Transcript Highlights:

• So they've checked all the boxes as far as their credentials, their qualifications.
• So they've checked all the boxes as far as their credentials, their qualifications.
• So they've checked all the boxes as far as their credentials, their qualifications.
• So they've checked all the boxes as far as their credentials, their qualifications.
• So they've checked all the boxes as far as their credentials, their qualifications.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened, opened with an invocation and pledge, established a quorum, excused absent members, and approved the journal. The House clerk then announced that the House had passed several bills and requested concurrence. The chamber also received second-reading reports for a number of bills and resolutions, which were referred to the Rules Committee, and committee reports from the Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor Committee and the Judiciary Committee recommending passage of several measures. New resolutions were also introduced, including one honoring Michael Mingi, Amanda Maize, and Senator Maize Bledsoe, and another designating March 31, 2026, as Kentucky Transitional Science Day. The Senate then took up Senate Bill 145, relating to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The chamber concurred in House Committee Substitute 1 and House Floor Amendment 1, then passed the bill as amended by a roll call vote of 35 yeas and 2 nays. The Senate next considered Senate Bill 59, relating to prohibited uses of tax dollars and resources. After adopting Senate Committee Substitute 1, members debated whether the bill’s enforcement provisions were needed to prevent public funds from being used to influence ballot questions; supporters cited prior school-related advocacy, while one opponent raised concerns about possible uneven treatment of schools receiving federal funds. The bill passed 28-9. Finally, the Senate took up Senate Bill 137, relating to a provisional license to practice medicine. Supporters described Kentucky’s physician shortage, especially in rural areas, and argued the bill would help recruit foreign medical graduates by allowing a path to licensure based on prior residency and work experience. A floor amendment was offered to preserve standards by emphasizing U.S. residency pathways and cautioning against lowering the standard of care, but the amendment was withdrawn after discussion. The bill remained under consideration at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:45:18.760> and<00:45:18.880> then<00:45:19.040> there's credentialing and then
• there's credentialing and then there's programming<00:45:19.920> or<00:45:20.160> other
• of professionals is a credentialing of professionals is a separate<00:46:39.359> thing<00:46:
• for<01:11:50.560> any social security number for any social security number for any credential
• from the office in federal credential from the office in federal law<01:11:53.639> okay<01:11

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee reviewed selected House Bill 2 provisions, focusing first on the group two pension reform language and whether it matched prior legislation and the fiscal note. Members discussed two main issues: the treatment of extra and special duty pay in the pension calculation for employees hired before 2011, and the annuity multiplier after 15 years of creditable service. Several members said the HB 2 language was intended to restore prior law and protect against pension “spiking,” while others worried the draft and fiscal note may not have fully reflected current law, potentially affecting the cost estimate. The discussion repeatedly emphasized the need to avoid underfunding or double counting and to make sure Finance had the correct actuarial assumptions. No vote was taken; the committee agreed to flag the issues for Finance and to clarify the fiscal note. Members also discussed the vested-rights language, which was described as an explicit definition of vesting and a restriction on future legislative changes to compensation calculations after three years of service. Some viewed it as a policy protection with no immediate fiscal impact, while others noted it had been included in prior legislation and should be clearly understood before the bill moved forward. The committee also briefly referenced prior pension legislation, including House Bill 436 and House Bill 727, and noted that HB 2 was being used to carry forward related pension repair provisions. The committee then turned to an OPLC-related section transferring building, plumbing, electrical, and fuel gas inspector positions from OPLC to the Department of Safety’s Fire Marshal’s office. Testimony explained that the nine inspector positions are funded from the licensing fund, and that the move was justified as a public-safety function better aligned with the Fire Marshal’s mission because the inspections are statewide code-enforcement work rather than facility-specific licensing work. The discussion ended with a note that the remaining HB 2 changes run through 2034 and a brief announcement about memorial arrangements for C.J. Gerard.

