Transcript Highlights:

• be that is being cared for with that license.
• is the places in a home where a child could be that is being cared for with that license.
• Licensing for existing and expanding programs, or licenses for existing and expanding programs, are required
• to complete the same orientation as new license applicants.
• Regardless of whether you have multiple licenses, one or none, it's the same training.

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Transcript Highlights:

• be that is being cared for with that license.
• is the places in a home where a child could be that is being cared for with that license.
• Licensing for existing and expanding programs, or licenses for existing and expanding programs, are required
• to complete the same orientation as new license applicants.
• Regardless of whether you have multiple licenses, one or none, it's the same training.

Summary: The committee opened by explaining that several bills had been removed from the agenda because the Senate must physically possess a bill before holding a public hearing. The chair said the missing bills would be rescheduled for Tuesday. The committee then waived the five-day notice rule for considering substitute House Bills 1705 and 32010, and proceeded to hear substitute House Bill 2219 and substitute House Bill 1795. House Bill 2219, on child care operational efficiency, would allow longer mixed-age ratio periods in child care centers, waive repeat DCYF orientation requirements in certain cases when staff have recently completed the same training, and require licensing standards to include a zero-tolerance policy for imminent physical harm involving high-potency synthetic opioids and related drug residue or paraphernalia. The prime sponsor and supporters said the bill would help child care providers manage staffing shortages, take breaks, and reduce duplicative licensing burdens. Testimony was strongly supportive, with advocates and providers describing the bill as a low-cost way to improve retention and flexibility. Questions focused on how the fentanyl language would apply to prescribed medications. House Bill 1795 would narrow and update state law on restraint and isolation in public schools and other public educational programs. The bill prohibits mechanical and chemical restraints and restraints that restrict breathing or blood flow, bars planned isolation in IEPs and 504 plans, limits planned restraint to cases with parent request and medical necessity, and prohibits new construction or remodeling of spaces intended primarily for student isolation. Supporters, including disability advocates, educators, school psychologists, principals, and state education groups, said the bill is a needed step toward reducing trauma and disproportionality and cited demonstration sites showing reductions in restraint and isolation. Some educators and paraeducators raised concerns about staffing, training, and what tools remain available in crisis situations, while others asked for future work on professional development and resources. No vote was taken on either bill during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not factually change the licenses.
• Licenses continue as they were.
• They have to be nationally certified to be licensed in Alabama.
• The licensing doesn't change at all. Stays the same.
• The licensed therapists, the licensed behavior analysts that are currently in the field will continue

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> rather than having to post this license rather than having to post this license around<00:07:56.400
• </c><00:12:58.880><c> Pharmacists</c> get our license renewal. Pharmacists get our license renewal.
• I took the I got my license in 1997.
• </c><00:16:48.160><c> of</c> the legislature who hold the licenses of the legislature who hold the licenses
• So basically extent of their license.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• So we will get started with Michael Vaughan of Moore to the Oklahoma Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug
• Tina Frazier to the State Board of Licensed Social Workers.
• She is a licensed master's social worker.
• She is a licensed master's social worker and serves on several professional boards.
• Senator Rick mentioned, I received my Master of Social Work in 2021 and was licensed as a licensed master

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met to consider a series of gubernatorial nominations, first for several boards and commissions and then for key health-related executive positions. Early confirmations included Michael Vaughn to the Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors, Tina Frazier to the State Board of Licensed Social Workers, Dr. Kanya Martin and Dr. Edgar Boyd to the Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Dr. Christopher Thurman to the Health Care Workforce Training Commission, Samuel Haubrick and Robert Wipp Jr. to the Committee of Home Inspector Examiners, and Dr. Gabriel Pittman to the State Board of Health. Each nominee briefly described their background and qualifications, and committee members generally emphasized professional experience, public service, and rural health needs. All of these nominations advanced on unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The committee then considered Clayton Bullard for two roles: Cabinet Secretary of Health and Mental Health and Administrator of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. Senators focused heavily on Medicaid managed care, provider payment delays, MCO oversight, and the short timeline before a new administration. Bullard said his priority would be stabilizing the agency, building a balanced budget, monitoring contractors and managed care organizations, and ensuring claims are paid promptly; he reported high rates of clean-claim payment within 14 days and said the agency would continue fining MCOs for noncompliance. Members also pressed him on legislative oversight and the need to keep lawmakers informed about policy changes. Both nominations were approved and sent to the full Senate. Sharon Schell Millington was then nominated to lead the Office of Juvenile Affairs. Senators asked about security concerns, staff safety, de-escalation training, pay for direct care staff, and coordination with local law enforcement. Millington said the agency had increased staff pay, adopted nationally recognized restraint/de-escalation training, and was working to improve communication with law enforcement. Her nomination also passed and moved to the Senate floor. At the end of the meeting, the chair answered a question about board membership requirements, clarified that the statute limits how many members may reside in one congressional district but does not require every district to be represented, and thanked committee staff for their work as the committee’s final HHS meeting of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• patient admission requirements for license holders in good standing, and clarifies background screening
• First, it specifies that a licensed advanced practice registered nurse who holds a Doctor of Philosophy
• Licensed physicians and nurses must complete a one-time, two-hour board-approved continuing education
• Licensed physicians and nurses must complete a one-time, two-hour board-approved continuing education
• Evaluators must be a psychiatrist or a psychologist licensed in Florida with at least three years of

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• It exists here in Florida today, but what we have is naturopathic doctors that are licensed in other
• states... ...is naturopathic doctors that are licensed in other states practicing in Florida without
• Ramona Shires, and I am here in support of the naturopathic licensing bill.
• Licensed naturopathic doctors can fill that gap while being ...care.
• Licensed naturopathic doctors can fill that gap while being held to standards and oversight.

Summary: The Health Professions and Program Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered seven bills, all of which were reported favorably. HB 497 would create a neurofibromatosis research grant program within the Department of Health; an amendment removed automatic recurring funding and made the program subject to annual appropriations. Proponents described the disease burden and the need for Florida-based research support. The bill passed 14-0. The committee also approved HB 223, which creates a licensing and regulatory framework for naturopathic medicine, including a Board of Naturopathic Medicine under the Department of Health. Supporters argued licensure would improve patient safety, transparency, and access, while the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association and Florida Medical Association waived in opposition. The bill passed 15-0. HB 683 modernizes physician assistant and APRN prescribing rules by removing certain administrative notice and prescription-labeling requirements and allowing a 30-day course of psychotropic medication; an amendment removed language that would have allowed practice without physician supervision during declared emergencies. It passed 15-0. The committee then approved CS for HB 121, which updates Florida’s seizure action plan law by extending protections to charter school students, requiring schools to accept physician-submitted plans, clarifying training duration, expanding training to regular bus drivers, and requiring seizure-response posters in schools. HB 353 adds sickle cell disease education to existing pain-management continuing education for health professionals, prompted by extensive testimony from patients and advocates about bias, delayed treatment, and lack of provider knowledge; it passed 15-0. HB 1175 directs the Florida Building Commission and State Fire Marshal to develop updated safety design standards for office surgery suites, with an amendment delaying the effective date to January 1, 2027; it passed 14-0. Finally, HB 251 creates a public records exemption for current emergency physicians and their families, narrowed by amendment to current physicians and children up to age 26 and made subject to sunset review; it passed 15-0. The meeting adjourned after all agenda items were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also added on that same line that it has to be licensed.
• , so it's licensed by the department.
• Same with health insurance companies; they're licensed by the department.
• technically the company has the powers to take away a license of a... ...powers to take away a license
• Um,... ...company licensed by the department.

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, what's your annual license revenue?
• We have examination fees, application fees, and license fees.
• Is he an Alabama licensed physician? He is, and he's an Alabama native.
• What's your total license revenue? About $150,000.
• Do you know what your total license revenue is?

Transcript Highlights:

• . licenses. licenses.
• </c> Tier 2 license here in Minnesota. Tier 2 license here in Minnesota.
• Current ebook licensing practices are unsustainable for Minnesota libraries.
• </c> eventually earn a Tier 3 license. eventually earn a Tier 3 license.
• Hearing our digital audiobook licenses.

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:49.040><c> or</c> to actually have an actual license or to actually have an actual license
• But I noticed that um in the licensed.
• beds reported and since we have licensed beds reported and since we have a a a moratorum<00:21:14.000
• It's not the number of licensed beds. Follow up, please.
• I I will go back and licensed beds.

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on March 21, 2025, accepted the February 21 minutes, and approved a shortened consent calendar after removing Department of Safety item 2565 for separate discussion. That item concerned drone/UAS detection for special events and critical infrastructure. Department staff said the system would help locate drones and operators and support enforcement around temporary flight restrictions, but members pressed them on privacy versus security, and the department acknowledged the issue was primarily about security. The committee ultimately approved the item after discussion. Members also approved Department of Transportation item 2572 after a question about whether increased transfer requests would affect paving; DOT said the paving program would continue as normal. Judicial Council items 2566 and 2567 were also approved without discussion. During informational items, members asked for follow-up on Fish and Game’s Hike Safe card revenues versus search-and-rescue costs, and on DHHS reporting issues, including nursing home bed counts and declining community mental health center client numbers; DHHS said it would verify the bed-count methodology and provide a written update on the mental health data. The committee then entered non-public session to discuss an ongoing legal matter and related funding process. After returning, it considered a request under RSA 21-M:11 for an additional $5 million general fund appropriation for fiscal year 2025. Several members said they would have preferred the full $15 million request, but supported the smaller amount as a temporary step during the budget process, with expectations of monthly reporting back to the committee. The motion to approve $5 million passed 6-3. The committee set its next meeting for Friday, April 18 at 11:00 a.m. and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So not license, not kinship placements that became licensed foster. parents, we would already take the
• , then they have to go through all that hoopla to become a license.
• And we represent the interests of more than 7,000 licensed dieticians in the state.
• There are, I have the number here, sorry. 249 licensed dieticians.
• Sorry, correction, over a thousand CCP providers and 249 licensed dieticians. Okay.

Bills: HB26 , HB140 , HB141 , HB142 , HB215 , HB26 , HB140 , HB141 , HB142 , HB215

Committee: House Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Our association are licensed.
• Massachusetts already has really strong oversight through our licensing boards.
• PAs are licensed, regulated, and held accountable by our respective boards.
• My practice, located in Dedham, is one of just nine med spas with this licensing in the state.
• licensing-related matters.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health heard testimony on four bills: H. 5013 and S. 2928, which would establish a three-year celiac disease screening pilot program for children during routine cholesterol/lipid screening at ages 8 to 12; H. 5087, regulating medical spas; and H. 5115, establishing statewide food truck regulations, though the transcript focused almost entirely on the celiac and medical spa bills. For the celiac proposal, Rep. Badger and Sen. Lovely described long diagnostic delays, the lack of a cure, and the potential for a simple blood test to identify children earlier and reduce long-term harm. Multiple patients, clinicians, and researchers supported the pilot, saying celiac is frequently missed because symptoms vary widely or are absent, and that early detection could prevent malnutrition, growth problems, osteoporosis, and other complications. Testifiers also emphasized that the bill would study feasibility, accuracy, cost, and acceptability, and would include family education and support resources if diagnoses are made through the program. Several experts and advocates backed the celiac screening pilot, including a pediatric gastroenterologist from Italy who described successful national screening efforts there, a Celiac Disease Foundation representative, pediatric gastroenterologists from Massachusetts and Colorado, a pediatric dietitian, and a parent whose child was diagnosed after severe malnutrition. They argued that routine screening alongside existing pediatric bloodwork could identify many undiagnosed children and improve health equity, since celiac disease is often overlooked in people of color and lower-income patients. Committee members asked about how the screening would work, and witnesses explained it could begin with a blood test, followed by confirmatory endoscopy if needed. No vote was taken in the hearing. On H. 5087, witnesses from the medical aesthetics industry largely opposed the bill as written, saying it was outdated, redundant with existing Massachusetts licensing and board oversight, and too restrictive for nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other licensed providers. Testifiers, including a retired lobbyist, a nurse practitioner, a PA, a plastic surgeon, and a clinic owner, said the bill could reduce access, raise costs, and push care into less regulated settings, while not addressing the real issues of training, compliance, and patient safety. Committee members pressed for more specific feedback on what provisions were unnecessary or duplicative, and witnesses said they had submitted position papers and written testimony identifying conflicts with current law. The hearing ended with the chair noting that all oral and written testimony would be reviewed before any decisions are made.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our association are licensed.
• Massachusetts already has really strong oversight through our licensing boards.
• PAs are licensed, regulated, and held accountable by our respective boards.
• My practice, located in Dedham, is one of just nine med spas with this licensing in the state.
• licensing-related matters.

