Video & Transcript : 'child welfare' :

Page 33 of 500
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • At the Department of Health, they also have the child review, child death review.
Summary: The House convened, completed the roll call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, and then took up several second- and third-reading items. Senate Bill 392 was assigned to Administrative Rules. Members also heard personal privileges and introductions, including a remembrance request for Oakland Ray Domer, recognition of a long-serving House staff member, and introductions of guests from Eastern Oklahoma State College, Associated Builders and Contractors of Oklahoma, the Doctor of the Day, and the Nurse of the Day. The chamber passed several measures. House Bill 1411 created a True Grit Trail for tourism, with supporters saying signage would be privately funded and installed at no cost to the state; it passed 92-0. House Bill 3143 extended the moratorium on new medical marijuana grow licensing to August 1, 2028, with supporters arguing it would help curb oversupply and black market activity; it passed 82-8. House Bill 3144, also related to medical marijuana, set a cap framework for when the moratorium ends so the industry would not return to rapid expansion; it passed 82-15. House Bill 3901 established a five-year pilot project for psychological autopsies within the State Department of Health to improve suicide prevention, but members raised concerns about privacy, rulemaking, and the bill’s breadth; it passed 73-24. House Concurrent Resolution 1019 supported naming a planned turnpike segment the Toby Keith Expressway in honor of the late singer’s music career, patriotism, charity work, and support for Oklahoma communities. House Bill 3981 created a locality incentive program for assistant district attorneys in areas of need and passed 83-11. The House then adjourned until February 26, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Health and Welfare May 6th, 2026

Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'd like to welcome you all to the May 6th meeting of the House Committee on Health and Welfare.
  • And I know that's not ideal, and no one wants a situation where the parent is preventing a child from
  • So we're kind of in a weird area when we collect documentation on a child who's been abused.
  • So we're basically making sure that if they have a child, that they can have access to those records.
  • Just when we have a child that is pregnant under the age of 12, it automatically triggers a review by
Bills: SB57 , SB405 , HB62 , HB193 , HB203 , HB222 , HB246 , HB420 , HB475 , HB486 , HB574 , HB584 , HB815 , HB949 , HB1092 , HB1214
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Feb 18th, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • . $118 million for core child welfare programs, including an approximate 13% across-the-board rate increase
  • welfare programs, including an approximate 13% across-the-board rate increase for all foster care parents
  • And no one cares about the good and welfare of our members more than me.
  • So we do view this bill as a child safety protection.
  • So we do view this bill as a child safety protection.
Bills: S2500 , S2502 , S2504 , S7028 , S2506 , S2508 , S2510 , S2512 , S2514 , S2516 , S2518 , S0482 , S0678 , S0984 , S1016 , S1074 , S1706 , S7030
Summary: The committee heard presentations on the Senate’s proposed 2026-2027 budget, SPB 2500, with chairs outlining major spending in K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and agriculture/environment/general government. Highlights included a $115 billion overall budget, pay raises for state employees and public safety workers, major K-12 funding increases and enrollment supplements, higher education workforce and nursing investments, expanded Medicaid/KidCare and behavioral health funding, corrections and law enforcement operational funding, transportation and housing investments, and significant environmental and water quality spending. Members asked about civic education funding, declining enrollment, professor retention, APD waiver waitlists, cultural grant allocations, and other line items. Public testimony also addressed HIV/AIDS drug assistance funding and prison air conditioning. SPB 2500 was adopted as a committee bill after amendment consideration and a roll call vote. The committee then took up implementing and related budget bills, including SPB 2502 (implementing the General Appropriations Act), SPB 2504 (state employee bargaining placeholder), SB 7028 (Florida Retirement System contribution rates and related retirement changes), SPB 2506 (fuel tax distributions), SPB 2508 (state agency law enforcement radio system surcharge), SPB 2510 (termination of an unused court trust fund), SPB 2512 (new judgeships), SPB 2514 (K-12 conforming changes), SPB 2516 (higher education conforming changes), and SPB 2518 (health conforming changes). Most were explained as technical or conforming measures tied to the budget, and all were reported favorably as committee bills, with SB 7028 amended to direct a portion of increased contributions to disability and line-of-duty death benefits in the FRS investment plan. The committee also heard and passed several member bills, including CS for SB 1074 on rounding rules for cash transactions in a world without pennies, CS for SB 678 restoring the alcohol loss deduction framework for distributors, and SB 964 on firefighter cancer benefits and prevention. SB 964 drew the most discussion, with questions about the one-year death-benefit window, the separate $25,000 cancer diagnosis payment, and whether the bill could create gaps in coverage for firefighters diagnosed or dying just outside the new time limits. Firefighter representatives testified in support, saying the bill would provide clearer protections for members and families. All of these measures were reported favorably.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Feb 24th, 2026

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, and recognized the nurse of the day, Michelle Bradshaw, along with several gallery guests and pages. The chamber then took up Senate Concurrent Resolution 15, recognizing February 24 as World Spay Day to highlight pet overpopulation and the importance of spay and neuter programs; the resolution was adopted without debate. The main floor debate centered on House Bill 2786, a supplemental appropriation of $19,660,770 for the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to close out FY25 and cover statutory and contractual obligations, including Medicaid/Title 19-related payments. Senator Kurt raised repeated concerns that the supplemental did not restore funding for substance use providers, uncompensated care, or crisis services that had been cut or left unpaid, while Senator Rosino argued the bill only covered amounts the state was legally required to pay and reflected the department’s verified needs. The Joint Committee report was adopted, and HB 2786 passed 38-10 and was then passed as an emergency measure. The Senate also passed House Bill 2787, a supplemental for the State Department of Health tied to legacy contracts associated with “Choosing Childbirth,” despite criticism from Senator Kurt that the money could have gone to direct mental health services. The chamber then advanced and passed Senate Bill 1525, raising the threshold for the Tourism and Recreation Department to contract with private entities for a tourism conference from $25,000 to $75,000, and Senate Bill 2011, adding contracted employees of county detention facilities to a protected class list. Senate Bill 2159, designating wheat as the official state crop, also passed. The Senate adjourned until Wednesday, February 25 at 1:30 p.m.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Administration of Criminal Justice Apr 29th, 2026

Administration of Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • So if a child is able to report these crimes before hands-on offenses start, and there is some element
  • of commercial activity, and there is the solicitation of child pornography or sexual abuse material,
  • of commercial activity, and there is the solicitation of child. start, and there is some element of
  • commercial activity, and there is the solicitation of child pornography or sexual abuse material, the
  • In jail, we created a bill that would have specific bail minimums on child sex abuse materials.
Bills: HB146 , HB333 , HB517 , HB828 , SB87 , SB93 , SB98 , SB118 , SB125 , SB199 , SB277 , SB294 , SB306
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee Feb 19th, 2025

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • safety plan for the child.
  • It's just the child support.
  • When the birth of the child?
  • ... ...have a child that is born, that those expenses for that particular child...
  • What if the child is stillborn?
Bills: SB156 , SB134 , SB108 , SB47 , SB88 , SB89 , SB106 , SB18 , SB9 , HB38 , HB54
Committee: Senate Judiciary
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session Mar 10th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • With respect to an act of sexual abuse committed against a child to state affairs, Senate Bill 1588 by
  • Hancock. failure to report child abuse or neglect to criminal justice.
  • Hinojosa. of Hidalgo related certain payment recovery and recoupment efforts under Medicaid and the Child
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Criminal Justice Jan 12th, 2026

Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • a graduated penalty structure for the offender based on the delinquent act or criminal offense the child
  • The crime of failure to report by mandatory reporters who suspect child abuse is a third-degree felony
  • The crime of failure to report by mandatory reporters who suspect child abuse is a third-degree felony
  • I filed this bill at the request of my state attorney after incidents of suspected child abuse and sexual
Bills: S0050 , S0052 , S0432 , S0436 , S0524 , S0536 , S0590 , S0676
Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered several criminal justice bills. SB 50 on Veterans Treatment Courts was amended to clarify that entry into the program requires approval of the state attorney and to make the bill prospective only. Supporters, including veterans advocates and crime survivors, argued the bill would expand access to treatment-focused diversion for veterans with nonviolent charges and service-related trauma. The committee adopted both amendments and reported the bill favorably. SB 52, which creates an exemption from security licensing requirements for unpaid armed volunteers providing security at places of worship, also drew support from law enforcement and faith leaders who said it would clarify a legal gray area for churches; the committee adopted a strike-all amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee then considered SB 436 on felony battery and prison release reoffender enhancements. An amendment was adopted to align felony battery involving injury to law enforcement with the bill’s intent to address the disparity between battery on an officer and resisting with violence. Members discussed concerns about mandatory minimums and the scope of the enhancement, including how it might apply in cases involving older prior offenses or mental health crises, but the bill was ultimately reported favorably. SB 676, which creates graduated penalties for adults who involve minors in animal cruelty offenses and increases penalties for related conduct, was supported by animal welfare advocates and reported favorably and unanimously. Later, the committee approved SB 536 on criminal gang members after adopting an amendment clarifying the definition of gang-related conduct and requiring multiple criteria for gang membership. Members raised concerns about social media, neighborhood association, juvenile application, and overbroad labeling, but the sponsor said the bill was aimed at gang-related criminal activity and recruitment, not innocent association. The committee also reported favorably SB 432 on controlled substances, which adds concentrated 7-OH to Schedule I and creates penalties for xylazine products that resemble candy or food and for trafficking in xylazine; SB 524, an FDLE bill updating duties related to medical examiners, training, and complaint service procedures; and SB 590, which tolls the statute of limitations for failure-to-report child abuse offenses until the crime is known to law enforcement. All of these bills were reported favorably, and the meeting adjourned after a final vote correction was entered for SB 524.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Feb 24th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • And back to this story, in this constituent's case, her oldest child was not the biological child of
  • The younger child was. She gets going through the divorce. The husband is abusing the older child.
  • Has supervised visits with her the younger child that's biological.
  • child.
  • Senate Bill 1708 pertains to child custody and this would change Oklahoma's child custody laws by creating
Committee: Senate Judiciary
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Feb 24th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • child was not the biological child of the husband.
  • The younger child was. She gets going through the divorce. The husband is abusing the older child.
  • The younger child that's biological, no supervised visits.
  • oldest child.
  • Members, Senate Bill 1708 pertains to child custody, and this would change Oklahoma's child custody laws
Committee: Senate Judiciary
Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee heard and advanced a series of bills covering criminal justice, family law, elections, insurance, and property issues. Among the measures approved were SB 2030, a clean-slate/automatic expungement bill; SB 1926, allowing victims seeking protective orders to file in another county; SB 2170, requiring supervised visits when sexual abuse allegations are substantiated by DHS; SB 2151, giving prosecutors discretion to seek a 65% sentence instead of an 85% sentence in some cases; SB 2166, setting evidentiary rules for calculating future medical damages; SB 1213, allowing certain inmates to start at a higher earned-credit level; SB 1381, creating a statewide pretrial hearing process with a pilot program approach; SB 1824, updating corporation and LLC statutes; SB 1876, modernizing service of process on foreign insurers; SB 1728, adding a domestic violence definition for coercive control; SB 1582, defining bona fide resident and lawful permanent resident for alien land ownership rules; SB 1286, requiring more political subdivisions to provide polling places at no cost; SB 1386, creating a courtroom transparency pilot program using audio-video recording; and SB 1708, creating a rebuttable presumption of joint custody and equal parenting time. Several bills were amended before passage, including title-striking motions on multiple measures and committee-substitute language changes. Debate centered on the policy tradeoffs in several of the more controversial bills. Senators raised concerns about forum shopping and judicial bias in the protective-order bill, the fairness and practical effects of the future-damages bill on injured plaintiffs and insurers, the impact of the custody presumption bill on domestic violence cases and guardian ad litem practice, and the risks of foreign land ownership. Supporters generally framed the bills as responses to constituent concerns, efforts to improve fairness or transparency, or ways to modernize outdated statutes and procedures. Opponents or skeptics focused on unintended consequences, possible burdens on victims, and whether existing law already addressed the problems being raised. The committee also heard that SB 1381 would likely return as a pilot program in one county because of fiscal concerns, and SB 1386 was discussed as a limited courtroom-recording pilot rather than a full statewide rollout. SB 1582 passed after discussion of the meaning of “bona fide resident” and whether certain noncitizens could buy land. SB 1708 drew especially detailed debate over whether the law should begin with a presumption of equal parenting time or leave custody decisions entirely to the judge’s best-interest analysis. Most measures advanced on bipartisan roll-call votes, with some dissent on SB 1926, SB 2166, SB 1386, and SB 1708.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/18/2026 - Senate Judiciary and Elections

Judiciary and Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • with child neglect.
  • with child neglect.
  • A pregnant person could still have their child removed and be charged with child neglect.
  • The garnishment is not for child support.
  • By the way, I believe in the civil rights of the child.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Apr 20th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Then I think we will begin to see the results that so many of us want to see, which is a child who falls
  • in love with learning, a child who has incredible doors and opportunities open to them because they
  • House Bill 3001 extends the sunset to 2031 for the Child Death Review Board within the Oklahoma Commission
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Apr 20th, 2026

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Madam Leader, House Bill 301 extends the sunset to 2031 for the Child Death Review Board within the Oklahoma
  • House Bill 301 extends the sunset to 2031 for the Child Death Review Board within the Oklahoma Commission
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and pledges, and recognized several visiting groups and honorees, including students from Wesleyan Christian School, Claremore Day participants, and a tribute to Dr. J. Craig for his Marine Corps service, chiropractic career, and aid to first responders after the Oklahoma City bombing. The chamber also welcomed a Cricket Oak High School AFJROTC unit and the Lincoln Christian wrestling team, both recognized for recent achievements. The Senate then adopted Senate Resolution 43 commemorating the 31st anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing and honoring victims, survivors, and first responders. The Senate took up House Bill 1933, first rescinding prior action and then adopting a floor amendment to correct a drafting error and shift a penalty provision; the bill then passed 47-0. House Bill 4248, which would require purchasers of hemp beverages to be 21 and treat them similarly to beer for age purposes, passed 45-0 after brief discussion about whether it had medical implications. The Senate also adopted House amendments to Senate Bill 1847, described as a compassion bill that would have saved the state money, and passed it 35-11 before later approving it as an emergency measure with 43 ayes. The chamber next adopted House amendments to Senate Bill 1778, a major literacy bill adding early intervention, teacher training, and optional early ELA testing for second graders, along with good-cause exemptions; it passed 43-2 and then as an emergency measure. The Senate also passed House Joint Resolution 1086, approving rules from several agencies, by 42-4. Finally, the Senate advanced and passed a series of sunset-extension bills for boards and councils, including the Child Death Review Board, county government training commission, Board of Chiropractic Examiners, Board of Examiners in Optometry, Oklahoma Climatological Survey, several environmental advisory councils, and the Board of Tests for Alcohol and Drug Influence, with most later receiving emergency passage. The Senate concluded with announcements of upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until April 25, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • So the child can change their birth certificate, or anyone who wants to change that gender, they may
Bills: SB2211 , SB2025 , SB2038 , SB2050 , SB2051 , SB2090
Committee: House Health
Summary: The House Committee on Health held its first hearing of the session and opened with housekeeping notes, introductions of members, and an explanation that the agenda would be taken out of order to accommodate a sign language interpreter. The committee first heard HB 469, relating to parking for disabled persons. Testimony from the Disability and Communications Access Board and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the bill, explaining that a travel placard would help people with disabilities who must travel interisland or to the mainland for medical care. Members asked about emergency travel, misuse prevention, and how to distinguish the travel placard from existing disabled parking placards; witnesses said the bill would need to be tied to administrative rules, and agreed the placard should clearly show an expiration date and likely be a different color. No vote was taken. The committee then heard HB 218, relating to hospital surgical smoke. The Department of Health supported the measure, and the Healthcare Association of Hawaii supported it with amendments, saying hospitals already follow existing standards but that any new policy should account for different procedures and provider safety. A committee member questioned the proposed amendment language and whether it was too flexible; the witness explained the intent was to allow case-by-case application because some procedures generate only brief exposure. Members also asked what surgical smoke is, and the witness explained it is produced when electrical or cauterizing tools are used on tissue and creates vapor or fumes. The bill remained under discussion with no final action reported. The committee next took up HB 814, which would fund a public information campaign and related services on cannabis use among youth. The Department of the Attorney General said the bill should be amended to clarify whether the funding would be used for contracts or grants and to include proper grant standards if grants are intended. The Department of Health supported the bill and said the funds would expand prevention, treatment, recovery, and public education efforts, including social media outreach, PSAs, and school-based youth services. Multiple organizations and individuals testified in support, emphasizing the harms of youth cannabis use and the need for prevention and treatment resources. Members asked what the department currently does, whether it is fulfilling existing law on science-based cannabis information, and what kinds of treatment would be provided; the department said services would mainly be intensive outpatient, outpatient, counseling, and related youth-focused supports. No vote was taken during the hearing.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/21/2026 - Senate Public Safety

Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • information content provider in Arizona to facilitate, promote, or solicit prostitution, pandering, or child
  • is at least 18 years old, or a Class 2 felony if the person or agent... ...has direct knowledge of child
Bills: SB1010 , SB1035 , SB1058 , SB1077 , SB1093