Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1574, a bill to be entitled an act relating to newborn screenings.
• Senate Bill 1574, a bill to be entitled an act relating to newborn screenings.
• Senate Bill 1574, a bill to be entitled an act relating to newborn screenings.
• screening protocols and follow-up procedures are evidence-based and medically appropriate.
• Senate Bill 1574, a bill to be entitled an act relating to newborn screenings. Is there debate?

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest introductions before moving into a long special-order calendar. The chamber first considered two claims bills: SB 6/HB 6507 for relief of L.E. through the Department of Children and Families, described as compensation for severe injuries after DCF returned the child to unsafe parents, and SB 26/HB 6509 for the estate of Mark Legata, involving catastrophic injuries tied to FDOT negligence. Both bills were substituted with their House companions and passed overwhelmingly. Members then approved several policy bills focused on child welfare, education, and professional regulation. CS/CS/SB 42/HB 47 required child protective investigators to consider certain medical diagnoses before proceeding in abuse cases; CS/SB 206/HB 851 expanded autism-related training and incentives for teacher preparation programs; SB 556/HB 453 allowed Special Olympics participation to satisfy PE requirements for students with disabilities and clarified marching band credit; SB 688 reestablished licensure and regulation for naturopathic doctors; SB 878/HB 1347 addressed clinical laboratory personnel shortages by aligning more closely with federal CLIA standards; and SB 914/HB 867 clarified that licensed occupational therapists may perform dry needling. Each of these measures passed, most by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The chamber also approved bills on court administration, public records, financial disclosure, and child welfare. SB 326/HB 131 modernized rules for curators of estates; SB 758/HB 625 updated the composition of the Justice Administrative Commission, with an amendment broadening the judicial member to a judge or senior judge; SB 830 created a public records exemption for certain local government executives and their families; SB 964/HB 6011 revised how gifts and honoraria are reported and, via amendment, restored a percentage-based reporting option for financial disclosures; and SB 1002 clarified that acute or chronic parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect and allow courts to order assessment and services. These bills all passed, with SB 830 drawing the most opposition among them. The most contentious debate centered on CS/CS/CS/SB 354, the Blue Ribbon Projects bill, which would create a framework for very large planned communities with substantial conservation set-asides. Supporters argued it would provide a new growth-management tool and economic opportunity, while opponents warned it was too broad, lacked specificity, weakened local control, and could be exploited by large developers. After extensive debate and an amendment limiting data centers in commercial areas, the bill was temporarily postponed rather than brought to a final vote. The Senate also passed SB 530 on lottery operations, SB 1632/HB 1471 on foreign law and domestic terrorist designations after a lengthy and divisive amendment debate over references to Sharia law, and SB 21/HB 218 on land-use regulations tied to hurricane recovery, which preserves SB 180 restrictions in storm-affected counties while lifting them later for unaffected counties.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then at the top of page 15 is Senator Miller's bill for the newborn screening of MLDD.
• There is no assessment on other providers or on the health plans.
• It's leveraging more federal monies through the hospital assessment.
• </c><01:27:42.960><c> Number</c> through the hospital assessment.
• Number through the hospital assessment.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THOSE LACKING REGULAR ACCESS TO PRIMARY CARE IN ASSESSING APPROPRIATE CARE SETTINGS.
• THE PORTAL HAS BEEN DEVELOPED AND INCLUDE SEARCH FUNCTIONALITY TO IDENTIFY SCREENINGS DOWN TO THE ZIP
• THAT. >> SENATE BILL 168 REQUIRES ALL HOSPITALS THAT PROVIDE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE SERVICES TO SCREEN
• THE DEPARTMENT NEWBORN HEARING SCREENING PROGRAM UPDATED THE SCREENING GUIDELINES AND THE DATA SYSTEM
• THEY GET BACKGROUND SCREEN. OVER 700 FOLKS ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE AND WE TURN OVER QUICKLY.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Music therapy does not include the screening, diagnosis, or assessment of any physical, mental, or communication
• Music therapy does not include the screening, diagnosis, or assessment of any physical, mental, or communication
• So we will turn our attention to the virtual screen and Tanisha Ross. Good morning.
• Don't see any questions, and we'll turn our attention to the virtual screen. D.

Summary: The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee held a Friday morning hearing with several House bills and then took executive action on three measures. In executive session, the committee voted do pass on Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2242, Substitute House Bill 2152, and Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2168, sending the first two to Rules and the overdose-mapping bill to Ways and Means. The committee also waived the five-day notice rule for several bills on the agenda. Public hearings focused on hospital inspections, continuing care retirement communities, radiologic technologist supervision, music therapy licensure, nursing regulation, ambulance billing after motor vehicle accidents, and EMT recertification. Representative Macri presented HB 2577 to require hospital inspections at least every 18 months, allow limited pauses during emergencies, and clarify when CMS or accrediting-body surveys may substitute for state inspections; DOH supported the bill, citing JLARC recommendations, while many people signed in opposed. Macri also presented Second Substitute HB 2384, which would require actuarial analysis review for certain CCRCs; OIC supported the transparency goal, while CCRC representatives opposed the added cost, though residents and association witnesses argued the oversight would protect seniors and their life savings. Representative Engel’s HB 2113 drew strong support from radiology, hospital, and provider groups for allowing virtual direct supervision for IV contrast procedures and aligning state law with CMS practice. Representative Ryu’s HB 1187 would bar ambulance services from sending motor-vehicle-accident medical debt to collections for 120 days; she described a personal experience with an ambulance collection issue, and the hearing was closed after no testifiers appeared. Representative Reed’s HB 2363 would let music therapy applicants practice under supervision for up to six months while exam results are processed; music therapy witnesses said it would prevent workforce gaps. Representative Simmons’ HB 2339 would update nursing title and transcript requirements and allow the board to issue interim permits directly, with the Board of Nursing and ARNP groups calling it a technical cleanup. HB 2540 would extend EMT recertification intervals to six years for long-tenured EMTs, and firefighters supported it as an administrative simplification without changing training requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can look at these panels that are showing on the screen.
• when uh an showing uh on the screen when uh an individual<01:46:58.080><c> comes</c><01:46:58.280><c
• will ask for the same information in a different way five screens later.
• </c> agreement and you click on that screen agreement and you click on that screen and<01:52:03.040><
• We've done our own assessment, so the LBO didn't have specific dollars.

Bills: HF25, HF4

Keywords: pregnancy support, women's health, maternity homes, nonprofit organizations, grant funding, abortion, family services, tax relief fund, budget surplus, surplus revenue, tax rebate, tax refund, one-time refund, income tax, property tax, constitutional amendment, Minnesota Constitution, general fund, budget reserve, taxpayer relief

Transcript Highlights:

• Charter schools' data that we received was a little messy, and so it's hard for us to adequately assess
• The cultural behaviors I think isn't necessarily screen times or any Is it more, is it becoming more
• times or any The cultural behaviors, I think, aren't necessarily screen time or anything else.
• And a lot of it's not them wanting access to screens or something.
• A lot of those behaviors, and a lot of it's not them wanting access to screens or something.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 2 and 3. It then introduced RS 3-1308, sponsored by Representative Raymond, which would change public school digital content and curriculum funding from a first-come, first-served process to an as-needed, scored application process so districts with greater need would receive funds. The motion to introduce passed without opposition. The committee next heard a presentation from the Office of Performance Evaluations on its K-12 district characteristics and funding study. Casey Petty explained that Idaho’s support unit funding model tends to provide more state funding per student to smaller districts and less per student to larger districts, but that funding does not consistently rise with higher proportions of high-need students such as special education or English learner populations. He said Idaho’s special education formula assumes only about 5.8% of students are in special education, while actual enrollment was about 11.5% in 2023, contributing to an estimated $37.7 million gap in support-unit funding for special education. Members asked about the support unit model, district size effects, charter school data limitations, Medicaid, and whether the formula should be revised. The committee then considered House Joint Memorial 11, which urges Congress to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act at the promised 40% level. Representative Furman and several educators and administrators testified in support, describing the strain on district budgets and citing large local shortfalls in Boise and Fruitland. Witnesses said districts are covering mandated special education services with local and state funds, and that increased identification, early intervention, and behavioral needs are driving costs. Some members raised questions about over-identification, eligibility criteria, and behavioral issues, but the memorial was ultimately sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation by voice vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Online and on the screens at your desk is an almost 200-page report that shows colored maps of the provisionally
• Online and on the screens at your desk is an almost 200-page report that shows colored maps of the provisionally
• management, portfolio management, and centralized change management, consolidating IT tools and assessing
• management, portfolio management, and centralized change management, consolidating IT tools, and assessing
• changes that we've discussed to help make this trust fund more solid, you know, as far as hospital assessments

