Transcript Highlights:

• concerned that while the intent of the bill is to expand access to non-opioid therapies, in practice
• Step therapy does not work for Alzheimer's disease.
• Taking any more time through step therapy does not work for Alzheimer's patients.
• And that's why, again, the step therapy that my friend here discussed...
• And that's why, again, the step therapy that my friend here discussed, it won't work for Alzheimer's

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• OT is covered by occupational therapy.
• OT is covered by occupational therapy.
• OT is covered by occupational therapy.
• they're providing group speech therapy they're providing group speech therapy is<00:57:25.200>
• And if providing the one-on-one therapy.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 34, which would require parental consent for each new service provided to a student through the Medicaid to Schools program and require reports to legislative policy committees. Senator Ruth Ward said the bill was intended to increase transparency, protect parental involvement, and ensure continuity of care, especially for students with disabilities. She also noted a proposed amendment she received shortly before the hearing that would change the bill’s focus from a “new service” to a “new care plan.” Representatives from the New Hampshire Primary Care Association and Amoscake Health testified that they opposed the bill as written but would support it with the amendment. They explained that tying consent to individual diagnosis codes or services could be burdensome, could delay care, and could create compliance problems if a diagnosis changes during a visit. They said the amendment would better align consent with the overall care plan and avoid interrupting treatment mid-appointment. Committee members raised questions about how the bill would interact with IEPs, individualized health plans, homebound services, telehealth, billing, and whether the amendment would still require parental involvement after a care plan changes. The deputy Medicaid director from the Department of Health and Human Services testified that the amendment was more operationally feasible because Medicaid billing involves many ICD-10 codes that can change or overlap, and consent should be tied to the care plan rather than to each code. He said the current law already requires parental consent for participation in the Medicaid to Schools program and annual consent for billing, but the bill would make explicit consent for care-plan changes. No vote was taken during the portion of the hearing provided, and the committee appeared to continue discussion with DHHS after the testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• should be made uh treatment or therapy should be made uh on<01:07:18.559> a<01:07:18.720>
• But they can manage it with their own physical therapy.
• But they can manage it with their own physical therapy.
• But they can manage it with their own physical therapy.
• Then we try the standard<01:24:28.960> 30-day<01:24:29.920> therapy<01:24:30.560> of

Bills: HF4080, HF3693, HF1857, HF4350

Keywords: agriculture, livestock, retailers, ownership interest, exclusive contracts, meat packing companies, dominant retailers, state law, Department of Agriculture, appropriation, funding, agriculture policy, state budget, animal welfare, cat declawing, animal cruelty, therapeutic procedures, civil penalties, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, aquatic life

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no known cure for CP, but supportive treatments, including physical therapy, speech therapy,
• ,<00:18:54.480> speech including physical therapy, speech including physical therapy, speech
• therapy, some medications as well help. therapy, some medications as well help.
• <00:19:27.919> to<00:19:28.160> reduce<00:19:28.480> its disease and therapies
• to reduce its disease and therapies to reduce its impact.<00:19:30.080> All<00:19:30.240>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• evidence-based therapy that's happening evidence-based therapy that's happening for<01:09:10.400
• Under EIDBI you're allowed to do a real comprehensive therapy program.
• Under EIDBI you're allowed to do a real comprehensive therapy program.
• Under EIDBI you're allowed to do a real comprehensive therapy program.
• You're allowed to do a real comprehensive therapy program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For behavioral health and therapy, it's both a new fee for the interstate compact and then additional
• For occupational therapy practice, those changes are from Senate File 2571, Senator Kupec's bill.
• So, for behavioral health<00:42:24.160> and<00:42:24.640> therapy,<00:42:25.200> it's
• <00:43:13.680> and um for occupational therapy and um for occupational therapy and practice
• <01:44:14.560> through mental illnesses access therapy through mental illnesses access therapy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been advised about an advocate for cutting-edge technologies like gene therapy.
• um Cutting Edge Technologies<00:03:09.120> like<00:03:09.319> gene<00:03:09.879> therapy
• Treatments such as gene therapy have opened the possibility of greatly alleviating or even curing diseases
• are more designed to pay for chronic diseases over a lifetime in order to take this transformative therapy
• was illegal for minors um I had therapy was illegal for minors um I had to<00:35:05.320> make

