll call showing a quorum with 55 members present and 10 excused. The journal from Tuesday, January 27, 2026, was approved as corrected. The Speaker then moved into announcements and introductions, with several members briefly joking about the sign-up process and fines for failing to sign up in advance.
Announcements highlighted a range of visiting groups and upcoming committee meetings. Members recognized the Colorado Council of Authorities/911 communications officials, Rooted Christian Academy sixth graders, physical therapy advocates, CASE Member Day at the Capitol, and community college representatives. Several members also announced committee schedules, including Judiciary hearing sunset bills and House Bill 1058, a DORA sunset hearing, a capital development committee meeting, and a Health and Human Services SMART Act hearing. There were also invitations to a Colorado Mesa University reception and a Treasury open house for unclaimed property.
At the end of the session, the Speaker announced appointments to the House ethics committee: Representatives McCormick as chair, Soper as vice chair, Woodrow, Mabrey, and Garcia Sander. The Majority Leader then moved that the House stand in recess until later in the day, and the motion carried.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Higher Education Funding Review Committee Mar 25th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Higher Education Funding Review Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- therapy, physician assistant, and nurse practitioner.
- So you can do the same thing with occupational therapy.
- Currently, the formula is getting an occupational therapy student over the course of three years.
- Same thing for occupational therapy, physical therapy. Physical therapy.
- And I think some examples that were given to me were like physical therapy, for example.
PA
Transcript Highlights:
- possible with prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment, including antibiotics and anti-inflammatory therapies
- If it's a chance, And anti-inflammatory therapies. And that's why I'm here.
- Therapies didn't work. I don't know. Hell on my own.
- Medications didn't work, therapies didn't work, nor did inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations.
- A childhood has been lost, parenthood has been lost, and his siblings are in therapy for the foreseeable
Summary:
The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several guests, including a student advocate and family members connected to a resolution on scoliosis awareness. The chamber first took up committee reports from Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness, Tourism and Recreation and Economic Development, and later Appropriations, Rules, Commerce, and Environmental and Natural Resource Protection, agreeing to the reported bills and resolutions. House Resolution 531, designating June 2026 as Scoliosis Awareness Month, was adopted 201-1 after remarks describing the condition and the advocacy of a young constituent. The House also adopted resolutions designating Diaper Need Awareness Week, directing a study on PANS/PANDAS, recognizing 717 Day, Little League World Series Week, and commemorating America 250 in Pennsylvania, with broad bipartisan support.
The House then considered several bills on final passage. House Bill 2146, updating the Sunshine Act’s 24-hour agenda notice rule after a court ruling, and Senate Bills 130, 511, 971, 972, 1181, and 1235 were agreed to. House Bill 1239, limiting HOA restrictions on rooftop solar, drew multiple amendments; some were withdrawn, and others failed on tied votes, after debate over HOA governance, native plants, and net metering. House Bill 2219, on license plates and transportation provisions, had an amendment agreed to removing indemnification language for elected officials at special events, and then passed as amended. House Bill 2558, banning non-compete agreements for broadcast workers, saw an amendment to preserve limited non-competes fail, and the bill passed. House Bill 2359, prohibiting government NDAs related to data centers, passed 171-31 after extensive debate over transparency and local control.
The chamber also passed House Bill 2455, granting Pittsburgh school administrators collective bargaining rights, despite objections that existing appeal protections already exist; it passed 106-96. House Bill 2460, creating hunting and trapping education provisions, passed 180-22 after debate over whether it duplicated existing law and imposed a mandate. House Bill 2499, expanding the State Workers’ Insurance Fund’s equity investment authority, passed 173-29. House Bill 2529, scheduling metatomidine as a Schedule III controlled substance, passed 198-4 amid testimony about overdose risks and concerns about criminalization. Senate Bill 604, joining the Counseling Compact, passed 188-14, and Senate Bill 1259, clarifying parole record privilege and expanding notice to denied parole applicants, passed unanimously 202-0. The House then made referrals and committee assignments, signed the two Senate bills for presentation to the Governor, and adjourned until July 1, 2026.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- time getting out of bed due to depression, was not going to school, and was denying services for therapy
- As we discussed the expectations of the program and his needed engagement in individual therapy to get
- we have youth that are really struggling with behavioral problems, we can easily do a referral for therapy
- , but it doesn't mean that all of those things are getting treated in therapy all the time, or that these
- DCF kid or a DMH kid or a DYS kid, it's really about the care setting that you need and the type of therapy
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice held an informational hearing focused on diversion programs and services for high-risk youth, with no bills before the committee and no votes taken. The chair and members emphasized that the session was intended to hear from invited testimony and discuss how to strengthen diversion, reduce court involvement, and improve outcomes for youth. The committee heard first from the Office of the Child Advocate and diversion providers, who described the Massachusetts Youth Diversion Program, its statewide expansion to 10 of 11 court counties, and its reported success rate of about 80% completion without reoffending. Testimony highlighted that diversion keeps youth out of court, connects them more quickly to community-based services, and can address needs such as mental health, education, and substance use. Witnesses also pointed to racial and ethnic disparities in arrests versus summonses, regional variation in diversion access, and the need for clearer statutory authority, more funding, and broader use of pre-arrest diversion.
