Video & Transcript : 'harm prevention' :
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee Apr 16th, 2026
Privacy and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- It creates a basic safety standard for foreseeable, preventable harm.
- It creates a basic safety standard for foreseeable, preventable harm.
- The reason for AB-1709 must be explicitly clear: social media is harming our children, harming them at
- The harms are real.
- Do you think the harms outweigh the harms of social media itself on children?
Committee:
House Privacy and Consumer Protection
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Oct 8th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- We are expanding our therapy and our prevention efforts.
- and violence prevention more broadly.
- What should childhood centers do to prevent child sexual abuse?
- There is also the $2 million request for prevention services.
- When we invest in sexual violence prevention, we invest in the prevention of all manner of other forms
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House passes bill requiring safeguards for underage social media users - Pt. 1 5/12/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- . uh prevented by somebody who's 18.
- But we do actually have a bill that focuses on preventing, intervention, and harm reduction at the desk
- </c> doesn't necessarily prevent doesn't necessarily prevent these<00:48:28.720><c> shootings.
- Of voting on this comprehensive package that includes intervention, prevention, and harm reduction.
- ,</c> that includes intervention, prevention, that includes intervention, prevention, and<01:03:07.680
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Incarceration is harmful to youth development. It is our job to mitigate that harm.
- Incarceration is harmful to youth development. It is our job to mitigate that harm.
- It will help prevent avoidable harm, reduce long-term costs, and improve overall public health outcomes
- Today I'm presenting AB 1877, which will help prevent harm to survivors by strengthening criminal, protective
- Backflow prevention devices.
Committee:
Senate Public Safety
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 7 on Accountability and Oversight Aug 20th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- stakeholders reached out and were eager to participate and share their concerns about the serious harm
- Today's hearing is an opportunity to evaluate the harm California now faces and to begin shaping our
- I think serious harm is exactly the right word, as you described it.
- , mitigate and push back against those harms.
- The PAYGO Act prevents new tax and direct spending.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Most importantly, there is a harm to our state economy.
- Great the harm was, how great the value was.
- I mean, with all due respect to the harm that occurs, why is that harm any greater to someone who steals
- I think that the harms are very different in kind.
- The harms are very different in kind.
Bills:
SB23 , SB221 , SB261 , SB264 , HB195 , HB279 , SB30 , HB234 , HB292 , SB100 , SB23 , SB221 , SB261 , SB264
Committees:
Senate Senate Judiciary , Senate House Judiciary
Keywords:
student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, misappropriation, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, racketeering, criminal penalties, New Mexico, public safety, health regulations, community welfare, peace promotion, legislative reforms, election integrity, voter coercion, emergency procedures, polling place security
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Law & Justice Jan 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Nobody wants to be harmed and nobody wants to be sued.
- It prevents accountability. When survivors are denied a legal pathway, the harm doesn't stop.
- It prevents accountability.
- Someone who spoke earlier mentioned unfortunate harm.
- Spend more time and dive deeper and fix the systems that have failed, prevent harm, protect children,
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 6239, which would require civil arbitration for tort claims against the state and its subdivisions before trial. Staff explained current tort-claim procedures and said the bill would apply arbitration to claims of any dollar amount, with a fiscal note pending. The sponsor said Washington’s liability exposure is unusually high and argued the bill would promote early resolution without limiting jury trials, damage caps, or attorney fees. Members asked who pays for arbitration and whether trial rights are preserved; staff said costs are generally split and the bill preserves a jury trial de novo.
Testimony on SB 6239 was sharply divided. Counties, cities, school districts, risk pools, and some public-safety groups supported the bill, saying rising liability and insurance costs are straining budgets and threatening core services. Opponents included trial lawyers, legal aid groups, victim advocates, journalists, and survivors of abuse, who argued the bill would create barriers to justice, delay relief, increase costs for claimants, reduce transparency, and retraumatize survivors by forcing private arbitration before a public trial. Several witnesses said the bill was too broad because it would cover employment, contract, and other claims, not just torts involving abuse or negligence. After public testimony closed, the committee noted the large number of sign-ins, with far more in opposition than in support.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 6074, which would reinstate parole for certain felony offenses committed on or after July 1, 2027, allow eligible incarcerated people to petition the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board after serving 60% of their sentence, and create a parole implementation work group. Supporters said it would recognize rehabilitation and improve reentry, while some witnesses raised concerns about the bill’s prospective-only application, the 60% threshold, and the need to address racial disparities and parole criteria more fully. The sponsor said the parole bill was paired with tort-liability reform because criminal justice reform advocates have said liability changes are needed to restore parole in Washington.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Feb 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- the generation of content encouraging or describing how to commit self-harm.
- The bill refers to, in a couple instances, I think, self-harm instead of harm.
- Do you think that it could be more protective if we included harm to others?
- In the meantime, we reduce as much harm as we can. All right.
- I mean, I think we all agree, though, that the harms are very real.
Summary:
The committee first heard Engrossed Senate Substitute Senate Bill 5984, which would regulate AI companion chatbots. Staff explained that the bill requires disclosures that the chatbot is AI and not human, adds stronger protections when the user is a minor or the chatbot is directed to minors, bars manipulative engagement techniques, requires periodic reminders, and creates protocols for detecting and responding to suicidal ideation or self-harm. Several speakers, including researchers, students, the PTA, the governor’s office, and the Attorney General’s Office, supported the bill and described harms from chatbot sycophancy, emotional dependence, and self-harm risks. Some testifiers urged expanding protections to all users rather than only minors, adding language on harm to others, and clarifying that chatbots should not present themselves as sentient or human; industry representatives said the bill was workable and noted support for removing the exemption for underlying general-purpose AI models, while also discussing concerns about the private right of action and age-verification/data-collection issues. The chair noted that an amendment for narrow educational tools would be worked on.
The committee then took testimony on Senate Bill 6046, which would create a state Civil Air Patrol under the Washington Military Department. Staff said the bill would allow the governor to activate the state Civil Air Patrol for cadet training, communications, disaster relief, cybersecurity, search and rescue, and related missions, while preserving the federal Civil Air Patrol’s existing structure. Military Department and Civil Air Patrol leaders testified in support, saying the bill would streamline coordination, improve emergency response, and expand training opportunities without changing federal authorities or adding costs; one witness said the model was based on Kansas law. Members asked about the fiscal note, which was described as indeterminate by one agency despite testimony that the bill would not create new state costs, and about whether the bill would face concerns in Appropriations. The Veterans Legislative Coalition also supported passage, and the committee adjourned after the hearing.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Health Committee Mar 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- All babies deserve nutrition without harmful contaminants.
- All babies deserve nutrition without harmful contaminants.
- those caused by harmful heavy metals.
- And the good news is that these causes are preventable.
- And the good news is that these causes are preventable.
Summary:
The Assembly Health Committee heard several bills focused on workforce access, consumer protection, behavioral health parity, and public health safety. AB 1591 by Assembly Member Michelle Rodriguez would create a podiatric medicine pipeline program to address shortages of podiatrists, especially in rural and underserved counties; it drew strong support from podiatrists and medical groups and no opposition. AB 2011 by Assembly Member Hart would codify federal mental health and substance use disorder parity standards into state law; supporters argued it would preserve access if federal enforcement weakens, while health plans and insurers opposed it as premature and potentially confusing. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to Appropriations and remained on call after a roll vote with several ayes and some noes.
The committee also considered AB 2311 by Assembly Member Chiavo, which would allow public health care district hospitals to directly employ physicians. Supporters said the change would help district hospitals recruit and retain doctors and stabilize care in underserved communities, while CMA and emergency physicians warned it could weaken the corporate practice of medicine protections and physician autonomy. Members raised concerns about guardrails, but the author said the bill would continue to be refined; it passed on a due pass motion to the Business and Professions Committee. AB 2030 by Assembly Member Lowenthal would prohibit sales of over-the-counter diet pills and weight-loss or muscle-building supplements to minors, with supporters citing eating disorder risks and opponents objecting to scope, age-verification, and retail requirements. The bill passed on a due pass motion to the Judiciary Committee.
AB 1864 by Assembly Member Berman would require screening of gene synthesis orders to prevent misuse for bioterrorism and would authorize enforcement penalties for noncompliance. Supporters from Stanford, Encode, and the medical community said the measure would align California with federal best practices and address growing biosecurity risks, while life sciences representatives raised concerns about operational burdens and supply-chain impacts. Members discussed whether the bill should include an urgency clause and how to keep the standards current; it passed to the Judiciary Committee. AB 2457 by Assembly Member Connolly would standardize and speed up Medi-Cal managed care credentialing for physicians, and it passed to Appropriations with broad support. Finally, AB 2302, presented on behalf of Assembly Member Celeste Rodriguez, would require infant formula manufacturers to test for toxic elements such as lead and arsenic and post results publicly; pediatric and disability advocates supported the measure as a transparency and infant safety bill.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- substantial harm to the child With written findings that the restriction is necessary to prevent substantial
- harm to the child.
- substantial harm to the child.
- substantial harm to the child.
- It doesn't matter if it is necessary to prevent harm, only if that harm is substantial, whatever that
Committee:
House Judiciary, Rules and Administration
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Health Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Public Health
Transcript Highlights:
- What harm do they cause? Far too much.
- PFAS persist in the environment, and PFAS cause harm.
- Some of these diagnoses could have been prevented if we'd acted sooner to limit harmful exposures.
- Whether it's synthetic food dyes, PFAS, the theme is the same: preventable harm.
- I also just want to... ...preventable harm. Please move these bills forward.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Public Health
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Health held a lengthy hearing to take testimony on a wide range of bills related to environmental health, PFAS, medical device chemicals, food access, lead poisoning, air quality, oral health, and school food additives. Chair Driscoll and Chair Decker emphasized that the hearing was for testimony only, no decisions would be made that day, and that written testimony could still be submitted. They also noted the high volume of speakers and asked witnesses to keep remarks brief.
A major portion of the hearing focused on PFAS-related legislation, including bills to restrict PFAS in products and food packaging and to create a PFAS remediation trust fund. Municipal officials and advocates described the high costs of PFAS cleanup, especially for drinking water systems, citing Easton’s multimillion-dollar treatment investments and rate increases. Testimony from legislators and advocates argued that Massachusetts should act despite federal uncertainty, and that the state should stop PFAS at the source rather than leaving municipalities and residents to pay for remediation. The committee also heard strong support for a bill banning DEHP in medical devices, with physicians, nurses, and a bill sponsor saying the chemical can leach from IV bags and tubing and that safer alternatives already exist.
The committee also heard testimony on bills to establish statewide food truck permitting, with food truck owners and a senator describing the current system as costly, duplicative, and inconsistent across municipalities. Another set of witnesses supported the “Bean New Deal,” which would expand plant-based food options in public institutions, senior nutrition programs, and WIC, citing health, equity, and cost savings. On lead poisoning, housing advocates and a representative backed bills to expand lead-safe housing requirements to all rental units, arguing the current law contributes to discrimination against families with children and leaves too much pre-1978 housing uncertified. The committee also heard support for an outdoor air pollution bill that would create an advisory committee, identify pollution hotspots, expand monitoring, and set reduction targets, with testimony from environmental justice groups, pediatricians, and legislators describing disproportionate asthma and other health harms in overburdened communities.
Later testimony addressed oral health bills to create dental therapists and allow dental hygienists to administer nitrous oxide, with supporters saying the measures would expand access, reduce costs, and help underserved patients. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to prohibit harmful food dyes in competitive school foods, with parents describing behavioral and health concerns tied to synthetic dyes. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- I agree that there are people who may not have suffered physical harm, who can suffer mental harm, but
- There's protections in place to prevent abuse.
- majority of this is preventable.
- Line 33, the substantial harm.
- The substantial harm is subjective.
Committee:
Senate Fiscal Policy
Summary:
The committee took up a series of criminal justice, health, and public safety bills, with several measures reported favorably after brief sponsor presentations and mostly no opposition. CS for SB 1782 on dangerous excessive speeding, CS for SB 306 on Medicaid provider network access, CS for SB 716 on mandatory minimums for certain sexual offenses by registered offenders, CS for SB 1084 on intimate image dissemination and digitally forged images, and CS for CS for SB 1604 on corrections-related litigation and sentencing changes all passed the committee. Members also approved CS for SB 1838, which increases protections for court officials from tampering, harassment, and retaliation, and CS for SB 1252, which directs FDLE to study a statewide pawn data database. CS for SB 468 on fleeing or eluding, CS for SB 490 on off-duty concealed carry for certain officers, and CS for SB 890 on blood clot screening and treatment also received favorable votes, with SB 890 drawing supportive testimony from the bill sponsor, medical and patient advocates, and family members affected by blood clots.
The most extensive debate centered on CS for CS for SB 1804, which would create a capital offense for adults trafficking children under 12 or mentally incapacitated persons for sexual exploitation. Senator Martin defended the bill as a response to especially heinous crimes and argued it fit within constitutional punishment principles, while several members raised concerns about the Eighth Amendment, the risk of lengthy and costly litigation, and the possibility of retraumatizing victims. The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers testified in opposition, citing moral objections, due process concerns, and constitutional precedent; the bill nevertheless was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for CS for SB 572, the “Pam Rock Act,” which tightens dangerous-dog rules, adds enclosure, microchip, insurance, and penalty requirements, and allows stronger enforcement actions after serious attacks. The Rock family and animal control supporters testified in favor, describing the bill as a response to fatal dog attacks and urging stronger accountability for owners.
For SB 572, members discussed insurance requirements, the role of local authorities in classifying dangerous dogs, and whether the bill would affect ordinary pet insurance or only liability coverage after a serious attack. The sponsor said the measure is not breed-specific and is aimed at dogs that have already caused significant harm. The committee also heard testimony from family members of Pam Rock and other victims, along with supporters from animal control and sheriff’s offices. All of the bills taken up in the meeting that were voted on were reported favorably, and no roll-call votes failed.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- those caused by harmful heavy metals.
- And the good news is that these causes are preventable.
- those caused by harmful heavy metals.
- And the good news is that these causes are preventable.
- In fact, 80% of maternal deaths in the United States were preventable.
Committee:
House Health
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- They are lived realities of preventable harm, trauma, And these aren't just statistics.
- They are lived realities of preventable harm, trauma, and loss rooted in systemic racism, implicit bias
- My agency oversees a full spectrum of substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery
- My agency oversees a full spectrum of substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery
- That is not harm reduction; that is harm enrichment.
Committee:
House Health
Summary:
The Assembly Health Committee met on April 8 and heard a long series of bills focused largely on reproductive health, public health, housing, and health workforce issues. Early items included AB 54 and AB 260, both aimed at protecting access to medication abortion in California by shielding providers, manufacturers, pharmacies, and others from liability and by preserving access through telehealth and other delivery methods. Supporters, including the Attorney General’s office, Planned Parenthood, Black Women for Wellness, and other reproductive justice groups, argued the bills were needed to preserve access after Dobbs and amid federal threats. Opponents from the California Family Council and California Catholic Conference argued the measures removed safeguards and promoted unsafe abortion access. Both bills were moved forward on committee votes.
The committee also heard AB 551, which would create a pilot program to help emergency departments provide evidence-based reproductive health services, and AB 309, which would remove sunset dates on laws allowing pharmacists to sell syringes without a prescription and clarifying that possession of sterile syringes for personal use is not a crime. AB 551 drew support from emergency physicians and reproductive health organizations, while opponents said it would expand abortion access without adequate safeguards. AB 309 was supported by public health, pharmacy, and harm-reduction groups as a proven HIV and hepatitis prevention tool; the California Narcotic Officers Association opposed it. AB 309 was approved, while AB 551 was also advanced.
Other measures advanced included AB 536, which would preserve colorectal cancer screening coverage if federal preventive-care rules are disrupted; AB 804, which would make housing support services a Medi-Cal benefit and seek federal matching funds; AB 594, which would protect students from being charged for school health insurance after they withdraw and require notice of premium increases; AB 836, which would study and expand California’s midwifery education pipeline; AB 1418, which would require reporting on health coverage trends for eligible employees; and AB 1500, which would expand and preserve abortion.ca.gov as a trusted reproductive health information resource. Each drew supportive testimony from sponsors, health care providers, and advocacy groups, with some opposition to AB 1500 arguing the state should provide broader women’s health information rather than an abortion-focused site. Most of these bills were moved out of committee on party-line or near-party-line votes, and several measures were placed on call before final roll calls.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Community Safety Jan 26th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Community Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- I think that these products also harm people. Yeah, I consider it. Mr.
- It has led to pressure and public attempts to prevent or evoke releases.
- This is a growing issue that we can collectively intervene in and prevent.
- If we can prevent it from reaching the hands of our people, we can save lives.
- And we can very easily prevent this from happening to families like mine. Thank you.
Committee:
House Community Safety
Keywords:
sexual exploitation, minors, human trafficking, child safety, law enforcement, victim support, sexually violent predator, SVP, civil commitment, community notification, release notification, conditional release, unconditional discharge, escape notification, victim notification, witness notification, prosecuting attorney, Department of Social and Health Services, DSHS, Department of Corrections
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- The first new section, section five, creates an intercollegiate sexual harm prevention council in order
- to advance best practices for prevention of and response to campus sexual harm.
- </c> creates an intercolgiate sexual harm creates an intercolgiate sexual harm prevention<00:16:06.240
- best practices for prevention of advance best practices for prevention of and<00:16:10.720><c> response
- And and response to campus sexual harm.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Emerging Issues Mar 2nd, 2026
Emerging Issues and Professional Registration
Transcript Highlights:
- s death was preventable.
- s death was preventable.
- Trans kids are not harmful. I was not harmful.
- And frankly, this bill causes more harm than it will prevent.
- And frankly, this bill causes more harm than it will prevent.
Summary:
The committee held public hearings on several bills, beginning with HB 2855, which would let the Department of Labor adjust workers’ compensation administrative taxes and the second injury fund surcharge in smaller 0.1% increments instead of 0.5%. The sponsor and the department said the change would better right-size collections and reduce the burden on employers; the Missouri Chamber also supported the bill as good governance. No opposition was presented, and the hearing on HB 2855 was closed.
The committee then heard extensive testimony on HB 3142, a camp-safety bill prompted by the Camp Mystic flooding tragedy in Texas and a Missouri drowning case. The sponsor and multiple grieving parents urged mandatory emergency plans, staff training, background checks, licensing, weather warnings, and clearer oversight for summer camps. Supporters included the American Camp Association and some state and youth-safety advocates, while opponents—especially camp operators, the Missouri Afterschool Network, and park and recreation representatives—argued the bill was too broad, could burden day camps and church camps, and might worsen child-care shortages. Several witnesses suggested the bill should be narrowed to distinguish overnight residential camps from lower-risk day camps and possibly be housed under DSS rather than DESE. No vote was taken.
Finally, the committee took testimony on HB 1893 and HB 2075, which would require sex-segregated multi-occupancy restrooms and locker rooms in private schools and public buildings, with enforcement tied to state funding in some cases. Sponsors said the bills were meant to create clear statewide standards and protect privacy and safety; opponents argued the measures would harm transgender and intersex people, be difficult or impossible to enforce, and create safety and discrimination problems. Supporters emphasized private-school autonomy and concerns about safety in shared facilities. The hearing concluded after extensive questioning, with no action or vote reported.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- they live or work, and reduces the risk of escalation to violence, bodily harm, or worse.
- AB 634 will prevent Californians from being exposed to tianeptine.
- Julie Chapman, volunteer with NorCal Gun Violence Prevention, in support.
- There is a statewide gap in how we define and respond to sexual harm.
- to cause decades of preventable harm before accountability catches up.
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- And that helps prevent the full-on lawsuit at times.
- And the damages have to meet—the damages award has to meet the actual harm.
- They have to show that there was actual harm.
- They may feel like it could be harmful to them.
- These harms are not theoretical.
Committee:
Senate Judiciary and Rules
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Children and Families Feb 10th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Children and Families
Transcript Highlights:
- As parents, mentors, and members of society, we have a duty to protect children from harm.
- to protect children from this incredible harm.
- The problem is there's nothing to prevent a minor from accessing them.
- We want to help our state's kids and cut back on harmful industries.
- Now, if they did something wrong and harmed a child, it wouldn't cover them at all.
Committee:
House Children and Families