Transcript Highlights:

• A Latino youth is two times more likely to come in at all, and a Black youth is 3.5 times more likely
• than we are with our white youth.
• youth than we are with our white youth.
• As a society for bringing Black and Latino youth to court than we do for a white youth, right?
• With that youth and their family.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice

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:

• A Latino youth is two times more likely to come in at all, and a Black youth is 3.5 times more likely
• than we are with our white youth.
• As a society for bringing Black and Latino youth to court than we do for a white youth, right?
• One, a youth can be detained at the Department of Youth Services, and they can be detained because a
• Youth? Well, I guess what in these have the biggest obstacle to it? Youth?

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• requested to fund tobacco and vaping prevention media campaigns and to award competitive grants targeting youth
• In the area of mental health prevention and early intervention, there is not much hope that the counties
• Statewide initiatives like the Children and Youth Behavioral Initiative, 988 suicide and crisis lifeline
• Statewide initiatives like the Children and Youth Behavioral Initiative, 988 suicide and crisis lifeline
• Dberg with the Health Officers Association of California, also here in support of the disease intervention

Summary: The Assembly Subcommittee on Health heard an overview of the California Department of Public Health budget, including a $5.1 billion department budget and 19 non-IT budget change proposals spanning environmental health, healthcare quality, infectious disease, healthy communities, health statistics, preparedness, and laboratory sciences. CDPH also presented estimates for WIC and the Genetic Disease Screening Program, both of which were described as relatively stable, with WIC food costs rising mainly due to inflation and participation holding near 1 million monthly participants. Members and public commenters raised support for several proposals, including funding for the California Reducing Disparities Project, AB 1264 implementation on school food standards, childhood lead poisoning prevention, the hospital bed capacity registry, sickle cell care networks, and WIC protections amid federal policy changes and shutdown-related uncertainty. Dr. Erica Pond then presented the 2026 State of Public Health report, highlighting major gains such as record-low mortality rates, all-time high life expectancy, and the first decline in overdose deaths in 14 years, while warning about persistent disparities in maternal and infant outcomes, rising severe maternal morbidity, and worsening mental and behavioral health trends, especially among younger adults. She emphasized racial and geographic inequities, the role of social drivers like poverty and education, and the importance of prevention investments through the Behavioral Health Services Act. Members discussed the need for upstream public health spending, environmental health preparedness, and how to translate data into action, while public comment largely focused on sustaining community-based prevention and equity programs. In a separate update on federal actions and public health partnerships, Dr. Pond and CDPH staff described California’s response to federal funding threats, vaccine policy changes, and measles outbreaks. They outlined new collaborations such as the West Coast Health Alliance, the Governor’s Public Health Alliance, the WHO outbreak network, and the FACT Coalition, along with CDPH’s process for reviewing and updating immunization and preventive service recommendations under AB 144. Members questioned the rise in measles and declining vaccination coverage, and CDPH said it is using trusted messengers and tailored outreach while continuing to evaluate federal recommendations. The committee then heard an ADAP estimate showing lower projected budget authority needs due to reduced caseload and one-time funding expiring, followed by public support for using ADAP rebate funds to expand HIV prevention, PrEP, testing, and disease intervention staffing. The final issue focused on public health information technology systems, including Sapphire, CalReady, CalConnect, CARE, MyTurn, MyCAVAC, and the digital vaccine record. CDPH explained how these systems support disease reporting, contact tracing, immunization tracking, vaccine ordering, and outbreak response, while the Department of Finance said only Sapphire and CalReady are funded in the Governor’s budget and the rest are under review because of the state’s budget deficit and declining utilization. Local health department representatives strongly opposed losing the systems, arguing that lower usage reflects post-pandemic conditions and that the tools save staff time, improve outbreak response, and prevent a return to manual spreadsheets and phone calls. Members echoed concern that cutting the systems would undermine public health capacity and waste prior state investment, and urged the administration to present a funding plan that matches its stated commitment to public health.

Transcript Highlights:

• I urge you to oppose HB 173 and protect the health and lives of all Florida's children and youth, not
• We're a youth-led nonprofit that serves folks in Miami-Dade and Broward here to oppose House Bill 173
• For many minors, the ability to seek help quickly is the difference between early intervention and an
• INTERVENTION SERVICES WITHOUT PARENTAL CONSENT.
• Removing confidential access does not strengthen families; it isolates vulnerable youth.

Committee: House Education & Employment Committee

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and began by welcoming students and coaches participating in the inaugural Sunshine State Debate. Members then heard and voted on a series of education-related bills, with most measures receiving favorable reports by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The first bill, HB 1081, created a Cybersecurity Internship Clearance Readiness Program in the Department of Commerce for NCACE-designated universities and Florida College System institutions; a friendly amendment expanded access to private schools, and the bill passed 19-0. HB 1201 updated Florida’s epilepsy/seizure plan law to clarify protections for charter school students, require acceptance of physician-submitted plans, extend training validity to five years, and expand training to regular bus drivers; epilepsy advocates supported it, and it passed 19-0. HB 851 required annual autism-specific professional learning opportunities for teachers and school-based administrators, and it also passed 19-0. HB 615, dealing with IEPs, required quicker parent notice when services are missed, faster access to service logs, individualized parent orientation, and standardized district service logs; parents and advocates testified strongly in support, and the bill was reported favorably. HB 1503 added technology-related competencies to education courses and directed the Department of Education to develop computer science certification coverage; it passed 19-0. HB 371 required public schools to display portraits of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington in common areas and passed 19-0 after testimony both for and against. HB 731 revised extracurricular eligibility rules and allowed local policies for compensating coaches and activity sponsors; an amendment broadened manual requirements and clarified fee actions, and the bill passed 18-0. The committee also took up HB 173, a parental rights bill that drew the most extensive debate and public testimony. The bill would require parental consent for many medical decisions for minors, give parents access to medical records, and expand parental review/opt-in rights for certain school surveys and biofeedback devices. Supporters argued it restores parental authority, improves safety, and prevents children from being cut out of important medical decisions; opponents warned it would remove confidential access to STI treatment, crisis mental health care, and other services for minors in unsafe or abusive homes. Members raised questions about abuse exceptions, emergency care, and how the bill would affect routine treatment and time-sensitive care. The bill was not voted on in the portion provided, and debate continued through multiple rounds of sponsor responses and member comments.

Transcript Highlights:

• We look to you now and ask your divine intervention into our lives that you would direct us, that you
• This is the Richland Mayor's Youth Council, and with them today is Mayor Gene McGee, Lisa Walters, Ben
• </c><00:09:01.360><c> into</c><00:09:01.760><c> our</c> ask your divine intervention into our ask your
• divine intervention into our lives<00:09:02.720><c> that</c><00:09:02.959><c> you</c><00:09:03.120><
• This is the<00:11:32.160><c> Richland</c><00:11:32.640><c> Mayor's</c><00:11:33.040><c> Youth</c><00:

Transcript Highlights:

• arts and youth programming.
• reductions in the unhoused youth population.
• AJ Johnson, John Burton Advocates for Youth.
• reductions in the unhoused youth population.
• AJ Johnson, John Burton Advocates for youth.

Summary: The committee opened with the State Controller’s Office May Revision requests, including funding for Fiscal book-of-record stabilization, a Broadcom IDMS licensing adjustment, the California State Payroll System, ACFR reporting automation, and $3 million for unclaimed property outreach. Testimony emphasized progress on Fiscal becoming the state’s accounting book of record in July, faster ACFR publication, and the move to electronic unclaimed property claims. Members asked about the size of the unclaimed property fund and how quickly money is transferred to the General Fund; the Controller’s office said about $15 billion is held, with most excess transferred regularly, and the LAO noted the fund is the General Fund’s fourth-largest revenue source. No concerns were raised by Finance or the LAO, and the item was closed after no public comment. The committee then heard the administration’s proposal to tax prewritten digital software and software-as-a-service, with Finance saying it would modernize sales tax treatment and raise an estimated $450 million General Fund and $560 million local revenue in 2026-27. The LAO supported modernizing the tax but suggested broader digital goods coverage and a business-use exemption; industry and taxpayer groups opposed the proposal, warning of higher costs for consumers and businesses. Members also heard CDTFA’s administrative request tied to the proposal, plus a separate CDTFA budget reduction reflecting lower operational needs; that reduction was presented as a savings item and drew positive reactions. Next, the committee considered federal conformity for “Trump accounts,” which would align California tax treatment with federal rules for tax-deferred children’s accounts and avoid tracking burdens for families. The LAO recommended approval, and the item drew no opposition. The committee also heard a proposal to cut the first-year $800 annual business tax to $400 for LLCs, LPs, and LLPs; Finance argued it would lower startup costs and encourage new business formation, while the LAO said the benefit was not well targeted and could subsidize entities that would form anyway. Members discussed the policy tradeoff, and public commenters split between support for small business relief and concern about revenue loss. The final major revenue item was a permanent business tax credit limitation, capping credits at the greater of $5 million per corporation or 50% of pre-credit liability, while excluding the low-income housing tax credit and personal income tax credits. Finance said it would raise significant revenue from large profitable corporations, and the LAO said it was a reasonable option but noted it would mainly affect the R&D credit and could have future implications for programs like California Competes. Public testimony was sharply divided, with business groups opposing the cap and anti-poverty advocates supporting it as a way to recapture revenue. The committee also heard FTB’s CalFile realignment request, which would return most of the direct-file-related resources to the General Fund while retaining a smaller staff to improve CalFile, and the California Arts Council’s request to reauthorize the Keep Arts in Schools voluntary contribution fund, which members and advocates supported despite relatively modest annual donations. The hearing continued with GoBiz proposals on civic media funding, CA RISE reappropriation, and a semiconductor facility reversion, with the LAO supporting the latter two and members raising questions about the civic media program’s scope, outreach, and inclusion of broadcast and ethnic media.

Transcript Highlights:

• We submitted, we provided a position to oversee youth courts.
• Um we've had some oversee youth courts.
• Then on Senate Bill at the youth courts.
• We, if you remember, two years ago, we actually amended the youth court law to say that the Judicial
• from the youth court uh courts<00:21:40.720><c> and</c><00:21:41.039><c> judges.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• has a safe place to call home. housing to youth ages 16 to 24 who are housing to youth ages 16 to 24
• </c> as the co-chair of the Minnesota Youth as the co-chair of the Minnesota Youth Services<00:26:05.279
• </c> directly increases the risk of youth directly increases the risk of youth falling<00:27:09.760><
• ><c> will</c> Without this intervention, we will Without this intervention, we will continue<00:59:06.799
• Our youth are bearing the burden.

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• That youth can't afford, and that's a good thing.
• Our stores are committed to keeping youth out of them.
• We've heard a lot of people talk about youth access, a lot of anecdotal evidence as far as youth usage
• and the best way to stop youth from using tobacco products.
• We want to raise prices on cigarettes for youth.

Bills: SB6073 , SB6113 , SB6116 , SB6129 , SB6162 , SB6114 , SB5857

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: SB 6073, LEOFF, Law Enforcement Officers' and Fire Fighters' Retirement System, retirement system, pension, public safety retirement, wildland firefighter, aviation firefighter, wildland fire, forest firefighter, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, firefighter benefits, retirement benefits, service credit, disability retirement, survivor benefits, employer contributions, Washington RCW, public employees

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:56:11.240><c> and</c> need to keep the situation of Youth and need to keep the situation of Youth
• I appreciate that there is a need for our youth at risk, youth all across the state, of all sorts of
• I appreciate that there is a need for our youth at risk, youth all across the state, of all sorts of
• </c> enable them to Target interventions enable them to Target interventions effectively<01:31:52.639
• </c> case management and intervention case management and intervention programs<01:45:42.239><c> the<

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• This morning we are going to hear an update from the Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
• </c><00:01:27.479><c> and</c> Department of Children Youth and Department of Children Youth and families
• </c><00:35:28.520><c> services</c> comprehensive Rel intervention services comprehensive Rel intervention
• is the most effective intervention.
• </c><00:41:10.200><c> intervention</c><00:41:11.200><c> so</c> the most effective intervention so the

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• And I also serve as a scientific advisor for Texans for a Safe and Drug-Free Youth.
• And I wanted to mention this model, outpatient biopsychosocial interventions in IDD.
• Against these, Haven stands out as a proven, efficient, and already at-scale intervention.
• Haven stands out as a proven, efficient, and already at-scale intervention.
• And the youth themselves are asked those questions, and 3.5 out of 4 is satisfaction for the youth.

