Transcript Highlights:

• program, establishing a moratorium on adding new service providers in the 14 high-risk services.
• program, establishing a moratorium on adding new service providers in the 14 high-risk services.
• program, establishing a moratorium on adding new service providers in the 14 high-risk services.
• Um, the scope of your Services.
• </c> of Minnesota are receiving the services. of Minnesota are receiving the services.

Bills: HF3378

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, Navy Region Northwest Fire and Emergency Services responded to 2,769 total calls for service
• Last year, Navy Region Northwest Fire and Emergency Services responded to 2,769 total calls for service
• We have services, both at the active duty as well as the VA, that often assume the service member is
• We have services, both at the active duty as well as the VA that often assume the service member is the
• We have case management services. We have telehealth services.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs heard updates from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Navy Region Northwest, Fairchild Air Force Base, the Coast Guard, state licensing agencies, the Washington National Guard, and a veterans behavioral health presenter. Across the military briefings, commanders emphasized readiness and major missions, while also highlighting quality-of-life issues affecting service members and families, including housing, child care, food insecurity, medical and dental access, and spouse employment. JBLM reported progress on 212 new family homes, ongoing PFAS cleanup, continued work on the Lewis Army Museum, and efforts to expand child care and food assistance. Navy Region Northwest discussed its economic impact, infrastructure projects, environmental stewardship, and future shipyard and homeport planning. Fairchild described its tanker and survival training missions, child care shortages, food insecurity during the shutdown, aging housing, and concerns about wind turbine development near military airspace. The Coast Guard highlighted its polar icebreaker buildup, rebuilding of Base Seattle waterfront infrastructure, and access-to-care challenges at remote stations such as Neah Bay, along with progress on housing and dental services. Committee members repeatedly raised support for military spouses, child care, food access, and licensure compacts. The Department of Licensing reported about 9,000 active military members or spouses licensed, with expedited processing, license portability, and an average time to license of just under nine days. The Department of Health said it had implemented prior military licensure laws, maintained a military-to-civilian crosswalk for health professions, and issued 129 credentials to military-trained health professionals and 1,300 to military spouses/domestic partners in the last fiscal year, all within 30 days. The Professional Educator Standards Board said military-affiliated applicants for educator credentials receive a streamlined process requiring fewer documents and expedited review. Members asked about verification of military spouse status, compact implementation, and whether future federal changes could affect existing interstate compacts. The Washington National Guard briefing focused on dual state and federal missions, election security, wildfire readiness, and a new National Guard Response Force requirement to train 700 personnel. The Guard also described the impact of the recent federal shutdown on employees and outlined policy and budget requests, including youth academy protections, alignment of the Washington Code of Military Justice with the federal UCMJ, making Civil Air Patrol a division of the Military Department, public records exemptions for critical infrastructure, 911 system improvements, disaster assistance funding, and capital requests for a new Joint Forces headquarters and a King County Readiness Center. Members pressed for more detail on drone threats, wildfire response, and whether the new response force would be used for immigration-related duties; the Guard said it understood the force to be intended for all-hazards response and would follow up. The final presentation, from a veterans behavioral health representative, focused on access barriers, suicide risk, and the need for culturally competent care, especially for women veterans and caregivers. The speaker cited high veteran suicide rates in Washington, long waits for services, and the ways child care, transportation, chronic pain, substance use, and military sexual trauma complicate treatment. No formal votes were taken during the meeting, but members and presenters discussed several pending or future legislative priorities, including licensure compacts, child care, military justice updates, and support for military and veteran families.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services.
• The Medi-Cal program covers a full breadth of services: physical, mental, substance use disorder services
• policy, program processes, and service change.
• During the LA fires, local Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and LIHEAP agencies provided services
• banks to supportive services to housing.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and other services, etc.
• So I oversee the Bureau of Developmental Services and Adult and Aging Services.
• </c> services and adult and Aging Services services and adult and Aging Services thank<01:42:43.599><
• for 988 services.”
• for 988 services.”

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• WE ARE ROLLING OUT THE SERVICES MODULE.
• HIGHER MORE ACUTE LEVEL OF SERVICE.
• IF WE HAVE MONEY AND WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO NEED SERVICES WE SPENT THE MONEY ON THE PEOPLE WHO NEED SERVICES
• I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS HAVE AN IDENTIFIER WHO NEEDS SERVICES TODAY RATHER THAN WHO NEED SERVICES
• Asztalos: WE HAVE ADDITIONAL SERVICES, THE INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES IS ANOTHER PROGRAM

Transcript Highlights:

• as and in lieu of service, just as certain mental health and substance abuse services are currently
• For a service to be offered as an in lieu of service, of service, it must be medically appropriate, cost-effective
• We have seen 14 of 16 MCOs provide some form of mental health service in lieu of other services like
• . services.
• So it is in lieu of other services.

Bills: HB26 , HB140 , HB141 , HB142 , HB215 , HB26 , HB140 , HB141 , HB142 , HB215

Committee: House Human Services

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Those grant funds services include financial assistance, home monitoring, modifications, service dogs
• services to meet their needs.
• Counties and cities and veterans service organizations that can provide direct services to veterans.
• Veteran County Service Officers, and I also want to mention with the Veteran County Service Officers,
• Thank you for your service.

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• of Social Services.
• This includes the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), the Department of Social Services (DSS),
• human service agencies.
• Plus the CalWORKs services layered on top of whatever child welfare services we can provide.
• services, and more.

Transcript Highlights:

• services, treatment for substance use disorders, dialysis, and inpatient pediatric services.
• services, treatment for substance use disorders, dialysis, and inpatient pediatric services.
• services, treatment for substance use disorders, dialysis, and inpatient pediatric services.
• The notice must include the rationale for services, primary care services, services, primary care services
• . services. services.

Transcript Highlights:

• . services. services.
• justice services.
• justice services.
• ><c> and</c> services, connection to services, and services, connection to services, and community<01
• service services for adolescent service expansion?

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• services.
• Contracted services.
• One is flex, DMH flex services.
• The services that DMH is reducing are specialty services separate from those services.
• , and infertility services.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The committee heard budget testimony from Department of Mental Health Commissioner Brooke Doyle, who said DMH serves about 29,000 people and is facing rising demand, higher operating costs, and uncertainty about federal funding. She explained that the FY26 budget prioritizes fully funding the state-operated inpatient system, which is at 100% occupancy and often serves people transferred from Bridgewater State Hospital, while making reductions in other areas to balance the budget. Those reductions include a 50% cut to case managers, a pause on closing the Pocasset unit pending a working group on Cape access, and changes to youth and contracted services such as right-sizing IRTP and CIRT, reducing Youth PACT from seven teams to three, scaling back flex and jail diversion grants as ARPA funds wind down, and preserving the behavioral health helpline and community-based crisis services. Members from Western Massachusetts and the Cape raised concerns about access, staffing, and the impact of cuts, and Doyle said the department would continue operating IRTP services, improve the referral process, and work with stakeholders on the Pocasset review and other access issues. The committee also discussed school-based mental health, 988, loan forgiveness for workforce recruitment, and the role of co-response programs for law enforcement. Secretary Robin Lipson then testified for the Executive Office of Aging and Independence, describing a proposed FY26 budget increase of about 21% to support councils on aging, home care, elder abuse investigations, caregiver support, care transitions, and nutrition programs. She said the agency is managing rising demand, especially from the growing 80-plus population, and noted uncertainty around federal Older Americans Act funding after the federal disbursement agency was disbanded. To control costs, the office will manage intake and caseload growth in a fully state-funded home care program, but current clients will not lose services. Lipson also highlighted a new $1 million line item for local mini-grants to support age-friendly initiatives. In questions, members focused on elder scams, and Lipson said scams are increasing and the agency is working with banks, district attorneys, and public awareness campaigns. The Health Policy Commission’s Executive Director David Seltz presented the agency’s FY26 request and said the biggest challenge is health care affordability, with family premiums near $29,000 annually and many residents delaying care because of cost. He emphasized that recent legislation significantly expands HPC’s role through a new Office of Pharmaceutical Policy and Analysis, which will examine the drug supply chain and pricing, and a new Office of Health Resource Planning, which will support statewide planning around closures and access gaps. The new law also creates task forces on maternal health access and primary care, and adds transparency and oversight for private equity in health care. Members asked about pharmaceutical costs, GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, 340B, and maternal health closures; Seltz said the data show rapid growth in GLP-1 spending and that the new offices will help the state better understand cost drivers and access problems. The Center for Health Information and Analysis then began its testimony, describing its role as the state’s data hub for health care spending, utilization, quality, and affordability analysis.

