Transcript Highlights:

• Dental insurance and parents normally cover the cost of medically necessary dental procedures.
• Anesthesia for medically necessary dental procedures.
• Health insurance for necessary general anesthesia for these dental procedures.
• But I also know when we give more access, it always leads to more access and more utilization.
• Access equals utilization. There's always a correlation there.

Bills: SB227, SB269, SB407, SB463, SB527, SB547, SB1283, SB1380, SB1383, SB1511, SB1640, SB1784, SB2069

Keywords: school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, healthcare policy, vaccines, exemptions, religious beliefs, public health, workplace violence, healthcare facilities, definition expansion, safety regulations, health and safety code, health insurance, anesthesia, pediatric dental services, coverage, medical necessity

Transcript Highlights:

• Dental insurance and parents normally cover the cost of medically necessary dental procedures.
• A child until the dental care is deferred long enough to create an acute, potentially life threatening
• Exclude general anesthesia when it is necessary for a dental procedure.
• But I also know when we give more access, it is always, it always leads to more access, more utilization
• Uh, it's access equals utilization. Uh, there's, there's always a correlation there.

Bills: SB 227, SB 269, SB 407, SB 463, SB 527, SB 547, SB 1283, SB 1380, SB 1383, SB 1511, SB 1640, SB 1784, SB 2069

Keywords: school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, healthcare policy, vaccines, exemptions, religious beliefs, public health, workplace violence, healthcare facilities, definition expansion, safety regulations, health and safety code, health insurance, anesthesia, pediatric dental services, coverage, medical necessity

Transcript Highlights:

• This is about dental anesthesia coverage.
• Covered by dental insurance.
• Our cardiologist recommended all of her dental treatment be completed to avoid the risk of a dental infection
• So, and that's good and reassuring about the public access.
• I bet they could have that access up before we leave. Great.

Bills: SB227, SB269, SB407, SB463, SB527, SB547, SB1283, SB1380, SB1383, SB1511, SB1640, SB1784, SB2069

Keywords: school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, healthcare policy, vaccines, exemptions, religious beliefs, public health, workplace violence, healthcare facilities, definition expansion, safety regulations, health and safety code, health insurance, anesthesia, pediatric dental services, coverage, medical necessity

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services met with several members initially absent, then later established a quorum. The committee heard multiple bills, with most testimony focusing on access to care, insurance practices, senior safety, and health care worker protections. Several bills were laid out with committee substitutes, and public testimony was limited to two minutes per witness. Most bills were left pending after testimony, with no final votes taken in the portion provided. Senate Bill 2069 would create a work group to study the feasibility of a statewide acute psychiatric bed registry; the substitute shifts appointment authority to the Health and Human Services Commissioner and extends reporting and sunset dates. Senate Bill 463 would expand workplace violence protections to additional hospice, home and community support, intermediate care, and state-supported living center settings. Senate Bill 1283 would require background checks and transparency measures for senior retirement communities after testimony about the Dallas-area serial killings of elderly residents. Senate Bill 1784 would require 60 days’ written notice before medical debt is sent to collections. Senate Bill 527 would require medical insurance coverage for general anesthesia for medically necessary pediatric dental procedures for children under 13 with qualifying conditions; pediatric dentists testified that denials delay needed care. A major portion of the meeting centered on prior authorization. Senate Bill 1380 would eliminate prior authorization for a broad list of services, including emergency, primary, mental health, substance use, chemotherapy, preventive, pediatric hospice, and certain chronic-condition care. Physicians and hospice advocates supported the bill, describing delays, administrative burden, and patient harm, while health plans opposed blanket exemptions and argued prior authorization helps prevent unnecessary care and control costs. Relatedly, Senate Bill 547 would require insurers to report gold-card prior authorization exemptions to TDI and create a centralized database and annual report; TMA supported better tracking, while health plans warned of duplicative reporting and administrative cost. Senate Bill 407 would require health care facilities to honor conscience- and religion-based vaccine exemptions for employees, with testimony from a physician and vaccine-choice advocate supporting the bill. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1383, which would regulate senior living referral agencies, allow more flexible compensation structures, and add disclosure and consumer protections; an out-of-state referral company and A Place for Mom supported it. Senate Bill 1511 would allow freestanding emergency centers to provide outpatient services in addition to emergency care, with consumer protections such as estimates, limits on facility fees, and restrictions on balance billing. The chair repeatedly announced that bills were being left pending after testimony, and no final committee action or recorded votes were taken in the transcript provided.

Bills: HB4329, HB3016, HB4118, HB3066, HB3649, HB3650

Keywords: dental insurance, claims, medical necessity, appeal procedures, dentist reimbursement, education, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, family caregiver, tax credit, activities of daily living, elderly care, Oklahoma tax law, HB3066, Health Care Workforce Training Commission, workforce recruitment, health care workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:07:47.680><c> to</c> can create more avenues for them to can create more avenues for them to access
• ><c> land</c><00:07:49.879><c> and</c><00:07:50.080><c> that's</c><00:07:50.319><c> important</c> access
• grazing land and that's important access grazing land and that's important to<00:07:51.319><c> maintain
• for producers to graze on public access for producers to graze on public and<00:10:51.480><c> TNC</c
• </c> uh I like the idea of increasing access uh I like the idea of increasing access to<01:20:36.000>

Bills: HF1698, HF632, HF1352, HF2197, HF618, HF1248, HF1697

Keywords: property tax, exemption, leased land, public use, commercial property, HF632, Minnesota property tax, conservation easement, conservation restriction, assessed value, property valuation, tax assessment, real property, land conservation, farmland preservation, natural areas, riparian buffer, water quality, water quantity, county assessor

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 540 establishes a framework for Oklahoma to participate in a dentist and dental hygienist
• Representative, do you can you explain why the Oklahoma Dental Association is opposed to this bill and
• the American Dental Association is for the bill?

Bills: SB1873, SB1948, SB540, SB1653, SB1061, SB1534

Keywords: roofing, contractor registration, continuing education, endorsement, construction industry, fireworks, consumer safety, local governance, emergency declaration, public safety, dentist, dental hygienist, dentistry, dental hygiene, licensure compact, interstate compact, professional licensing, license portability, health workforce, workforce shortage

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, members, Senate Bill 540 establishes a framework for Oklahoma to participate in a dentist and dental
• Representative, can you explain why the Oklahoma Dental Association is opposed to this bill and the American
• Dental Association is for the bill?

Bills: SB1873, SB1948, SB540, SB1653, SB1061, SB1534

Keywords: roofing, contractor registration, continuing education, endorsement, construction industry, fireworks, consumer safety, local governance, emergency declaration, public safety, dentist, dental hygienist, dentistry, dental hygiene, licensure compact, interstate compact, professional licensing, license portability, health workforce, workforce shortage

Summary: The committee heard several Senate bills, most of them described as cleanup or compact-related measures. Senate Bill 1061 was presented as a cleanup bill adding defining language, supported by the Department of Consumer Credit and correcting a typo, and it passed 11-0. Senate Bill 1534, a charity enforcement act worked on with the Attorney General’s office, was described as strengthening protections for donor intent, preventing misuse of charitable funds, and closing enforcement loopholes; after a brief question about examples of bad actors, it also passed 11-0. Senate Bill 1873 was another cleanup bill requested by roofers and passed 11-0. The committee also considered interstate licensure compacts. Senate Bill 540 would create Oklahoma’s participation in a dentist and dental hygienist compact; one question focused on why the Oklahoma Dental Association opposed it while the American Dental Association supported it, and the bill passed 9-2. Senate Bill 1653 would join a compact for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants, with the sponsor noting 31 states already participate; it passed 11-0. Finally, Senate Bill 1948 would allow year-round fireworks sales in Oklahoma. Members questioned how the bill would interact with city and county authority, whether it would affect dense neighborhoods, and concerns about veterans with PTSD. The sponsor said the bill would not override city ordinances and argued counties should not restrict private property owners, while also saying current law already allows fireworks use year-round but limits in-state purchasing windows, sending consumers to other states. The bill passed 10-1. The chair then announced this was the last bill for the day and that about 12 bills remained for the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• to make mention of this bill, 3599, which puts forward legislation that would be able to allow us access
• Like I said, the Land Court and the residents of the town had recognized all these lots were accessible
• It represents a lack of access to health care in that region. Turnaround delays.
• It represents a lack of access to health care in that region. Um, Regional problem.
• It represents a lack of access to health care in that region.

