Video & Transcript Research : 'disability accommodations'

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CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session May 21st, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • AB 1784 expands anti-discrimination protections and required accommodations for pregnant undergraduate
  • Assembly Bill 1925 by Assembly Member Jeff Gonzalez and others, relating to disabilities.
  • Permanent disabilities should not require permanent paperwork. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.
  • File item 183 is AB ... for people with disabilities.
  • Approximately 380,000 veterans live with service-connected disabilities, like myself, conditions that
Summary: The Assembly met on May 7, 2026, after an initial delay caused by the absence of a quorum, then proceeded with prayer, a moment of silence for victims of a hate-motivated attack at the Islamic Center in San Diego, and the Pledge of Allegiance. The Speaker pro tempore then moved through the daily file, repeatedly urging members to be on time and at their desks as the House of Origin deadline approached. Procedural actions included dispensing with the journal, deferring some items, and moving AB 1667 to the inactive file. The bulk of the session was devoted to floor consideration of many bills, most of which passed with little or no opposition. Measures approved included bills on artificial intelligence provenance information (AB 2713), community college trustee compensation (AB 2528), transit camera enforcement and privacy (AB 1837), excess proceeds claims in taxation (AB 2705), HOA technical cleanup (AB 1892), hepatitis C treatment access (AB 1843), child care planning in local general plans (AB 1914), greenhouse energy code flexibility (AB 2200), rent-now-pay-later consumer protections (AB 2350), housing cleanup and density bonus measures (including AB 2390, AB 2480, AB 1567, AB 1751, and others), spay/neuter access (AB 2010), workforce housing financing tools (AB 2110), supportive housing and homelessness-related changes (AB 2146), mental health and health plan notification measures (AB 1598, AB 2613), student aid and education bills (AB 1534, AB 1636, AB 1669, AB 1728, AB 1784, AB 1871), public safety and criminal justice bills (AB 1546, AB 1572, AB 1872, AB 1877, AB 1932), and several health and social services measures (AB 1602, AB 1628, AB 1680, AB 1825, AB 1845, AB 1906, AB 1907, AB 1925). Most bills were described as support measures, often with bipartisan backing and no opposition, and passed by wide margins. A few bills drew more discussion, especially AB 1751, a housing/townhome bill that sparked extended debate over wages, prevailing wage, stakeholder engagement, and whether the measure could depress pay for construction trades; despite concerns and an opposition speech, it ultimately passed 44-0. AB 1793, which would allow symmetrical rounding of cash transactions to the nearest nickel in light of the penny’s phaseout, also drew light debate and passed 47-1. AB 1932, an urgency measure expanding community-based crisis response, passed with one no vote on both the urgency and the bill. Several urgency or 54-vote bills, including AB 1534 and AB 1932, required later roll calls or calls to be lifted, but all measures described in the transcript were ultimately approved.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, May 20, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • should increase benefits for disabled should increase benefits for disabled veterans<00:36:22.960
  • fund the benefit increases for disabled fund the benefit increases for disabled veterans<00:42:28.000
  • help our catastrophically disabled help our catastrophically disabled veterans<00:43:29.119>
  • We started out with disability benefits.
  • , school form of sex-based accommodations, school form of sex-based accommodations, including<03:
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Health and Human Services Jan 26th, 2026 at 09:05 am

House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • With intellectual disabilities.
  • And thank you for accommodating my schedule. I was in another committee presenting another bill.
  • , and it's a one-time infusion, it's kind of a pilot program, but we didn't call it that, is to accommodate
  • Malnutrition can be particularly serious for elderly and disabled individuals.
  • Others can go into family settings with some... plans to accommodate the needs of these children.
Keywords: 996, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Jun 4th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • AB 878 will allow survivors of violence and abuse to ask for reasonable safety accommodations from their
  • Recent amendments make various clarifications to the accommodation request process, including specifying
  • the kinds of accommodations landlords will not be expected to provide if doing so would constitute an
  • If these benefits are disrupted, then seniors and people with disabilities, many of whom live on these
  • AB 246 will prevent evictions of seniors and people with disabilities if there is a declared illegal
Summary: The Assembly convened with a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long daily file of bills. Early procedural motions included a failed attempt to suspend the rules for AB 1219, followed by consideration of numerous measures on housing, veterans, education, elections, energy, wildfire prevention, public safety, and consumer affordability. Several bills drew bipartisan support and passed overwhelmingly, including AB 878 on safety accommodations for survivors of violence, AB 948 on school district facility maintenance, AB 81 and AB 88 on veterans’ mental health and student aid, AB 640 on school board fiscal training, AB 660 on housing permit timelines, AB 1048 on workers’ compensation billing disputes, AB 1119 on dual credentialing, AB 1172 on inhalable anti-seizure medication access, AB 1227 on wildfire prevention, AB 1285 and AB 696 on lithium-ion battery safety, AB 1417 on offshore wind transparency, AB 1530 on disaster recovery assistance, and AB 353 on affordable home internet. Some measures drew opposition or more divided votes, including AB 704 on sealing certain misdemeanor records, AB 1249 on early voting access, AB 1280 on thermal energy incentives, AB 1448 on offshore oil protections, AB 380 on price gouging, AB 402 on Cal Grant increases, AB 1074 on CalWORKs reunification, and AB 1084 on expedited gender-change and name-change court orders. The Assembly also granted reconsideration on AB 435, a child passenger safety bill, and passed it after debate on the five-step safety-seat standard. The floor debate featured recurring themes of affordability, housing, wildfire preparedness, election access, veterans’ services, and public safety. Supporters of the election bill AB 1249 argued it would simply add a Saturday early-voting option in non-VCA counties, while opponents raised concerns about verification and county staffing. AB 30, authorizing E15 gasoline in California, was presented as an urgency measure to lower fuel costs and passed unanimously on the urgency and the bill. AB 1466 on groundwater disputes was also taken up, with the author arguing it would reduce frivolous litigation and better represent all water users; the vote was 42 ayes and 17 noes. After completing the file, the Assembly recessed for lunch, later returned, and continued with additional file items, with many measures passing on strong bipartisan votes.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • We appreciate your understanding on that as well, just to accommodate their schedule.
  • We appreciate your understanding on that as well, just to accommodate their schedule.
  • We appreciate your understanding on that as well, just to accommodate their schedule.
  • Working remotely is enormously helpful for people with disabilities.
  • Their policies prohibit retaliation, but the moment I requested ADA accommodations for my mental and
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a lengthy hearing on June 18 focused on workers’ compensation, independent contractor and classification issues, workplace safety, warehouse worker protections, extreme temperature protections, retaliation against injured workers, and workplace bullying. Committee chairs outlined procedures for the hybrid hearing and noted that members would be leaving intermittently for floor votes. Testimony also touched on a bill to expand workers’ compensation disfigurement benefits by removing the current $15,000 cap and extending coverage beyond scars on the hands, neck, and face. A major theme was workplace safety in warehouses and in extreme heat or cold. Teamsters, warehouse workers, and labor advocates described high injury rates, strict quotas, lack of water, inadequate ventilation, frozen or missing safety equipment, and pressure to work through heat waves and snowstorms. Supporters urged favorable reports on bills protecting warehouse workers and requiring employers to adopt heat- and cold-safety plans, while the NFIB opposed the temperature bill as overly prescriptive and burdensome for small businesses. Sen. Edwards, Sen. Roche, Rep. O’Day, and others argued that the measures are needed to prevent heat illness, provide shade, water, rest breaks, training, and emergency plans, and to cover all workers regardless of immigration status. Another major subject was the “Act to Protect Injured Workers,” backed by labor groups, immigrant worker centers, legal services organizations, and individual workers. Witnesses said employers often retaliate after injuries by threatening deportation, lying about how injuries occurred, delaying care, or firing workers, and they supported stronger anti-retaliation enforcement, multilingual notices, and a rebuttable presumption of retaliation within 90 days of protected activity. The Mass AFL-CIO and immigrant advocacy groups supported the bill and opposed measures they said would weaken employee classification standards. Testimony also supported a funeral-benefits bill to raise workers’ compensation death-benefit reimbursement for burial and funeral costs, based on a family’s experience after a workplace fatality. The committee heard additional testimony on workplace bullying bills, with some witnesses urging a new legal duty for employers to prevent and respond to bullying, while others described the harms of toxic workplaces and the lack of effective remedies.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you so much for the accommodation of taking us out of order. I appreciate it very much.
  • So unemployment insurance, paid family leave, and disability forms have already been converted to the
  • As for purpose, we note that the proposed reconfiguration of the swing space to accommodate... ...that
  • the proposed reconfiguration of the swing space to accommodate new state tenants when the Legislature
  • So this helps accommodate that growing need.
Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration held a May Revise hearing focused on state administration proposals, with the chair noting no actions would be taken and all items would remain open. The committee heard presentations on a range of budget proposals, including technical adjustments for the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement and the California Workforce Development Board, security and election-related funding for the Secretary of State, modernization and loan-backfill requests for the Department of Consumer Affairs, and multiple Employment Development Department updates covering EDD Next, UI and DI/PFL benefit estimates, workforce funding, and an EMT training reappropriation. Several items drew discussion from the LAO and committee members. The LAO generally supported technical or modernization items such as PERB’s implementation requests, GoServe’s College Corps adjustment, the Secretary of State’s security and HAVA grant items, and the Board of Pharmacy modernization proposal, but raised concerns about the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education’s proposed $10 million General Fund backfill and interest-free loan language. For EDD, the LAO flagged the size of the DI/PFL benefit adjustment and the unusual structure of the document management system proposal within EDD Next, while EDD said the changes reflected higher participation and benefit levels after SB 951 and ongoing modernization needs. The Department of Industrial Relations drew the most extensive questioning. It proposed funding for legal unit reclassifications, EAMS and Cal/OSHA data modernization, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COYA reappropriation, and trailer bill changes requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and adjusting the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board timeline. Members pressed DIR on high vacancy rates, long wage theft and workers’ compensation backlogs, low collection rates for fines, and the need for clearer workload and outcome measures. DIR said the requests were intended to improve efficiency, support audits and corrective action plans, and better address emerging workplace risks, while the LAO said the workload drivers behind delays remain unclear. The hearing also included support for CalHR’s employee assistance program consolidation and CDT’s proposal to expand “Poppy,” a statewide generative AI assistant for state employees.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Finance - 04/23/26

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • includes food shelf, food bank, and prepared meal support, so families, seniors, and people with disabilities
  • includes food shelf, food bank, and prepared meal support, so families, seniors, and people with disabilities
  • includes food shelf, food bank, and prepared meal support, so families, seniors, and people with disabilities
  • includes food shelf, food bank, and prepared meal support, so families, seniors, and people with disabilities
  • <00:53:20.400> the uh we aren't able to accommodate the uh we aren't able to accommodate the
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
ND
Transcript Highlights:
  • This service is designed for individuals who have a disability.
  • Do you accommodate bike riders? Absolutely.
  • Do you accommodate bike riders? Absolutely.
  • They're really important for disabled people throughout the state.
  • So both are really essential for disabled people in North Dakota.
Summary: The committee met as a study subcommittee on fixed-route public transportation and first approved the December 11 minutes. It then heard detailed presentations from transit leaders in Grand Forks, Bismarck/Mandan, and Fargo about their systems, including route structures, paratransit service, ridership trends, fare changes, funding sources, fleet replacement needs, and operational challenges. Grand Forks described Cities Area Transit’s 17 routes, university shuttle service, expanded paratransit coverage, a 2025 fare increase, and rising costs for labor, fuel, parts, and new buses. Bismarck/Mandan’s Bisman Transit outlined its fixed-route and paratransit operations, recent service expansions approved for April 1, fare structure, ridership recovery since COVID, and major funding streams including mill levies, federal grants, and new local sales tax revenue. Fargo’s MATBUS representative emphasized the importance of continued state support for urban fixed-route transit. Members asked extensive questions about cost per ride, fare increases, school transportation, veteran service partnerships, app-based ticketing, local funding formulas, and whether ride-share or microtransit could replace fixed routes. Transit officials said fixed-route service remains essential because it provides reliable capacity, supports jobs and access to services, and preserves federal funding tied to public transit operations. They also said paratransit is costly but necessary for riders with disabilities, and that vehicle and maintenance costs have risen sharply. Minot’s transit superintendent added context on the state’s existing transit aid formula, explaining that it is weighted more toward rural and paratransit providers and that urban fixed-route systems are seeking a separate, dedicated funding source rather than changes to the current formula. The committee also heard public testimony from North Dakota Protection & Advocacy supporting both fixed-route and paratransit service for disabled riders, and from Minot staff on refurbished buses, CDL driver recruitment, and why the agency is not pursuing full electric buses. Near the end, members discussed whether to recommend additional state funding for the four urban fixed-route systems. A motion passed to have Legislative Council prepare a summary of the subcommittee’s activities for inclusion in the Government Finance Committee’s report to Legislative Management. Members then continued discussing possible recommendations, including a separate funding source for urban fixed-route transit and whether the four urban systems should meet to develop a proposed amount.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

January 14, 2025 - 03:30 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • We serve individuals with disabilities, meaning physical and/or mental disabilities that have barriers
  • We serve individuals with disabilities, meaning physical and or mental disabilities that have barriers
  • With students that may not have a physical disability, but there are other forms of disability, where
  • Most are fully disabled, partially disabled.
  • Most are fully disabled, partially disabled.
Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee met for an introductory overview of the higher education programs under its jurisdiction. After roll call and member introductions, Chair Busatta outlined that the subcommittee oversees programs in the Department of Education and the State University System, including vocational rehabilitation, blind services, private postsecondary licensure, student financial aid, career and adult education, the Florida College System, and the Board of Governors. The chair and staff also noted that these areas represent roughly $9 billion in current-year funding. Officials from the Department of Education presented on several programs. Vocational Rehabilitation Director Kelly Rogers described services for adults and youth with disabilities, including pre-employment transition services, job coaching, assistive technology, and employer support; she said the program served more than 55,000 people last year, has no wait list, and reported a return of $7.61 to the economy for every $1 invested. Division of Blind Services Director Robert Doyle explained services from birth through older adulthood, including early intervention, school-age support, vocational rehabilitation, independent living, the Business Enterprise Program for blind vendors, and the Braille and Talking Book Library; he said the division serves about 12,000 people annually and also has no wait list, though some community rehab providers may have one. Tiffany Hurst of the Commission for Independent Education described licensure and consumer protection for independent postsecondary institutions, reporting oversight of about 1,100 institutions and 721 non-degree schools, along with enforcement actions against unlicensed operators. Sean Haskin of Student Financial Assistance reviewed 22 scholarship and grant programs totaling about $1 billion for more than 200,000 students, including Bright Futures, Benacquisto, need-based grants, EASE, EASE Plus, veterans’ scholarships, dual enrollment reimbursement, first responder scholarships, and the Ocoee and Rosewood scholarships. Members asked about surplus funds, marketing, Bright Futures eligibility requirements, and whether EASE awards had changed; Haskin said any unused funds are reverted to the Legislature, that the department markets through schools and the Florida Lottery, and that EASE remained at $3,500 per FTE for the last two fiscal years. Several members raised concerns that students and parents may not learn about aid programs early enough, especially in economically disadvantaged communities. Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell then presented on Career and Adult Education, highlighting record participation in career and technical education, adult education, and apprenticeship. He said about 800,000 secondary students and 480,000 postsecondary students are in CTE, adult education serves about 183,000 learners, and apprenticeship/pre-apprenticeship programs include more than 22,000 participants. He also described the workforce development fund, Perkins, WIOA Title II, the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant, workforce capitalization grants, CAPE performance funding, and the Pipeline nursing initiative, noting strong NCLEX outcomes and expanded outreach through the Get There, Your Way, Future of Work Florida, and Zello platforms. Kathy Hebda began the Florida College System presentation by emphasizing open access, workforce preparation, statewide reach, and strong enrollment and completion growth, including more than 672,000 students, over 131,000 degrees and certificates, and significant dual enrollment savings for students and families.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/24/2026 - Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • disabled, and piece work.
  • The subminimum wages for workers with disabilities.
  • less than those without disabilities.
  • You don't look disabled, or you don't look autistic.
  • But with accommodations, people who have disabilities can be very, very productive and are very productive
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Finance (04/15/2025)

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • with the Americans with Disabilities with the Americans with Disabilities Act.<00:33:31.840>
  • <00:42:24.240> in include people with disabilities in include people with disabilities in
  • <00:43:00.560> community disability community disability community um<00:43:02.240> into
  • federal grants related to disability federal grants related to disability inclusion<00:46:53.599
  • <01:55:44.480> We that would really accommodate us. We that would really accommodate us.
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Combatting Antisemitism Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Transcript Highlights:
  • Our brother's David in Cecil Rosenthal, who suffered developmental disability, intellectual disability
  • What we're asking for the accommodation is home. I sent some pictures to the commission.
  • We're already discussing how we need this again to try to accommodate more people.
  • As someone who teaches students with intellectual disabilities, I found this especially hurtful.
  • Even though I was selected to attend the meeting by my local union, there were no accommodations made
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The meeting focused on the commission’s work addressing antisemitism in Massachusetts, including security, education, victim services, and legal responses. A major presentation came from former federal prosecutor Eric O’Sham, who described the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, the attack’s planning and execution, the 11 victims killed, the defendant’s white supremacist and antisemitic online activity, the federal prosecution, and the long aftermath for the victim community. Commissioners asked about prevention, radicalization online, security for houses of worship, and how to support victims; O’Sham emphasized the limits of law enforcement when speech is protected, the importance of public education, security grants, and victim-witness support. The commission also heard from Ariel Holman of Agudath Israel, who described a wide range of antisemitic incidents affecting Orthodox Jews, including assaults, threats, vandalism, school harassment, and zoning barriers, and urged expanded security personnel grants, mental health resources, kosher food access, and support for synagogue development. Other speakers included advocates and local officials who supported Holocaust education, the planned Boston Holocaust Museum, cemetery protection, and broader public education efforts, while some public commenters criticized the commission’s focus or raised concerns about definitions of antisemitism and free speech. The meeting concluded with approval of prior meeting minutes and the start of public comment, which was limited to three minutes per speaker due to time constraints.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Education Funding (02/06/2026)

Education Funding

Transcript Highlights:
  • And uh to need as a disabled student.
  • <03:36:22.080> and from the amendment uh disabilities and from the amendment uh disabilities
  • And, um, colleges already make accommodations under ADA for students with disabilities, but this one
  • ADA is about moving dust around and accommodating people physically.
  • ADA is about moving dust around and accommodating people physically.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
VA
Transcript Highlights:
  • or... ...of their medical issue or disability or that of a family member if it's a personal matter and
  • ... ...because it does strike the language about the person who is remote being a person with a disability
  • And again, we'll do our very best to accommodate everybody's request.
  • And again, we'll do our very best to accommodate everybody's request.
  • I think the harder part is going to be getting. we'll do our very best to accommodate everybody's request
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Corrections Apr 16th, 2025

Corrections

Transcript Highlights:
  • During the public testimony period, The time limit may be limited to two minutes per witness to accommodate
  • parole by certain inmates serving sentences for trafficking offenses involving child victims and disabled
  • I'm a disabled veteran, and I'm formerly incarcerated.
  • Chair, I do feel the need to mention this point when we're talking about disabled veterans.
  • It had a financial impact because of the need for TDCJ to accommodate the increased workload.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • They're number two and Disabilities.
  • Disabilities. Disabilities. >> Thank<00:31:27.520> you. >> Thank you.
  • Intellectual Disabilities. Intellectual Disabilities.
  • for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities. >> Would you just raise your right
  • commodity line to another to accommodate commodity line to another to accommodate the<00:35:00.040
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The committee first approved a motion and then deferred a large batch of 246 contracts totaling about $187.8 million until the April 2026 meeting. It then moved through the agenda and reviewed several pulled items, beginning with four Attorney General contingent-fee contracts. Committee members questioned why the contracts were new, what the $20 million maximums meant, and how the fees would work; the AG’s office explained they were new awards from a September RFP, that the $20 million was an outside estimate tied to a full recovery, and that one contract would require a $380 million recovery to pay out the maximum. The committee voted to consider those contracts reviewed without objection. The Department of Highways then explained an “alternative delivery support” contract, describing it as a procurement method different from the usual design-bid-build model and noting it can help with innovation, speed, timeliness, or cost reduction. After that explanation, the committee again voted to consider the contract reviewed without objection. The Kentucky Horse Park/Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation presented eight legal services contracts; members focused on differing hourly rates and retroactive approval. The corporation said it had selected four firms through an RFP to maintain flexibility and avoid conflicts, would use in-house counsel first, and did not expect to use the maximum rates. Senator Thomas argued the committee’s statutory hourly rate cap is outdated and should be revisited. The committee then approved the contracts. One Transportation Office of the Secretary contract was deferred to the April meeting, consistent with the agency’s prior request. The committee then reviewed Cabinet for Health and Family Services items from the Department of Community Based Services: three contract amendments and one memorandum of agreement. Members asked about funding sources, service outcomes, and whether the programs reduce future need; the agency said one amendment was a $55,000 increase offset by reductions elsewhere, that the total contract amount with the agency did not change, and that follow-up data show over 90% of children remain in the home after services. The committee approved those items. Finally, the committee reviewed a LIHEAP contract amendment from the Division of Family Support, which the agency said used federal funds, not state general funds, to add newly appropriated federal money for low-income home energy assistance and crisis heating support. Members asked about future funding and were told that continuation depends on Congress. The committee approved that item. It then began reviewing Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities memoranda of agreement tied to Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center staffing; members asked for a count of personnel, and the agency said it would provide that information, after which the discussion continued.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Cap Committee Meeting - 2025-04-24

Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:
  • We provide shared special education services to students with disabilities, particularly those who have
  • behavioral needs, emotional and behavioral disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and severe cognitive disabilities
  • districts across 3,300 square miles, supporting students from... through age 22 with a wide range of disabilities
  • In order to sustain this reputation as a family- and business-friendly community, and to accommodate
  • build upon the proven track record, particularly because the lot size is significant enough to accommodate
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

April 2, 2025 - 04:00 PM

Education & Employment Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • But this one: how will this bill impact students who use devices for accommodations related to maybe
  • a learning disability?
  • in statute that it would allow the school to implement a policy for exceptions for those with disabilities
  • They're also disabled, that's even worse, because you get to see your young, bright, future kid that
  • Representative Ben-Irock for paying attention at the last committee stop and making the necessary accommodations
Summary: The Education and Employment Committee met with a quorum and took up seven bills, all of which were reported favorably. First, HB 1367 on school attendance was presented as a response to rising chronic absenteeism; it would standardize attendance definitions and reporting statewide, and it passed 18-0 after supportive testimony from education and business groups. HB 949 would prohibit student use of wireless devices during the school day, while allowing district policies for designated use areas and existing medical/disability exceptions; members discussed classroom disruption, bullying, public safety, and accommodations, and the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved PCS for CS for HB 1135, requiring ECGs for student athletes in grades 9-12, with exemptions for religious objections and provisions on cost, liability, and medical clearance; the bill drew extensive emotional testimony from parents and advocates who described children lost to sudden cardiac arrest and was reported favorably after unanimous support. Members then approved CS for CS for HB 597 on diabetes management in schools, which would allow schools to keep glucagon pens and authorize trained personnel to administer them in emergencies; an amendment clarified charter schools are included as public schools. HB 1309 on reading interventions and instruction would expand reading support and training for grades 4-12 and require district reading plans to include evidence-based interventions; it also passed without opposition. CS for HB 981 on athlete representation and compensation would cap certain NIL agent fees, allow some high school athletes to earn NIL compensation, and create a framework for registered advisors; members raised concerns about predatory practices and coach involvement, but the bill passed favorably after amendment. Finally, HB 1111 would eliminate the certificate of completion option for students who do not meet graduation requirements, with the sponsor arguing it would better motivate students to earn a standard diploma and improve postsecondary and workforce opportunities. Members discussed the need for stronger supports to help students meet graduation standards, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee adjourned after completing all agenda items.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 04/09/26

Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:36:32.520> and<00:36:32.640> compromising<00:36:33.359> where accommodating
  • In<00:51:32.680> contrast,<00:51:33.440> a<00:51:33.480> disabled<00:51:34.000><
  • c> tenant<00:51:34.360> I In contrast, a disabled tenant I In contrast, a disabled tenant
  • <00:51:46.480> place<00:51:46.760> to disabilities, finding a new place to disabilities
  • Due to her disabilities, finding a new place to live that met her needs was nearly impossible.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
NE
Transcript Highlights:
  • Many of the buildings are falling out of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA.
  • The campus requires multiple renovations to make the building compliant with Americans with Disabilities
  • The campus requires multiple renovations to make the building compliant with the Americans with Disabilities
  • having a storm, or if we do not have the ability to serve individuals that may have a physical disability
  • Disability Rights Nebraska brought something forward. We brought that to Administrative Services.
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).