Video & Transcript Research : 'developmental disability'
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- My husband and I and our 32-year-old daughter with lifelong disabilities moved to Everett.
- And we represent over 4,000 members who have loved ones with lifelong disabilities, including complex
- medical, autism, syndromes, and intellectual disabilities.
- medical, autism, syndromes, and intellectual disabilities.
- To make sure that we are here representing that within the developmental disability world, we were on
Summary:
The hearing covered a wide range of bills, with substantial testimony on commemorative days and several local development measures. Early testimony focused on competing proposals about Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Senator Comerford and others supported redesignating the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, while several Italian American legislators and advocates opposed changing Columbus Day and instead urged a separate Indigenous Peoples’ Day on August 9 or another date. Committee members noted the long-running debate, discussed the state flag and motto review process, and emphasized that any changes would require legislation. No votes were taken during the hearing.
The committee also heard strong support for a Fred Korematsu Day bill, with testimony from advocates, legal organizations, community leaders, and Korematsu’s daughter. Witnesses described Korematsu’s resistance to Japanese American incarceration during World War II, argued that his story remains relevant amid current immigration and civil liberties concerns, and said the designation would help educate students and the public. A separate bill to designate September as PCOS Awareness Month drew testimony from Senator Miranda and health advocates, who described the disorder’s prevalence, frequent misdiagnosis, fertility and pregnancy risks, and the value of public awareness and education.
Other bills discussed included a Domestic Workers’ Rights Day proposal, supported by Representative Garcia and Representative Sousa, who spoke about the invisibility and vulnerability of domestic workers and the importance of recognizing their labor. The committee also heard support for a veteran suicide awareness and remembrance day, a Boston branch library and affordable housing project in Dorchester, and a Fall River waterfront redevelopment bill transferring land to the local redevelopment authority for a major mixed-use project. In addition, Senator Miranda testified in favor of a memorial portrait for former Representative Doris Bunty, highlighting her pioneering role in the legislature and Boston public housing. The hearing was hybrid and lengthy, with the chair repeatedly asking witnesses to be concise and noting that testimony would be public record.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- When we talk about children and teens, the research shows that, developmentally, young people are not
- Prisons are not equipped to serve people who are disabled or terminally ill or who have trouble with
- decision, who were 18, 19, or 20 when they committed the crimes, and then also to people with disabilities
- There's a way to handle those serious cases in a way which I think is developmentally appropriate.
- In a way which I think is developmentally appropriate. So, you know, I'll close with this.
Summary:
The commission on correctional consolidation and collaboration heard testimony focused on how Massachusetts uses custody levels, staffing, programming, and medical release tools, with Prisoners’ Legal Services arguing that the system is overusing expensive high-security settings and underusing step-down options. Dave Rainey said the incarcerated population has dropped substantially over the last several years, but spending and staffing have not fallen in proportion. He argued that DOC overclassifies people into medium and maximum security, relies too heavily on behavioral assessment units that function like segregation, and keeps people in restrictive settings such as Souza-Baranowski and Shattuck Hospital longer than necessary. He also said medical parole is underused and that many people with serious chronic illness or advanced age pose little public-safety risk and should be released through existing legal pathways.
Sheriffs and other commission members pushed back on some of those points, emphasizing that staffing needs are driven by the acuity of the current population, that corrections is not overstaffed, and that classification decisions involve serious public-safety judgments. They also stressed that some high-cost medical placements are necessary because people remain under sentence and require care, and that furloughs and other release tools can create security risks if contraband or substance use is involved. The discussion also covered the role of county sheriffs versus DOC in reentry, with several members saying county systems tend to do more day-to-day step-down and release planning, while DOC has more difficulty moving people through lower-security settings before release.
Ben Foreman of MassINC offered a more systemwide, data-focused perspective, praising the state’s transparency and arguing that Massachusetts has made major progress in reducing incarceration and increasing public safety. He said the state still has an opportunity to improve by right-sizing facilities, investing in community-based mental health treatment, and using the commission to better understand the capital and operating costs of the current system. In response to questions, he said he was aware of DOC studies on programs like furlough but had not reviewed recent ones, and he noted that total-control facilities like Souza-Baranowski have long been criticized in the research literature for poor outcomes.
Nora Wassel of the Women and Incarceration Project then testified that the commission should issue an interim report and scrutinize the planned new women’s prison, which she said is not justified by current population trends or available data. She argued that women are overclassified under DOC’s own tools, that reentry beds and minimum-security placements are underused, and that the system may be failing to account for women’s distinct medical and reentry needs. The meeting ended with continued discussion of reentry, furloughs, day reporting, and whether consolidation should mean fewer facilities, better step-down pathways, or both.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 03/03/26
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- People with disabilities was about 13.5%.
- disabilities was about 13.5%. 13.5%. 13.5%.
- disabilities was around 3% increase. disabilities was around 3% increase.
- <01:04:42.160>
but without kids who have a disability but without kids who have a disability - facilities for people with developmental facilities for people with developmental disabilities.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- disability targeted case management.
- considering a renewal of a disability considering a renewal of a disability rate<00:13:31.120>
- <00:16:19.480>
disability <00:16:20.200>targeted <00:16:20.760>case developmental- disability targeted case developmental disability targeted case management. management. management.
- nations who are receiving disability nations who are receiving disability services, Services, services
- <00:16:19.480>
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Mar 26th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- statewide, we're ensuring that some of our most vulnerable residents, including individuals with disabilities
- in Medicaid provider rate increases, $13.3 million in additional resources and support for the developmentally
- disabled center facilities, $50 million for the development and implementation of recruitment and retention
- in Medicaid provider rate increases, $13.3 million in additional resources and support for the developmentally
- disabled center facilities, $50 million for the development and implementation of recruitment and retention
Summary:
The Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee met to review and advance the Senate’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget proposal for the committee’s portfolio. The presentation highlighted a $1.8 billion increase over the current base budget, including full funding for Medicaid and KidCare, investments in IT modernization, Medicaid provider rate increases, mental health and substance use services, opioid treatment, foster care and guardian assistance, elder care, veterans’ services, cancer research, school nurse staffing, and other public health initiatives. The committee adopted a motion allowing technical adjustments and then approved the budget proposal to be reported to the full Senate Appropriations Committee.
The committee then heard and voted on several bills. SB 152 on surgical smoke protection required hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt smoke evacuation policies; nurses testified in support, citing workplace and patient safety risks, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 958 on early detection of type 1 diabetes required the Department of Health to provide educational materials to schools and, by amendment, early learning coalitions; it was also reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 170 on nursing home oversight added consumer satisfaction surveys, reporting requirements, quality incentive changes, and financial reporting penalties, with an amendment exempting state-operated homes and directing a study of best practices; it passed after questions about dementia, language access, and retaliation protections. CS/SB 738 modernized child care regulation by streamlining DCF processes and reducing obsolete requirements, and was reported favorably without opposition.
The committee also approved CS/SB 1356 creating the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU and a Sunshine Genetics pilot to expand rare-disease screening and research, with support from members emphasizing early detection and data collection. SB 1370 separated ambulatory surgical centers into their own statute, with testimony that the change would better reflect the industry and help avoid burdensome regulation; it passed favorably. Finally, CS/CS/SB 1626 made a range of child welfare changes, including codifying DCF coordination with military installations, adjusting shelter certification, refining criminal-background exemptions, extending licensing compliance time, addressing room-and-board rate methodology, and clarifying missing-child procedures; after adopting three amendments and hearing both support and concerns, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also recorded a member’s affirmative vote on SB 958 before adjournment.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- The next trailer bill is SB 163, the Developmental Services omnibus trailer bill.
- So they have to take out private disability if they're able to.
- Then if you are fortunate enough to be able to pay into private disability, you may have private disability
- And I think we're also balancing the budget on the backs of the disabled and the elderly.
- Because at the end of the day, it affirms our commitment to those with intellectual developmental disabilities
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
State Committee Meeting - 2025-04-03
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Most older adults do experience change. ...and mobility and abilities, and some of us become disabled
- Founded by parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in 1946, the ARC Minnesota
- disabilities.
- A Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment that explicitly prohibits discrimination based on disability would
- greatly benefit the disability community.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Joint Administrative Procedures Committee Feb 3rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- There is a rule regarding the intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled.
- There is another rule on Medicaid waiver programs, developmental disabilities, individual budgeting waiver
- services, and finally, the final rule up for objection is developmental disabilities individual budgeting
Summary:
The Joint Administrative Procedures Committee met on February 3, 2025, with a quorum present and took up three main items. First, the committee considered a large set of recommended objections to Agency for Health Care Administration rules, all centered on sunset provisions stating the rules would expire after five years. AHCA asked for another deferral while it reviewed the rules, arguing the sunset language was a form of self-restraint rather than an invalid exercise of rulemaking authority. Committee leadership disagreed that further delay would resolve the issue and moved to a single vote covering all objections. The motion passed by roll call, and the committee informed AHCA that an objection would be filed unless the agency amended the rules within 30 days.
The committee then heard an informational briefing from the Department of Environmental Protection on its Outstanding Florida Springs rule and stormwater rule. DEP explained that it did not prepare a statement of estimated regulatory cost for the springs rule because the proposed standards largely mirror existing water management district rules and the Central Florida Water Initiative framework, so DEP said there was no new regulatory burden. Members asked about permit authority, costs, and whether the rules were functionally different from prior rules. DEP maintained the rules set minimum standards and did not add costs beyond what regulated parties were already doing.
DEP also described implementation of the stormwater rule adopted under the 2020 Clean Waterways Act and later ratified by the Legislature in 2024. DEP said the rule was the product of years of workshops and technical advisory committee meetings, and that the final version included lower-cost alternatives, grandfathering, and phased implementation. DEP estimated the rule’s cost at about $2,600 per acre in the revised CERC, while industry witnesses said the real cost could be much higher, especially if land costs are included. A home builders representative argued the estimate understated impacts, while a stormwater engineer said the rule gives more flexible, performance-based tools and could become more cost-effective over time.
Finally, Senator Graal presented proposed Chapter 120 changes in SB 108, aimed at tightening and modernizing rulemaking. The proposal would require five-year rule reviews, annual agency reporting, faster notice of proposed rulemaking after authorizing legislation, electronic filing, public access to incorporated materials, clearer tracking of technical changes, and limits on how long rules can remain pending ratification. Members discussed whether the Legislature should be more specific in statutes about rulemaking deadlines and whether agencies should be more accountable when rules stall. No formal action was taken on the Chapter 120 proposals, and the committee adjourned after discussion.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/26
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- again in the in the disability again in the in the disability community,<00:13:06.639>
we - disability waiver services providers. disability waiver services providers.
- These are related to early intensive developmental behavioral intervention.
- c> intensive developmental behavioral intensive developmental behavioral intervention.<01:35:53.199><
- Sections 7 through 11 and 40 are related to tribal vulnerable adult and developmental disability case
Keywords:
assisted living, healthcare, training, unlicensed personnel, resident rights, safety regulations, nursing home, long-term care, guardian, conservator, arbitration, mandatory arbitration, consumer protection, fee increase, rate increase, price hike, private pay, public funds, Medicaid, waiver services
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We don't have a number on how... with a disability.
- a similar specialty plate to honor and provide benefits for peace officers who were permanently disabled
- . permanently disabled during their service to our communities.
- Disabled peace officers should register their vehicles. of the program receive free or discounted use
- in handicapped and disability parking spaces to apply for an accompanying parking placard.
Keywords:
memorial highway, Captain Kevin Williams, Firefighter Austin Cheek, Smith County, transportation, pedestrian right-of-way, sidewalk users, bicycle safety, micromobility, electric scooter, motor-assisted scooter, electric personal assistive mobility device, skateboard, roller skates, driveway crossing, alley crossing, traffic safety, yield law, Texas Transportation Code, vehicle-pedestrian collision
Summary:
The meeting of the committee focused on several bills aimed at enhancing the operational efficiency of Texas transportation and port authorities. Key discussions included the implications of SB2080, which seeks to streamline operations for navigation districts by raising procurement authority, exempting security discussions from recording requirements, and aligning Texas ports with national standards to foster economic growth. Senator Alvarado advocated fervently for the bill, emphasizing its positive impact on competitiveness with ports in states like Virginia and New Jersey. Public testimony reflected mixed responses, with strong support from industry representatives but opposition from some municipal authorities concerned about the potential overreach of port authorities into local development.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- People in mobile scooters who have disabilities, etc. This gap has created an issue in practice.
- Since 1949, Texas has issued specialty license plates for disabled veterans.
- Disabled officer from their ability to ambulate to qualify for a...
- loss of $246,000 to the highway fund over a five-year period, but really we don't know how many disabled
- A small number of those are permanently disabling. Yeah, I don't think anybody's got any.
Keywords:
memorial highway, Captain Kevin Williams, Firefighter Austin Cheek, Smith County, transportation, pedestrian right-of-way, sidewalk users, bicycle safety, micromobility, electric scooter, motor-assisted scooter, electric personal assistive mobility device, skateboard, roller skates, driveway crossing, alley crossing, traffic safety, yield law, Texas Transportation Code, vehicle-pedestrian collision
TX
Bills:
HB 1181, HB3704, HB1363, HB1610, HB1615, HB1620, HB3223, HB1317, HB2884, HB2176, HB4027, HB1664, HB933, HB2613, HB3353, HB2086, HB4101, HB3441, HB4145, HB3455
Keywords:
judiciary, judges, justices, retired, legal assignments, judicial conduct, notary public, criminal offense, education requirements, official documents, record retention, implicit bias, bias training, judicial training, judge education, court personnel, continuing legal education, CLE, state bar, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
TX
Bills:
HB 1181, HB3704, HB1363, HB1610, HB1615, HB1620, HB3223, HB1317, HB2884, HB2176, HB4027, HB1664, HB933, HB2613, HB3353, HB2086, HB4101, HB3441, HB4145, HB3455
Keywords:
judiciary, judges, justices, retired, legal assignments, judicial conduct, notary public, criminal offense, education requirements, official documents, record retention, implicit bias, bias training, judicial training, judge education, court personnel, continuing legal education, CLE, state bar, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
TX
Keywords:
HB 48, oilfield theft, organized theft, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, DPS, Department of Public Safety, Texas, Railroad Commission, criminal justice, energy resources, theft prevention, organized crime, border region, El Paso, law enforcement task force, asset recovery, pipeline theft, drilling equipment, equipment theft
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:10:00.519>
and 372.00 early intensive developmental and 372.00 early intensive developmental - disabilities targeted case management.
- disability disability waivers<00:52:32.760>
is <00:52:33.319>that <00:52:33.680>it's - under uh the section reduced disability under uh the section reduced disability uh<01:01:55.119>
- <01:10:32.640>
determination 22 um Medicaid disability determination 22 um Medicaid disability
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Education Postsecondary Feb 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- THE 24TH FLORIDA HOUSE AND SENATE FOR DESIGNATING AND SUPPORTING A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR FLORIDA'S DEVELOPMENTAL
- AS DEVELOPMENTAL RESEARCH SCHOOLS WE PARTNER WITH OUR COLLEGES OF EDUCATION TO PREPARE FUTURE EDUCATORS
- TODAY FLORIDA'S DEVELOPMENTAL RESEARCH SCHOOLS ARE IMPLEMENTING FLUID AND NEW STANDARDS.
- RESEARCH TO PROVIDE READING DEVELOPMENT AND WORKING AT WAYS TO STUDENTS TO HELP WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES
- Calatayud: NEXT WE WILL HEAR FROM MICHAEL JOHNSON AND DOCTOR PATRICIA WEST AT FAMILY DEVELOPMENTAL RESEARCH
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HSH Public Hearing - Thu Mar 13, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST
Human Services & Homelessness
Transcript Highlights:
- We have in-person testimony from the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities. D.
- <00:45:47.720>
and thank you um disability and thank you um disability and communication<00 - First up, we have the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, which is not here.
- Not here, but the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities. Oh, okay.
- <01:12:57.600>
and have of in support disability and have of in support disability and Communications
Summary:
The Committee on Human Services and Homelessness heard two SNAP-related bills on March 13, 2025. SB 960 SD1 would appropriate funds to DHS to improve SNAP administration, including additional positions. Testimony from Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Food Industry Association, AARP Hawaii, Hawaii Appleseed, and many others strongly supported the measure, emphasizing high food insecurity, the importance of SNAP federal dollars, and the need to reduce delays and improve access. DHS said vacancies and retention are the main barriers, with staffing shortages statewide across processing centers. The department described efforts such as wikiwiki hiring, bringing back retired workers, using interns, and improving call center efficiency, and said it had requested a 5% performance incentive package estimated at about $1.1 million per year, though that request did not make the governor’s budget. Members asked about vacancy counts, staffing distribution, and how the bill would interact with other SNAP funding; DHS said some funding was tied to the new eligibility system and that staffing requests would need to be separate. The committee did not take final action on the bill in the portion heard.
The committee then heard SB 961 SD1, which would require DHS to adjust minimum certification periods and participate in the Elderly Simplified Application Project. Supporters, including AARP Hawaii, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Appleseed, Hawaii Food Industry Association, and additional organizations and individuals, said the bill would reduce red tape, help kūpuna, and ease administrative burden. DHS supported the concept but said the current legacy system cannot automate these changes and that any implementation would require manual processing until the new system is in place. DHS and committee members discussed the risk of higher error rates and timeliness problems with manual processing, noting the department had recently been assessed a $1 million penalty for high payment error rates and was already in corrective action for timeliness. Members also discussed the anticipated fall 2026 rollout of the new system and whether the bill should be delayed until then; DHS said it preferred to assess the new system first before pursuing waivers and related changes. The committee then moved on to the next measure after the discussion.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- disabilities.
- Across the US, people with disabilities, including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- And they still said you have to stay here, you have to adhere to that, and she's disabled.
- She was disabled. How is she going to go up and down the stairs? She can't.
- Uh, this, so this only applies to disabled and low-income indigent tenants.
Bills:
HB303
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- disabilities.
- department for developmental department for developmental disabilities.<00:54:58.400>
And - And I just want to make disabilities.
- disorder that affects how developmental disorder that affects how people<01:08:35.199>
interact - They deal with individuals with disabilities from birth to death.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-20 (9:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- are about protecting children, supporting seniors, honoring veterans, ensuring individuals with disabilities
- Supporting seniors, honoring veterans, ensuring individuals with disabilities receive the care and dignity
- disability centers, $118 million for core child welfare programs, including a rate increase for all
- My question is, with the struggles we're having with the I budget programming and our developmentally
- disabled programming, waiver programs, why are we not including those in the social services estimating
Summary:
The Senate took up the 2026-2027 budget and related implementing bills. Appropriations Chair Hooper presented a $115 billion General Appropriations Bill, saying it reduces overall spending from the prior year, preserves reserves, and includes a 3% raise for state employees and 5% raises for state law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then outlined major budget areas, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and environmental/agricultural agencies. Highlights included increased funding for school safety, teacher and scholarship funding, workforce education, Medicaid and kid care, corrections operations, judgeships, affordable housing, hurricane recovery, Everglades and water quality projects, and arts and cultural grants.
Members asked detailed questions about several items. Senators discussed the Emergency Management Trust Fund, cultural arts grant allocations, Florida Forever land acquisition versus conservation easements, teacher salary support, charter school capital outlay funding, Bright Futures and EASE funding, New College funding, DOC deficits and inmate health care/food service costs, the ADAP HIV drug program, Medicaid reductions for non-critical access hospitals, and the use of opioid settlement and COVID relief funds. Chairs explained that some apparent reductions reflected shifts below the line or reclassification, that the ADAP appropriation would only cover about six months, and that some vacant positions were being removed as part of a right-sizing effort. Questions also covered lottery staffing, concealed weapons permit processing, elections security funding, and arts grant selection and proviso language.
The Senate then substituted House bills for the Senate budget and implementing measures, amended them into the Senate posture, and passed them. HB 5001 (the appropriations bill), HB 503 (implementing bill), HB 5201 (collective bargaining), and HB 5205 (retirement) all passed 36-0 and were sent to conference. Other budget-related bills also passed, including SB 2506 on fuel taxes, SB 2508 on the state agency law enforcement radio system surcharge, SB 2510 on court trust funds, SB 2512 creating 13 circuit and 12 county judgeships, SB 2514 on K-12 education, SB 2516 on higher education, and SB 2518 on health. Most of these passed unanimously, with the Senate requesting the House either pass the Senate versions or include them in budget conference.