Transcript Highlights:

• Like, oh my gosh, is somebody alleging a child abuse case and now do I have to report it to CPS, or just
• oh my gosh, is somebody alleging a child abuse case and now do I have to report it to see him at a CPS
• case and now do I have to report it to CPS or just maybe kind of go through how it works.
• withholding for a good reason, they can take it to a criminal court, show up, show that they took the kids to CPS

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• I think some of your information is a little off because um I I teachers are mandatory reporters to cps
• not to not to just their supervisors they have to report anything that they find out through to CPS
• seeing two different streams of information in what you're saying because if they're not reporting it to CPS
• they're going inside of family. courts making these statements, but yet they don't report to DFPS, CPS

Bills: HB2646 , HB3941 , HB5153 , HB5155 , HB5394 , HB 1106 , HB426 , HB4529 , HB3984 , HB4273 , HB 1097 , HB3940 , HB1941 , HB4377 , HB3153

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: child care, task force, high-quality care, affordability, prekindergarten partnerships, foster care, transitional living, Medicaid reform, youth assistance, independent living, services for youth, employment training, educational support, mental health services, health care, public health, child health program, reimbursement, local health entities, maternal health

Transcript Highlights:

• Defense Attorneys, which is a statewide association of attorneys who represent parents. children and CPS
• They don't need to take place in the CPS offices, which is really not a very ideal place for visiting
• As process is unchanged, CPS still investigates, they still remove children and they still can take it
• Consulting for attorneys on medical CPS cases, so parents are pretty much shocked when they find out
• I have a grandmother right now that has... has an open CPS case, she doesn't speak English, and I've

Bills: HB741 , HB 1199 , HB2070 , HB2402 , HB2542 , HB2665 , HB2789 , HB3096 , HB3396 , HB3595 , HB3747 , HB4116 , HB4127

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current law in CPS cases, there is a requirement that courts hold hearings to consider whether
• Section 263.000 of the Family Code requires that in every CPS case, every six months, the court must

Bills: HB50

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: constitutional amendment, ballot language, fiscal note, fiscal impact, cost estimate, savings estimate, Legislative Budget Board, LBB, secretary of state, Election Code, Government Code, voter information, ballot proposition, state budget, election administration, Texas

Transcript Highlights:

• Our CP team collaborated with her primary care provider to resolve the issue efficiently.
• She recently received a high-priority ADA housing voucher thanks to her CP team and our partners.
• The CP team corrected errors in the medical transportation, referred her to Ethos Personal Care Assistance
• patient you just talked about or the others are now out of luck for this type of integrated care or CP

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• And so with families that are involved with CPS, King County Designated Mental Health Crisis, medical
• paralegal to help me do data entry and creating a really substantive chart based on time, not based on CPS
• limitations in a parenting plan on the parent who originally was making all the allegations, calling CPS
• I do also want to let you know that one of the other reasons the filings have increased is that CPS and

Summary: The work session began with a discussion of expanding opportunities in the legal profession, especially in response to shortages of lawyers in rural Washington and in public service roles. Washington State Bar Executive Director Tara Nevitt described a slowly growing but aging attorney population, noted that younger attorneys have declined, and outlined efforts such as supervised practice pathways to bar admission, reduced admission-by-motion experience requirements, expanded law clerk capacity, rural job fairs and grants, and a pilot program allowing innovative legal service delivery models. Members asked about bar passage score changes, loan repayment assistance, and the former Limited License Legal Technician program; Nevitt said the bar is monitoring other states and remains in dialogue with the court about paraprofessional licensing. Law school representatives from UW, Seattle University, and Gonzaga emphasized public service pipelines, financial barriers, and rural legal deserts, citing LRAPs, scholarships, stipends, clinics, and hybrid or regional programs designed to recruit and retain students in Washington. Seattle U highlighted its FlexJD and hybrid hub partnerships in underserved areas, while Gonzaga and UW reported substantial shares of graduates entering public service, though most still cluster in urban regions. The committee also heard from the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and the Office of Public Defense, both of which described severe recruitment and retention problems in rural counties, with vacancies, low applicant pools, and the need for higher salaries, housing help, internships, and loan support. The Office of Public Defense said its internship and fellowship program, created by SB 5780, has already placed interns in rural counties and produced some commitments to return after graduation. The Washington State Bar’s law clerk program was also presented as a pathway that helps people train locally and remain in their communities, including by supporting succession for aging solo practitioners. The committee then shifted to family law and guardianship issues. On Title 26 guardian ad litem practice, presenters from Northwest Justice Project and private family law practice said GALs can play an important role but that training, oversight, and consistency remain major concerns, especially in domestic violence cases. They described problems such as inadequate training, bias, inconsistent recommendations, high fees, and lack of accountability, and suggested stronger, standardized training, more use of mental health professionals for custody evaluations, and better oversight mechanisms. Members asked about county practices, including rotation systems for GAL appointments and whether King County’s family court assessors provide a useful model. The discussion then moved to minor guardianships under the Uniform Guardianship Act. A Superior Court judge said the 2021 changes increased the need for court visitors and appointed counsel, but courts are struggling to find qualified attorneys and visitors, especially in rural areas. A former commissioner said most of the bill under discussion was technical cleanup to align prior amendments, though it would add some fiscal burdens. Administrative Office of the Courts staff reported that the statewide reimbursement program for UGA implementation has repeatedly run out of money earlier each year, with minor guardianship costs making up most of the expense. The Office of Public Guardianship then described rapid growth in demand for adult guardianship and less restrictive alternatives, noting that referrals and caseloads have risen sharply, but that the office is constrained by a shortage of certified professional guardians and low compensation levels. Finally, the committee began an update on Blake implementation from the Office of Civil Legal Aid, which funds civil legal services related to the decision, before the transcript cut off.

Transcript Highlights:

• What we're talking about in those is, um, the other part of the bill, which was saying that with the CP
• was saying that part of the bill which was saying that with<00:02:46.920><c> the</c><00:02:47.519><c> CP
• 49.280><c> dip</c><00:02:50.239><c> that</c><00:02:51.200><c> and</c><00:02:51.480><c> and</c> with the CP
• and the C dip that and and with the CP and the C dip that and and that's<00:02:51.760><c> your</c><00

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 48, which would reduce the state-required formal observation cycle for tenured teachers from once every three years to once every five years, while preserving local district authority to conduct more frequent observations if they choose. Supporters argued the change would cut paperwork and time burdens on experienced teachers and principals, while still allowing districts to monitor performance and place teachers on improvement plans when needed. Members also discussed the bill’s separate provisions on school improvement plans, with clarification that CSI/TSI low-performing schools would still be required to maintain comprehensive improvement plans and receive additional support from KDE, and that the bill was not changing the evaluation system for those schools. A second major topic was professional development and teacher induction/mentoring requirements. The bill would consolidate state-mandated PD requirements into a rotational schedule for tenured teachers, and members noted that teachers are already subject to federal and local PD obligations that the legislature cannot change. Several speakers emphasized that the bill was intended to reduce state-level mandates, not eliminate useful supports for new teachers, and one member raised concern that mandatory induction/mentoring could limit districts’ ability to use Title II funds; the response was that the program remains valuable and should be revisited with dedicated funding rather than discarded. There was also a brief question about suicide prevention hotline and Safe Haven Baby Box posting language, which was explained as existing statute consolidated into one place. The committee then voted on the bill and it passed, with members offering brief explanations of support and noting frustration with recurring annual training requirements such as bloodborne pathogens. After the vote, members thanked the bill sponsors and educators who helped shape the legislation, and the chair announced weekly office hours in Room 367. The meeting ended with congratulations to the new K-12 chair and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• multiple stakeholder meetings as a result of the tragedy of Emily Pike, who was a tribal child in tribal CPS
• multiple stakeholder meetings as the result of the tragedy of Emily Pike, who was a tribal child in tribal CPS

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of the doctor of the day. Members also offered personal privilege remarks, including a thank-you for care packages sent to deployed National Guard troops, an introduction of Mom’s Demand Action guests, and a proclamation honoring the 205th anniversary of Greek Independence Day. The Speaker announced several committee assignments and bill referrals, including the withdrawal and reassignment of SB 1050 and SB 1519, and the House then moved into Committee of the Whole. In Committee of the Whole, the House considered and approved three Senate bills. SB 1125 received a do pass recommendation; discussion noted it was part of a broader set of child welfare-related measures stemming from hearings and the Emily Pike case, with emphasis on communication gaps between tribes and DCS, and DCS’s support for the bill. SB 1193 was amended on the floor to include paramedics along with EMTs, with supporters saying the bill protects private information held by DHS vendors. SB 1448 was also amended and passed; it adds utility, telecommunications, and video service workers to the aggravated assault statute when they are engaged in official work duties, and members debated whether the protection was necessary or overly broad, with supporters stressing on-duty protection and opponents questioning the need for a special classification. After the Committee of the Whole rose, the House adopted its report and referred the three bills to engrossing. The chamber then took up third-reading votes on SB 1023, relating to optometrists, which passed 43-10, and SB 1211, relating to sentencing, which passed 53-0. The House also heard announcements about upcoming committee meetings and a proclamation naming April 26 through May 2, 2026, as Arizona Water Professionals Week. The House adjourned until 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE COLLABORATIVE PHARMACY PRACTICE AGREEMENT ALSO KNOWN AS THE CP PPA WAS PASSED INTO LAW IN 2020.
• AMONG ITS WELL-MEANING GOALS CP PPA WAS PASSED INTO LAW IN 2020.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section seven: schools not required to do so may elect to create and maintain a CP or SE dip, or elect
• will provide them a timeline and guidelines to report on the Cognia software that's used to complete CPS
• Section seven: schools not required to do so may elect to create and maintain a CP or SE dip, or elect
• :38.600><c> in</c><00:26:38.760><c> section</c><00:26:39.679><c> 14</c><00:26:40.679><c> uh</c> the CPS
• and C dips and in section 14 uh the CPS and C dips and in section 14 uh it<00:26:40.919><c> requires

Summary: The House Primary and Secondary Education Committee met and first took up House Bill 14, which would establish Alyssa’s Law in Kentucky public schools. The bill, as amended by committee substitute, would allow districts to implement wearable panic alert systems for school staff beginning in the 2025-26 school year. Sponsor Rep. Kevin Jackson and supporters described the system as a silent badge/button that can alert school offices, 911, first responders, and other personnel, with different button sequences for different emergencies. Testimony from Lori Alade, Alyssa’s mother and founder of Make Our Schools Safe, emphasized that “time equals life” and said the technology can help in active threats, medical emergencies, weather events, and other urgent situations. Students from St. Margaret Mary’s Kentucky Youth Assembly also supported the bill, citing the Georgia school shooting response as an example of how such systems can save lives. Members asked about vendor neutrality, costs, training, and whether the system could be used off campus; sponsors said the bill is intended to be vendor neutral, estimated statewide costs ranged from about $2 million to $6 million, training would be provided before the school year, and they would follow up on the off-campus question. The committee approved HB 14 with the committee substitute attached. The committee then reconsidered and approved House Bill 48, a cleanup measure related to school reporting requirements. The substitute was described as addressing department concerns about eliminating certain reporting forms while preserving district flexibility and reducing burdensome reporting. It would allow schools to maintain or use alternative reporting methods, provide KDE a timeline and guidelines for reporting on Cognia software used for CPS and C-dips, and require a written report to the LRC describing reporting requirements imposed on public schools and districts, with items not reapproved by the legislature sunsetting in 2026. The bill passed the committee with the committee substitute attached. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 190, as amended by committee substitute, which would shift the measure from a planning-and-action bill to a planning-only bill for advanced coursework and codify some gifted-student regulations. Rep. Duvall and Dr. Julia Link Roberts of WKU said the bill is intended to expand opportunities for high-potential students by requiring districts to set policies on advanced coursework or accelerated learning options for grades 4 through 12. The substitute changes the standard from “proficient” to “distinguished,” allows districts flexibility in how they implement the policies, and may require automatic enrollment for students scoring distinguished, with opt-out provisions and a principal exception if coursework conflicts with career pathways or CTE access. Members discussed how the proposal differs from current advanced programs, the broader inclusion of students, and district variation in available opportunities. No final vote on HB 190 was included in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are not saying the CPS hotline goes away. We know that we do need the CPS hotline.
• We know that harm occurs when families who do not need CPS interventions are investigated or reported
• Protective Services in California in 2023, 49,463 children and youth were determined to need the services of CPS
• But we need to consider what harm a report to CPS does to a child and caregiver, even if the intention
• They would have CPS called on them. We must do better, and the status quo is not acceptable.

Transcript Highlights:

• issue and these bills, I wanted to invite all the SSEC's who hold these state contracts and function as CPs
• Work and then developing a very strong partnership with local CPS so that we can ease that transition
• You are all contracted with the state. to act as CPS in your different regions.

Bills: SB596 , SB961 , SB1398 , SB1183 , SB1952

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child protective services, foster care, child welfare, Family Code, conservatorship, managing conservator, parental child safety placement, authorization agreement, temporary authorization order, child abuse, child neglect, placement reporting, court-ordered removal, investigation, family preservation, transparency, public reporting, data reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank the ERCOT leadership and PUC. ...leadership and CPS Energy as well for working with us
• happen to be approximately what ERCOT needed for the solution in San Antonio, with some units that CPS
• So we've been working with ERCOT leadership and the PUC. and CPS to place them in the San Antonio region
• at locations chosen by CPS and ERCOT to relieve this problem that ERCOT believes will last for approximately

Bills: SB231 , SB584 , SB600 , SB668 , SB841 , SB986 , SB1003 , SB1244 , SB1625 , SB1960 , SB1963 , SB1964 , SB2026 , SB2056 , SB2368

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• What I do is I send it to the CPs Finance because we don't finance, right?
• comfort that the CP assessment is legal.
• What I do is I send it to the CPs Finance because we don't finance, right?
• comfort that the CP assessment is legal.
• comfort that the CP assessment is legal.

Summary: The committee opened by outlining hearing procedures, including a two-minute limit for live testimony, a request not to repeat written testimony, and a reminder about decorum. The first bill heard was SB 697, which would create a nonrefundable individual income tax credit for expenses to retrofit residences with wind-resistive devices. The Insurance Division said it supported the concept but noted it may need an appropriation or outside expertise to develop certification standards, while the Department of Taxation said the bill should retain a third-party certification requirement if the Insurance Division cannot administer the credit. The Hawaii Insurers Council supported the bill, and the Tax Foundation suggested a subsidy-style program would be more efficient than a tax credit and criticized the bill’s 100% credit structure. A testifier in support argued the measure would help homeowners fortify houses against hurricanes and reduce shelter demand; written testimony from several others, including HIEMA, was noted as supportive. The committee then moved through SB 76, which would require the Hawaii Property Insurance Association to provide commercial property coverage after two private-market denials, and SB 83, which would require insurers to give advance written premium-change notices and explanations to common-interest community policyholders and the insurance commissioner, along with a report on premium increases. For SB 76, the State Insurance Division stood on its written comments, and testimony in support came from Michael Honda, the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, and Jessica Herzog. SB 83 drew more extensive discussion: the Insurance Division supported the need for better transparency, while the Hawaii Insurers Council opposed the bill, arguing that agents—not insurers—typically communicate with AOAO boards and that the measure could worsen an already difficult market. Insurance Division staff acknowledged widespread complaints from condo associations about lack of transparency and said the division had received many calls about premium increases and nonrenewals. The discussion on SB 83 expanded into broader concerns about condo insurance, nonrenewals, surplus lines, and the difficulty of getting timely explanations for large premium increases. Committee members and testifiers described older buildings struggling to fund repairs and upgrades while facing steep insurance costs, and some urged the committee to craft baseline statutory protections for unit owners. The Insurance Division said surplus lines serve a critical gap-filling role and warned against regulating that market in a way that could slow access to coverage. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• three years on the date that the youth exited foster care, have no founded or substantiated findings by CPS
• license, also known as a kinship license, they cannot have any founded or substantiated findings by CPS

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee heard several Department of Social and Health Services-related bills. Senate Bill 6024, sponsored by Senator Gildon, would streamline oversight of community residential service providers by limiting DSHS to one annual routine review per subject area when possible, requiring better document sharing within the department, and preserving investigations tied to complaints, incidents, mortality reviews, and other legally required oversight. Supporters said the bill would reduce duplicative audits and paperwork so providers can spend more time on direct client services. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6063, an agency-request bill sponsored by Senator Bateman and supported by DSHS Secretary Angela Ramirez, to update statutes to reflect DSHS’s recent reorganization into the Home and Community Living Administration and the Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration. Testimony described the measure as a technical cleanup with no fiscal impact. In addition, Senate Bill 6036, sponsored by Senator Kaufman, would exempt certain former foster parents and kinship caregivers from adult family home licensure when they continue caring for a former foster youth who is now an adult and the only unrelated adult in the home. DSHS supported the bill as a narrow way to preserve continuity and stability for vulnerable young adults. The committee spent the most time on Senate Bill 5681, sponsored by Senator Cortez, as amended in a proposed substitute. The bill would lower the age for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to access employment and community inclusion services from 21 to 20, and rename community access as community inclusion. Senator Cortez and multiple advocates, educators, and service providers argued that earlier access would reduce service gaps, support transition from school to work, and help young adults maintain employment. Staff explained that the substitute changed the eligibility age from the original bill’s 19 to 20. No final action was taken; the chair closed the hearings and announced upcoming executive sessions on previously heard bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, CPS opposes any state efforts to create a new version of mandated standardized tests to assess
• In addition, CPS also supports passage of Senate 374, an act empowering students and schools to thrive
• CPS also supports H. 726, creating a community schools commission, and S. 409, an act relative to student
• to take this opportunity to share some results of seven people's forums on graduation readiness that CPS
• to take this opportunity to share some results of seven people's forums on graduation readiness that CPS

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education heard testimony on several bills centered on school accountability, receivership, graduation requirements, charter school access, community schools, school libraries, and student voting rights. Much of the discussion focused on the Thrive Act, S. 374, which would end state receivership and change the state’s accountability approach. Supporters, including educators, parents, advocacy groups, and students, argued that receivership has not improved outcomes in districts such as Lawrence, Holyoke, Southbridge, Boston, and the Dever, and that local communities should have more control, with greater emphasis on community schools, wraparound services, and broader measures of school quality. They also supported related bills on community schools and school library standards, and several witnesses backed a bill to expand student representative voting rights on school committees. Opponents of S. 374, especially charter school leaders, parents, students, and some education advocates, focused on Section 4 of the bill, which would change the charter school net school spending cap in the lowest-performing districts. They argued that the provision would reduce access to charter seats in communities where families are seeking more options, and that schools such as Roxbury Prep, Excel Academy, Brook, Veritas Prep, and Libertas Academy have produced strong results for students, including students of color, low-income students, and students with special needs. Several witnesses said the section would force schools to shrink or close and would remove opportunities for families in districts with long waitlists. Committee members questioned witnesses on both the effectiveness of receivership and the charter school cap language. Chair Lewis and Chair Gordon emphasized the need for a better accountability system and noted concerns about whether current measures, including MCAS-based designations, accurately reflect school quality. Some witnesses said they had discussed the possibility of removing Section 4 from the Thrive Act and suggested it might be addressed in separate charter reform legislation. No votes were taken during the hearing; testimony was received and the committee later closed testimony on S. 374 and several related bills before moving on to the student voting rights bill, S. 367.

Transcript Highlights:

• I had meetings with "pastors," law enforcement, and CPS.
• Every year, I have had to make reports, some official with CPS, of various levels of grooming, sexual
• With years of experience in trying cases, it is inevitable that we are waiting on... on CPS records for
• We've had cases that have been delayed for months, if not years. waiting on CPS records to be delivered

Bills: SB614 , SB872 , SB1199 , SB1212 , SB1278 , SB1573 , SB1588 , SB1602 , SB1660 , SB1704 , SB1723 , SB1833 , SB1858 , SB1946 , SB2009 , SB2146 , SB2177 , SB2373 , SB2460 , SB2785

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, when he was a teenager, he went through a really rough time and CPS determined he was too dangerous
• to... ...rough time and CPS determined he was too dangerous to live in our house with my two daughters

Bills: SB2959 , HB3096 , HCR29 , HCR56 , HCR12 , HCR55 , HCR74 , HCR78 , HCR116 , HCR117 , HCR6 , HCR50 , HCR107 , HCR80 , HCR58 , HCR70 , HCR71 , HCR72 , HCR75 , HCR93 , HCR12 , HCR6

Committee: Senate Administration

Keywords: firearm safety, awareness month, public safety, responsible ownership, storage, recreational use, profound autism, awareness day, caregiver, disabilities, support, counseling, mental health, awareness, support services, community health, necrotizing enterocolitis, premature infants, breastfeeding, health awareness

Summary: The Senate Committee on Administration met with a quorum and took up a series of pending resolutions, bills, and the local uncontested calendar. The committee first reported HCR 80 favorably and placed it on the May 9, 2025 local and uncontested calendar. It then heard and approved several commemorative resolutions, including HCR 12 designating September as Deaf Awareness Month for 10 years, HCR 55 reaffirming Poteet as the Strawberry Capital of Texas, HCR 56 designating May as NEC and Breastfeeding Awareness Month, and HB 3096 creating Profound Autism Awareness Day on March 17. Each of these measures was reported favorably to the full Senate, with no opposition in testimony except HB 3096, which included supportive testimony from Tara Duval describing the needs of individuals with profound autism and their families. The committee also approved HCR 58 redesignating Dripping Springs as the Wedding Capital of Texas, SB 2959 designating August as Firearm Safety Month, HCR 74 naming Carthage the Country Music Capital of Texas, HCR 78 establishing Lone Star Santa’s Charities Day, HCR 116 redesignating Brownsville as the Bicycling Capital of the Rio Grande Valley, and HCR 117 designating Port Aransas as the Fishing Capital of Texas. SB 2959 drew supportive testimony from Stephen Price, who emphasized gun safety, suicide prevention, and public awareness, while other measures received no public testimony. All were reported favorably and recommended for the May 9 local and uncontested calendar. Later, the committee approved HCR 6 naming Galveston the Juneteenth Capital of Texas, HCR 50 naming Galveston the Mardi Gras Capital of Texas, HCR 107 making the Texas Almanac the official State Book of Texas, HCR 70 designating Jim Hogg County as the Vaquero Capital of Texas, HCR 71 recognizing LaSalle County for wild hog hunting and related traditions, and HCR 29 designating April as Counseling Awareness Month. HCR 6 received testimony from a Galveston city representative in support of the Juneteenth designation, and HCR 29 received testimony from the Texas Counseling Association supporting recognition of counselors. Finally, the committee certified the May 9, 2025 local and uncontested calendar after removing 32 bills for reasons including penalties, fiscal notes, or opposition, specifically noting SB 317 was removed due to criminal and civil penalties, and then recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um again, House Bill 250 required<00:50:38.240><c> the</c><00:50:38.400><c> CP</c><00:50:38.800><
• create and oversee a required the CP create and oversee a management<00:50:40.160><c> and</c><00:50:
• </c><00:52:02.000><c> and</c> of the plan and then uh on-site CP and of the plan and then uh on-site
• </c><01:36:37.840><c> Um</c><01:36:39.040><c> CP</c> tight. whatever that number is.
• Um CP tight. whatever that number is.

Summary: The committee met with a full quorum and approved the prior minutes. Members offered introductions of guests and family members, then heard a presentation from University of Louisville President Thomas Jared Bradley, who was sworn in before testifying. He described his background and outlined U of L’s strategic priorities: student success, access and affordability, workforce development, community engagement, and research. Bradley highlighted enrollment growth, increases in first-generation and Pell-eligible students, strong transfer pathways with KCTCS, and support programs such as the Cardinal Commitment Grant, 15-to-Finish, Comeback Cards, tutoring, mentoring, and mental health services. Bradley also emphasized U of L’s statewide and regional impact through UofL Health, rural outreach, the Bullitt County rural cancer education and research center, nursing expansion, and the Kentucky Manufacturing Extension Partnership program. He noted major institutional distinctions, including R1 status, a new Carnegie Opportunity College and University designation, and community-engaged classification. He said the university is one of only 10 public universities nationwide with all three designations and reported record enrollment, improved retention, and strong research expenditures. He also thanked lawmakers for significant capital and operating support, including funding for the simulation center, health science center, asset preservation, and the MEP program. During questions, members praised the university’s public service role and asked about first-generation enrollment, retention, graduation rates, and post-graduation outcomes. Bradley said the university is working to improve completion by expanding academic support, early alerts, incentives for tutoring, and faculty/advisor mentoring, especially for first-generation and high-need students. He acknowledged that post-graduation employment data is difficult to collect but said the new Carnegie classification reflects positive outcomes. No votes were taken beyond approving the minutes, and no formal actions were taken on legislation in this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• That process can be used if CPS has not or is not willing to investigate the case.
• A JV 210 can be filed requiring CPS to make a decision within 21 days.
• If CPS does not believe there is abuse or neglect and does not act, then an appeal can be made within
• If CPS does not act, then an appeal can be made within one month through a JV-212.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met without a quorum and proceeded as a subcommittee while hearing a long consent calendar and several Assembly bills. Early testimony focused on AB 1744, which would prohibit sunscreen products marketed as “reef safe” or similar from containing chemical UV filters; the author and student supporters said the bill is a truth-in-labeling measure to protect marine ecosystems, and there was no opposition. Committee members praised the student witnesses and the author asked for an aye vote, but no vote was taken because of the lack of quorum. The committee then heard AB 713, which would allow undocumented students at UC, CSU, and community colleges to access campus jobs. Supporters, including a UCLA law professor and a large coalition of student, labor, immigrant-rights, and education groups, argued the bill would reduce exploitation and improve affordability and retention; opponents argued it would conflict with federal law. Members expressed strong support, and the author closed by emphasizing that students simply want the chance to work, but again no vote occurred due to the subcommittee status. The committee also heard AB 1359, allowing people age 80 and older to opt out of jury service without a doctor’s note, with support from the Alzheimer’s Association and LeadingAge California and no opposition. Additional measures included AB 2563, which would standardize California’s definition of sex discrimination across state codes to align with equal-rights principles; it drew strong support from women’s rights and labor groups and strong opposition from anti-trans advocates. AB 1705 would require websites to verify consent before hosting sexually explicit images of people, with supporters framing it as a response to nonconsensual pornography and opponents warning it could sweep in sites that prohibit such content. AB 1940 would explicitly name menopause in workplace protections, with supporters citing workforce equity and opponents saying existing accommodation law already covers it. The committee also heard AB 1824 and AB 2115 on Native American child welfare and a formal legislative apology for historic harms, both backed by tribal representatives and allies, as well as AB 2076 on nitrous oxide sales to minors and AB 2783 on court reporter licensing and remote reporting; all drew support and no recorded opposition. Several members praised the bills and indicated they would move them when a quorum was available.