Committee members asked about the difference between arrest and summons, who can initiate diversion, why arrest rates have increased relative to summonses, and how diversion might prevent harmful downstream consequences such as detention or immigration enforcement involvement. Witnesses said police, clerk magistrates, district attorneys, and judges can refer youth to diversion, and argued that local policy, training, and legislative changes could expand use. They also discussed the impact of detention on youth, including stigma, lost school time, and the lack of credit for time served in the juvenile system. Testimony from Citizens for Juvenile Justice focused on prevention, school discipline, and the school-to-prison pipeline, arguing for more restorative practices, better data, and legislation to limit suspensions and expulsions, especially for younger students and nonviolent conduct. They also raised concerns about DCF-involved and foster youth, who are disproportionately represented in the juvenile system.
The final panel, the Children's League of Massachusetts and transition-age youth providers, shifted to child welfare and young adult supports. They supported reducing court involvement in child requiring assistance cases, expanding family resource centers, and strengthening services for transition-age youth leaving DCF or DYS custody. Providers described housing instability, homelessness, and the need for education, employment, behavioral health, and supportive housing services for young adults ages 18 to 23. Across the hearing, witnesses consistently argued that early intervention, community-based supports, and diversion are more effective than court processing or detention for most youth, and that the legislature can help through funding, statutory clarity, expanded eligibility, and stronger data collection.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies
Transcript Highlights:
- our campus in RNA from our RNA Therapeutics Institute, and the company is focused on developing a therapy
- for the company's RNA treatment, clearing the way, hopefully, for clinical trials of this promising therapy
- Let’s say I want to work on ALS, I might work in RNA biology and ALS, I might work in gene therapy in
- Suffolk's medical dosimetry and radiation therapy programs, in partnership with MGH and Dana-Farber,
- Targeted groundbreaking therapies for Alzheimer's and individualized treatments for cancer, Parkinson's
Summary:
The committee held an informational hearing on the economic impact of Massachusetts higher education institutions, with opening remarks noting the significance of September 11 and the role colleges and universities play in the state’s economy, workforce, and research ecosystem. UMass leaders testified first, describing UMass as a major employer and economic driver that educates large numbers of Massachusetts residents, supports thousands of jobs, and generates billions in annual economic activity. They emphasized the importance of research funding, warned that federal grant cancellations, suspensions, and slowdowns were harming research operations and talent retention, and voiced strong support for Governor Healey’s proposed DRIVE initiative as bridge funding to protect research capacity and jobs.
Committee members focused heavily on workforce preparation in emerging fields such as AI, cyber, quantum computing, and engineering. UMass leaders said AI is being embedded across curricula and research, but also warned that financial constraints forced reductions in PhD admissions, especially in computer science and engineering, which could weaken the future workforce pipeline. They also described the practical effects of grant uncertainty, including reduced graduate admissions and concerns about losing researchers to institutions abroad. Members asked for more detailed data on grant timing, funding gaps, and where students and researchers were going.
A second panel from private colleges and universities, including AICUM, Suffolk, Smith, and Clark, highlighted the broad economic and civic contributions of private higher education. Testimony cited large annual economic impacts, job creation, tax revenue, community service, legal clinics, dual enrollment, entrepreneurship support, sustainability investments, and access programs. Speakers also discussed enrollment pressures, COVID-related social and mental health challenges, student visa and federal policy concerns, and the need to preserve liberal arts alongside career-focused training. The committee then heard from MIT, where testimony focused on research commercialization, biotech spinouts, and the role of federal, philanthropic, and industry funding in sustaining innovation; members pressed for more data on funding sources and asked what state policy could do to keep talent and businesses in Massachusetts. The hearing continued with additional public higher education testimony, including Bridgewater State, Bristol Community College, and Northeastern, which emphasized workforce-aligned programs, social mobility, apprenticeships, co-op education, and the need for better coordination between higher education, employers, and state workforce systems.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- House Concurrent Resolution 49 by Representative Fisher memorializes Congress to include physical therapy
- It urges Congress to include physical therapy as a professional service.
- As you know, we have a... ...to include physical therapy as a professional service.
- As you know, we have a physical therapy program, a PhD program at ULM in Monroe.
- I'm running this bill to urge Congress to include physical therapy as a professional service.
Keywords:
HR171, House Resolution 171, M.J. Foster Promise Program, TOPS-Tech, TOPS Tech Award, Board of Regents, Louisiana Works, Louisiana Community and Technical College System, LCATCS, financial aid, scholarship, workforce development, career training, technical education, vocational education, postsecondary credential, associate degree, industry-based credential, high-demand jobs, high-wage occupations
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Children and Family Law (04/16/2026)
Children and Family Law
Transcript Highlights:
- :31:06.680>
conversion uh has the child go to conversion uh has the child go to conversion therapy - , therapy, therapy, that<00:31:08.560>
wouldn't <00:31:08.840>be <00:31:08.960>neglect - /c><00:31:17.840>
child <00:31:18.280>in <00:31:18.720>talk <00:31:19.040>therapy - , are engaging the child in talk therapy, are engaging the child in talk therapy, absolutely.<00:
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- We were told by medical professionals he needed speech therapy, occupational therapy, ABA therapy, and
- 248 WE WERE TOLD BY MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS HE NEEDED SPEECH THERAPY 249 OCCUPATIONAL
- THERAPY, ABA THERAPY AND SOCIAL SKILLS.
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and began by welcoming students and coaches participating in the inaugural Sunshine State Debate. Members then heard and voted on a series of education-related bills, with most measures receiving favorable reports by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The first bill, HB 1081, created a Cybersecurity Internship Clearance Readiness Program in the Department of Commerce for NCACE-designated universities and Florida College System institutions; a friendly amendment expanded access to private schools, and the bill passed 19-0. HB 1201 updated Florida’s epilepsy/seizure plan law to clarify protections for charter school students, require acceptance of physician-submitted plans, extend training validity to five years, and expand training to regular bus drivers; epilepsy advocates supported it, and it passed 19-0. HB 851 required annual autism-specific professional learning opportunities for teachers and school-based administrators, and it also passed 19-0. HB 615, dealing with IEPs, required quicker parent notice when services are missed, faster access to service logs, individualized parent orientation, and standardized district service logs; parents and advocates testified strongly in support, and the bill was reported favorably. HB 1503 added technology-related competencies to education courses and directed the Department of Education to develop computer science certification coverage; it passed 19-0. HB 371 required public schools to display portraits of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington in common areas and passed 19-0 after testimony both for and against. HB 731 revised extracurricular eligibility rules and allowed local policies for compensating coaches and activity sponsors; an amendment broadened manual requirements and clarified fee actions, and the bill passed 18-0.
The committee also took up HB 173, a parental rights bill that drew the most extensive debate and public testimony. The bill would require parental consent for many medical decisions for minors, give parents access to medical records, and expand parental review/opt-in rights for certain school surveys and biofeedback devices. Supporters argued it restores parental authority, improves safety, and prevents children from being cut out of important medical decisions; opponents warned it would remove confidential access to STI treatment, crisis mental health care, and other services for minors in unsafe or abusive homes. Members raised questions about abuse exceptions, emergency care, and how the bill would affect routine treatment and time-sensitive care. The bill was not voted on in the portion provided, and debate continued through multiple rounds of sponsor responses and member comments.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services Apr 30th, 2025
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- know that many students do need specialized facilities to receive education and other appropriate therapies
- I've worked in healthcare for over 30 years providing medical nutrition therapy to patients and clients
- bill by building on the existing children's benefit, including services such as medical nutrition therapy
- Recognizing and including services like medical nutrition therapy in the adult benefit is critical to
- Expanding access to services such as medical nutrition therapy (MNT) provides high-value, clinically
Bills:
HB136, HB451, SB425, SB466, SB905, SB1986, SB2311, SB2450, SB2805, SB2826, SB2919, SB3001, HB136
Keywords:
Medicaid, lactation, healthcare, consultation, reimbursement, maternal health, infant care, commercial sexual exploitation, child sex trafficking, human trafficking, child welfare, foster care, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, juvenile probation, risk assessment, needs assessment, trauma screening, child abuse prevention, exploitation screening
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Health and Human Services (02/11/2026)
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:02:05.359>
and, know, I'm going to do air therapy and, know, I'm going to do air therapy - I know some of the big aroma therapy.
