Transcript Highlights:

• Of the 39.5 million people who live in California, approximately 24.5 million adults between the ages
• More than 3 million residents already live with diabetes, with another 10 million adults living with
• Nearly two-thirds of non-disabled, non-elderly Medi-Cal adults in California are already working.
• Eighty-three percent of Medi-Cal adults in California are in a working family.
• Due diligence on behalf of workers who were investing in the pension fund, who were vulnerable.

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• We’re seeing almost 70% of our state where adults are looking for jobs.
• We’re seeing almost 70% of our state where adults are looking for jobs.
• That funding acknowledged the rapidly rising cost of transporting our most vulnerable students.
• Without appropriate transportation, vulnerable students lose connection to their school community, the
• SB 5858 includes strong accountability while ensuring we meet our obligations to our most vulnerable

Bills: SB5841 , SB5922 , SB5858 , SB5943

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: financial aid, postsecondary education, student support, application process, higher education access, school transportation, school buses, pupil transportation, transportation vehicle fund, school district finance, fund transfer, reimbursement schedule, depreciation schedule, zero-emission buses, electric school buses, bus electrification, charging stations, fueling stations, vehicle replacement, major repairs

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 231 offers a path to understanding and ending food deserts and the impact they have on vulnerable
• logistical hurdles facing our state's women's health programs, ensuring vital health care services reach vulnerable
• Mental health care, friends, in the real world, you know, out in the managed care space and adult care
• For adults and for folks in managed care and out there in the insurance world, there are several steps

Bills: HB231 , HB475 , HB488 , HB632 , HB821 , HB1786 , HB1955 , HB2036 , HB2060 , HB2659 , HB2677 , HB231

Committee: House S/C on Disease Prevention & Women's & Children's Health

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm delighted to continue to work with our most vulnerable populations and continue. ...to work with
• our most vulnerable populations and continue the great work you've been doing, Madam Chair.
• It is about professionalizing a workforce that supports some of Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens.
• It is about professionalizing a workforce that supports some of Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens.
• I'm a mom of two adult sons with Fragile X syndrome, ages 30 and 31.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair members this bill accelerate access to vital services to Florida's most vulnerable populations
• The bill requires APD to participate with DCF to ensure young adults with developmental disabilities,
• And lastly, the bill requires an eye budget study to review the I budget to determine if the adult pathways
• So I think this will be a huge benefit to vulnerable Floridians and also really address the waitlist
• Governor's Faith and community initiative to support faith and community organizations serving vulnerable

Transcript Highlights:

• It's for adults.
• It's not for kids, it's for adults.
• His entire practice is surgeries for trans people, mostly adults. Maybe always, maybe only adults.
• I don't know; I was an adult.
• This is how adult care disappears even when the law is not explicitly targeted at adults.

Bills: SB1015 , SB1049 , SB1066 , SB1081 , SB1092 , SB1133 , SB1134 , SB1139 , SB1147 , SB1148 , SB1168 , SB1189 , SCR1001 , SCR1002 , SCR1005 , SCR1010

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Elections

Keywords: gender transition, detransition, healthcare liability, medical malpractice, youth protection, legal action, Arizona law, spousal maintenance, court guidelines, self-sufficiency, financial support, marriage dissolution, child safety, dependency cases, attorney regulation, foster care, legal representation, probation, dangerous crimes, children

Transcript Highlights:

• Although these adults may be experts in their field, that adult is not raising the child.
• Although these adults may be experts in their field, that adult is not raising the child.
• Although these adults may be experts in their field, that adult is not raising the child.
• Although these adults may be experts in their field, that adult is not raising the child.
• </c> thing um vulnerable adults be it are thing um vulnerable adults be it are children<01:27:28.000>

