Transcript Highlights:

• So for all we're doing, we're just simply aging out.
• What are the ages of the students that participate? So that's one level question.
• So Miami Dade College is the predominant college in our area, and they have all ages there.
• And so it's a large spread of age groups within that university.
• 45 and up, I'm wondering if we need to focus more on the younger age, maybe even making some headway

Transcript Highlights:

• campuses fund some repairs each year, the state general fund allocation cannot meet the needs of this aging
• Aging facilities are a major concern; currently, 31% of our academic buildings, including nearly 20%
• The community college system is aging; more than 57% of our facilities are over 25 years old, and more
• We've distributed more than 45 million dollars to over 86,000 college-age students.
• Oh, the other, the last question I have is on the college age and maybe college enrolled.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's baseline requirements for the contract, which would be student ages, grade level, student
• That district is also aging.
• That district is also aging.
• So that district is also aging. The district is also aging. There are other people like me.
• They're past that age where, in neighborhoods that I grew up in, they're just an aging population.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met with a quorum and took up several education bills. SB 1150, by Senator Calatayud, was presented as a measure to help school districts retain school social workers by removing an exam requirement unrelated to the profession. With no questions or debate, the committee voted the bill favorably. The committee then moved to SB 1514, by Senator Smith, on anaphylaxis response in public schools. After adopting a delete-all amendment and a late-filed amendment clarifying FDA-approved epinephrine devices and weight-based dosing, the committee heard support from Orange County Public Schools and reported the bill favorably. The most extensive discussion centered on SB 1708, also by Senator Calatayud, which would expand Schools of Hope by broadening the definition of low-performing schools from those in the bottom 10% in both math and reading to those in the bottom 10% in either subject, and would authorize co-location of Schools of Hope in underused public school facilities. Senators questioned how co-location would work, who could enroll, how liability and contracts would be handled, and whether the bill would help the specific students most in need. Many public speakers opposed the bill, arguing it would strain already underfunded public schools, reduce space and resources, and unfairly favor charter operators. The sponsor said the bill would not reduce classroom space in use, would require contracts to address safety and liability, and would provide a net positive to districts through a $600-per-student facility payment plus associated funding. After debate from both supporters and skeptics, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also considered CS for SB 822, by Senator Rodriguez, which would give charter schools more autonomy over governance and operations, including deadlines, enrollment caps, student conduct policies, and data sharing. The Florida Charter School Alliance supported the bill, arguing it would create parity and reduce burdens on charter schools, while committee members pressed the witness on claims of district “harassment” and the basis for those concerns. The bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. At the end of the meeting, members recorded votes on prior tabs, thanked staff, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• At the age of 17, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition that had the potential to severely limit
• And to compound matters, at the age of 24, I lost my mom to heart disease and kidney failure.
• out of foster care. last year, and we increased supports for youth aging out of foster care.
• By the age of 24, I suffered three heart attacks.
• She had to watch me sign my living will at the age of 24.

