Transcript Highlights:

• It defines grooming behaviors based on pattern and intent, a criminal offense for harmful communications
• It defines grooming predatory behavior.
• Um grooming means behavior that seeks to prepare a minor to engage in sexual conduct.
• Um grooming<01:45:37.760><c> means</c><01:45:38.000><c> behavior</c><01:45:38.400><c> that</c><01:45:
• 38.639><c> seeks</c><01:45:38.960><c> to</c> grooming means behavior that seeks to grooming means behavior

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, the whole bill is about grooming, and now you're changing the definition of grooming in the
• MDE investigations and grooming. Grooming is always intentional.
• Delayed disclosure is common in grooming Delayed disclosure is common in grooming and<00:13:05.200><c
• . grooming. grooming.
• </c> of grooming, and it it takes a pattern. of grooming, and it it takes a pattern.

Bills: HF3119

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: teacher compensation, educational staff, unlicensed staff, minimum wage, inflation adjustment, education finance

Transcript Highlights:

• I was vulnerable um to grooming as well.
• of behavior from being criminalized.
• We do not want to criminalize that type of behavior. >> Thank you.
• I'm a little concerned about, on page three, grooming behavior being defined as a course of conduct directed
• And so now we're going to behavior.

Committee: House Judiciary

Bills: HB111 , HB103 , HB109 , HB128 , HJM2 , HJM3 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB49 , HB60 , HB108 , HB120 , HB124 , HB145 , HB154 , HB158 , HB164 , HB180 , HB291 , HJR6 , HJR7 , HR1 , HJM1 , HM13 , HM47

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• This behavior not only sexualizes children, but it also desensitizes them to sexual activity and can
• be used as part of a grooming process in which offenders attempt to normalize sexual behavior as a prelude
• The behavior I described is what we want to address.
• More frankly, it's essentially the grooming type of behavior where an offender will masturbate or perform
• So when we talk about this sort of precursor behavior or grooming behavior, if there is later discovered

Bills: HB2146 , HB2349 , HB2430 , HB2457 , HB2510 , HB2532

Committee: House Community Safety

Keywords: sexual exploitation, minors, human trafficking, child safety, law enforcement, victim support, sexually violent predator, SVP, civil commitment, community notification, release notification, conditional release, unconditional discharge, escape notification, victim notification, witness notification, prosecuting attorney, Department of Social and Health Services, DSHS, Department of Corrections

Transcript Highlights:

• There will be clear rules to stop neglect and bad behavior.
• Grooming doesn't happen overnight. It happens when warning signs are missed. It happened.
• Grooming doesn't happen overnight. It happens when warning signs are missed.
• Jarrell Davis was a 36-year-old adult who groomed her, impregnated her, and was later charged with her
• Any past behavior can be the reason for neglect, even if you have fixed that behavior.

Committee: House House Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The special committee on government convened to discuss child welfare reform, with members framing the meeting as a response to Arizona Auditor General findings and broader concerns about the Department of Child Safety (DCS). The chair emphasized that the committee’s goal was to improve accountability, oversight, and child-centered practices rather than assign blame, and said bills advanced from the committee would move to the floor. Roll was taken, and the committee then heard testimony on several bills focused on foster care and DCS operations. HB 2611 was heard first. The bill would require termination of a group foster home employee who tests positive on a drug screen, establish screening and safety requirements for group homes, expand foster youth rights, and include designated advocates on family/service teams. An amendment was adopted that changed the drug-testing language to require removal from child contact pending confirmatory review rather than automatic termination, and to require testing after certain incidents. Supporters, including foster youth and former foster youth, described unsafe conditions in group homes, bullying, drug use by staff, inadequate training, and the need for posted rights, mental health services, and stronger accountability. Some members raised questions about the amendment, drug-testing procedures, backup staffing, and contracting authority, but the amendment passed and HB 2611 was given a do pass recommendation by a 5-1-1 vote. The committee next considered HB 2035, which would add extended family members to the search, notification, and placement process when a child enters custody and create a presumption that placement with relatives or significant adults is in the child’s best interest. Testimony strongly favored kinship placement, with speakers arguing that children do better with familiar caregivers and that current practice often fails to locate or prioritize relatives. Several witnesses described tragic cases, including the death of Zariah Finley Dodd, to argue that repeated placements and congregate care increase risk. Some members questioned whether the bill duplicated existing law and asked for clarification on differences from prior legislation; the sponsor said the bill strengthens existing policy and adds written documentation requirements. HB 2035 was ultimately given a do pass recommendation by a 4-2 vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 4049, which would authorize DCS to employ legal counsel and incur legal expenses, along with an amendment that would require independent representation or review in certain cases involving credible allegations against DCS or its agents. The sponsor and several witnesses argued that the Attorney General’s office has a structural conflict when representing DCS, and that independent counsel would better ensure honesty and accountability in court proceedings. Others cautioned that keeping representation within the Attorney General’s office preserves consistency, oversight, and existing checks and balances. Discussion continued on the structure of legal representation for DCS, but the transcript ends before a final vote on HB 4049 is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• behavior.
• threat</c><00:34:53.760><c> assessment</c> comes to behavioral threat assessment comes to behavioral
• Might be on a concerning behavior.
• These are the grooming crimes from House File 3489.
• </c> grooming crimes from House File 3489. grooming crimes from House File 3489.