Transcript Highlights:

• services.
• services. $50.
• They believe in public service.
• to all the life-saving immigration legal services. ...for CHRP and its critical services, as well as
• Immigration Support Services.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> services</c><00:30:19.840><c> are</c> the typically used services are the typically used services
• And our employment services department first started as a Disability Services Program back in 1992.
• And our employment services department first started as a Disability Services Program back in 1992.
• , all of our services.
• , all of our services.

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services held an informational briefing on the Developmental Disabilities Council and related agencies. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities outlined its 2025 legislative priorities, including a pilot project for guardian ad litem and capacity evaluations in guardianship/conservatorship cases, a supported decision-making bill, a health disparities study for people with disabilities, an ABLE savings outreach/staffing measure, a Medicaid buy-in proposal, an adult changing tables equity bill, and a resolution on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Council representatives emphasized that supported decision-making would complement tools like powers of attorney and medical releases, and that the health disparities study would help identify unmet needs by ZIP code and improve state data on the intellectual and developmental disability population. The Center on Disability Studies at the University of Hawaii described its role as the research and training arm within the DD system, working with the DD Council and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center. It reported activities such as interdisciplinary training, community education, technical assistance, research collaborations, the Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity, publications, telehealth, ECHO Autism, and counseling for Maui fire survivors. The center said it leveraged about $16 million in outside funding last year and highlighted goals focused on workforce development, community capacity, research with direct participation from people with disabilities, and accessible dissemination of information. The Hawaii Disability Rights Center, the state’s protection and advocacy agency, supported the Council’s priorities, especially supported decision-making, which it said could help some people avoid guardianship while preserving liberty and reducing state resource use. The center also raised concerns about the DD system budget and urged legislators to review whether the Developmental Disabilities Division is requesting enough funding, noting possible backsliding in services and eligibility. The Developmental Disabilities Division of the Department of Health then outlined its statewide waiver program serving just over 3,500 people, its service array, and its budget request for increased waiver funding, a federal initiatives coordinator, and IT upgrades to comply with the new HCBS access rule; no votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Public Service. Department of Agriculture. Department of Public Service.
• All right, Public Safety Services, Youth Services. Okay, Schedule 9. Louisiana Department of...
• to this service.
• All of our services are needed.
• We offer a variety of services. I spoke last year. I've got some... We offer a variety of services.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several budget requests tied to health and human services. Louisiana Children’s Advocacy Centers asked for continued support and a supplemental appropriation of $1.173 million for infrastructure and standardization, explaining that the money would expand use of the Guardify digital evidence system, improve chain of custody, and reduce reliance on DVDs. Baton Rouge and statewide CAC leaders said prior funding helped eliminate a therapy wait list and speed services for abused children. Members asked detailed questions about the digital system, MDT coordination, and how the request related to SB 237, which would strengthen multidisciplinary review of child abuse cases. The Alzheimer’s Association sought $824,000 to sustain the dementia care specialist program, saying it helps families navigate services, keep loved ones at home longer, and reduce Medicaid costs. AARP and the Live at Home Coalition also testified for 750 additional Community Choice waiver slots at a state cost of $3.3 million, arguing that home- and community-based care is cheaper than nursing homes and that the current wait list is more than 11,000 people. Legislators discussed the size of the need, the state’s long-term care spending mix, and whether more support should go to family caregivers and community-based options. Testimony also focused on disability support services, substance use treatment, and developmental disability provider rates. A parent and direct support worker described the Children’s Choice waiver’s 20-hour cap and low pay, saying it makes it hard to retain caregivers and meet the needs of medically fragile children. Odyssey House and O’Brien House asked for higher Medicaid reimbursement rates under ASAM 4, warned that removal of room-and-board payments and weak Medicaid eligibility pathways are reducing access, and called for more oversight of sober living homes; members questioned outcomes data, length of stay, and links to homelessness. Finally, the Arc of Louisiana said the LDH rate study confirmed underfunding and supported a $53.6 million increase in state general funds, with local ARC leaders describing the services they provide and the need for higher direct support professional wages.

Transcript Highlights:

• Examples of services provided at the RHCs include habilitative services, active treatment, training and
• daily living skills, medical and dental services, employment services, and behavior supports.
• disabilities services.
• Is it going to Home and Community Services? Is it going to residential services?
• services, is it going to residential services, and then when they get it, are they sharing it?

Summary: The Early Learning and Human Services Committee opened its 2026 session with member and staff introductions, then took up four bills. HB 2185 would expand the Homeless Youth Advisory Committee to include more members with lived experience of homelessness or involvement in public systems, broaden youth representation up to age 25, and allow members who turn 25 to finish their terms. The prime sponsor and testifiers from homeless youth advocacy organizations supported the bill, saying it would improve representation and the quality of advice to the Office of Homeless Youth. The hearing on HB 2185 was then closed. The committee next heard HB 2319, which renames Washington’s residential habilitation centers by removing the word “school” from their titles and updating related statutory references. The sponsor said the change is meant to reflect current services and reduce confusion, and advocates from The Arc of Washington, Disability Rights Washington, and self-advocates supported the bill as a needed terminology update that would better describe the facilities and avoid misleading the public. No opposition was heard. HB 2230 would limit DSHS to one annual routine review in specified subject areas for community residential service providers and require more document-sharing across divisions to reduce duplicate oversight. The sponsor and provider witnesses said the bill is intended to cut redundant audits and site visits so staff can spend more time on client care, while still preserving investigations and required oversight. HB 2200 would direct JLARC to review safety and stability outcomes across developmental disability residential settings and require a public dashboard comparing data such as 911 calls, ER boarding, placement terminations, and staff retention. The sponsor and several witnesses supported greater transparency, while provider representatives raised concerns about raw data being misleading without per-client or percentage-based context and about possible fiscal impacts. The committee did not take final votes on the bills in the transcript and adjourned after public hearings and caucus time were announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• Similar or different types of services, but still services to the same population of people.
• It's not a babysitting service.
• But these services that SDS provides are literally life-sustaining services.
• and the SDS service actively get our... ...is that both the ARC day service and the SDS service actively
• services you offer?

