Transcript Highlights:

• for our central board of registration, division professional legislature for military service personnel
• Have you looked at how your compact would work against our existing multi-board licensing on reciprocation
• Military spouses are disproportionately affected by state-specific professional licensing requirements
• Military spouses are disproportionately affected by state-specific professional licensing requirements
• A branch manager agreed: more licensed professionals would lead to better and smoother installations.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a hearing on late-filed bills and home rule petitions, with testimony taken both in person and virtually. The chairs reviewed hearing logistics and testimony limits, then heard a series of bill presentations covering public health, alcohol licensing, professional licensure, consumer issues, and automotive warranty reimbursement. Committee members asked questions throughout, particularly on interstate licensure compacts and the structure of proposed regulatory changes. Representative John Barrett testified in support of H 4907, which would regulate the sale of nitrous oxide to curb recreational misuse and protect young people, and members echoed concerns about its health risks. Southbridge officials Peg Dean and David Adams supported H 488, seeking an extension of district liquor licenses to match delayed downtown revitalization and business development. Leslie Ross and Keith Buckout testified on S 2636, a cosmetology licensure compact, with Buckout explaining that compacts improve mobility for workers and military families; Melissa Willett of the Defense State Liaison Office also supported the compact for the same reason. Representative Mindy Domb testified for H 559, proposing a commission to study the effects of electronic textbooks and automatic textbook billing on students and affordability. George Cronin of MassPack supported H 4597, which would limit new alcohol retail licenses within 500 feet of another alcohol seller after 2026 to address oversaturation; he said the bill would not disturb existing licenses. Luke Van Horn testified for H 559 and also raised concerns about H 4719, describing the burden of costly course materials and access codes on students. Mike Capuccio and Ryan Williams supported H 4719, which would create HVAC construction supervisor licensing, arguing it would improve consumer protection, accountability, and clean-energy outcomes; no opposition was heard on that bill in the excerpt. On H 4019, the Massachusetts State Auto Dealers Association supported a change to warranty reimbursement rules, while the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and Subaru New England opposed it, warning it would raise costs and allow overpayment using aftermarket time guides. The committee concluded by reading the agenda items and then voted unanimously to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2023, we had the licensing authorities make sure that there was not a jurisprudence exam for professional
• licensing, professional land surveyors.
• licensing, professional land surveyors.
• And that was the same for all occupational and professional licenses, so all those double jurisprudence
• to create a new board that's going to have licenses?

Committee: House Business

Transcript Highlights:

• And so this is misinformation, and the state boards should be taking their licenses away.
• Board staff stand ready and eager to address that growing volume through efficient licensing.
• Next, the board is requesting funding to update Adobe licenses and purchase Tableau licenses.
• Next, we have the Board of Professional Geoscientists.
• Licensed professional counselors are licensed by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• still a one- to three-month wait for a professional to receive their license.
• Massachusetts leads the nation in BCBAs per capita, yet the current license board includes only three
• BCBAs per capita, yet the current license board includes only three LABAs, representing more than 4,400
• With the projected over $400,000 annually in license fees, a dedicated board is both necessary and financially
• This would create an independent board for licensed applied behavior analysts.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure opened its first hearing of the session with remarks from Chair Chan and Senate Co-Chair Pavel Payano, who emphasized consumer affordability and professional licensure reform. The chairs also reviewed public testimony rules, noting the hearing was recorded, testimony would be public, and speakers should avoid including sensitive personal information. The committee then heard testimony on several bills carried over from prior sessions and new proposals, with each witness generally speaking in support of the measure they addressed. On self-storage, Joe Doherty of the Self Storage Association supported House Bill 340 and Senate Bill 236, saying the bills would clarify abandonment procedures, allow electronic delivery and signatures for rental agreements, and address situations where a renter fails to return a signed contract after a facility sale, while preserving existing consumer protections. On housing and fair housing education, Nicholas Pelletier and counsel Justin Davidson of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors supported House Bill 343 and Senate Bill 232, which would require fair housing education for real estate licensees; they said fair housing training is already part of MAR’s programs but is not required for all licensees, and Pelletier described a personal example of discriminatory treatment in a rental application. Senators asked whether other states have similar requirements and requested follow-up information. The committee also heard strong support for House Bill 348 and Senate Bill 220 on licensure of applied behavior analysts from Dr. Pauli Gidej of MABA and Dr. Charlie Newfield of Beacon ABA Services. They argued that a dedicated board would improve oversight, speed licensing, and help reduce delays that affect access to autism services, noting the growing number of practitioners and the strain on families waiting for care. Later, Robert Mellion of the Massachusetts Package Stores Association testified for House Bill 390, which would expand alcohol license suspension penalties to all business activity for certain retailers; members questioned the impact on grocery and big-box stores, the difference between suspending alcohol sales versus closing an entire store, and whether fines in lieu of suspension would be sufficient. The committee also heard testimony in favor of House Bill 407 and Senate Bill 277 to license veterinary technicians, with witnesses saying standardized education and licensure would improve animal safety, clarify scope of practice, and better distinguish technicians from assistants. Finally, Craig Orlin of Honda supported House Bill 474 and Senate Bill 291, which would use RMV contacts to notify drivers of open safety recalls and require recall completion as part of registration renewal; he said the bills could improve recall completion rates and address the large number of unrepaired vehicles on the road. At the end of the hearing, the chair noted several bills that did not receive testimony that day, invited written submissions by email, and announced the committee would reconvene in about two weeks. Representative McKenna moved to adjourn, Representative Keefe seconded, and the committee voted to close the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a program director for the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses.
• I'll point out that the legislature has that authority to determine what licenses and what boards exist
• I'll point out that the legislature has that authority to determine what licenses and what boards exist
• I'm the Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Chief of the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses
• It worked pretty well except for some bonehead mistakes I made, but my license was $300 for professional

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• of Health and Board of Dentistry.
• Under the bill, licensed dental therapists are mid-level dental care professionals who are trained to
• Under the bill, licensed dental therapists are mid-level dental care professionals who are trained to
• I've received letters of support from a vast variety of professionals, including members of the Board
• I've received letters of support from a vast variety of professionals, including members of the Board

Summary: The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee heard and advanced three bills. HB 21 would create a new licensed profession of dental therapy under the Department of Health and Board of Dentistry, allowing trained dental therapists to provide a limited scope of care under a supervising Florida-licensed dentist through a collaborative management agreement. Sponsor Rep. Cheney argued the bill would help address severe dental shortages and improve access in underserved areas; opponents from the Florida Dental Association and oral surgery groups warned that the bill would allow irreversible procedures by less-educated providers and could compromise patient safety. Supporters, including dentists, hygienists, and community health center leaders, said dental therapists would expand access and free dentists to handle more complex care. An amendment was adopted to require proof of local anesthesia training, adverse-incident reporting, and updated background screening language. The bill was reported favorably as amended by a 14-1 vote. The committee then considered HB 27, which creates the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact to allow licensed social workers to practice across member states, including through telehealth, and to help military families and address workforce shortages. Supporters from the National Association of Social Workers and other advocates said the compact would improve mobility, reduce administrative burdens, and expand access to mental health services, especially in underserved and rural areas. A technical amendment restoring model language and setting an effective date of July 1, 2025 was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably as amended on a 15-0 vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 29, the public-records companion to the social work compact, which creates exemptions needed for compact compliance and allows the compact commission or its committees to meet in closed session when discussing information exempt under law. After a technical amendment authorizing closed meetings for exempt matters was adopted, the bill was reported favorably as amended on a 15-0 vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Board of Dentistry.
• Jeff Allen with the Board of Dentistry. Board of Dentistry. Okay.
• The five boards are the Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, Board of Speech-Language
• The five boards are the Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, Board of Speech-Language
• We had House Bill 657, professional license background checks, also a yes.

Committee: House Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• for our central board of registration, division of professional licensure, for military service personnel
• Have you looked at how your compact would work against our existing multi-board licensing on reciprocation
• license?
• Military spouses are disproportionately affected by state-specific professional licensing requirements
• A branch manager agreed: more licensed professionals would lead to better and smoother installations.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a hearing on late-filed bills and home rule petitions, with both in-person and remote testimony. Committee chairs reviewed logistics for public testimony and then heard a series of bill presentations on topics including nitrous oxide sales, liquor license extensions and alcohol license density, cosmetology licensure compacts, electronic textbooks, HVAC supervisor licensing, and automotive warranty reimbursement rates. Several members asked questions about the public health, consumer protection, economic mobility, and regulatory impacts of the proposals. Representative John Barrett testified in support of H. 4907, which would regulate the sale of nitrous oxide, arguing it is a public health measure aimed at reducing recreational misuse by young people while preserving legitimate culinary, medical, dental, and industrial uses. Southbridge officials Peg Dean and David Adams supported a local liquor license extension bill, saying delayed revitalization and staffing disruptions from the pandemic-era “Great Resignation” had slowed development and postponed demand for the licenses. MassPack supported H. 4597 to limit new alcohol retail licenses near existing stores after 2026, citing oversaturation and public health concerns, while the committee also heard testimony on a cosmetology compact bill from industry and state-government representatives who said it would improve workforce mobility, especially for military spouses, though members questioned its fee structure and interaction with existing reciprocity rules. Representative Mindy Domb testified for H. 559, which would create a commission to study electronic textbooks and automatic textbook billing, arguing that digital course materials can limit consumer choice, raise costs, and reduce students’ ability to share or resell materials. Student testimony echoed those concerns. The committee also heard strong support for H. 4719, a bill to create HVAC construction supervisor licensing, from industry witnesses who said it would improve consumer protection, accountability, and clean-energy implementation; and opposition testimony on H. 4019, which would change how auto dealers are reimbursed for warranty work, with dealers supporting a fix to manufacturer reimbursement practices and manufacturers warning the bill would raise costs and allow overpayment. At the end of the hearing, the chairs read the agenda items and the committee adjourned by unanimous voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• The LVN's scope of practice is defined in state law, and oversight for LVN licensing is under the Board
• SB 1363 authorizes the board to issue licenses to partnerships and limited liability corporations and
• This bill will provide the board with statutory authority to establish a retired license category.
• This bill extends the operations of the board until, SB 1363 exempts federally recognized tribes license
• This bill will provide the board with statutory authority to establish a retired license category.

Committee: Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development met as a subcommittee due to the lack of a quorum, then later established quorum and took up a series of bills, mostly sunset extensions for licensing boards. SB 1302, SB 1303, SB 1304, SB 1363, and SB 1368 all dealt with extending board operations to January 1, 2031 and making related technical or policy changes. SB 1303 for the Board of Naturopathic Medicine added a fictitious name permit program and other administrative changes, while SB 1304 for the Respiratory Care Board drew significant testimony over whether licensed vocational nurses should be allowed to perform basic respiratory tasks in skilled nursing facilities and hospitals. SB 1363 updated barbering and cosmetology apprenticeship and licensing rules, and SB 1368 added a retired license category and strengthened continuing education oversight for speech-language pathology, audiology, and hearing aid dispensers. The committee also heard SB 865, which would create a California Music Festival Preservation Grant Program to support large independent multi-day music festivals. Supporters, including Visit Sacramento and festival promoters, said the bill would protect jobs, tourism, hotel nights, and local tax revenue; opponents raised concerns about using state funds during a deficit year and questioned whether profitable events should receive subsidies. The committee also heard SB 1297, which would create regional public-private partnerships and financing tools for wildfire mitigation projects; the author and supporters said it would help address the state’s large wildfire prevention funding gap by leveraging local and private investment, while members asked how the bonds would be repaid and whether the state would bear costs. SB 993, presented on behalf of Senator Ochoa-Bogue, would restore privacy protections for mental health professionals working in correctional and state hospital settings by limiting routine disclosure of identifying information while preserving a complaint process. Supporters described safety threats, stalking, and staffing concerns, and the bill passed unanimously. SB 1304 also passed after committee discussion, with members and the author noting ongoing negotiations over LVN scope and training in higher-acuity settings. SB 865 passed on a 9-1 vote, SB 1297 passed 10-0, and the sunset bills SB 1302, SB 1303, SB 1363, and SB 1368 all advanced unanimously to the Senate Appropriations Committee. SB 1333 was not heard, and SB 1445 was on the consent calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• Foote served on its board of directors.
• We can also work on revoking that license.
• We can also work on revoking that license.
• Licensing against facilities.
• What about other license types?

Summary: The Committee on Director Nominations met with four members present and approved the prior minutes without objection. Chair Jay Kaufman outlined the committee’s role in reviewing executive nominations and explained the hearing process for three nominees: Mary Foote for the Office of Economic Opportunity, Debbie Johnston for the Department of Health Services, and Chuck Bassett. Foote did not appear for her hearing, and members discussed her absence and alleged omissions in her disclosure materials, including prior service with Planned Parenthood-related organizations. The committee then moved to reject her nomination, and the motion passed 3-2, recommending that the full Senate reject Mary Foote. Debbie Johnston, nominee to lead the Department of Health Services, appeared and gave an opening statement describing her Arizona background, prior Senate staff work, and more than 20 years with the Arizona Hospital and Health Care Association. She said her priorities at ADHS include rebuilding trust in public health licensing, improving stakeholder engagement, standardizing rulemaking communication, addressing alleged religious discrimination and retaliation concerns in licensing, and using technology and AI to improve efficiency. In questioning, senators pressed her on her management style, conflict-of-interest safeguards given her prior industry role, enforcement priorities, budget pressures, behavioral health and assisted living oversight, and the department’s response to COVID-19. Johnston said she would follow statutes, recuse herself from enforcement matters involving former contacts, and resign if directed to carry out an unlawful policy. She also said the department does not regulate therapy itself, only facilities, and that it would rely on legal counsel regarding the governor’s conversion-therapy executive order and related federal civil-rights allegations. Several senators focused on public health trust and the department’s pandemic response, with Johnston acknowledging concerns about closures, data collection, and communication during COVID-19 while saying she would review past after-action materials and be better prepared in the future. Public testimony from stakeholders in aging services and health care strongly supported her confirmation, praising her accessibility, responsiveness, and collaborative approach. After testimony, the vice chair moved to recommend Johnston’s confirmation to the full Senate. The roll call was underway when the transcript ended, with several members voting aye and one member expressing reservations about her not reviewing the pandemic after-action report before another crisis occurs.

Transcript Highlights:

• under the Public Educator Licensing Standards Board, and an assistant working with a health care setting
• High licensing fees could discourage qualified professionals from entering the field, worsening workforce
• by the Minnesota Department of Health and the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board can
• The Minnesota Department of Health and the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board can supervise
• The Board of Medical Practice and Board of Nursing continue to support certified midwives being licensed

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• These updates improve clarity, readability, and understanding for both the public and licensed professionals
• </c> for both the public and licensed for both the public and licensed professionals.<00:10:54.800><c
• It gives the board statutory authority to purchase professional liability insurance, which is something
• </c> boards to or the physical therapy board boards to or the physical therapy board to<00:12:24.160>
• c> as</c><00:26:55.360><c> you're</c> boards and everybody's boards as you're boards and everybody's

Committee: House Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> one board. one board. &gt;&gt; All<00:02:25.760><c> right.
• Um it is currently uh on this board.
• ><00:03:32.000><c> is</c><00:03:32.239><c> an</c> been a problem board is an been a problem board is
• The board has moved to an there.
• shed bondsman, you have to professional shed bondsman, you have to be<00:08:33.839><c> licensed</c><

Bills: HB150

Committee: House Boards, Agencies and Commissions

Keywords: improvement district, special assessment, assessment lien, public infrastructure, bond financing, bond interest rate, county commission, tax assessor, tax collector, judge of probate, ad valorem tax, tax lien, tax sale, foreclosure, delinquent taxes, municipal finance, public improvements, infrastructure financing, collection enforcement, property lien

Transcript Highlights:

• The board has the fewest number of licenses out of any license board in Doppel.
• The board has the fewest number of licenses out of any license board in Idaho.
• Giovannini, you mentioned that your board was prevented from raising licensing fees.
• licensed by the State Board of Dentistry.
• licensed by the State Board of Dentistry.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• Board of Accountancy, similar to how driver's licenses operate across states.
• Board of Accountancy, similar to how driver's licenses operate across states.
• Board of Accountancy, similar to how driver's licenses operate across states.
• Board of Accountancy, similar to how driver's licenses operate across states.
• Board of Accountancy, similar to how driver's licenses operate across states.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Foote served on its board of directors.
• I mean, with the help of our board, especially... ...our board chairman at the time, they were very supportive
• We do not license the therapy. That would fall under the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.
• Licenses, right? And their financial institutions licenses, right?
• What about other license types?

Committee: Senate Director Nominations

Transcript Highlights:

• professionals, advanced practice nurses, and physicians providing supervision of non-licensed personnel
• May testified, is that our board and our dentists don't have access to physicians or now a professional
• As a professional, the thing that we are most afraid of is losing our license.
• It transitioned them into an advisory board, while the department took over the licensing duties of the
• board.

Summary: The committee first approved the December 3 minutes, then heard a request from the Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice to amend its proposed rule on exempt test methods to add certain closed-system DNA/RNA tests, including rhinovirus. After testimony explaining that the board had considered late comments from BioMérieux and wanted the rule record to reflect that review, the committee agreed to a limited amendment and passed the motion unanimously. The Department of Agriculture then outlined broad rule updates affecting dairy, eggs, poultry, pesticides, animal health, environmental mitigation, and the Egg Product Utilization Commission. The commissioner said the changes mostly clarified existing requirements, updated references, and reduced some burdens, such as easing dairy hauler training/licensing timing and clarifying out-of-state grade A milk language. Members asked about dairy industry decline, the APUC scoring system, and the rationale for the milk-hauler and out-of-state milk provisions. The State Board of Dental Examiners presented extensive rule changes tied to recent legislation and workforce issues, including a new professional health program for dentists, expanded duties for assistants and hygienists, broader local anesthetic authority for hygienists, and fee increases to fund the program and cover administrative costs. Testimony from Dr. Edward May strongly supported the professional health program based on his own recovery experience. The committee also heard from Game and Fish on rules easing some guide/outfitter experience requirements, allowing electronic exams, and modifying boating safety equipment rules, with no public comment and no fiscal impact. Later, Health and Human Services received approval for an extension to update tattoo/body art rules and a separate motion to repeal an obsolete nurse aide training chapter. HHS also described nursing facility rule updates, lodging sanitation revisions, and related clarifications on licensing, safety, pest control, and fire requirements. The Department of Environmental Quality received an extension for septic-system installer rules, and also presented rules for above-ground storage tanks and water/wastewater operator certification, including new fees and third-party testing options. The Industrial Commission’s oil and gas division described multiple rule changes, some withdrawn after comments, including drilling unit flexibility, site stability, wildfire authority, and streamlined transport/reporting procedures. Finally, DPI began presenting several rule packages, including school construction loan limits, school bus standards, cooperative agreements, special education rules for public charter schools, and new math curriculum and intervention requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• We represent 3,000 private security employers and 350,000 licensed security professionals statewide.
• AI can be a tool in the hands of licensed professionals, but it cannot be the professional itself.
• These agencies employ thousands of licensed behavioral health professionals who dedicate their careers
• They are accountable to licensing boards and subject to oversight when standards of care are not met.
• They are accountable to licensing boards and subject to oversight when standards of care are not met.

Committee: House Business and Professions

Transcript Highlights:

• I work as a licensed and board-certified music therapist in the pediatric setting.
• My name is Megumi Azekawa, and I’m a licensed and board-certified music therapist and now an assistant
• My name is Megumi Azekawa and I'm a licensed and board certified music therapist and now an assistant
• The Washington State Board of Nursing licenses ARNPs and recognizes four specialty designations within
• Applicants for a license to practice as an RN, ARNP, or LPN must submit to the board an application,

Summary: The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee held a Friday morning hearing with several House bills and then took executive action on three measures. In executive session, the committee voted do pass on Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2242, Substitute House Bill 2152, and Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2168, sending the first two to Rules and the overdose-mapping bill to Ways and Means. The committee also waived the five-day notice rule for several bills on the agenda. Public hearings focused on hospital inspections, continuing care retirement communities, radiologic technologist supervision, music therapy licensure, nursing regulation, ambulance billing after motor vehicle accidents, and EMT recertification. Representative Macri presented HB 2577 to require hospital inspections at least every 18 months, allow limited pauses during emergencies, and clarify when CMS or accrediting-body surveys may substitute for state inspections; DOH supported the bill, citing JLARC recommendations, while many people signed in opposed. Macri also presented Second Substitute HB 2384, which would require actuarial analysis review for certain CCRCs; OIC supported the transparency goal, while CCRC representatives opposed the added cost, though residents and association witnesses argued the oversight would protect seniors and their life savings. Representative Engel’s HB 2113 drew strong support from radiology, hospital, and provider groups for allowing virtual direct supervision for IV contrast procedures and aligning state law with CMS practice. Representative Ryu’s HB 1187 would bar ambulance services from sending motor-vehicle-accident medical debt to collections for 120 days; she described a personal experience with an ambulance collection issue, and the hearing was closed after no testifiers appeared. Representative Reed’s HB 2363 would let music therapy applicants practice under supervision for up to six months while exam results are processed; music therapy witnesses said it would prevent workforce gaps. Representative Simmons’ HB 2339 would update nursing title and transcript requirements and allow the board to issue interim permits directly, with the Board of Nursing and ARNP groups calling it a technical cleanup. HB 2540 would extend EMT recertification intervals to six years for long-tenured EMTs, and firefighters supported it as an administrative simplification without changing training requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• We represent 3,000 private security employers and 350,000 licensed security professionals statewide.
• AI can be a tool in the hands of licensed professionals, but it cannot be the professional itself.
• These agencies employ thousands of licensed behavioral health professionals who dedicate their careers
• They are accountable to licensing boards and subject to oversight when standards of care are not met.
• They are accountable to licensing boards and subject to oversight when standards of care are not met.

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard several Senate bills, with most of the discussion focused on worker training, public safety, and consumer protection. SB 1203 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would expand training and de-escalation requirements for private security officers. Supporters, including security workers and labor groups, said the bill would better prepare officers who often respond first to mental health crises and violent incidents. Opponents, including security industry representatives and business groups, argued it would impose major costs, create training bottlenecks, and could reduce licensed security coverage. The committee ultimately voted the bill out on a due pass recommendation to Labor and Employment, with some members noting future amendments to address training capacity and employer-provided training. The committee also approved SB 936 by Senator Blakespear, which would restrict retail sales of nitrous oxide canisters larger than 8 grams while preserving legitimate medical, dental, culinary, and automotive uses. Support came from county officials, public health groups, waste management organizations, law enforcement, and local governments, who described rising misuse, impaired driving, and recycling hazards. No opposition testimony was presented, and the bill passed to Public Safety. SB 1271 by Senator Reyes, aimed at strengthening California’s midwifery training pipeline by requiring data collection on licensed midwife preceptor capacity, also passed unanimously to Health. Supporters said the bill would help address shortages in rural birth care and improve access to training for aspiring midwives. SB 903 by Senator Padilla, which would place guardrails on the use of AI in mental health and psychotherapy settings and prohibit AI from being marketed as a therapist, drew emotional testimony from a mother whose son died by suicide after extensive chatbot interactions. Health and behavioral health groups supported the measure, while several industry and health organizations were opposed unless amended; the committee nevertheless sent it to Privacy and Consumer Protection on a unanimous vote. The committee also approved SB 1165 on consent and then adjourned.