Transcript Highlights:

• 04.800><c> medication.
• And in looking supply of medication.
• ,</c> for pharmacy and dispensing medications, for pharmacy and dispensing medications, that<00:11:12.000
• And the I don't think it's um necessary.
• </c><00:11:22.320><c> is</c> reason I don't think it's necessary is reason I don't think it's necessary

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• for every direct appropriation necessary for every direct appropriation made<00:03:50.480><c> to</c>
• for all organizations so that necessary for all organizations so that they<00:04:21.120><c> can</c><
• </c> there's a change to the family medical there's a change to the family medical benefit<00:17:55.600
• </c><00:18:12.400><c> benefit</c> fund, and family medical benefit fund, and family medical benefit insurance
• </c> spreadsheet uh for family and medical spreadsheet uh for family and medical benefit<00:38:15.599

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• My OB-GYN wouldn’t prescribe the medication.
• A therapist eventually visited me at home and connected me to a medication prescriber.
• I needed professional help and medication. Due to personal failings on our part.
• I needed professional help and medication.
• We have about 8,000 patients who come to us for our medical home.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery

Summary: The Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery held a public hearing on 17 bills focused on behavioral health workforce shortages, studies, and commissions. Chairs Mindy Domb and Senator John Velis opened by emphasizing the severity of the Commonwealth’s mental and behavioral health workforce crisis, the resulting gaps in access to care, and the legislature’s ongoing use of loan repayment programs, studies, and commissions to address these issues. They outlined hearing procedures and noted that testimony would be limited to three minutes, with written testimony also accepted. A major portion of the hearing focused on bills to expand the primary care workforce, including H. 2205/S. 1385, which would broaden eligibility for the Mass RePay loan repayment program. Testimony from the Massachusetts Medical Society, Senator Jo Comerford, and Dr. Kate Atkinson described severe primary care shortages, long wait times, physician burnout, high debt burdens, and the need to recruit and retain physicians in more practice settings and regions. Committee members asked about the likely impact of loan repayment, the role of nurse practitioners and physician assistants, and how to prioritize limited funding. Witnesses argued that primary care investment improves access and outcomes and that the bill would help sustain community-based practices. Another large block of testimony supported H. 2208/S. 1411, the proposed perinatal behavioral health care workforce trust fund, often referred to as the Moms Matter Act. March of Dimes, perinatal mental health advocates, doulas, clinicians, parents, and organizations such as the Boston Public Health Commission and Empty Arms Bereavement Support testified that postpartum depression, anxiety, substance use, and grief are widespread, often untreated, and worsened by long waitlists and a shortage of trained, culturally competent providers. Speakers repeatedly stressed that screening alone is not enough without a workforce to provide timely treatment, and several shared personal stories of postpartum illness, loss, and difficulty accessing care. The bill was also framed as a needed complement to the Commonwealth’s recent maternal health law, which increased screening and therefore increased demand for treatment. The committee also heard support for the Bridge Act, H. 2207/S. 1388, which would create mental health capacity grants for organizations serving communities at high risk of hate crimes or hate incidents. Testimony from the Jewish Community Relations Council and the bill’s sponsor described the mental health harms of hate, including anxiety, trauma, isolation, and loss of trust, and argued that community organizations need resources to build resilience and provide support. In addition, the committee heard from the Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association on H. 2218/S. 1380, which would update job classifications to explicitly include licensed mental health counselors and licensed supervised mental health counselors in state behavioral health roles. Witnesses said the change would modernize hiring, expand access, and better reflect current licensure and scope of practice. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the session ended with a motion to adjourn after all testimony was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• for medical or behavioral rehabilitation, like the necessary language that's been added in.
• for medical or animal is necessary for medical or behavioral<01:21:16.320><c> rehabilitation</c><01:
• What's medically necessary for foster and the veterinarian that's overseeing the care of the animal.
• What's medically necessary for right?
• What's medically necessary for foster<01:23:04.320><c> and</c><01:23:04.560><c> the</c><01:23:04.800>

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> multiple check-ins with the medical multiple check-ins with the medical board<00:02:27.560><c> and
• </c><00:04:26.400><c> school</c> University of Minnesota medical school University of Minnesota medical
• </c> also Al worked part-time medical also Al worked part-time medical interpreter<00:04:32.800><c> in
• </c> start their medical start their medical residency<00:06:54.360><c> this</c><00:06:54.560><c> would
• I finished my medical music school but also made it into medical school, where my grandparents met.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• That covers medical bills.
• necessary.
• It clarifies that more than one device may be medically necessary when appropriate and ensures access
• necessary.
• President will provide information if necessary.

Committee: House Insurance

Summary: The committee first took up HB 774, which would extend required hearing-aid coverage for certain individuals up to age 26. Representative Boyer said the bill helps young adults maintain access to hearing aids during school and early work years. The Louisiana Academy of Audiology supported the measure, and the committee adopted technical amendments and reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee then heard extensive testimony on HB 702, which would require transportation network companies to provide uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Representative Landry and supporters argued that current law and court rulings have left injured drivers and passengers without meaningful coverage in some cases, especially for riders who do not own cars and therefore lack personal UM coverage. Insurance agents and legal witnesses said they cannot currently find a product to cover the driver in certain ride-share phases, while Uber representatives opposed the bill, warning it would raise fares and noting that drivers already have optional occupational accident coverage and that passengers’ own UM coverage would generally apply. After debate over costs, coverage gaps, and whether the issue should instead be studied further, the committee voted to voluntarily defer the bill. The committee next considered HB 477, as substituted, which would require coverage for prosthetic and custom orthotic devices and associated services. Representative Ebert and witnesses described the bill as a modernization of existing coverage rules so people with limb loss can obtain more than one medically necessary device, including activity-specific prosthetics. Testimony from amputees and a physical therapist emphasized the impact on mobility, work, sports, and quality of life. The committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably by substitute. The committee also reported HB 76, which updates oral anti-cancer medication parity rules, by adopting amendments that clarify applicability and exempt certain limited-benefit and ERISA self-funded plans. HB 903, which increases the commissioner of insurance’s fine authority, was amended to set higher aggregate caps and then reported favorably. Finally, HB 291, which would prohibit health plans from penalizing hospitals when a member of the care team is out of network, drew support from the sponsor and the Louisiana Hospital Association as a preventative measure against insurer pressure tactics; Louisiana Blue opposed it, citing cost concerns and questioning the need for the bill. The transcript ends during that bill’s hearing, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 442: maintaining medical cannabis records for 120 days.
• And there is a very lack of, frankly, all medical professionals.
• Citibank currently offers 16 weeks of paid family medical leave.
• Paid family medical leave is something that is necessary for people to take time to take care of their
• There are 13 other states that have paid family medical leave.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• necessary, the Minnesota Medical Association and the Department of Health have been consulted with this
• </c><00:02:21.080><c> necessary</c> that an opioid is medically necessary that an opioid is medically
• necessary the<00:02:22.200><c> Minnesota</c><00:02:22.640><c> Medical</c><00:02:22.920><c> Association
• </c><00:02:23.440><c> and</c> the Minnesota Medical Association and the Minnesota Medical Association
• </c> patient's right to know what medications patient's right to know what medications are<00:05:10.039

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 1852a4 states that in addition to physicians, APRNs and PAs may give information necessary to
• Medical<00:20:49.000><c> staff</c><00:20:49.360><c> policy</c><00:20:50.200><c> at</c><00:20:50.440><
• c> each</c><00:20:50.680><c> hospital</c> Medical staff policy at each hospital Medical staff policy
• to obtain informed information necessary to obtain informed consent<00:22:13.000><c> prior</c><00:22
• , Rutland Regional medical director, Rutland Regional Medical<00:25:05.160><c> Center</c><00:25:05.480

Transcript Highlights:

• the Medical Civil Rights Act will prevent those needless deaths, injuries, disabilities, and poor medical
• In 2019, our initiative had drafted the Medical Civil Rights Act to establish a right to emergency medical
• H. 1745, the Act to Study the Delivery of Medical Care to Persons Who Are Held in Custody, the Medical
• and the medical civil rights.
• Medical care.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on a wide range of criminal justice, victim services, and records-sealing bills. Early testimony focused on H.1811, the Clean Slate automated record-sealing bill, with supporters arguing that automatic sealing after existing waiting periods would remove barriers to jobs, housing, and education without changing eligibility rules. Advocates from legal aid, business, and housing organizations said the current petition-based system is underused, burdensome, and costly, while opponents of expanding surveillance-related laws urged the committee to preserve privacy protections. The committee also heard testimony on H.1693, which would immediately seal records in cases ending without conviction and clarify the presumption of innocence, with speakers describing how dismissed cases still create lasting collateral consequences and prevent people from moving forward. No votes were taken during the hearing. Several bills centered on victim safety and domestic violence. Senator Michael Moore testified for S.1201, which would keep child-protective orders in effect even if the parent or guardian who filed them dies, and for S.1204, which would update the wiretap statute. Multiple survivors and advocates supported S.1215 and S.1222, arguing for a narrow wiretap defense for recordings made to document threats or abuse and for making GPS tampering a separate felony offense. Testifiers described situations in which GPS devices were cut off or disabled and said current law leaves victims at risk and gives abusers too much leeway. The committee also heard emotional testimony on H.1685/S.1238, a bill prompted by the suicide of Stavri Yanka in custody, with the sponsor, his mother, and the sheriff describing the need for better information-sharing so suicide-risk information follows a person into custody. Law enforcement and prosecutors supported several due-process and dangerousness-related bills. MassCOP, the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, and the State Police Association backed H.1828/S.1039/S.1235, which would require de novo Superior Court review for POST Commission suspensions over two weeks or decertifications, arguing officers need a meaningful appeal beyond administrative review. The committee also heard support for H.1691, expanding the dangerousness statute to additional offenses; Bristol County District Attorney Quinn said the changes would let prosecutors seek detention in serious cases such as child rape and manslaughter when facts warrant it. In contrast, the Committee for Public Counsel Services opposed expanding dangerousness detention, warning that pretrial detention causes serious harms and disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic defendants. The hearing also included testimony on H.1654/S.1063 to enhance victims’ rights and H.1525, which would rename and expand community corrections into community justice programs, with supporters emphasizing reentry, reduced stigma, and broader service access.

Transcript Highlights:

• So he received medications while he was at St. Joe's for a month.
• We had the same question on the medical bill.
• I'm glad to hear that there is a similar bill for medics.
• My son depends on medication to stay stable and healthy.
• If he can't access his medication, it is life-threatening.

Committee: House House Public Safety & Law Enforcement Committee of Reference

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety and Law Enforcement first heard SB 1032, which appropriates $1.5 million from the State General Fund to the Corrections Oversight Fund in FY27 to help operate the Independent Correctional Oversight Office. Supporters, including Justice Action Network, Representative Blackman, and a family member describing her son’s death in custody, argued the office is needed to address serious problems in the Department of Corrections, including mental health care failures, staff shortages, lawsuits, and the state’s federal receivership. Members largely agreed the office could improve transparency and accountability, and the bill received a due pass recommendation on a 14-0 vote with one absent. The committee then considered SB 1107, which creates an alternative certification pathway for honorably discharged U.S. veterans who served as military police to become Arizona peace officers through abbreviated training and recognition of prior military training. Members asked whether the bill would include equivalent roles from all branches, such as Air Force security forces, and staff said the bill is intended to track Department of Defense training standards. Supporters emphasized the value of recruiting experienced applicants to address public safety staffing shortages, while one member raised concerns about applicants with prior misconduct in other states. The bill passed with a due pass recommendation on an 11-1 vote, with two present and one absent. Finally, the committee heard SB 1055, which requires law enforcement to immediately notify ICE or CBP when arresting a person unlawfully present in the United States. The bill drew strong support from one proponent who framed it as a public safety and immigration enforcement measure, and strong opposition from the ACLU and several community members who argued it would chill crime reporting, burden local agencies, raise civil rights concerns, and risk wrongful detention of citizens and tribal members. Representative Cruz offered a strike-everything amendment that would instead restrict DOC inmate telephone contracts from generating revenue above operating costs; supporters said it would reduce costs for families and improve communication, but the amendment failed 6-8. The committee then returned to the underlying SB 1055 and gave it a due pass recommendation on an 8-6 vote with one absent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker and members, I move to suspend all necessary rules to take up House Resolution 476.
• I move to suspend all necessary rules to take up and consider House Resolution 480.
• Medical Director, ECMO Program at Children's Health and Professor of Pediatrics. at UT Southwestern Medical
• cannabis for medical use for qualifying patients for the certain delivery medical conditions and licensing
• HB 1574 by Jones and Dallas relating to the medical use of low THC cannabis. patients with certain medical

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> another big chunk of medical assistance. another big chunk of medical assistance.
• </c> saying their medical insurance closed. saying their medical insurance closed.
• And so if all of a sudden we're cutting rates out there for medically necessary benefits and all of a
• And so if all of a sudden we're cutting rates out there for medically necessary benefits and all of a
• medic uh uh mandatory medical medically medic uh uh mandatory medical assistant<01:38:59.280><c> benefits

Bills: HF4421 , HF1937 , HF4675 , HF4715 , HF4684

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is only when medically necessary and under criteria set by DHS.
• The cap only increases when DHS determines it is medically necessary, and DHS retains full control over
• necessary in accordance with the criteria established by DHS.
• I think there's guardrails that allow them still to determine what is medically necessary.
• and testing to $1,800. ...chronic pain medication and testing to $1,800.

Committee: All JBC-SPECIAL LANGUAGE

Transcript Highlights:

• Brittany Jackson, Florida Medical Association, waiving in support.
• If the medical provider sends a bill in, we have to apply a fee schedule.
• provider for lawful medical care.
• Brittany Jackson, Florida Medical Association, waiving in support.
• compensation for your medical expenses.

Summary: The subcommittee considered a long agenda of civil justice and claims measures. HB 1173, relating to the Florida Trust Code, was presented as a clarification of standing in trust litigation after recent case law; after questions about who may sue, an amendment was adopted clarifying that an expressly named charity retains standing, and the bill passed 14-2. HB 1437, on attorney’s fees in motor vehicle PIP disputes, drew testimony from insurers and reform groups opposing a return to fee-driven litigation and from medical groups supporting fee recovery for prevailing parties; it passed 17-0. CS/HB 147, addressing prohibited debt-collection communications during nighttime and early morning hours, was described as a clarification of an outdated statute in light of modern communications, with support from business groups and no opposition in the vote; it passed 18-0. The committee then heard several claims bills against the Department of Children and Families. HB 6511, for relief of L.P., described severe injuries to a child after DCF allegedly failed to act on warning signs; a technical amendment was adopted and the bill passed 18-0. HB 6515, for relief of Michael Barnett, involved DCF’s alleged failure to investigate domestic violence that preceded the killing of three children and injury of a fourth; members asked about the settlement amount and the case’s circumstances, and the bill also passed 18-0. HB 1517, expanding wrongful death law to allow parents of an unborn child to recover for the child’s death, generated the most extensive debate. The sponsor said it aligns civil law with existing criminal definitions and excludes claims against mothers and providers of lawful medical care, including IVF; opponents warned it could be used to target reproductive care, support networks, and domestic violence survivors, while supporters framed it as a justice measure for families. An amendment clarifying damages rules for minors and unborn children was adopted, and the bill passed 13-4. Finally, HB 947, on evidence of medical damages in personal injury and wrongful death cases, sought to allow broader evidence at trial and to change “shall” to “may”; supporters said it would improve fairness and transparency, while opponents argued it would weaken post-2023 tort reforms and reintroduce inflated medical damages. The amendment was adopted and the bill was then taken up with additional opposition testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• services and emergency medical transport.
• Seizures are the third most common medical emergency in schools.
• We tried everything: medications, diets, devices.
• We are a state known for our medical leadership.
• Patients were denied critical medical care.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of public health and emergency services bills, with many speakers focusing on EMS system failures, hospital service closures, trauma preparedness, epilepsy awareness, drink-spiking response, sudden cardiac arrest, and survivor financial assistance. Several legislators and advocates described the EMS system as underfunded and overstretched, citing long ambulance waits, staffing shortages, and the need for statewide oversight, a special commission, and clearer recognition of EMS as an essential service. A number of speakers also supported bills to preserve essential hospital services after closures such as Nashoba Valley Medical Center and birthing services in Leominster, arguing that current closure rules lack enforcement and leave communities without critical care. Multiple panels testified in support of bills requiring trauma kits in public buildings, public education on SUDEP and epilepsy mortality, and improved cardiac arrest response. Supporters of the trauma-kit bill said public buildings should have bleeding-control kits and trained staff, comparing them to AEDs and first aid supplies. Epilepsy advocates, clinicians, and grieving parents urged a public health campaign on SUDEP, saying families are often not warned about the risk and that awareness could improve medication adherence, reduce guilt, and save lives. On cardiac arrest, EMS professionals and the American Heart Association backed measures to improve telecommunicator CPR, create an AED registry, and strengthen dispatch and training standards. The committee also heard extensive testimony on a bill addressing illicit drink spiking. Senators, city officials, victims, physicians, and an international anti-spiking advocate described cases in which hospitals refused toxicology testing unless a sexual assault was reported, and argued for standardized testing protocols, better data collection, and coordination with law enforcement and licensed venues. Another bill drew a sharp exchange over local public health control and the SAFE 2.0 law, with one senator arguing for more local approval and voluntary participation, while committee members defended the earlier law as a response to inequities in local public health capacity. Finally, advocates from Jane Doe, Inc. supported legislation to provide flexible financial assistance to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, saying unrestricted cash helps survivors meet basic needs, escape abuse, and rebuild stability.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 476 seeks to limit access to necessary medical care.
• </c><01:38:19.639><c> does</c><01:38:19.800><c> it</c> necessary Medical Care not only does it necessary
• Obviously, medically necessary things are medically necessary.
• Obviously, medically necessary things are medically necessary.
• The medical society opposes the criminalization of any medically necessary treatment.

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened with procedural remarks, including notice of an overflow room and a brief apology from Representative Andress about returning to his seat after introducing HB 114. The committee then took up HB 476, a proposed 15-week abortion ban. Chairman Lynn explained that a request to withdraw the bill had been filed, but because the bill was already scheduled for hearing, the committee would proceed with testimony and the withdrawal would require later House action. The chair also reminded witnesses to keep remarks to three minutes and asked the audience to remain respectful. Most testimony focused on abortion access, maternal health, and the likely effects of a 15-week limit. Opponents, including Nancy Pariser, Dr. Cynthia Rasmussen, Dr. Young, Bonnie Bruno, and others, argued that abortion restrictions increase maternal mortality, worsen miscarriage care, create “OB deserts,” and can delay emergency treatment in cases such as sepsis or ectopic pregnancy. Several speakers cited experiences from Texas and Georgia and warned that HB 476 contained no exceptions for rape, incest, or maternal health. Supporters of the bill, including Paul Galasso and Lynn Hill, framed abortion as the loss of unborn life and argued that 15 weeks still allows most abortions while saving lives; they also said New Hampshire’s current law is already adequate and that the bill should be strengthened rather than abandoned. Other witnesses emphasized practical and economic concerns, saying unwanted pregnancies can worsen poverty, childcare burdens, housing insecurity, and women’s lifetime earnings. Some speakers urged lawmakers to focus instead on affordable housing, childcare, and family support. No committee vote or final action on HB 476 occurred during the hearing; the meeting consisted of opening remarks and public testimony only.

Transcript Highlights:

• be necessary for them to test at this be necessary for them to test at this point.<00:11:24.320><c> So
• We don't know the medical benefits. We don't know the medical benefits. It hasn't been researched.
• We don't know the medical benefits. on. We don't know the medical benefits.
• ,</c> obviously if the equipment's necessary, obviously if the equipment's necessary, I<01:03:54.720>
• </c> the amount of funding that's necessary the amount of funding that's necessary for<01:27:43.679><

Bills: HB0103 , HB0070 , HB0091

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Doesn't HD3 need any necessary technical amendments?
• These things are absolutely necessary.
• These things are absolutely necessary.
• They have to release them to a provider of medical services.
• Instead of joining a medical program.

Bills: HCR93 , HCR14 , HR85

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill actually does not allow us to sue medical professionals who are trying to help moms in medical
• Women have died after being denied medically necessary care for fear of prosecution in Texas.
• The law asks doctors to apply their medical judgment to make a legal assessment, not a medical one, and
• None of this is necessary.
• We've already seen states partner with anti-abortion groups that claim abortion is never medically necessary

Bills: SB31 , SB33 , SB510 , SB871 , SB1868 , SB2024 , SB2166 , SB2309 , SB2880 , SJR27 , SJR39 , SJR40 , SB 31 , SB 33

Committee: Senate State Affairs