Transcript Highlights:

• And I go in and these students are with their headsets on and they’re engaging in something online.
• One of the questions I was asked previously is about what percentage of our students are identified in
• We've been piloting that, going out and doing samples with groups of students.
• Go virtual to satisfy it, or are there 5% of students at any given time who don't have instructors?
• So the curriculum is really focused on avoidance behavior.

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Eric Hall on the Florida Scholars Academy, a new unified education model for youth in residential commitment programs. He explained that the academy replaced the prior decentralized district-run system with a contracted model through Florida Virtual School, allowing individualized blended learning, real-time progress monitoring, expanded special education services, and a broader course catalog including dual enrollment, CTE, GED testing, and postsecondary pathways through the Florida Youth College partnership with Tallahassee State College. Hall said the department is using data to focus on academic achievement, workforce credentials, and peer-group change as strategies to reduce recidivism, and reported early results including 60 diplomas or GEDs, a 5.5% teacher vacancy rate, and progress-monitoring gains for most students. Hall also reviewed implementation of House Bill 1181 on swift accountability and juvenile justice reforms. He said the law strengthened pre-arrest delinquency citation use, raised the target for eligible citations to 70%, required written justification for releasing youth charged with certain felony firearm offenses, and directed the department to develop a firearm-offending curriculum focused on avoidance and consequences. He described a new statewide graduated sanctions matrix for probation technical violations, intended to provide quicker and more consistent responses without overburdening courts. He said early data showed reductions in weapons/firearm offenses and auto theft, and that the department had conducted circuit-level outreach to law enforcement, courts, and providers to support implementation. Members asked about the number of unauthorized alien children in detention or residential care, teacher vacancies and whether instruction continues when staff are absent, screen-time and supervision concerns with laptops, and whether students are reentering local schools with improved academic performance. Hall said he did not have data on immigration status, that FLVS and classroom staff provide continuity when teachers are absent, that devices are checked in and out and security has been tightened, and that the department is still early in implementation but is hearing positive anecdotal feedback from parents. Vice Chair Smith asked for more detail on the firearm curriculum, and Hall offered to provide it. The committee took no formal votes and adjourned after no public testimony was offered.

Transcript Highlights:

• > is that student is So now that student is that student is So now that student is getting<00:
• <01:57:57.119> result<01:57:57.280> of students whose behavior is the result of students
• ><01:58:46.800> students<01:58:47.040> with students with IEPs, not students with students
• And for a student with a student.
• 343 students and possibly the student 343 students and possibly the student that<02:32:46.319>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . students. students.
• staff and students.
• students in their education. students in their education.
• students, and educators. students, and educators.
• They involve bullying, suicidal ideation, concerning behavior, or students in distress.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• WICHE offers three major student access programs. WICHE offers three major student access programs.
• over 49,000 students across the West.
• students used WUE to attend college in other Western states, and 5,094 students from across the region
• exchange programs do excuse me student access programs they were called student exchange program but
• we are excuse me, student access programs, they were called student exchange program.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee of Reference met for sunset reviews and first heard a presentation on the Credit Enhancement Eligibility Board from the Governor’s Office. The presenter explained that the board, created in 2016, has no dedicated staff or administrative budget and is supported by existing budget and policy staff and the Treasurer’s Office. The board’s purpose is to lower borrowing costs for qualifying schools by using a guarantee fund to enhance credit ratings, and it has largely been used by charter schools. Because the board has reached its statutory leverage cap and has not met since 2022, it is currently in a monitoring role, but it must remain in place to honor guarantees if any approved financing defaults. The committee asked about financing maturities, demand from schools, and whether a shorter continuation period would make sense. No public testimony was offered, and the committee voted to recommend continuing the board for 10 years, until July 1, 2036. The committee then reviewed the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). WICHE’s president described the interstate compact, its regional role in higher education access, workforce development, and data services, and its major student programs: the Western Undergraduate Exchange, the Western Regional Graduate Program, and the Professional Student Exchange Program. She highlighted tuition savings for Arizona students and the state, the return of many PSEP graduates to practice in Arizona, and additional cost savings through cooperative purchasing and technology contracts. The committee asked no substantive questions, and it voted to recommend continuing WICHE for 10 years, until July 1, 2036. The final major item was the Arizona Department of Education School Safety Program performance audit, followed by testimony from the department. The Auditor General reported that the program has grown substantially, especially after expansion to counselors and social workers and increased appropriations, but that ADE did not consistently ensure schools complied with program requirements. In a sample of 16 schools, most had issues such as missing or incomplete operational plans, inadequate safety team activity, incomplete required training, missing activity logs, or reimbursement requests lacking expenditure reports. The audit said these problems reduced the program’s effectiveness and increased the risk of improper spending, and it recommended stronger monitoring, written procedures, and better documentation review. ADE accepted the findings and said it is implementing the recommendations through more direct staff oversight, training requirements tied to funding, encrypted submission of emergency plans, site visits, and representative desk reviews. The discussion then shifted to whether emergency plans should address federal law enforcement actions; the director said the plans are designed for campus safety threats generally and do not specifically contemplate ICE enforcement. The committee took no vote on the audit presentation and adjourned after discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• We see more aggressive behavior among younger students than we ever have before.
• Those programs serve 77 students with intensive academic, behavioral, and therapeutic needs across 57
• Intensive individualized supports, from low student-to-staff ratios, intensive behavioral intervention
• We have seen similar outcomes for students like Bianca, a student with autism and significant behavioral
• They can help step in when a student is having a behavior crisis.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:24:47.640> may how many resources a given student may how many resources a given student
• little bit more aid in those students little bit more aid in those students that<00:43:58.720>
• a significant majority of the students a significant majority of the students fall<00:45:55.480>
• students and it's not on the upper end. students and it's not on the upper end.
• uh students go. uh students go.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:03.440> still get responses there the students still get responses there the students
• <00:21:20.080> related everything or for student related everything or for student related
• Freedom is at $36,000 per student.
• Freedom is at $36,000 per student.
• They are accused of selling student data, including behavior and mental health, and they are sharing

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:57:42.640> What student. So what's happened then? What student.
• , homeschool students, the students that are there.
• , the students that are there.
• keep students safe. Thank you. keep students safe. Thank you.
• This is what we need to students.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please refrain from profanity or uncivil behavior.
• <00:02:56.959> grounds behavior.
• Such behavior may be grounds behavior.
• Panda Valdono, and I am an MSW student Panda Valdono, and I am an MSW student at<00:04:59.600>
• Most importantly, she hasn't behavior.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Public Safety met on April 17, 2025, to hear STR20, which urges the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to re-evaluate policies on in-person contact visitation at correctional facilities statewide so incarcerated people can stay connected with loved ones who support rehabilitation. Director Tommy Johnson testified that the department supports the intent of the measure and would review its policies and procedures to see whether contact visits could be restarted at all facilities, noting that some facilities already allow them. The committee also acknowledged 11 written testimonies in support, and one Zoom testifier, Panda Valdono, spoke in favor, arguing that in-person visitation supports rehabilitation, mental health, family connection, and successful reentry, and that visitation is not a major source of contraband. After testimony, the committee initially lacked quorum and recessed until 3:40 p.m. When the meeting reopened with six members present, the chair recommended passing STR20 as is. The committee voted to adopt the chair’s recommendation, with members Morikawa, Puo, Witson, and Shimizu voting aye and several members excused. The measure was approved and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We encourage schools to educate students on these important topics.
• As a teacher for students with disabilities for many years, this is vital.
• that are struggling, we help all the students in the class.
• Needless to say, this caused more outbursts and behaviors.
• I think it's important that we teach human biology to our students.

Summary: The Pre-K Through 12 Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered four bills. CS/HB 1403, by Rep. Yeager, would allow child care facilities to participate in the school guardian program and clarify school perimeter and door security requirements. An amendment clarifying that private security companies would pay for training was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably 11-0. CS/HB 447, the Evan B. Hartzell Act by Rep. Salzman, would provide guidance for schools that choose to teach disability history and awareness during the first two weeks of October, including age-appropriate instruction by grade band. The bill received supportive testimony from advocates and was reported favorably 11-0. CS/HB 257, by Reps. Chambliss and Tramont, would expand on a prior pilot program to allow video cameras in certain self-contained classrooms serving nonverbal students and others with significant disabilities, as a safeguard against abuse and to improve accountability. The bill drew strong support from parents and disability advocates describing abuse concerns, and it was reported favorably 13-0. CS/HB 1255, by Vice Chair Trabulsy, was a broad education bill addressing teacher shortages, scholarship program screening, health and math instruction, corporal punishment policy, and restrictions on spending public funds on organizations tied to discrimination or political/social activism. A major focus of debate was the bill’s human embryologic development instruction and related video language, with supporters calling it science-based and opponents warning it could be medically inaccurate or ideological. After the sponsor said she would amend some language, including removing ABCTE-related text and clarifying the video language, the bill was reported favorably 12-1. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:10.280> grievance it differs from the student grievance it differs from the student
• students across the state.
• We all know that students need behavioral nudging, and so if we can start the process and time it to
• c> nudging uh students um need behavioral nudging uh students um need behavioral nudging uh<00:58
• But we're already going to be past the 50% mark of students, senior students across the state.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Students' needs addressing holistic students' needs both through academic behavior and wellness in a
• But also to provide direct therapy to our students because what we're finding, the students that are
• , students and then.
• At the table with the students when they are there and we have to have the students here uh before we
• Um, each year they are improving in the number of students, the percentage of students who are scoring

Transcript Highlights:

• We've also beefed up the training for behavioral health.
• Connectivity for teachers and students. Those programs are highly successful.
• We aim to provide support for our students, for our staff, and for our Texas community.
• And I will say with this particular student population, we do see a lot of great progress in them.
• You have a behavioral. abnormality that is making it to where you cannot control your actions.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In these roles, I've had the privilege of representing the voices of student athletes and student performers
• And a con of mental health, especially someone who's a student and an athlete: a student-athlete has
• Great representation of students, high school students, and even more of an excellent representation
• for student athletes.
• My first day as dean of students, I disarmed a student that had a Glock 9 with hollow tips.

Summary: The Education Pre-K through 12 Committee heard a presentation from Florida High School Athletic Association Executive Director Craig Damon, joined by student athletes Sydney Daniel and Taylor White. The students spoke about the value of education-based athletics, leadership, and the need for safe, equitable opportunities. Damon then discussed FHSAA issues including rising sportsmanship problems, ejections, violent incidents, recruiting allegations, transfers, mental health pressures on student athletes, and the need for qualified coaches. He said the association tries to be proactive, work with schools on discipline, and emphasize that school changes should be for academic reasons rather than athletics. Senators asked about mental health, transfer rules, and a recent Jacksonville incident; Damon explained the current transfer exceptions and said the association lacked authority over the Jacksonville football game because the schools were not in FHSAA football. The committee then heard a panel on high school coaches’ compensation led by Florida Coaches Coalition Executive Director Dr. Andrew Ramgett, with Coach Mike Hickman, Coach Charlie Ward, and superintendents from Okaloosa and Walton counties. Ramgett argued that coaching supplements are outdated, have not kept pace with the expanding year-round demands of coaching, and amount to very low hourly pay in many sports. He also said Florida’s restrictions on booster club funding and minimal certification requirements contribute to turnover and difficulty retaining qualified coaches. Hickman and Ward described coaching as a demanding, year-round profession that affects students beyond athletics, including academics and mental health. The superintendents said they value coaches but must balance compensation against limited district funds and other staffing needs; one noted Walton County uses a dedicated administrative lane for football coaching and athletic administration. Senators discussed whether booster club funding should be allowed, whether compensation should be tied to performance, and whether any increase in base student allocation would actually reach coaches. Public commenters, including Florida Athletic Coaches Association Executive Director Shelton Cruz and former coach Tyrone McGriff, urged support for coaches and emphasized their broader impact on students’ lives and school safety. At the end of the meeting, the committee took up confirmation hearings for appointments on tabs 3 through 6 and, with no appearance forms filed, voted unanimously to recommend confirmation. Senator Burgess then moved to adjourn, and the committee concluded the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• student level.
• It's very important to all of the students and their attendance rates.
• Executive Commissioner for Behavioral Health Services for HHSC.
• or suspects this behavior, we refer to them immediately.
• our local behavior. rural health authorities.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's another problem with looking for those patterns of behavior. Thank you.
• Students may graduate without hands-on skills that are required to keep patients safe.
• Also, we do receive complaints from students that may be related to...
• Student complaints and so, I mean, is that something that...
• There is a process for all programs; students can follow it if it is a grade dispute.

Bills: HB2408, HB2434, HB2725, HB2728, HB2729, HB2730, HB2731, HB2732, HB2733

Keywords: nursing board, regulatory actions, disciplinary actions, expungement, healthcare professionalism, controlled substances, prescription monitoring, opioid crisis, healthcare regulations, patient safety, prescription drugs, opioids, healthcare, pain management, utilization controls, AHCCCS, Department of Economic Security, social services, welfare programs, vocational rehabilitation

Summary: The committee first took up several continuation bills to extend state boards and agencies, including HB 2728 for the Department of Economic Security, HB 2729 for the State Board of Nursing, HB 2730 for the Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners, HB 2731 for the Physician Assistants Board, and HB 2732 for the Board of Pharmacy. Each was moved for a due pass recommendation, with HB 2731 amended to continue the physician assistant board for four years instead of two. All of these continuation bills passed the committee with strong support. The committee then heard HB 2408, a nursing board reform bill dealing with complaint investigation procedures, timelines, confidentiality, complaint prioritization, access to investigative files, expungement of certain disciplinary actions, and a revised definition of unprofessional conduct. The sponsor and supporters argued it would improve fairness, allow limited expungement for older non-patient-safety issues, and address long investigation delays. The nursing board president and other opponents warned it would raise the evidentiary standard, weaken patient safety protections, and erase useful disciplinary history. After extensive testimony, the committee adopted an amendment and passed the bill 7-4-1. Next, the committee considered pharmacy-related reforms. HB 2434 updated the controlled substances prescription monitoring program, including registration, reporting, confidentiality, and a compliance work group; it passed unanimously after amendment. HB 2733 allowed pharmacists and technicians to complete continuing education after renewal submission if finished before expiration, clarified prescription delivery locations, and addressed temporary operation during ownership changes; it also passed unanimously after amendment. Finally, HB 2725, which would have restricted access contractors from substituting non-opioid drugs and limiting non-opioid utilization controls, drew concerns that it was too broad and could affect many drug classes and costs. After amendment and debate, the committee failed to give HB 2725 a due pass recommendation by a 6-6 vote, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It says 896 Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health.
• Representing the Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health.
• So when you have students who are in juvenile detention centers or they're in inpatient mental behavioral
• So when a student elects to enroll as a homeschool student, it's going to be in ABSCAN.
• Those are all things that are outside of their per-student allocation.

Summary: The committee heard a series of Arkansas Department of Human Services budget presentations and questions, beginning with the Secretary’s Office and then the Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services. Staff described the divisions’ appropriations, funding sources, and major programs, including senior centers, Meals on Wheels, mental health grants, substance abuse treatment, community alcohol safety, the Medicaid tobacco settlement program, and crisis stabilization units. Members raised concerns about flat or limited funding for senior services, the use and tracing of federal block grants, the lack of a funding source for the veterans’ mental health grant, and the mechanics of the community alcohol safety and treatment programs. The committee also discussed patient benefits funds at state facilities, transportation for senior center clients, and whether some special-language appropriations or fund balances should be revisited. Executive recommendations were adopted for the divisions considered. The committee then reviewed the Division of Children and Family Services and the Division of County Operations. Questions focused on foster care growth, adoption subsidies, professional fees tied to staff training and onboarding, vacancies, the Children’s Trust Fund, and TANF subgrants. Members asked about the reduction or elimination of TANF funding to child advocacy centers and other subgrantees, and DHS explained that prior reserves had been spent down and that the department was now trying to live within the annual TANF block grant and rebuild reserves. County operations questions also covered summer EBT, SNAP employment and training, the farmers’ market program, and the expected impact of a federal SNAP administrative match change, which DHS estimated would increase state costs by about $24 million annually, with roughly $18 million affecting the current year because the change begins October 1. Executive recommendations were again adopted. Finally, the committee heard from the Division of Developmental Disability Services and the Division of Medical Services. DDS testimony covered vacancies, staffing shortages, human development center construction and repairs, the reopening of the Boonville work training program, and funding for infant infirmary and child/family life programs. Medical Services testimony covered the Medicaid program, the current FMAP rate, the Our Kids B CHIP program, Medicaid payments to schools, nursing home distress funding, and large appropriation lines used to provide flexibility for claims and potential facility closures. Members asked for more detail on school Medicaid payments, reserve balances, and why some appropriations were much larger than actual spending. In each division, the committee moved and adopted Executive REC after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are a student-led organization dedicated to raising awareness of lung cancer screening.
• Behavioral health treatment services include applied behavior analysis, commonly referred to as ABA treatment
• , and other behavioral interventions that prevent or reduce behaviors that interfere with learning and
• of Behavior Analysis, and we respectfully ask for your aye vote.
• of CalABA, or the California Association for Behavior Analysis.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a series of bills focused on behavioral health, cancer screening, provider reimbursement, research funding, workforce licensing, and tobacco regulation. SB 16 would require counties to maintain procedures for designating and training professionals authorized to perform 5150 evaluations and initiate involuntary holds; supporters said it would expand the pool of qualified clinicians and reduce reliance on law enforcement, while opponents raised concerns about local control and implementation. SB 1124 would require CDPH to create and post lung cancer screening eligibility signage at tobacco point-of-sale locations; supporters emphasized low screening awareness and early detection, and the bill was advanced with amendments. SB 28, a CARE Court cleanup bill, proposed an ombudsperson, reporting, electronic petitions, remote participation, and other changes to improve accountability and access; it drew both strong support and significant opposition over concerns about coercion, scope, and whether the program is working as intended, but it passed the committee as amended to Judiciary. The committee also heard SB 874, which would strengthen oversight of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, including background checks for providers and a stakeholder workgroup to develop standards; it passed to Public Safety. SB 1049 would let providers resubmit corrected claims within 90 days after a plan’s denial or recoupment action when the original claim had a correctable technical defect; supporters described delayed and withheld payments harming practices, while insurers argued the bill could duplicate existing dispute processes. The bill passed to Appropriations on call. SB 1224 would create a state framework to compete for federal ARPA-H funding for emerging therapies research, with testimony from a UC Davis psychiatrist and veterans’ advocates supporting expanded research into treatments for PTSD, depression, and other conditions; it passed to Military and Veterans Affairs. Later, SB 1057 would change how the Department of Public Health evaluates conviction history for certified nurse assistants and home health aides, shifting from automatic denial toward individualized assessment based on the offense, time elapsed, and rehabilitation; it passed to Appropriations with some no votes. Finally, SB 1314, a tobacco-related bill, sought to create a 600-foot buffer around schools and day care centers for certain tobacco retailers and address related issues such as cigar lounge definitions and nitrous oxide sales; several local government and public safety groups supported it, while health organizations and business groups opposed it unless amended. The chair announced that committee amendments were being set aside for now and the bill would move forward to Business and Professions with a commitment to continue working on the language; it passed out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then number four is with DHS Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services.
• Number five, U of A Pulaski Technical College with Arkansas Student Loan Authority.
• This is an original contract, and it is for the Student Loan Authority to provide student financial aid-related
• Number 12, DHS Division of Aging, Adults, and Behavioral Health with Lennon King.
• Number 12, DHS Division of Aging, Adults, and Behavioral Health with Lennon King.

Summary: The subcommittee reviewed multiple methods of finance and construction items, including projects for Arkansas State University, Black River Technical College, UAMS, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and UCA. The UAPB Allied Health and Sciences Building appeared both as a method of finance and as an alternative delivery construction project, with East Harding Construction selected and AMR Architects as designer. Members approved the methods of finance, the alternative delivery project, and several discretionary grants, including Department of Health grants for a heart attack center designation and community health worker training, and DHS grants related to homeless services, behavioral health transition support, and an enabling technology pilot. The committee then reviewed service contracts, including RFQs, construction-related contracts, intergovernmental agreements, and a large number of out-of-state and in-state contracts. Testimony focused heavily on DHS staffing and state hospital contracts, the Arkansas State Police seatbelt survey, AEDC’s lithium supply chain analysis, and Shared Administrative Services’ new SuccessFactors performance-management contract. Members asked detailed questions about contract nursing costs, turnover, hiring timelines, and whether some contracts were being renewed or amended beyond their original projected costs. DHS and Veterans Affairs officials explained staffing shortages, retention incentives, and the use of contract labor as a supplement to state employees. Several contracts drew scrutiny and were held for further review. Representative Wardlaw raised concerns about projected costs and repeated amendments on the Department of Education security contract and on DHS staffing contracts, arguing that some had exceeded their original projected totals. The committee voted to hold contracts 5, 7, and 8 until Friday, while adopting the remaining contracts. The meeting ended after informational reports on service contract amendments without material change, executed contracts, and emergency procurements were presented, with no further business before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• , as such behavior may be grounds for removal from the hearing without the ability to rejoin.
• <00:33:52.799> as from profanity or univil behavior as from profanity or univil behavior as
• A lot of our students and our staff are almost hit on a daily basis.
• A lot of our students and our staff are almost hit on a daily basis.
• A lot of our students and our staff are almost hit on a daily basis.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint Transportation and Public Safety hearing considered HCR 121/HR 117, which asks federal and state transportation and defense agencies to coordinate on expanding Kle Pass as an emergency exit route. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from state departments and community representatives, though one member raised equity concerns about other communities needing similar access solutions. Both committees recommended passage, and the resolutions were adopted in tandem. The Transportation Committee then heard a series of road safety and mobility resolutions. These included HCR 43 on studying highway patrol and speed cameras in speeding hotspots; HCR 52/HR 48 on a sidewalk between Iroquois Point and Ewa Beach; HCR 57/HR 53 on traffic calming around Piywa Street in Waipahu; HCR 112/HR 108 on a pedestrian-first policy; HCR 129/HR 125 on safety and congestion near Haiku Elementary; HCR 131/HR 127 on rural air service and short takeoff/landing aircraft; HCR 136/HR 130 on reflective gear for pedestrians at night; HCR 137/HR 131 on school crosswalk safety at Kipapa Elementary; HCR 177/HR 173 on a summer streets pilot; and HR 43 on an emergency access road on the YNI coast. Testimony was mixed but generally supportive of pedestrian and school safety measures, while some transportation and bicycling advocates opposed the reflective-gear resolution as placing too much responsibility on pedestrians rather than improving the built environment. During decision-making, the committee advanced all measures. HCR 43 was amended to specify the study should include district court impacts. HCR 131/HR 127 was amended to shift the rural air service study from the Legislative Reference Bureau to the Department of Transportation. HCR 136/HR 130 was amended to change the reflective-gear proposal from a requirement to an encouragement. HCR 137/HR 131 and HCR 45/HR 38 were also advanced with technical or clarifying amendments, and the remaining resolutions were passed as is. Several members noted reservations or no votes on the reflective-gear measure, but all recommendations were ultimately adopted and the committee adjourned.