Video & Transcript : 'disability support' :
Page 59 of 500
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Michelle Stripling from WCSO, waiving in support. Andrea Farmer, waiving in support.
- Laura Lee Minutelo, Disability Rights Florida, waiving in support.
- Laura Lee Minutelo, Disability Rights Florida, waiving in support.
- Laura Lee Minutelo, Disability Rights Florida, waiving in support.
- John Kent, waiving in support. Caitlin Clerk, waiving in support.
Committee:
Senate Criminal Justice
Summary:
The committee took up a series of criminal justice and public safety bills. SB 646, allowing the use of drug testing tools such as fentanyl test strips and reagent kits to detect dangerous adulterants, was presented as a harm-reduction measure and reported favorably after supportive testimony from advocates and criminal defense groups. SB 442, extending the return period for warrants involving digital evidence from 45 days to one year, also passed unanimously amid testimony from prosecutors and law enforcement about encryption, backlogs, and large volumes of child exploitation evidence. SB 418, creating autism-related law enforcement training and a Blue Envelope Program for traffic stops and other encounters, was reported favorably with support from police, disability advocates, and families. SB 132, creating a public database to help people determine eligibility for restoration of voting rights, and SB 748, requiring notice of voting-rights restoration information on sentencing score sheets, both passed with broad support from voting-rights and criminal defense advocates.
The committee also approved SB 1734, recognizing juvenile probation and detention officers as officers under Florida law and extending related training and benefits, and SB 1660, designating June as Responsible Firearm Safety Awareness Month. SB 1742, which repealed the existing “unnatural and lascivious acts” statute and created a new offense for indecent exposure of sexual organs to a minor, was amended with a delete-all amendment and then reported favorably. SB 1750, a major overhaul of career offender registration requirements, was later reconsidered after a bill-number mix-up and then reported favorably as SB 1332, with FDLE and sheriff’s association support.
The most contentious measure was SB 1326, which would eliminate the traditional insanity defense and replace it with a lack-of-culpable-mental-state defense, require malingering assessments in competency evaluations, and limit downward departures based on mental illness. Criminal defense attorneys and disability advocates argued it lacked a treatment component, raised scientific and cost concerns, and could worsen public safety by sending mentally ill defendants to prison without adequate care. Supporters, including the sponsor and the Attorney General’s office, argued it would close gaps and better protect the public. After extensive debate, the bill was reported favorably on a divided vote, with several members voting no. At the end of the meeting, members recorded additional votes on some bills, and Senator Pizzo moved for reconsideration of SB 1326 for a future meeting.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Families and Children.(6-17-26)
Families & Children
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> support those students. support those students.
- <c> strong</c><00:42:30.720><c> support</c> Despite that support and strong support Despite that support
- </c> need very intensive levels of support. need very intensive levels of support.
- And those involve supporting students with disabilities and autistic students specifically as well.
- And that's all around strategies to support students with disabilities, including our autistic kids.
Committee:
Joint Families & Children
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Higher Education Committee Apr 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I might support this if I knew that...
- I live with disabilities, and I'm a disability leader on my campus.
- I live with disabilities, and I'm a disability leader on my campus that has experienced this personally
- Are there witnesses in support in the hearing room? Support in the hearing room.
- Wallace for their support as well.
Summary:
The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard a long policy agenda focused largely on student access, equity, and institutional oversight. Bills discussed included AB 2236 on common course numbering and streamlined articulation across the community colleges, CSU, and UC; AB 2422 on protections when financial aid is delayed; AB 1669 on medical and mental health leaves of absence; AB 1713 on accepting IEPs and 504 plans as proof of disability for accommodations; AB 2766 on priority housing and related supports for foster youth and students experiencing homelessness; AB 2212 on tech-facilitated sexual harassment and AI-generated intimate images; AB 2504 on a pilot to upskill creative-industry workers for AI-related changes; AB 1734 on preserving and expanding California food insecurity data collection; and AB 2771, the sunset bill for the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education. The committee also took up a consent calendar of three bills earlier in the hearing.
Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from student groups, advocacy organizations, and system representatives, with many speakers describing personal experiences with transfer confusion, delayed aid, mental health crises, disability documentation barriers, housing instability, and online sexual harm. AB 2236 drew support from community college, CSU, UC student associations, and college-opportunity advocates, while the CSU Academic Senate registered opposition. AB 2771 drew a notable exchange over the cost and scope of the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education, with Vice Chair DeMaio opposing the extension on fiscal and bureaucracy grounds; the author responded that the bureau is fee-funded and that its fees had not been raised in years. AB 1734 also prompted skepticism from DeMaio about the survey’s cost, methodology, and whether the work should be competitively bid, though supporters argued the existing California Health Interview Survey infrastructure was the most efficient way to preserve critical food insecurity data after federal cuts.
The committee voted to advance the measures it heard, generally on party-line or near-party-line votes, with several bills held open for additional members to add on. AB 2236, AB 2422, AB 1669, AB 1713, AB 1734, AB 2766, and AB 2212 all received do-pass recommendations and were re-referred to the appropriate policy or fiscal committees. AB 2771 was also moved forward to the Committee on Business and Professions after debate over the bureau’s reauthorization and fee structure. The hearing ended with the committee beginning consideration of AB 2504, the AI-related workforce upskilling pilot for creative industries.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Feb 5th, 2026 at 02:57 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- We had full support of the amendment.
- veterans... ...of much more concerned disabled veterans, veterans with a number of disabilities not
- We strongly support this bill.
- We urge your support. Thank you.
- It was wonderful and to support all the firefighters and in their... ...was wonderful to support all
Summary:
The House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee began by rolling House Bill 132 at the sponsor’s request because amendment language was still being worked on. The committee then proceeded without quorum as a subcommittee until additional members arrived. House Bill 285, as amended, was heard first. The bill was described as a cleanup measure to clarify New Mexico’s disabled veterans property tax exemption, including that it applies to a veteran’s primary residence and how it works for properties with multiple owners. Testimony from New Mexico counties, the Tax and Revenue Department, and the Department of Veterans Services supported the bill, saying it would reduce confusion for assessors and help veterans access the exemption. One member raised broader concerns about housing insecurity among unhoused and renting veterans and asked for interim data on how many veterans would actually benefit, but the committee noted those issues were outside the bill’s scope. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed HB 285 as amended with a do pass recommendation.
The committee then heard House Bill 128, which updates the state’s occupational disease and disablement law for firefighters by expanding the list of covered cancers and related conditions, aligning the state law with newer research and recent federal changes, and standardizing the employment period to five years. The sponsor and supporters said the bill reflects current science, removes outdated age limits for some cancers, and makes it easier for firefighters to receive workers’ compensation without having to prove causation case by case. Firefighters and union representatives gave emotional testimony about personal cancer diagnoses and the burden of fighting insurers while undergoing treatment. The Workers’ Compensation Administration, labor groups, and trial lawyers all supported the measure. Committee members asked about the federal model, the five-year threshold, the impact on rural jurisdictions, and why women’s cancers were not previously included; witnesses explained that the changes reflect updated data and the underrepresentation of women in the fire service. Dr. Dan Wu, speaking online, said firefighter cancer is an epidemic and argued the science supports the bill. The committee then adopted the motion and passed HB 128 with a do pass recommendation before adjourning.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation Apr 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you for your support.
- What was originally intended to be a program that would support severely disabled workers who were then
- Through our support, we're asking you to support this problem through C-1. Thank you. Thank you.
- We support Walmart and Amazon workers across California by providing the resources and support they need
- We support Walmart and Amazon workers across California by providing the resources and support they need
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- homes supporting people with disabilities.<00:37:08.240><c> Enacting</c><00:37:08.880><c> statewide<
- We strongly support the rights of individuals with disabilities to live, to choose to live where and
- I will note that this legislation has the support of the Minnesota Council on Disabilities, which cites
- I support it.
- I I support it. with the amendment. I I support it.
Committee:
Senate Human Services
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- In many cases, a surviving spouse has spent years supporting a disabled veteran through treatment, appointments
- As the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran, I strongly support legislation to create a surviving spouse
- It's frequent check-ins with our claim support team, our client support team.
- It's frequent check-ins with our claim support team, our client support team.
- Parma Lead Disability Advocates and myself, we would be in support of this bill if that definition and
Committee:
House Veterans and Armed Forces
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- broad support from employment-first disability stakeholders, including organizations representing individuals
- receiving services, their families, and those who support them, including disability rights organizations
- We are a provider agency that supports over 350 adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities
- We provide day program, employment support, pre-employment support, independent living, and supported
- supports, and in-home services.
Committee:
House Human Services
Summary:
The Assembly Human Services Committee met as a subcommittee while waiting for quorum and heard several bills related to homelessness, housing, foster youth, domestic violence, disability services, and immigrant legal aid. AB 790, by Assembly Member Avila Farias, would require cities, counties, and continuums of care receiving homelessness funds to develop systems specifically supporting women and children; it drew supportive testimony from New Economics for Women and others and passed unanimously after committee amendments. ACA 4, the Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act by Assembly Member Jackson, would dedicate 5% of the state general fund to affordable housing and homelessness solutions; supporters argued more stable funding is needed, while opponents questioned whether more spending would help, and the measure passed on a 5-2 vote. AB 349, by Assembly Member Dixon, would index the infant supplement for parenting foster youth to inflation, with testimony emphasizing the needs of teen mothers and babies in foster care; it passed unanimously after amendments. AB 779, by Assembly Member Lackey, would expand a domestic violence consultant model in child welfare offices statewide to better support survivors and keep families together; it also passed unanimously after amendments.
The committee also heard AB 1335, by Assembly Member Gonzales, which would remove the CARF outside accreditation requirement for regional center vendored employment programs for people with disabilities and shift oversight to state standards. Supporters said the current accreditation process is costly, duplicative, and a barrier to expanding employment services, while the chair expressed concern about reducing quality checks; the bill was left on call and later reported out on a 5-2 vote. AB 1066, by Assembly Member Castillo, would bar state-funded immigration legal services for undocumented immigrants convicted of specified serious felonies; supporters framed it as a public safety and fiscal responsibility measure, while opponents said it would undermine due process and align California with mass deportation efforts. After extended debate, the bill failed on a 2-2 vote, and a motion for reconsideration also failed.
Two bills were pulled by the author and not heard: AB 277 and AB 318. After the roll was reopened for absent members, the committee finalized the votes on the measures heard earlier, confirming passage of AB 790, ACA 4, AB 349, and AB 779, while AB 1066 remained failed. The meeting then adjourned.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Supporting direct support workers means supporting those children and their families.
- Supporting direct support workers means supporting those children and their families.
- And developmental disabilities, but number two is to those who are caring for them, those direct support
- Please support increasing the waiver rates and direct support worker pay.
- This decision will protect individuals with disabilities and support Louisiana families and reinforce
Committee:
House Appropriations
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Veterans and Military Affairs Division 1/22/25
Veterans and Military Affairs Division
Transcript Highlights:
- disabled disabled the<00:20:59.720><c> disabled</c><00:21:00.159><c> American</c><00:21:00.600><c> veterans
- we strongly support.
- we strongly support. ...system in place to encourage their disabled veterans to get back into the outdoors
- we strongly support.
- We're using level of disability.
Committee:
House Veterans and Military Affairs Division
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 2/13/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> behavioral health fund housing support behavioral health fund housing support general<00:10:57.160
- <00:12:49.519><c> it's</c><00:12:49.720><c> about</c> disabilities it's about disabilities it's about
- </c> authorized and build in the disability authorized and build in the disability waiver<00:17:57.799
- </c> non-residential services in disability non-residential services in disability waiver<00:19:32.200
- Individualized home supports.
Committee:
House Human Services Finance and Policy
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Judiciary (01/29/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a disabled veteran.
- Every disabled veteran’s life has value. Every disabled person has value.
- Every disabled veteran’s life has value. Every disabled person has value.
- Every disabled veteran’s life has value. Every disabled person has value.
- Every disabled veteran’s life has value. Every disabled person has value.
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 199, which would extend the statute of limitations for civil actions seeking damages from PFAS contamination from six years to 20 years. The prime sponsor and other supporters argued that PFAS contamination in southern New Hampshire has long-term and often delayed health and property impacts, making the current six-year period too short for victims to discover harm, connect it to exposure, and seek relief. Supporters described contamination in places such as Merrimack and surrounding communities, cited health concerns including cancer, developmental issues, and other illnesses, and said a longer period would better preserve legal rights while still requiring proof of causation. The Department of Environmental Services said it was not taking a position but acknowledged the contamination and ongoing work to address it. The Business and Industry Association opposed the bill, arguing that evidence becomes stale over time, memories and documents fade, and a longer window would make it harder to determine causation when other exposures or intervening factors may be involved.
Committee members questioned both sides about causation, the difficulty of proving PFAS-related illness, and whether a 20-year period was necessary if a plaintiff already knows of the injury and its source. Supporters responded that PFAS effects can emerge slowly, that scientific understanding continues to develop, and that current knowledge is still incomplete. Opponents said the existing discovery rule already starts the clock when harm and causal connection are known, and that extending the period would reduce clarity and fairness in litigation. After testimony and questions, the chair closed the hearing on HB 199.
The committee then opened House Bill 268 FN, which was described as a technical measure to confirm that the Board of Tax and Land Appeals may hold hearings in its Concord hearing rooms. The sponsor indicated the bill reflects current practice and does not require additional facilities. With only one witness listed and no apparent opposition, the discussion was brief and focused on why the authorization should be placed in statute rather than left to practice.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/19/25 - Part 2
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> bill and we all need to be supporting bill and we all need to be supporting this<00:04:23.120><c
- With that, members, I ask for your support. Thank you. With that, members, I ask for your support.
- So I urge members' support.
- Please support it. Support the commission. Vote green. Thank you.
- I urge member support. All Mr. Speaker. I urge member support.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- We have other criminal codes that criminalize this conduct, codes that the disability community supports
- This bill is supported by disabled people, is opposed by disabled people who have been active in the
- We do small business support in San Francisco, and we strongly support.
- I'm in support. My name is Idalia Lopez. I support.
- They need support.
Committee:
House Public Safety
Summary:
The committee heard several public safety measures. SB 704 by Senator Arreguín would require firearm barrels to be purchased through licensed dealers with a background check, as part of efforts to curb ghost guns. Supporters, including Brady Campaign and the California Police Chiefs Association, said barrels are a key unregulated component used in ghost guns; opponents argued the bill would burden lawful gun owners and would not meaningfully stop criminals. The bill was held for a later vote because the committee did not yet have a quorum when it was heard.
SB 258 by Senator Wahab would remove the remaining spousal rape exception for victims unable to consent because of disability. Support came from prosecutors, sheriffs, and disability service organizations, while disability rights groups and public defender organizations opposed or sought amendments, warning the bill could worsen misunderstandings about consent for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. After extensive testimony, the committee voted 7-0 to pass SB 258 to Appropriations.
Senator Umberg presented SB 27, which would make CARE Court more efficient and expand eligibility to some people with schizophrenia-like conditions and certain mood disorders with psychotic features, including some misdemeanor defendants found incompetent to stand trial. Supporters said it would improve treatment linkage and reduce jail cycling; opponents, including county behavioral health directors and many disability advocates, argued it could make CARE Court more coercive and expand a program they view as ineffective. The committee passed SB 27 on a 7-0 vote. The committee also heard SB 36, a price-gouging measure with a proposed search-warrant expansion, and SB 571, which increases penalties for impersonating emergency personnel and looting during disasters; SB 571 passed on a 4-0 vote, while SB 36 was held on call after mixed testimony and a vote. Later, SB 627 by Senator Wiener, which would restrict masking by law enforcement and federal agents with exceptions for safety and undercover work, drew strong support from immigrant-rights and civil liberties groups and strong opposition from police associations; the transcript ends during that hearing before any final action is shown.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/11/26 - Part 3
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- disabilities. People with disabilities disabilities.
- </c> property or disability discrimination. property or disability discrimination.
- It is about nothing more and nothing less than supporting our neighbors with disabilities, and I hope
- It is about nothing more and nothing less than supporting our neighbors with disabilities, and I hope
- It is about nothing more and nothing less than supporting our neighbors with disabilities, and I hope
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session - Part 1 - 05/18/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I cannot support it.
- I would ask for member support. support. support.
- May be permanently disabled but not totally disabled.
- May be permanently disabled but not totally disabled.
- </c> disability. So, with that, Mr. disability. So, with that, Mr.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Elections Committee Mar 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm here today to voice the commission's strong support for AB 775.
- And we strongly support AB 287 by Assembly Member Lackey.
- This will help elections officials provide the accommodations necessary to support voters with disabilities
- for Californians with disabilities.
- I think about all the veterans that need this type of support.
Summary:
The Assembly Elections Committee met on March 26, 2025, adopted its 2025-26 committee rules, and approved a five-bill consent calendar. The committee then heard several election-related measures focused on transparency, accessibility, and election administration. AB 775 (Fong) would modernize behested payment reporting by extending filing deadlines, requiring direct filing with the FPPC in most cases, and improving online public access; the FPPC chair testified in strong support, and the bill drew no opposition. AB 287 (Lackey) would require vote centers and polling places to provide accessible parking and curbside voting accommodations for voters with disabilities; Los Angeles County election officials and Disability Rights California supported the bill, while LAUSD raised concerns about parking shortages and storage costs and requested amendments. AB 331 (Pellerin) would clarify that certification of election results is a ministerial duty, address misleading ballot return envelopes, and ensure voter information guides reach incarcerated voters in a usable format; the Attorney General’s office sponsored the bill, while the Secretary of State expressed concerns about the feasibility of a state takeover of county canvassing and said it was working on a solution with the author.
The committee members generally supported the bills, emphasizing transparency, voter access, and election integrity. AB 775 and AB 287 both received favorable votes after brief discussion, with members noting the importance of transparency in campaign-related reporting and accessibility for voters with disabilities. AB 331 also passed, though the Secretary of State’s office flagged implementation concerns about the proposed certification backstop and the lack of state equipment and staff to canvass ballots. The chair indicated she would continue working with the Secretary of State and other stakeholders on amendments or a workable remedy.
All items ultimately passed out of committee. AB 775 was approved 5-0 and re-referred to Appropriations, AB 287 passed 6-0, and AB 331 passed 6-0 and was re-referred to Public Safety. The committee also later confirmed the votes of absent members and adjourned after all agenda items were disposed of.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Yeah, for people with disabilities, we are in support of the bill. Thank you.
- again, we support this bill.
- Of people with disabilities, the only way that someone with a disability would leave said voucher is
- I support several things that were said today. Our organization supports the Section 8 program.
- In support of HB2985.
Bills:
HB164 , HB164 , HB411 , HB627 , HB 1226 , HB1677 , HB1865 , HB1997 , HB2985 , HB3462 , HB4188 , HB4685 , HB4840 , HB5370 , HB5424 , HB5466 , HB5509 , HB5660 , HB5673
Committee:
House Intergovernmental Affairs
Keywords:
HB 164, HB164, Texas Flood Recovery, Reimbursement, and Reconstruction Program, Texas Division of Emergency Management, TDEM, Hill Country floods, July 2025 floods, flood recovery, disaster relief, flood reimbursement, reconstruction grants, resiliency standards, floodplain, base flood elevation, FEMA, Federal Emergency Management Agency, insurance denial, property damage, tenant assistance, rental property
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Assembly Education Committee and Senate Education Committee Jan 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the consequences of inadequate support for students with disabilities
- My sister, who has a learning disability, struggled tremendously due to the lack of tailored support.
- so that, in the future, schools know which students with disabilities need the greatest support and
- If this bill were to be enacted, students with different disabilities could receive the support that
- If this bill were to be enacted, students with different disabilities could receive the support that
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Senate Education Committee and Assembly Education Committee Jan 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Which is on supporting students with disabilities.
- My sister, who has a learning disability, struggled tremendously due to the lack of tailored support.
- But giving educators Specific disabilities to better support students with special needs.
- If this bill were to be enacted, students with different disabilities could receive the support that
- If this bill were to be enacted, students with different disabilities could receive the support that
Summary:
The annual joint Senate and Assembly Education Committee hearing featured student proposals from the California Association of Student Councils and SABLE, with opening remarks from legislators emphasizing student voice and the value of hearing youth ideas. Committee members noted the hearing was being streamed and that they would review the testimony even though some members could not attend because of fog-related travel issues. The first panel proposed an annual civic engagement day for grades 7-12, with flexible school-led activities such as discussions, mock elections, and voter registration-related events. Members generally praised the idea but raised concerns about costs, instructional time tradeoffs, how to evaluate effectiveness, and whether the proposal should better connect to existing civics standards and local curriculum.
The second panel proposed amending Education Code Section 35012 to require at least one student board member in every unified and high school district, with added training and the right to make motions. Legislators supported student representation in principle but questioned whether the proposal should require one or two student members to avoid board tie issues, why some districts do not already have student trustees, and how the mandate would be funded if it became a state requirement. They also raised technical concerns about the scope of motioning power and the fiscal impact of converting a voluntary local practice into a statewide mandate.
Later panels proposed adding middle school financial literacy instruction, expanding restorative justice practices, and creating more structured mental health education time. On financial literacy, students suggested integrating finance into existing middle school classes and teacher training over time; members worried about curriculum overload and suggested aligning the idea with the already-approved high school finance course. On restorative justice, students proposed a CDE task force and training for PPS-certified staff; legislators discussed prior related bills, confidentiality concerns in discipline hearings, and the likely cost of a state task force. On mental health, students proposed short, twice-semester classroom sessions focused on coping skills and awareness of resources, but members questioned whether such brief lessons could be effective and suggested that wellness centers, student-led awareness, and outside referrals might be more practical. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with encouragement for students to refine their proposals and follow up with legislators.