Bills: HF4446 , HF4066 , HF1082

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: public safety officer, survivor benefits, line of duty death, occupational cancer, firefighter, police officer, paramedic, EMT, correctional officer, first responder, workers' compensation, death benefits, occupational exposure, carcinogen, cancer presumption, mesothelioma, leukemia, lung cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD

Transcript Highlights:

• an improper relationship between an educator and a student, as well as those convicted of child grooming
• Additionally, child grooming is a serious offense that often leads to more severe abuse.
• We have normalized and watered down these inappropriate behaviors by accepting and using terminology
• Additionally, this bill includes child grooming as a reportable offense.
• This bill is a necessary step to increase transparency, deter predatory behavior, and prevent repeat

Bills: HB268 , HB305 , HB307 , HB380 , HB548 , HB727 , HB268 , HB305 , HB307

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Keywords: false reporting, emergency response, criminal penalties, restitution, public safety, penalties, emergency services, public institutions, false reports, criminal penalty, pretrial hearings, criminal competency, legal process, court timelines, restoration of competency, fines, community service, credit, criminal justice, defendants

Transcript Highlights:

• They often see student athletes every day, notice changes in behavior, and may be among the first to
• In an effort to further destigmatize our young people getting access to behavioral health services, I
• Malik Bynum with the County Behavioral Health Directors Association, and proud support. Thank you.
• I experienced child grooming when I was a student in high school.
• I experienced child grooming when I was a student in high school.

Summary: The committee heard AB 1159, which would expand and modernize student data privacy protections, extend similar protections to higher education students, and create limited enforcement mechanisms. The author and supporters argued that ed tech now collects far more sensitive information than students and families realize, including health, location, and identity-related data, and said the bill is needed to address AI, subpoenas, data theft, and misuse. Some higher education and bookstore interests raised concerns about definitions and preserving ordinary student communications, but committee members generally supported the bill and emphasized protecting sensitive information; the bill was moved on a due pass motion to the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies and Consumer Protection Committee and placed on call. The committee also heard AB 1171, which would protect and stabilize the Part-Time Community College Faculty Health Insurance Program by keeping funds dedicated to that purpose and requiring districts to begin negotiations by 2030. The author and supporters said part-time faculty often lack employer-sponsored coverage despite teaching most community college courses, while opponents from the Community College League and administrators argued the measure was premature because participation is growing and the Legislature should retain budget flexibility. Several senators discussed the tension between budget discretion and honoring the state’s commitment to faculty health care; the bill was moved on a due pass motion to Senate Appropriations and placed on call. AB 1581 followed, proposing changes to improve identification and reporting of Native American students in CalPADS through tribal affiliation data. Supporters said current systems severely undercount Native students and that better data would improve resources and accountability, while members raised implementation questions about multi-tribal identities and consultation with tribes. The bill was moved to Appropriations and placed on call. The committee then heard AB 1665, requiring mental health training for school sports coaches. The author and a psychiatrist witness said coaches are trusted adults who already receive training on physical safety and should also be trained to recognize mental health warning signs and connect students to help. Support came from school, health, and sports organizations, with no opposition, and the bill was moved to Appropriations and placed on call. Finally, AB 1766 was heard, expanding human trafficking prevention education from grades 7-12 to K-12 and adding content on online exploitation, grooming, and digital abuse. The author, a survivor witness, and a foundation representative described the need for earlier, age-appropriate prevention education and stronger staff awareness; supporters included educators, school districts, and industry groups, with no opposition. Senators praised the testimony and the bill’s focus on prevention, and a motion was made to move it forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, he was groomed and abused.
• They don't just groom the child, they groom the parents and others around them to gain access. ...The
• This man had begun grooming me and would eventually begin molesting me.
• That is textbook sexual predator behavior.
• So for 10 years, he's been trying to correct his behavior.

