Transcript Highlights:

• My child support obligations began in 1995, and over time, as I could not My child support obligations
• When a family enters the child welfare system, our mandate is the safety of the child.
• their child currently receives.
• child support arrears just ballooned.
• When I asked my child support caseworker about it, she told me that in order to apply, LA child support

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• To the child, right? To the child, absolutely.
• This was disclosed. to me as an adult, and I have no memory of that child-on-child sexual assault.
• ever need to employ a child to engage in sexual conduct, knowing it will harm a child.
• This kind of exposure leaves an indelible mark on the brain of a child. child.
• It was never necessary to show a child sexual material or induce a child. child to sexual performance

Bills: HB14 , HB 106 , HB146 , HB267 , HB274 , HB 1127 , HB1359 , HB1393 , HB1584 , HB1640 , HB1710 , HB2152 , HCR101 , HJR8 , HR51

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund

Transcript Highlights:

• It does mean that when you have a child that is a dependent of the state, they also have resources to
• It does mean that when you have a child that is a dependent of the state, they also have resources to
• So in 2019, I had another child and I got to experience what this bill was intended to do.
• For example, child welfare is often used as a backstop for inadequate behavioral health system.
• Our family was referred to Child Protective Services. Foster care was presented as the next step.

Summary: The committee began with a work session on recommendations from the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group. Tisha Kirshbaum of the Health Care Authority described the Washington Thriving Strategic Plan, a prenatal-to-25 system-of-care framework meant to reduce fragmentation, improve coordination across multiple state agencies, and expand early, community-based behavioral health supports. Members asked about duplication among agencies, simplification of the system, and upstream services such as community health workers, school-based supports, and crisis access. The committee then heard House Bill 2429, which would direct the governor and state agencies to align with the Washington Thriving plan, create an executive coordination officer and leadership council, extend the work group, and require broader alignment by state, tribal, local, and nonprofit entities. The bill received strong support from the governor’s office, the Health Care Authority, parents, youth, providers, and advocates, while a few testifiers raised concerns about government overreach, cost, or the need to address non-psychiatric causes of distress. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 2364, which renames and expands the Legislative Executive Work First Poverty Reduction Oversight Task Force into the Legislative Executive Economic Justice and Well-Being Task Force and updates the related advisory council to align with the state’s 10-year plan to dismantle poverty. Staff and the prime sponsor said the bill reflects the evolution of the poverty-reduction effort and adds agencies such as the Department of Revenue, Health Care Authority, and Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board. Testimony from DSHS and advocates was uniformly supportive, emphasizing bipartisan collaboration and the need to update statute to match current work. Next, the committee heard House Bill 2171 on supporting foster youth. The bill would create an endangered foster youth alert system, require county rapid-response protocols, establish a foster youth empowerment account, create an oversight board through the Ombuds office, and expand training for foster parents and child welfare workers. The prime sponsor and several advocates described the bill as a response to lived experience and a way to improve accountability and long-term support. DCYF said it supports the intent but raised legal and cost concerns, and some youth advocates warned that public alerts could increase risk or trauma for youth who run away from unsafe placements. The hearing then moved to House Bill 2314, which would create a pilot allowing certain community-based clients with developmental disabilities to receive dental care at residential habilitation centers. Supporters said the bill would use existing dental capacity to address severe access gaps and long waits in the community, while opponents from disability advocacy groups argued it would pull people back into institutional settings instead of building community-based dental capacity. Testimony on the bill was mixed, and no final committee action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Child abuse investigations, also named Patterson's Law.
• Child abuse investigations, also named Patterson's Law.
• Fast forward, another child was born.
• So if you do take your child to a child care facility and drop them off, they would be the licensed organization
• So if you do take your child to a child care facility and drop them off, they would be the licensed organization

