Transcript Highlights:

• It also involves using children. The use of children is something present in domestic violence.
• It also involves using children. The use of children is something present in domestic violence.
• Those were major flags for us.
• Brain science shows us that.
• Brain science shows us that.

Summary: The House Community Safety Committee met on January 29, 2026, and announced it would not hold executive session that day because of the large number of public hearing sign-ups; those executive sessions were pushed to the following Monday. The committee first heard House Bill 2558, relating to the mental health sentencing alternative (MHSA). Staff explained that the bill narrows eligibility to people diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, adds restrictions for certain domestic violence and prior violent offense cases, requires more detailed DOC reports, lengthens some community custody terms, mandates regular progress hearings, and shifts assessment work to contracted providers. The sponsor said the bill is intended to refocus the program on people whose offenses are tied to serious mental illness and to reduce misuse in domestic violence and other violent cases. No public testimony was taken on HB 2558 that day, and the hearing was held open for later testimony. The committee then heard House Bill 2217, which would replace the current first-time offender waiver with a pretrial deferral option and a suspended sentence option for eligible first-time felony defendants. Supporters, including public defense, immigration advocates, judges, economists, and the Sentencing Guidelines Commission, argued the bill would create a meaningful rehabilitation pathway, reduce recidivism, improve employment outcomes, and avoid the long-term harm of an immediate felony conviction. They also said the deferred-adjudication structure could help immigrants avoid immigration consequences and would better incentivize restitution and compliance. Opponents, including sheriffs, prosecutors, and victim advocates, raised concerns about expanding eligibility to offenses such as assault 2 and robbery 2, the meaning of “violent offense,” the possibility of judicial diversion without prosecutor consent, and the impact on victims and public safety. After testimony, the sponsor said she would remove the bill’s strong presumption in favor of relief, and the committee closed the public hearing on HB 2217. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2641, the “ICE Out Act of 2026,” which would bar Washington law enforcement agencies from hiring people who were sworn ICE officers after January 20, 2025, with the restriction applying prospectively beginning October 1, 2026. The sponsor said the bill was meant to protect communities and prevent hiring officers associated with federal immigration enforcement practices she described as harmful. The committee then heard House Bill 2648, which would require state and local officers who encounter suspected ICE employees conducting immigration enforcement to activate body and dash cameras, report the encounter, and document it, while providing state indemnification for officers acting in good faith. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency and protect communities and officers; the Washington State Patrol said many of the practices already align with its policies. The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs expressed concerns about added reporting requirements, possible effects on federal-local cooperation, and asked for changes to soften mandatory language and strengthen indemnification. The committee ended the hearing without further testimony and adjourned, noting executive sessions on about a dozen bills would occur the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that all it's used for, though? Uh, I am not advised. OK.
• And I have used this not only personally, but I've used it also as a financial advisor and helping my
• As a process that is anything but therapeutic.
• I can use any of this in any way, anything you say here.
• It undermines the very nature of the therapeutic relationship.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that all that's used for, though? I am not advised. Okay.
• I have used this not only personally, but I've used it also as a financial advisor in helping my clients
• Then, that information is used to go and do an investigation.
• I can use any of this and any of that.
• Anything you say is going to be used against you.

Bills: HB557, HB732, HB1892, HB1954, HB2301, HB3180, HB3405, HB3650, HB3758, HB4035, HB4621, HB4795, HB4870, HB5069, HB5137, HB5149

Keywords: child support, arrears, court enforcement, contempt, legal protections, healthcare, insurance, cost reduction, accessibility, regulations, impotency, marriage annulment, Family Code, Texas law, family law, Texas legislation, dissolution of marriage, annulment, marriage, child custody

Transcript Highlights:

• We openly make sure that folks can audit us.
• There's no reason for us to keep those fees.
• Prime Therapeutics. Prime Therapeutics. Prime Therapeutics? Correct.
• Tell us a little about yourself. You have 20 minutes.
• Howitt, do you want to introduce yourself and tell us, give us a little brief background? Sure.

Bills: SB511, SB512, HB591, HB909, HB938, HB1154, HB1187

Keywords: automobile repairs, insurance transparency, repair shop liability, non-OEM parts, policyholder rights, automobile insurance, appraisal process, insurance policyholders, dispute resolution, claim valuation, family leave, insurance, paid leave, employment benefits, caregiver support, behavioral health, crisis services, mental health care, insurance coverage, healthcare access

Transcript Highlights:

• Could you hear us okay? Yes, I can. Thank you.
• Thank you for sharing with us and being with us today. We really appreciate it. Okay, committee.
• It gets us there. It doesn't hurt anything. It just keeps us moving forward to the next step.
• Thank you for being with us.
• He was also substance use disorder, also homeless, and... ...he was also substance use disorder, also

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 723, which Representative Erickson said was developed in response to a state oversight report on children’s residential care and testimony about abuse and neglect in licensed youth treatment facilities. The bill would codify and strengthen oversight standards, require individualized service planning, create a youth bill of rights for residents and parents, and require critical incident reporting to parents or guardians within one business day. Erickson said the bill largely mirrors existing department rules, was drafted with the Department of Health and Welfare to avoid a fiscal note, and includes enforcement tools such as corrective action plans, sanctions, payment withholding, and law-enforcement referral for crimes. Several senators raised concerns about whether the bill was strong enough, whether unannounced inspections could raise Fourth Amendment issues, whether faith-based facilities would be affected, and whether the department would have too much discretion. Erickson responded that the inspections apply only to licensed facilities, not private homes, and that the bill is intended to improve transparency and oversight without changing existing rights or imposing new costs. Survivors and advocates testified in strong support, describing seclusion, restraints, forced medication, medical neglect, lack of private communication, humiliation, and retaliation in Idaho and out-of-state residential programs. They argued the bill would improve accountability, transparency, and safety for children and families. After testimony, the committee discussed the bill further. Some members said the bill was a meaningful step but wanted stronger consequences, while others noted the seriousness of the abuse described and the need for oversight of Medicaid-funded facilities. Senator Wintrow moved to send H723 to the floor with a do pass recommendation, and the motion passed by voice vote. The committee then received a presentation from Teligen on its role as Idaho Medicaid’s quality improvement organization. Nancy Johnson explained that Teligen handles prior authorization, quality oversight, fraud and abuse reporting, and a small case management program for complex Medicaid participants. She said the case management team of five Idaho-based nurses reached out to just over 1,000 participants in 2025, fully engaged 160, and reported about $850,000 in cost savings through reduced readmissions and better care coordination. Members asked about contract costs, staffing, the scope of services, and how suspected fraud is reported to the Medicaid program integrity unit. The committee adjourned after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Could you hear us okay? Yes, I can. Thank you.
• Thanks for being with us.
• Thank you for sharing with us and being with us today. We really appreciate it. Okay, committee.
• It gets us there. It doesn't hurt anything. It just keeps us moving forward to the next step.
• Thank you for being with us.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to sell into other jurisdictions used to sell into other jurisdictions where<00:02:57.680><c> those<
• It being in law enforcement and having this marijuana being used for medical purposes has been very,
• So we in the state of Minnesota make legislation hopefully that is going to benefit us, not rip us down
• </c><00:10:42.320><c> But</c> us to this point in their bill. But us to this point in their bill.
• We have a little more work in front of us with the other body, but I'd ask for a green vote today.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• certified nurse midwives, aligns simulation standards for clinical experience, requires the BRN to use
• Can you give us the logic behind that? Yeah, so this bill is a work in progress.
• The therapeutic relationship is important... ...illness or struggling with impulse control.
• The therapeutic relationship is important, but so are professional boundaries.
• It doesn't just affect us; it affects our families.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let us pray.
• Help us have peace.
• Let us pray. from our Lord. Let us pray.
• </c> passed it on to us. passed it on to us.
• And then— therapeutic community pdium. therapeutic community pdium.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also shifts us to a strengths-based model.
• It should be noted that CWS CMS is the system that workers have been used to using for 30 years.
• How much would that cost us?
• We speak to parents using their names.
• us to getting closer to the national average.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:45:47.400><c> in</c> very like none actually being used in very like none actually being used
• We had some additional allowable uses for AI in psychotherapy-adjacent tools, like therapeutic homework
• </c> provider to use AI, and when it's not. provider to use AI, and when it's not.
• to use.
• </c> is how they keep us coming back. is how they keep us coming back.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We ask you to help us do that well and that you give us your grace and that our eyes are always fixed
• Could you help us explain them?
• So the rules help us clarify.
• So the rules help us clarify.
• So the rules help us clarify.

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a long agenda of agency rule changes, beginning with housekeeping on the order of business and then taking up rules from multiple state agencies. Early items included Department of Energy and Environment rules on landfill post-closure trust fund spending thresholds and liquefied petroleum gas standards, DFA’s odometer disclosure rule allowing electronic signatures and disclosures, and several Department of Health rules covering ionizing radiation, mobile home and recreational parks, lead-based paint, counseling licensure, hearing instrument dispensers, athletic training, dental specialties and compacts, nursing, pharmacy, physician assistants, medical compacts, speech-language pathology and audiology, radiologic technology, massage therapy, community health workers, doula certification, and cosmetology/body art. Most of these were described as technical updates, conformity with recent acts, federal standards, or compact participation, and nearly all were approved without objection after brief questions and, in many cases, no public comment. The committee also reviewed Department of Labor and Licensing rules on minimum wage/independent contractor standards, boiler rules, motor vehicle commission requirements for ATV/LSV dealers, professional wrestling regulation, appraiser qualifications, and military recruiting and retention programs. Testimony generally emphasized that the rules implemented recent legislation, updated fees or licensing standards, or streamlined existing processes. Members asked a few questions about fee structures, the rationale for regulating professional wrestling, and how the National Guard’s public-private partnership and incentive programs would work; the department said the recruiting incentives would be funded from existing appropriations and were intended to improve retention and force strength. These rules were also approved without objection. The most extensive discussion came on the Department of Education’s Arkansas Children’s Educational Freedom Account Program rule. The department said the revisions, based on Act 920 of 2025, were intended to add guardrails, clarify allowable expenses, and speed approval of core educational purchases. Changes included defining core educational expenses, limiting certain sports-related spending, adding an intentional misuse standard, restricting phone purchases except for disability-related needs, setting a $1,000 threshold for additional review of technology purchases, capping carryover funds at $8,500, and creating a reconsideration process for denied expenses. Members raised concerns about safeguards, appeals, sports equipment, provider credentialing, rural vendor access, and whether the department would be flexible or overly restrictive. The department said it would review every request, provide written explanations for denials, allow appeals up to the State Board, and refer suspected fraud to prosecutors if necessary. After hearing from 13 members of the public, the committee continued to discuss the rule, but the transcript ends before any final vote on the EFA rule is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The department can use federal funds for FTE positions and can transfer funds to the salary and wages
• Then we have a motion before us.
• And this one talks about prescriptive authority for pharmacists and therapeutic substitution.
• This one talks about prescriptive authority for pharmacists and therapeutic substitution.
• They still have not told us how they calculated out the amount that we've received.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Health Care Task Force reconvened to hear reports from its divisions. The Appropriations Division reviewed a draft bill appropriating $198 million in federal grant funds for the current year and another $198 million for the next grant year, authorizing DHS to transfer funds within its budget, allowing OMB to adjust federal fund authority for related grants, speeding procurement and bulk purchasing, requiring grant recipients to acknowledge the temporary nature of the funding, and mandating periodic reporting. After questions were answered to the division’s satisfaction, the committee voted to forward the appropriations bill draft to Legislative Management. The Policy Division then reviewed four bills. One would require the presidential physical fitness test to be included in high school physical education; another would require physicians to complete one hour of continuing education on nutrition and metabolic health each renewal cycle; a third would add physician assistants to the interstate licensure compact framework; and a fourth would authorize limited pharmacist prescriptive authority and therapeutic substitution. Members generally supported the first three measures and noted that the pharmacist bill had been amended in discussion but was left in its current form so stakeholders could comment before the special session. The division also discussed that all four policy bills were tied to the federal grant funding and that failure to pass them, or changing them in a way that reduced CMS scoring, could reduce or eliminate funding. Department officials confirmed that if any of the bills failed or were altered in a way that lowered the score, the state could lose money and could not make up the points elsewhere. Members raised concerns about the physical fitness bill, including possible exemptions for students with severe illnesses or physical limitations, and noted the need for DPI input. Leadership indicated the special session hearings would likely begin Wednesday morning. The committee then approved a motion for Legislative Council to prepare a committee report for Legislative Management and adjourned, noting the task force may need to remain available during the special session.

Transcript Highlights:

• procedures... hold an advanced therapeutic procedures specialty issued pursuant to subchapter five of
• And I would just remind us of this because our job is Our job is to protect Vermonters.
• of prime agricultural soils as well as forested landscapes that were being used for solar.
• And then regarding Trees cleared or forests that were used for solar generation.
• Conference committees, some of which may button up and have things for us to move.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Or are they us saying, oh my gosh, you're being a teenager. Again, you're not listening to us.
• We just know what's being used for.
• And obviously none of us want rampant gun use happening in our community.
• We just know what's being used for.
• And obviously none of us want rampant gun use happening in our community.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice held an informational hearing focused on the 2025 Juvenile Justice Policy and Data Board annual report, with testimony from Child Advocate Marisol Garcia and Melissa Threadgill of the Office of the Child Advocate. The presenters described the office’s role in analyzing juvenile justice data and highlighted several trends: overall juvenile court volume has stabilized, but a growing share of youth are entering by arrest rather than summons; racial and ethnic disparities remain stark at the front door of the system; and more than two-thirds of cases are dismissed before disposition, raising questions about unnecessary court involvement. They also noted increased use of pretrial conditions of release, including more intensive monitoring, and a rise in weapons-related charges, especially firearm possession cases, while emphasizing the need for stronger community-based prevention and support services. Committee members asked about whether the weapons trend is unique to Massachusetts, the role of public safety in pretrial decisions, the impact of mental health and substance use needs, and whether current conditions of release amount to an unfunded mandate for families. Garcia and Threadgill said many pretrial conditions are tied more to court appearance and compliance than dangerousness, and that families often struggle to meet conditions without adequate services, transportation, or coordination. They also discussed barriers to data access, including confidentiality rules that prevent the office from obtaining raw court data needed for recidivism analysis, though they said county briefs and additional disparity reports will be released soon. The hearing ended with committee leaders expressing interest in continued collaboration and the committee voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Or are they us saying, oh, my God, you're being a teenager. Again, you're not listening to us.
• We just know what's being used for.
• And obviously none of us want rampant gun use happening in our community.
• And obviously none of us want rampant gun use happening in our community.
• And obviously none of us want rampant gun use happening in our community.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• More Californians know about 988, they trust us, and they're using it.
• When multiple FDA-approved therapeutic or clinical equivalents exist, plans may continue to use step
• When multiple FDA-approved therapeutic or clinical equivalents exist, plans may continue to use step
• When multiple FDA proved therapeutic or clinical equivalents exist, plans may continue to use step therapy
• It simply ensures that when plans use those tools, patients still have timely access to a therapeutic

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• us what a valuable us and emphasize to us what a valuable asset<00:03:23.920><c> and</c><00:03:24.159
• </c> categorize us as a bedroom community. categorize us as a bedroom community.
• I used it twice now, myself included. I used it twice last<00:42:09.599><c> year.
• </c> last use of oxycodone. last use of oxycodone.
• </c> therapeutic potential is unmatched. therapeutic potential is unmatched.

Keywords: 1. Call to Order and Roll Call – 00:00:00 2. Approval of Minutes – 00:01:32 3. Getting to Know the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky – 00:02:26 4. Healthy Kids Clinic – 00:26:58 5. Pharmacy Payment Parity – 00:56:36 6. Ibogaine – 01:17:37 7. Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations – 01:53:05 8. Adjournment – 01:53:19, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the prior meeting minutes and recognized Eric Clark for his service, noting this may be his last meeting before he leaves state government. The main presentation was from Allison Adams, president and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, who described the organization’s history, nonpartisan mission, and focus on health equity, prevention, and upstream policy solutions. She said Kentucky’s poor rankings in chronic disease, preventable hospitalizations, and life expectancy show the need to shift resources toward prevention and community-driven strategies rather than relying mainly on treatment after people become sick. Adams emphasized leading health indicators, arguing that lawmakers should track actionable measures such as quit attempts and smoke-free policies instead of only lagging indicators like disease rates and mortality. In response to questions, she said accountability should be shared across communities and systems, with possible incentives and disincentives tied to outcomes, and she supported creating a public data utility or dashboard, ideally with university partners, to help legislators and communities monitor progress. She also cited examples of accountable health community models and said Kentucky could adapt similar approaches. The committee then heard from Meade County Schools Superintendent Mark Martin and district health coordinator Karen Kotche about the Healthy Kids Clinic partnership with Cumberland Health. They described a seven-year effort that led to full implementation in the district, which now has a nurse in every school and a nurse practitioner, allowing services such as sports physicals and other clinic functions to be provided on campus. They said the program has been a strong investment for students and the community and began explaining how the district built the partnership after earlier efforts and delays, including the pandemic.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you so much for being with us.
• Can you hear us? Okay. is that you? Can you hear us? Okay.
• ,</c> our families before they come to us, our families before they come to us, it's<01:03:30.640><c>
• </c> brought this to us brought this to us a<01:15:10.560><c> few</c><01:15:10.719><c> weeks</c><01:15
• </c><01:31:50.159><c> kids</c> I just mentioned, we like to use kids I just mentioned, we like to use

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the October 22, 2025 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel on accidental ingestion of illegal drug products by children. Panel members said pediatric ingestions have become the most common case type they review, with the highest-risk children ages one to four, and that fatal cases have increased in recent years. They reported that the substances most often involved are fentanyl, cannabinoids including THC products, methamphetamine, and increasingly xylazine; they also noted a decline in buprenorphine-related ingestions, which they viewed as a positive trend. The panel used several case examples to highlight recurring problems in investigations and medical response, including delayed DCBS involvement, failure to administer Narcan, inadequate drug testing, lack of child abuse team involvement, and limited or absent law enforcement investigation. They said law enforcement issues are especially common in pediatric ingestion cases and are concentrated in Jefferson County and the Bluegrass/KIPA regions. One example involved a one-year-old who died from fentanyl and Benadryl intoxication; another involved a two-year-old who died after ingesting multiple substances; and a third involved a four-year-old with near-fatal THC gummy ingestion where delayed treatment worsened the child’s condition. They also described a 10-month-old THC ingestion case that resulted in a criminal abuse conviction, which they presented as an example without missed investigative opportunities. Committee members discussed possible policy responses, including creating a more specific criminal child abuse offense or clarifying existing abuse and neglect definitions to cover unsafe access to illegal drugs, while preserving room for true accidents and prescribed medications. Members also raised the need for statewide standardization in reporting, investigation, and medical response, and suggested the panel should be able to call in agencies such as law enforcement, DCBS, judges, and hospitals for closed-session review of selected cases. The panel chair said they were already pursuing meetings with LMPD and would provide Jefferson County-specific breakdowns, and members expressed interest in additional data and agency follow-up before considering legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for having us today and letting us share about Lutheran Social Service and our student loan
• </c><00:31:23.600><c> for</c> well as um up to 10% can be used for well as um up to 10% can be used for
• So up to 10% of a grant could be used for that.
• </c> the slide that's right in front of us the slide that's right in front of us with<01:19:23.360><c
• Maybe I can bring us home here within the next 30 seconds.

Keywords: 1183, house