Bills: HB34 , HB 128 , HB621 , HB748 , HB2259 , HB2960 , HB3113 , HB4749 , SB835 , HB128

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Concerns about another teacher's problematic behavior, I want to make sure that if I make a good faith
• It also gives schools the tools to prevent child grooming, sexual abuse, and intercourse. appropriate
• We have the suspect in the primary case, which was grooming.
• Many also operate as behavioral health treatment sites and distribute resources like can.
• We represent the 39 local mental health health and behavioral health authorities across Texas.

Bills: SB604 , SB843 , SB1636 , SB2395 , SB571 , SB1224 , SB1832 , SB2392 , SB747 , SB2623 , SB2624 , SB2185

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:

• Section nine is the definition of grooming.
• Section nine is the definition of grooming.
• </c> eliminating support for behavioral eliminating support for behavioral health<00:40:52.480><c> felt
• </c> Due to the crucial role our behavioral Due to the crucial role our behavioral support<00:40:57.440
• Um that is disrupt injurious behavior.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Bills: SSB1012 , SSB1016 , SF56 , SF57 , HSB87 , HSB121 , HSB122 , HF123 , HF124 , HF137 , HF146 , HF147 , HSB9 , HSB85 , HSB1 , HF2 , HF34

Committee: Joint Health and Human Services

Keywords: food assistance, nutrition program, fresh produce, farmers markets, Iowa healthiest state initiative, healthcare, prior authorization, health benefit plans, utilization review, administrative costs, right to try, experimental treatment, investigational drug, biological product, medical device, terminal illness, life-threatening illness, severely debilitating illness, compassionate use, expanded access

Transcript Highlights:

• Grooms? Aye. Mr. Hembree? No. Mr. Grooms? Aye. Mr. Hembree? Aye. Mr. Hutto? Not voting. Mr.
• Grooms: Aye. Mr. Hembree: Not voting. Mr. Graham: Not voting. Mr. Grooms: Aye. Mr.
• , Senator Grooms.
• Grooms. Mr. Graham votes aye. Mr. Grooms not voting. Mr. Hemphill. Aye. Mr. Hutto. Aye. Mr.
• Grooms. Mr. Graham votes aye Mr. Grooms. Mr. Grooms not voting Mr. Hempry. Aye Mr. Hutto. I. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• They often see student athletes every day, notice changes in behavior, and may be among the first to
• In an effort at further destigmatizing our young people getting access to behavioral health services,
• Malik Bynum with the County Behavioral Health Directors Association and proud support. Thank you.
• The grooming process starts young, and we need to equip kids in age-appropriate ways at a young age.
• I experienced child grooming when I was a student in high school.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• They would make—there will be clear rules to stop neglect and bad behavior.
• Grooming doesn't happen overnight. It happens when warning signs are missed.
• Jarrell Davis was a 36-year-old adult who groomed her, impregnated her, and was later charged with her
• Any past behavior can be the reason for neglect, even if you have fixed that behavior.
• The only reason is because he was arrested for grooming other children that never should have happened

Committees: House Government , House House Government Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• And me, I became hyperaware of everything: every phone call, any silence, every change in behavior from
• , intimidation of victims, or destruction of digital, continued grooming, intimidation of victims, or
• Brooks, about grooming, it starts early.
• And I'm so proud of my colleagues who brought a bill last year relative to grooming, because more often
• They change behavior. And that's exactly what this bill is intended to do.

