Video & Transcript Research : 'youth programming'
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HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EDN/HED Joint Public Hearing - Thu Mar 20, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, as Youth Food Council adviser.
- So, it's a true example of youth-led policy at work.
- /c> farm-toschool programs support student farm-toschool programs support student health,<00:40:07.599
- nutritious food for our youth to eat. nutritious food for our youth to eat.
- Well, that's a grant program.
Summary:
The joint committees on Education and Higher Education first heard HCR 75 and HR 67, which ask the Department of Education and the University of Hawaiʻi to assess criteria for building an educational pipeline and curriculum for advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity. The Department of Education said it would stand on its written testimony, and UH supported the measure, noting existing community college and four-year programs related to the topic. Members asked how DOE promotes cybersecurity opportunities and whether it provides funding; DOE said schools usually connect with partners and its office works with them, but it does not have separate funding for such efforts. UH also explained that some advanced manufacturing concepts may overlap with 3D printing, material sciences, and entrepreneurship, and described P20 as a forum for aligning K-12 and higher education pathways. The committees then recessed the joint hearing and moved to the Education Committee agenda.
The committee next heard HCR 46 and HR 39, which would make DOE recreational facilities available to the public during non-peak hours and non-school days. DOE said it already uses facilities agreements with insurance, liability waivers, indemnification, and certificates of insurance to protect schools. The Attorney General opposed the resolutions, warning that unrestricted public use without safeguards could create substantial liability and cost risks for the state. The measure’s introducer said the goal was to help underserved communities that lack access to public recreation spaces, and DOE said it would be open to joint-use arrangements with larger organizations but remained concerned about vandalism and liability.
The committee also heard HCR 86 and HR 80 on creating an Aloha Civics working group, with DOE offering comments and Common Cause Hawaiʻi strongly supporting the idea. DOE described a civic learning and engagement task force that met with stakeholders, including UH and the PACE Commission, and produced recommendations such as building partnership inventories, integrating civic learning across grade levels, and aligning the work with DOE’s HA framework and learner outcomes. Common Cause said civic education can be implemented effectively and affordably, citing existing school projects such as ranked-choice voting and classroom constitutions.
Later, the committee took up HCR 87 and HR 81, urging an annual Climate Week in public schools. DOE again stood on written comments, while the Climate Change and Health Working Group, Climate Future Forum, a student from Kaimuki High School, and other supporters argued that a dedicated week would ensure consistent climate education, build resilience, and connect climate issues to health, food security, and disaster preparedness. Supporters said existing climate-related opportunities are uneven across schools and that a formal Climate Week would create a more equitable approach. The committee then heard HCR 95 and HR 91 on informing students about changes to gun safety and storage laws; DOE asked for clarification on the measure’s intended outcome, and one individual testified in support.
Finally, the committee heard HCR 104 and HR 100 on strengthening farm-to-school initiatives. DOE said it is already working to improve menus, emphasize local products, and meet with distributors to increase local procurement, while the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience offered food science, nutrition, and extension support. Climate Future Forum, the Hawaii Youth Food Council, and other supporters said farm-to-school efforts are important for student health, local farmers, and food sovereignty, noting that local food procurement in schools remains far below the state’s 30% by 2030 goal. DOE explained it is trying to provide distributors and farmers with more predictable demand and is meeting with distributors to set up next year’s supply chain.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Human Services Committee May 1st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And so we now know, given the data, which programs work and which programs don't work.
- So, and I saw, you know, the programs. I worked in those programs, and I saw...
- The programs I worked in, and I saw a lot of money being put into programs that didn't help that many
- How large is this program?
- Well, my dad came here through the Bracero program. Yeah. program?
Summary:
The Assembly Human Services Committee met with quorum established after beginning as a subcommittee. The committee heard AB 790, which would require jurisdictions receiving state homelessness funds to develop systems specifically supporting women and children, especially single mothers and survivors of domestic violence. Supporters said current homelessness programs overlook this population; the bill was amended and passed unanimously on a 7-0 vote. The committee also heard ACA 4, the Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act, which would dedicate a minimum share of the state general fund to affordable housing and homelessness programs. Supporters argued more stable funding is needed to address the housing crisis, while opponents questioned whether more spending would help; the measure passed 5-2 to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Members then heard AB 349, which would index the infant supplement for parenting foster youth to inflation. The author and sponsor described the needs of pregnant and parenting teens in foster care and rising costs for diapers and formula; the bill passed 6-0 to Appropriations. AB 779, which expands a domestic violence consultant pilot in child welfare offices statewide, also passed 6-0 after testimony that it would help keep families together safely and improve trauma-informed responses. AB 1335, which would remove a private CARF accreditation requirement for regional center employment programs and rely on state oversight instead, drew support from disability service providers but opposition from the chair over concerns about weakening quality checks; it failed on a 2-2 vote and reconsideration was denied.
The committee also considered AB 1066, a bill to bar state-funded immigration legal services for people unlawfully present in the country who have certain serious felony convictions. Supporters framed it as a public-safety and fiscal-responsibility measure, while opponents said it would restrict due process and align California with mass-deportation policies. The bill failed on a 2-2 vote. Two bills, AB 277 and AB 318, were pulled by the author and not heard. After final roll calls on absent members, the committee adjourned.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- It transferred programs from the Departments of Human Services, Education, and Public Safety.
- ,<00:16:21.680>
and Department of Children, Youth, and Department of Children, Youth, and - <00:16:31.920>
It of children, youth and families. It of children, youth and families. - programs from the transferred programs from the departments<00:16:33.920>
of <00:16:34.079> - <00:17:15.199>
and conforming changes for programs and conforming changes for programs and
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Health and Human Services Oversight Committee (04/25/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- And the intent of the program, there's the adult component and then there's a youth component.
- youth component. youth component.
- We had a requirement to start at the beginning of the year for youth, and we wanted to lift up both programs
- and internal programs. and internal programs.
- The Slurp program programs like Slurp.
Summary:
The committee first handled roll call and approved the prior meeting minutes. Members discussed attendance and substitutions, then moved to the DHS commissioner’s update, which focused on New Hampshire’s Medicaid 1115 waiver and the new community re-entry initiative for people leaving correctional facilities. The presenter explained that the waiver lets the state cover certain services not normally covered under Medicaid, including substance use disorder treatment, serious mental illness services, adult dental benefits, and the new community re-entry component. She also noted that a separate youth re-entry component is federally required, with youth defined up to age 21 and foster-care-related coverage extending to age 26.
The update described how the adult re-entry program works for incarcerated individuals with behavioral health needs, providing up to 45 days of pre-release services, care coordination with managed care organizations and DOC staff, telemedicine assessments, discharge prescriptions, insurance cards, and connections to community mental health, primary care, and substance use providers. For youth, the program includes more intensive case management, 30 days of pre-release services, and 30 days of post-release care coordination, with a stronger emphasis on screening, diagnosis, and holistic assessment. The presenter said New Hampshire received the adult waiver in July 2024, has implemented the program in state correctional facilities, and is beginning work at the youth center.
Members and the presenter discussed why the program is structured as a waiver rather than a standard Medicaid benefit, with the explanation that CMS is allowing this as a newer policy area and that states generally pursue waivers for certain services. The chair and others emphasized the need for real cost and outcome data, and the presenter said an independent evaluator and evaluation plan are required under the 1115 waiver. Early results cited included 30 adults enrolled so far, 10 released, five youth enrolled with one released, and anecdotal early successes such as housing, employment, and better continuity of medication and treatment. The committee did not take any additional votes or formal actions beyond approving the minutes.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill also exempts foster youth and former foster youth with unsatisfactory immigration status until
- It's not government-run necessarily; the governor's office administers the program, but the program will
- We appreciate the legislature's exemption of immigrant foster youth and former foster youth.
- While we appreciate that the budget does not subject foster youth and former foster youth to Medi-Cal
- Foster youth, veterans, and seniors.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
2026 Joint Budget Subcommittee on Human Services and Labor - 03/18/2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It was paid through the workers' comp assessment program.
- We have also worked on the CHIP program for the blue stamp theft program and joined the Governor in her
- Which programs they are committed to funding.
- We have to be investing in our youth, and that we want to do the pilots for a year-round youth employment
- program and will build on the SYP program, and we are pleased we have included that in the budget.
Summary:
The Human Services and Labor budget hearing opened with Senate and Assembly co-chairs introducing members and naming secretaries for the record. The agencies covered included Human Services, Labor, Temporary and Disability Assistance, Children and Family Services, Veterans Services, Human Rights, Workers’ Compensation, the Welfare Inspector General, and the Public Employment Relations Board. Members then gave brief statements on their priorities for the upcoming budget negotiations.
A major theme was affordability, with repeated discussion of child care, SNAP, housing, and worker supports. Senators and Assembly members highlighted the Senate and Assembly one-house proposals for a $500 million child care worker retention grant program, additional child care slots and subsidies, cost-of-living adjustments for human services workers, and expanded support for supportive housing, youth employment, HEAP, and energy affordability. Several members also emphasized food insecurity and SNAP-related issues, including funding to address payment errors, prevent penalties, expand SNAP education, and respond to expected federal changes.
Labor-related issues included workers’ compensation fraud, wage theft enforcement, workplace violence, temporary disability insurance reform, and the creation of dedicated enforcement funding for the Department of Labor. Some members supported using workers’ compensation assessments or insurance-company-related funding to pay for anti-fraud efforts, while others preferred grants to district attorneys or broader DOL enforcement. There was also discussion of occupational health clinics, labor standards in any SEQRA changes, and expanding access to doctors in the workers’ compensation system.
Veterans, child care, and public assistance fraud prevention were also discussed, including funding for veterans legal defense and mental health services, microchip/secure EBT cards to reduce skimming, and restoring or protecting various programs. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded with the chairs stating that the Senate, Assembly, and Executive would continue negotiations toward a final budget.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Labor and Industrial Relations May 7th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Apprentice Program and to provide for related matters.
- I'm the Senior Director of Policy and Impact for Youth Force.
- The expectation is that Louisiana youth apprentices, The expectation is that Louisiana youth apprentices
- The bill does not create a new program.
- programs.
Summary:
The House Labor and Industrial Relations Committee met on May 7, 2026, and first deferred several measures, including House Bill 460, Senate Bill 322, Senate Bill 32, Senate Bill 22, and House Bill 561. The committee then took up House Bill 819 by Chairman Cruz, which would replace Louisiana’s current workers’ compensation medical treatment schedule with the Official Disability Guidelines (ODG) by MCG as the primary guideline, while keeping the existing variance and appeal process. Cruz and MCG representative Troy Prevo argued that ODG is more comprehensive, updated more frequently, and used in many states, and said it could reduce delays, disability duration, and costs. Dr. Jason Picard, the state medical director, testified that Louisiana already uses ODG as a secondary reference in many cases because the state schedule lacks coverage for some body parts and treatments, and said the bill would not otherwise change the appeals process or care delivery.
Committee members focused heavily on whether the bill would delay care or improve it. Several members questioned the private-company nature of ODG, the $400 annual subscription cost, and whether Louisiana doctors would be forced to rely on an out-of-state guideline. Rep. Glorioso and others raised concerns about preauthorization delays and proposed amendments to create tacit approval when treatment follows the schedule, require payment within 30 days, and make the carrier prove by clear and convincing evidence that care was not medically necessary to challenge it. Chairman Cruz said he was willing to work with those ideas, and the committee also discussed adding an on-ramp or legacy language so current patients would not be disrupted.
Opposition testimony came from injured-worker advocates and representatives of medical and labor groups, including Joseph Jola St. and Robin Krumholt. They argued that Louisiana’s current guidelines are already working, that rates have fallen over time, and that the real problem is delay in approval rather than the content of the schedule. They said ODG is overly rigid, cost-driven, and can lead to denials that shift costs to workers, Medicaid, or private health insurance. They urged the committee to keep Louisiana’s existing system and instead adopt tacit approval under current law. The bill was still under discussion at the close of the transcript, with amendments being read and no final vote shown.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I also currently serve as the 45th Minnesota Youth Secretary of State and a 2025 National Youth Advocate
- ABE programs may be approved for up to six years under this change.
- Current statute limits ABE program approval to only up to five years.
- available that require a six-year program term.
- This can be for programs administered by the Ministry of Health.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance May 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- As you all know, 4H program is the largest positive youth development program in the United States, reaching
- And that was a college and a career preparedness program teaching a lot of the soft skills that youth
- Um, so we have a lot of different programs within 4H that that in for youth education in schools that
- , camps, activities that we can better integrate into our youth programming through 4H.
- youth we've also got to do after school programs and in-school programs outside of 4H, but that is our
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Children and Family Law (01/15/2026)
Children and Family Law
Transcript Highlights:
- In both statutes, a youth...
- <00:07:47.440>
personal promoting the youth personal promoting the youth personal responsibility - In both statutes, a youth may be placed on conditional release, which is a term of probationary status
- Well, just to give more context, conditional release is basically five conditions in which the youth
- on with the youth policy advocacy group. on with the youth policy advocacy group.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Judiciary Committee Apr 29th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- essentially the program again.
- into this program before it starts.
- A lot has been learned since 2008, when the program ended.
- working on the Local Housing Trust Fund program as well.
- It's actually a return to the original rules of the program.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several bills related to reproductive access, child safety online, immigration enforcement in schools, health privacy, location data, digital provenance, reparations, and age assurance. AB 54 would protect the medication abortion supply chain and shield providers and others from liability; AB 1137 would strengthen reporting and enforcement tools for child sexual abuse material on social media; AB 49 would limit ICE activity at California public schools; AB 82 would expand privacy and safety protections for gender-affirming care patients and providers; AB 1355 would restrict the collection, use, and sale of precise location data; AB 853 would expand provenance requirements for AI-generated and authentic content; AB 62 would create a pathway for restitution for racially biased eminent domain takings; and AB 1043 would create a device-based age assurance framework for online services.
Supporters generally framed the bills as necessary responses to current harms: reproductive rights advocates emphasized California’s role as a safe haven; child safety witnesses described the persistence and re-victimization caused by CSAM online; immigrant rights and education advocates said schools should remain safe from immigration enforcement; health and LGBTQ+ advocates stressed privacy and safety risks tied to tracking and harassment; privacy and consumer groups backed limits on location data and stronger provenance tools; and reparations advocates said AB 62 would help address historic injustices. Opposition came from family policy, tech, business, law enforcement, and industry groups, who raised concerns about safety claims, constitutional issues, implementation burdens, transparency, law enforcement access, and the need to preserve existing privacy frameworks and voluntary standards.
The committee members largely expressed support for the policy goals while noting implementation concerns on some measures. Several members asked for or were offered coauthor status on bills. AB 1137, AB 54, AB 49, AB 82, AB 1355, AB 853, and AB 62 all received do-pass votes to Appropriations, with some members voting no or not voting on certain bills. AB 1355 and AB 853 were advanced with amendments or ongoing work promised with opponents, and AB 1043 was presented with discussion of possible amendments on parental consent and age assurance details, though the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 3 on Health and Human Services May 28th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I also want to uplift a program that we've been advocating for.
- We hope for the continued funding of this vital program. Thank you.
- The California Parent and Youth has provided vital emotional support to parents, children, and youth
- We hope for the continued funding of this vital program. Thank you. Thanks.
- These are all programs that keep older Californians in their homes and communities.
Summary:
The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Human Services held its final hearing on the budget, with the chair framing the Senate’s plan as a counterproposal that rejected major cuts and preserved revenues. Public comment was overwhelmingly supportive of the subcommittee’s actions, with advocates, counties, providers, and community groups thanking members for rejecting or delaying proposed cuts to Medi-Cal asset limits, immigrant coverage and premiums, IHSS, PACE, APS, behavioral health advocacy and innovation grants, mobile crisis services, and certain dental and provider payment reductions. Speakers also urged additional funding or trailer bill changes for county eligibility work, public hospitals, indigent care, CalFresh outreach and food benefits, child care slots and COLAs, legal services for immigrants, and long-term services and supports.
A major theme was the Senate’s “Be Home Soon” proposal, which many disability, aging, home care, and health care organizations praised as a way to shift care from institutions to home- and community-based settings. Testimony also supported restoring or maintaining funding for behavioral health programs, including 988/mobile crisis infrastructure, community advocacy contracts, and Title IV-E workforce funding. Several county and provider groups asked the committee to consider alternative proposals related to H.R. 1 impacts, Medi-Cal coverage losses, and county indigent care costs, while others requested continued work on public hospital support, CFAP expansion, and implementation details for child care and IHSS.
The subcommittee then took three votes on grouped budget items. The first consent block, covering a large set of items, passed 3-0. The second block passed 2-1, with Senator Grove voting no. The final block passed 3-0. The hearing concluded with the chair stating the subcommittee had done its part and adjourning the meeting.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight committee (10-9-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- three shared-use equipment programs, $31,000 and some change, one youth incentives program totaling about
- >
program <00:09:52.000>totaling um youth a incentives program totaling um youth a incentives - program.
- Programs that participate programs.
- program? program?
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:00:09
Approval of Minutes 00:00:48
KOAP Report 00:01:09
Update from CHFS 00:20:27, 958, all
Summary:
The meeting opened with a quorum, approval of the September 18, 2025 minutes, and a staff update on recent tobacco settlement-funded agriculture activities. The agriculture side highlighted Commissioner Shell’s outreach, including school visits, farm visits, and speaking engagements in Kentucky and a trip to Tennessee to discuss program models. A representative also described a national conference in Iowa, where Kentucky’s agriculture finance program was praised as a $180 million loan program built with tobacco settlement funds. The board noted September approvals totaling $950,000 for the agriculture development board and $3.3 million for the finance corporation, along with staff activity such as site visits, program closures, and project reports. The board also announced that the KKMP report covering 2015-2022 would be distributed and that the annual report, marking the program’s 25th anniversary, was being prepared.
The board then reviewed two featured projects. The Organic Association of Kentucky requested $425,000 for organic producer support, but the board approved only one year of funding at $29,000, with members noting concern about recurring applicants and the need to evaluate long-term funding. The second project, by Joseph Dale Bentley in Lewis County, sought $51,300 to expand a small ruminant facility for goat production and export. Members were particularly interested because the project was already operating and creating market opportunities for Kentucky goat producers; the board approved half the project cost to help expand infrastructure and potentially allow quarantining on site.
The cabinet then presented its annual update on tobacco settlement fund use in public health. Julie Brooks, Sarah Johnson, and Andrea Day reported on the HANS home visitation program, tobacco prevention and cessation efforts, lung cancer screening, and early childhood oral health. HANS served more families in FY25, rising from 6,293 to 6,715, and increased services from 139,943 to over 143,000. Tobacco prevention and cessation programs continued to support Quit Now Kentucky and My Life, My Quit, though officials noted federal uncertainty and the loss of federal tobacco control infrastructure. They also reported a slight decline in student outreach and cessation requests, but continued demand from schools and communities for vaping and nicotine prevention support. Lung cancer screening expanded to 55 screens, with Kentucky cited as a model for other states due to improved incidence, survival, and early detection rates. Early oral health efforts continued through local health departments, with more trainings for public health nurses, continued varnish kits, and expanded support for dental graduates and hygiene teams.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Jan 14th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- That's why sustained support of the SAFE program is essential.
- Next, we have the alcohol testing program.
- in residential commitment programs.
- Next is uniforms for detention staff and youth.
- He said it is important that youth have many avenues for success.
Keywords:
cognitive function, psychotropic drugs, violent offenders, autopsy procedures, medical records, school safety, public records, open government, sunshine law, victims of dating violence, domestic violence, address confidentiality program, confidential address, voter registration, voting records, elections, supervisor of elections, Department of State, Attorney General, privacy
Summary:
The committee first heard a presentation on the Governor’s fiscal year 2026-27 public safety budget, which totals about $8.2 billion within a $117.4 billion overall state budget. Caitlin Dawkins of the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget outlined funding and reductions across the public safety silo, including the Department of Corrections, Juvenile Justice, FDLE, Legal Affairs, the courts, and related entities. Agency heads then presented their requests, with FDLE seeking funding for fentanyl enforcement, career offender registry staffing, alert system upgrades, alcohol testing equipment, officer mental health, criminal alien detection, and statutory staffing needs; DJJ requesting money for the Florida Scholars Academy, uniforms, residential contract rate increases, a new Broward detention center, and facility maintenance; and DOC requesting major funding for correctional officer pay increases, 500 additional FTE, facility construction and maintenance, communications and security technology, offender information system modernization, inmate health care, pharmaceuticals, and food service. Members discussed staffing shortages, prison conditions, immigration enforcement, public records burdens, mental health and substance use treatment, and the need for continued investment in corrections. A member of the public also testified about poor conditions in some prisons, including clothing, food, medical care, and maintenance issues.
The committee then considered and passed CS/SB 156, the Jason Rayner Act, which would clarify that a person may not resist a law enforcement officer with violence when the officer is performing official duties and would increase penalties in cases involving violence against officers. The bill sponsor described the case of Officer Jason Rayner and said the measure was intended to prevent defendants from using claims about unlawful detention or arrest to justify violence. An amendment conforming the bill’s language was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably after support was noted from several law enforcement and municipal groups.
Next, the committee passed CS/SB 54, which addresses use of substances affecting cognitive function. An amendment narrowed the medical-records language to records relevant to investigations of violent offenders and clarified privacy protections. The bill was then reported favorably. The committee also passed CS/SB 296, the Haven Act, which would direct a study of a secure web-based alert system for domestic violence victims so they can contact 911 without alerting an abuser, and would expand the Address Confidentiality Program to include dating violence victims. Testimony from survivors and advocates emphasized the danger victims face when trying to leave abusive situations. Finally, the committee passed CS/SB 298, the public-records companion bill, which extends confidentiality protections for participants in the Address Confidentiality Program to dating violence victims as well. All three bills were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned after no further business.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Suicide is on the rise for youth.
- Suicide is on the rise for youth. Suicide is on the rise for youth.
- My<00:05:27.840>
graduate <00:05:28.280>program <00:05:28.680>will <00:05:28.800> - here as we are looking at programming here as we are looking at programming and<00:31:13.400>
- <00:59:43.560>
mental students coming back from youth mental students coming back from youth
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
Transcript Highlights:
- We certainly have many people who leave our programs and go on to state-operated programs.
- We certainly have many people who leave our programs and go on to state operator programs.
- Thank you for having visited our programs. No problem.
- Okay, up next we have Tammy Mello with the Key Program.
- Okay, up next we have Tammy Mello with the Key Program.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities held a hearing focused on accessibility-related legislation, with the chairs emphasizing ASL and CART accessibility and asking testifiers to speak slowly and clearly. The committee heard testimony first on H.223/S.130, a bill to establish a livable wage for community-based human service workers by reducing the pay gap with state employees. Providers’ Council, Communities for People, the Key Program, and BAMSI all supported the bill, describing persistent wage disparities, high vacancy and turnover rates, and the impact on continuity of care for children, youth, and families. Witnesses said the bill would help recruitment and retention and stabilize services across the Commonwealth.
The committee then heard extensive testimony on H.224/S.160, the ACE Act, which would create a dedicated funding source to improve accessibility in the creative economy. Arts organizations and advocates, including Community Access to the Arts, Abilities Dance Boston, Jacob’s Pillow, the Multicultural Arts Center, Northampton Community Music Center, Mass Creative, Open Door Arts, and Monkey House, described barriers such as inaccessible buildings, lack of ASL interpretation and captioning, inadequate lifts and backstage access, and the high cost of renovations. Testifiers said the bill would help smaller and historic institutions make physical and programmatic improvements and allow people with disabilities to participate as artists, workers, and audiences.
The committee also heard testimony on H.4180, which would require DDS to consider neuropsychological evaluations when determining eligibility for intellectual disability services. Parents and advocates argued that IQ cutoffs alone can miss significant functional needs, especially for autistic adults and others with complex developmental profiles, and urged broader access to DDS supports. Additional testimony supported S.101 on closed captioning and telecommunications in public areas, and S.158 on requiring restaurants to have some chairs with arms to better accommodate physically disabled and older patrons. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair adjourned after hearing from the scheduled witnesses and noting a few signups that were not present.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 03/05/25
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:19:42.720>
against we don't want to pit programs against we don't want to pit programs - <00:32:21.919>
administrator am currently the program administrator am currently the program - They all stay with the youth, and they work directly with the youth during the entire time they're in
- security Grant Grant programs security Grant Grant programs Minnesota's Minnesota's Minnesota's
- in 2019 2021 and 2023 this program in 2019 2021 and 2023 this program<01:46:35.400>
has <01:46
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/26
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- program to start with? program to start with?
- how would you sustain this program? how would you sustain this program?
- And so I think this is nothing against the program. I think the program is great.
- Lastly, section three of the bill makes changes to our state's youth assertive community treatment program
- Lastly, section three of the bill makes changes to our state's youth assertive community treatment program
Keywords:
pediatric care, hospital discharge, home care, healthcare accessibility, nursing services, family support, mental health, crisis services, Dakota County, mobile crisis response, public safety, treatment services, rehabilitation, behavioral health fund, client eligibility, home and community-based services, case management, waiver services, county services, disability advocacy
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 087 Apr 11th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This amount shall be from the Colorado foster youth successful transition to adulthood grant program
- of Children, Youth and Families re-entry services line item. parole<01:08:51.040>
program <01: - An estimated $47,433 shall be from the Youth Services Program Fund created in section 26-6.8-102, C.R.S
- >
Services <02:04:55.760>Institutional <02:04:56.320>Programs of Youth Services - Institutional Programs of Youth Services Institutional Programs Program<02:04:57.119>
Administration
Summary:
The House convened with a quorum, approved the prior journal, and heard several brief recognitions before moving to business. Members welcomed foster care advocates for Child Abuse Prevention Month, Girl Scouts visiting the Capitol, and participants in Black Maternal Health Week, with remarks emphasizing foster youth voice, leadership development, and the need for culturally competent maternal health care and doula/midwife support.
The chamber then took up House Joint Resolution 1026, honoring former Governor Roy Romer and designating a portion of I-25 as the Governor Roy Romer Memorial Highway. Supporters highlighted Romer’s long public service, his work on education and infrastructure, and his role in major state projects. A proposed amendment to strike the word “memorial” was withdrawn, the House suspended the rules to allow Romer to speak from the well, and Romer offered remarks about legislative collegiality and the importance of democracy and listening to opposing views.
House Joint Resolution 1026 was adopted on a 60-0 vote, with four excused and one absent. After a brief recess, the House returned to special orders and resumed reading House Bill 1410 at length, continuing through extensive appropriations language for the Department of Human Services, including child welfare, youth services, Medicaid-related transfers, SNAP and benefits administration, and other funding line items. No final action on House Bill 1410 was taken in the portion provided.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- The RSVP program, retired senior volunteer program, is a program for retired seniors.
- It's a program for retired seniors.
- I don't know anything about this program.
- It amends an existing program for evaluations for the Arkansas Aware program for mental health awareness
- It amends an existing program for evaluations for the Arkansas Aware program for mental health awareness
Summary:
The PEER Review Subcommittee met to consider a large agenda of budget, appropriation, transfer, and contract items. Members approved temporary appropriation requests for several agencies, including the Auditor of State, Department of Education, and Labor and Licensing; ARPA return requests from Workforce Services; Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests for State Police and Agriculture; restricted reserve transfers for teacher scholarships, school facilities, and economic stimulus; a Commerce reallocation of positions and spending authority; cash fund, budget classification, overtime, and pay plan requests; and 17 methods of finance items for universities and other agencies. Most items were approved without objection after brief explanations from staff and agencies.
Several items drew questions and were held or discussed further. A Department of Human Services discretionary grant package for the RSVP program was held over after Senator Irvin raised concerns about whether the grants were an effective use of state general revenue and asked for more information on administration costs and program operations. In the contracts section, Representative Richardson questioned a DHS sole-source contract with EMS Link for document management software and a DHS contract with Presidio; the EMS Link item was held for additional answers, while the Presidio item was clarified as not sole-source and was allowed to proceed. Members also asked for more information on a Department of Education mental health referral contract with Care Solace, which officials said is a statewide concierge/referral service connecting students to Arkansas providers and telehealth options.
The committee also reviewed monthly reports, including the Medicaid Trust Fund. DHS and DFA officials said the fund was currently sufficient to finish the fiscal year, though it was being drawn down and would likely require a $100 million transfer from restricted reserves in FY27, with another $100 million set aside in the governor’s budget as a backstop. Members discussed the need to define a minimum reserve level and to better account for ongoing Medicaid costs in the budget. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.