Bills: HF22 , HF45

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to take the money and upgrade our systems so that we're not vulnerable to cyberattack.
• record number of starts in western Washington, and we know the smoke disproportionately impacts vulnerable
• young people in the foster care system, juvenile rehabilitation systems, and the youth and young adults
• million in the final budget to prevent further cuts and protect outcomes for Washington's most vulnerable
• Second, funding increased interpreter and adult guardianship costs keeps cases moving forward rather

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee opened with committee guidelines for the 2026 session, including limits on testimony, amendment deadlines, confidentiality expectations, and professionalism rules. Chair Ormsby also reviewed housekeeping for the public hearing, noting the meeting was recorded and live streamed, and that testimony would be limited to one minute because of the large number of sign-ups. The committee then began its work session on Governor Ferguson’s proposed 2026 supplemental operating budget, presented by OFM Director Katie Chapman, who outlined the state’s fiscal pressures: higher caseloads in major programs, a revenue forecast decline of about $390 million, federal policy changes tied to H.R. 1, inflation, and a relatively small ending fund balance. She said the governor’s budget solves about a $2.3 billion shortfall through nearly $800 million in spending reductions, revenue shifts, fund transfers, use of about $1 billion from the Budget Stabilization Account, and some tax preference changes, while also making targeted investments in areas such as child welfare, behavioral health, wildfire response, housing, and IT modernization. Chapman also explained that the proposal does not fully balance over the four-year outlook under the state’s statutory assumptions, but said the governor relied on the budget-balance law’s exception tied to BSA use and low employment growth. A question from Rep. Connors about credit ratings was answered with the view that the impact is difficult to predict and that Washington’s strong pension funding and balanced-budget framework remain positives. The public hearing drew testimony from state officials and many advocates, most of whom opposed specific cuts or fund shifts in the governor’s proposal. Secretary of State Steve Hobbs objected to proposed sweeps from the corporations and charities fund and the library archives account, citing prior cuts, layoffs, cyberattack-related costs, and the need to upgrade aging systems. Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove urged restoration of wildfire prevention funding, saying the proposed amount was still $30 million short of the commitment in House Bill 1168 and that underfunding would increase suppression costs and risk to communities. Many education witnesses opposed reductions to Working Connections Child Care, transition to kindergarten, local effort assistance, Running Start, and higher education across-the-board cuts, arguing they would harm access, equity, and workforce development. Higher education leaders from community colleges, the University of Washington, Western Washington University, and Evergreen State College described staffing cuts, program reductions, and pressure on student services, while K-12 groups and OSPI said the budget would deepen existing funding gaps. A large portion of testimony focused on human services, health, housing, and civil legal aid. Child welfare and youth-serving organizations supported some targeted investments but opposed cuts to child care, child welfare network administration, and youth programs; advocates for foster youth, homeless youth, and mentoring programs asked for continued or increased funding. Health care and long-term care providers warned that proposed Medicaid and rate changes would reduce access for seniors, people with disabilities, and safety-net patients, while Planned Parenthood and abortion access advocates urged full restoration of the Abortion Access Project and related reimbursements. Housing and legal aid witnesses backed the governor’s proposed right-to-counsel funding but asked for more support, and homelessness advocates sought contingency funding for federal housing programs. Crime victim and domestic violence service providers repeatedly said the proposed $12 million was far short of the roughly $21.38 million needed to avoid service cuts and closures. Other testimony addressed the Climate Commitment Account shift for the Working Families Tax Credit, with environmental advocates opposing the diversion of CCA dollars and workforce advocates supporting the governor’s economic security and employment programs. No votes or formal committee action were taken during the hearing portion described in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Having relationships to adults, to peers, and then there are the misconceptions.
• They're much more vulnerable to not getting to school if there are challenges facing their adults because
• they depend on adults to get to school.
• But also, you have an adult, usually a faculty member, so that relationship to a caring adult who's seeing
• Kids having relationships to an adult. Kids having relationships to other kids.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• His daughter had a sudden adult onset of schizophrenia shortly after giving birth to her first child.
• But through this journey, he discovered some research that showed that adult-onset schizophrenia can
• His daughter had a sudden adult onset of schizophrenia shortly after giving birth to her first child.
• a sudden adult onset of schizophrenia shortly after giving birth to her first child.
• I visited patients in community care settings, adult family homes, respite settings.

Bills: HB2289

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: appropriations, budget, fiscal matters, state spending, general fund, supplemental budget, biennial budget, substitute bill, public defense, civil legal aid, courts, judicial branch, homelessness, supportive housing, affordable housing, behavioral health, juvenile rehabilitation, youth services, child welfare, foster care

Transcript Highlights:

• When they removed the It was adult congregate living facilities.
• family care homes and adult daycare centers, out of Chapter 400 and created its own statute, Chapter
• daycare, adult family care homes, homes for the...
• Thank you. ...with several others: adult daycare, adult family care homes, homes for the disabled, foster
• Members, this bill accelerates access to vital services to Florida's most vulnerable populations.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Summary: The committee took up a series of health and human services bills, beginning with CS/SB 1602, which would require emergency departments to have evidence-based pediatric care protocols, training, appropriate child-sized equipment and medications, a designated care coordinator, and participation in a pediatric readiness assessment. It was reported favorably. CS/SB 1224 followed, aligning Florida law with federal requirements so paramedics may administer controlled substances in the field under physician or nurse practitioner protocols; it also passed favorably after supportive testimony from fire chiefs. The committee then adopted a strike-all for SB 890, the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which addresses venous thromboembolism by creating a statewide registry, requiring screening and training in hospitals and long-term care settings, and adding assisted living facility response requirements. Assisted living representatives objected to the ALF provisions as unrealistic and potentially harmful, while supporters argued the bill would save lives; the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 1182, requiring continuous glucose monitors to be covered as both durable medical equipment and a pharmacy benefit, also passed favorably with support from AARP. The committee next considered CS/SB 12, a claim bill for a child severely injured after a DCF home visit allegedly failed to meet standards, and it was reported favorably without opposition. CS/CS/SB 954, dealing with substance abuse treatment centers and recovery residences, drew substantial debate. The bill would limit local zoning restrictions on treatment facilities and allow larger recovery residences if staffing ratios are increased; a late-filed amendment reduced the maximum active patients from 500 to 300. Municipal and county representatives warned that the bill could override local reasonable-accommodation efforts and create institutional-scale facilities, while supporters said housing is essential to recovery and that clustering concerns are overstated. The committee ultimately reported the bill favorably. CS/SB 1050, expanding the developmental disabilities pilot program statewide and creating a statewide family care council, also passed after extensive testimony from families and advocates. Supporters emphasized the long waitlist and the need for more services, while some speakers opposed managed care and warned about provider shortages and loss of individualized supports. Later, CS/SB 614, requiring a public educational webpage about background screening clearinghouse and level two screening requirements, was reported favorably. CS/SB 1578, which would require coverage for mammograms and supplemental breast cancer screening in certain circumstances, was also reported favorably. CS/SB 1060 created a joint legislative oversight committee to review Medicaid operations and financing; members discussed the need for stronger oversight of large midyear spending adjustments, and the bill passed favorably. CS/SB 1240, a Department of Children and Families substance abuse and mental health bill, was amended to clarify Baker Act transfer timing and notification requirements after debate over whether facilities could hold patients too long; it was then reported favorably. Finally, Senator Harrell presented CS/SB 526, a major nursing education bill aimed at Florida’s low NCLEX passage rates. The bill would require nursing programs to use exit exams, remediation, reporting, and stricter oversight, and the strike-all would add graduate preceptorships for low-performing programs and temporary provisional licenses for graduates pending NCLEX passage. The transcript ended while that bill was still being explained, before final action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• An adult could use them.
• is not going to use a bassinet, but an adult could use a full-size bed.
• An adult could use them. child's use. An adult could use them.
• is not going to use a mean, an adult is not going to use a bassinet,<00:14:55.000><c> but</c><00:14:
• :56.480><c> a</c> bassinet, but an adult could use a bassinet, but an adult could use a full-size<00:

Summary: House File 18 was taken up in committee, with the chair noting a preference to hear testimony from people who had traveled farther before hearing from lobbyists or other local witnesses. Representative Engan presented the bill as a family-support measure that would exempt certain infant care items from sales tax, arguing that the cost of raising children has risen sharply and that the bill would provide immediate relief to parents. He cited examples of potential savings on cribs, mattresses, strollers, and baby bottles, and said he was open to expanding the list of covered items. Chair Gomez offered a DE1 amendment that would replace the blanket sales tax exemption with an expansion of Minnesota’s child tax credit, arguing that the child-rearing cost burden is better addressed through targeted assistance rather than a broad exemption that could also benefit higher-income purchasers. After discussing the policy differences and the fiscal impact, Gomez withdrew the amendment. Members then asked questions about the bill’s scope, whether luxury items should be excluded, and why the exemption was limited to baby items rather than older children’s needs. Engan said he would be open to excluding luxury items and to discussing broader expansions, including school supplies. The committee then heard testimony in support from Sarah Gangelhoff of the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, who said the bill would help families facing high housing, food, and child care costs and would especially benefit women and single-mother households. Maggie Hanggi of the Minnesota Catholic Conference also supported the bill, saying the tax relief could help families afford essential infant items and reduce fear for prospective parents. Members raised concerns about whether tax exemptions effectively reach the families most in need, with one member noting that low-income families may not even be in a position to shop for these items; Engan responded that the savings would still be real for those who do purchase them. No final vote or disposition on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:16:01.600><c> and</c> provide mental services to adults and provide mental services to adults
• </c> and its effects on our most vulnerable and its effects on our most vulnerable neighbors.<02:00:44.080
• </c> bill has got impact on vulnerable bill has got impact on vulnerable individuals,<02:26:04.560><c
• </c> vulnerable members in our society. vulnerable members in our society.
• </c> take care of the most vulnerable take care of the most vulnerable individuals.

Transcript Highlights:

• And finally, Passport convenes professionals, education teams, and other supportive adults through the
• And finally, Passport convenes with professionals, education teams, and other supportive adults through
• the regional networks, with professionals, education teams, and other supportive adults through the
• decades, there are good things happening and there are people deeply invested in serving our most vulnerable
• program that builds futures, it builds legacies, it builds educational outcomes for some of our most vulnerable

Summary: The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee began with a work session presentation from the Washington Student Achievement Council on the Passport to Careers Program. Staff explained that Passport serves youth who experienced foster care at age 13 or later or unaccompanied homelessness, and that the program provides scholarships and campus support services for college, apprenticeship, and pre-apprenticeship pathways. WASAC said the program is a national model because it uses data-sharing agreements to identify eligible students automatically, is funded by the state, and partners with the College Success Foundation and campus networks to provide support. Officials reported that about 2,000 students will be served in 2025-26, with awards capped at $2,000, and cited an evaluation finding that 31% of participants graduate within eight years, compared with much lower rates for similarly situated students outside the program. Committee members asked about graduation rates for all students, the share of Passport students who are parents, how unaccompanied homelessness is identified, where campus support staff are housed, and how funding is used. WASAC said most students are single without children, unaccompanied homeless youth are identified through McKinney-Vento liaisons, and campus support structures vary by institution. Staff also described how the program has grown 131% since unaccompanied homeless youth became eligible in 2019, while appropriations have remained around $7 million annually, forcing reductions in the maximum scholarship award from $5,000 in 2023-24 to $2,800 and then $2,000 in 2025-26. Officials emphasized that students still face significant unmet need and that campus support funds are often used for basic needs, academic support, and emergency aid. The committee then moved through executive session on several bills and advanced each one with a do pass recommendation to Ways and Means. The bills included SB 5826 on medication abortion access at public postsecondary institutions, SB 5828 on Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship awards at private four-year institutions, SB 5909 on low-enrollment undergraduate programs, SB 5931 on WIA board co-chair terms and dashboard requirements, SB 5954 on tuition waivers for certain veteran dependents and survivors, SB 5963 on Passport to Careers funding and eligibility changes, SB 6082 on a state financial aid fraud performance audit, and SB 6090 establishing the Heritage Orchard Program at Washington State University. The committee adopted the proposed substitute for SB 5931 before passing it, and all measures were reported out subject to signatures.

Transcript Highlights:

• And how do you make sure, how do we know this is covering the vulnerabilities? schools have?
• We had to change the minds of the adults.
• You talked about the district vulnerability assessment. That's very interesting.
• Well, you know, again, the district vulnerability assessment is very detailed.
• Well, yes, sir, we do so we have the district vulnerability assessment program.

Committee: Senate Nominations

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 106: Exploitation of Vulnerable Adults. Senator Martin: Good morning.
• , and organizations could easily spend every dollar available because there will always be more vulnerable
• The changes proposed come at the expense of vulnerable Floridians who rely on Florida legal aid programs
• I spent most of my adult life in various sites in Central Florida working directly with phosphate rock
• Other states have included opt-out provisions in similar legislation to protect vulnerable renters.

Transcript Highlights:

• vulnerable when you...” “...penalty if they are the caregiver.
• And he was an adult, just for clarity. He was the son of...” “Okay.
• That measure how the law responds when a vulnerable person with, and affirming a I don't know.”
• We need this law to shield the vulnerable and finally hold abuse accountable.
• We need this law to shield the vulnerable and finally hold abuse accountable.

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met on March 24, 2026, and heard a series of bills, with members generally expressing support for measures aimed at public safety, corrections, and criminal procedure. The committee first amended and reported HB 957, which removes the 72-hour advance notice requirement for sheriffs transferring prisoners, while adding notice to the prosecuting authority as well as the court. Testimony from the Louisiana Sheriffs Association said the change would help with overcrowding and security-related inmate moves, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee then heard HB 106, which prohibits giving children non-prescription melatonin without parental consent. After debate over whether consent should be written, the committee rejected an amendment requiring prior written consent, but adopted a broader amendment making the bill apply to any person rather than only child care centers. Testimony from Gretna Police Chief Brett Lawson described a case involving a nanny and a one-year-old child, and child care representatives said licensed centers already require parental consent forms. HB 106 was reported favorably as amended. The committee also reported HB 111, which adds associate’s degrees to the existing sentence-reduction credits for incarcerated people who complete higher education programs; DOC said the programs are accredited and monitored, and supporters framed the bill as part of workforce reentry. Several other bills were advanced. HB 64 clarifies that judges may recall arrest warrants and requires notice to law enforcement when a warrant is recalled; former Rep. Joe Marino testified in support, describing problems with old or mistaken warrants remaining active. HB 53 adds certain gambling offenses as predicate acts under Louisiana’s racketeering law, with the Attorney General’s office citing illegal gambling operations and prison-based gambling rings. HB 152 updates the state controlled dangerous substances schedules to match federal changes, adding 13 opioids. HB 102 creates second-degree cruelty to elderly persons and persons with infirmities, with amendments adding the offense as a predicate felony and refining the penalty and affirmative-defense language; the bill drew emotional testimony from advocates and family members describing abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults, and it was reported favorably as amended. The committee also reported HB 137, which strengthens penalties for threats against schools and adds a civil cost component for false threats; the Speaker Pro Tem said the bill is meant to deter school threats and reduce disruption and emergency response costs. HB 57 was reported favorably to clarify that courts may consider criminal histories in ex parte temporary restraining order proceedings. HB 337 increases from two to four the number of special charitable bingo events allowed each year for licensed nonprofits. Finally, HB 100 was substantially amended so that driving 100 mph or more is treated as reckless operation rather than a new felony speeding offense, and HB 155 expands the prohibition on unlawful drone use to additional Capitol grounds locations; both were reported favorably as amended. The committee adjourned after reporting all measures favorably, with several bills supported by law enforcement, prosecutors, and advocacy groups and a few receiving limited opposition or informational cards.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't see that as a threat, but if we have an adult that has an exceptionality and our police on.
• But if we have an adult that has an exceptionality and our police aren't properly trained as to know
• I do not want that to happen to our adult children, you know, that we are taking care of.
• He is intelligent, loving, and vulnerable in many ways that are not always visible.
• children and adults across our state.

Committee: House Judiciary

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard a series of bills, mostly from the Senate, covering military affairs, courts, veterans’ services, tobacco/vape regulation, and emergency alerts for missing persons with disabilities. Several measures were described as cleanup or modernization bills, including SB 317 adding the House and Senate military committee chairs to the Louisiana Military Advisory Council, SB 357 updating court administration and appellate e-case management provisions, SB 421 modernizing electronic records language, and SB 232 and HB 597 addressing judicial compensation and related funding/commission issues. The committee also heard SB 164, which would add public works employees to the definition of first responders, and SB 510, which would regulate certain licensed establishments that allow on-premises consumption of hemp/THC products and related age restrictions. These bills were generally presented as technical updates or alignment with existing practices, and the committee reported them favorably after brief questions and, in some cases, amendments. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 208, which revises Louisiana’s law on services provided to veterans after a prior version was struck down. Senator Kathy and LDVA representatives said the bill is intended to protect veterans from unaccredited “claim sharks” by limiting fees and creating state-level safeguards, while an opponent argued the issue is preempted by federal law and should be left to Congress and the pending appeal. The committee also heard extensive testimony on SB 34, which would create “Bryan’s Call” emergency alerts for missing children and adults with cognitive or developmental disabilities, including wireless alerts and responder training. Family members and disability advocates described fatal risks from elopement and drowning, and supporters said the bill would fill a gap between Amber and Silver Alerts; the committee moved the bill favorably. Another bill, HB 302, sought to restrict vape sales near schools; the sponsor and Alcohol and Tobacco Control discussed possible language changes, and public health testimony supported broader protections for youth. Several bills were voluntarily deferred, including HB 1190, HB 1097, and HB 374-1, and the committee adjourned after reporting the remaining measures favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't see that as a threat, but if we have an adult that has an exceptionality and our police on.
• But if we have an adult that has an exceptionality and our police aren't properly trained as to know
• I do not want that to happen to our adult children, you know, that we are taking care of.
• He is intelligent, loving, and vulnerable in many ways that are not always visible.
• children and adults across our state.

Bills: HB302 , HB371 , HB597 , HB1097 , HB1190 , SB34 , SB164 , SB208 , SB232 , SB317 , SB357 , SB421 , SB510

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: legal representation, attorney general, elected officials, defense, legislative acts, judicial review, judiciary, election, judges, 19th Judicial District Court, East Baton Rouge, precincts, coroner, retention, body, mortuary, investigation, missing persons, Amber Alert, Endangered Missing Child Advisory

Transcript Highlights:

• For the past two years, I've worked as a direct support professional for adults with IDD.
• This is important for us to help some of the most vulnerable teens and young adults who are aging out
• to update our Office of Homeless Youth, including expanding eligibility for services for emerging adults
• How they navigate through life cycles because someone who turns 18 goes into adult family home, they
• I like to call our outings maybe to an adult family home, a SOLA, and an RHC in one day, possibly up

Bills: HB1873 , HB2600 , SB5957

Committee: House Early Learning & Human Services

Keywords: child care, Working Connections Child Care, WCCC, graduate students, professional students, higher education, full-time student, affordable child care, subsidized child care, child care subsidy, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, DCYF, income eligibility, state median income, copayment, copay waiver, family support, workforce participation, working families, special needs child care