Summary: The committee first took up CS for Senate Bill 304, which would address child protective investigations involving children with certain genetic or medical conditions that can mimic signs of abuse. Senator Sharif and several family members and advocates described cases in which children were removed after injuries were initially misread as abuse, and argued the bill would give parents more opportunity to obtain qualified medical opinions. The committee adopted a substitute amendment that removed language imposing analysis duties on certain medical professionals, then passed the bill favorably after testimony in support from the Florida chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and several affected families. The committee then considered SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings for terrorism victims, SB 96 on relief for Jacob Rogers, SB 382 on affordable housing rent agreements, SB 4 and SB 6 on claims bills for Patricia Armini and Jose Correa, SB 1142 on release of conservation easements, SB 658 on waiver or release of liens, SB 28 and SB 30 on claims involving South Broward Hospital District and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, SB 24 on relief for Mandy Penny Lemon, SB 72 on campaign funds for child care expenses, and SB 1622 on recreational customary use of beaches. Most of these bills were explained by their sponsors as narrow relief or technical measures, and the committee heard a mix of support and opposition from claimants, local governments, industry groups, and advocacy organizations. Several bills drew substantive debate. On SB 382, members discussed rent stability and whether the bill should better address lease language and future rent increases; the amendment and bill were both reported favorably. On SB 1142, members raised concerns about environmental and drainage impacts and whether releases of conservation easements should be mandatory or discretionary, but the bill still passed favorably. On SB 72, members questioned the scope of allowable campaign child care expenses and the need for stronger guardrails against abuse; the bill nevertheless passed favorably. On SB 1622, testimony sharply divided between supporters of restoring public beach access and opponents defending private property rights; debate continued when the transcript ended, so no final vote on that bill is reflected here.

Transcript Highlights:

• photograph in the child's case file each time the caseworker interacts with the child if the child is
• case file each time the caseworker interacts with the child if the child is the subject of an investigation
• history of a child and child siblings who have been the subject of prior hotline calls or DCS investigations
• The child photographs—photographs—and to me, if someone is photographing the child or videoing, it should
• include the caseworker asking the question, not just a child.

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long agenda of Senate bills across elections, commerce, education, government, health and human services, judiciary, public safety, transportation, rural development, and ways and means. Many measures were described as consent or third-read consent items, including bills on campaign finance termination statements and late-report penalties, AI provenance data for media, adjuster/contractor conduct during emergencies, Industrial Commission changes, association meeting closures, banking and remittance rules, central bank digital currency, public safety parity funding, barbering and cosmetology board continuation, digital asset reserve management, contractor licensing, gaming and racing commission continuation, school AED instruction, classroom removal procedures, school safety reporting, special education complaint transparency, foreign influence and land ownership restrictions, DCS and DES process changes, health care licensing and reimbursement rules, EMS compact adoption, and multiple tax, housing, and transportation measures. Staff repeatedly summarized each bill and answered questions, with several bills noted as mirror or identical to House measures or as strike-everything amendments from committees. A few bills drew discussion. On SB 2874, staff explained that the Senate amendment would limit penalties for untimely campaign finance reports when a committee certifies it received no contributions and made no expenditures, but the sponsor did not concur. SB 1074 prompted questions about whether parental notification changed; staff said it did not and that the bill was aimed at improving communication between teachers and principals about discipline. SB 1175, requiring DCS caseworkers to photograph children at each interaction in abuse or neglect cases, drew concern about the scope of the photos, while supporters said it would improve continuity and documentation. SB 1180 also drew comment because the sponsor and committee chair disagreed over an amendment, though the bill was advanced for further work. The most extended debate came on SB 1751, which would allow death-row inmates to choose firing squad, lethal injection, or lethal gas if voters approve the related constitutional measure. One member strongly opposed the bill on moral and personal grounds, another argued it could be a more humane option if the state is going to carry out executions, and a third raised concern that it could be used against Second Amendment rights. The bill remained on the third-read consent calendar despite the objections. The caucus concluded after moving through the remaining agenda items, with no formal votes recorded in the transcript beyond committee status and consent-calendar placement.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of those categories is child care.
• The child fatalities and critical incidents are record highs.
• On the child care cuts, the Working Connections Child Care program, some of the reductions there, the
• And when I look at the child care cuts, the Working Connections Child Care cuts that were made, especially
• There's rural child care operations there, too.

Summary: House and Senate Republican leaders held a media availability focused on the final stretch of the legislative session, with repeated criticism of Democratic budget proposals and several policy bills. They said they were especially concerned about an environmental crimes bill they argued would impose excessive penalties for workplace mistakes, as well as bills they described as anti-law-enforcement, including measures related to police face coverings and sheriff qualifications. They also discussed a proposed income tax, calling it unconstitutional and urging that it be sent to referendum if it advances. A major topic was the operating, transportation, and capital budgets. Republicans said the operating budget relies on one-time fund sweeps, raids the rainy day fund and pension assets, and assumes future income-tax revenue while cutting Medicaid, child care, schools, and other services. They said the transportation budget has some positive emphasis on road preservation but criticized ferry funding and the proposed sweep of the Public Works Trust. On the capital budget, they were less specific and described it as generally bipartisan. The lawmakers also addressed reports of fraudulent or duplicate sign-ins on the income-tax bill, saying any abuse should be investigated but that many duplicate entries may have been accidental rather than malicious. They said the system should be improved with better verification, but maintained that more than 100,000 unique people had signed in opposition. Other issues discussed included opposition to using pension funds to balance the budget, criticism of a Sound Transit proposal for 75-year bonds, concerns about a bill requiring arbitration before lawsuits against the state or local governments, and objections to child care budget changes they said would hurt rural and property-poor communities without broader regulatory reform.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of those categories is child care.
• The child fatalities and critical incidents are record highs.
• On the child care cuts, the Working Connections Child Care program, some of the reductions there are
• And when I look at the child care cuts, the Working Connections Child Care cuts that were made, especially
• There's rural child care operations there, too.

Summary: House and Senate Republican leaders held a media availability focused on the final stretch of the legislative session, with most of the discussion centered on budget proposals, a proposed income tax on high earners, and several policy bills they oppose. They criticized the operating budget for relying on a new income tax, using one-time fund sweeps and pension-related financing, and drawing down the rainy day fund, while saying the capital budget was more bipartisan and the transportation budget had some positive emphasis on road preservation but still included concerns such as Public Works Trust Fund sweeps and ferry funding. A major topic was allegations that sign-ins on the income tax bill included duplicates or fraudulent entries. Republicans said they took the issue seriously, supported verification improvements, and argued that even after removing duplicates the bill still drew over 100,000 unique emails opposing it. They rejected claims that their side had manipulated the process and said the Legislature should fix the sign-in system, possibly with more IT safeguards, while also arguing the bill should lose its emergency clause so voters could weigh in through a referendum. Republicans also criticized bills they described as anti-police or anti-law-enforcement, including measures related to face coverings and sheriff qualifications, and they opposed a bill requiring arbitration before claims against the state or local governments can go to jury trial, saying broader tort reform is needed instead. They said the state’s liability problems stem from harm done in areas like juvenile rehabilitation and child welfare. On the budget side, they objected to cuts to Medicaid, child care, transitional kindergarten, rural school funding, and other programs, while also warning against using pension funds to balance the budget and against a proposed 75-year Sound Transit bond, which they called financially irresponsible. No votes were taken in this media availability.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in 2023, of the child support payments made to Massachusetts, sorry, of the child support payments
• A child who can't focus in school because they skipped dinner is also the child whose parent is working
• I have a disabled child and adult disabled child, happy to give that up for folks who need this more.
• We saw firsthand how the federal expansion of the child tax credit cut child poverty nearly in half,
• for Poverty itself is not child neglect.

Bills: H5085 , H5286

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities

Summary: The Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities held a hybrid hearing on miscellaneous bills, including H. 5286, which would require DCF to consult a medical professional when a parent presents evidence of a pre-existing diagnosis that could explain symptoms mistaken for abuse or neglect. Representative Brian Mario said the bill would give DCF another tool in difficult cases. Jennifer Fernandes testified about her family’s experience with her grandson being removed after doctors initially suspected a skull fracture that later proved unfounded, saying the bill could help prevent similar outcomes. Committee members expressed sympathy and indicated interest in further discussion. The committee then heard extensive testimony on H. 5085/S. 3095, the omnibus “An Act Significantly Alleviating Poverty.” Supporters described the bill as a comprehensive anti-poverty package built from the Poverty Commission’s work, combining higher cash assistance grants, matched savings, baby bonds, a guaranteed stipend for youth aging out of foster care, expanded tax credits, language access, clean slate record sealing, and worker protections. Senator Eldridge, Senator Miranda, Representative Decker, and many advocates argued that poverty is tied to housing instability, child welfare involvement, health harms, and racial and gender inequities, and that the bill would help families meet basic needs, build wealth, and reduce the benefits cliff. Witnesses from social service, legal aid, labor, immigrant advocacy, and public health groups strongly supported the bill’s provisions. Several focused on specific sections: child support pass-through and a broader good-cause exception for TAFDC recipients; extending the state EITC to ITIN filers; creating baby bonds and matched savings programs; automating criminal record sealing; improving language access at state agencies; and ending the subminimum wage for farm workers. Former foster youth and service providers said the guaranteed stipend would help young adults avoid homelessness and transition more safely into adulthood. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chairs repeatedly noted the limited time and encouraged written testimony and follow-up conversations.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, a really significant driver of child Poverty and reducing child poverty through our safety net programs
• I mean, it's part of the Child Care Development Block Grant, and child care assistance exists to help
• For child support, just a reminder that we implemented some schedule reforms to the child support schedule
• with their child support.
• get questions about child support, but I actually really love child support.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're consulting with that child. That child is our client." >> Mhm. >> So, decisions.
• We're consulting with that child.
• </c> was this child in AP English? was this child in AP English?
• And I think a 13-year-old child.
• <00:51:10.320><c> And</c> child? And child?