Bills: H3599, H5047, S2922

Keywords: Native American, easements, land access, property rights, public utility, vehicular access, eminent domain, health care access, land acquisition, Norwood hospital, public health, electric infrastructure, NSTAR, Eversource Energy, land conservation, Massachusetts legislation, 1212, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on H. 5047, which would authorize the Commonwealth to take the Norwood Hospital property by eminent domain so it can be restored as a regional hospital. Sponsors Rep. Rogers, Sen. Rush, and Rep. Lynch argued that the flood-damaged site has remained stalled under Medical Properties Trust, while the region has suffered major losses in emergency access, inpatient capacity, and ambulance availability. They said the hospital served a broad catchment area, was profitable before closure, and that the state should use eminent domain to force a transfer to a qualified operator, preferably a not-for-profit one, without requiring state appropriations. Committee members generally expressed support, with questions focused on the cost, timing, and whether the site is salvageable; witnesses said the shell is largely complete and ready for interior buildout, but negotiations with the owner are ongoing. Local officials, task force members, business leaders, nurses, and firefighters described the closure’s effects on public safety and the economy. They said transport times to Boston, Brockton, Needham, and Newton have increased, EMS units are tied up longer, firefighters and paramedics are under greater strain, and neighboring hospitals are experiencing more boarding and overcrowding. Testimony from Norwood, Walpole, and the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts emphasized that the loss of Norwood Hospital has created a regional medical gap affecting 10 to 12 surrounding towns, with added costs for ambulances, staffing, and overtime. Several witnesses also said the hospital’s return would support local jobs and relieve pressure on the broader health care system. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3599, a separate bill concerning landlocked Indian lands and easements by necessity. Mark Harding and James DeCoulos, speaking in support, said the bill would help descendants of historic Indian allotments access family lands and correct what they described as unfair treatment in a 2016 Supreme Judicial Court decision. They said the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe supports the bill and the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe has offered conditional support pending language changes. The chair said the committee would follow up on possible amendments and written support. The committee briefly took up S. 2922, supported by Eversource, authorizing an underground easement at Magazine Beach in Cambridge for the Greater Cambridge Energy Project. Eversource said the easement is needed for a transmission line connecting the Brighton and Kendall Square substations, with fair market compensation and replacement land provided to satisfy Article 97 requirements. No objections or votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair indicated the committee would continue hearing the remaining panels on H. 5047.

Transcript Highlights:

• They don't have access to easements.
• What we are having happen is that the access and safety in the roadways and access to property is not
• It's where it says "shall grant access," not "shall grant non-discriminatory access."
• company with non-discriminatory access.
• I do appreciate the Chair's comments about nondiscriminatory access.

Bills: HB3445, HB3448

Keywords: telecommunications, electric cooperative, rights-of-way, infrastructure, provider access, right-of-way, pole attachment, regulatory access, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> direct</c><01:04:26.960><c> access,</c><01:04:27.520><c> but</c> access services via direct access
• </c> barrier restricts access to health care. barrier restricts access to health care.
• And they made the very same arguments about access and rural access and all of that.
• </c> access and rural access and all of that. access and rural access and all of that.
• </c><01:41:48.480><c> education</c> dental uh and allied dental education dental uh and allied dental

Bills: HF3521, HF3563, HF82, HF2689, HF1794, HF3544, HF3516, HF1752

Keywords: hospital moratorium, hospital construction, bed capacity, hospital expansion, health care facilities, hospital licensing, safety-net hospital, level I trauma center, Ramsey County, Minnesota health law, hospital beds, new hospital exception, certificate of need, inpatient capacity, emergency care, trauma services, health system regulation, state moratorium, hospital modernization, health infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• and We've been several entities that have worked on this dental hygienist board, the dental board, the
• They're open access. You can access these medical journals. These are the.
• Have access to care. Not a very smart statement on his part.
• standards, so His job is access.
• It increases costs and decreases access.

Bills: HB3552, HB2984, HB4124, HB3934, HB3448, HB3131, HB4200, HB4201, HB3011, HB1912, HB3380, HB3881, HB3538, HB3851, HB3907, HB4430, HB4431, HB4457

Keywords: childcare, differential pricing, Department of Human Services, child care subsidy, licensed providers, emergency legislation, child care, subsidy program, annual report, program integrity, overpayments, ivermectin, over-the-counter medication, pharmacy immunity, healthcare access, FDA approval, prescription, public health, dentistry, licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• there's been several entities that have worked on this: the dental hygienist board, the dental board
• They’re open access. You can access these medical journals.
• It's affecting access. It's a little crazy. I think I need to share this with you.
• Our CMS beneficiaries and CMS requires minimum access standards. So his job is access.
• It increases costs and decreases access.

Bills: HB3552, HB2984, HB4124, HB3934, HB3448, HB3131, HB4200, HB4201, HB3011, HB1912, HB3380, HB3881, HB3538, HB3851, HB3907, HB4430, HB4431, HB4457

Keywords: childcare, differential pricing, Department of Human Services, child care subsidy, licensed providers, emergency legislation, child care, subsidy program, annual report, program integrity, overpayments, ivermectin, over-the-counter medication, pharmacy immunity, healthcare access, FDA approval, prescription, public health, dentistry, licensing

Summary: The committee took up a series of health, human services, and related bills. House Bill 3552, allowing child care providers to bridge the gap between subsidy reimbursement rates and standard tuition rates, was adopted and reported out 11-2. House Bill 2984, as a substitute, would direct DHS to compile a report on the child care system, including subsidy payment error rates, the number of facilities, closures, and voluntary closure feedback; it was reported out 14-0. House Bill 4201, changing master teacher requirements in child care from licensed capacity to actual enrollment, also passed unanimously. House Bill 3380, creating the Fostering the Future for Oklahoma Children and Families Act to modernize foster care data systems and improve outcomes, passed 12-0. House Bill 4430 and House Bill 4431, both cleanup measures tied to prior nurse practitioner/PA scope and pharmacy-related provisions, each passed 13-0. Several bills focused on health care access, regulation, and public safety. House Bill 4124 would allow over-the-counter ivermectin sales for human use with labeling and dosing information; after extensive questioning about safety, labeling, children, and liability, it passed 9-5. House Bill 3934, a large amended measure affecting dental practice and supervision rules, passed 14-0 after discussion about x-rays, telemedicine, and dental assistants. House Bill 3448, requiring insurance coverage related to group home provider liability for property damage, passed 14-0. House Bill 3131, setting baseline standards and oversight for homeless shelters with roles split between Commerce and Health, drew concerns about local control, temporary shelters, and fiscal impact, but passed 8-6. House Bill 4200, creating a revolving fund for forensic assertive community treatment teams to address the jail-to-homelessness cycle for people with severe mental illness, passed 11-3. The committee also advanced several public health, consumer, and industry bills. House Bill 1912, the Corn Masa Nutrition Enhancement Act, generated extensive debate over folic acid fortification, parental choice, MTHFR genetics, and potential health effects; with a PCS allowing a non-fortified option, it passed 9-5. House Bill 3011 repealed the home brewing license while keeping home-brewing limits and sales restrictions, and passed 11-3. House Bill 3881, the Alternative Nicotine Products Regulatory Act, increased application costs and removed a registry deemed inconsistent with federal law, passing 13-0. House Bill 3538, targeting pharmacy benefit manager vertical integration and its effects on access and pricing, passed 13-0 after discussion of mail-order restrictions and pharmacy closures. House Bill 3851, defining private label/control label alcoholic beverages under the three-tier system, also passed 13-0. House Bill 3907, requiring direct-hire staffing for facilities serving vulnerable adults and children with a short temporary staffing grace period, passed 13-0. The committee then moved on to House Bill 4457, a specialty-drug/PBM measure, with discussion beginning about PBM practices and specialty pharmacy access.

Transcript Highlights:

• A significant amount of work has to be done to regain access to my children; they're never...
• What access is your ex allowed to the kids during those six-year time periods?
• No access, no possession to my daughter. They have taken away my whole life.
• But unfortunately, the judge in this case... she was, unfortunately, she said that the access and the
• We have children who are totally rejecting possession and access to the other parent.

Bills: HB168, HB 1044, HB1534, HB1914, HB2240, HB2530, HB3284, HB3395, HB3515, HB3783, HB4034, HB4213, HB168

Keywords: marriage age, minors, family law, void marriage, rights of minors, Texas marriage law, marriage ceremony, authorized officiants, family code, judges, religious leaders, parent-child relationship, Department of Family and Protective Services, legal rights, notice requirements, HB 1914, Texas Family Code, Chapter 156, conservatorship, custody

Transcript Highlights:

• the minor up with... a job at the family business and a bank account that the minor doesn't have access
• Many escape routes that adult survivors of violence can access are closed to them.
• They deserve loving parents, supportive communities, access to education, and to form healthy families
• people like my mom, survivors, yearn to preserve these archaic laws and customs that preserve the access
• If Texas persists in permitting sexual predators access to minors, excusing statutory rape by hiding

Bills: HB168, HB 1044, HB1534, HB1914, HB2240, HB2530, HB3284, HB3395, HB3515, HB3783, HB4034, HB4213, HB168

Keywords: marriage age, minors, family law, void marriage, rights of minors, Texas marriage law, marriage ceremony, authorized officiants, family code, judges, religious leaders, parent-child relationship, Department of Family and Protective Services, legal rights, notice requirements, HB 1914, Texas Family Code, Chapter 156, conservatorship, custody

Transcript Highlights:

• The Speaker has access to encourage everyone, before they hear a bill with a fiscal note, to speak to
• Over the next decade, thousands more Louisianians will need access to nursing home services.
• There were concerns about access and advocacy, including moments where raising concerns made it harder
• So I have come to find out that while I know that some people are not covered under Medicaid for dental
• And the law says, if you have access to community sewer, you must connect.

Bills: HB199, HB222, HB223, HB224, HB235, HB246, HB405, HB535, HB554, HB907, SCR3, SB43, SB52, SB54, SB113, SB168, SB219, SB222, SB270, SB311, SB359

Keywords: nursing facilities, moratorium, healthcare, patient care, data collection, Medicaid, dental coverage, healthcare access, medical necessity, Louisiana Department of Health, Department of Children and Family Services, sunset law, statutory entities, regulatory authority, re-creation, termination dates, child welfare, foster care, children's rights, legal guardianship

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair and members, Senate Bill 1616 exempts the recognized dental school, dental therapy school
• practicing in the clinical departments or laboratories of a recognized dental, dental therapy, or dental
• Stills, and the Dental Association, we felt... with the Board of Dental Examiners or Bodex.
• recognized dental school.
• The dental clinic, just for clarity, the care given at a dental clinic at both A.T.

Bills: SB1176, SB1186, SB1235, SB1286, SB1446, SB1458, SB1515, SB1616, SB1641, SB1668, SB1670, SB1678, SB1747, SB1787

Keywords: stormwater, water storage, replenishment credits, groundwater, aquifer, Arizona Revised Statutes, disclosure, state contracts, procurement records, donations, transparency, EMS, reciprocity, interstate compact, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, licensure, public safety, military personnel, veterinary telemedicine

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, let's take up Tab 8, SB 1136, on dental screenings for K through 12 students, by Senator Calatayud
• The delete-all amendment moves the bill's dental screening definition into the School Health Services
• Act, clarifies that preventive dental programs and dental screenings follow the act's written notice
• The underlying bill is to authorize non-invasive dental screenings as part of preventive dental programs
• We know that one of the largest drivers in student absenteeism is dental issues.

Bills: S7022, S0178, S0430, S0464, S0538, S0920, S1036, S1136, S1216

Keywords: public records, open government, sunshine law, education assessments, testing materials, exam security, assessment instruments, test items, answer keys, scoring rubrics, item banks, developmental materials, workpapers, student testing, academic dishonesty, cheating, Florida Department of Education, State Board of Education, Board of Governors, Florida College System

Summary: The Education Pre-K through 12 Committee considered and reported favorably several bills. SB 1036 on school counselors was amended to clarify certification exemptions and passed, with support focused on addressing counselor shortages and student mental health needs. SB 1136 on dental screenings for K-12 students was converted by delete-all amendment to place the screening definition in the School Health Services Act and to require written parent notice and exemption procedures; it passed with support from PTA and other advocates. SB 920 on mathematics education passed after discussion of applied algebra courses tied to career pathways, while preserving Algebra I standards, end-of-course testing, graduation requirements, and university admission eligibility. SB 178 on athletics and public K-12 schools also passed after amendment adding a $15,000 annual cap on coach-provided personal support per team and discussion of guardrails to prevent recruiting abuses; members emphasized the role coaches play in supporting students. SB 1216 on public school personnel compensation passed with broad support for giving districts more flexibility on pay, cost-of-living adjustments, and advanced degree compensation. The committee also approved SPB 7022, a public records exemption bill extending protections for examination and assessment instruments to 2031 and clarifying coverage for district and school materials. SB 464 on observance of Veterans Day in K-12 schools passed after debate over whether schools should be closed or use the day for programs, with supporters arguing for statewide consistency and honoring veterans. Finally, SB 538 on physical education passed after a delete-all amendment establishing standardized extracurricular participation rules for public, private, virtual, and home education students, addressing coach compensation at the district level, and clarifying participation limits across schools. The committee recessed briefly for Senator Avila’s arrival, postponed SB 430, and adjourned after recording one additional favorable vote on SB 1036.

Transcript Highlights:

• development of educational materials about postpartum depression, which would be available for anyone to access
• they're not letting children... things that they're not letting children in or underage and getting access

Bills: SB191, HB84, HB79, SB132, HB108, HB109, HB110, HB114, HB118, HB120, HB122, HB124, HB126, HB128, HB129, HB131

Keywords: postpartum depression, mental health, Medicaid, screening, education, maternal health, Chiropractic, Board of Chiropractic Examiners, license renewal, continuing education, election procedures, off-label, pharmacists, medical treatment, state board of pharmacy, employment protection, SB132, Alabama, controlled substances, Schedule I

Transcript Highlights:

• advantages, or accommodations by requiring use of information and communications technology that is not accessible
• advantages, or accommodations by requiring use of information and communications technology that is not accessible
• Hearing none, your recommendation is adopted. technology that is not accessible to the technology that
• is not accessible to the person. person. person.

Bills: SB2386, SB2804, SB2852

Keywords: employment, wage transparency, job listings, salary disclosure, labor rights, monopoly, health care access, insurance rates, competition, stock acquisition, digital accessibility, web accessibility, website accessibility, app accessibility, ADA, disability rights, civil rights, public accommodations, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, HCRC

Summary: The committees met in decision-making sessions on several bills and generally advanced them without opposition. Early actions included SB 2386, which clarifies job-posting pay disclosure requirements and lowers the small-employer exemption threshold, and SB 2804, both recommended to pass unamended. SB 2852, addressing accessibility of information and communications technology for people with disabilities in public accommodations, was also recommended to pass unamended. SB 2975 on marine life conservation districts was advanced unamended despite a noted defective effective date. The CPN committee then acted on SB 3019, a consumer protection bill, recommending passage with amendments to require refunds of certain fees upon cancellation and to defect the effective date to July 1, 2050. SB 3231 on agricultural districts, SB 2378 on housing, and SB 3062 on liquor were all recommended to pass with amendments and a defective effective date set to July 1, 2050. SB 3255, concerning cash payments and rounding guidance, was reconsidered after discussion with small business stakeholders and was also advanced with amendments. In the later regular CPN agenda, SB 2607 on landscape architect licensure drew support from the board and professional groups and was recommended to pass with board-requested amendments and a July 1, 2050 effective date. SB 2623 SD1 on pharmacy technician registration was recommended to pass with clarifying amendments from the Board of Pharmacy. SB 2396, which would create a registry for agents managing property for absentee owners and require on-island contact information for certain condo owners, received mixed testimony: supporters emphasized accountability and enforcement, while opponents from community associations raised implementation concerns and asked for further work. The committee ultimately recommended SB 2396 with amendments from the Hawaii Council of Community Associations and a July 1, 2050 effective date.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been really working well for individuals with disabilities who do not have access to a smartphone
• </c><00:04:59.919><c> The</c> not have access to a smartphone. The not have access to a smartphone.
• The two things to me are access and then the protection of privacy.
• Those two issues, have they been addressed so that you can have access from all of these constituents
• </c> worker, I feel that limiting the access worker, I feel that limiting the access to<00:27:08.880>

Bills: HB1577, HB1870

Keywords: Smart911, 911, 911 Board, emergency response, public safety answering point, PSAP, next-generation 911, NG911, dispatch, dispatcher, emergency profile, safety profile, medical information, disability access, access needs, functional needs, kupuna, aging, developmental disabilities, communication access

Summary: The committee reconvened on March 19, 2026, for decision-making on measures heard earlier in the week. It first took up HB 812 on agriculture, agreeing to move it forward with amendments and a Senate draft, and then HB 2388 on public notice, which was also passed with amendments after concerns about transparency and the need for local newspaper notice on Maui were discussed. HB 1414 on procurement and HB 2469 on a regular session review working group were both deferred to March 24 for further work with the author, while HB 322 on voter registration was deferred indefinitely in favor of a Senate vehicle. The committee then heard HB 1577, which would create a statewide emergency safety profile system pilot program and working group for 911. Testimony from disability advocates, emergency medical services, and others strongly supported the bill, emphasizing benefits for people without smartphones, better sharing of medical and emergency information, and improved response in the field. Committee members and witnesses discussed whether the 911 Board already had the authority to implement the system without legislation, and the bill was not immediately acted on in the portion of the transcript provided. The final major item was HB 1870 on protected community locations. Testimony in support came from the University of Hawaii, the Legal Clinic, immigrant-rights groups, public health advocates, and many individuals, while the Department of Education supported the measure but requested clarity on federal compliance and raised concerns about a 1,000-foot perimeter beyond campus. Supporters said the bill would protect sensitive locations and help immigrant families feel safe accessing schools, health care, and other services. No final vote on HB 1870 is shown in the transcript excerpt.