Transcript Highlights:

• step that we could make.
• step that we could make.
• step that we could make.
• step that we could make.
• So I just think automatically jumping to that step, um, that there's a better kind of interim half step

Bills: HF1918, HF2305, HF897, HF2191, HF2617, HF2551, HF2137

Keywords: HF1918, Department of Children Youth and Families, DCYF, child welfare, foster care, out-of-home placement, permanency planning, relative search, noncustodial parent, kinship care, family preservation, African American Child and Family Well-Being, racial disproportionality, maltreatment reporting, educational neglect, truancy, school attendance, Great Start compensation, child care provider payments, TEACH early childhood program

Transcript Highlights:

• Step in terms of program development and providing the citizens of Albuquerque with the best possible
• If they weren't, the intent was that there would be the second step of evaluating the person for AOT.
• Why would we do two steps when we can do it in one step? It doesn't make sense to me.
• If we have something that... says, once that recommendation is made, the next step is to go wherever
• So we have a lot of people that could do this; you're just the one that's stepping up to do it.

Transcript Highlights:

• I found out about it about 2 minutes before I stepped on this House floor.
• Okay, what's the next step here? What do we have to do? How can we make this better?
• <00:25:27.520> What<00:25:27.679> do Okay, what's the next step here?
• What do Okay, what's the next step here?
• And we can start taking steps in the right direction to not just protect the future of the Iron Range

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But we're here today because this legislation represents a meaningful step toward reform.
• But we're here today because this legislation represents a meaningful step toward reform.
• I know it's taken a long time to get here, and hopefully this is the first step of what we will build
• and hopefully this is the first step of and hopefully this is the first step of what<00:08:59.600>
• House Bill 3 is a huge step in doing that.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:13 HB423 Discussion: 01:38 HB423 Vote: 12:30 HB415 Discussion: 13:50 HB415 Vote: 15:13 HB390 Discussion: 16:30 HB390 Vote: 21:48 HB3 For Discussion Only: 23:15, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 423, a prior authorization reform measure sponsored by Representative Kim Moser. A committee substitute was adopted to clarify that the bill’s prior authorization exemption program does not apply to Medicaid. Supporters, including the Kentucky Medical Association, said the bill would reduce red tape, improve transparency, and let providers spend more time on patient care. The bill would create a framework for insurers to establish a gold carding or waiver program for certain health services, exclude prescription drugs, prohibit retrospective reviews based solely on an exemption, and require annual reporting by the Department of Insurance and the Department for Medicaid Services. After questions about how exemptions would work and whether the bill addressed repeat prior authorizations, the committee voted to pass HB 423 with favorable expression. The committee then considered House Bill 415, sponsored by Representative Pollock and supported by AFLAC representatives. The bill was described as clarifying that health insurance coverage mandates are generally intended to apply only to primary major medical policies. With no substantive opposition or questions, the committee voted to pass HB 415 with favorable expression. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 390 from Chair Meredith, presented with support from multiple insurance industry representatives and the Department of Insurance. The bill would move motor vehicle insurance verification data from the old system to the CAVIS database and shorten the reporting turnaround from 30 days to a ceiling of seven days, with the possibility of a shorter period by regulation. After brief discussion and no objections, the committee voted to pass HB 390 with favorable expression. The committee also heard House Bill 3 for discussion only, sponsored by Representative Neighbors and supported by the Kentucky Pharmacists Association. The bill would require Kentucky Medicaid to reimburse pharmacists for covered clinical services they already provide, aligning Medicaid with existing commercial insurance policy. Supporters argued it would improve access, especially in underserved areas, and could reduce emergency room use and improve outcomes; the bill was not voted on during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• This could be a big first step. Keeping veterans in California must be a priority.
• I ask that you all support this step forward.
• I ask that you all support this step forward. Passing this bill sends a clear message.
• So we have to do bonds, and we have to do little baby steps like this.
• This is just the first step. And the veterans behind me, thank you for showing up.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Military and Veteran Affairs heard several veteran-focused measures, with extensive testimony in support from veterans’ organizations and individual veterans. SB 888 would exclude VA service-connected disability compensation from household income calculations for the low-income disabled veterans’ property tax exemption, addressing a situation where disability benefits can disqualify veterans from tax relief. SB 1354 would prohibit military personnel from another state, territory, or district from entering California to perform military or law enforcement functions without the Governor’s express permission, while preserving Title X activity, training, and mutual aid arrangements. SB 623 would place the Veterans Bond Act of 2026 on the ballot to authorize a $1.25 billion general obligation bond for the CalVet Home Loan Program, which supporters said is nearing depletion of bond authority and remains a critical path to homeownership for veterans and military families. SB 1407 would increase the state income tax exclusion for military retirement pay and surviving spouse benefits to the first $40,000, subject to income caps, as a retention measure to keep military retirees in California. Supporters for the bills emphasized housing stability, affordability, retention of veterans in California, and the economic benefits of keeping military retirees and their income in the state. SB 888 and SB 623 drew broad support from veterans’ groups, county veterans service officers, and related organizations, with no opposition testimony. SB 1354 also received support from veterans’ advocates, while committee members sought clarification on training, mutual aid, and the bill’s scope, and the author agreed to work on amendments. SB 1407 drew strong support from veterans and military organizations, but also formal opposition from the California Tax Reform Association, which argued the state already provides generous veteran benefits and that the tax break would be unfair to other public servants. The committee voted to advance all four measures. SB 888 was approved and re-referred to Revenue and Taxation; SB 1354 was approved as amended and re-referred to Public Safety; SB 623 was approved as amended, given urgency, and re-referred to Housing and Community Development; and SB 1407 was approved and re-referred to Revenue and Taxation. The consent item, SCR 143, was adopted unanimously. After the initial votes, the committee later took add-on votes to confirm passage of SB 888 and SB 1354, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would be directed to do that, and if there was no compliance, then there could obviously be a step
• <00:09:45.839> of<00:09:46.000> an there could obviously be a step of an there could
• But I think this bill is a step in the right direction to try to reach a balance, because that's all
• But I think this bill is a step in the right direction to try to reach a balance, because that's all
• <00:18:21.440> So helping to step up those efforts. So helping to step up those efforts.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Families and Children met for its first meeting, established a quorum, and took up Senate Bill 160, sponsored by Chair Danny Carroll, which would change child care regulatory enforcement. Carroll said the bill is intended to give the cabinet and OIG more discretion when responding to complaints or self-reported incidents, including considering a center’s policies, training, supervision, self-reporting, corrective actions, and history before issuing plans of correction, directed plans of correction, suspensions, or revocations. He also said the bill would provide new child care centers with more support during a six-month probationary period, including at least two support contacts, one in person, and limit violations during that period unless a violation was knowingly committed after clear instruction or posed an immediate threat to children. Members discussed the bill in the context of child safety and enforcement. Senator Frommeyer raised a personal tragedy involving her infant niece’s death in child care and asked about inspection frequency and how quickly unsafe conditions are corrected. Carroll responded that serious incidents would trigger immediate reporting and likely Child Protective Services involvement, while less severe issues could take longer; he said inspectors would direct centers to correct unsafe items and that emergency suspension could follow noncompliance. He also noted existing rules on baby bed replacement and mattress requirements. Frommeyer and other members said the bill struck a balance between protecting children and giving centers more time and guidance, especially smaller private centers that struggle with staffing and funding. After discussion, the committee called the roll and Senate Bill 160 received a favorable expression by a vote of 10-0. Carroll then previewed other child-focused legislation expected later in the session, including a bill addressing pediatric ingestion of illegal substances, a House child care bill, a child welfare omnibus bill, and a resolution related to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please step forward and you will be permitted to speak into the mic. All right I don't see anyone.
• In opposition to House Bill 33, please step forward. I don't see anyone.
• Those in the audience wishing to speak in support, please step forward.
• Those wishing to speak in opposition to the bill, please step forward.
• Those wishing to speak in support, please step forward.

Bills: HB9, HB50

Keywords: Immigrant Safety Act, immigration detention, civil immigration violations, ICE, federal immigration enforcement, sanctuary policy, public bodies, local government, sheriff's department, school district, higher education, deputization, 287(g), 8 U.S.C. 1357(g), 8 C.F.R. 287.7, intergovernmental services agreement, detainer, immigration cooperation, public property, attorney general enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS SLIDE SHOWS A CHART OF THE ACTION STEPS AND TARGET DATES AND STATUS FOR COMPLETION FOR EACH ACTION
• STEP AND AS SO THAT SHOWN IN THE CHART WE ARE COMMITTED IT TO BE ON TRACK WITH IMPLEMENTING THE NEW
• GIVEN THE ANTICIPATED TIMELINE THE NEW RATE WHAT STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO ENSURE THE SCHOOL ROLLOUT OF
• THIS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP OF THE PROCESS TO APPLY THE CORRECT ACTUARIALLY ADJUSTMENT IN THE DEPARTMENT
• WE BELIEVE THAT IS A HUGE STEP AND A LARGE AND POSITIVE CHANGE TO THE MODEL MOVING FORWARD AS WELL.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it's just a really important step. And Cass County is one of the recipients.
• And so it's just a real important step. And Cass County is one of the recipients.
• But yes, that program, I can't give you a step-by-step history of it, but I believe the federal funding
• We will share the systematic steps that were taken to form this recommendation.
• And through the voluntarily get those step systems in the new rating scale.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it's just a really important step. And Cass County is one of the recipients.
• And so it's just a real important step. And Cass County is one of the recipients.
• But yes, that program, I can't give you a step-by-step history of it, but I believe the federal funding
• We will share the systematic steps that were taken to form this recommendation.
• And through the voluntarily get those steps in the new rating scale.

Summary: The committee first approved the February 11, 2026 minutes and then received an update from the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency on the interagency council on homelessness and continuum of care funding. Testimony described rising homelessness tied to tight housing markets, low incomes, aging homelessness, barriers to rental assistance and public benefits, and limited shelter and case-management capacity. Members discussed the need for more affordable housing, continued one-time funding for the North Dakota Homeless Grant and Housing Incentive Fund, better coordination with Health and Human Services on economic assistance and human service zones, landlord engagement, recovery housing, and reentry housing. The committee also heard that federal continuum of care funding remains uncertain, with possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing and housing-first models; members asked for a future update on the impact if federal rules reduce the share available for permanent housing. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described current screening and service delivery, including infant referrals, regional staff, short-term programs, and collaboration with vocational rehabilitation. He said the targeted screening system is working, recommended maintaining the current model, and noted ongoing challenges with staffing, public awareness, and accessible state websites and documents. Public testimony from a visually impaired resident and a deaf resident emphasized barriers such as CAPTCHAs, inaccessible PDFs, employment forms that screen out applicants based on driver’s license status, shortages of interpreters, and the need for video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training for users and agencies. Finally, the committee heard a final report on the study of child care provider licensing from HHS Early Childhood Director Kay Larson. The report summarized provider input and committee discussion on simplifying North Dakota’s child care licensing structure, reducing administrative burden, and balancing that with health and safety standards. Key topics included licensing categories, child care assistance eligibility, food program sponsorship, staff qualifications, training requirements, ratios and group size, age bands, and preschool exemptions. The committee’s recommendations included streamlining to three provider types plus a preschool designation, revising ratio and age-band rules, and carrying forward certain preschool outdoor-space exemptions. Larson noted that any changes would require statutory changes, rulemaking, and a transition period before new licensing rules could take effect.

Transcript Highlights:

• As we know, gathering for consensus revenue is a critical first step in building the FY 2027 budget.
• Now it seems like we might be starting to have to take a step back.
• Now it seems like we might be starting to have to take a step back.
• A step back.
• Like DOR, we expect to see a little bit of a step backwards on capital gains to the tune of 5%.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate and House Ways and Means chairs opened the FY 2027 consensus revenue hearing by emphasizing the need for a balanced, fiscally responsible budget amid federal funding cuts, health care cost pressures, and uncertainty around the federal tax law changes referred to as OB3. They also noted the state’s current revenue performance is slightly above benchmark and paid tribute to the late Representative Anne Margaret Ferranti. Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew Gorkowitz echoed the call for caution, saying Massachusetts has protected core services while building reserves and that the FY27 budget process begins with a careful revenue estimate. Department of Revenue Commissioner Jeff Snyder, along with DOR staff, presented FY26 and FY27 tax forecasts and identified major drivers and risks: OB3’s negative impact on state revenue, surtax collections, labor market conditions, capital gains, and corporate/business excise taxes. DOR estimated OB3 would reduce FY26 revenue by about $664 million and FY27 by about $282 million, while surtax and capital gains were expected to remain strong in FY26 but soften in FY27. Members questioned the outlook for surtax, capital gains, and the potential fiscal effect of a ballot question reducing the income tax rate from 5% to 4%; DOR said that proposal could cost roughly $4.2 billion to $4.8 billion annually, with a smaller but still significant impact in FY27 because of phase-in timing. Treasurer Deb Goldberg testified next on the stabilization fund, lottery, PRIM, unclaimed property, and the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. She reported the rainy day fund at about $8.1 billion, said the lottery was on track for $1.5 billion in FY26 net profit and projected $1.25 billion in FY27, and highlighted that iLottery is expected to launch in summer 2026 with revenue beginning in FY27 and dedicated to child care initiatives. She also described strong PRIM performance and record unclaimed property returns, while members asked about the child care use of iLottery revenue, multilingual outreach, and the economic impact of expanded liquor licensing. Mass Taxpayers Foundation President Doug Howgate and Tufts’ Evan Horowitz then offered differing revenue outlooks and policy warnings. Howgate projected modest growth, cautioned against overusing reserves for ongoing obligations, and urged caution on federal tax conformity changes and health care spending pressures. Horowitz projected higher FY26 and FY27 revenues than other witnesses, warned that the surtax and capital gains make the tax system more volatile, and said a 4% income tax ballot question could reduce FY27 revenues by roughly $800 million to $1 billion. He also flagged the rent control ballot question as a potential risk to municipal finance and suggested the state consider giving a permanent home to the independent revenue model used by Alan Clayton-Matthews.

Transcript Highlights:

• We appreciate the critical steps the legislature, led by this committee, took last session to address
• We appreciate the critical steps the legislature, led by this committee, took last session to address
• We appreciate the critical steps.
• Senate Bill 868 takes the next step to give the state new authority to begin to rein in unreasonable
• We urge the committee to let that work proceed before taking any next steps.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a broad set of health care bills focused on cost, market oversight, pharmaceutical access, transparency, hospital closures, and pharmacy access. Chairs John Lawn and Cindy Friedman opened by emphasizing recent health care reforms and the need for further action on the drug supply chain, PBMs, private equity, and affordability. The committee heard testimony on several measures, including a Betsy Lehman Center bill to make technical changes and create a permanent trust account for federal and private funding, and bills on hospital profits and fairness, hospital closures and health planning, pharmacy deserts, and health care market oversight and pharmaceutical access. No votes were taken during the hearing. On the hospital profits bill, physicians and labor advocates strongly supported capping hospital CEO compensation at 50 times the lowest-paid worker, requiring greater financial transparency, and directing penalties from high-margin public hospitals into a Medicaid reimbursement fund. Testifiers argued that executive pay is excessive while frontline staff and safety-net services are under strain. Committee members raised concerns about unintended consequences, including whether hospitals might shift workers to contract status or lose executive talent, and whether the bill would actually direct money to the safety net. Supporters responded that the measure is one piece of a larger effort and that the bill’s Medicaid reimbursement provisions would help underserved hospitals. Testimony on market oversight and pharmaceutical access centered on rising health care and drug costs, PBM practices, and the proposal to give the Health Policy Commission authority to set upper payment limits for certain drugs. Consumer advocates, disability advocates, an independent pharmacist, the Attorney General’s office, and others supported stronger oversight, citing premium increases, affordability problems, and the impact of high drug prices on patients and community pharmacies. Pharma and some industry witnesses opposed parts of the bill, warning that upper payment limits could disrupt access, create legal issues, and fail to address the broader supply chain. The committee also heard support for stronger hospital closure notice and public hearing requirements, and for a pharmacy deserts bill aimed at identifying and addressing closures like the one in Roxbury that affected thousands of patients.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so I found a way where I built a career development program which outlined the different steps that
• Um, so I found a way where I built a career development program which outlined the different steps that
• Um then I took over There are these career steps that you can move and you can actually have a career
• I do believe that education is going to have to kind of take a step back and look at what are we going
• to kind of take a step back and look<00:29:10.080> at<00:29:10.960> what<00:29:11.200>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Labor and Technology met on March 6, 2026, and considered four gubernatorial nominations. For GM 690, Jesse Kola Dean was nominated for reappointment to the Hawaii Retirement Savings Board. Testimony from the Retirement Savings Board and the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations strongly supported Dean, citing his original membership on the board and his role in advancing implementation of the retirement savings program. Dean described his background and said the program was moving into implementation after the board approved the Connecticut consortium model; in response to questions, he said the main challenges had been finding an executive director and adapting the program from an original opt-in structure to the opt-out consortium model. The committee voted to recommend advise and consent. For GM 634, Darlene Blakey was nominated to the board of trustees of the Employees' Retirement System. ERS and several individuals submitted support. Blakey, an executive vice president and chief lending officer at First Hawaiian Bank, said her banking and finance background and personal experience with her mother’s retirement benefits motivated her service. She told senators she had attended ERS meetings and was focused on improving retirees’ access to information, education, and retirement planning, and said she would recuse herself from matters involving First Hawaiian Bank because of a potential conflict of interest. The committee again voted to advise and consent. The committee then considered GM 627 and GM 726, both nominations of Gina Anu Novo to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council for different terms. Written testimony from numerous supporters was read into the record. Novo, a longtime First Hawaiian Bank executive and current vice chair, described her experience building audit, compliance, human resources, and technology functions, and said she wanted to help strengthen workforce pathways, career development, retention, and outreach to youth and workers who do not pursue college. Senators asked about her plans to connect workforce development with education and financial literacy; she emphasized career pathing, training, and adapting to changing skills needs, including the role of technology and AI. The committee voted to recommend advise and consent on both nominations, and the meeting adjourned after all four nominations were approved by the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then, unfortunately, a pattern you'll notice today is that the Supreme Court stepped in and really
• And, you know, since federal action is unlikely anytime soon, it's very important that states step in
• That's another reason why it's important that states step in to fill that gap.
• Next steps moving forward for us: we’re going to continue to improve our website.
• Yeah, it may be that she stepped away for a second.

Summary: The committee held a work session on voting rights in the United States and Washington, beginning with testimony from Marissa Wright of Campaign Legal Center and David Montes of the ACLU of Washington. They described the federal Voting Rights Act’s main protections—preclearance, vote suppression, and vote dilution—and argued that Supreme Court decisions such as Shelby County v. Holder and Brnovich have weakened those tools. They said Washington should consider stronger state-level protections, including a preclearance program and broader safeguards against discriminatory voting practices. Members asked about Washington’s history of discrimination, voter roll purges, noncitizen registration, and remedies under the Washington Voting Rights Act, including ranked-choice voting and district-based systems. The committee then heard from the Office of Equity and several commissions, which described their roles in advising state government and working with communities. They focused on the immigration sub-cabinet created under Executive Order 2509, saying it is intended to improve coordination across agencies, the legislature, the courts, and community organizations on issues such as data privacy, language access, health care, education, and accountability under the Keep Washington Working Act. Members asked about the use of NGOs, accountability for KWW violations, and the sub-cabinet’s goals, and the panel said the effort is meant to help government respond more quickly and collaboratively while centering immigrant, disability, LGBTQ, and other communities. The final panel was from the University of Washington Elections Database Project, which presented data on vote-by-mail ballot challenges, cures, and rejections from 2020 to 2024. They reported that about 1.5% of ballots are signature-challenged in most elections, roughly 60% of challenged ballots are cured, and overall rejection rates are about 1% in general elections and 1.5% in primaries. The researchers said voters of color, younger voters, and some tribal-area voters experience higher rejection rates, and that differences appear tied to signature mismatch, language access, ballot timing, and familiarity with the system. In the last panel, Maria Fernandez and Vicki Frausto of EIA described voter education and civic engagement work in Yakima County and Sunnyside, including concerns about intimidation, language barriers, signature mismatch, and at-large election systems; they said stronger Washington Voting Rights Act protections would help communities elect candidates of choice. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• MLEs, at least step one and two, are completed while in school.
• But also part of ECFMG certification is successful passage of both USMLE Step 1 and USMLE Step 2, as
• Step 3 of the USMLE may be required at that time before a license to practice is proffered.
• Step three of the US Emily may be required at that time before a license to practice is proffered.
• So I will pause there because I think Beth may have a couple of next steps to share as well.

Summary: The committee first received an update on the effects of HR1 and related federal Medicaid and marketplace changes from Governor’s Office and Health Care Authority staff. Presenters said the most immediate coverage losses are expected in the individual market beginning in January, with premium increases and an estimated 80,000 people potentially unable to afford coverage. They warned that larger Medicaid impacts will follow over the next year and beyond, including tighter eligibility checks, work requirements, reduced retroactive coverage, limits on state-directed payments and provider taxes, new cost-sharing, and changes affecting certain non-citizen adults. They also said the state plans to seek a waiver or extension for work requirements and will continue to analyze impacts, including on rural providers and Planned Parenthood-related services. Members asked about the effect on nursing homes, rural hospitals, and how the state can help providers and enrollees navigate the new requirements; staff said timelines and a state-specific implementation chart are being developed. The committee then heard a report on the International Medical Graduate Work Group and Washington’s efforts to create pathways for internationally trained physicians. Testimony described the clinical experience license, the clinical evaluation assessment tool, grant funding for IMG support organizations, and a new hardship waiver process enacted this year. National presenters said many states have adopted similar pathways because of physician shortages, but Washington and Tennessee are among the few states that have actually issued licenses so far. They recommended clear guardrails, an employment offer before application, ECFMG certification, supervised practice, and data collection to avoid exploitation and protect patients. Members asked about state-to-state variation, retention of IMGs, and whether Washington should pursue dedicated residency or preceptorship options; presenters said the key next step is moving successful participants from supervised experience to a durable long-term license. The final topic was implementation of Washington’s Apple Health doula benefit and the statewide doula hub and referral system. Senator T’wina Nobles highlighted the state’s $3,500 per-birth Medicaid reimbursement rate for doulas and the importance of the hub for referrals, training, and billing. Health Care Authority staff said the benefit launched January 1, 2025, and covers prenatal intake, labor and delivery, postpartum visits, and telehealth-supported services. They reported 336 state-certified doulas, 134 enrolled in Apple Health, 287 unique clients served, and 641 claims paid so far. Testimony emphasized doulas’ role in improving birth outcomes, reducing unnecessary interventions, and addressing racial disparities in maternal health, while noting that implementation is still early and ongoing.

Transcript Highlights:

• That way, if a committee member is out or has to step outside the hearing room, we'll have your very
• But when you take that a step further, it's not just about the money.
• How do we get this to include art or special education that might not be the first step?'
• Stronger discipline policies are a step in the right direction.
• We thank you for this major step forward to help address this issue.

Bills: SB26, SB 26

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, SB 26, Texas Property Code, colonia, colonias, Spanish translation, bilingual contract, real estate contract, executory contract, residential property, border county, international border, economically distressed area, consumer protection, language access, translator certified in Spanish

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a second slide that gets a bit more into the specific steps and rules that were updated.
• There's a second slide that gets a bit more into the specific steps and rules that were updated.
• the step A, B, corresponding to the step on that slide.
• But what I do want to note here is that all the steps have been completed.
• In terms of next steps, specific to the income and this impact on eligibility, there were two.

Summary: The subcommittee held its first meeting of the 2025-2026 term, took attendance, confirmed a quorum, and heard introductory remarks from members and staff. Chair Anderson outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction over access and affordability issues, including health facility regulation, insurance, Medicaid, CHIP, and state employee health coverage. The main agenda item was an update on implementation of HB 391, which created a family home health aide program for medically fragile children. Representative Tramont, the bill sponsor, explained that the law was intended to let trained family caregivers be paid through Medicaid to care for their children, reduce reliance on private duty nursing, and relieve families. He and several members expressed frustration that implementation had taken nearly two years and that families still faced barriers. Deputy Secretary Brian Meyer of AHCA and Bridget Royce of DCF said the program was implemented October 1, 2024, with billing available, but no home health agencies had yet launched the required 80-hour training program and no claims had been paid. They described the program’s requirements, including agency employment, background screening, training, a $25-per-hour Medicaid rate paid to the agency, and an annual assessment report. A major issue discussed was that income earned by family caregivers counts toward Medicaid eligibility and could cause families to lose coverage. AHCA and DCF outlined two possible fixes that would require CMS approval: disregarding the income for eligibility purposes or treating the child as a family of one. Members and public witnesses strongly urged changes to avoid forcing families to choose between income and coverage. Several providers said they had begun preparing training programs, but asked for clearer approval processes and more patient-specific training requirements. The committee then heard extensive public testimony from parents and caregivers of medically fragile children, who described the financial, emotional, and logistical strain of caring for children with severe disabilities and argued that the bill should be expanded to include Florida KidCare families and others in the coverage gap. They also raised concerns about the eight-hour-per-day limit, low pay, and the need for simpler rules and direct support. Home health providers and associations supported the concept but asked for modifications, including more targeted training and clearer implementation guidance. The meeting then shifted to a second agenda item on the Andrew John Anderson Rapid Whole Genome Sequencing Program, which was funded in the 2023 budget. Deputy Secretary Meyer said the program has been implemented since January 1, 2024, but utilization has been lower than expected, with only about 60 claims paid and many denials occurring through managed care. Public testimony from a lab, a hospital, and a pediatric rare disease expert said the program is clinically valuable and cost-saving, but managed care billing barriers, prior authorization issues, and DRG-related denials are limiting access; they urged direct billing to Medicaid and possible expansion to all newborns.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the next few slides, we will explore the specific provisions of this legislation and review the steps
• In the next few slides, we will explore the specific provisions of this legislation and review the steps
• And there aren't folks who are just stepping into this realm to come do this work, this really hard,
• As, again, providers continue to step out of the space or not step into the space, that might have to
• What I will be able to say is when I stepped into this role as CEO two and a half years ago, I believe

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee held its first meeting of the term and heard introductory remarks from the chair, vice chair, ranking member, and members, who broadly described their interest in child welfare, mental health, aging services, homelessness, and agency accountability. The chair then outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction, including child welfare, mental health and substance abuse safety net services, domestic violence, developmental disabilities, elder services, and child support, and introduced the Department of Children and Families (DCF) as the first agency panel for the term. DCF presented an implementation update on HB 7089, a 2024 law aimed at increasing accountability and transparency for community-based care (CBC) lead agencies that deliver most child welfare services under contract. The department said the bill was prompted by forensic examinations that found problems such as noncompetitive procurement, related-party transactions, excessive executive compensation, and weak financial oversight. DCF described new contract requirements and monitoring tools covering board governance and annual training, conflict-of-interest disclosures, financial penalties for noncompliance, fidelity bond requirements, limits on direct service provision by lead agencies, related-party procurement rules, procurement thresholds, real-property approvals, compensation caps, expanded public reporting, and a new Future of Child Protection and Funding Work Group. DCF reported that some lead agencies had completed required board training, others were still on schedule, and two agencies exceeding the direct-service threshold had been referred to the Auditor General. Members asked DCF about the reasons for the bill, the impact on children, the work group’s regional representation, aging-out youth, the Embrace Families transition, board training requirements, and whether enforcement actions had been taken. DCF said the bill was intended to protect funds for children and families and improve oversight, and clarified that the Central Florida lead agency contract was awarded through competitive procurement rather than an absorption. DCF also said the board training was designed to be meaningful but not overly burdensome, with timing left partly to lead agencies as they implement the new requirements. The committee then heard from two CBC leaders, who generally supported the accountability goals of HB 7089 and said their agencies had already addressed most of the new governance and disclosure requirements. They reported that board training had been completed or was being scheduled, but both agencies said the fidelity bond requirement has been difficult or impossible to obtain in the market as written, though they were able to secure the separate performance bond. The CBC witnesses also warned that recruiting providers is increasingly difficult, especially for higher-acuity children and group-home placements, due to limited provider supply, regulatory burden, insurance costs, and rising risk. They said these pressures are contributing to budget deficits in some areas and urged lawmakers to consider the funding model, insurance and indemnification issues, and the risk of overregulation reducing provider participation.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it extends the ban on seclusion up through grade six unless certain steps are followed.
• Uh, the ban on seclusion up through grade six, unless certain steps are followed.
• that we are going to take a step that we are going to take a step backwards<00:57:35.520> as<
• <00:58:12.480> So There's a piece there of we've taken a step forward, and to take a step
• step backwards at all in the minor step step backwards at all in the minor step we've<00:58:52.720

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Seclusion Working Group approved the prior meeting minutes and then spent most of the meeting discussing draft recommendations and a Senate amendment, 007-7, related to seclusion in schools. The chair explained the history of the issue, including Minnesota’s 2023 ban on seclusion from birth through grade 3, and described 007-7 as a compromise developed with stakeholders that would extend the ban through grade 6 unless strict conditions are met. Those conditions include explicit written informed consent from all parents or guardians in their primary language, oral translation of safeguards, showing the seclusion room before consent, mandatory follow-up IEP meetings after repeated use, outreach and education for families, and data reporting on use of seclusion. The chair also said the amendment would prevent judges or other officials from ordering seclusion over a parent’s objection. Members then reviewed the draft recommendations line by line. They agreed to revise language to add “and fund” after “mandate” in the first section, and discussed changing references from “level three and level four” to “level three and higher,” though several members ultimately preferred keeping the focus on school settings and not expanding into medical or correctional settings. They also discussed replacing the word “subjected” with more neutral language such as “experience” or “whose IEP includes seclusion.” Another issue was whether the recommendations should distinguish between students whose IEP already includes seclusion and students who experience seclusion in an emergency but do not have it in their IEP; members suggested splitting that into separate recommendations and possibly adding a new item for the latter situation. A final discussion focused on whether the working group should recommend a mandated alternative-to-seclusion program and whether such a mandate should be tied to funding. School district representatives said many districts already use programs such as CPI, but others, especially outstate districts, charter schools, hospitals, and residential settings, may face significant costs if required to adopt new programs like Ukeru. Members generally agreed that if the legislature is asked to require implementation of new alternatives, funding should accompany the mandate. The chair also noted that existing law already requires an IEP team meeting after restrictive procedures are used twice in 30 days, and encouraged members to compare that with the 007-7 language before finalizing recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• This common-sense legislation is just one step toward creating safer... from the American public that
• <00:13:41.800> toward<00:13:42.240> creating<00:13:42.959> safer Just one step
• reduction act also takes historic steps reduction act also takes historic steps to<02:20:36.840>
• H.R. 153 is a vital step toward building a more transparent, responsive disaster recovery system.
• Passing this bill is a step in the right direction once again.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, January 13, 2025, 1012, house, all