Summary: The Health Policy Committee met for its final meeting of the session and handled a very full agenda, beginning with a few housekeeping items and a brief thank-you to staff. Senate Bill 596 was temporarily postponed. The committee then reconsidered and amended SB 1606 on patient access to records, clarifying portal access obligations and deleting a section that would have improperly affected nursing home facility records; the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also recommended confirmation of a block of appointees and separately confirmed Chavon Harris as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration after testimony focused on transparency, financial oversight, Medicaid managed care accountability, and internal controls at AHCA. Harris said she would prioritize staffing, monitoring, and improved reporting, and several health care groups waived in support. The committee next heard and passed several bills, including claims bills SB 28 and SB 22 for South Broward Hospital District settlements, both reported favorably. It also approved SB 772 on undesignated glucagon in schools, SB 998 on allowing physician assistants and APRNs to complete death certificates under hospice/palliative protocols, SB 1412 on home health agency administration and staffing flexibility, SB 1800 creating a Parkinson’s disease research consortium at USF, SB 306 on Medicaid managed care network access during holidays and after hours, SB 1768 on stem cell therapies and informed consent, SB 1602 on pediatric readiness standards in emergency departments, SB 1156 on the home health aide program for medically fragile children, SB 1490 on Children’s Medical Services and Medicaid managed care administration, and SB 1182 on Medicaid coverage of continuous glucose monitors. Most of these bills were amended, generally to narrow scope, align with the House, or make technical changes, and most received support from provider associations, advocacy groups, or affected institutions. The most debated measure was SB 1270, which combined several health freedom and medical marijuana provisions. The strike-all amendment retained language prohibiting discrimination based solely on vaccination status, added protections related to mRNA vaccine documentation requirements, and included medical marijuana regulatory and background-screening language. The committee heard extensive testimony both in support and opposition, including concerns from senators about whether the bill would force providers to treat patients contrary to medical judgment, and support from witnesses arguing it protected patient autonomy and access to care. After a time-certain motion, the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. At the end of the meeting, senators recorded their votes on selected tabs, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is about the next generation of agriculturalists in a new age of discovery.
• We managed to age-gate, meaning you have to be 21 or over to purchase the products.
• We need access restrictions, not just age restrictions.
• We need access restrictions, not just age restrictions.
• If you're concerned about availability to underage people, age restrictions.

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture heard a presentation from Florida FFA state officers Gabby Howell and Macy Jordan, who described FFA and agricultural education as a three-part model of classroom instruction, supervised agricultural experience, and leadership development. They highlighted FFA membership growth, Florida’s more than 60,000 members, industry certifications, and state funding that allows all agriculture education students to participate at no cost. Members praised the students and the organization’s role in developing future agricultural leaders. The committee then took up SB 438, which would regulate hemp and hemp extract products, including THC-infused beverages, by adding testing, labeling, retail location, age, and event restrictions, along with penalties and $2 million for testing equipment. Senator Burton said the bill is intended to address public safety, prevent products with illegal THC levels from reaching consumers, and respond to the governor’s prior veto concerns, especially store location and regulation. An amendment clarifying final batch testing was adopted without objection. Testimony was mixed. Supporters, including beverage distributors, law enforcement, and some hemp beverage businesses, backed regulation and said the bill would improve safety and clarity, though some asked for changes to avoid treating specialty beverage retailers like liquor stores. Opponents and some hemp industry representatives argued the bill was too restrictive, would hurt small businesses, and could push products into the black market; they also objected to THC limits, event restrictions, and the proposed regulatory structure. After debate, the committee voted 6-0 to report CS for SB 438 favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• You've got to prove your age to buy the ticket. Warriors don't do that.
• In the age of know your client, know your customer, in the age of everything. and tracked, and so much
• People are aging. People are becoming accustomed to online transactions.
• We offer a convenient, secure, and safe way for people of age, or of the age. of 18 that's verified to
• We are currently operating in age jurisdictions.

Bills: SB 28, SB 687, SJR 34, SCR 9, SB 523, SB 62, SB 847, SB 706, SB 869, SB 890, SB 992

Keywords: lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, SB 687, land surveyor, land surveying, surveying services, construction contract, anti-indemnity, indemnity, hold harmless, defense obligation, standard of care, professional negligence, civil practice and remedies code, local government code, governmental agency, public contracts

Summary: The meeting was a crucial session for discussing several important bills including SB992, which aims to establish a clear time frame for the Attorney General's approval on outside legal counsel for state agencies. Senator Nichols presented the bill, emphasizing its necessity for timely responses to ensure efficient legal processing. Another notable discussion centered around SB523, which seeks to allow parole and probation officers to use a business address on their driver's licenses for safety and security purposes. This bill passed favorably out of the committee, with public testimony supporting the need for such provisions due to the risks these officers face.

Transcript Highlights:

• Doug Miyamoto with the Department of Ag.
• > state<00:31:01.440> meat department of Ag that has a state meat department of Ag that has
• Ag. Ag.
• disparate agreements for different ag disparate agreements for different ag products.<01:15:06.240
• Department of Ag and Mr. Department of Ag and Mr.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:49:10.799> out that is okay my girls have aged out that is okay my girls have aged out
• loses access to a portal system at age loses access to a portal system at age 12<01:08:35.719>
• <02:08:29.040> of um yes I've already said all ages of um yes I've already said all ages of
• <03:11:12.279> 18<03:11:12.840> to that is for youth ages 18 to that is for youth ages
• My own sister aged out of foster care.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Children and Family Law Committee opened with a brief prayer for Representative Grossman’s son, Oscar, who was reported to be in critical condition after a traumatic fall. The committee then took up House Bill 430, which would reduce DHHS retention of unfounded abuse and neglect reports from 10 years to 3 years. Prime sponsor Chairman James Spain argued that 10 years is excessive and burdens families with a long-lasting stigma, while emphasizing that founded reports and reports with reasonable concern would still be retained indefinitely. Committee members questioned whether longer retention helps identify malicious reporting or patterns of abuse, and whether parents understand the distinction between unfounded and unfounded with reasonable concern. The Office of the Child Advocate and DCF opposed the bill. Child Advocate Cassandra Sanchez said historical reports are important for identifying patterns, reviewing critical incidents, and understanding family dynamics, and that screened-out and unfounded reports can be essential context when later reports arise. She also noted that the records are highly confidential and not publicly accessible. DCF General Counsel Susan Larabe added that the bill could create inconsistencies by retaining screened-out reports longer than unfounded reports, and explained that unfounded reports can be used in court and in administrative reviews when there are multiple prior reports. The committee discussed how other states handle retention, with testimony that some keep records indefinitely and others for long periods. The hearing on HB 430 concluded, and the chair said the bill would not be executed until early March, leaving time for amendments. The committee then opened House Bill 187, concerning restraining orders sought by a parent on behalf of a minor child. Prime sponsor Representative Mike Belcher said the bill is intended to correct a gap in the law so children can access the same restraining-order protections adults can, through a parent or guardian, and framed it as an equal-protection issue. Members questioned why the proposal was placed in the child abuse and neglect statute rather than the civil restraining-order statutes, and whether it should instead be handled as a broader civil-law fix. Alanda Peterson, who said she created Jade’s Law, testified that the original wording was meant to protect all children, not just those harmed by family members, and supported expanding the language. The hearing continued with additional discussion of the bill’s scope and purpose.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is for ages For Connecticut, we also cover the covered CT population.
• This is for ages 19 to 64, and they follow the Husky benefit guidelines.
• of 21 who meet certain conditions, and periodontal therapy for everyone, including over the age of 21
• had all four molars sealed at the age of 11?
• As we all know, in this day and age, that is very challenging to do, right?

Keywords: 962, all

Summary: The MAPOC Women and Children’s Health Subcommittee heard a presentation from Kate Parker Riley, executive director of the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership, on the Husky Dental Program and efforts to improve oral health during pregnancy. She reviewed the structure of Connecticut’s Medicaid dental benefit, the ASO model, provider network, utilization trends, and member barriers to care. She noted that children’s dental measures remain above the national median, but adult utilization is lower and the dental provider network has been shrinking, with longer wait times in rural areas. A major focus was the state’s goal to raise the rate of oral evaluation during pregnancy from about 17.5% to 25% by 2030. Riley described planned outreach to OB/GYN practices using a draft “snapshot” report showing each practice’s pregnancy oral-health rate compared with the state average, along with education materials based on ACOG and AAP guidance. Committee members and guests discussed barriers such as lack of provider training, workflow burden, access to dentists who will see pregnant patients, and the need for stronger referral bridges. Suggestions included adding simple oral-health screening questions in OB settings, using human support to make appointments, and exploring co-located dental hygienists or other embedded models. Riley also highlighted partnerships with DSS, DCF, Head Start, WIC, Read to Grow, YMCA programs, refugee resettlement agencies, and school-based and hospital partners, as well as data-sharing and navigation efforts. She said pregnant members newly identified through HUSKY will now receive outreach and navigation support. DSS dental director Carolyn MacArthur introduced herself and said she supports the initiative, noting the literature linking untreated maternal dental disease to poor child oral-health outcomes. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with thanks and a preview of upcoming July presentations on integrated behavioral health and home visitation programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• No, there's Carolyn, Deb Mittnall from Yukon Center of Aging.
• Hi, Deb McIntyneau, Yukon Center on Aging. And there's Sheldon. Ah, Sheldon.
• Up against some of the other aging states.
• She worked in the unit on aging and with an ADS, and... ...with Patty.
• Then DSS knows and ADS know, I mean, you know, not aging.

Keywords: 962, all

Summary: The Complex Care Committee meeting focused first on a new Diabetes Caucus launched at the Capitol. Rep. Johnson described the caucus as a forum to educate people about type 1 and type 2 diabetes, genetic risk, early testing, pregnancy-related diabetes, and ways Medicaid policy might improve prevention and lower long-term costs. Members agreed the caucus could intersect with care management, and Carolyn Grandell of CHNCT offered to share information about current diabetes-related care management services at a future meeting. The committee then heard a detailed presentation from Alex Rigger of the Office of Health Strategy, who is moving to the Office of Policy and Management. He reviewed Connecticut health care benchmark data, including total health care expenditures, medical spending, and market-by-market trends. He said 2023 to 2024 per-capita spending grew more than 8.5% statewide and 14% in Medicaid, with long-term care accounting for about 46% of Medicaid spending and retail pharmacy also identified as a major cost driver. Members asked about enrollment changes, dual-eligible populations, Medicare Savings Program members, 340B drug pricing, and value-based payment models. Rigger explained that his office tracks alternate payment models and quality benchmarks, but does not separately capture 340B data. Discussion then shifted to Medicare Advantage, dual eligibles, and hospital discharge planning. Members said they want better data on how many Medicaid members are in Medicare Advantage plans and whether those plans shift costs back to Medicaid or affect access to care, especially for complex-care patients. Staff noted DSS does have some Medicare Advantage indicators and that CMS is developing encounter-data rules for states. Kathy Holt and others raised concerns about denials, nursing home stays, and the need to compare Medicaid spending for dual eligibles in Medicare Advantage versus traditional Medicare. The meeting ended with plans for follow-up data sharing, including Alex Rigger’s slides, the diabetes caucus materials, and a future discussion with DSS and other agencies; no formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• The answer to that is we've always been able to recruit students at any age.
• No, and in fact, it's not just that age.
• That's why I mean, yeah, exactly, no matter what grade, exactly what age.
• My husband sees this as a teacher, and I see it as a mother of school-aged children.
• And if you said years of age, yeah, that's amazing.

Bills: HB322, HB126, HB3062, HB1481, HB2310, HB2674, HB121, HB2243, HB3627, HB1178, HB367, HB5515, HB126, HB121

Keywords: JET Grant Program, career education, technical education, community colleges, technology solutions, high demand jobs, student athletes, name image likeness, compensation, intercollegiate athletics, representation, fentanyl prevention, drug poisoning awareness, higher education, mental health resources, substance abuse education, student policy, communication devices, school regulations, disciplinary measures

Transcript Highlights:

• you, when you're encouraging those kind of activities as you get later in life and even at a younger age
• The Ag Science program, the high schools and outdoor education curriculum in middle and high schools
• line is you have to look toward those folks to grow them beyond the adult stage at the 18 years of age
• There were 49,430 suicides just in 2022, ages 1 and 12 and older.
• Other than the age of the students. Do we have the same problem in higher ed? In college?

Bills: HB6, HB27, HB123, HB210, HB213, HB222

Keywords: hemp, consumable hemp products, hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, cannabidiol, CBG, cannabigerol, Texas hemp law, hemp regulation, cannabinoid products, delta-9 THC, intoxicating hemp, hemp gummies, hemp vape, retail registration, product registration, QR code labeling, child-resistant packaging, youth access, minor sales

Transcript Highlights:

• You provided $2. benefit enhancements for our retirees, one was a stipend based upon their age, those
• who were or between ages 70 and 74 receive $2,400.
• And if you're over the age of 75, you got.
• One is our average age of retirement has increased, whereas it used to be 60, 61. 63 for the average
• age of retirement for our members.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, Senate Bill 1806 extends foster care through the age of 21.
• For kids who are aging out or those who are 16 or older that have achieved permanency, guardianship,
• or adoption by the age of 16, it lists that these individuals must be completing secondary education
• That one in four kids that age out of foster would end I would, Chairman Hill, and I would also recall
• This is resolving an issue over some age discussions.

Bills: SB1558, SB1983, SB1796, SB1806, SB1426, SB633

Keywords: child care, licensing, definitions, foster care, child welfare, SB1983, resource family partner, resource family partners, Department of Human Services, DHS, foster homes, foster children, placement data, data sharing, de-identified data, aggregated data, sibling groups, placement disruptions, foster parent recruitment, foster parent retention

Transcript Highlights:

• prison if that person, for example, commits a lewd or lascivious molestation of a victim under the age
• of 16 years of age or of an elderly or disabled victim.
• through all the different levels, but this is particularly for sex trafficking of minors under the age
• It is mandatory life if someone traffics a child under the age of 12. Thank you.
• A person that would use force to traffic a child under the age of 12, where they are repeatedly raped

Summary: The committee heard three member bills. CS/HB 1095 would create a criminal offender substance abuse pilot program in Hillsborough County for probationers ordered to abstain from drugs and alcohol, with frequent testing, immediate arrest for violations, and a cap of 150 participants. An amendment removed the fiscal impact by eliminating an appropriation and directing any appropriated funds to the administering entity; the amendment and bill both passed, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. CS/HB 1455 would establish mandatory minimum sentences for repeat sexual offenders or predators who commit specified sexual offenses, including 10-year and 20-year minimums depending on the offense, with no gain time or discretionary early release. The only public testimony was in support from the Smart Justice Alliance. The committee approved the bill 11-1 and reported it favorably. CS/HB 1283 would make the sex trafficking of a child under 12 or a mentally incapacitated person a capital felony punishable by death or life imprisonment. Members questioned the fiscal impact, housing on death row, and how the death penalty process would work; the sponsor said the bill was aimed at the worst offenders and that current law already provides mandatory life for trafficking a child under 12. Public testimony included opposition from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and support from the Smart Justice Alliance. After debate focused on constitutionality and the death penalty, the committee passed the bill 10-3 and reported it favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• education for anyone age under age 22. education for anyone age under age 22.
• they're working toward age 25. they're working toward age 25.
• <00:49:53.839> And when they're in those younger ages.
• And when they're in those younger ages.
• Anyone under the age of some controls.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are all for the area agencies on aging grants.
• Grant number 12 through grant number 16 are all federal grants with the Division of Aging, Adult, and
• Number 85 through 101 are all with DHS Division of Aging, Adults, and Behavioral Health Services, and
• with Fort Smith Children's Emergency Shelter for supervised independent living programs for youth ages
• This is also for supervised independent living for youth ages 18 to 21 who are participating in extended

Summary: The committee met to review a supplemental agenda item, procurement rule revisions, methods of finance, discretionary grants, contracts, reports, and a member disclosure. The supplemental agenda was accepted, and the Office of State Procurement’s rule revisions were approved after Jessica Patterson explained they were driven by 2025 legislative changes, including Act 782, CASO Consulting recommendations, and updates to sole source, bid, protest, and debarment provisions. The methods of finance and discretionary grants were also approved, covering a range of university capital projects, health and human services grants, historic preservation awards, and tobacco prevention and cessation programs. The committee then reviewed RFQs and six ratifications. The ratifications included a Workforce Connections payment to ACT WorkKeys for services provided during a contract gap, a Department of Health ratification for water-leak repairs, a large Department of Public Safety ratification for Motorola’s Arkansas Wireless Information Network upgrade, a Veterans Affairs HVAC ratification, an ADFA medical services ratification, and a UA Little Rock painting contract ratification. Members questioned the Public Safety ratification at length about why the expired Motorola contract was not caught sooner and why it took months after discovery to come forward; agency officials said the work was tied to bond funding and was not tracked in ASIS, and the chair urged agencies to develop better monitoring procedures. The committee approved a large slate of construction, intergovernmental, out-of-state, and in-state contracts, including many recurring service agreements for DHS, higher education institutions, corrections, health agencies, and state support functions. Several members asked about specific contracts, including aerial application services for correctional farms and a Southern Arkansas University custodial contract, and staff or agency representatives provided brief explanations. The meeting concluded with review of reports and approval of a member disclosure involving Representative Andrew Collins’ investment interest in a company leasing property to Arkansas Rehabilitation Services.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we have grants four through 11, and these are all for the area agencies on aging grants.
• Next, we have grants four through 11, and these are all for the area agencies on aging grants.
• Grant numbers 12 through 16 are all federal grants with the Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health
• Number 42, DHS Division of Aging, Adults, and Behavioral Health with 24-7 All-Staff.
• Contracts 85 through 101 are all with DHS Division of Aging, Adults, and Behavioral Health Services,

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In Article 4, it's about the aging and disability services that covers a few things that I've just described
• controversy, but in the areas where people were willing to work together, particularly in the world of aging
• /c><00:02:02.080> it's<00:02:02.240> about<00:02:02.520> the<00:02:02.720> aging
• In Article four, it's about the aging In Article four, it's about the aging and and and disability
• and long-term care, uh world of aging and long-term care, uh those<00:03:22.760> pieces<00:03

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up Senate File 476, the human services policy bill on continuity of care, assisted living safety, vulnerable adult protections, and program integrity. Representative Noor, the bill’s author, described it as a broad policy package covering direct care and treatment, Department of Health policy, aging and disability services, behavioral health, maltreatment of vulnerable adults, continuity of care, and miscellaneous changes. Representative Schumacher also supported the bill, saying the final language reflected extensive stakeholder work and compromise, especially in aging and long-term care, while also adding guardrails around fraud-related processes and other DHS policy decisions. Several amendments were considered. A DE3 amendment was offered and adopted, and an A8 amendment to the amendment was initially discussed as a way to create a legislative working group and bring more community input into human services program changes, but Representative Curran withdrew it. Curran then offered A11, which would have changed billing limits for individualized home supports with training, but withdrew that as well after noting DHS concerns about possible costs. The House then suspended the rules to allow Noor’s A13 technical amendment, which was adopted. On third reading, Representative Frederick praised the bipartisan work and highlighted provisions addressing intimidation of staff in the Minnesota Sex Offender Program, extending voluntary return time for certain civilly committed individuals, and allowing some DCT staff to move from unclassified to classified positions. Noor thanked staff and reiterated that the bill protects vulnerable people while preserving program integrity and taxpayer dollars. The bill passed as amended by a vote of 93 ayes to 39 nays, and its title was agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many young people, especially ages 15 to 23, don't know where they can find internships, apprenticeships
• 58.959> young<00:03:59.200> people,<00:03:59.599> especially<00:04:00.080> ages
• Many young people, especially ages do.
• Many young people, especially ages 15<00:04:00.959> to<00:04:01.200> 23,<00:04:01.840><
• <00:04:38.880> population our workforce with the age population our workforce with the age

Keywords: 1183, house