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• We also piloted with Somerville Cambridge Elder Services.
• of services, including home-delivered meals, homemaker services, personal care services, and personal
• of services, including home-delivered meals, homemaker services, personal care services, personal emergency
• And ongoing care management services, $194 per month.
• , connecting with services.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several aging-related bills, with most speakers focusing on housing stability, home-based services, and care transitions. Representative Badger and a commissioner testified in support of H4039, which would create a universal breakfast and lunch program at senior centers funded through a new Senior Breakfast and Lunch Fund, arguing it would reduce food insecurity and social isolation among older adults. Representative Lipper-Garabedian and multiple providers then supported H780/S495, the hospital-to-home partnership program, describing how embedded aging-services liaisons help older patients transition safely from hospitals to home, reduce readmissions, and avoid nursing facility placement; witnesses from Mystic Valley Elder Services and Mass Aging Access cited pilot results, including hundreds of patients served and examples of substantial cost savings and successful discharge planning. The committee also took testimony on S478, which would require continuing care retirement communities to disclose entrance-fee refund policies more clearly at enrollment. Senator Lovely and LeadingAge Massachusetts said the bill would improve transparency for residents and families, while a consumer witness said her family experienced delays and confusion in getting a refund after her mother left a CCRC. Members noted the issue is also being examined by a special commission on CCRCs. A large portion of the hearing focused on S475, a statewide bridge subsidy program for older adults facing housing instability. Advocates from the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, Western Massachusetts, Somerville, Northampton, East Hampton, Old Colony Elder Services, and Somerville’s Office of Housing Stability described rising senior homelessness, long waitlists for subsidized housing, and cases where short-term rental assistance kept older adults housed while they waited for permanent housing. Somerville witnesses said the pilot program helped nine households remain housed and that some participants have since moved into permanent housing. Members asked about wait times, program design, and how to prioritize applicants; witnesses emphasized flexibility, emergency risk, and the need for a statewide expansion. The hearing also included testimony on S465, an ALS bill that would expand home care access regardless of age and bar the use of quality-adjusted life-year metrics in coverage decisions, with the sponsor and ALS Association arguing the measure would reduce discriminatory treatment and better center patient care. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Consumer sales and service stations.
• Whereas if the service...
• Whereas if the service dealership service center were not located on tribal land, the tax would come
• service station.
• and good customer service.

Bills: SB22 , SB310

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Keywords: motor vehicle manufacturers, licensing, dealers, franchise agreements, consumer protection, water supply, sewage improvements, environment, funding, Mora County

Transcript Highlights:

• They're waiting for services that could transform their lives.
• Yes, and on the services, because I know the pilot is offering services that may not have been included
• For an individual to receive iBudget waiver services, it is a mandatory service to receive waiver support
• We don't want to duplicate services.
• We want to make sure those kids are getting appropriate services.

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills related to children, families, elder affairs, mental health, disability services, and child care. SB 1050 on the Agency for Persons with Disabilities was amended and reported favorably after discussion of expanding the voluntary IDD managed care pilot statewide, improving transparency on the APD wait list, creating a statewide family care council, addressing transition services for youth leaving foster care, and seeking federal approval for an adult pathways waiver. Testimony from providers and a parent emphasized workforce capacity, county-level identification of clients, Medicaid delays, and the importance of keeping the pilot voluntary; the bill passed with support and some discussion about possible future clarifications on services and Medicaid eligibility. The committee also passed SB 1310, which directs OPPAGA to evaluate student mental health outcomes tied to school mental health assistance funding, and members discussed the need for better data, coordination with managing entities, and avoiding duplication of services. SB 976 on court-appointed social investigators was amended and approved, with the sponsor describing due process protections and fee-shifting provisions for parents challenging court-appointed psychologists. SB 886, creating a crisis care coordination team pilot in Volusia and Polk counties to reduce Baker Act recidivism and improve follow-up care, was reported favorably after the sponsor described its law enforcement and community provider partnerships and an independent evaluation requirement. Later, SB 614 on child care facility and program background screening requirements was amended and passed; the bill requires a public educational webpage explaining Level 2 screening, the clearinghouse, disqualifying offenses, exemptions, and related job listings and timelines. Finally, SB 276 on sheltering or aiding unmarried minors was approved; it increases the offense from a first-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony, creates a presumption regarding knowledge of the minor’s age, and adds a defense when the conduct was necessary to protect the minor from danger. All bills considered were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned at the end of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• This service amounts to nearly 77% of Southwest Transit's local service.
• This service amounts to nearly 77% of Southwest Transit's local service.
• </c> Southwest Transit's local service. Southwest Transit's local service.
• not receiving service.
• routes and service transit service routes and service levels<01:38:31.679><c> for</c><01:38:31.920><

Bills: HF3676 , HF3593 , HF3785 , HF3774 , HF4111 , HF3513

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy