Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we have the Hawaii State Correctional Oversight Commission here to do us a presentation for us to
• Presentation for us to help us kind of get grounded in uh some of the language um uh and the terminology
• </c> you for the staff that you have given us you for the staff that you have given us in<00:18:23.280
• </c> therapeutic model. Next slide, please. therapeutic model.
• </c> party reporting and monitoring from us. party reporting and monitoring from us.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> participants have access to therapeutic participants have access to therapeutic services. services
• We deal with substance use disorder.
• Your last judicial budget gave us that.
• I recognize that us not community. I recognize that us not adequately<00:42:51.359><c> serving."
• </c><00:52:50.160><c> from</c> from Kentucky, but joining us from from Kentucky, but joining us from

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee received an overview of Kentucky’s specialty courts from Audrey Collins of the Department of Specialty Courts and the Administrative Office of the Courts, along with testimony from Christian County District Judge Foster Cutoff. Collins described the mission and structure of drug, mental health, and veterans treatment courts, emphasizing therapeutic jurisprudence, individualized treatment, judicial oversight, and multidisciplinary teams. She said Kentucky currently has about 2,991 active participants across the three court types, with drug courts in all 120 counties, mental health courts in 17 counties, and veterans treatment courts in eight counties. She also highlighted reported outcomes such as 7,658 entrants and 4,384 successful completions from 2020 to 2024, a five-year average completion rate of 57%, and lower recidivism among graduates than the statewide average. Collins also reviewed funding and costs, saying the department’s fiscal year 2025 budget was $18.6 million, with most of it from general funds, plus restricted and federal funds. She noted spending on personnel, treatment services, and drug testing, and said specialty courts allow participants to remain employed and meet obligations such as child support and restitution. She said participants paid more than $5.4 million in child support, restitution, and other court-related obligations over five years, and that a statewide evaluation by Morehead State University is underway. In response to questions, she said a dip in 2024 collections may have been affected by a case management system overhaul, and that court costs can be waived in some indigent cases while restitution is still required. Judge Cutoff described veterans treatment court and mental health court in Christian County, saying the programs are especially important because of the nearby Fort Campbell military community and because they help veterans with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, substance use, and related issues. He said the courts rely heavily on staff, treatment providers, and the VA, which helps connect participants to benefits and therapy. He also said mental health court participants receive housing, benefits, and medication support, and that the programs can keep people out of jail and help them stabilize. Committee members asked about the legal basis and history of the courts, and Collins explained that Kentucky’s specialty courts began as pilot programs in the mid-1990s, shifted from federal support to state funding around 2008-2009, and are now largely state funded. No votes or formal actions were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• illicit uses to get high.
• SB 903 sets standards for use in therapeutic practice and settings by requiring disclosure and affirmative
• That no AI shall be used in therapeutic settings and for the treatment of the patient.
• The bill does not restrict the use of AI in any fashion in a therapeutic or clinical setting.
• Thank you for coming up and getting us all, hopefully, to realize that when we use ...for coming up and

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with SB 936 on nitrous oxide sales. Senator Blakespear and supporters, including Orange County and Humboldt County supervisors, described growing misuse of large nitrous canisters, impaired driving, youth access, and waste and safety problems. There was no formal opposition testimony, and multiple organizations and local governments voiced support. Committee members generally supported the bill but raised questions about enforcement and the role of existing licensing agencies; the author said amendments addressed concerns about balloons and bags. The bill was moved on a due-pass recommendation to Senate Appropriations and left on call. The committee also heard SB 1312 on abandoned cemeteries, SB 1340 on small business procurement reporting, and SB 903 on AI in mental health care. SB 1312 would build on last year’s cemetery workgroup to address abandoned private cemeteries; the author and the Cemetery and Mortuary Association said the bill is intended to use forthcoming recommendations to improve maintenance and oversight. It was moved due pass to Senate Appropriations and left on call. SB 1340 would require state agencies to report contract and payment data involving small businesses to the Office of the Small Business Advocate; the Controller’s office supported the measure, and it was moved due pass to Senate Appropriations and left on call. SB 903 drew the most extensive debate. The bill would restrict the public offering of psychotherapy services through AI unless a licensed professional is involved, require disclosure and informed consent, and preserve confidentiality rules. Supporters argued that chatbots and AI therapy tools can mislead consumers and create safety, bias, and privacy risks, while opponents from the California Medical Association and TechNet warned the definitions were too broad and could hinder beneficial clinical tools, triage, research, and FDA-approved applications. Committee members pressed the author on clarity, administrative uses like note-taking, and whether the bill would allow clinician-supervised AI; the author said the intent is to keep a human clinician in the loop and continue refining the language. The bill was moved to the Senate Privacy, Digital Technology, and Consumer Protection Committee and left on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 1271 on midwifery preceptor data and SB 1327 on EV charger accuracy oversight. SB 1271 would collect data on licensed midwives’ capacity to serve as preceptors to strengthen the training pipeline; supporters described workforce shortages, rural access problems, and closures of labor and delivery units. It was moved due pass to the Senate Health Committee and left on call. SB 1327 would shift EV charger accuracy oversight from CDFA’s Division of Measurement Standards to the California Energy Commission; supporters said this would standardize enforcement and better match the agency already regulating EV infrastructure, while county sealers and others opposed the move as unnecessary, costly, and potentially weakening local consumer protection. The bill was moved due pass to the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee and left on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• And to us, fraud is not a partisan issue.
• And to us, fraud is not a partisan issue.
• </c><00:33:58.240><c> disorder</c> provide uh substance use disorder provide uh substance use disorder
• or other therapeutic treatment or other therapeutic interventions,<00:34:01.360><c> uh</c><00:34:01.519
• </c><00:37:22.240><c> job</c> upon release finding jobs using job upon release finding jobs using job

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• young person doesn't use.
• young person doesn't use. is actually part of the deterrent effect because the young person doesn't use
• Community keeps asking us for more resources to serve the kids to allow us to not fail these kids.
• This is particularly useful for adolescents needing substance use services.
• One of us should remember it.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2456, which would create a juvenile firearm early intervention alternative for youth charged in juvenile court with unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree. Staff explained that the program would require prosecutor agreement, intensive community supervision, random suspicionless searches, therapy and mentoring services, periodic court review, and dismissal of the charge upon successful completion. The bill would also raise concealed pistol license fees by $100 each and dedicate the revenue to a new account funding the alternative. Representative Davis said the bill is intended to fill the gap between firearm possession charges and later juvenile sentencing, and to fund evidence-based services; one member questioned whether the fee increase functions more like a tax than a fee. The chair then paused testimony on HB 2456 to return to the other bill. The bulk of the hearing focused on House Bill 2389, which would expand suspended disposition alternatives, reduce some juvenile robbery sentencing ranges, add a midpoint review for certain youth committed to DCYF, and create new rules for juvenile rehabilitation capacity and emergency transfers. Supporters, including youth currently or formerly in juvenile facilities, defense advocates, restorative justice providers, and some judges, argued the bill would reduce overcrowding, improve rehabilitation, address racial disparities, and give judges more individualized options. Several testified that youth need treatment, family connection, and incentives for progress rather than long confinement, and that current sentencing practices are outdated and underuse suspended dispositions. Opponents, including sheriffs, prosecutors, county officials, victim advocates, and some judges, argued the bill would shift costs and responsibility to counties, require resources that do not exist, and weaken accountability for serious offenses such as robbery, assault, and trafficking. They raised concerns about expanded appeals, added court workload, the need for more staffing and programming, and the impact on victims and public safety. DCYF said it supports reducing overcrowding but wants clearer emergency transfer authority for Green Hill; facility staff described improved conditions as population has fallen, but said overcrowding still creates safety and programming problems. No vote was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• LIS for keeping us, giving us the ability to do this hybrid hearing.
• And these are useful steps. More is needed. More is needed.
• Our use of general anesthesia and sedation is very tightly controlled, Our use of general anesthesia
• Please record us for the record.
• Thank you for joining us.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing covered a wide range of public health bills, with much of the testimony focused on two major themes: expanding access to care and stabilizing health-related workforces and services. On House 2364, an act relative to medical health and fitness facilities, representatives from Dedham Health and Athletic Club argued for a pilot program recognizing supervised exercise as medicine, saying it could improve outcomes for chronic disease, fall prevention, and mental health while reducing costs. On House/Senate bills concerning community health workers (H. 359/S. 251), multiple witnesses from MACHW, Health Care for All, MHA, Cambridge Health Alliance, Mass General Brigham, Boston Children’s Hospital, Asian Women for Health, and the City of Somerville described CHWs as essential for navigation, trust-building, language access, and addressing social needs, and urged reimbursement by MassHealth, the GIC, and private insurers, along with workforce development measures. One pediatric neurologist also told the committee that losing grant-funded CHW support led to more avoidable ER visits and threatened clinic operations. The committee also heard extensive testimony on hospital closures and essential services. Witnesses including Dr. Alan Sager, MNA President Katie Murphy, nurses from Brockton Hospital and Providence Behavioral Health, and local officials and legislators from Norwood described the loss of hospitals and service lines, especially maternity, pediatric, and behavioral health care, and argued current closure processes are too weak to protect communities. They supported bills such as H. 2460/S. 1503 and H. 2534/S. 1574, which would require earlier notice, community input, stronger state oversight, possible receivership, and limits on reopening or expanding after closures. Testimony emphasized the impact of Steward’s bankruptcy, the closures of Carney and Neshoba Valley, and the need to preserve access to essential services in underserved areas. Several end-of-life and professional regulation bills were also discussed. On H. 2436, Representative Omar Gomez and funeral industry witnesses supported eliminating Office of the Chief Medical Examiner fees for the removal of a child’s body in cases involving children five and under, describing the bill as a small but important relief for grieving families. On H. 2444 and related Senate bills, cemetery and consumer advocates supported legalizing alkaline hydrolysis and natural organic reduction as environmentally friendly after-death options, while cemetery representatives opposed H. 2360, which would allow funeral establishments to operate crematories, arguing cemeteries should retain that role. The committee also heard support for H. 2382, which would exempt dentists and oral surgeons from a new office-based surgical center framework, and for H. 2461, which would create hospital efficiency standards; employers and retailers backed that bill as a way to address rising health care costs. Finally, the committee heard testimony on autism services and hospital governance. On S. 1414, behavior analysts and school representatives said Massachusetts already licenses assistant-level ABA providers but MassHealth does not reimburse them, causing long waitlists and limiting school and family access; an actuary testified that a three-tier ABA reimbursement model could reduce MassHealth costs by up to 6% per child served. Senator Lovely also testified in support of S. 1572, which would require at least one registered nurse on each acute care hospital governing board, arguing nurses’ frontline perspective would improve quality and retention. No votes were taken in the hearing excerpt, but many witnesses urged favorable reports on their respective bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moved by Senator Hutching, seconded by Senator Steinmets, and then Senator Docetter, if you'll give us
• Yeah, if you will just help us check in the amendments that we've ... >> Madame Chair, members of the
• /c><00:03:05.360><c> programs,</c> continued use of the programs, continued use of the programs, technologies
• </c><00:03:34.159><c> the</c> enactment and as provided to us the enactment and as provided to us the
• </c> you're looking at is there therapeutic you're looking at is there therapeutic duplication.<00:09

Bills: SF0121

Keywords: pharmacy, collaborative care, healthcare, prescriptions, patient safety, Wyoming Pharmacy Act, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for saving us from ourselves.
• He Use in controlled settings, such as in dental offices, bakeries, and automotive shops, use outside
• It also sets standards for AI use in therapeutic settings and practice by requiring informed consent
• It also sets standards for AI use in therapeutic settings in practice by requiring informed consent disclosure
• Half of them are using them on a daily basis. we have Using chatbots.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• use diagnoses.
• us as to why your way is the best way.
• I used to work in a federal prison.
• Kind of discuss that for us. Yes.
• at us.

Keywords: 956, all

Transcript Highlights:

• use diagnoses.
• us as to why your way is the best way.
• us as to why your way is the best way.
• I used to work in a federal prison.
• Flaxbart is not able to be with us today.

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee held an invited-testimony hearing on LR 425, which examines the Whitehall campus in Lincoln and possible long-term options for youth currently served there. Chair Brian Hardin explained that Whitehall houses two separate programs for adolescent males: a substance use program and a youth-who-sexually-harm program. Testimony from DHHS officials described Whitehall as a Joint Commission-accredited psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF) that provides about 40 hours of weekly programming, family involvement, school services, and community reintegration activities. Officials said the department is evaluating whether the programs should remain at Whitehall or move to another state-owned facility, with Hastings described as the department’s preferred alternative because it is more residential in design than a youth rehabilitation treatment center (YRTC).

Transcript Highlights:

• Coach has used his and arenas in which Coach has used his heart<00:05:38.760><c> and</c><00:05:38.919
• </c> Used it.
• And so, at the end of his time here among us, Coach has asked me to address all of us with these words
• </c><00:17:08.160><c> of</c> The concerns were related to the use of digital therapeutics in the treatment
• that are available to us.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the neighborhood is built up around us the neighborhood is built up around us and<00:09:12.080><
• </c> um outlived its usefulness, if you will. um outlived its usefulness, if you will.
• </c> &gt;&gt; one of us. &gt;&gt; one of us.
• </c><00:54:39.359><c> use.
• </c> government entity to use. government entity to use. &gt;&gt; Thank<00:54:40.000><c> you.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, my friend's son actually passed away at 18 from bone cancer, and in Vermont he used therapeutic cannabis
• Uh, my friend's son actually passed away at 18 from bone cancer, and in Vermont he used therapeutic cannabis
• </c> shelters have said to us. shelters have said to us.
• them would fall to us.
• </c> would fall to us. would fall to us.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That allowed us to invest in more access points and grow the organization.
• These things are extremely challenging for us, and it's hard for us to make these investments to have
• challenging for us and it's hard<00:43:24.319><c> for</c><00:43:24.440><c> us</c><00:43:24.559><c> to
• We have 15,000 total customers available to us in the state at this time.
• to in the to us in the state at this us to in the to us in the state at this time<00:47:15.480><c> so

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The work session focused on HB 54, which would allow New Hampshire’s alternative treatment centers to operate for profit. Chair David Nagel opened by identifying the main concerns: whether members agreed with the bill conceptually, whether the proposal could be shaped to avoid a gubernatorial veto, and whether it could lead to “big cannabis” taking over. He also emphasized that the bill would not change the existing oversight structure, which remained under RSA 126-X. Representative Wendy Thomas said the governor’s objections in past sessions appeared to center on the state’s preference for a state-run model and broader policy concerns, but no one present knew the current governor’s position. Several speakers argued the bill was primarily about financing and access, not expanding the number of dispensaries. Matt Simon of Granite Leaf Cannabis said the current nonprofit structure makes it difficult to raise capital, pay down debt, and open additional access points, and that the bill would be a corporate restructuring rather than a change in day-to-day regulation. Brandon Pollock of TASCAL Wellness said medical cannabis programs in most other states are for-profit, and that New Hampshire’s nonprofit requirement has left ATCs burdened with high-interest debt and higher prices that push patients to Maine, Vermont, or the street market. He said converting to for-profit status could allow conventional financing, lower prices, and help keep patients in the regulated program. Members also discussed whether for-profit ownership would invite outside corporate control. Witnesses said the bill would not open the market to new operators, would not change advertising rules, and would include restrictions on ownership transfers for a period of time; “foreign corporation” was explained as an out-of-state entity. One speaker noted that the bill is similar to earlier versions that passed both chambers with strong support but never became law. No vote was taken during the work session; the discussion was informational and aimed at addressing concerns before the bill moved forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; No, it used to go%, I'm pretty sure. &gt;&gt; No, it used to go%, I'm pretty sure.
• </c> and expanded therapeutics procedures. and expanded therapeutics procedures.
• We plan to truly valuable to us.
• from being able to use it.
• It had us way under. Last year we were 3.52%, which was good. It had us way under.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How do we use something like a broa chair effectively and therapeutically to support this from happening
• and not use those restraints. and not use those restraints.
• </c><00:40:44.240><c> use</c><00:40:44.800><c> of</c><00:40:45.040><c> a</c> language related to therapeutic
• use of a language related to therapeutic use of a restraint<00:40:45.839><c> is</c><00:40:46.079><c>
• </c> newer, you want to help us understand? newer, you want to help us understand?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> your scripture reminds us. your scripture reminds us.
• use.
• </c><00:28:05.080><c> Having</c> cannabis for therapeutic use. Having cannabis for therapeutic use.
• </c> cultivate cannabis for therapeutic use. cultivate cannabis for therapeutic use.
• He used to travel. He was appointed by He used to travel.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And today is a time where I think that many of us...
• for us.
• for us.
• So, yes, we could think about the use of... ...or that is the only use for this particular medicine is
• So, yes, we could think about the use of...

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Access to Breakthrough Mental Health Therapies met to discuss psychedelic-assisted treatments for serious mental health conditions, with a focus on psilocybin, ibogaine, MDMA, and related compounds. The chair framed the issue as a clinical and access problem for veterans, first responders, and others with PTSD, depression, TBI, addiction, and suicidal ideation, emphasizing that these therapies are intended for supervised medical settings rather than take-home use. Members reviewed research claims and policy trends, including FDA breakthrough therapy designations, state-level psychedelic legislation, and the role of Arizona’s right-to-try law in expanding access once federal approval is in place. Testimony came from Alan Mullen, a retired Army Special Forces veteran, who described his PTSD/TBI history and said ibogaine treatment helped him confront trauma and showed promise in reducing symptoms under strict medical monitoring. Dr. Sue Cisley of Scottsdale Research Institute described ongoing FDA-controlled trials in Arizona, said current medications often fail high-need patients, and urged removal of research barriers and preparation for right-to-try and expanded access. Dan Freiberg of the Professional Firefighters of Arizona said firefighters face chronic exposure to trauma, often rely on alcohol or other coping mechanisms, and need effective alternatives beyond traditional therapy. Dr. Chung Trin discussed late-stage psychedelic trials, the FDA breakthrough pathway, safety oversight, and the need for state readiness when approvals occur. Committee members asked about how the treatments work, whether they require psychotherapy support, safety concerns including suicidality and black-market abuse, patenting and synthetic versus natural versions, and costs compared with ketamine and other treatments. Witnesses said the therapies are administered with extensive screening, monitoring, and integration support, and argued that addiction potential appears low under medical supervision. The discussion ended with interest in sending correspondence to federal officials to support right-to-try cooperation and in continuing the research and policy work; no formal vote or action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And today is a time where I think that many of us...
• for us.
• And for us to be boxed out of access is really difficult.
• So, yes, we could think about the use of...
• We could also think about the use of synthetic psilocybin.

Summary: The Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Access to Breakthrough Mental Health Therapies held an informational hearing focused on psychedelic-assisted treatments for PTSD, depression, addiction, and related conditions, especially for veterans, first responders, and firefighters. The chair framed the issue as a response to long-standing barriers created by Schedule I restrictions and stigma, emphasizing that the committee was looking at supervised clinical use rather than take-home drugs. Members discussed the growing number of state psychedelic policy proposals, the federal breakthrough therapy pathway, and the idea of Arizona preparing for FDA approval and possibly sending correspondence to federal officials in support of expanded access and Right to Try implementation. Witnesses included retired Army Special Forces Master Sgt. Alan Mullen, who described participating in an ibogaine study for PTSD/TBI and said the treatment, combined with preparation and integration support, helped him confront trauma and showed promise under strict medical monitoring. Dr. Sue Sisley of Scottsdale Research Institute testified that her team is conducting FDA-controlled psychedelic trials, including psilocybin research funded by Arizona, and argued that these therapies can produce major symptom relief with limited doses when delivered in controlled settings. She also urged the legislature to help remove barriers to research and access, including support for Right to Try and possible federal action to allow controlled-substance access. Dan Freiberg of the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona said firefighters face chronic mental health exposure and often lack effective options beyond traditional therapy or, in some cases, ketamine, and he supported any safe, effective treatment that could help members return to work and reduce suicide risk. Dr. Chung Trin, a mental health physician and trial investigator, explained the FDA breakthrough designation process, said several psychedelic treatments are in late-stage review, and stressed the need for Arizona to build clinical infrastructure so patients can access approved therapies quickly and safely once federal approval occurs. Committee members asked about safety, addiction potential, suicide risk, costs, patents, and whether natural versus synthetic versions of compounds like psilocybin would be available; the hearing ended with general support for continued research, possible legislative correspondence to federal officials, and no formal vote or bill action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• thing for us to do.
• I use an AI scribe.
• I use an AI scribe.
• You've heard today it's used to design and test new antibody-based therapeutics.
• You've heard today it's used to design and test new antibody-based therapeutics.

Keywords: 988, house, all