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee first deferred HB 374 without objection. It then heard SB 46, which creates the crime of unlawful operation of a group home aimed at protecting vulnerable adults living in unsafe, unlicensed residences where operators control residents’ assets. The Attorney General’s office described severe neglect and exploitation in some homes, while the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center opposed the bill over concerns it could create confusion, criminalize legitimate recovery or disability housing, and chill protected housing arrangements. After discussion, including assurances that the bill was narrowly targeted at bad actors, the committee reported SB 46 favorably. The committee next took up HB 276, which sets a statewide minimum bail amount for certain sexual offenses against minors. Testimony from a victim’s mother and an anti-trafficking expert supported the bill as a way to keep dangerous offenders detained and protect children, while members debated whether the original $50,000 minimum was too low and could be treated as a benchmark. The committee amended the bill in committee to raise the minimum to $1 million and to add human trafficking involving a victim under 18 to the covered offenses, then reported HB 276 favorably as amended. Members then heard SB 42 and SB 110, both addressing AI-generated child sexual abuse material. SB 42 expands the definition of child sexual abuse material to include digital and AI-generated depictions, while SB 110 prohibits using a child’s image to train AI to produce such material. The Attorney General’s office and survivor advocates supported the measures as necessary updates to keep pace with technology and protect children; the committee reported both bills favorably. HB 998, dealing with forensic medical exams and reimbursement for domestic violence victims, especially strangulation cases, was also heard and amended to remove human trafficking references and set implementation steps; advocates said the bill would improve evidence collection and reimbursement, and it was reported favorably with amendments. Finally, the committee heard SB 51 on fraudulent representation of military service or awards, which was supported as a tool to address stolen valor and was reported favorably, and HB 323 on notification and reporting of inmate deaths, which was presented as a transparency measure after a family testified about learning of a relative’s death from the news rather than the facility.

Transcript Highlights:

• At this time, we don't have behavioral health on my loan repayment program.
• But that's going to address some of the behavioral health, not all.
• if they want to do telehealth visits with behavioral health.
• Those are all big problems with behavioral health in rural Oklahoma.
• Our smallest dog grooming schools, you could probably put two or three dog grooming schools in this room

Committee: House A&B Education Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, just help us understand how are minors groomed and then become victims? Well, again, Mr.
• I mean, just help us understand how are minors groomed and then become victims? Again, Mr.
• So I'm sorry I can't specifically answer to the grooming situation.
• But if they continue the behaviors that cause lifelong harm, there must be consequences.
• You must have good behavior while in prison to qualify.

Bills: SB1004 , SB1012 , SB1100 , SB1110 , SB1170 , SB1213 , SB1317 , SB1402 , SB1413 , SB1416 , SB1476 , SB1511 , SB1573 , SB1655 , SB1656 , SB1709 , SB1720 , SB1723 , SB1725 , SCR1040

Committees: House Judiciary , House House Judiciary Committee of Reference

Keywords: sex offender registration, sex offender registry, A.R.S. 13-3821, sexual offenses, public safety, GPS monitoring, electronic monitoring, transient offender, homeless registrant, online identifiers, internet identifiers, sheriff notification, Department of Public Safety, DPS, DNA collection, juvenile adjudication, kidnapping of a minor, unlawful imprisonment of a minor, lifetime registration, community notification

Transcript Highlights:

• SPECIFICALLY IF A CHILD IS BEING GROOMED, IF HE OR SHE IS BEING SEXUALLY GROOMED, THE PARENT WOULD BE
• IF THEY ARE BEING GROOMED?
• WHAT IF THE PARENT IS THE ONE SEXUALLY GROOMING THE CHILD, WHO DO THEY GO TO?
• THERE ARE LAWS FOR BAD PARENTS, LAWS FOR BAD COACHES, ARREST THEM OR THEIR CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR.
• THAT BEHAVIOR IS A DIRECT SEQUENCE OF HB 631 AND BEACHFRONT OWNERS FEEL EMPOWERED TO CREATE A HOSTILE