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to patient care, such as diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, infusions, and other outpatient therapy
• to patient care, such as diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, infusions, and other outpatient therapy
• <00:20:48.400> Clinic Pediatric Therapy Clinic Pediatric Therapy Clinic theraplay<00:20:50.919
• <00:21:25.640> now outpatient adult physical therapy now outpatient adult physical therapy
• to now go up and down at least therapy to now go up and down at least one<00:21:47.279> if<00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, in other words, you might have to pay for speech and language therapy, OT therapy, and they might
• :50:14.760> speech<00:50:15.040> and<00:50:15.160> language<00:50:15.520> therapy
• ,<00:50:16.000> OT for speech and language therapy, OT for speech and language therapy, OT
• therapy<00:50:16.800> and<00:50:16.920> they<00:50:17.040> might<00:50:17.280><
• c> have<00:50:17.480> to<00:50:17.640> hire therapy and they might have to hire therapy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee of conference on HB 751 reviewed amendment 2026-1904H page by page, focusing on open enrollment rules, capacity definitions, statewide enrollment limits, denial criteria, transportation, and funding. Members discussed clarifying that districts may set capacity at zero if they truly have no room, creating a statewide enrollment cap of 500 that can increase by 25% if it reaches 90% utilization, and exempting seats already used by open enrollment students before October 1, 2026. They also discussed how the Department of Education would allocate seats through rulemaking, while local districts would still set capacity, with grandfathered seats preserved where districts already allow open enrollment. A substantial portion of the meeting centered on when districts may deny open enrollment applications. The amendment would allow denials for reasons such as chronic absenteeism or disciplinary history, while requiring districts to consider whether those issues are tied to disability, McKinney-Vento status, foster care, or bullying. Members emphasized that such factors are to be considered, not used as the sole basis for rejection, and noted that the bill separately prohibits receiving schools from accepting or rejecting applicants based on pupil needs, special education needs, disability, aptitude, or athletic achievement. There was also discussion of whether interdistrict transfers should count toward open enrollment capacity, with a suggestion that a carve-out may be needed. The committee also reviewed provisions on program-specific capacity, continuous enrollment, and transportation. It was explained that capacity can apply to a school, grade, program, or class, including CTE programs, and that students may be denied if a specific program is full or if they do not meet prerequisites. The group clarified that open enrollment pupils would maintain continuous enrollment without reapplying, though there was concern about how that would work if district capacity changes over time. Transportation would generally be the parent’s responsibility unless required by an IEP or 504 plan, though students may use an existing bus route if seats are available and the receiving district allows it. On funding, the committee noted that the amendment changes the earlier HB 751 approach and instead ties open enrollment funding to base adequacy, differentiated aid, and an additional grant modeled on charter school funding, with dates removed at the department’s request. Members also raised concerns about how open enrollment would interact with existing tuition agreements and whether districts could use the new pathway to alter or pressure those arrangements. Department staff said districts would still be required to maintain a school of record and provide an adequate education free of charge outside the open enrollment program, and that if open enrollment enrollment became unusually large relative to district adequacy enrollment, the issue could be brought to the state board. No votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• and yes indeed they did have a physical therapy appointment, but does it allow for records meshing as
• and yes indeed they did have a physical therapy appointment, but does it allow for records meshing as
• and yes indeed they did have a physical therapy appointment, but does it allow for records meshing as
• 10:39.600> patient<00:10:39.920> for<00:10:40.160> physical<00:10:40.560> therapy
• <00:10:41.440> and Yes, indeed, they did have a physical therapy appointment.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting opened without a quorum, so approval of the prior draft minutes was deferred until later. The committee then heard a DHS update from Commissioner Lori Weaver and COO David Weers, who described the recent flood at the Brown building and the relocation of nearly 400 DHS staff while operations are restored. They also outlined New Hampshire Care Connections, a privacy- and consent-focused closed-loop referral platform intended to improve referrals among providers, reduce duplication, and support continuity of care, with an Upper Valley implementation partnered with Dartmouth Health and an Epic integration already underway. Members asked whether the system would merge medical records or simply track referrals. DHS said it is not intended to store or transmit full medical records, but to integrate with providers’ electronic health record systems so referrals can be sent, received, and tracked, with consent controls limiting what information can be shared. Officials said the project will be tested over the coming months, with metrics, governance, and advisory committee oversight, and that it is tied to broader rural health transformation efforts and statewide implementation after the regional pilot. The committee also received the annual report from the Child Care Advisory Council. Maryanne Barter and Jessica Carver said the council worked with licensing to streamline the child care licensing rules, reducing the handbook by about 30%, and is now helping develop an informal dispute resolution process, revising the Granite Steps for Quality system, and creating a clearer handbook for providers handling state scholarship audits. They reported ongoing concern about child care closures and workforce shortages, said there is currently no wait list for child care assistance, and discussed questions about federal CCDF immunization requirements, which DHS said it would follow up on with federal technical assistance partners. After quorum was established, the committee moved to approve the minutes from the prior meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• we could had a collaborative practice we could then<00:33:04.480> initiate<00:33:05.039> therapy
• So<00:33:06.559> this<00:33:06.960> opens<00:33:07.360> it then initiate therapy
• So this opens it then initiate therapy.
• the rest of the practice acts are prescriptive as in what is the practice of chiropractic, physical therapy
• the rest of the practice acts are prescriptive as in what is the practice of chiropractic, physical therapy

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:

• . >> Senate Bill 419, Senator Simonaire, Health Occupations, State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners
• Senate Bill 419 authorizes an individual registered as a massage therapy practitioner with the State
• , Senator Simonaire, Health Occupations, State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners, Revisions.
• Senate Bill 419 authorizes an individual registered as a massage therapy practitioner with the State
• Board of Massage Therapy Examiners to continue to practice under their registration beyond October 31

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, quorum call, and several introductions recognizing guests, including Reverend Jennifer Carsner and her daughter, President Kirk Schmoke, representatives from Maryland independent colleges and universities, students from Stevenson University, Howard and Anne Arundel counties, Washington College, a constituent, and the Greater Washington, D.C.-Maryland chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The chamber also adopted a resolution honoring Damatha Catholic High School for winning the 2025 WCAC football championship and another recognizing the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce on its 100th anniversary. Both resolutions were adopted unanimously after brief remarks and roll calls. The Senate then took up executive nominations, separating nominee 16 from the main report. The chamber voted 42 in favor on the remaining nominations and then 42 in favor on nominee 16, giving all nominees the Senate’s advice and consent. On third reading, the Senate passed several bills, including SB 46, SB 25, SB 58, SB 163, SB 170, SB 188, SB 247, SB 356, and SB 379, with recorded affirmative votes ranging from 36 to 42. These measures covered topics such as veterans cemeteries, tax credits and tax modifications, education funding, transportation revenue bonds, biotechnology incentives, a stillborn child tax credit, and recovery residence grant funding. The chamber also advanced numerous second-reading bills, generally adopting committee reports and amendments without objection. Among the measures discussed were collective bargaining for Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission police officers; adoption of the 2022 Uniform Commercial Code amendments for controllable electronic records; cemetery sale and transfer oversight; an additional license for electronic smoking devices; collective bargaining for Baltimore County Public Library supervisory employees; payroll processor exemptions under the Money Transmission Act; scalp cooling coverage for chemotherapy patients; orthoses and prostheses coverage under health and Medicaid plans; an online database of elevator inspection certificates; service animal program disqualification standards; extension of the State Board of Environmental Health Specialists; disclosure of lapsed professional liability insurance for nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and nurse midwives; and revisions to massage therapy licensure rules. Most reports were favorable, with several technical or substantive amendments adopted and bills ordered printed for third reading. A notable policy discussion occurred on SB 56, which would allow the Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center to share individual-level student and workforce data with a third-party data center for multi-state reporting. The sponsor explained the bill as a way to compare Maryland outcomes with other states while using data-sharing agreements and oversight to protect privacy; a minority whip raised concerns about the type of third-party data center and whether the practice was new. The sponsor said the bill was intended to formalize and safeguard data sharing, and noted a technical amendment would be offered to correct the amendment language.

Transcript Highlights:

• I went through chemotherapy. therapy. sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer.
• Men with metastatic prostate cancer often live for many years with these therapies.
• situation where a prescribed medication leads to an addictive situation, now we're talking about therapy
• It is a new therapy.
• We're getting so smart about drugs, therapies, and the professions, so thank you for sharing.

Bills: HB2176, HB2333, HB2435, HB2447, HB2617, HB2683, HB2686, HB2725, HB2726, HB2906, HB2953, HB2958

Keywords: health care, licensure, complaints, investigation, safety, patient care, regulatory compliance, prosthetics, orthotics, health insurance, Medicare, medical necessity, disability rights, coverage, reimbursement, internationally trained physicians, medical board, clinical training, provisional license, healthcare workforce

Summary: The committee heard and acted on several health care bills. HB 2726 would require Access contractors to cover diagnosis and treatment of mild obstructive sleep apnea, including a new prescription tongue-stimulation device; supporters said it offers an effective, less burdensome alternative to CPAP and could improve adherence and outcomes, while Access was neutral and raised concerns about cost and bypassing its normal clinical review. The committee adopted the Bliss amendment and then approved HB 2726 as amended on an 8-4 due-pass vote. HB 2435 would create a pathway for internationally trained physicians to receive a provisional Arizona medical license, with a later amendment adding a four-year supervised rural practice requirement and automatic conversion to a full license if criteria are met. Supporters argued it would help address severe physician shortages in rural and underserved areas, especially for cardiology and other specialties, and several doctors testified about their experience and the need for more access. Opponents, including the Arizona Medical Board, said the state already has a case-by-case licensure process for foreign-trained physicians and warned the bill could weaken safeguards and allow insufficiently vetted applicants. After adopting the amendment, the committee approved HB 2435 as amended on a due-pass recommendation. HB 2958 would require Access to cover comprehensive dental care for pregnant women age 21 and older, with a $500,000 pilot program and reporting requirements. The sponsor and public health advocates said preventive dental care during pregnancy can reduce infections and improve maternal and infant outcomes, and the bill drew broad support from health and advocacy groups. The committee passed HB 2958 on an 11-1 due-pass vote. The committee also approved HB 2176, which changes criteria and timelines for health care institution licensing complaints and informal dispute resolution, with supporters saying it would improve transparency and predictability for hospitals while preserving enforcement authority. Finally, the committee heard HB 2447, which would bar insurers from paying certified registered nurse anesthetists less than physicians for the same anesthesia service; opponents argued it would interfere with contract negotiations and raise costs, while supporters said insurer reimbursement cuts are harming rural access and shifting costs to hospitals. The transcript ends during testimony on HB 2447, before any committee vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• PHYSICAL THERAPISTS, CHIROPRACTORS AND ATHLETIC MINORS AND RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY AS PART OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
• WE HAVE ANITA BARRY, FLORIDA OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION WAIVES IN SUPPORT.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is an equine-assisted therapy specifically designed to meet the needs of first responders, and since
• backside is an equin assisted therapy backside is an equin assisted therapy specifically<01:12:52.320
• in the in the therapy as well um<01:13:30.639> those<01:13:31.280> were<01:13:32.280><
• I was skeptical, having been through many different types of therapies through the government, VA, and
• to First respond suffering from therapy to First respond suffering from trauma<01:42:34.000> and<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• recipients who are not enrolled with a managed care organization, and remove section six regarding therapy
• 16:46.160> section<00:16:46.640> six<00:16:47.120> regarding<00:16:47.920> therapy
• remove section six regarding therapy remove section six regarding therapy service<00:16:48.800><

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting’s minutes, and then reviewed a series of administrative regulations from multiple agencies. Most of the regulations were presented as technical updates or policy clarifications, and in each case the committee approved staff-suggested amendments without objection. The Department of Revenue regulation would delete a section on tax credits for trusts and estates to align with statute. The Kentucky Public Pensions Authority package updated definitions, sick leave credit rules, hazardous/non-hazardous employment participation, refund procedures, contribution limits, mortality table references, and incorporated federal tax references. The Board of Medical Licensure regulations addressed renewal and activation of inactive physician-assistant licenses and renewal/reinstatement timelines for athletic trainer licenses. The Fish and Wildlife regulations revised rules for Otter Creek and Peabody areas by deleting definitions and creating shooting-range permit exemptions. The committee also heard emergency vocational rehabilitation regulations that would clarify definitions, due process rights, federal compliance, service fees, in-state service preferences, and service-specific requirements; a workforce insurance regulation updating contribution/reporting rules for professional employer organizations; and a horse racing regulation adding license categories for allied animal health professionals, animal chiropractors, and equine dental providers, while updating fees, application timing, and special events licensing. Members asked questions about the horse racing licensure changes, and the agency explained they were responding to prior session changes and adding guardrails, including veterinarian sign-off for equine therapist licensure on the back side of a racetrack. The Department for Public Health package made several personnel and salary-related changes for local health departments, including salary ranges for new hires, probation and evaluation rules, salary increases after probation, and limits on certain leave payouts for employees who separate without proper notice or are dismissed for cause. The Office of Inspector General regulation added electronic prescription references and removed authority to create a new prescription number for partial dispensing of Schedule II prescriptions. The Department for Medicaid Services regulations updated provider group definitions, removed some service limits, required prior authorization for all genetic testing for non-MCO recipients, changed physician fee schedule updates from quarterly to annually, and added reimbursement for department-approved vaccines. Members asked detailed questions about genetic testing prior authorization and sleep disorder coverage; the agency said prior authorization is intended to take two to five days and that sleep disorder services generally involve sleep apnea-related treatments such as CPAP machines and sleep studies. The committee then adjourned and announced its next meeting for Tuesday, May 12 at 1:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Jim Patterson almost gave up his whole political career to make sure that kids with autism had therapy
• ><00:26:00.880> with<00:26:01.039> autism<00:26:01.600> had<00:26:01.840> therapy
• sure that kids with autism had therapy sure that kids with autism had therapy available<00:26:02.640

Bills: SB78, SB103, SB113, SB180, SB78, SB103, SB113, SB180

Keywords: inhalants, butyl nitrite, nitrous oxide, amyl nitrite, possession, sale, misdemeanor, felony, criminal penalties, public health, public works, sealed bids, bid advertisement, procurement, government contracting, construction bids, municipal bidding, county bidding, state bidding, Department of Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 21, an act relating to music therapy. Senator Neal.
• Senate Bill 21, an act relating to<00:26:16.000> music<00:26:16.559> therapy.
• <00:26:18.559> Senate to music therapy. Senator Neil. Senate to music therapy.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Kentucky Senate convened for the opening of the 2026 regular session with an invocation and pledge, then administered the oath of office to Senator-elect Gary Clemens of Jefferson 37. The chamber adopted Senate Resolution 1, establishing the 2026 Senate membership, and declared a quorum present with 36 members. The absent senators were excused, and the journal from March 28, 2025 was approved. The Senate then adopted Senate Resolution 2, which set the rules of procedure for the 2026 session. The rule changes included moving certain resolutions and announcements, removing the 12-member limit on standing committees, shifting administrative regulation jurisdiction, eliminating hard-copy posting and bill-printing requirements in favor of electronic versions, allowing same-day action on conference reports, striking COVID-era remote voting language, tightening floor privilege and lobbying access rules for the temporary chambers, and repealing vote-pairing language. Democratic leadership also reported a change in majority whip, naming the senator from Jefferson 19 after the former whip resigned. The clerk reported a large number of newly filed measures, including memorial resolutions, policy resolutions, and bills on topics such as safe room rebates, trauma center coverage, planning commission membership, paid maternity leave for state employees, veterans benefits, wages, CASA, podiatry, mushrooms, motor vehicle operation, schools, city government, music therapy, dual credit scholarships, geoengineering, educational discrimination, cremation, solid waste, motor vehicle commission, economic infrastructure, recovery residences, property transfer at death, oaths, and an Article V convention term-limits resolution. Senate Resolution 3, inviting Frankfurt-area pastors to open sessions with prayer, was adopted. Members also announced an ethics training for the next day and a reception for Senator Clemens. The Senate then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting date announced by the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• hospitals as well as other medical facilities such as mobile x-ray providers, outpatient physical therapy
• hospitals as well as other medical facilities such as mobile x-ray providers, outpatient physical therapy
• X-ray providers, outpatient physical therapy, and birthing centers.
• services include Things like education, vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and behavioral therapy

Summary: At the May 14, 2025 JLARC meeting, members approved the January 9 minutes and adopted the 2025–27 biennial work plan with a minor typo correction. Staff reviewed the new work plan studies, including a drug take-back program fee/expenditure review due in December 2025 and a state energy performance standard compliance review due in June 2027, and noted JLARC’s recent session activity, including several bills passed related to JLARC work and recommendations. The committee then heard a preliminary cannabis market study showing Washington businesses likely produced two to three times more cannabis than retailers sold in 2023. Staff and RAND said LCB’s data systems are incomplete and unreliable, limiting regulation, tax verification, and diversion tracking; they recommended that LCB submit a plan by year-end for collecting accurate data by the end of 2026. Members and LCB discussed the long timeline for a new traceability system, the causes of missing sales and weight data, overproduction, diversion, and the social equity program’s effect on producer licenses. JLARC also presented a preliminary hospital oversight report concluding that the Department of Health is late on many hospital inspections, does not verify third-party inspection standards, does not review adverse health event correction plans, and could make hospital data more accessible. The committee discussed fee funding, language access, and inspection timing, and DOH said it would work on a strategic plan and continue coordinating with JLARC. Members also heard a preliminary report on the public records survivor exemption, which found agencies are using it but need more guidance; JLARC recommended keeping the exemption and having the Attorney General provide additional training. Finally, the committee approved the DDA processes and staffing final report for distribution, which recommended performance metrics, stronger data quality controls, and workforce planning; DDA concurred. JLARC also introduced proposed study questions for a future DCYF juvenile rehabilitation review focused on safety, security, programs, staffing, education, and contraband, and the meeting adjourned after members asked about scope and facility conditions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just yesterday, I had a patient with throat cancer, needed a 5-day therapy treatment.
• Without unnecessarily spending time and money to get a referral from a primary care provider, physical therapy
• HB 3695 simply allows patients receiving physical therapy during the direct access period to pay the
• questioning because most of the health plans out there have a max on what they're going to pay for physical therapy