Transcript Highlights:

• compounds, he thinks the committee should conduct an audit, hire a qualified auditor with at least the credentials
• compounds, he thinks the committee should conduct an audit, hire a qualified auditor with at least the credentials
• compounds, he thinks the committee should conduct an audit, hire a qualified auditor with at least the credentials
• compounds, he thinks the committee should conduct an audit, hire a qualified auditor with at least the credentials
• compounds, he thinks the committee should conduct an audit, hire a qualified auditor with at least the credentials

Bills: HCR92, HCR46, HCR172, HCR147, HCR112, HCR100, HR84, HR42, HR139, HR104, HR92

Keywords: automated external defibrillator, AED, cardiac arrest, state buildings, health education, public health, lifeguards, first responders, public safety, ocean safety, emergency response, Hawaii, workers' compensation, auditor, procurement audit, compliance, Department of Human Resources Development, transparency, accountability, medical care

Transcript Highlights:

• And I worked with my teacher colleagues in the Senate Education Committee building out a micro-credentialing
• And so, I think he's very well positioned, not just because of his credentials or his credibility, but
• Early literacy micro-credential, I think that's great. But then it also goes on.
• So, my understanding is that it's to help them attend higher education and achieve this micro-credential
• So, are we getting money also to a staff member and then also to hire ed for this micro-credential?

Bills: SB1778, SB1570, SB134, SB1966, SB1636, SB1725, SB1726, SB259, SB504, SB592, SB2030, SB1572, SB843, SB1242, SB1255, SB1262, SB1264, SB1286, SB1581, SB1290, SB1316, SB1319, SB1369, SB1379, SB1381, SB1400, SB1427, SB1436, SB1461, SB1496, SB1509, SB1534, SB1553, SB904, SB1592, SB1645, SB1684, SB1767, SB1772, SB1813, SB1894, SB1928, SB1946, SB1980, SB2040, SB2060, SB2061

Keywords: reading instruction, literacy, educational equity, intervention services, third grade retention, Strong Readers Act, child welfare, child safety, administrative transition, Department of Child Safety and Well-being, Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, juvenile justice, foster care, retirement, public employees, reemployment, benefit adjustment, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, memorial highways, bridge designations

Transcript Highlights:

• They are also submitting themselves to become highly credentialed beyond just the normal teaching certificate
• They are also submitting themselves to become highly credentialed beyond just the normal teaching certificate
• They are also submitting themselves to become highly credentialed beyond just the normal teaching certificate
• They are also submitting themselves to become highly credentialed beyond just the normal teaching certificate
• But once they achieve the extra credential, STEM certification or the National Board Certified Teacher

Bills: SB209, SB248, HB122, SB99, SB209, SB248, HB122, SB99

Keywords: sales tax exemption, Consumer Price Index, local government, clothing, school supplies, emergency preparedness, Alabama Administrative Procedure Act, APA, administrative law, judicial review, agency deference, Chevron deference, de novo review, contested case, state agency, regulatory power, individual liberty, statutory interpretation, rule interpretation, license revocation

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, just to clarify, this has to do with re-credentialing and having 14 days to fix that. ...re-credentialing
• and having 14 days to fix that makes sure the process of credentialing is effective and functioning

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the journal, and a proclamation recognizing and strengthening Arizona’s relationship with Taiwan. The proclamation highlighted Taiwan’s trade and economic ties to Arizona, bipartisan legislative support for Taiwan over many years, and support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. Members also welcomed Taiwanese diplomatic guests and noted plans for a bipartisan Arizona-Taiwan caucus and a future Taiwan consulate in Phoenix. The House then resolved into Committee of the Whole and considered a series of Senate bills. Among the measures advanced were SB 1004, SB 1012, SB 1040, SB 1049, SB 1168, SB 1326, SB 1021, SB 1052, SB 1172, SB 1188, SB 1212, SB 1346, SB 1452, and SB 1494, with several amended. Topics included law enforcement tracking of homeless sex offenders, spousal maintenance, election/government accountability, hyperbaric oxygen therapy in assisted living, re-credentialing timelines, controlled substance scheduling, vaccine-related concerns, Access fraud prevention, transportation fixes, and protections against patient brokering. Some members raised objections to SB 1049, SB 1021, SB 1212, and SB 1346, citing fairness, separation of powers, public health, and budget concerns, but the bills still advanced. After the Committee of the Whole report was adopted, the House moved several bills to third reading and voted on them. SB 1164, SB 1174, SB 1189, and SB 1754 passed overwhelmingly or unanimously, while SB 1413 failed 2-48 after members argued it contained a significant change to moving-violation liability and restitution that had not been clearly reflected in the bill materials. The House later reconsidered the failed vote on SB 1413 and then adjourned until Monday, April 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• degree that's recognized in the workforce and that can allow them to go into the workforce with a credential
• to pursue a graduate degree, to go to med school or law school, or to get credentialing in other fields
• Without that, it becomes more challenging for them. credentialing in other fields, and without an accredited

Bills: HB46, HB379, SB22, HB487, HB273, HB525

Keywords: rural physician, tax credit, healthcare access, physician recruitment, Alabama, HB379, Alabama income tax, nonresident exemption, remote workers, traveling employees, mobile workforce, withholding tax, state tax reciprocity, multistate employees, temporary work, work location tracking, time and attendance system, remote work taxation, professional athlete, professional entertainer

Transcript Highlights:

• First, it makes ADRA the single authority for credentialing addiction, counseling, prevention, and peer
• behavioral health system, modernizes our workforce, and improves public safety and ensures that credentialing
• behavior health system, modernizes our workforce, and improves public safety and ensures that credentialing
• professions where, again, someone who's provisionally licensed can work well and gain really good credentialing
• basically just authorizes hospitals within the same health system to share peer review records for credentialing

Bills: HR174, HR194, HCR98, SB39, SB124, SB190, SB236, SB270, SB273, SB359, SB415, SB426, SB437, SB451

Keywords: fenbendazole, cancer treatment, public health, FDA, clinical trials, patient safety, visual acuity, student health, de-identified data, longitudinal analysis, education policy, SNAP, food stamps, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, grocery delivery, delivery fees, service charges, online grocery, food access, food insecurity

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 12 and first reported HCR 98 favorably without objection. The resolution asks the Louisiana Department of Health to study whether SNAP benefits could be used to pay grocery delivery fees and related costs, especially for elderly and mobility-limited recipients. The author said the measure would not change SNAP rules, only request a study, and LDH was not opposed. The committee then advanced several Senate bills. SB 273, on hospice care in inpatient licensed facilities, was amended and reported favorably; the bill requires documentation of hydration, nutrition, and care decisions and clarifies facility responsibility when multiple providers are involved. SB 415, creating the Empower Louisiana Food Purchase Program, was amended and reported favorably; the author described it as a privately funded, charity-run food card program for people in need, with LDH to develop rules. SB 437, a cleanup bill on judicially referred residential substance abuse treatment facilities, was reported favorably, with LDH explaining that facilities providing treatment must be licensed and surveyed. The committee also approved SB 451 on newborn hearing screenings, which updates terminology and expands reporting requirements to improve early detection and intervention for deaf or hard-of-hearing children. SB 426, modernizing the addictive disorder regulatory authority and creating a licensure pathway for peer support specialists, was reported favorably with amendments after testimony from behavioral health providers and training organizations. SB 236 on annual LDH reviews of kidney disease treatment in Medicaid, SB 39 creating provisional licenses for massage therapist graduates, SB 190 tightening oversight of nursing facilities in the CMS Special Focus Facility Program, and SB 124 allowing peer review sharing within a health system were all reported favorably, most with technical amendments. The committee also reported favorably HR 174 urging study of fenbendazole for cancer, SB 270 allowing terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana in health care facilities, SB 359 changing terms for a Morehouse Parish hospital district board, and HR 194 requesting de-identified school visual acuity screening data for researchers. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, it makes ADRA the single authority for credentialing addiction counseling, prevention, and peer
• behavioral health system, modernizes our workforce, and improves public safety and ensures that credentialing
• behavior health system, modernizes our workforce, and improves public safety and ensures that credentialing
• professions where, again, someone who's provisionally licensed can work well and gain really good credentialing
• basically just authorizes hospitals within the same health system to share peer review records for credentialing

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 12 and considered a wide range of health, social services, and licensing measures. Early in the meeting, the committee reported favorably HCR 98, which asks the Louisiana Department of Health to study whether SNAP recipients should be allowed to use benefits for grocery delivery fees. The author said the proposal would not change SNAP rules directly, but would examine access issues for elderly, disabled, rural, and transportation-limited residents. The committee also advanced SB 273, a hospice patient-protection bill requiring documentation of hydration, nutrition, and care decisions in inpatient licensed facilities where hospice is provided, with LDH oversight and enforcement authority; members discussed how responsibility is shared between facilities and outside hospice providers, and adopted technical amendments. The committee then approved SB 415, creating the Empower Louisiana Food Purchase Program, a privately funded charitable food-card program intended to let nonprofits distribute food-only cards to people in need. Members and the author discussed whether the cards would be reloadable, which retailers could accept them, and whether prepared foods could be included; LDH said the program could use all SNAP-authorized retailers, and the bill was reported favorably with amendments. SB 437, a cleanup bill for judicially referred residential substance abuse treatment facilities, was also reported favorably with amendments after LDH clarified that facilities providing treatment must be licensed, while residences only housing individuals would not be. SB 451, updating newborn hearing screening terminology and reporting requirements, was reported favorably after testimony that the bill would strengthen early detection and follow-up for deaf or hard-of-hearing children. Later, the committee advanced SB 426, which modernizes the addictive disorder regulatory authority and creates a formal peer support specialist licensing pathway. Supporters said the bill would strengthen the behavioral health workforce, improve accountability, and create a progression from peer support to higher credentials; the committee adopted technical and transition amendments and reported the bill favorably with amendments. SB 236, requiring LDH annual reviews and reports on kidney disease treatment services in Medicaid, was also reported favorably with amendments. Additional measures approved included SB 39, allowing provisional licenses for massage therapy graduates; SB 190, which tightens oversight of poor-performing nursing facilities in the CMS Special Focus Facility Program and sets an 18-month improvement timeline; SB 124, allowing hospitals within the same health system to share peer review records without waiving privilege; HR 174, urging study of fenbendazole as a possible cancer treatment; SB 270, allowing terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana in health care facilities; SB 359, changing terms for certain Morehouse Parish hospital district commissioners; and HR 194, requesting de-identified school visual acuity screening data for research. The committee adjourned after reporting all measures favorably, several with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• for clarity and that we make the same amendments with the Senate version to have it to be a micro-credential
• for clarity and that we make the same amendments with the Senate version to have it to be a micro-credential
• Yeah,<00:02:11.520> micro-credential. Yeah, micro-credential. Yeah, micro-credential.

Bills: HCR122

Keywords: Olelo Hawaii, micro-credentials, Hawaiian language, Niihau dialect, language revitalization, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate Committee on Education and Committee on Hawaiian Affairs first took up HCR 122, which requests the University of Hawaii to allow an ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi E Pathway under the Niʻihau dialect. Testimony was generally supportive, and the chair noted agreement with the House author to mirror amendments already made in the Senate version, including technical, non-substantive changes and a micro-credential reference. Both committees voted to pass HCR 122 with amendments. The committee then heard HCR 181, affirming the legislative intent of HRS 302A-1116 regarding the Department of Education’s authority to create temporary positions. DOE Superintendent Keith Hayashi testified that the department follows statutory requirements and consults with the Attorney General, while several members expressed concern that the department’s interpretation could allow repeated annual renewals and undermine the budget process. Members discussed the need to make the bill more explicit that temporary positions may not exceed one year. The committee ultimately adopted the proposed SD1 and passed HCR 181 with amendments. The committee also considered HCR 42 on recognizing cheerleading as a title sport, HCR 53 on a UH associate degree completion audit, HCR 110 on refining campus roles within the UH system, HCR 111 on clarifying UH system and campus responsibilities, and HCR 118 HD1 on strengthening menstrual health education and adopting a comprehensive menstrual cycle curriculum. HCR 42 and HCR 53 were passed with technical/non-substantive amendments, HCR 110 and HCR 111 were passed unamended, and HCR 118 HD1 was passed with amendments reflecting the Senate version. Testimony on HCR 118 strongly supported standardized menstrual health education, with speakers emphasizing student demand and existing school infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• accomplished on the worker pipeline, career ladders, apprenticeships, improved wages, and streamlining credentialing
• Weakening training standards and credentialing does not work over the long term.
• And then licensing and credential barriers.
• In the training and credentialing space, there are some goals to try to get testing embedded into training
• for the direct care workforce and remove some of the barriers that they're facing in becoming credentialed

Summary: The committee met for what was described as its final meeting, with members and staff reflecting on the work of the Joint Legislative Executive Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care and noting that future work would likely shift to standing health and wellness committees. The meeting began with introductions and then moved into updates on major initiatives that originated from the committee, including Washington Cares, the Dementia Action Collaborative, and Medicaid long-term care programs. Presenters emphasized that these efforts were developed through long-term legislative-executive collaboration and were intended to help Washington prepare for the state’s aging population. On Washington Cares, DSHS described the program’s development from a 2014 research effort to its 2019 enactment, premium collection beginning in 2023, portability improvements in 2024, and 2025 changes including a grandfathered opt-out fix and a framework for supplemental private long-term care insurance. The agency said benefits are expected to go fully live next summer, with a pilot of up to 400 applicants planned for next January. On dementia policy, the Dementia Action Collaborative reported on the state dementia plan, Project ECHO training for providers, and pilot dementia-capable community programs at area agencies on aging, citing preliminary results that about 85% of family caregivers said services helped people remain at home. DSHS also reviewed Medicaid Transformation Project initiatives, including Medicaid Alternative Care, Tailored Supports for Older Adults, presumptive eligibility, and health-related social needs benefits such as rental assistance, nutrition support, and home modifications. The committee then heard an emerging issues panel from ombuds and disability advocates. Patricia Hunter of the long-term care ombuds program raised concerns about staffing shortages, resident rights, surveillance technology, private equity ownership of facilities, and illegal discharges or evictions. Betty Sweeterman of the Developmental Disabilities Ombuds discussed people stuck in hospitals without medical need, gaps in behavioral health services for people with developmental disabilities, and the need for better workforce training. Todd Carlyle of Disability Rights Washington urged expansion and bundling of community supports such as PACT, GOSH, and peer bridgers to reduce repeated institutionalization and support discharge from inpatient psychiatric settings. Provider and labor panels followed, with nursing home, assisted living, supported living, and union representatives all emphasizing workforce shortages, low wages, Medicaid rate inadequacy, case management bottlenecks, behavioral health complexity, and the need for more flexible care models and stronger accountability for rate increases. No formal votes were taken; the meeting ended with public comment on manufactured housing and closing remarks thanking staff and participants for the committee’s work.

Transcript Highlights:

• A 121% INCREASE IN CAREER TECHNICAL CREDENTIALS AND CERTIFICATIONS EARNED SO THAT IS THE RESULTS OF YOUR
• CHANGING OUTCOMES AROUND COMMITMENT THAT WE SEE KIDS DOING BETTER IN SCHOOL, IF YOU SEEK IS HAVING A CREDENTIAL
• MODELS BECAUSE LIKE OUR MODERATE RISK OF 6 TO 8 MONTHS IT'S VERY HARD SOMETIMES TO GET THE FULL CREDENTIAL
• COMPLETED DURING THAT TIME WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT OUR CREDENTIAL VALUING BUT WE LOOK AT INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS
• TECHNICAL COLLEGE AND WE HAVE KIDS ENROLLED IN HVAC, ELECTRICAL AND THESE ARE KIDS GETTING A WORKFORCE CREDENTIAL

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, next up, HB 275, relative to health career credentialing requirements.
• <01:22:23.840> Mental<01:22:24.120> Health<01:22:24.600> providers credentialing
• Mental Health providers credentialing Mental Health providers and<01:22:26.040> it<01:22:26.320
• <01:22:34.560> requirements change the credentialing requirements change the credentialing
• improving access to mental credentialing improving access to mental health<01:22:42.560> care

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 167, a PFAS-related measure expanding the state’s restrictions to include ski wax and related fluorocarbons. The sponsor said the bill was a follow-up to last year’s PFAS law and largely targeted products already off the market, describing it as a reaffirmation of the state’s intent to keep PFAS out of water. The committee voted unanimously to recommend the bill ought to pass and then placed it on the consent calendar. Next, the committee considered House Bill 275 on health career credentialing requirements. The discussion centered on a proposal that would have required insurance companies to pay for training mandated by federal requirements. Members concluded that approach was not appropriate and voted unanimously to make the bill inexpedient to legislate, then placed it on the consent calendar. House Bill 276, dealing with on-premise beverage license requirements, was then reconsidered after an initial ITL vote. The committee adopted an amendment creating a tavern license for establishments limited to patrons over 21, with a higher fee and no food requirement, and then voted 15-0 to recommend the bill ought to pass as amended; it was also placed on the consent calendar. The committee then took up House Bill 310, which would establish a commission to study a regulatory framework for stable tokens and tokenization of real-world assets. The sponsor said the amendment added blockchain-based trusts and discussion of privacy and environmental concerns. The committee approved the amendment 16-0 and then voted 16-0 to recommend the bill ought to pass as amended, placing it on the consent calendar. House Bill 312, concerning intercollegiate student athletes’ right to earn compensation from name, image, and likeness, was retained because members said the issue was not ready and the NCAA had not resolved how to handle it. Finally, the committee began discussion of House Bill 316 on ground ambulance reimbursement, with an amendment that would replace the bill’s reimbursement provisions with a study commission; members debated how it related to another bill, HB 725, and whether the amendment would delay immediate relief for ambulance providers.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c> a modern safe deposit box for digital a modern safe deposit box for digital assets<04:30:44.399><
• As digital assets to their communities.
• virtual<04:31:44.880> currencies As digital assets and virtual currencies As digital assets
• > currencies Digital assets and virtual currencies Digital assets and virtual currencies are<04
• <04:32:36.800> already<04:32:37.199> in digital assets mirror those already in digital

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chattenyay is a teacher and he does not have credentials to be a counselor.
• I think many, if not all of you actually got it in digital format before.
• yesterday on Senator Betancourt's SB571. ...one from a 30-year law enforcement officer with amazing credentials
• Other states have already recognized the risk of publicizing sensitive proceedings in the digital era
• We're not being racist or xenophobic, but because he needs to be able to read signs, digital LED signs

Bills: HB4011, HB2680, HB4325, HB4327, HB4944, HB1761, HB4688, HB3453, HB40, HB1707, HB4749, HB2322, HB3647, HB4139, HB4081, HB2203, HB2100, HB4170, HB3104, HB4623, HB40

Keywords: partition, heirs' property, real estate, co-ownership, family property, non-heir cotenant, right of first refusal, pilot services, liability limitation, maritime commerce, Matagorda Bay, Lavaca Bay, transportation code, maritime industry, civil liability, barratry, penalties, legal actions, damages, wrongful death

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill requires every credentialed educator in New Hampshire, every teacher, coach, counselor, and
• This bill requires every credentialed<00:35:03.520> educator<00:35:04.320> in<00:35:04.720
• credentialed educator in New Hampshire. credentialed educator in New Hampshire. every<00:35:05.920
• What they don't have, or shouldn't have, is the right to conscript every credentialed educator to a mandatory
• What they don't have, or shouldn't have, is the right to conscript every credentialed educator to a mandatory

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the legislation, it talks about having a universal credentialing system for behavioral health.
• This would mean having a system where we can make it a little bit easier for providers to become credentialed
• It's not just the MCOs being credentialed and enrolled within the MCOs, but it's also the licensing part
• They are on target to give us their single source credentialing system on March 1st.
• So, a single source credentialing system within the MCOs would be a platform for folks to be credentialed

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, sexual assault nurse examiners—you'll hear them as SANE nurses—are a special credential, and we love
• We have almost 500 of them registered and credentialed throughout the state.
• throughout the state we do credentialed throughout the state we do prefer<00:40:56.680> that<
• <00:42:35.640> thank<00:42:35.800> you<00:42:35.880> Mr credential thank you Mr
• credential thank you Mr chairman<00:42:37.720> thank<00:42:37.880> you<00:42:38.079>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 132, a health care conscience-protection measure. Supporters said the bill would protect health care professionals from being forced to participate in procedures or services that violate sincerely held religious or ethical beliefs, while explicitly excluding emergency care. They argued it would help recruit and retain providers, preserve ethical integrity in medicine, and has worked in several other states. Supporters also emphasized that the bill is aimed at procedures or services, not at denying care based on who a patient is, and noted that the bill includes a civil cause of action to give it enforcement teeth. Several supporters described personal experiences. A nurse said lack of conscience protections affected her career choices and limited her path into women’s health. Dr. Warman said he had requested not to perform anesthesia for abortions and later chose non-narcotic pain management because he objected to heavy opioid prescribing, saying conscience protections allow professionals to practice responsibly. Senators asked about examples, the bill’s scope, whether it could be used to discriminate, and which states have similar laws; Mississippi, Florida, Montana, Ohio, South Carolina, and Arkansas were named. Questions also focused on the bill’s civil enforcement provisions and whether it could be used against patients based on identity or religion. Opponents warned the bill was overly broad and could allow refusals of care by a wide range of health workers, including clerks, ambulance drivers, pharmacists, nurses, and physicians. Dr. Karen Abrams said it could lead to denial of birth control, Plan B, blood transfusions, and other care, especially in rural areas with few alternatives, and could worsen Kentucky’s provider shortages. David Conway said the bill lacked patient protections, could increase delays and discrimination, and could prevent reassignment of objecting staff. The chair noted there were seven people signed up in opposition, limited testimony to two minutes each, and said the committee would return to the bill after hearing additional opposition and other pending bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• In those courses, kids have an opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials.
• Most kids leave with multiple credentials when finishing the program.
• it through dual enrollment, we can have a senior graduate high school and be ready and have the credentials

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• requires Service Oklahoma to offer an optional expedited delivery service for those who need their credential
• It's 3 cents per issued credential. And then I have spoken.
• So they actually have checked into this already prior to me, and it's three cents per issued credential

Bills: SB1220, SB1221, SB1239, SB1309, SB1349, SB1434, SB1516, SB1531, SB1538, SB1861

Keywords: memorial designation, interchange, Terry Walker, transportation, Oklahoma, driver license, tracking system, expedited delivery, Service Oklahoma, REAL ID, public safety, apportionment, state revenue, funding, vehicle registration, infrastructure, state roads, bridges, economic development, highway construction