Summary: The Juvenile Justice Oversight Council met with a quorum, approved the October 8, 2025 minutes, and welcomed guests including Marshall County Attorney Jason Darnall. The main topic was juvenile interrogation, with a presentation from Kentucky Youth Advocates by Courtney Downs and Shannon Moody. They said their organization is supporting a 2026 Blueprint priority requiring children to consult with an attorney before waiving Miranda rights, and they emphasized research on adolescent brain development, susceptibility to peer pressure and impulsive decision-making, and the risk of false confessions. They cited National Registry of Exonerations data showing high rates of false confessions among exonerated youth, especially younger children, and described approaches in other states such as Maryland’s Child Interrogation Protection Act, Indiana’s statute allowing certain adults to waive rights in some circumstances, and laws in other states requiring recording of interrogations or limiting deceptive tactics. Members asked about trauma and adverse childhood experiences, whether the proposal would require attorney consultation in every juvenile interview, whether parents could instead be the ones consulted, and how such a rule would affect law enforcement investigations and juvenile accountability. Senator Carroll and others raised concerns about feasibility, delays, and whether juveniles might avoid accountability if attorneys are required before questioning. The presenters responded that they were focused on ensuring children understand their legal rights, that some states use age- or offense-based limits, and that parent consultation is another model used elsewhere, though they said a lawyer is best suited to explain legal rights and process. Members also discussed the role of the Department of Public Advocacy and whether legislative action or court decisions should address the issue. The council did not take final action on the policy, but requested additional materials, including the text of laws from Maryland, Indiana, and North Carolina, for further review.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently there are about 1,800 licensed child care centers and about 5,800 licensed family child care
• :02.639><c> family</c><00:05:03.080><c> child</c><00:05:03.560><c> care</c> 5800 licensed family child
• child care.
• You know, our school districts don't have to sort of count each child when the child shows up.
• You know, our school districts don't have to sort of count each child when the child shows up.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Native children are still overly represented in the California child welfare system at a rate close to
• At the age of 13, she became pregnant and lost her first child two years afterward.
• As the attorney of the child in California, we hold a special position.
• the child welfare system.
• the child welfare system.

Committee: House Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• You don't want to take a child too soon, but if you're too late, that child's deceased.
• The attorney must be board-certified in child welfare.
• Services for instances of child abuse and neglect.
• That this person abused or neglected a child, and you're on the list.
• I just happen to be a child of a mother. ...who is a stroke victim.

Bills: SB397 , SB481 , SB596 , SB760 , SB855 , SB1195 , SB1196 , SB1233 , SB1257 , SB1318 , SB1368 , SB1388 , SB1398 , SB1524 , SB1558 , SB1589 , SB1677 , SB1792 , SB2034

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• One, our child care resource and referral network.
• This is a child assessment.
• It's also a child care and a workforce issue.
• When we started looking for child care, quality child care, it was scary.
• When we started looking for child care, quality child care, it was scary.

Summary: The Education Administration Subcommittee held an introductory meeting focused largely on member introductions and “homework” reports about education issues in each district. Members raised a wide range of concerns and priorities, including early childhood care and VPK access, school choice and school closures, teacher recruitment and retention, conflict resolution and school safety, early literacy and preparedness, technology and AI/STEM instruction, attendance and mental health, ESE services, dual enrollment and career/technical education, caregiving youth, and real-time student enrollment/funding tracking. Several members also emphasized local challenges such as housing-driven teacher turnover, disaster-related attendance problems, and funding inequities across counties. The committee then heard a detailed presentation on Florida’s early learning system from Chancellor Carrie Miller of the Department of Education’s Division of Early Learning. She outlined the structure and funding of School Readiness, VPK, and the Gold Seal Quality Care program, the role of early learning coalitions and DCF, and the state’s quality and accountability measures. She highlighted the importance of kindergarten readiness, teacher quality, and the new School Readiness Plus program, which helps families transition off subsidy more gradually. Additional panelists from the Children’s Forum, the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe, and a Tallahassee child care provider discussed workforce shortages, low wages, provider turnover, the TEACH scholarship program, Help Me Grow, local coalition operations, and the need for more providers and more consistent regulation. During questions, members asked about wait lists, special needs services, teacher retention, provider onboarding, and DCF regulation. The panel said Miami-Dade’s wait list was about 4,000 children and described priority categories for service; they also said children with disabilities are screened and referred for support, though not given a separate priority category. Panelists reported that TEACH has helped reduce turnover through education support and service commitments, but said wages and career pathways remain major issues. Members also pressed for clearer, more consistent licensing standards and more support for new providers entering the field. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• While if a child is absent for 11 or more days, a provider may claim As they can today, while if a child
• First, if a child attends for 16 Policy.
• Substitute House Bill 2689 concerning the Working Connections Child Care Program.
• There are Attendance policy for Working Connections Child Care this session.
• This is one that hopefully will serve us, child care providers, and families seeking child care fairly

Bills: HB2487

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact

Transcript Highlights:

• While if a child is absent for 11 or more days, a provider may claim As they can today, while if a child
• First, if a child attends for 16 Policy.
• Second, if a child attends between nine and 15 days, a provider may claim payment for 15 days.
• 1 to 8 days, the child would be reimbursed for 11 days.
• He said this is one that hopefully will serve us, child care providers, and families seeking child care

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met in executive session on March 10, 2026, and first reviewed engrossed House Bill 2487, which concerns taxes imposed on insurers. Staff explained the bill’s B&O tax exemption changes, the advanced computing surcharge adjustments, and the preliminary fiscal note. Amendment 1 had been withdrawn before action. The committee then considered and rejected Amendment 2, which would have further lowered the surcharge cap; Amendment 4, which would have removed retroactivity for tax payments; and Amendment 5, a striking amendment that would have conformed the B&O exemption to a court decision and removed the advanced computing surcharge provisions. The committee then advanced HB 2487 to the Rules Committee with a due pass recommendation. The committee next took up Substitute House Bill 2689 on the Working Connections Child Care Program. Staff described the bill’s changes to attendance-based reimbursement, rate-setting, and eligibility, with an estimated four-year savings of $565 million. Amendment 6, offered by Senator Wilson, was adopted and changed the market rate survey response threshold by delaying the 65% requirement and allowing validity with lower response rates under certain conditions. Amendment 7, offered by Senator Robinson, was also adopted and revised the attendance reimbursement tiers, with staff indicating it would increase projected savings to about $770 million over four years. The amended bill was then moved to the Rules Committee with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee considered engrossed House Bill 2681, which raises annual issuance and renewal fees for cannabis producer, processor, and retail licenses by $400. Staff said the bill would increase deposits to the dedicated cannabis account by about $866,000 per year, or $2.6 million over four years. With no amendments offered, the committee approved HB 2681 and sent it to the Rules Committee with a due pass recommendation. The meeting ended with thanks to staff and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was what the child wanted.
• So if the child wants peanut butter and jelly sandwiches every day, they have to advocate for that child
• It was what the child wanted.
• It represents the child, the interest of the child, and provides confidential legal advocacy.
• And it's no fault of the child. So that's who's lost in all of this is the child.

Summary: The committee heard and acted on several bills dealing with elections, juvenile representation, paternity, and campaign finance. SB 1489 would require paid petition circulators to disclose their name, residence, and paid status, wear a badge, register in some local petition efforts, and subject local initiatives to stricter compliance and fiscal disclosure rules. Supporters said it would standardize rules and improve transparency; opponents, including the ACLU, argued it would chill core political speech and compel identification. The bill received a do-pass recommendation by a 4-3 vote. SB 1609, an emergency measure restricting political party names from using terms like “independent” or “unaffiliated,” drew support from county election officials who said it would reduce voter confusion, and opposition from the Arizona Independent Party, which called it retroactive and anti-competitive. The committee adopted an amendment and then passed the bill 7-0. SCR 1040, which would raise the mandatory retirement age for judges from 70 to 75 subject to voter approval, was supported as reflecting longer life expectancy and retaining experienced judges, but opposed by some who favored age limits; it passed 5-2. The committee then took up SB 1234, which would change juvenile court representation by requiring a guardian ad litem in dependency and termination cases and allowing, rather than requiring, separate child counsel in some circumstances. Sponsor Senator Werner said the bill was part of a broader child-safety package and was informed by cases involving children who died after alleged system failures. Child welfare attorneys and advocates opposed the bill, warning it would weaken attorney-client privilege and take away children’s independent voice, while DCS said the bill was intended to clarify the GAL role and could work alongside child counsel. The committee adopted an amendment and passed the bill 5-2. SB 1661, allowing child support obligations to be terminated when genetic testing shows a presumed father is not the biological father, received broad support from the sponsor, a fathers’ advocacy group, and a family representative, and passed 6-0. Later, the committee considered election-administration and campaign-finance measures. SB 1392 would give governing bodies canvassing elections access to election-material locations to observe procedures and review records, while protecting privacy and security; county officials supported access but raised concerns about the term “agent,” and the bill passed 4-3. SB 1634 would require ADOT to provide county recorders with applicants’ handwritten signatures collected during voter registration; county officials said it would improve signature verification, and the bill passed 5-2 after some members noted amendment concerns. SB 1743 would redact donors’ employer street addresses and residence addresses from campaign finance reports; supporters framed it as a privacy measure, while opponents said employer information is important for transparency and identifying influence. It passed 5-2. SB 1099, a strike-everything amendment defining defamation standards for public and private figures, was presented as narrowing and clarifying defamation law and passed 4-3. After a recess, the committee heard SB 1535, which would make paying for sexual conduct a prostitution offense and add a $200 assessment to fund anti-human-trafficking services. Survivors, law enforcement, and neighborhood advocates supported stronger penalties aimed at buyers and demand reduction, while criminal-defense and victim-advocacy groups said the bill needed a rebuttable-presumption amendment to better protect trafficking victims. The transcript cuts off before the committee’s final action on SB 1535.

Transcript Highlights:

• a day in group care for one child, there's a real disparity there.
• If you had 50,000 child months, all of your data was fully credible.
• If you had 50,000 child months, all of your data was fully credible.
• So the way I understand it is that per child per month, census count could be a child being in services
• for one day or a child being in services for 30 days.

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Dr. Kelly O’Dare on first responder behavioral health access, peer support, and suicide prevention. She described UCF Restores, the Second Alarm Project, and related partnerships that provide culturally competent treatment, peer training, clinician education, disaster response support, and behavioral health navigation. She cited survey and state data showing significant rates of sleep problems, anxiety, depression, substance use, and suicide among Florida first responders, and said evidence-based treatment has helped many patients recover, including a reported 76% who no longer met PTSD diagnostic criteria after treatment. Senators asked about measuring outcomes, peer support standards, and whether the state should create more consistent statewide requirements; O’Dare said peer support training must be specialized, linked to higher levels of care, and supported by sustainable funding and statewide coordination. The committee also heard from a public commenter who supported the work and emphasized the need for adequate resources and peer support infrastructure. The committee then received a Department of Children and Families presentation from Casey Penn on the proposed funding methodology for community-based care lead agencies under HB 7089. Penn explained that the new model is intended to be actuarially based, reimbursement-oriented, and more transparent than prior funding approaches, using historical expenditures, standardized reporting, and two main tiers: Tier 1 for largely fixed administrative and operational costs, and Tier 2 for direct child-serving costs based on per-child-per-month blended rates. He said the model includes a 2% risk corridor for Tier 2, hold-harmless funding in the first year, and optional Tier 3 performance incentives, with an estimated additional state appropriation need after offsets. Senators raised concerns about prevention, historical inequities, reasonableness of costs, administrative overhead, blended state and federal funds, adoption subsidies, high-acuity placements, and disaster-related disruptions. Penn said some of those issues could be addressed in future iterations as the child welfare information system is modernized, and he agreed to provide written responses to committee questions. Representatives of the Florida Coalition for Children and CBCs responded that the model is a major improvement but urged additional safeguards, including an administrative cap, clearer separation of direct and indirect costs, and better treatment of federal and pass-through funds. They argued that the system already has oversight and that deficits reflect insufficient appropriations rather than excess spending, while also noting that higher-acuity children and regional differences can drive costs. No votes were taken on either topic, and the meeting ended with committee staff introductions and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:05.439><c> care</c> is underway and as well as child care is underway and as well as child
• . child. child.
• </c> things related to basic child things related to basic child development,<00:10:33.120><c> behavior
• I have a BA in child Minnesota.
• I heard a lot about child care.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> newborn child. newborn child.
• </c> formula for her newborn child. formula for her newborn child.
• </c> provided to the child provided to the child um<00:38:25.800><c> by</c><00:38:26.040><c> the</c><
• </c> larger group of children that child larger group of children that child protection<00:53:53.040>
• So, labor trafficking is newly a form of child maltreatment, which is an additional mandate for child

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety