Video & Transcript Research : 'mandatory minimum sentences'

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MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Health and Human Services - 03/11/26

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • The A1, whatever the details there are, is mandatory licensure.
  • The A1, whatever the details there are, is mandatory licensure.
  • The A1, whatever the details there are, is mandatory licensure.
  • The A1, whatever the details there are, is mandatory licensure.
  • ensure the practitioners meet minimum ensure the practitioners meet minimum educational<00:34:31.080
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

89th Legislative Session May 1st, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It simply says that an optometrist must be paid a minimum of 95% of the state-prescribed rate for care
  • Optometrists must be paid a minimum of 95% of the state-prescribed rate for care provided to Texans under
  • HB 2187 by Howard relating to hospital staffing report processes and to retaliation and mandatory overtime
  • With your amendment, would we switch from that mandatory language to language that would allow the state
  • With your amendment, would we switch from that mandatory language to language that would allow the state
Summary: The House convened with a quorum, heard the invocation and pledges, and then took up a series of memorial resolutions and recognitions. Members adopted memorial resolutions honoring former President Jimmy Carter and Dr. Alice Gail Hudgens, with remarks highlighting their public service and community impact, and adopted resolutions recognizing Victoria College’s 100th anniversary and May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month. The chamber also recognized Texas A&M system interns and later granted permission for several committees to meet while the House was in session. The House then moved through a long third-reading calendar, passing a number of bills on wide margins. Measures approved included SB 304 on municipal court jurisdiction over nuisance abatement ordinances, SB 608 on reporting evidence collection kits, SB 2312 creating a Texas Advisory Committee on Geopolitical Conflict, SB 494 creating a petroleum theft task force, SB 530 on postsecondary accreditation, HB 45 giving the Attorney General a role in prosecuting human trafficking cases, HB 35 on peer support for first responders, HB 47 and HB 3073 on sexual assault policy and prosecution, HB 318 and HB 3000 creating rural sheriff and ambulance grant programs, HB 554 on Juneteenth fireworks sales with county opt-in authority restored, HB 705 and HB 932 joining licensure compacts for cosmetology and occupational therapy, HB 849 allowing county park boards to meet by video conference, HB 1119 on mental health bed reporting, HB 3041 on students with nontraditional secondary education, HB 713 on maternal mortality review reporting, HB 3104 on Webb County bailiff appointments, HB 3970 on electricity planning for large loads, HB 4042 on Railroad Commission safety provisions for gas distribution pipelines, HB 4490 protecting next-of-kin information, HB 1731 on the physician assistant compact, HB 2607 on Walker County Hospital District governance, HB 3689 on Texas Windstorm Insurance Association funding, HB 1788 on continuing education for barbers and cosmetologists about abuse and trafficking, HB 1612 on hospital direct payments for uninsured patients, and HB 138 on health impact cost and coverage analysis. Several bills drew extended debate or amendments. HB 353, creating a trespass offense near schools and daycares, prompted questions about constitutional concerns and property rights before passing. HB 3211 on optometrists in managed care plans received a perfecting amendment and a Medicaid-related amendment setting a minimum payment level. HB 1056 on gold and silver specie and a state-based currency prompted detailed questioning about its mechanics and fees, followed by a point of order challenging the caption. The House also adopted or postponed a number of items, including postponing HB 2520 and HB 1359 until later in the calendar before later passing both, and laying several bills on the table subject to call. Many measures passed overwhelmingly, while a few, including HB 3326 on loan forgiveness for adjunct professors and HB 3237 on energy consumption goals, passed with narrower margins.
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Apr 17th, 2025

Alabama House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's not mandatory, right? You know, but... ...It's not mandatory, right?
  • It's not mandatory.
  • But the bill is not mandatory. It is it's ...bill is not mandatory. It is voluntary.
  • In the first sentence and in the second sentence of the 13th Amendment, it says... but I can make the
  • The third thing we did was, yeah, we removed the sentence... ...we removed the one sentence for the school
Keywords: 1136, house, all
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Employee Benefits Programs Committee May 7th, 2026

Employee Benefits Programs Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • In your first sentence there it says progress made with targeted market equity adjustments, which I have
  • That entire last sentence is basically duplicating what’s being stated in the sentence before. ...being
  • stated in the sentence before.
  • qualify for health savings accounts are exempt from this limitation until the member reaches their minimum
  • So those are mandatory reports that we have to receive.
Summary: The Employee Benefits Committee met to hear presentations on state employee health insurance, compensation, leave policies, labor market conditions, and prevailing wage issues, then later took up committee rules and bill-draft jurisdiction. PERS reviewed the history and structure of the state health plan, noting the state has paid the full family premium since 1979, described cost-control and benefit-enhancement changes over time, and explained current plan options, wellness incentives, employer wellness discounts, and the upcoming bid process for the 2027-29 contract. HRMS then presented compensation comparisons showing state classified pay generally trails private and regional markets, with larger gaps at higher-level jobs, and reviewed benefits and leave policies, including the new enhanced annual leave and new-hire leave, the state’s unpaid family leave structure, and varying tuition reimbursement practices. Job Service reported on labor force trends, low unemployment, high labor force participation, job openings, and wage growth, and OMB said there are no state prevailing-wage requirements beyond federal Davis-Bacon rules for federally funded projects. The committee then considered a proposed amendment to Joint Rule 211 to better align the health insurance mandate review process with recent statutory changes. Members discussed how the rule should reference both the committee’s required actuarial reports and the Legislative Council cost-benefit analysis, and the amendment was adopted on a roll call vote. The committee also discussed how its jurisdiction decisions affect whether a bill draft receives actuarial analysis, with staff explaining that a decision not to take jurisdiction means the bill is not treated as impacting the relevant retirement or health plans for purposes of that analysis. After that, the committee began reviewing bill drafts for jurisdiction. The first draft, bill draft 33, would automatically renew pre-tax elections for dental and vision coverage during open enrollment instead of requiring annual re-election. Members debated whether it had any actuarial impact, noting the state does not pay those premiums directly, and the discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations - Room 216, 15 January, 2026; 2:00 PM

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Someone's exonerated or someone had an illegal sentence and their illegal sentence is corrected.
  • <00:03:32.239> So conviction or their sentence. So conviction or their sentence.
  • <00:03:43.120> if them a life without parole sentence if them a life without parole sentence
  • <00:03:59.680> is sentence and their illegal sentence is sentence and their illegal sentence
  • Is that moving from minimum to market?
Summary: The meeting began with a budget presentation from the Office of Capital Post Conviction. Director Chrissy Noble described the office’s work representing death-row clients in state postconviction, federal habeas, clemency, and related matters, and said the Legislature has historically funded the office with enough flexibility to handle unpredictable cases. She highlighted four pending actual-innocence cases, including matters involving false forensics and a shaken-baby syndrome challenge, and noted that such cases often require multiple experts. She also cited a recent example where the office was appointed to a case shortly before an execution date was set, and said flexible spending authority allowed the office to secure experts and file on time. The office asked to retain any remaining special-fund cash balance into FY26 and said it had not requested additional salary funding for FY26 because the increase was already handled through flexibility; members praised the office’s work and no vote was taken. The committee then heard from the Ethics Commission. Staff explained requests for salary realignment, additional funding for a part-time hearing officer who handles public records and open meetings cases, and a small amount for fuel/food that was described as a system-related placeholder. The commission said it had a backlog because complaints have become more numerous and complex, and that more funding would allow the hearing officer to process more cases. Members also discussed a prior $10,000 system request that had lapsed and was later found to have been underestimated; the commission said the earlier figure came from an initial quote and the later $25,000 estimate reflected the actual cost. The chairman and members commended the commission’s work, and no formal action was taken. Finally, the Administrative Office of Courts presented its budget requests. The office outlined a deficit appropriation request tied to county-funded court reporter increases, funding for two newly appointed judges, special-judge appointment costs, and death benefits for a court administrator in Warren County. The discussion then focused on judicial salaries, with the office noting Mississippi ranks near the bottom nationally in trial and Supreme Court judge pay, though a cost-of-living adjustment would place the state around 27th. The office said its request follows State Personnel Board recommendations and that it is also seeking a possible increase in filing fees to support the Judicial Operations Fund, which helps cover salary costs not paid from general funds. Members discussed redistricting, special appointments, and the possibility of using fee revenue rather than general funds to support future increases; no vote was taken.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House Judiciary Committee Jan 14th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • So it’s not a mandatory death penalty issue.
  • So it’s not a mandatory death penalty issue.
  • So it’s not a mandatory death penalty issue.
  • This is not mandatory.
  • It's just a not mandatory to go through.
Keywords: 1136, house, all
LA
Transcript Highlights:
  • I'll point out we are the only state that does not have mandatory harvest reporting.
  • And many hunters, especially in these CWD areas, we require mandatory sampling with these tags.
  • Is it voluntary, mandatory, from a surveillance standpoint? Yes, sir.
  • And within the zone, they do not have mandatory sampling. I know that.
  • I pulled one sentence from, it's either the foreword or the introduction—I can't remember—but they said
Keywords: 965, house, all
Summary: The meeting began with roll call, adoption of the agenda, and approval of the prior minutes. The main presentation was from Julie Grenwald of Louisiana Hunters for the Hungry, who described the nonprofit’s protein donation programs, including freezer clean-out days, deer and fish processing partnerships, and a paused feral hog donation program that had collected about 3,500 hogs and 137,000 pounds of pork before funding ran short. She said the group has donated roughly 300,000 pounds of protein over two years, works with food banks and local agencies, and is protected under Louisiana’s Good Samaritan Law. Members asked about processor locations, exotic species, signage, sponsorships, and whether the program could expand to other invasive species or mobile drop-off options; Grenwald said expansion is possible if processors and funding are available. The task force then received a Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries update from Jonathan Bordelon on chronic wasting disease testing. He reported more than 2,800 samples collected and over 2,300 results returned, with nine positives total: eight in Tensas Parish and one confirmed in Concordia Parish on Richard K. Yancey WMA, which triggered preparation of an emergency declaration and future rulemaking to adjust the control area. He said harvest and sampling remain near record levels, most samples are voluntary, and the agency continues to monitor symptomatic deer reports and public submissions. The final major presentation was from William McKinley of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, who gave a detailed overview of Mississippi’s CWD response. He said Mississippi has 529 detections across 18 counties, with prevalence rising from about one in 500 samples to about one in 80 statewide, and much higher in some counties. He described Mississippi’s surveillance system, targeted tags within three miles of positives, environmental sampling, feeder bans in CWD zones, and research showing contamination at feeders and in scrapes. He also discussed possible multiple strains, including one linked to the Wisconsin whitetail strain and another around Vicksburg/Issaquena, and said the disease appears to be expanding about 3.5 miles per year. Members asked about high-fence enclosures, live deer movement restrictions, baiting and feeding rules, hunter participation, and whether Louisiana should develop similar environmental testing capacity; no votes were taken on these issues, but members discussed possible future legislative or budget action.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Dec 9th, 2025

Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Transcript Highlights:
  • It also elevates the assault and battery charges and imposes a mandatory life sentence when an officer
  • enforcement officers and protected personnel it also elevates the assault battery charges and imposes a mandatory
  • life sentence when an officer's killed for manslaughter something else that came up Sentence when an
Summary: The committee heard presentations on domestic security and public safety priorities from Gulf County Sheriff Mike Harrison and Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Rebel. Sheriff Harrison outlined Florida Sheriffs Association priorities, including reclassifying xylazine as a Schedule I controlled substance with a veterinary-use exemption, expanding enforcement of pretrial release violations beyond domestic violence cases, providing tuition-waiver benefits for sheriff’s office personnel, advancing the Jason Rainer Act to increase penalties for violent offenses against law enforcement, extending sex-offender residency restrictions, improving access to mental-health-related databases, and continuing support for fusion centers and Florida model jail standards. Members asked questions about xylazine’s veterinary use, canine detection, and public records burdens on small agencies; no votes were taken on these items. Chief Rebel focused on the Florida Police Chiefs Association’s role in disaster response, officer training, and wellness. He described the association’s coordination through the state EOC and regional deployments during hurricanes, then emphasized officer suicide and the need for statewide wellness resources, peer support, and accessible behavioral health care for first responders. He also referenced prior PTSD benefits legislation and urged continued support for the PCIS program and other wellness initiatives. Committee members discussed related resources such as dispatcher support, the Restore program at UCF, hyperbaric chamber treatment for PTSD, and canine support organizations. On domestic security funding, Rebel said FPCA does not have a specific bill package but wants to preserve the Domestic Security Oversight Council and regional task forces, protect limited SHISGAP funding for new projects, and shift ongoing successful programs to state funding. He also supported fixing the long-gun carry loophole, continuing the Jason Rainer Act effort, allowing ethical law-enforcement use of AI with human review, addressing monetization of public records and body-camera footage, and maintaining the ability to investigate anonymous complaints. The committee adjourned after discussion; no formal action or votes were recorded.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Senate in Session Mar 6th, 2026

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is actually a five-sentence amendment, but it's an extremely impactful, important amendment.
  • Regarding DCF's mishandling of Medicaid implementation, does the bill make it mandatory for those 60
  • I don't know who's going to ask me what's happening with mandatory B.I.
  • No minimum participation.
  • On February 10th of this year, a chief U.S. district judge sentenced the immediate past president and
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including recognition of the day’s doctor of the day, an intern, and a resolution honoring the late Bob Graham and firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber also adopted a resolution designating August 9, 2026, as Bob Graham Day. After routine announcements, the Senate moved to the special order calendar and took up a series of bills, many of them with House companion bills substituted in place of Senate versions. The first major floor action was passage of a tax-related bill conforming Florida’s Internal Revenue Code to federal changes while excluding certain provisions from H.R. 1; it passed 34-0. The Senate then considered CS/SB 1758 on public assistance and Medicaid, which proposed stronger fraud enforcement, a Medicaid work requirement for able-bodied adults, expanded behavioral health services, pharmacy and drug rebate reforms, and SNAP fraud reduction measures. A Berman amendment to require Medicaid expansion before work requirements was rejected, as was an Osgood amendment to add photo-ID protections and exemptions for certain SNAP users. The bill remained on the calendar for third reading after extensive debate and questioning about implementation, exemptions, and potential impacts on beneficiaries. The chamber also passed bills on technology education and AI instruction, a Parkinson’s disease registry and related public records exemption, designation of the SS American Victory as Florida’s official flagship, electronic payments for local governments, repeal of the sunset on gold and silver legal tender, public records exemptions for financial institutions and custodians, a Florida stablecoin pilot program, local government finance transparency, digital voyeurism, and insurance customer representative licensing. Most of these measures were adopted after brief explanation, minor amendments, or substitution of House companions, with votes generally in favor and several passing unanimously or by wide margins. Later, the Senate took up CS/SB 1756 on medical freedom, which would expand parental vaccine information requirements, add a conscience-based exemption, allow behind-the-counter ivermectin access, and repeal the sunset on the mRNA mandate prohibition. The bill’s first amendments clarified anti-kickback rules for vaccine manufacturers and required informational materials to address risks, benefits, safety, and efficacy; the transcript ends during consideration of this bill, before final passage is shown.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Committee on Housing (01/22/2026)

Housing

Transcript Highlights:
  • minimum and maximum size that is, um, although they may not be provided less than 750 feet.
  • Um mandatory inclusionary is a bad bill.
  • So I just want to start with saying the Shoreland Protection Act is a minimum standard.
  • So typically DES sets minimum standards statewide based on what should be the minimum standard that everyone
  • So typically DES sets minimum standards statewide based on what should be the minimum standard that everyone
Keywords: 1189, house, all
MD

Maryland 2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session, 4/25/2026 #1

Maryland House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thurgood Marshall said before the Supreme Court and argued in precise, careful sentences that the entire
  • I've stumbled over my own arguments mid-sentence and had to watch the room watch me find my footing.
  • Fourth, all events are mandatory.
  • "All events are mandatory.
Summary: The transcript appears to be from the opening of the 2026 Maryland YMCA Youth and Government State Conference, including the joint session of the Youth General Assembly. The House and Senate were called to order, a quorum was announced, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and oaths of office were administered to the Youth Senate, House of Delegates, Secretary of State, Lieutenant Governor, and Youth Governor. The Youth Governor then delivered an opening address about vulnerability, growth, civic engagement, and the importance of speaking up and learning through debate and public service. The State Director followed with conference safety and conduct instructions, emphasizing traveling in groups, looking out for roommates, respecting shared spaces, attending mandatory events, using the Guidebook and Slack apps for communication, obtaining adult permission to leave scheduled activities, staying in rooms after room checks, and only interacting with people wearing conference lanyards. She also encouraged delegates to make new friends, set personal goals beyond winning or passing bills, and to debate ideas rather than people. After adjournment of the joint session, participants were directed to their next locations based on program and committee assignments. Legislators were instructed to check Guidebook for committee assignments and move to the House Office Building, while lobbyists and press were sent to their respective leaders. The transcript then shifts into committee roll calls and informal introductions, with no substantive bill debate, votes, or committee actions recorded in the excerpt.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

Senate Judiciary (01/15/2026)

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, we want you to lighter sentence. So, we want you to take<00:55:59.040> it.
  • Even if they're found guilty of that DWI, they're probably going to get the mandatory minimum penalties
  • sentence that would require jail time as long as you go do the treatment.
  • The judge can say, you know what, I'm going to actually suspend or defer the mandatory sentence that
  • conviction, after there's a sentencing. conviction, after there's a sentencing.
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 02/05/25

Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • The current fleeing police officer in a motor vehicle statute has a three-year cap on sentence for simple
  • cap on sentence for simple flee<00:09:13.200> and<00:09:13.279> then<00:09:13.440>
  • And so some mandatory jail time for those folks, I think, is a good idea.
  • I think some mandatory jail time, increased penalties, is helpful, but I think there's a lot of avenues
  • jail time increased penalties mandatory jail time increased penalties I<00:22:46.640> think<00
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • So the the thing and who are sentenced.
  • These also are mandatory.
  • This is incentive program is mandatory.
  • These also are mandatory. Um damages. These also are mandatory.
  • These are uh mandatory projects.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee first handled roll call and approved the prior meeting minutes. Members discussed attendance and substitutions, then moved to the DHS commissioner’s update, which focused on New Hampshire’s Medicaid 1115 waiver and the new community re-entry initiative for people leaving correctional facilities. The presenter explained that the waiver lets the state cover certain services not normally covered under Medicaid, including substance use disorder treatment, serious mental illness services, adult dental benefits, and the new community re-entry component. She also noted that a separate youth re-entry component is federally required, with youth defined up to age 21 and foster-care-related coverage extending to age 26. The update described how the adult re-entry program works for incarcerated individuals with behavioral health needs, providing up to 45 days of pre-release services, care coordination with managed care organizations and DOC staff, telemedicine assessments, discharge prescriptions, insurance cards, and connections to community mental health, primary care, and substance use providers. For youth, the program includes more intensive case management, 30 days of pre-release services, and 30 days of post-release care coordination, with a stronger emphasis on screening, diagnosis, and holistic assessment. The presenter said New Hampshire received the adult waiver in July 2024, has implemented the program in state correctional facilities, and is beginning work at the youth center. Members and the presenter discussed why the program is structured as a waiver rather than a standard Medicaid benefit, with the explanation that CMS is allowing this as a newer policy area and that states generally pursue waivers for certain services. The chair and others emphasized the need for real cost and outcome data, and the presenter said an independent evaluator and evaluation plan are required under the 1115 waiver. Early results cited included 30 adults enrolled so far, 10 released, five youth enrolled with one released, and anecdotal early successes such as housing, employment, and better continuity of medication and treatment. The committee did not take any additional votes or formal actions beyond approving the minutes.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Transportation (01/27/2026)

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • <01:06:09.200> standards, grounded in setting minimum standards, grounded in setting minimum
  • Now, existing before was a mandatory retraining for a mandatory retaking of driver's education and driver's
  • existing before was a mandatory existing before was a mandatory retraining<05:05:02.160> for<
  • retraining for um a mandatory retaking retraining for um a mandatory retaking of<05:05:04.878>
  • that is not mandatory for title. that is not mandatory for title.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee Jul 16th, 2025

Communications and Conveyance

Transcript Highlights:
  • We...looks like we have a quorum, so Committee Secretary will now take a sentence.
  • They do not provide minimum wage, health benefits, pay payroll taxes, they do not reimburse for gas.
  • It isn't because it is mandatory and set a limit that, and that both insurance companies and claimants
Keywords: 988, house, all
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • We have not made that mandatory. You know, it wouldn't always apply.
  • We have not made that mandatory. We have not made that mandatory. mandatory. mandatory.
  • know, under under this mandatory know, under under this mandatory notification<00:41:40.680>
  • <01:02:20.000> sentence<01:02:20.440> that the average, uh, sentence sentence that
  • the average, uh, sentence sentence that Kip<01:02:20.880> will<01:02:21.040> even<01:02
Summary: The Juvenile Justice Oversight Council met with a quorum, approved the October 8, 2025 minutes, and welcomed guests including Marshall County Attorney Jason Darnall. The main topic was juvenile interrogation, with a presentation from Kentucky Youth Advocates by Courtney Downs and Shannon Moody. They said their organization is supporting a 2026 Blueprint priority requiring children to consult with an attorney before waiving Miranda rights, and they emphasized research on adolescent brain development, susceptibility to peer pressure and impulsive decision-making, and the risk of false confessions. They cited National Registry of Exonerations data showing high rates of false confessions among exonerated youth, especially younger children, and described approaches in other states such as Maryland’s Child Interrogation Protection Act, Indiana’s statute allowing certain adults to waive rights in some circumstances, and laws in other states requiring recording of interrogations or limiting deceptive tactics. Members asked about trauma and adverse childhood experiences, whether the proposal would require attorney consultation in every juvenile interview, whether parents could instead be the ones consulted, and how such a rule would affect law enforcement investigations and juvenile accountability. Senator Carroll and others raised concerns about feasibility, delays, and whether juveniles might avoid accountability if attorneys are required before questioning. The presenters responded that they were focused on ensuring children understand their legal rights, that some states use age- or offense-based limits, and that parent consultation is another model used elsewhere, though they said a lawyer is best suited to explain legal rights and process. Members also discussed the role of the Department of Public Advocacy and whether legislative action or court decisions should address the issue. The council did not take final action on the policy, but requested additional materials, including the text of laws from Maryland, Indiana, and North Carolina, for further review.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

Restrictive Housing Legislative Working Group 10-16-2025

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And we're working with UPW on some other staffing issues and whatnot to try to, at least at a minimum
  • And even when we try to extend sentences, make mandatory minimums, or change the different classification
  • , even when we try to extend sentences, even when we try to extend sentences, make<01:52:14.639><
  • c> mandatory<01:52:15.360> minimums<01:52:16.320> to<01:52:16.639> change<01
  • :52:17.040> the make mandatory minimums to change the make mandatory minimums to change the different
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The working group on restrictive housing met with a quorum present, approved the August 21, 2025 minutes, and adopted a procedure to take public testimony on each agenda item with a two-minute limit per testifier, with some flexibility for follow-up questions. The main presentation came from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on restrictive housing policies and a recent outside assessment of mental health care practices at HSCF and OOTC. DCR said the assessment found strengths such as consistent medication administration and staff commitment, but also identified major problems including outdated workflows, staffing shortages, inadequate physical plant conditions, overuse of suicide/safety watch for personal safety issues, and a need for more individualized treatment plans. DCR described several corrective steps already underway: filling a long-vacant high-level mental health administrator position, adjusting evening medication passes, working with DOH on transfer and referral workflows, planning a new electronic medical records system and revised screening tools, and pursuing additional training for ACOs and mental health staff. For OOTC, DCR said the facility is overcrowded and decrepit, needs a better screening tool, and requires more mental health-specific training and staffing. For HCF, DCR said the layout limits confidential assessments and provider access, and that the proposed consolidated healthcare unit would add 43 beds, private exam rooms, and a de-escalation room. DCR also said the new unit could serve acute and chronic suicide/safety watch needs and possibly some inmates with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or significant cognitive impairment. The discussion then focused on Act 292, which DCR said is difficult to implement as written. DCR said the bill aligns with DOJ, NCCHC, and ACA guidance in defining restrictive housing, limiting duration, requiring reviews, identifying vulnerable populations, and using step-down units, but raised two major concerns: a requirement to refer vulnerable people to DOH for confinement, and a requirement for clinical assessments every 12 hours by a provider. Members responded that the law should be matched with funding and staffing, and asked what resources are needed. DCR said it submitted a request for 35 positions at a cost of about $8.6 million, and also said funding may be needed for community-based beds and contracted medical services. Members also asked about the current MOA/MOU between DOH and DCR, the working group membership, and the timeline for revisions. DCR said the group includes DCR, DOH, and governor’s office medical advisors, that a first draft is complete, and that the revised agreement should be in place by the end of the year. On staffing, DCR said ACO recruitment classes increased from five to eight, vacancy rates dropped from 34% to 24%, but OOTC still faces a projected $7.1 million shortfall and heavy overtime costs, forcing post closures and program reductions. The meeting ended with continued discussion of screening tools, including DCR’s explanation that current broad questions may over-identify people with substance-use-related symptoms as having serious mental illness, and that a more discrete tool is needed to better identify those with acute needs.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 02/17/25

Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • The problem is there's no mandatory minimum for repeat offenders, and so that's what this bill does.
  • The problem is there's no mandatory minimum for repeat offenders, and so that's what this bill does.
  • The problem is there's no mandatory minimum for repeat offenders, and so that's what this bill does.
  • The problem is there's no mandatory minimum for repeat offenders, and so that's what this bill does.
  • The problem is there's no mandatory minimum for repeat offenders, and so that's what this bill does.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee Nov 6th, 2025

Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Even though there are mandatory programs that have not been affected, we certainly expect to see some
  • Bit more about what the mandatory programs are that are not going to be affected versus the ones that
  • Snap payments are mandatory programs, are they not?
  • They've been sentenced to state penitentiaries.
  • The New Mexico Sentencing Commission actually comes up with the estimated cost each year.