Transcript Highlights:

• I don't care who it is.
• I don't care who they need to do this. I don't care who it<00:37:16.840><c> is.
• This bill is full of a system approach to program integrity while also protecting access to care.
• </c> access to care. access to care.
• that we take care of them.

Bills: HF4338

Keywords: human services, medical assistance, Medicaid, provider enrollment, provider revalidation, fraud prevention, program integrity, background study, background check, fingerprinting, licensing, license revocation, payment withholding, payment suspension, prepayment review, postpayment review, surety bond, compliance training, case management, targeted case management

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> child care is very fragile. child care is very fragile.
• Child care program can perform and supposedly provide the level of care that the state deems necessary
• It does very little to modernize how we operate child care programs.
• </c><01:45:00.720><c> Instead,</c><01:45:01.440><c> it</c> operate child care programs.
• Instead, it operate child care programs.

Bills: HF4407, HF4382

Keywords: child welfare, African American children, racial disproportionality, family preservation, reunification, foster care, kinship care, relative placement, noncustodial parent, guardian ad litem, ombudsperson, Department of Human Services, county social services, active efforts, reasonable efforts, child protection, placement, out-of-home placement, Northstar kinship assistance, data disaggregation

Transcript Highlights:

• deaths, injuries, and substantiated abuse that occurs in child care facilities.
• It removes statutory provisions that require family and large child care homes to provide parents with
• It amends family care home to family child care home.
• deaths, injuries, and substantiated abuse that occurs in child care facilities.
• It amends family care home to family child care home.

Bills: S0996, S1022, S1462, S1690

Keywords: dependent children, child welfare, cash allowance, caregivers, community organizations, empowerment, foster care, out-of-home care, temporary cash assistance, eligibility, drug trafficking, human trafficking, Florida statutes

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs heard and advanced four bills. CS/SB 1690, on early childhood education, was amended with a delete-all amendment that required public posting of child care inspection reports and data on child deaths, injuries, and substantiated abuse; changed certain notice and insurance provisions for family and large family child care homes; created the Florida Endowment for Early Learning; and made related definitional changes. The amendment was adopted and the committee reported the bill favorably. SB 1022, on children’s initiatives, would add two new Florida Children’s Initiatives in Bay County and Pompano in Broward County; the sponsor described the program as a community-based service network model, and the bill was reported favorably without opposition. SB 996, on dependent children, would require DCF and community-based care lead agencies to coordinate and regularly meet with organizations focused on people with lived experience in the child welfare system, and to publish how suggestions are implemented. Several young adults with foster care experience testified in support, emphasizing the importance of youth voice, normalcy, and teaching financial responsibility through allowance. The bill was reported favorably after supportive debate. The committee also considered CS/SB 1462, on temporary cash assistance eligibility, after adopting an amendment that narrowed a SNAP eligibility carve-out to people who were victims of human trafficking at the time of a drug conviction. The sponsor said the bill was intended to remove barriers to reunification and redemption. After supportive testimony and no opposition, the committee reported the bill favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the changes to uh federal programs the changes to uh federal programs eligibility<00:11:30.640><
• Hawaii Primary Care Association, and again,<00:12:06.880><c> Hawaii</c><00:12:07.200><c> Child</c><00
• </c> care, and economic opportunities. care, and economic opportunities.
• </c> assistance uh to this should it it pass. assistance uh to this should it it pass.
• </c> ride free program. Um bear with me here. ride free program. Um bear with me here.

Bills: HB2116, HB1879, HB2214, HB2310, HB2168, HB2427, HB2560, HB1596, HB2197, HB2498, HB2167

Keywords: grants, community engagement, nonprofit organizations, federal assistance, volunteering, youth transit, public transportation, subsidized transit, environment, energy independence, affordable transportation, Hawaii, diaper tax credit, families, low-income, childcare, health, Hawaii Department of Human Services, DHS, emergency appropriation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to human services, homelessness, transit, and family supports. HB 2116 HD1, concerning grants from the Office of Community Services to nonprofits providing training and volunteerism opportunities, drew strong support from Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and multiple organizations in written testimony. Supporters said the bill would help vulnerable people affected by federal program changes and cuts by connecting them to reintegration and support services. HB 1879 HD1, establishing a subsidized youth transit program coordinated with counties, received extensive testimony in support from the Department of Health, Department of Taxation, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Aloha United Way, Hawaii Bicycling League, Hawaii Appleseed, Hawaii State Youth Commission, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Greenpeace Hawaii, Hawaii Youth Transportation Council, and others. Testifiers emphasized equity, school attendance, reduced transportation costs, climate benefits, and broader access for youth. Several witnesses urged amendments to make the program universal rather than means-tested, and committee discussion noted implementation questions for neighbor islands and rural areas. HB 2214, creating a refundable diaper tax credit for low-income families with children age four and under, was supported by the Hawaii Diaper Bank, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and several other organizations. The Department of Taxation recommended making the credit non-refundable and clarifying definitions to aid administration, while supporters argued refundability was important for low-income families who may owe little or no income tax. HB 2310, an emergency appropriation to replenish DHS funds used to provide SNAP benefits during a federal shutdown, also drew broad support from DHS, Catholic Charities, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Aloha United Way, and others; witnesses praised the state’s rapid response and said the appropriation would prepare DHS for future emergencies. The committee also heard HB 2168 HD1 and HB 2427 HD1 on education for students experiencing homelessness and unaccompanied homeless youth; the Attorney General recommended technical amendments to avoid conflicts with existing law and to clarify McKinney-Vento-related definitions, while advocates stressed the need for school access, transportation, meals, and other supports for homeless and runaway youth.

Transcript Highlights:

• programs and transitional medical assistance programs where um states um can help pay cost sharing for
• </c><00:15:49.199><c> programs</c> including premium assistance programs including premium assistance
• </c> and transitional medical assistance and transitional medical assistance programs<00:15:52.160><c
• </c><00:16:05.279><c> programs</c> have these premium assistance programs have these premium assistance
• ><c> know</c><00:30:26.480><c> physical</c> child care um you know physical child care um you know physical

Bills: HF3439, HF3763

Keywords: Medical Assistance, Medicaid, MNsure, MinnesotaCare, disability determination, expedited eligibility, state medical review team, compassionate allowance, rare disease, home and community-based services, long-term care, managed care, county-based purchasing, eligibility redetermination, periodic data matching, death master file, Social Security Administration, program integrity, income eligibility, asset test

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, members of committee, Senate Bill 241 sets up the Child Care Assistance Act program.
• Senate Bill 221 codifies the Child Care Assistance Program in statute, transforming what has largely
• What it will do is codify the child care assistance program, and it will create stability.
• We're one of the few states that don't have our child care assistance program codified in statute.
• for child care assistance.

Bills: SB204, SB241, HB34

Keywords: higher education, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, appropriation, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department

Transcript Highlights:

• integrity in medical enhancing program integrity in medical assistance.<00:03:49.280><c> That</c><00
• </c> program integrity and access to care. program integrity and access to care.
• Is ITP programming and development a direct service with a child, or can it be billed without the child
• And the child who's showing stress in their programming, the programming is adjusted to meet their needs
• And the child who's showing stress in their programming, the programming is adjusted to meet their needs

Bills: HF4207, HF4338

Keywords: housing aid, local housing trust, funding projects, income provisions, technical changes, human services, medical assistance, Medicaid, provider enrollment, provider revalidation, fraud prevention, program integrity, background study, background check, fingerprinting, licensing, license revocation, payment withholding, payment suspension, prepayment review

Transcript Highlights:

• while their child is in care.
• Family child care providers, primarily military spouses, are independent business owners who provide
• essential child care.
• Level redundancy delays a provider's ability to provide child care services, resulting in financial hardships
• Bill 4529 eliminates the unnecessary certification barriers by exempting these child care providers..

Bills: HB107, HB742, HB1639, HB1700, HB2071, HB2187, HB2402, HB2516, HB3211, HB4529, HB5342, HB694, HB923, HB4655, HB107

Keywords: sickle cell disease, registry, health data, confidentiality, healthcare access, human trafficking, first responders, health care, training, reporting, protection, cancer, female firefighters, health study, state health services, fire protection, telemedicine, teledentistry, telehealth, health records

Transcript Highlights:

• while their child is in care.
• Chairman and members, family child care providers, primarily military spouses, are independent business
• owners who provide essential child care and contribute to their families' financial stability.
• The redundancy delays a provider's ability to provide child care services, resulting in financial hardships
• House Bill 4529 eliminates the unnecessary certification barriers by exempting these child care facilities

Bills: HB 107, HB742, HB1639, HB1700, HB2071, HB2187, HB2402, HB2516, HB3211, HB4529, HB5342, HB694, HB923, HB4655

Keywords: sickle cell disease, registry, health data, confidentiality, healthcare access, human trafficking, first responders, health care, training, reporting, protection, cancer, female firefighters, health study, state health services, fire protection, telemedicine, teledentistry, telehealth, health records

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of health and human services bills and left each one pending after public testimony. HB 4655 would expand financial literacy instruction for youth aging out of foster care to include credit scores, predatory lending, scams, banking, budgeting, and related consumer topics; the sponsor and Buckner International described the need to protect foster youth from financial pitfalls. HB 923 would add three public members and one physician to the Texas Medical Disclosure Panel; supporters said it would improve informed consent and patient voice, while a witness raised concerns about a House amendment requiring a physician majority for decisions and senators questioned scope-of-practice limits. HHSC said the panel is an independent body and the bill expressly bars it from changing scope of practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's part of being part of the child care assistance program. That's fine. They can come.
• child care assistance to standing up for child care assistance to my<00:09:58.440><c> home</c><00:09
• child care assistance based on unproven child care assistance allegations. allegations. allegations.
• </c> care assistance program. That's fine. care assistance program. That's fine.
• within that child care assistance program.

Bills: HF3542, HF3819

Keywords: data privacy, investigative data, welfare system, public funds, transparency, child care, licensing, inspections, compliance, program integrity, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• who receive support through Medicaid waiver programs.
• And though I have health insurance with my job, I need personal care assistance, which is not covered
• when the minor transitions out of foster care.
• Many have accepted the managed care pilot program, many have accepted to go into that, and then we've
• Florida Health Care Association, waving in support.

Bills: S1002, S1016, S1030, S1594, S1630

Keywords: child welfare, substance abuse, neglect, parental rights, drug exposure, Medicaid, disabilities, employment, healthcare access, income eligibility, veteran benefits, minor clients, financial assistance, education services, Department of Children and Families, Department of Health, aging services, disability assistance, long-term care, Alzheimer's support

Summary: The committee considered several bills affecting children, disability services, aging, recovery residences, and foster youth benefits. SB 1016 codified the working people with disabilities program for Medicaid waiver recipients, with amendments removing automatic enrollment and improving information sharing between agencies; advocates testified that the program helps people with developmental disabilities work while keeping needed care, though they raised implementation and training concerns. The bill was reported favorably. SB 1002, as amended, clarified that evidence of acute or chronic parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect in child welfare cases and allow court intervention and treatment requirements; it was also reported favorably. SB 1594 would preserve veterans’ benefits for foster youth for postsecondary education or aftercare rather than using them as reimbursement to the agency, and it passed favorably. SB 1630 modernized aging and long-term care statutes, expanded emergency service authority, updated oversight of area agencies on aging and guardianship, and permanently established the Florida Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence; after two amendments, it was reported favorably. SB 1030, on recovery residences/substance abuse services, was amended with a substitute that narrowed transfer definitions, sped licensure for existing providers adding levels of care, and limited credentialing entities’ access to resident records; members noted it remained a work in progress, but it was reported favorably. The committee also held confirmation hearings. Robert Astellos, nominated as Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, described efforts to reduce the pre-enrollment list, improve transparency and customer service, expand family involvement, and streamline agency processes; multiple advocacy groups appeared in support, and the committee recommended his confirmation. The committee then unanimously recommended confirmation of the appointees on tabs 7 through 10. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I guess I'll recognize Representative Kain to explain Senate Bill 1983 on foster care.
• Senate Bill 1983 is directing the Department of Human Services to provide foster care.
• Long as we're on foster care, we Might as well go to Senate Bill 1796.
• It does that's part of what the definitions are there, whether it's informal care or respite care or
• Members, Senate Bill 1806 extends foster care through the age of 21.

Bills: SB1558, SB1983, SB1796, SB1806, SB1426, SB633

Keywords: child care, licensing, definitions, foster care, child welfare, SB1983, resource family partner, resource family partners, Department of Human Services, DHS, foster homes, foster children, placement data, data sharing, de-identified data, aggregated data, sibling groups, placement disruptions, foster parent recruitment, foster parent retention

Transcript Highlights:

• But it'll be things like where are the shortages of foster care families?
• And so it's giving them information to better manage our foster cares.
• And so it's giving them information to better manage our foster cares.
• , respite care, or alternative caregiver.
• Members, Senate Bill 1806 extends foster care through the age of 21.

Bills: SB1558, SB1983, SB1796, SB1806, SB1426, SB633

Keywords: child care, licensing, definitions, foster care, child welfare, SB1983, resource family partner, resource family partners, Department of Human Services, DHS, foster homes, foster children, placement data, data sharing, de-identified data, aggregated data, sibling groups, placement disruptions, foster parent recruitment, foster parent retention

Summary: The committee first announced that Senate Bills 1426 and 633 would not be heard and then took up several foster-care-related measures. Senate Bill 1983, presented by Representative Kane, would require the Department of Human Services to provide aggregated foster care data to private child-placing agencies under contract with DHS so they can better identify shortages, placement needs, and sibling separation issues. Members discussed how the information would be used and emphasized that no private information would be shared. The bill passed 6-0 and was sent to oversight. Majority Leader Lawson then presented Senate Bill 1796, which largely codifies existing foster care administrative rules and adds a 72-hour cap for informal care. Members asked about screening and background checks for temporary caregivers, and Lawson explained that caregivers must be screened and that DHS must verify placements are safe. The bill passed 6-0 and moved on. Lawson also presented Senate Bill 1806, extending foster care eligibility to age 21 for certain youth who are aging out or who achieved permanency after age 16, with education, training, or work requirements. Members discussed the need for post-21 services, possible future review of additional supports, and the bill’s potential to draw federal matching funds. It passed 6-0 and was reported out. Representative Geis presented Senate Bill 1558, which clarifies the definition of a child for licensing level E group homes so a youth can remain in a judge-ordered placement until age 19 to receive rehabilitation services. The committee had no questions or debate, and the bill passed unanimously 6-0. In closing, the chair thanked members for their attendance and work on children and family issues, noted the committee’s accomplishments during the year, and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• community</c> can assist in the assisted community can assist in the assisted community treatment<00:
• </c> health care in the spectrum. health care in the spectrum.
• </c> and child development. and child development.
• No child is child is ever beyond hope.
• </c> health care needs. health care needs.

Bills: SB709, SB2089, SB2090, SB2108, SB2211, SB2250, SB2325, SB2803, SB2866, SB3245

Keywords: mental health, crisis intervention, assisted community treatment, treatment orders, law enforcement training, public safety, court-ordered treatment, Medicaid, healthcare access, unlicensed professionals, supervised services, workforce development, mental health equity, child custody, evaluations, licensed counselors, family court, juvenile justice, waiver of jurisdiction, transfer to adult court

Summary: The committee heard SB 709 SD2, which would require the Department of Health to respond to reports involving persons with severe mental illness, assess eligibility for assisted community treatment, and coordinate treatment when appropriate. Testimony from the Department of Human Services and the Department of Health supported the measure, with DOH saying it generally supported the bill but had comments on one section it viewed as unnecessary. The Department of Law Enforcement later explained that the bill would shift certification and standards for crisis intervention officer training from DOH to DLE, while still involving DOH in the training process. Opposition came from the Hawaii Disability Rights Center and an individual testifier, both of whom argued the bill expands state authority over people with mental illness and could worsen forced treatment practices. The Disability Rights Center also raised procedural concerns, saying the bill was effectively moved from a prior administration measure that had not been heard this session, and questioned whether the bill’s changes to assisted community treatment, blood tests, urinalysis, and living arrangements went beyond current law. The individual testifier argued the bill would further entrench harmful psychiatric drugging and urged the committee to defer it. Committee members questioned the administration about the bill’s process, the role of the Attorney General in treatment-over-objection proceedings, and the practical effects of moving CIT certification to DLE. The Attorney General’s office said the bill was intended to fill a gap by allowing it to assist with treatment proceedings, while public defenders would continue to represent respondents and due process protections would remain in place. DLE and DOH said the change would better align certification with law enforcement training needs, improve speed in crisis response, and still keep DOH involved; members also discussed whether WAM counted as a hearing and whether the bill should more explicitly preserve DOH’s role. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• care programs that had one site, so you could see that the breakdown went to family child care.
• Child care programs that had one site, so you could see that the breakdown went to family child care.
• </c><00:39:38.079><c> care</c><00:39:38.240><c> and</c> program went to family child care and program
• </c><00:52:25.680><c> access</c> program to increase Child Care access program to increase Child Care
• program that is free training for people to be in child care.

Bills: HF2582, HF2266, HF2518, HF2039, HF1941

Keywords: child care, grants, appropriation, workforce development, families, YWCA Minneapolis, job training, child development, economic assistance, WomenVenture, economic development, entrepreneurship, women entrepreneurs, business training, financial support, youth programs, funding, employment, Minnesota, American Indian

Transcript Highlights:

• And we need to take care of people who have been very thoughtful about how they've developed their programs
• And my kids are thriving in this program. It's a fantastic program.
• And my kids are thriving in this program. It's a fantastic program.
• online program.
• The parents care about them, and I truly believe you care about them.

Bills: HB2, SB204, SB241, HB34

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, higher education, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, appropriation, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool

Transcript Highlights:

• the Child Care Innovation Pilot proposed in this bill, which is modeled off of a pilot program that
• Cammie's Home Daycare, a home child care program in South Arlington, was approached by Child Care Aware
• As you can see, the Tarrant County pilot has proven that investing in existing child care programs, not
• Thank you so much for your thoughtful consideration of the Child Care Innovation Program, and I'm happy
• Dallas County established the Dallas County Child Care Benefits Program in early March, setting aside

Bills: HB74, HB175, HB460, HB576, HB2271, HB2294, HB2874, HB3016, HB3133, HB3191, HB3458, HB3929, HB4063, HB4115, HB4394, HB74, HB175

Keywords: Puerto Verde, Port Authority, eminent domain, bonds, tax assessments, economic development, infrastructure, transportation, public welfare, child care, certifications, Texas Rising Star Program, grant program, disability inclusion, family income, affordability, economic impact, state study, cost analysis, government support

Transcript Highlights:

• in the state's child care program.
• Child Care Scholarship, or CCS, program.
• and their access to child care.
• We're the only child care providers who do get state funding to support our families through child care
• , for their child care needs.

Bills: HB74, HB175, HB460, HB576, HB2271, HB2294, HB2874, HB3016, HB3133, HB3191, HB3458, HB3929, HB4063, HB4115, HB4394, HB74, HB175

Keywords: Puerto Verde, Port Authority, eminent domain, bonds, tax assessments, economic development, infrastructure, transportation, public welfare, child care, certifications, Texas Rising Star Program, grant program, disability inclusion, family income, affordability, economic impact, state study, cost analysis, government support

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:20:41.600><c> care</c> for basic sliding fee child care for basic sliding fee child care assistance
• </c> mention how much child care would cost. mention how much child care would cost.
• After-school programming and child care were not luxuries. They were necessities.
• 29:06.960><c> care</c> After-school programming and child care After-school programming and child care
• care. days of free child care.

Bills: HF3877, HF3714, HF3750, HF3024

Keywords: public authorities, dissolution cases, court system, child protection, legal notice, foster care, child welfare, enrollment priority, education programs, child care assistance, foster youth, extended foster care, bill of rights, out-of-home placement, Minnesota Statutes chapter 260C, social services agency, caseworker, permanency team, sibling visitation, relative contact

Transcript Highlights:

• For every child in the foster care system, 18 more are in kinship placements.
• for a child when a parent is unable to care for the child safely.
• care for them receives monetary assistance.
• Um, so Generations United has data, uh, that shows for every 1 child being cared for in, um, by Kent
• Um, we go through family finding efforts when a child is placed in kinship care and sometimes through

Bills: HB 26, HB 140, HB 141, HB 142, HB 215

Keywords: Medicaid, nutrition support, maternal health, chronic conditions, pilot program, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child protective services, child abuse investigations, child neglect, child exploitation, advisory committee, Family and Protective Services Council, council abolition, foster care, due process, investigative procedures, child welfare, parental rights, family preservation services