Bills: H5013 , H5087 , H5115 , S2928

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Transcript Highlights:

• It would prohibit cities from requiring STRs to have business licenses unless the owner has four or more
• Business licensing, I don't think, is something that's appropriate for a local government entity.
• You have other codes and provisions that apply to folks, and that business licensing is just, I think
• And it's going to encompass a bunch of individuals that are going to have to start getting licenses to
• So I just get really hesitant with the licensing and a mandated registration.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• These agencies are responsible for a whole variety of things such as licensing operators, employees,
• These agencies are responsible for a whole variety of things such as licensing operators, employees,
• </c><00:28:57.960><c> So,</c> legal and licensed and what is not.
• So, legal and licensed and what is not.
• </c> that uh that various legal licensed that uh that various legal licensed operators<00:45:42.360><

Bills: SCR145 , SCR132 , SCR31 , SCR110

Transcript Highlights:

• We licensed by the law itself.” “We licensed by the law itself.” “Yes. Dr.
• We licensed by the law pending the rules.
• And that's where we stand right now, but we have been licensing under the original law.
• So that entity is the licensing board; that is the primary change.
• of them are not licensed by us.

Bills: SB237

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 20, 2026, with eight members present and approved the May 13 minutes. The committee quickly reported several bills favorably, including SB 1224, which requires DCFS review when a pregnancy involves a child under 17 and makes children under 12 a child in need of care; SB 1100, which repeals an old statute on unenriched bread; HB 1220, a continuation of prior work to codify certain provisions related to the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners; HB 1231, clarifying that continuous glucose monitoring is covered through Medicaid for any insulin-dependent diabetic, including gestational diabetes; and HB 198, setting reimbursement rates for ambulatory surgery centers for certain Medicaid procedures. The committee also adopted a personal privilege welcome for physicians on White Coat Day and repeatedly noted that several bills were being advanced with the understanding that further work might continue before floor debate. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 1160, which would create a streamlined restricted license pathway for qualified international medical school graduates, especially for rural and shortage areas. Committee members pressed the Board of Medical Examiners about delays in promulgating rules under an earlier 2024 law and objected to rule language they said went beyond the statute. Board representatives acknowledged a misunderstanding about the original bill’s intent and said the program had been operating, but members warned against agencies writing rules that contradict enacted law. Despite the criticism, HB 1160 was reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably HCR 67, which creates a task force to study gaps in acute care for special-needs adults and children, following emotional testimony from the sponsor about her son’s death and the lack of appropriate care options. The committee then approved HCR 27, calling for a coordinated statewide evaluation of autism services by the Department of Health and Department of Education, with testimony emphasizing rising diagnosis rates, rural provider shortages, and the need for better data and coordination between medical and school-based services. HCR 28, which would study school nurse orientation and training, was also reported favorably after school nurses described the lack of standardized onboarding for new graduates and the risks of placing them alone in schools without adequate supervision. HB 469, which would have allowed pharmacy license renewal fees to be directed to Xavier University’s pharmacy school as well as public schools, was deferred after concerns about diverting funds from public institutions and the absence of testimony from affected schools. The committee also took up HB 223, which recreates DCFS, and adopted an amendment shortening the sunset date and requiring law enforcement reports to be accepted through a secure web-based platform; the bill was then reported favorably as amended. Another major discussion centered on HB 457 and HB 616, both tied to homelessness. HB 457, establishing minimum standards for shelters and related facilities, was reported favorably as amended after sponsor testimony and support cards. HB 616, which would allow the legislative auditor and local officials access to records and databases for audits of homelessness initiatives, drew extensive debate over privacy, federal funding, and accountability. Supporters cited a 2025 audit showing more than $216 million in federal homelessness spending in New Orleans and argued that auditors need access to performance data to detect waste and abuse; opponents warned about client privacy and the impact of funding cutoffs. The committee adopted an amendment changing permissive language to mandatory language for enforcement and then continued hearing testimony, with the discussion still centered on balancing oversight with confidentiality.

Transcript Highlights:

• staff members, licensed clinicians from other states onto the staff.
• know if we pay for that license once we bring them on board.
• I think it's around $300 to $400 to become licensed. So all together...
• know if we pay for that license once we bring them on board.
• I think it's around $300 to $400 to become licensed. So all together.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing focused on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s handling of mental health care in prisons and allegations of sexual abuse, retaliation, and excessive force in the state’s women’s facilities. CDCR officials described their PREA-based prevention and response efforts, including training, oversight, body-worn cameras, retaliation follow-up, and partnerships with outside groups. The Office of the Inspector General explained its monitoring role, noting increased authority under SB 1069, but also limited staffing and the ability to monitor only a portion of cases. The Legislative Analyst’s Office added that prison population trends could allow the state to close a prison and save over $100 million, with some savings potentially redirected to prevention or response efforts. Advocates and formerly incarcerated witnesses from Sister Warriors Freedom Coalition and the California Coalition of Women Prisoners testified that meaningful systemic change has not occurred and that retaliation, blocked programming, and unsafe reporting conditions remain widespread. They described alleged barriers to community-based services, forced or coercive treatment concerns involving Suboxone, and the need for survivor-centered reentry support, trauma-informed care, and more independent oversight. Sandra DeAnda gave detailed testimony about alleged staff abuse, retaliation, denial of mental health care, and a large use-of-force incident at Central California Women’s Facility, while Amika Mota and April Grayson urged release or resentencing for survivors housed with their abusers and greater investment in outside programs. Members of the committee pressed CDCR and OIG on accountability, use-of-force standards, criminal referrals, disciplinary outcomes, and whether investigations are completed within statutory timelines. CDCR acknowledged cultural problems at both women’s prisons and said it was retraining staff and working on reforms, while OIG said it had monitored 161 investigations and found most grievance routing appropriate, though some cases had lapsed due to time limits. Later exchanges revealed that CDCR has over 13,500 active cases and 109 investigators, and that some cases have exceeded deadlines, prompting concerns from members about whether the current system can adequately investigate misconduct and impose consequences. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• , a California license?
• We cannot bring in non-licensed folks. We cannot bring in non-licensed folks at this time.
• licenses if they're already licensed in their home state, increasing the use of telemental health to
• licenses if they're already licensed in their home state, increasing the use of telemental health to
• Licensed marriage and family...

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee heard presentations from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS), the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) program, and the Coleman mental health receivership. The hearing focused on correctional health care, reentry, aging incarcerated populations, and the state’s progress toward compliance in the Plata and Coleman receiverships. Members also discussed the OIG’s intake complaint workload and medical inspection findings, as well as broader questions about staffing, vacancies, and the cost of court oversight. The OIG requested $275,000 General Fund for two permanent positions in its intake processing unit, citing a sharp rise in complaints from 3,200 in 2022 to 7,860 in 2025. OIG officials said complaints are categorized by issue and prison, prioritized by urgency, and generally responded to within 30 days, but they do not track complaint “validity” rates. The medical inspection unit reported that in cycle seven, case review performance was generally adequate while policy compliance was often inadequate; the lowest-scoring areas included emergency services, medication management, and health care environment. Members asked for more detailed reporting on complaint types, priority levels, and systemic issues. CCHCS described rising health care costs driven by an aging prison population, staffing vacancies, and contract medical expenses. Officials said more than 80% of the budget is personal services, and they are using hiring events, social media outreach, and expanded classifications to reduce vacancies. CalAIM officials reported early implementation success in pre-release and reentry services, including 89% Medi-Cal activation at release, 87% assigned managed care plans, 88% reentry care plans, and 59% warm handoffs, with about 169,000 claims submitted and $14.7 million reimbursed. The LAO noted that the Plata medical receivership has increased per-person costs and that the state should continue oversight while seeking ways to reduce vacancies and expand federal reimbursement opportunities. For the Coleman mental health receivership, the receiver’s office requested $33.9 million from the Mental Health Special Deposit Fund, including $8.2 million for receiver office staffing and $25.3 million to make court-ordered bonus payments permanent. The LAO supported continued oversight but recommended additional steps to address vacancies, including greater out-of-state recruitment, expanded telemental health, and possible consolidation of mental health services. The LAO also recommended reducing the telemental health staffing request and monitoring its effects. Members questioned the long-term cost of receiverships, the pace of compliance, and whether more detailed benchmarks and staffing data should be provided. No formal votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Proper license is required to enter into any construction contract. That's law.
• exist in licensing law.
• The license, even with the forgiveness provisions that exist in licensing law.
• Working without a license, he has no claim to be paid and no right to be paid.
• I have a question in regards to the Contractor State License Board.

Committee: Senate Judiciary