Transcript Highlights:

• This bill works in practice.
• It's also good for the practice of medicine itself.
• patients, and it's good for the practice patients, and it's good for the practice of<00:09:08.240
• Practicing medicine for just speaking.
• to be allowed to come here and practice to be allowed to come here and practice medicine<00:40:45.359

Bills: HB0143, HB0129

Keywords: health care providers, free speech, discrimination, governmental agencies, civil remedies, physician access, internationally trained physicians, medical licensing, provisional license, healthcare workforce, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:00:34.960> to adopt evidence-based best practices to adopt evidence-based best practices
• best practices to evidence-based best practices<01:02:57.040> and<01:02:57.359> guidelines
• best practices for prevention. best practices for prevention.
• <01:38:17.920> in anticipate a reduction in practice in anticipate a reduction in practice
• <01:38:39.040> um anticipated reduction of practice um anticipated reduction of practice um

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the draft minutes of its May 16, 2025 meeting, with one correction removing Representative Dry from the attendance list because she was present as a guest rather than an appointed member. The committee then received a Department of Health and Human Services update from Commissioner Lori Weaver, who focused on the rural health transformation grant process. She said the department has been gathering stakeholder input since July, issued a request for information on September 22, and is working toward an end-of-October draft and a November 3 deadline, with a grant writer request expected to go before Governor and Council at no cost to the state. The bulk of the meeting centered on federal changes affecting SNAP and Medicaid. Karen Heert explained that the federal law changes commonly referred to as the “Big Beautiful Bill” or HR1 will affect SNAP eligibility and state costs, including a shift in administrative cost sharing from 50/50 to 75/25 beginning in October 2026 and a possible state share of benefits if New Hampshire’s error rate is too high. She said the program affects about 43,000 households, that New Hampshire’s federal fiscal year 2024 error rate was 7.57% versus a national rate of 10.93%, and that the state must get below 6% to avoid liability. She also said DHS is preparing remediation steps, auditing cases, and seeking technology and staffing support, including a grant for automation and training. Henry Litman then described Medicaid changes under HB2 and the new federal law. He said New Hampshire returned to pre-pandemic eligibility verification rules on July 1, including a 10% income compatibility standard and reduced ex parte renewals, which has increased manual work and contributed to a drop in enrollment from about 185,000 in late June to about 178,000 in early September. He also reviewed new child premiums, pharmacy copays, Granite Advantage premiums, and possible Medicaid work requirements, noting that DHS is working with CMS on implementation details and may use a state plan option rather than an 1115 waiver because it would be less expensive and faster. Members asked several questions about the SNAP error-rate rules, the distinction between administrative and client errors, the effect of unpaid copays, and the timing and legal risk of the Medicaid work requirement; no votes were taken on those policy issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, DCF's practice of taking benefits from codified into law.
• Passing this bill will ensure that DCF can never revert back to this harmful practice.
• DCF instead committed to directing the benefits This practice in 2024.
• Everyone knows now DCF changed its practice. We are so grateful for that.
• In practice, a parent or interested adult being present doesn't buffer against that.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities heard testimony on a wide range of bills affecting foster youth, child welfare oversight, homelessness services, juvenile justice, social work licensure, and human services workforce supports. Committee co-chairs Senator Robyn Kennedy and Representative Jay Livingstone opened the hybrid hearing by outlining testimony procedures and accessibility measures. Several members and legislators participated throughout the day, and many witnesses were invited to submit additional written testimony after speaking. A major portion of the hearing focused on House 227/Senate 105, which would protect federal benefits owed to children in foster care. Supporters, including advocates from Hopewell, the Disability Law Center, CPCS, the Children’s Law Center, More Than Words, Friends of Children, and youth witness Onyx Rosario, said DCF had already ended the practice of taking most Social Security and SSI benefits and now conserves them in accounts for youth, but argued the policy should be codified to prevent future reversals. Witnesses described how conserved benefits help with basic needs, housing, education, transportation, and transition to adulthood, and several noted the bill also adds financial literacy and transparency requirements. Senator Joan Comerford and others said the change would protect vulnerable youth, especially children of color, LGBTQ youth, and youth with disabilities. The committee also heard testimony on House 225, which would expand the grandparents-raising-grandchildren commission by adding appointments and helping with quorum and representation. The committee also took testimony on Senate 136, which would improve emergency housing assistance for families experiencing homelessness by easing documentation requirements, allowing use of existing state data to verify eligibility, requiring notice before benefit reductions, and creating an ombudsperson. Senator Adam Gomez and other supporters said the bill would reduce barriers for families in crisis. On House 262/Senate 148, an omnibus child welfare bill, witnesses supported provisions on data reporting, education coordination, and Office of the Child Advocate reforms, while CPCS raised concerns about expanded access to sensitive records and the OCA’s role in certain proceedings. The Office of the Child Advocate supported codifying current practices and also backed child fatality review changes in House 234/Senate 133. The committee additionally heard support for Senate 108, which would require attorneys and audio/video recording during juvenile custodial interrogations, and for House 247/Senate 116, which would update the Juvenile Justice Policy and Data Board to add supported lived-experience seats. Finally, the committee heard competing testimony on Senate 135, a bill to ensure parity in social work licensure. SEIU Local 509 and supporters argued the current exam requirement disproportionately harms Black, Latino, multilingual, and multicultural applicants and worsens workforce shortages, while the Association of Social Work Boards opposed the bill, saying the exam is a necessary public-protection measure and that removing it would conflict with interstate compact efforts. The hearing also included testimony in support of a loan repayment program for human service workers, with providers and workers describing low wages, high student debt, and the need to retain staff in essential services. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a practicing optometrist in Benton, Kentucky.
• <00:18:41.200> in Kentucky who want to practice in Kentucky who want to practice in multiple
• Substituting a practice standards.
• applications and practical applications. applications and practical applications.
• licensed and certified advanced practice licensed and certified advanced practice paramedics.<00

Keywords: 0:22 – Roll Call 0:30 – Approval of minutes 1:04 – Department of Veterans Affairs 2:06 – Board of Pharmacy 3:20 – Board of Optometric Examiners 39:26 – Board of Nursing 40:07 – Board of Emergency Medical Services 41:52 – Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources 44:36 – Transportation Cabinet: Department of Vehicle Registration 45:36 – Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control 47:00 – Cabinet for Health & Family Services: Department for Medicaid Services 49:59 – Cabinet for Health & Family Services: Department for Community-Based Services, 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee approved the minutes from the previous meeting and then took up several regulations. The first was a Department of Veterans Affairs regulation, with a staff amendment, to allow nurse practitioners to apply for the Veterans Affairs nurse loan repayment program year-round and to make technical drafting changes. The committee heard from the Office of Kentucky Veteran Centers, then adopted the staff amendment and approved the regulation without objection. The main item of the meeting was the Board of Optometric Examiners’ proposed amendment to 201 KAR 5:010, which would allow applicants to use the Optometry Examining Board of Canada written exam in place of part one of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry exam for licensure. The board said the change would improve access to care, provide an additional pathway for Canadian-trained candidates, and still require applicants to pass the remaining national board parts. Opponents, including NBEO officials, ARBO, Pearson VUE, and several optometrists, argued the Canadian exam is not equivalent, does not test the same biomedical science content, is not validated for U.S. scope of practice, and raises concerns about test security, transparency, and portability across states. They urged the committee to find the amendment deficient or vote no. Committee members questioned both sides about prior communication with the board, whether Kentucky would be the first state to adopt such a change, the rationale for the proposal, and the cost difference between the exams. Supporters said the board had received some written comments and one phone call, and that the proposal was driven by access concerns and the presence of Canadian students. Opponents said they had not had direct discussions with the Kentucky board before the hearing. No final vote on the optometry regulation is reflected in the transcript excerpt, but the committee heard extensive testimony and rebuttal before moving on.

Transcript Highlights:

• in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis to protect regular people from predatory and deceptive practices
• victims of deceptive acts and practices victims of deceptive acts and practices and<00:04:54.840
• <00:08:01.560> to dive into to a company's practices to dive into to a company's practices
• <00:12:29.560> into incorporating abusive practice into incorporating abusive practice into
• loan debt collection practices loan debt collection practices prohibiting<00:27:05.799> junk<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• practice registered nurses Advanced practice registered nurses complete<00:02:38.840> a<00:02
• <00:02:50.560> before of supervised clinical practice before of supervised clinical practice
• requirements prepare them for practice requirements prepare them for practice and<00:03:00.280><
• <00:04:27.320> if into rural Minnesota, into practice if into rural Minnesota, into practice
• :39.320> practicing not training, just practicing not training, just practicing in<00:10:41.240

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House first took up House File 1794, which would remove the post-graduate collaborative practice requirement for advanced practice registered nurses. The author and several supporters argued the bill would reduce barriers to practice, improve access to primary care and mental health services, especially in rural areas, and align Minnesota with other states. Supporters cited backing from APRN organizations and said the Board of Nursing had no concerns, while opponents, led by Representative Liebling, argued the current one-year collaborative period is a patient-safety safeguard that gives new APRNs needed experience working with physicians before practicing independently. After debate and questions about how the current requirement works in practice, the House passed the bill 119-12. The House then considered House File 4595, which changes licensure reciprocity rules for marriage and family therapists. Representative Schumacher said the bill would expand access to mental health care at no cost by making it easier for qualified out-of-state therapists to obtain Minnesota licenses, eliminating a five-year waiting period and other barriers while maintaining standards through background checks and a jurisprudence exam. Supporters, including Representatives Bierman and Gilman, emphasized workforce shortages and the value of more therapy access for families and relationships. The Board of Marriage and Family Therapy was noted as neutral, and the bill passed unanimously, 133-0. Finally, the House began debate on House File 4493, which would authorize pharmacists to initiate, prescribe, administer, and dispense certain drugs for opioid use disorder, including buprenorphine/Suboxone. Representative Baker said the bill would save lives by allowing people to access treatment immediately through local pharmacies, especially in greater Minnesota, and help them through withdrawal when they are most likely to seek help. The transcript cuts off during the opening of discussion on this bill, before any vote or final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• so we worked with eosine practices so we worked with eosine Environmental<00:26:25.960> Group
• in the production practices for the feedstock is another important calculation.
• improvements in the production practices improvements in the production practices<00:30:04.600> uh
• <00:31:40.880> and fertilizer production practices and fertilizer production practices and
• Most of our public and industrial forest land is enrolled in third-party certification practices.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard testimony on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and Minnesota’s efforts to build a SAF industry. Andrea Veble of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture said the Walz administration strongly supports SAF because it could benefit agriculture, forestry, clean energy, and rural economies. She highlighted the 2023 state SAF tax credit and sales tax exemption for facility construction, describing the credit as a nation-leading incentive designed to stack with federal IRA credits and attract producers and blenders to Minnesota. Jeff Davidman of Delta Airlines said aviation is difficult to decarbonize and that SAF is the airline industry’s best available tool to reach net-zero goals by 2050. He explained that SAF is a certified drop-in fuel that can be blended with conventional jet fuel and used in existing aircraft and infrastructure, and he cited growing global demand and limited supply. He said Minnesota has many potential feedstocks, including used cooking oil, corn, soybeans, and camelina, and praised the state’s SAF tax credit and the Minnesota SAF Hub as important steps toward making Minnesota a leader in the sector. Peter Fros of Greater MSP described the Minnesota SAF Hub as a public-private partnership aimed at building an industrial-scale SAF value chain in Minnesota. He said the state has key advantages, including airport demand, corporate partners, research institutions, and agricultural inputs, and estimated that three SAF biorefineries could create tens of thousands of jobs and significant emissions reductions. He also said the Hub is working on blending infrastructure, private demand commitments, a winter camelina expansion study, and efforts to secure additional refineries before 2030. Members raised questions about how sustainability is measured, and Fros said the Hub relies on the federal GREET model but wants a clearer, transparent, and standardized national method that also accounts for issues like water quality and biodiversity. Amanda Bellik of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association said corn-based ethanol is a strong fit for SAF production through the alcohol-to-jet pathway because it is abundant, affordable, and supported by existing infrastructure. She said SAF development could create a new value-added market for corn without requiring new acres, but emphasized the need for significant capital investment, stable tax policy, and efficient permitting. She also said the group has worked with a consultant on third-party sustainability assessments of corn production practices to help fill data gaps and support the carbon-intensity requirements tied to SAF incentives.

Transcript Highlights:

• estate uh practice estate uh practice act.<00:43:08.960> They<00:43:09.359> could<
• scope of practice.
• It's a practical exam.
• This is not in your scope of practice. This is not in your scope of practice.
• <02:53:17.279> The practical exam. Right. Correct. The practical exam. Right. Correct.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 185, which would add timelines to Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) investigations. Senator Howard Pearl said the bill was prompted by concerns from the New Hampshire Association of Realtors about delays at the Real Estate Commission, and he explained that the proposal would require OPLC staff to make an initial determination within 30 days and, if misconduct is found, complete an investigation within 60 days. He said the goal is to improve transparency and give consumers and licensees more timely information, while preserving the board’s adjudicatory role. He also noted that the bill had been amended to delay implementation to give OPLC time to work through its backlog. Committee members questioned how the bill would work when an investigation is incomplete and whether the board could send a case back to OPLC without a firm deadline. Pearl said the board would have discretion to continue the investigation or make a final determination, and that the bill was intended to streamline OPLC’s process rather than impose a hard cap on complex cases. OPLC Executive Director Deanna Durus and General Counsel Nicholas Fry then testified that the agency has already changed its procedures under prior legislation, including a facial review of complaints and monthly board review of dismissal memos. They said the bill would substantially alter the current structure, could conflict with existing limitation periods and board duties, and would be difficult to implement without additional staff and funding. Durus said the agency’s backlog is large, that new complaints are being triaged and prioritized, and that some urgent matters are moved ahead based on risk and statutory deadlines. She said OPLC had completed a review of about 500 backlog cases that would now be dismissed under current screening standards, and that those cases are being turned into memos for board review. Board of Medicine public member Nina Gardner testified in favor of the bill but said the backlog is significant and that the agency needs more resources to make the process work effectively. She said the board is seeing progress, but not fast enough, and suggested the bill may not go far enough without additional staffing and funding. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this is a long-standing practice here in Vermont. It wasn't always unique to Vermont.
• Other states did have this practice.
• This is a long-standing practice here in Vermont. It wasn't always unique to us.
• Other states did have this practice.
• Uh, but same uh function in practice.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The Caucus of the Whole received a presentation on the history of Vermont’s practice of electing the Adjutant General and on the upcoming election process. Speakers explained that the General Assembly has elected the Adjutant General since shortly after the War of 1812, making Vermont unique among states, and described the respective roles of the legislature, the governor, and the Adjutant General in overseeing the Vermont National Guard. They also noted legislative oversight of annual reports on sexual assault and harassment complaints, death benefits, and state funding for the Guard. The presentation reviewed current statutory qualifications for the office, including rank, service membership, senior service college graduation, and federal recognition, and explained that the election now occurs in the second year of the biennium at a joint assembly. Members were told the next election is expected on February 19, 2026, once the House clerk sets the date. The presenters also said the legislature recently modernized the statute to require qualified candidates and clarified that the Adjutant General and Inspector General title is one office under the statute. Members asked questions about the two-year term, the election procedure, and whether the committee would make a recommendation. The presenters said nominations and seconding would occur and the vote would be by paper ballot, similar to trustee elections. They also said the Government Operations committee and caucus were providing a forum for the candidates but would not issue a recommendation, leaving the decision to individual members. The meeting ended with members encouraged to review candidate biographies and contact information and to speak directly with the candidates.

Transcript Highlights:

• > practice with optometry and practice with optometry and ophthalmology<00:11:37.440> is<00:11
• 30.160> years<00:12:30.720> and practiced optometry for 38 years and practiced optometry
• These conflicts only arise typically in the political process, not in clinical practice.
• These conflicts only arise typically in the political process, not in clinical practice.
• So I believe not in clinical practice.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Exclusionary practices such as suspension should, and frankly are, used as a last resort after ongoing
• <00:02:54.760> such to do that exclusionary practices such to do that exclusionary practices
• It also allows for the continual ongoing best practices that schools are doing, and it allows schools
• Frankly, we don't need the legislature to tell us what best practices are.
• Frankly, we don't need the legislature to tell us what best practices are.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• legislative session Private Practice legislative session Private Practice unencumbered<00:14:22.600
• <00:19:13.200> and Renaissance of Private Practice and Renaissance of Private Practice and
• <00:25:29.320> in Systems my My Own Private Practice in Systems my My Own Private Practice
• <00:54:28.720> or tend to be smaller practice or tend to be smaller practice or individual
• field they're licensed to to practice field they're licensed to to practice what<01:24:32.600>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a discredited practice.
• Those practices coercion, or shaming. Those practices are<00:24:58.200> wrong.
• discriminatory practice. discriminatory practice.
• <01:08:13.240> or<01:08:14.240> um practice or um practice or um like<01:08:15.320>
• um practical candor that she brings. um practical candor that she brings.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To practice for EMS caregivers from one compact state to the other.
• They would be unfamiliar with our scope of practice.
• Here, so a New Mexican psychologist practicing or allowed to practice in another state has a complaint
• A professional from another state wants to practice.
• That includes having a right to practice, a license to practice in their home state.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's standard practice at HHS.
• I don't think that practice at HHS.
• we'd have a general practice dentist. we'd have a general practice dentist.
• Instead of Radiographic Practices.
• <03:09:50.360> skills generalizing and practicing skills generalizing and practicing skills

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But from a practical standpoint, the industry is going to adjust to this.
• they would be able to, in this case, come to California and practice.
• And so we felt that once you are practicing six years after that, having practice in good standing and
• medicine and are instead practicing below their expertise.
• Excuse me, ready to practice independently. And that is absent from this bill.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have been using the practice of restorative practices in Yellow Medicine County for almost 25 years
• We use a practice called Circle.
• We have been using the practice of restorative practices in Yellow Medicine County for almost 25 years
• We use a practice called Circle.
• substantial change in existing practice substantial change in existing practice not<02:17:29.639

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so... ...eligible to practice medicine.
• I had a practical question for OnMed. I had a practical question for OnMed.
• Texas but practicing outside of our state, nurses licensed outside of Texas but practicing in Texas under
• , period, but two, to practice rural?
• One, to practice in Texas, period, but two, to practice rurally.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• meet with your h meet with your practice meet with your h meet with your practice uh<01:11:34.640
• They have a comparable scope of practice as physicians and can practice in a variety of settings.
• <01:54:29.840> in with less than 5 years of practice in with less than 5 years of practice
• Only about 4% of total practice is in rural primary care physician practice.
• primary care of physician practice. primary care of physician practice.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first handled roll call and approved the prior meeting minutes. Members discussed attendance and substitutions, then moved to the DHS commissioner’s update, which focused on New Hampshire’s Medicaid 1115 waiver and the new community re-entry initiative for people leaving correctional facilities. The presenter explained that the waiver lets the state cover certain services not normally covered under Medicaid, including substance use disorder treatment, serious mental illness services, adult dental benefits, and the new community re-entry component. She also noted that a separate youth re-entry component is federally required, with youth defined up to age 21 and foster-care-related coverage extending to age 26. The update described how the adult re-entry program works for incarcerated individuals with behavioral health needs, providing up to 45 days of pre-release services, care coordination with managed care organizations and DOC staff, telemedicine assessments, discharge prescriptions, insurance cards, and connections to community mental health, primary care, and substance use providers. For youth, the program includes more intensive case management, 30 days of pre-release services, and 30 days of post-release care coordination, with a stronger emphasis on screening, diagnosis, and holistic assessment. The presenter said New Hampshire received the adult waiver in July 2024, has implemented the program in state correctional facilities, and is beginning work at the youth center. Members and the presenter discussed why the program is structured as a waiver rather than a standard Medicaid benefit, with the explanation that CMS is allowing this as a newer policy area and that states generally pursue waivers for certain services. The chair and others emphasized the need for real cost and outcome data, and the presenter said an independent evaluator and evaluation plan are required under the 1115 waiver. Early results cited included 30 adults enrolled so far, 10 released, five youth enrolled with one released, and anecdotal early successes such as housing, employment, and better continuity of medication and treatment. The committee did not take any additional votes or formal actions beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's brand new, so it takes time to put this program in practice.
• States that started to put it in practice were then kind of derailed by COVID.
• I've transitioned my practice starting in COVID to really focus...
• And I own and operate a private practice.
• I no longer have an active private practice, but I do volunteer.

Summary: The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee heard and advanced three bills. HB 21 would create a new licensed profession of dental therapy under the Department of Health and Board of Dentistry, allowing trained dental therapists to provide a limited scope of care under a supervising Florida-licensed dentist through a collaborative management agreement. Sponsor Rep. Cheney argued the bill would help address severe dental shortages and improve access in underserved areas; opponents from the Florida Dental Association and oral surgery groups warned that the bill would allow irreversible procedures by less-educated providers and could compromise patient safety. Supporters, including dentists, hygienists, and community health center leaders, said dental therapists would expand access and free dentists to handle more complex care. An amendment was adopted to require proof of local anesthesia training, adverse-incident reporting, and updated background screening language. The bill was reported favorably as amended by a 14-1 vote. The committee then considered HB 27, which creates the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact to allow licensed social workers to practice across member states, including through telehealth, and to help military families and address workforce shortages. Supporters from the National Association of Social Workers and other advocates said the compact would improve mobility, reduce administrative burdens, and expand access to mental health services, especially in underserved and rural areas. A technical amendment restoring model language and setting an effective date of July 1, 2025 was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably as amended on a 15-0 vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 29, the public-records companion to the social work compact, which creates exemptions needed for compact compliance and allows the compact commission or its committees to meet in closed session when discussing information exempt under law. After a technical amendment authorizing closed meetings for exempt matters was adopted, the bill was reported favorably as amended on a 15-0 vote. The meeting then adjourned.