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> measure SB 1028 SD1 relating to youth measure SB 1028 SD1 relating to youth fees<01:14:26.000><c
• </c><01:17:23.600><c> in</c> calls to improve outcomes for youth in calls to improve outcomes for youth
• </c> support from Opportunity for Youth support from Opportunity for Youth Action<01:22:52.639><c> Hawaii
• </c><01:32:29.520><c> This</c> children, youth, and families. This children, youth, and families.
• </c> division um diversion and intervention division um diversion and intervention pilot<01:32:42.800

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 281 SD1, which would define and prohibit torture as a Class A felony. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office, HPD investigators, and other supporters said the bill is needed because existing laws do not adequately capture torture, especially cases involving children and vulnerable persons. Several testifiers emphasized that starvation is a common method of torture that often leaves little visible evidence, and they urged the committee to restore the original starvation language removed from the measure. The Office of the Public Defender said it did not oppose the bill’s purpose but raised concerns that the language was too broad and could create trial issues, particularly around minors and vulnerable people, and suggested narrowing amendments. The chair indicated the testimony had made a strong impression and said the committee would try to move the bill forward. The committee then heard SB 292 SD1, relating to sexual exploitation and safe harbor protections for survivors seeking medical or law enforcement help. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the measure, noting that a prior version raised equal protection concerns that were no longer present, and said survivors should be able to seek help without fear of prosecution. Written support was also noted from several advocacy and state groups. Testimony in support focused on retaliation fears, trafficking, and the need for manpower and resources to address exploitation and related crimes. Finally, the committee took up SB 295 SD1, which would increase penalties for violating temporary restraining orders and orders for protection and treat a violation of one as a second offense for the other. The Public Defender’s Office objected to the mandatory jail component, arguing judges should retain discretion and that there was no clear evidence mandatory jail deters violations. The transcript cuts off before any final committee action or vote on SB 295 was recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Indigenous youth in California bear the highest rate of suicide deaths among any youth group by a wide
• Indigenous youth in California bear the highest rate of suicide deaths among any youth group by a wide
• What are the interventions? Is it going down?
• , for our youth?
• Might be a youth, might be a teen.

Summary: The hearing focused on online safety controls and whether parental controls are sufficient to protect children on social media and other digital platforms. The chair and several members framed the issue as a child safety and public health problem, not just a technology issue, and said the goal was to understand what parental controls do, where they fail, and what policy solutions might be needed. Opening remarks also emphasized that California should lead on safer online spaces for children. Victoria and Paul Hinks gave emotional testimony about the death of their daughter, Alexandra, saying that despite using screen time limits, content filters, app restrictions, and other parental controls, their daughter was still exposed to harmful content and found ways around the settings. Researchers and advocates from Stanford, Children Now, and other organizations said parents face major challenges because digital parenting is complicated, platforms and apps change constantly, children can bypass controls, and many tools are costly or inaccessible. They argued that parental controls are often incomplete, hard to use, and not enough on their own to prevent harms such as cyberbullying, self-harm content, eating disorder content, and exploitation. Witnesses also discussed broader risks in digital spaces, including mental health harms, addiction, fentanyl-related contact through social media, and concerns about AI chatbots. Several speakers said safety should be built into products from the start, with stronger age assurance, clearer reporting systems, independent standards, and corporate accountability. Members asked about what “safe” means, whether other countries’ restrictions are effective, and which features are most harmful. There was broad agreement that no single tool is enough and that multiple layers of protection are needed. The final panel featured representatives from Meta, Google, OpenAI, and Roblox, who described their companies’ teen safety features and parental tools. They pointed to default protections for minors, content limits, bedtime and screen-time tools, age assurance efforts, and new parent notifications for certain self-harm searches. They also supported legislation on age assurance and app-store parental approval. Members pressed the companies on whether their tools are truly effective, and several witnesses acknowledged that current systems still have gaps and that more work is needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• From early intervention services for young children in schools to reducing reliance on opioids and ER
• :44.040><c> for</c> From early intervention services for From early intervention services for young<00
• </c><01:52:43.200><c> that</c><01:52:43.360><c> reduces</c> health intervention that reduces health intervention
• This bill also invests in youth prevention and early intervention.
• This bill also invests in youth prevention and early intervention.

Transcript Highlights:

• This funding is critical to ensure that foster youth and homeless youth are supported. Thank you.
• I'm a former foster youth and have been impacted by homelessness during my youth, and we're here trying
• I'm a former foster youth.
• As a lived experience youth in the foster system, I know that this funding is vital to youth exiting
• As a lived experience youth in the foster system, I know that this funding is vital to youth exiting

Transcript Highlights:

• So when I started my career, this was called PBIS, or positive behavior intervention supports.
• So when I started my career, this was called PBIS, or positive behavior intervention supports.
• Response but as an essential tool when all other interventions have been exhausted.
• </c> time and please listen to the youth time and please listen to the youth voices<00:53:00.559><c>
• </c><01:43:02.560><c> changing</c> planning interventions changing planning interventions changing schedules

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• transportation, and neglect are plaguing many of our homeless youth and foster children.
• Together, we're sending a clear message that we will not rest until we build a future for our youth where
• Research consistently shows that early intervention, family support services, and community awareness
• SB 1285 allows justice-impacted youth the opportunity to petition for dismissal of their records and
• California's juvenile justice system is designed to rehabilitate youth and eliminate long-term collateral

Transcript Highlights:

• . ...can improve our youth driving statistics regarding fatalities and injuries if we don't know which
• young people need intervention with their driving.
• By allowing our youth to plea bargain, fine pay, their traffic violations down to zero points on their
• license innumerable times, it appears they are good drivers when in fact they need intervention with
• Intervention with driver education, behind-the-wheel instruction, and/or driver improvement classes are

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Summary: The committee met in executive session and first approved House Bill 2889 by a 14-0 roll call vote. It then took up House Bill 3175, “Mason’s Law,” adopting a House Committee Substitute after discussion of a proposed amendment that was not offered because the sponsor and a member agreed the language needed to be cleaned up. The substitute bill was then advanced both due pass and due pass by consent, with unanimous votes of 14-0 and 16-0 respectively. House Bill 3066, dealing with St. Louis police governance and related budget/oversight issues, drew extended debate. Opponents argued it was an overreach, would sidestep local elected officials, and could burden the city budget; supporters said it was not a state takeover but an oversight structure made up of city citizens and that the city should be responsible for certain liabilities. The committee adopted a House Committee Amendment to address lieutenant overtime pay, rolled it into a new committee substitute, and then passed the substitute 11-5. During the vote, members clarified that a refusal to vote could be recorded and the roll was completed after a brief rules question. In public hearing, House Bill 2767 was presented as a 911 funding measure that would increase the prepaid wireless 911 fee from 3% to 4% to generate roughly $1 million more annually for grants to local 911 providers for equipment, training, and related upgrades. Testimony from 911 directors emphasized that prepaid phone revenue has declined as consumers move away from that technology, while the added funding would help modernize statewide emergency response systems; no opposition was heard. House Bill 1990, creating the offense of gift card fraud, was then heard with support from the sponsor, retailers, grocers, convenience store operators, and bankers, who described sophisticated theft schemes involving tampering with cards and stealing activation data; members asked about penalties, how the fraud works, and whether the bill aligns with existing theft classifications. The final bill heard was House Bill 2269, which would move boiler inspector qualifications and related fire/life safety standards from statute into rule to help the state hire inspectors more quickly and align with national standards. The state fire marshal supported the change and said oversight would remain with the boiler board commission. House Bill 3220, focused on teen driver accountability and driver education, drew extensive support from the sponsor, a crash victim’s widow, AAA, motorcycle and pedestrian safety advocates, and MODOT. Supporters said the bill would require driver education for new applicants under 21, tighten supervision and point-assessment rules, and reduce crashes; MODOT estimated a state administrative cost of roughly $350,000 to $850,000 annually, and members asked about parental supervision, the impact on young drivers, and historical crash trends. No votes were taken on the public hearing bills before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• generations, driver education with behind-the-wheel instruction was easily available to all of our youth
• Three years ago, Missouri was ninth in the nation for high numbers of youth involved, through age 20,
• It is my belief as a state we can improve our youth driving statistics regarding fatalities and injuries
• if we know which young people need intervention with their driving.
• By allowing our youth to plea bargain, fine, and pay their traffic violations down to zero points on

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety