Transcript Highlights:

• it requires the courts to consider CARE referral as an option for misdemeanor incompetent-to-stand-trial
• One of the current challenges in implementing the CARE Act is that the phrase “clinically stabilized
• Senate Bill 27 clarifies the meaning of clinically stabilized to mean that someone is stable and not
• But without a definition of clinically stabilized in ongoing voluntary treatment, that petition could
• So you're not competent to stand trial. So what do you do? Well, right now we just release them.

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee without quorum at first, then later established quorum and continued hearing several bills. SB 27, the annual CARE Court cleanup bill, would require courts to consider CARE referral for certain misdemeanor defendants found incompetent to stand trial, combine some hearings, allow limited data sharing among licensed medical professionals, and expand eligibility to include mood disorders with psychotic features. Supporters said it would clarify the meaning of “clinically stabilized,” streamline the process, and help more severely ill people receive treatment; opponents argued it would expand CARE Court too broadly, strain county resources, and divert attention from housing and voluntary services. The bill passed to the Health Committee on a roll call vote and was placed on call. SB 82, dealing with so-called “infinite arbitration clauses,” would limit consumer contract arbitration provisions to disputes arising from the product or service actually purchased. The author and supporters said the bill would stop companies from forcing arbitration in unrelated claims and would not ban arbitration itself. Opponents from business and banking groups argued the language was too restrictive, could create litigation over related transactions, and should be clarified as prospective only. The committee approved the bill and placed it on call after a roll call vote. The committee then heard two reparations-related bills. SB 437 would direct CSU to develop a genealogical methodology and framework for verifying descendants of enslaved people, with oversight, reporting, and guardrails tied to recently allocated state funding. Supporters said the bill would create a fair, evidence-based process; opponents, including professional genealogists and reparations advocates, argued the work is already well understood, the bill is unnecessary, and it could delay action. SB 518 would create a Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery within state government, with divisions for genealogy, property reclamation, outreach, and legal affairs. Supporters framed it as needed infrastructure to implement reparations recommendations; opponents objected to locating it in the Department of Justice, warned about data privacy and law enforcement control, and criticized the inclusion of broader communities. Both bills were moved to Appropriations and placed on call. The committee also heard SB 52, the End AI Rent Hikes Act, which would prohibit the use of algorithms to collude on and artificially inflate rental prices; the author and supporters described it as a response to AI-assisted rent fixing in California’s housing market.

Transcript Highlights:

• it requires the courts to consider CARE referral as an option for misdemeanor incompetent-to-stand-trial
• One of the current challenges in implementing the CARE Act is that the phrase 'clinically stabilized
• Senate Bill 27 clarifies the meaning of clinically stabilized to mean that someone is stable and not
• This person is already enrolled in an ACT program, but without a definition of clinically stabilized
• So you're not competent to stand trial. So what do you do? Well, right now we just release them.

Committee: House Judiciary

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with SB 27, a CARE Court cleanup measure by Senator Umberg. The bill would require courts to consider CARE referral for certain misdemeanor defendants found incompetent to stand trial, combine some hearings, expand data sharing among licensed medical professionals, and broaden eligibility to include mood disorders with psychotic features. Supporters said the bill would clarify the meaning of “clinically stabilized,” streamline the process, and help more severely ill people get treatment; opponents argued it would greatly expand the program without enough housing, staffing, or resources and could sweep in people who can make their own decisions. The committee members raised concerns about scope and resources but ultimately voted to pass SB 27 to the Health Committee, with the bill placed on call. The committee then took up SB 82, which would limit consumer arbitration clauses to disputes arising from the specific product or service the consumer agreed to buy, aimed at stopping “infinite arbitration clauses” that force unrelated claims into arbitration. The author and supporters described cases where consumers were compelled to arbitrate claims involving corporate affiliates or unrelated incidents, while opponents warned the bill was too restrictive and should be clarified on retroactivity and construction. Members generally supported the bill, and it passed on a do-pass motion, with several votes recorded and the bill placed on call. Next, the committee heard SB 437 and SB 518, both related to California reparations efforts. SB 437 would direct CSU to develop an evidence-based, reproducible genealogical methodology for verifying descendants of enslaved people, with supporters emphasizing oversight, transparency, and a framework for using the $6 million already allocated in the budget; opponents argued the work was unnecessary, duplicative, and should be done by existing genealogists rather than CSU. SB 518 would create a Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery within state government, with divisions for genealogy, property reclamation, outreach, and legal affairs; supporters called it the infrastructure needed to implement reparations recommendations, while opponents objected to housing the bureau in the Department of Justice, overlap with SB 437, and the inclusion of other communities. Both bills advanced on do-pass motions to Appropriations and were placed on call. Finally, Senator Perez presented SB 52, the End AI Rent Hikes Act, which would make it illegal to use algorithms to collude and artificially inflate rental prices. The author and supporters said landlords and AI companies are using pricing tools to share competitive data and fix rents in the midst of a severe affordability crisis, and that the bill would clarify protections and create enforcement mechanisms. The transcript cuts off during testimony on SB 52, before any vote or final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• He recognized the symptoms, and after a quick local clinic test, he confirmed his suspicion.
• trials investigating and developing youth therapies.
• trials investigating and developing youth therapies.
• trials investigating and developing youth therapies.
• trials investigating and developing youth therapies.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• institutions that mandated experimental injections that had never even completed long-term safety trials
• So these are exactly the kinds of complex clinical decisions that belong with the Access P&T committee
• You have to sort of remove yourself and feel this cold clinical sense.
• We should strengthen clinical decision-making and not override it in statute.
• So you've got dollars that flow from Access into managed care organizations that then go into clinics

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The committee first approved the March 11 minutes and heard a presentation from Nathan Smith, CEO of Central Arizona Shelter Services, on homelessness in Maricopa County. He described rising homelessness, especially among older adults, and said CASS uses low-barrier emergency shelter, family shelter, and an older-adult shelter with case management, behavioral health services, and partnerships with outside groups for food, banking, digital access, and other supports. Members asked about collaborations with mutual aid groups and about point-in-time data, and Smith said the county data could be drilled down through AZMAG. The committee then moved to legislation. HB 2248, the Arizona Medical Freedom Act, would bar businesses, schools, and government entities from denying services or employment based on medical interventions, with an amendment allowing schools to limit access during outbreaks or for certain infections. Supporters framed the bill as protecting bodily autonomy and informed consent, while opponents argued it would undermine employers’ ability to prevent disease spread. The committee adopted the amendment and gave the bill a due pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote. HB 2906, requiring one dental board member to be an active oral and maxillofacial surgeon, passed unanimously after testimony that the board needs surgical expertise for complex cases and anesthesia oversight. HB 2189, directing the Nursing Board to adopt rules for licensed health aides and routine ventilator care, also passed with an amendment and a 6-0 vote. HB 2403 appropriates $2.5 million in FY2027 for home and community-based services providers for elderly and physically disabled Arizonans. Supporters said the funding would help retain caregivers, whose wages have lagged for years, and argued home care is cheaper than hospitalization or institutional care; the bill passed 6-0. HB 2731 continued the Physician Assistant Board to 2030 and passed with a technical amendment, and HB 2730 continued the Occupational Therapy Board and passed as well. HB 2729 continued the Nursing Board to 2030; the board said it regulates about 150,000 licensees and handles thousands of complaints annually, and the bill passed 6-0. HB 2728 continued the Department of Economic Security and incorporated several previously vetoed policy provisions affecting SNAP, unemployment, and eligibility/redetermination rules. Speakers in opposition said it would make benefits harder to access and turn a continuation bill into a vehicle for controversial policy changes, while supporters argued it was part of the legislature’s oversight role. The bill passed 4-3. The committee also adopted a strike-everything amendment to HB 2048, which limits utilization controls on FDA-approved non-opioid pain medications relative to opioids; supporters said it would improve access to non-opioid pain treatment and reduce opioid harm, while opponents warned it would bypass clinical review and raise costs. HB 2048 passed 4-3. Finally, HCR 2058 would require a comprehensive claim-level audit of Arizona Medicaid claims and direct recovery efforts for misappropriated funds; supporters said it could recover significant overpayments, while opponents questioned its incentives and overlap with existing oversight. The resolution passed 4-3, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• by jury, but trial by media, trial in the public sphere, where they are presumed guilty instead of being
• </c><00:21:35.039><c> by</c><00:21:35.600><c> media</c> by trial by jury but trial by media by trial
• by jury but trial by media trial<00:21:36.559><c> in</c><00:21:36.720><c> the</c><00:21:36.880><c> public
• </c> New Hampshire and a licensed clinical New Hampshire and a licensed clinical social<02:15:07.840>
• </c> come into the program the clinical come into the program the clinical assessment<02:47:39.920><c

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Clinical lab scientists provide results that inform 70%...
• This is the incompetent to stand trial solutions issue.
• This is the incompetent to stand trial solutions issue.
• I urge you to do a thorough inquiry into the more than tripling of my clinical laboratory license.
• I urge AB 144 clinical decisions. We are incredibly important to health care.

Summary: The committee first heard May Revision child care and human services items. The Department of Child Support Services described two technical adjustments, which the analyst supported. The Department of Social Services then walked through child care proposals, including a reduction in federal and Proposition 64 funding absorbed through a shift from General Child Care to the Alternative Payment program, a 2.01% child care COLA, disaster-related infrastructure grants, a new administrative support cost structure for Alternative Payment agencies, the removal of prospective pay funding after a federal rule change, a reappropriation for existing infrastructure grants, and estimates of unspent child care funds. The Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended asking for more justification for shifting reductions to CAP, supported the COLA reduction but wanted consistency across programs, recommended removing prospective pay funding, opposed the administrative cost shift, and suggested further review of disaster grant alignment. Members pressed the administration on why more slots would be cut for the same savings, why the COLA was reduced, and whether the administrative percentage would grow over time. The administration said the changes were intended to avoid disrupting currently enrolled families, reflect point-in-time relinquishments and unspent funds, and stabilize contractor operations. Public commenters, including providers, advocates, and county representatives, urged full COLA funding, rejection of child care slot reductions, preservation of prospective pay, and continued investment in child care infrastructure and access. The subcommittee then recessed before moving to health items. In Part B, the Department of State Hospitals presented its May Revision proposals, including a central utility plant replacement project at Metropolitan State Hospital, funding for a continuum electronic health record system, reduced county bed billing authority to reflect phase-in of additional LPS beds, limited contract exemption authority for online clinical subscription services, reversion of prior-year unspent operating funds, and a workforce development proposal to use Behavioral Health Services Act funds instead of General Fund for training programs. The department said the EHR would modernize records and improve continuity of care, and that the contract exemption would prevent delays in essential clinical information services. No votes were taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this will simply allow them clinics an avenue to bill Medicaid.
• the University of Health Science College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City, and she did her clinical
• This is on appeal on capital cases, not at trial, so it's on appeal. For follow-up? No. She waives.

Bills: HB4358 , HB2398 , HB3557 , HB3129 , HB3312 , HB2210 , HB1937 , HB3021 , HB4246 , HB4230 , HB3617 , HB3657 , HB2976 , HB3391 , HB4459 , HB4128 , HB3989 , HB2989 , HB4060 , HB3145 , HB2992 , HB3464 , HB3552 , HB2984 , HB4124 , HB3934 , HB3448 , HB3131 , HB4200 , HB4201 , HB3011 , HB1912 , HB3380 , HB3881 , HB3538 , HB3851 , HB3907 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB4457 , HB2947 , HB2951 , HB2980 , HB3082 , HB3519 , HB3644 , HB3882 , HB3661 , HB3996 , HB4335

Summary: The House convened, took the roll, heard an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a series of introductions and floor presentations recognizing visitors, students, local officials, and the Luther cheer team. The chamber also introduced the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Lydia Dennis, and several members made personal announcements later in the day. The House then considered and passed several bills, mostly by wide margins. Measures included HB 2947 on behavioral health, allowing Medicaid billing for supervised mental health interns; HB 2951 cleaning up Department of Corrections prison listings in statute; HB 2980 allowing DMVs to accept valid physical proof of insurance; HB 382 barring fire departments from employing people who must register as sex offenders; HB 3519 changing the abandoned medical marijuana grow cleanup process from a bond to a fee; HB 3644, the Blake Burgess Act, requiring clot and embolism training and reporting; HB 3882 creating a revolving fund for ODOT lake and industrial access grants; HB 3661 removing a sunset from the forestry equipment tax provision; and HB 3996 memorializing OIDS obligations in capital appeal cases. Several bills drew brief questions about fiscal impact or implementation, and title-striking motions were made on some measures. The most debated item was HB 4335 on pet shops and local regulation. Supporters said it created a framework for municipalities and counties to regulate pet shops without outright bans, while opponents argued it undermined local control and favored a commercial retailer. After debate from both sides, the bill passed 60-26. The House also adopted the emergency on HB 3882, and at the end of the day the chamber adjourned until March 5, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are asking for people to be able to go to the clinic and see a doctor.
• </c> and we're moving that to clinical and we're moving that to clinical supervision<01:29:10.440><c>
• </c><01:37:39.960><c> social</c> is Frank Jadwin I'm a clinical social is Frank Jadwin I'm a clinical
• /c> randomized clinical trials to Be an randomized clinical trials to Be an Effective<01:37:56.360><c
• We staff community clinics, the Hennepin County jail, health care for the homeless, and other clinics

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, is for a clinical field practice for a social worker or a psychologist, they have to have that
• What can the state do to say we're going to support clinical practice of a residency, someone getting
• looking at bilingual education or special education. that had not been addressed immediately after the trial
• You know, in the trial, it was the superintendent from Lake Arthur that brought us to tears.

Transcript Highlights:

• CPT services range from medical evaluations, consultations, psychosocial and clinical interviews, and
• and family counseling, which was coordinated by our family advocate and offered by our in-house clinical
• That is our evidence that we play in our trial, and so it's critical to us.
• That is our evidence, that we play that in our trial, and so that it's critical to us.

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Summary: The Senate Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs held a panel discussion on Florida’s child protection teams (CPTs), child advocacy centers (CACs), and the related roles of DCF, DOH, and law enforcement. Testimony from DCF, the Department of Health, a local CAC director, the Florida Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, a Pinellas County CPT nurse practitioner, and a Jacksonville sheriff’s sergeant described how the system is intended to work: hotline reports are screened by DCF, mandatory referrals are sent to CPT, forensic interviews and medical exams are coordinated through CPT/CACs, and multidisciplinary teams share findings with law enforcement and prosecutors. Speakers emphasized the value of co-location, telemedicine, multidisciplinary staffings, and trauma-informed practices to reduce repeated interviews and improve child safety and case outcomes. Committee members focused heavily on communication breakdowns, staffing shortages, and delays in response times. Senators raised Jordan’s Law and asked what had been done to improve coordination among DCF, CPT, and law enforcement. Several members questioned whether the promised 24-hour response standard is being met in practice, citing reports of delayed referrals, delayed forensic interviews, and bottlenecks that can affect medical evaluations and criminal investigations. Law enforcement testimony from Jacksonville described cases where CPT interviews were scheduled one to two weeks out and reports were not received for weeks, while DCF acknowledged average CPI caseloads of about 12 investigations and turnover commonly occurring within 12 to 18 months. The panel also discussed access gaps and funding concerns. The Florida Network of CACs said Florida has 26 member centers, with some counties lacking CAC coverage and some centers having closed due to funding challenges. Speakers said CACs are voluntary but critical for integrated services, and that workforce shortages in medical and mental health providers limit expansion. DCF and DOH representatives said they would provide follow-up information on the number of CPT medical staff and other requested data. No bills were voted on; the meeting ended with committee members requesting additional information and recommendations for statutory and budgetary changes, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• a case where you don't have funding to do the things that you just mentioned, could the person on trial
• We also have five appellate offices that handle all the appeals from the trial level, and that's about
• Our trial lawyers are in the courtrooms every day. >> And do public defenders, like state attorneys,
• In the clinical world, this is called the biopsychosocial assessment, which determines what their needs

Transcript Highlights:

• Hinojosa currently practices medicine in San Antonio at the Christus Trinity Clinic.
• At the Nuremberg trials, the work was done and the work was done, and the work was done, and the work
• At the Nuremberg trials, the war crimes trials after World War II, there was a gentleman that was brought

Bills: SJR36 , SR8 , SR14 , SR15 , SR17 , HCR54

Transcript Highlights:

• We have world-renowned physicians, researchers, and clinical trials that provide hope to families from
• He participated in four clinical trials, learned to walk multiple times after losing mobility, and even
• While clinical treatment remains essential, we must also embrace innovative community-based approaches

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the product of a faith preserved through trials, and it is from this foundation that I sound a call
• care, that somehow we're going to have a wide swath of federal support withheld from our community clinics
• , from our Planned Parenthood centers, from our hospitals. ...community clinics, from our Planned Parenthood
• I hope that victim would be given an opportunity to testify against the member in a trial, and I hope
• complications and does not allow an APC to do anything beyond their scope of training, scope, or clinical

Transcript Highlights:

• from either side could assist the jury with showing them how those other factors are relevant to the trial
• Both of those could cause this trial.
• That could cause a problem and they see restart goal, trial managers.
• This would allow this information to be presented in trial to a jury west question.
• I, for example, I cancel my clinic this morning for one reason I came here to restore rights to victims

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas clinical trials play a pivotal role in evaluating new treatments, enhancing quality of life
• And<00:47:11.080><c> whereas</c><00:47:11.360><c> clinical</c><00:47:11.760><c> trials</c><00:47:12.200
• ><c> play</c><00:47:12.400><c> a</c> And whereas clinical trials play a And whereas clinical trials play
• Clinics are in clinic patients with ALS.
• Clinics are in clinic clinic<00:47:29.520><c> care</c><00:47:29.880><c> includes</c><00:47:30.360><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• to be a barrier to care and creates unnecessary red tape. for clinics and HHSC staff alike.
• And I have served at this clinic for 21 years.
• We must expand our locations, increase our services, and fund new clinics.
• I'm the CFO of Kids Developmental Therapy and Kids Developmental Clinic.
• Failures like Taylor, who died a needless and tragic death in pre-trial detention.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Compensatory relief—that’s when you actually go to trial.
• I cannot see children in my clinic without parental consent.
• Under this law, if I refer an adolescent to gender for main care clinic in Oregon, I am now a target
• I cannot see children in my clinic without parental consent.
• But I'm not going to see them in clinic, and therefore I'm not going to be able to provide that care.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about the legislative branch being able to defend and bring to the court, the trial court level.
• It's about the legislative branch being able to defend and bring to the court, the trial court level.
• And I don't think even when I was a young woman seeking care at a Planned Parenthood clinic did I ever
• </c><00:52:05.839><c> They</c> clinic did I ever feel coerced. They clinic did I ever feel coerced.
• It does not regulate other clinics. It does not restrict other providers. It is proactive.

Bills: HB0003 , HB0117 , HB0041

Committee: Senate Labor, Health & Social Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Outpatient clinics: We have clinics throughout the county with so many access points for families to
• I came prepared today with three clinical vignettes.
• There's long wait times for clinical care.
• There's long wait times for clinical care.
• So if we can start to spread these more preventive practices in and alongside clinical programs and clinical

Summary: The hearing focused on youth mental health and treatment access in California, with the chair opening by citing elevated distress, self-harm-related emergency visits, access barriers, and a statewide behavioral health workforce shortage. The chair and Assembly Member Lori Davies emphasized that historic state investments, including the California Youth Behavioral Health Initiative and school-based mental health funding, still face implementation and sustainability challenges, especially because many programs rely on one-time dollars. The committee framed the hearing as a way to hear from county systems, providers, schools, and students to inform future policy and budget action. Panel One described San Diego County’s behavioral health system, including Medi-Cal specialty care, payment reform, new crisis and residential facilities, workforce pipeline efforts, and the Behavioral Health Services Act transition. County and school representatives said CYBHI and the school-linked fee schedule could help make school-based services more sustainable, but they stressed that districts need technical assistance, clearer guidance, and time to build billing systems. San Marcos Unified and Poway Unified representatives said schools are now first responders for mental health, described rising acuity and the importance of counselors, peer programs, and on-campus therapy, and warned that insurance-data collection, reimbursement delays, and grant-dependent staffing threaten program stability. In the provider panel, a child psychiatrist described the emergency-room crisis model as inadequate because youth often leave with either a short inpatient stay or a discharge plan that lacks a warm handoff, outpatient follow-up, or school coordination. He urged more school wellness time, parent education, peer support, mobile crisis response, and intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization options. Rady Children’s Hospital described major growth in behavioral health services, including depression screening, urgent care, psych emergency services, primary care integration, and a new institute combining programs, while also highlighting low reimbursement rates, long payment delays, high denial rates, and administrative burden as major barriers to sustaining care and staffing.