Video & Transcript Research : 'professionals'
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FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-05-29 (9:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It also exempts admission to any Association of Tennis Professionals, ATP Masters 1,000 tournament, or
- It also exempts admission to any Association of Tennis Professionals, ATP Masters 1,000 tournament, or
- With respect to professional tennis tournaments, I happen to be familiar with this subject.
- For those who don't know, the professional tennis tournaments have different levels of prize money and
- With respect to professional tennis tournaments, I happen to be familiar with this subject.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V Feb 26th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V
Transcript Highlights:
- to be able to purchase uniforms for our staff and provide a different level of more of a more professional
- So, we have amazing education professionals in our facilities and working with them to better understand
- And as a licensed professional mental health provider myself, I know that insurances really love cognitive
- Item 2B is essentially the same for our Our civilian, our professionals across the organization, most
- As juvenile justice professionals across the state, we recognize the complexities of the population we
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII Feb 25th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII
Transcript Highlights:
- Over the past few years, we've eliminated a $200 professional fee for new applicants and renewals.
- The, the surge in the number of, um, dental professionals seeking to, uh, seeking licensure in Texas.
- By licensing the largest group of healthcare professionals in our state, we currently have over 566,000
- A lot of my professional member colleagues and friends are asked to, we'd like to see under the hood
- So that's a very nice and professional and diplomatic way of saying you didn't do anything.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Education
Transcript Highlights:
- It is with this professional lens as a parent and as a grandparent that I speak in opposition to House
- And we would do this by providing resources to promote curriculum development and professional education
- And we would do this by providing resources to promote curriculum development and professional education
- Our proven, standards-aligned curriculum and professional training are already being used across the
- The Interdisciplinary Climate Literacy Trust Fund would ensure resources and professional development
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Education heard testimony on a wide range of bills, with the largest portions focused on the Healthy Youth Act (S.340/H.656), comprehensive and inclusive curriculum bills (H.655/S.371 and related measures), climate literacy education (H.560/S.391), computer science coursework (H.534/S.362), arts education funding and STEM-to-STEAM proposals (H.561 and H.4297), and a homeschooling reporting bill (H.518). Supporters of the Healthy Youth Act argued it would preserve local control while requiring medically accurate, age-appropriate, LGBTQ-inclusive sex education and regular updates to state health frameworks; opponents raised parental rights, age-appropriateness, and opt-out concerns, with some calling for fetal development content. Supporters of inclusive curriculum bills said they would improve representation, belonging, and civic understanding, while opponents argued they could undermine parental authority or promote ideological content. Climate, computer science, and arts advocates emphasized workforce readiness, student engagement, and the need for state support and funding to expand access and teacher training.
Testimony on the climate literacy bill described increasing climate impacts in Massachusetts and argued that interdisciplinary instruction would prepare students for science, policy, and green careers; witnesses said the bill was not a mandate but a support and funding measure. Computer science supporters said access remains uneven, especially for girls, students of color, and students with disabilities, and urged stronger statewide requirements and AI-related standards. Arts advocates backed both the STEM-to-STEAM bill and the Lowell Mason arts funding proposal, citing research on student achievement, attendance, creativity, and the economic importance of the arts sector. The homeschool bill was supported by a homeschool advocacy group as a modernization of reporting requirements.
The committee closed testimony on numerous bills where no one remained signed up or testimony had concluded, including several education, curriculum, and commission proposals. No votes were taken during the hearing itself. At the end of the session, the committee closed out the remaining testimony and adjourned after a motion and second.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 03/18/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- that diversity is a community of very proud and successful, hard-working people with ethics and professionalism
- our state of New York, their home, setting up small businesses and now large businesses as well, professional
- A COMMUNITY OF VERY PROUD AND SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY, A HARD-WORKING COMMUNITY WITH ETHICS AND PROFESSIONALISM
- PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES, SELLING IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, CREATING PLACES OF WORSHIP, AND CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS
- generation of Pakistanis and, of course, their children and grandchildren who are quickly becoming professionals
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal, then moved through a series of introductions and resolutions recognizing Women’s History Month honorees, Prince Hall Masons and Eastern Stars, Agriculture Week, Pakistan-American Heritage Day, visiting Mercaz Academy students, and the 175th anniversary of Albany Law School. Several senators spoke in support of the commemorations, and each resolution was adopted.
The chamber then took up a number of bills on the calendar. Among the measures passed were bills related to insurance, private housing finance, public health, mental hygiene, real property, elder law, public authorities, and environmental conservation. One bill on the Environmental Conservation Law drew a procedural challenge over a proposed amendment; the Chair’s ruling that the amendment was nongermane was upheld by a show of hands, after which the bill passed. Another bill amending the Emergency Tenant Protection Act was debated on the issue of vacant rent-stabilized units and LLC ownership transparency, with supporters saying it would help identify responsible owners and opponents arguing it was too broad and could impose unclear penalties; it ultimately passed.
The most extended debate centered on a real property bill concerning electronic rent payment systems and automated clearinghouse fees. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure that lets tenants choose whether to use such systems, while critics questioned how fees would be handled and whether the bill would affect landlord costs. After debate, the bill passed. A public health bill sponsored by Senator Webb also passed after she explained it was intended to improve transparency and oversight of changes to maternity and perinatal services amid concerns about maternal health deserts and hospital closures. The Senate then completed the calendar and adjourned until the next day.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Day 16 (1-29-26)
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., you can enjoy breakfast compliments of the Kentucky State Police Professional
- > Police compliments of the Kentucky State Police compliments of the Kentucky State Police Professional
- Professional Association. Professional Association.
- Society Cancer Action Network that leverages the personal experiences, community leadership, and professional
- Society Cancer Action Network that leverages the personal experiences, community leadership, and professional
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum with 34 members present. The chamber approved the journal from January 28, received notice that the House had passed House Bills 56, 320, 366, and 389 and requested concurrence, and heard a report that second-reading bills were sent to the Rules Committee. Committee reports advanced several measures, including Senate Bills 1, 3, 48, 84, 102, and 122, which were ordered to first reading and placed on the calendar.
The Senate also received new bills and resolutions, including measures on SNAP benefits, unemployment insurance, medical licensing, proxy advisory services, child protection, disabled veterans, public school construction, and a concurrent resolution encouraging nuclear workforce training at Kentucky universities. The Rules Committee posted Senate Bills 20, 34, and 68 for the next regular orders, and the Committee on Committees referred Senate Resolutions 60, 61, 63, 64, and 65 to the floor. Senate Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3 was introduced.
Several honorary and memorial resolutions were adopted, including Senate Resolution 63 honoring Reverend George Clifton Currington, Sr., Senate Resolution 49 honoring Dr. Jacqueline Sugarman, and Senate Resolution 31 designating Suits and Sneakers Day to recognize cancer patients, survivors, and advocates. Senators spoke at length about cancer awareness, personal family experiences, and Kentucky’s efforts to improve screening and treatment access. Announcements were made about an oversight committee meeting after adjournment and a Kentucky State Police Professional Association breakfast the next morning. The Senate adjourned until 9:00 a.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
January 21, 2026 - 04:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- THIS BILL AIMS TO CONVERT THE SUPERINTENDENT FROM A PROFESSIONALLY ACCOUNTABLE POSITION INTO A PARTISAN
- SCHOOLS DO NOT BENEFIT FROM WORK POLITICS, THEY BENEFIT FROM STABILITY, PROFESSIONALISM, AND A FOCUS
- LET'S KEEP THE FOCUS ON STABILITY, PROFESSIONALISM AND OBTAIN THE SUPERINTENDENT -- >> Chair Trabulsy
- LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS, PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS, AND TRAINED MEDIA SPECIALISTS AND SHIPS THE AUTHORITY TO
- I AM AFRAID THIS BILL UNDERMINES THE PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT OF EDUCATORS.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Frank Carroll, Majority Whip, and representing the West Valley and professional troublemaker,
- Consider our completely volunteer board, our completely volunteer committee of water professionals, finance
- And our board has spent the entirety of its existence executing and creating an intentional professional
- And our board has spent the entirety of its existence executing and creating an intentional professional
- compensate the teams for that work because they're going to do really good work, and they are professionals
Summary:
The Senate Natural Resources Committee was called to order with member and staff introductions, then heard a presentation from the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA). Director Chelsea McGuire described WIFA’s core revolving loan programs for clean water and drinking water infrastructure, its rural water supply development fund, its conservation grant fund, and the long-term water augmentation fund. She said WIFA has invested nearly $3 billion over 30 years in water infrastructure, awarded $87.3 million under the rural fund, and allocated about $211 million in conservation grants expected to save 6.6 million acre-feet of water. She also reported that the conservation grant fund is fully allocated and that WIFA is seeking renewed funding support from the legislature.
A major focus was the long-term augmentation fund, which WIFA is using to evaluate large-scale water supply projects through a competitive solicitation and due-diligence process. McGuire said 17 proposals were received and seven projects were selected for further development, including desalination, reuse, groundwater storage, and exchange-based supply arrangements involving Arizona, California, and Mexico. She emphasized that the next phase will include public engagement, technical and financial analysis, and input from potential water buyers, and that the projects are intended to address an identified supply gap of 100,000 to 500,000 acre-feet per year over the next 10 to 15 years.
Members generally praised WIFA’s work, especially its support for small and rural communities, and asked about public transparency, conservation savings, federal funding for revolving funds, and the cost and timeline of augmentation projects. McGuire said the revolving funds remain financially stable even if federal funding declines, though forgivable-principal grants could be affected. She also said smaller utilities often need staff help to navigate applications and that WIFA is working to make the rural fund’s process more predictable and accessible. Several senators urged the legislature not to cut WIFA’s funding, while McGuire argued that stable state support is needed to keep project costs down and maintain momentum. No votes or formal actions were taken.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Education Study Jun 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Professional training and learning, multi-layered system of supports.
- So there's scope, professional development. Interventions, monitoring, and parental notification.
- of US states adopt early literacy policies that require reading instruction, interventions, and professional
- been able to also, it's it's been generous, generous enough that we've been able to also provide professional
- learn strategies we can apply it to it all for all of our content classes and that that's why professional
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Delivery of Government Efficiency Apr 23rd, 2025
Delivery of Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- bill builds on an effort to expand privacy protections for all Texans who hold an occupational or professional
- To the state as part of her professional licensing requirements, her information may have been released
- ensures that state agencies cannot disclose the unredacted personal information of those who hold professional
- This protects the personal information of professional license holders from open record requests unless
- I've personally been using Bitcoin and working professionally in Bitcoin to help individuals, businesses
Keywords:
constitutional amendment, fiscal impact, state budget, ballot measure, transparency in voting, management-to-staff ratio, state agencies, employee regulations, government efficiency, workforce management, public information, governing board, transparency, confidentiality, access rights, privacy, identifying information, state agency, consent, occupational license
ND
Transcript Highlights:
- For instance, NDMEA, along with the All-State Festival, provides a conference of music-specific professional
- systems in which you work are going to have a vastly more profound effect on your personal and professional
- And one building over here was suggesting that some of their use of the professional learning community
- time, their PLC time, was not particularly edifying. ...of the professional learning community time,
- So we're thinking about how do we embed, how do we create structures, processes, and professional development
Summary:
The meeting began with a student performance from Horizon Middle School Show Choir, including songs from an eighth grade concert and the show choir piece “The Body Electric.” After the performance, Deputy Superintendent Donna Fishbeck spoke on behalf of State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler in support of music education, emphasizing its benefits for creativity, collaboration, school climate, and student development, and noting the department’s support for music grants and professional development. She also highlighted the North Dakota Music Educators Association’s role in expanding access and quality in music education.
The committee then heard a presentation from Vital Network, introduced as a DPI-funded effort focused on teacher retention. Nate Eklund and Dr. Aaron Rob described the organization’s work with schools and districts to reduce educator burnout by improving workplace conditions, especially around time management, voice in decision-making, and care/support. They said the program uses surveys, dashboards, advisory support, and facilitated school and district processes to identify local friction points and help educators and leaders solve them, with examples ranging from simplifying material requests to improving PLC time and communication. They stressed that retention is driven more by workplace conditions than pay alone, and that solutions must be local rather than one-size-fits-all.
Members asked about rural teacher overload, sustainability after grant funding ends, and whether the model could inform broader policy or continuing education reforms. Vital representatives said the work is designed to be embedded in district systems and strategic plans so it can continue beyond their direct involvement, and that the approach aligns with the state’s teacher retention and recruitment task force recommendations. They reported serving about half of North Dakota educators across roughly 50 districts, with partnerships through regional education associations to reach rural areas. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the discussion.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The substitute removes professional caretakers; they would still be added to the registry as there are
- Caregivers often become de facto mental health professionals, oftentimes with minimal training.
- I'm a licensed professional counselor partnered with a mental health peace officer serving as a co-responder
- Has been a health professional, and together we respond to calls involving individuals in mental health
- The beauty of our unit, with having licensed mental health professionals partnered with law enforcement
Bills:
HB2510, HB3589, HB4611, HB4655, HB4665, HB4666, HB4670, HB4700, HB4730, HB4798, HB4838, HB5136, HB5243, HB5302, HB5539
Keywords:
assisted living, healthcare, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance, group home, regulation, health and safety, inspections, resident care, criminal background checks, adoption, parental rights, registry, vital statistics, disclosure, counseling, foster care, independent living, financial literacy
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We have 547 districts, which is a hundred percent engaged in the professional development process.
- we're hearing from the leads and the coaches: the training and support facilitation through the professional
- teachers, so it's that local-level coaching component, and increasing the completion of the required professional
- We have about 3.4 to 4.8 million professionals needed.
- I literally have a bill to allow a doctorate program so we can actually train cybersecurity professionals
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Public Employment and Retirement Committee Mar 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Mike Robeson, here on behalf of the California Staffing Professionals and the American Staffing Association
- Mike Robeson, here on behalf of the California Staffing Professionals and the American Staffing Association
- Commerce in opposition thank you thank you Mike Robeson here on behalf of the California staffing professionals
- Mitch Steiger, with CFT, a union of educators and classified professionals, also in support.
- However, unlike privileges in professional contexts such as attorney-client or physician-patient, AB
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement met for its first hearing of the session, adopted committee rules, and heard several labor-related bills. The chair reviewed hearing procedures, including limits on testimony and expectations for orderly conduct. Members then took up measures affecting public employee bargaining, contracting, confidentiality, school employee benefits, pay stub information, and state correctional health staffing.
AB 672 would require public employers to notify PERB when filing court actions involving statutes PERB administers and allow PERB to intervene; it drew support from SEIU, AFSCME, school employees, labor groups, and no opposition, and was passed out of committee. AB 283 would move IHSS bargaining from the county to the state level; providers and recipients testified about low wages, long delays in bargaining, and care access concerns, while counties and public authorities raised cost, scope, and implementation issues. The bill passed 7-0 after members discussed family care worker concerns and the author said he would continue working on the issue.
AB 339 would require local governments to give unions 120 days’ notice before contracting out bargaining-unit work. Labor supporters said the bill would make existing meet-and-confer rights meaningful and protect jobs, while counties, cities, special districts, chambers of commerce, and staffing groups argued it would burden local agencies and interfere with existing MMBA procedures. The committee also heard AB 340, which would make communications between employees and union representatives confidential for PERB purposes; supporters said it codified existing case law, while school administrators, special districts, counties, and business groups warned it could hinder investigations. AB 378 would extend the classified school employees summer assistance program to JPA employees, and AB 374 would require more detailed pay stubs for classified school employees; both had labor support and some education-sector opposition over implementation and cost concerns, and both advanced. AB 393 would require cost analyses before contracting out physician work at CDCR and the Department of State Hospitals; supporters argued the state was overpaying contractors amid high vacancy rates, and the bill also advanced. At the end of the hearing, the committee recorded final votes showing AB 283, AB 340, AB 374, AB 378, AB 393, and AB 672 all passing out of committee, while AB 339 remained on hold with a 4-0 vote and some members not voting.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- maybe to give the Met Council its mind maybe to give the Met Council its best<00:08:57.480>
professional - uh and cultural and um best professional uh and cultural and um institutional<00:09:01.720>
experience - <00:37:30.839>
opinion and again in my professional opinion and again in my professional opinion - I know he and Senator Johnson Stewart have a long professional history together, and so we're excited
- I know he and Senator Johnson Stewart have a long professional history together, and so we're excited
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
UMN Regent Candidate Forum - 02/04/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- After 20 years of professional leadership, I'd be honored to serve as a volunteer leader working with
- After 20 years of professional leadership, I'd be honored to serve as a volunteer leader working with
- After 20 years of professional leadership, I'd be honored to serve as a volunteer leader working with
- leadership I'd be honored professional leadership I'd be honored to<00:41:10.160>
serve <00:41 - Now that I have transitioned from my professional role at the University but remained engaged in the
Summary:
The forum focused on the University of Minnesota system’s future, with candidates largely agreeing that the five campuses should remain distinct while working more closely together. Speakers emphasized the land-grant mission, the importance of serving Greater Minnesota, and the need for each campus to have a clear value proposition tied to local communities. Several suggested stronger cross-campus partnerships, more use of technology, and more seamless student pathways between campuses, while also noting enrollment declines and the need to preserve campus identities.
A second major topic was public trust in higher education and the perceived value of a college degree. Candidates pointed to rising tuition, student debt, and concerns about post-graduation job prospects as key challenges. Proposed responses included better storytelling about university outcomes, stronger partnerships with schools, legislators, and communities, more targeted fundraising and commercialization of research, and clearer evidence of return on investment for students and families.
The discussion then turned to athletics, where most candidates described sports as the university’s “front door” but said academics must remain the priority. They raised NIL, revenue sharing, and the need to keep athletics funding separate from core university funding, while also recognizing athletics’ role in campus culture and student recruitment. In later questions, candidates discussed why they sought regent service and how to support diversity, equity, and inclusion, with responses stressing access, belonging, open debate, and meeting students where they are. No formal votes or actions were taken in the transcript.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama Joint Contract Review Committee Jul 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Professional bail bonds, please. pre-employment screening at the three pre-employment screening at the
- We're here to request a 5% increase in the professional administrative services contract with the Austin
- <00:15:49.279>
administrative <00:15:50.000>services professional administrative services - professional administrative services contract<00:15:51.360>
with <00:15:51.600>the <00: - >
bail In contrast, the professional bail In contrast, the professional bail bondsman<00:17:01.120
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Health Care Financing Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Health Care Financing
Transcript Highlights:
- It took me 20 years to cobble together a group of medical professionals and support to keep my health
- Our written testimony points out much research that shows that medical professionals are actually one
- Medical professionals are actually one of the most discriminatory beliefs about people with disabilities
- Massachusetts can be that place, the place where health professionals want to come.
- Again, we've had this same conversation for decades, heard the same statistics from professionals about
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on 16 bills, with the chairs noting a busy legislative day and asking speakers to keep testimony brief. The committee first heard testimony on Senate 860/House 1405, the Medicare for All bill, with Sen. Jamie Eldridge and many advocates, clinicians, municipal officials, and patients arguing that a single-payer system would make care a right, reduce administrative waste, lower costs, and protect residents from rising premiums, medical debt, and hospital closures. Several speakers cited the Steward hospital crisis, affordability problems, and polling or ballot questions showing public support for single-payer coverage. No vote was taken during the hearing.
The committee then took testimony on S. 863, a bill on non-opioid options for chronic pain. Pain specialists, patients, and advocates said the bill would improve care coordination for MassHealth members, expand access to non-opioid medications, require provider education, and collect data on chronic pain. Testifiers described long delays in diagnosis and treatment, stigma toward pain patients, and the need for multidisciplinary care and transportation support. Again, the committee heard testimony only and took no action.
A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 1360/S. 869, which would prevent discrimination against people with disabilities in health care. Disability advocates, clinicians, and patients described being denied or delayed care, pressured into DNR orders, or treated based on assumptions about quality of life rather than medical facts. Speakers referenced COVID-era crisis standards of care, discriminatory metrics, and personal stories involving canceled procedures, inadequate accommodations, and poor treatment in hospitals. Committee members thanked speakers for their testimony and said they would review the bill and its implications, but no vote was announced.
The committee also heard testimony on H. 1399, an individual Medicare marketplace option for municipal retirees, where supporters said it would give cities and towns a lower-cost alternative for retiree health benefits through HRAs and individual Medicare plans. The hearing then returned to Medicare for All testimony, with additional supporters repeating arguments about cost, access, municipal budget pressure, and the need for global budgeting and universal coverage. The transcript ends with continued testimony and no recorded committee vote or final action on any bill.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Health Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Public Health
Transcript Highlights:
- I'd also like to acknowledge the number of EMS professionals who are in the room here in support of this
- I direct you to the panel of experts and people who really can both speak to you from the professional
- Next, moving on to S1513 and H2491, panel from the professional firefighters of Massachusetts, Paul,
- , joined by Craig Hardy, legislative agent also for the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts.
- I was uneasy about the new mRNA technology, but trusted the CDC and medical professionals who told me
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on a wide range of public health and emergency services bills, with many speakers focusing on EMS system failures, hospital service closures, trauma preparedness, epilepsy awareness, drink-spiking response, sudden cardiac arrest, and survivor financial assistance. Several legislators and advocates described the EMS system as underfunded and overstretched, citing long ambulance waits, staffing shortages, and the need for statewide oversight, a special commission, and clearer recognition of EMS as an essential service. A number of speakers also supported bills to preserve essential hospital services after closures such as Nashoba Valley Medical Center and birthing services in Leominster, arguing that current closure rules lack enforcement and leave communities without critical care.
Multiple panels testified in support of bills requiring trauma kits in public buildings, public education on SUDEP and epilepsy mortality, and improved cardiac arrest response. Supporters of the trauma-kit bill said public buildings should have bleeding-control kits and trained staff, comparing them to AEDs and first aid supplies. Epilepsy advocates, clinicians, and grieving parents urged a public health campaign on SUDEP, saying families are often not warned about the risk and that awareness could improve medication adherence, reduce guilt, and save lives. On cardiac arrest, EMS professionals and the American Heart Association backed measures to improve telecommunicator CPR, create an AED registry, and strengthen dispatch and training standards.
The committee also heard extensive testimony on a bill addressing illicit drink spiking. Senators, city officials, victims, physicians, and an international anti-spiking advocate described cases in which hospitals refused toxicology testing unless a sexual assault was reported, and argued for standardized testing protocols, better data collection, and coordination with law enforcement and licensed venues. Another bill drew a sharp exchange over local public health control and the SAFE 2.0 law, with one senator arguing for more local approval and voluntary participation, while committee members defended the earlier law as a response to inequities in local public health capacity. Finally, advocates from Jane Doe, Inc. supported legislation to provide flexible financial assistance to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, saying unrestricted cash helps survivors meet basic needs, escape abuse, and rebuild stability.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Child Custody Review Task Force Apr 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Family Law Section, one family mediator, one member of the self-help program, one mental health professional
- And if we need to add a member, I question whether we need to have a mental health professional on this
- I also kind of think that this is very similar to the mental health professional, where this doesn't
- I think that much of what we do as family law professionals stems from things involving domestic violence
- Rather than mental health professional. Mr. Chairman, I might.
Summary:
The Child Custody Review Task Force met to approve prior minutes and then worked through draft legislation related to a possible family court study committee. The group discussed the proposed 15-member committee’s makeup in detail, including whether to add parent representation, judges, family law section members, child support, clerks of court, domestic violence advocates, and other stakeholders. The task force ultimately agreed to keep the committee at 15 members, reduce the legislative membership from eight to six, add two judges from different districts, add two family law section members with rural and urban representation, include one parent subject to a custody order, and replace the mental health professional with a clerk of court representative appointed through the trial court administrator’s office. The draft was also revised to keep domestic violence advocacy representation and to clarify that the study could consider juvenile court issues as part of the family court umbrella. The committee voted to approve the revised draft and recommend it to Legislative Management, with one recorded “no” vote from Judge Hovey after the meeting resumed.
The task force then turned to a second draft dealing with requiring participation in a family transition program, which was renamed in discussion to a parenting education course. Members debated whether the bill should simply refer to an existing program like Parents Forever or instead specify broader education about the court process, parental rights, co-parenting, and related issues. Some members supported the requirement as a way to reduce conflict and improve understanding of the system, while others raised concerns about vague language, cost to parents, lack of exemptions, and whether the bill was too open-ended or potentially duplicative of other legislation. The discussion became lengthy and unresolved, with the drafter noting that more specific direction would be needed to revise the bill. The transcript cuts off before a final vote or action on this second draft is shown.