- ,<01:10:26.560>
homeopathy, uh on herbal therapy, homeopathy, uh on herbal therapy, homeopathy - I see therapy.
- Um outpatient therapy type services.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 03/11/26
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- And then on line 2231, it also lists complementary alternative and integrative therapies.
- organizations or individuals this would affect, the second part for alternative and integrative therapies
- alternative and integrative therapies. alternative and integrative therapies. uh<00:30:59.520>
alternative and integrative therapies? alternative and integrative therapies? - However, alternative therapies currently do fall within the scope of veterinary practice.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-03-12 (3:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- and it Senator Harrell: provides early interventions in home-based settings so the children get ABA therapy
- And that would allow them to continue with their therapy, maintain skills they learned in school all
- And very, very importantly, in order to teach the student with autism, to assist in the therapy of a
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- PROVIDES EARLY INTERVENTIONS AND HOME-BASED SETTINGS SO THE CHILDREN GET ABA THERAPY.
- Their therapy, maintain skills they learned in school all year, and importantly, have the social development
- The student with autism needs assistance in their therapy, and we need trained individuals who know how
Bills:
SJR18, SCR9, SCR13, SB10, SB11, SB19, SB20, SB25, SB62, SB260, SB263, SB293, SB314, SB384, SB412, SB441, SB442, SB494, SB523, SB569, SB616, SB688, SB707, SB766, SB842, SB869, SB890, SB914, SB929, SB971, SB992, SB1066, SB1145, SB1621, SJR36, SJR18, SCR9, SCR13, SB616, SB565, SB384, SB372, SB495, SB842, SB971, SB1066, SB929, SB765, SB523, SB62, SB19, SB18, SB666, SB688, SB707, SB888, SB687, SB706, SB847, SB869, SB890, SB992, SB1145, SB494, SB290, SB766, SB11, SB10, SB13, SB263, SB412, SB20, SB441, SB442, SB1621, SB569, SB314, SB25, SB293, SB914, SB260, SB1248, SB740, SB14, SB1006, SB20, SB25, SB260, SB293, SB314, SB384, SB442, SB494, SB616, SB869, SB890, SB929, SB992, SB1145, SB1621, SR232, SR237, SR242, SB16, SB22
Keywords:
capital gains, taxation, constitutional amendment, state revenue, individual investment, Supreme Court, judicial independence, Keep Nine, checks and balances, water rights, treaty compliance, Rio Grande, agriculture, drought, international water, Texas water supply, education, Ten Commandments, public schools, religious display
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 25 February, 2026; 3:00 PM
Public Health and Welfare
Transcript Highlights:
- :51.200>
chemo they are in the hospital for um chemo they are in the hospital for um chemo therapy - because they've had issues with therapy because they've had issues with that<00:48:54.319>
there< - This is a creative, responsible way of exploring a promising therapy in the middle of an ongoing opioid
- This is a creative, responsible way of exploring a promising therapy in the middle of an ongoing opioid
- Stanford experiment was the best evidence they have and consisted of follow-on care and continued therapy
Summary:
The committee first handled House Bill 612, which had been laid on the table because of questions about section one. Senator Tate explained that section one would allow the state, counties, and municipalities to enter interlocal agreements to provide installation support services on military installations, mainly road and infrastructure work such as paving and dirt work, and that section two would add Coast Guard medics to an existing provision allowing trained military medics to sit for LPN certification. After questions about the breadth of “installation support services,” the committee adopted the motion for title sufficient, due pass, with opposition noted, and the bill was reported to the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. House Bill 942 was then passed over at Senator McMahon’s request until Tuesday.
The committee then took up House Bill 1034, which would allow terminally ill hospital patients to use medical cannabis gummies. The sponsor said the bill is intended to help terminally ill patients who already qualify for medical cannabis but are denied access in hospitals, and that it prohibits smoking or inhalation. Members raised concerns about whether the bill was too broad, whether it would interfere with hospital and physician judgment, possible drug interactions, federal law issues, liability for hospitals and doctors, storage and disposal requirements, and whether hospitals would incur costs or be forced to handle cannabis on their premises. The sponsor responded that the patient’s use would be logged in the chart, that the caregiver is generally responsible for the lockbox and disposal, and that the bill includes language allowing a facility to opt out if compliance would jeopardize federal funding or licensing.
The bill’s author also described the measure as arising from a Coast Guard family’s experience in which a terminally ill patient was denied access to medical cannabis at one hospital but allowed at another, and said the goal is to prevent similar denials for terminally ill patients. He said he was not aware of other drugs treated this way in hospitals, but argued that terminally ill patients should have access to most anything they want. The discussion ended with Senator England asking whether changing the bill’s requirement that a facility “shall” allow medical cannabis to “may” allow it would better protect hospitals and preserve discretion, but no final action on House Bill 1034 was taken in the portion provided.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Rule F is the rule to allow for reimbursement of physical and occupational therapy in a clinic-based
- Under this rule, we are expanding our coverage of physical and occupational therapy services to allow
- Previously, adults receiving rehabilitative therapy were not allowed to receive those services outside
- This allows them to go to a physical therapy clinic to receive those services, thus increasing access
Summary:
The Arkansas Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a large set of agency rules and reports. Early items were routine filings: emergency-rule reports, subcommittee review reports, and administrative directive reports were filed without objection. One rule from the Department of Agriculture on maternal health providers and remote monitoring was noted as pulled by the agency and not considered. The committee then reviewed and approved several Agriculture rules, including repeal of equine ID-chip rules after Act 703 of 2025, updates to finance rules adding a new water and sewer treatment facilities grant and consolidating revolving-fund rules, and a pesticide rule creating a Class J pesticide category for feral hog toxicant use. It also approved a Commerce/Insurance rule removing duplicative workers’ compensation plan provisions, and a Corrections rule creating a unified visitation rule for correctional facilities and community correction centers. A member asked about prison visitation hours during COVID, and staff said they would check on that.
The committee next approved multiple Department of Human Services rules. These included marketing rules for provider-led organizations under Act 301 of 2025, a comprehensive revision of the DCFS policy manual, changes to Medicaid eligibility to include fictive kin placements and to expand ABLE account eligibility under Act 875, presumptive eligibility changes for pregnant women to align with federal rules, and a follow-up SNAP/TEA/Work Pays rule with updated work requirements, mandatory employment and training, alien eligibility changes, and job-search requirements for certain applicants. DHS also presented a rule implementing federal coverage for certain incarcerated youth before and after release, and the committee approved it. Another DHS rule updated nurse aide training requirements to match federal CNA hour standards and moved criminal-records-check procedures to the agency website.
The most extended discussion involved DHS Division of Medical Services’ dental rate rule under Act 1025. The agency explained that it was increasing pediatric dental rates and certain oral-surgery-related rates, but not orthodontic rates or a broader special-needs benefit limit because CMS would not approve a diagnosis-based limit. Members debated whether the statutory language was intended to cover general dentists performing oral surgery procedures, with legislators, the Dental Association, and DHS discussing legislative intent, fiscal impact, and whether a future fix or emergency rule might be needed. Despite the disagreement, the committee approved the rule. The committee also approved other DHS medical rules: adverse-decision appeal changes and prior-authorization posting requirements, an increased RSV administration fee for children, expanded emergency treat/triage/transport ambulance authority, and clinic-based physical and occupational therapy coverage.
Later, the committee approved permanent rules for the new state insurance program under Shared Administrative Services, procurement rule revisions recommended after an ACASO review, and commodity-management rule updates including a new revenue distribution model. Under Act 595 of 2021, the committee granted two Department of Commerce/Insurance requests to be excluded from rulemaking requirements: one for Act 772 on forced organ harvesting, and one for restorative reproductive medicine, with the department saying it would promulgate rules later when clinical guidelines are available. Finally, the committee accepted a recommendation to keep and extend the Department of Education, Division of Career and Technical Education rules, filed outstanding rulemaking updates, and adjourned without further business.
AR