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, opened with a prayer recognizing the death of Reverend Jesse Jackson, and then worked through a series of appropriation and transfer requests. In Section B, it approved a $273,000 temporary appropriation for the Department of Labor and Licensing. In Section C, it approved two Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests: $280 million for the Department of Transportation and $195 million for the State Broadband Office to support Arkansas BEAD broadband grants, including an extra help position. Members questioned the broadband awards, provider amendments, buildout timelines, accountability, and the status of unawarded locations; the broadband director said no provider had requested speed changes, awards would be monitored with milestone-based payments, and remaining locations would be addressed later as federal guidance is received. The committee also approved transfers in Section D, including $458,000 for the Department of Correction, $25 million for Department of Education programs such as declining enrollment and teacher incentive funding, and $229,000 for Shared Administrative Services project management support. In Section E, the committee considered a $4.7 million budget stabilization trust fund loan for the Office of State Technology to implement ServiceNow and related IT modernization, cybersecurity, and governance tools. Members pressed agency officials on repayment, cost savings, and whether the loan would simply roll over existing costs; officials said repayment would come through agency rates over a five-year period and that the new payment would be lower than the current loan being retired. The committee voted to give favorable advice to the Governor on the loan request. In Section F, the committee reviewed cash fund requests for wage and hour claims, unclaimed property, and a heritage grant; in Section G, it reviewed a $1.1 million federal grant to expand college and career coaching in rural districts; in Section H, it reviewed pay plan and performance fund requests totaling millions across multiple agencies; and in Section I, it reviewed budget manual formatting changes. The latter part of the meeting focused on reports, especially the Medicaid trust fund. DHS and DFA officials reported the fund balance had declined from prior years and was down to about $394 million after seven months, with further decline expected by year-end. Senators and representatives asked about the appropriate reserve level, the impact of pending Medicaid rules and legislation, FMAP changes, and whether additional funding would be needed in the upcoming budget. Officials said projections are updated regularly, more than 10 rule packages remain pending with CMS, and the governor and legislative leaders will discuss additional capital needs during budget development. Members also discussed the importance of balancing Medicaid spending with new federal funding and maintaining flexibility for critical areas such as labor and delivery. The committee then adjourned without further action on the reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• gets on the master agreement list has to submit all their qualifications and be pre-approved and screened
• But I notice in yours that they have to pass a screening or a test or something like that.
• commitment to the Department of Corrections or do they go into the Department of Corrections, get screened
• D or C felony that's going to be less than five to 15 years on the B, and then they have to get screened
• What other screening is going to be taking place to make sure that there's an individual who is going

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• gets on the master agreement list has to submit all their qualifications and be pre-approved and screened
• But I notice in yours that they have to pass a screening or a test or something like that.
• Department prior to the commitment to DOC, or do they go into the Department of Corrections, get screened
• D or C felony that's going to be less than five to 15 years on the B, and then they have to get screened
• What are some other screening that's going to be taking place to make sure that there's an individual

Summary: The Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions heard testimony on House Bill 2912, House Bill 2753, and a joint hearing on House Bills 2171 and 3292. HB 2912 would expand the state’s use of master agreements for small projects, raising contract thresholds and adding architects, engineers, and surveyors to standing agreements for work under $100,000. Supporters from the Office of Administration and private engineering/architecture firms said the bill would reduce delays, lower costs, and avoid repeated RFQ/RFP processes for small projects. There were no witnesses in opposition, and the hearing closed after favorable testimony. HB 2753 would create a hospital zone designation, similar to school or work zones, allowing municipalities or counties to establish reduced-speed areas around hospitals when local conditions warrant it. The bill was presented in response to traffic and safety concerns around a rural hospital expansion and a state highway running through the campus area. Hospital representatives, the Missouri Hospital Association, and another hospital system supported the measure, emphasizing pedestrian, staff, ambulance, and visitor safety; committee members questioned the proposed penalties and whether the bill could create a statewide mandate, but supporters stressed it was permissive and locally initiated. No opposition testimony was offered. HB 2171 and HB 3292, identical bills, would direct the Department of Corrections to create a motivational boot camp program for offenders ages 17 to 21 convicted of nonviolent offenses, with the goal of rehabilitation and possible expungement after completion. Sponsors said the program would emphasize discipline, physical activity, and therapy, and could be a cost-saving alternative to prison; they noted a federal issue requiring changes for DWI/CDL cases and discussed a six-year sunset. Committee members raised questions about eligibility, screening, expungement language, program design, and how the proposal would interact with other sentencing bills. No witnesses testified in favor or opposition, and the committee adjourned after the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Accurate assessments, sound decision-making, and ultimately child safety all depend on strong partnerships
• CPIs must initiate contact with the child victim within 24 hours, which is a crucial first step to assess
• DCF screens a lot of things out for us. We were very close.
• I guess the assessment or evaluation could have taken place, and that child could have been discharged
• And so there might be some time between that safety screening minimal facts and when the child comes

Summary: The Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee held a panel discussion on Florida’s child protection teams (CPTs), child advocacy centers (CACs), and related state systems. Testimony came from the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Health, a local CAC director, the Florida Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, a CPT medical lead, and a Jacksonville sheriff’s sergeant. Witnesses described how DCF investigations, CPT medical and forensic services, CAC multidisciplinary coordination, and law enforcement work together to assess abuse allegations, provide interviews and exams, and connect children and families to services. Several speakers highlighted telemedicine, co-location, and Jacksonville’s specialized investigative model as examples of stronger coordination. Committee members focused heavily on communication gaps, staffing shortages, and delays in forensic interviews and medical evaluations. Senators asked about implementation of Jordan’s Law, the timing of DCF and law enforcement notifications, whether law enforcement is always included in decisions about forensic interviews, and how quickly children are seen after a report. DCF and DOH representatives said referrals are generally made within 24 hours and that multidisciplinary staffings are used to share information, but law enforcement described cases where interviews were scheduled weeks out or reports arrived late, creating problems for probable cause and safety decisions. Members also raised concerns about turnover among CPIs and CPT staff, caseloads, and the need for more specialty providers. CAC representatives said the model reduces trauma by bringing services together in one place, but noted uneven access across the state, especially in rural areas and in counties without CACs. They said sustainable funding and workforce development are needed to maintain and expand services, and one speaker noted that some CACs have closed due to funding challenges. DCF said there are about 1,500 CPIs statewide and an average active caseload of about 12 per investigator, while CPTs serve roughly 22,000 to 23,000 children annually. The committee did not take any formal vote or action, but members requested follow-up information on staffing numbers, communication practices, CAC locations, and recommendations for statutory or budget changes. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're looking at the screen, on the left side of your screen is the image that we were told in the
• on the uh left side of your the screen on the uh left side of your screen<01:09:37.279><c> is</c><01
• is the an image that we were told screen is the an image that we were told in<01:09:39.480><c> the</
• We do have case studies that we could pull up on the screen as well to show you a comparison of what
• </c> for services such as risk assessments for services such as risk assessments case<01:45:39.360><c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a way to make it cover the entire screen?
• So with that being said, earlier we saw images on the screen here.
• That may not be the exact right word... ...toward the OSR assessment.
• They just allow them not to pay this well assessment. Okay.
• We've had some different assessments done.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And which is on the screen right here.
• We're able to assess now what the need is.
• We're able to assess now what the need is.
• </c> able to assess now uh what the need is. able to assess now uh what the need is.
• We know where the um uh assess the need.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• pretty good about bringing to light that this person went to a rehab or this person had clean drug screens
• </c> criminal record uh the risk assessment criminal record uh the risk assessment the<00:40:29.240><
• c><00:40:48.560><c> had</c><00:40:48.720><c> clean</c><00:40:49.079><c> drug</c><00:40:49.319><c> screens
• </c><00:40:49.800><c> or</c><00:40:50.040><c> this</c> you know had clean drug screens or this you know
• had clean drug screens or this person<00:40:50.960><c> held</c><00:40:51.280><c> a</c><00:40:51.800>

Keywords: 00:00:00 Call to Order/Roll Call 00:01:20 Discussion of 25RS HB 479 00:03:22 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 479 00:04:51 Discussion of 25RS HB 574 00:21:49 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 475 00:23:41 Discussion of 25RS HB 291 01:04:38 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 291 01:05:42 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Families and Children met and first took up House Bill 479, which would require one hour of dementia training for DCBS workers. Representative Derrick Lewis and the Alzheimer’s Association said the bill was a straightforward, bipartisan effort to address dementia awareness and improve worker training, with no fiscal impact. Members spoke in support, including remarks about personal family experiences with dementia and the importance of recognizing symptoms early. The committee voted 11-0 to pass the bill with favorable expression. The committee then heard House Bill 574, the “Baby Maya” child protection bill, sponsored by Representatives Dossett and Lewis. The bill would require reporting when a child is born to a parent who previously had children removed for neglect or abuse, create a rebuttable presumption allowing the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to make an initial safety determination, authorize emergency custody procedures, and name the measure the Baby Maya Law. Sponsors said it was intended to add guardrails after the Baby Maya case and stressed that it would not automatically remove children or add new mandatory-reporter penalties. Members asked about hospital involvement, HIPAA, and information-sharing; the Cabinet commissioner said the agency would be open to better data-sharing with hospitals, but currently has no such system. The bill passed 12-1 with favorable expression. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 291, the Family Preservation and Accountability Act, with a committee substitute. The bill would expand sentencing alternatives for primary caregivers convicted of nonviolent offenses, allowing judges to consider family status and use options such as counseling, parenting classes, and related services. Supporters argued it would keep families together, reduce harm from parental incarceration, and save money; one witness cited a report estimating $4 million in direct incarceration savings and broader economic benefits. Another witness, Amanda Hall, gave emotional testimony about the long-term harm of parental incarceration and said access to help would have been better for her family than prison. The committee adopted the committee substitute and passed the bill 12-1 with favorable expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• Katie, I'm sorry, Kristen and Katie, are you able to share your screen? One moment here.
• Yes, Kristen will be sharing her screen. Oh, perfect. Thanks for your patience.
• This is a tool that assesses organizations' disability inclusion practices in areas such as culture,
• This is a tool that assesses organizations disability inclusion practices in areas such as culture, leadership

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities subcommittee on Disability Employment approved the prior meeting minutes, welcomed new commission member Victoria Gill, and heard an opening quote on leadership before moving to presentations and planning. The main presentation was from Kristen Grip and Katie McCarthy of Boston Children’s Hospital’s Disability Alliance employee-led group, which described its mission to build an inclusive workplace through education, community-building, and advocacy. They discussed monthly disability-awareness programming, intersectional events, accommodation and accessibility efforts, internal ableism, universal design, and BCH’s recognition in the 2025 Disability Equality Index. They also described their own lived experience and emphasized that employees with disabilities should lead disability-related workplace efforts. Committee members asked how to start a disability employee resource group and what external partnerships might help. The presenters said BCH’s HR diversity team helped launch the group over about a year, and members noted related resources, including a Work Without Limits guide and possible connections with Spalding Rehabilitation and other hospitals. The committee also discussed BCH’s continued support for disability inclusion work despite broader political pressure, and members praised the hospital’s efforts and offered to share additional contacts and resources. The subcommittee then turned to possible collaboration with SEED, the State Exchange on Employment and Disability, on Massachusetts as a model employer and benefit cliff analysis work. Members agreed SEED could help with policy framing, comparative data, stakeholder education, and youth disability employment efforts, and they approved inviting SEED to brief the subcommittee in January or February. The group also discussed possible links to CAPE-Youth, Commonwealth HR and DEI offices, and a future partnership with the Office of the Veterans Advocate. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was seconded and approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would establish a preferred method of assessment of property taxes.
• So basically you couldn't assess this property like you would assess a warehouse or another business.
• It would exclude them from assessments.
• They were then hit with a special assessment and an emergency assessment that amounted to $60,000 in
• And this bill does not touch any special or regular assessment, to be clear.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through confirmations and floor legislation. Three California Housing Finance Agency and State Mining and Geology Board appointments were confirmed unanimously. The chamber then took up several policy bills, with debate often focusing on housing, public safety, energy, and local government impacts. Among the major measures, SB 1173 on lesser related offense jury instructions passed after supporters argued it would give judges limited discretion and improve fairness, while opponents warned it could create inconsistency. SB 1354, barring out-of-state military or law enforcement activity in California without the Governor’s permission, passed despite objections that it conflicted with federal commander-in-chief authority. SB 1090, the Altadena disaster-speculation bill, passed to restrict unsolicited purchase offers in fire-affected areas, and SB 966 passed to preserve refinery worker safety participation rights. SB 1256, a local housing/land-use bill, passed unanimously after discussion of fire-safety concerns and ongoing amendments. The Senate also approved SB 865 on music festivals, SB 866 on homelessness planning and regional coordination for jurisdictions not receiving HAP funds, SB 938 on peace officer training requirements for certain immigration-enforcement-related applicants after the author committed to major amendments, SB 1359 on natural gas planning to reduce ratepayer costs, SB 923 on privacy rights under the CCPA, SB 1098 on utility memorandum and balancing accounts, SB 1010 on refrigerant recovery for cooling appliances, SB 937 on restricting flashbang use in crowd control and immigration enforcement, SB 1082 on inter-district pupil transfers, and SB 1087 on modernizing regional transportation planning. Several bills drew split votes and pointed debate over mandates, taxes, local control, and regulatory certainty, but most ultimately passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 810, State Department of Assessments and Taxation Blockchain-Based Real Property Title Pilot
• <00:20:45.280><c> and</c><00:20:45.400><c> Taxation</c> Assessments and Taxation Assessments and Taxation
• </c><01:31:04.320><c> for</c> provide coverage for screening for provide coverage for screening for perinatal
• </c> a perinatal behavioral health screening a perinatal behavioral health screening program<01:31:38.800
• </c><01:31:41.720><c> a</c> perinatal behavioral health screenings a perinatal behavioral health screenings

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, March 19, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 122 members present, opened with prayer, and approved the previous day’s journal. The chamber then took up two congratulatory resolutions: one honoring Layla Wishard of Hagerstown for winning gold with Team USA at the Junior Roller Derby Association World Cup in Australia, and another recognizing Delores Millhouse as the 2026 Maryland Mother of the Year. Both resolutions were read and adopted with applause. The House then considered a series of committee reports, primarily from the Committee on Economic Matters, and advanced multiple bills to third reading after adopting committee amendments and favorable reports. Measures included consumer contract protections in House Bill 103, workers’ compensation presumptions for hypertension in House Bill 347, broadband access and affordability in House Bill 382, housing and land-use changes in House Bills 548 and 894, data privacy in House Bill 711, franchise law changes in House Bill 730, a blockchain-based real property title pilot program in House Bill 810, bankruptcy exemptions in House Bill 1098, and telecommunications infrastructure protections in House Bill 1100. Several bills drew questions and were special ordered for further review. House Bill 711, the Data Privacy Act, prompted extended discussion about whether its geolocation provisions could affect stadium and venue security tracking; the sponsor said the bill was intended to close loopholes around cell phone and vehicle location data and would not change existing permission-based rules, but the bill was still special ordered until the next day. House Bill 894, the transit-oriented development bill, also drew questions about local government concerns and was special ordered, with the floor leader saying county and municipal groups were generally satisfied with the amendments. House Bill 1100 was also taken up after the amendments were adopted, and the title amendment process began as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• devices for instructional purposes and the development of model policies for limiting instructional screen
• Now, Senate Bill 568 with the committee substitute simply integrates attention to screen time into the
• I don't think that has given our providers the chance to really assess what's going to happen.
• Now before you, relates to the Board of Education through year growth assessment system, alternatives
• Standards of learning assessments and related assessment methods, development, administration, scoring

Keywords: March 10, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He's a teacher back to teaching, but he did not know about lung cancer screening.
• This is why lung cancer screening matters.
• Compared with other recommended cancer screenings, lung cancer screening rates remain far lower.
• That is because many people who qualify for screening do not know that screening exists, do not realize
• You can be screened free. But just follow up. That's what this is about.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a series of bills focused on behavioral health, cancer screening, provider reimbursement, research funding, workforce licensing, and tobacco regulation. SB 16 would require counties to maintain procedures for designating and training professionals authorized to perform 5150 evaluations and initiate involuntary holds; supporters said it would expand the pool of qualified clinicians and reduce reliance on law enforcement, while opponents raised concerns about local control and implementation. SB 1124 would require CDPH to create and post lung cancer screening eligibility signage at tobacco point-of-sale locations; supporters emphasized low screening awareness and early detection, and the bill was advanced with amendments. SB 28, a CARE Court cleanup bill, proposed an ombudsperson, reporting, electronic petitions, remote participation, and other changes to improve accountability and access; it drew both strong support and significant opposition over concerns about coercion, scope, and whether the program is working as intended, but it passed the committee as amended to Judiciary. The committee also heard SB 874, which would strengthen oversight of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, including background checks for providers and a stakeholder workgroup to develop standards; it passed to Public Safety. SB 1049 would let providers resubmit corrected claims within 90 days after a plan’s denial or recoupment action when the original claim had a correctable technical defect; supporters described delayed and withheld payments harming practices, while insurers argued the bill could duplicate existing dispute processes. The bill passed to Appropriations on call. SB 1224 would create a state framework to compete for federal ARPA-H funding for emerging therapies research, with testimony from a UC Davis psychiatrist and veterans’ advocates supporting expanded research into treatments for PTSD, depression, and other conditions; it passed to Military and Veterans Affairs. Later, SB 1057 would change how the Department of Public Health evaluates conviction history for certified nurse assistants and home health aides, shifting from automatic denial toward individualized assessment based on the offense, time elapsed, and rehabilitation; it passed to Appropriations with some no votes. Finally, SB 1314, a tobacco-related bill, sought to create a 600-foot buffer around schools and day care centers for certain tobacco retailers and address related issues such as cigar lounge definitions and nitrous oxide sales; several local government and public safety groups supported it, while health organizations and business groups opposed it unless amended. The chair announced that committee amendments were being set aside for now and the bill would move forward to Business and Professions with a commitment to continue working on the language; it passed out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many people who qualify for screening either do not know that screening exists or do not realize that
• We talk about breast cancer screening, cervical cancer screening, colorectal screening, but we do not
• talk about lung cancer screening.
• actually get screened.
• t be screening tests anymore.

Keywords: 987, senate, all