Transcript Highlights:

• This bill will add vaccination status as a protection protected portion in Florida's patient Bill of
• It is about protecting patients.
• Join me in protecting our children and those around you.
• It's political theater disguised as protection.
• So this is not protection. It's their their political grandstanding.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also the parent of three school choice students at Warwick Community School.
• H. 4927, an act relative to protecting access to applied behavior analysis.
• I see it firsthand with caregivers, with parents, with children with autism.
• I see it firsthand with caregivers, with parents, with children with autism.
• It makes you feel like your child isn't visible to the system that is supposed to protect him.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a hearing on two late-file bills: H. 4867, concerning school choice, and H. 4927, concerning access to applied behavior analysis (ABA). For H. 4867, testimony focused on a DESE interpretation of M.G.L. c. 76, §12B(k) that would require small elementary-only districts with school choice students to pay secondary tuition when those students continue into high school. Superintendents, school committee members, parents, teachers, and a representative argued this creates large fiscal shortfalls for rural districts such as Hancock, Warwick, Richmond, and Worthington, which do not operate high schools and already rely on tuition agreements for their own resident students. Witnesses said the current interpretation has led some districts to stop accepting school choice students, reducing class sizes and limiting educational opportunities; they urged an exemption or amendment so these districts could continue school choice without assuming high school tuition obligations for nonresident students. Committee members asked about the number of affected districts, how the arrangement worked before 2023, and whether alternative statutory language might solve the issue more broadly. Representative Barrett described the bill as a simple fix to an unenforced provision that had only recently been raised by DESE, and the hearing later included testimony from both district officials and families supporting the bill. The committee closed testimony on H. 4867 and H. 4927 and then adjourned. H. 4927 drew testimony from educators, an ABA provider, and a parent of a child with autism in support of protecting in-school ABA access. Witnesses said the bill would clarify that qualified ABA providers, including BCBAs and RBTs under supervision, may deliver services in schools while allowing districts to maintain neutral safety and operational rules. They argued that inconsistent access to ABA can undermine districts’ obligations under IDEA, including free appropriate public education and placement in the least restrictive environment, and that school-based ABA can reduce removals from class, improve student progress, and support families. A parent testified that her young son needs ABA to function in school and that promised supports had been delayed or not delivered, while another witness said the bill would help ensure accountability and consistent services for students with autism.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also the parent of three school choice students at Warwick Community School.
• I see it firsthand with caregivers, with parents, with children with autism...
• I mean, I see it firsthand with caregivers, with parents, with children with autism.
• It makes you feel like your child isn't visible to the system that is supposed to protect him.
• My name is Stephanie Cross, and as a parent and an educator, I respectfully submit...

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a hearing on two late-file bills. H. 4867, relative to school choice, drew testimony from leaders, parents, and educators in Hancock, Warwick, Richmond, and Worthington, who said DESE’s interpretation of Chapter 76, Section 12B(k) requires small districts without high schools to pay secondary tuition for nonresident school choice students after they leave the elementary grades. Witnesses said the resulting gap between the $5,000 school choice payment and high school tuition of roughly $13,000 to $18,000 per student has forced some districts to stop accepting school choice students, hurting class sizes, budgets, and rural families’ access to local schools. Committee members questioned how the current rule works, whether students have home high schools to return to, and whether a broader statutory fix could address all districts without secondary programs; testimony indicated the affected districts are a small number of rural communities, with some others having found alternative arrangements. Representative Barrett described the bill as a general solution to an issue that had gone unenforced for years, and the hearing ended with testimony closed on the bill. The committee also heard H. 4927, relative to protecting access to applied behavior analysis (ABA). Educators and ABA providers testified that the bill would clarify that qualified ABA providers, including BCBAs and RBTs, may deliver services in schools while preserving school safety and operational rules. They argued that better access to ABA would help students with autism make progress on IEP goals, remain in the least restrictive environment, and reduce conflicts between families and districts. A parent described repeated delays in getting promised supports for her young son and said the bill would help ensure follow-through and accountability. The committee then closed testimony on H. 4927 and adjourned after a motion and second.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are a number of his parents forms.
• I stand before you a child of teenage parents.
• Parents sued the school board.
• >> There are several parents will want parents forms say Caitlin Hatcher's the Self Storage Association
• The exemption is necessary to protect protect proprietary business information.

Transcript Highlights:

• and parents waiting to care for their families.
• AND PARENTS WAITING TO CARE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.
• CONSUMER PROTECTION BUREAU, THE RESULTS OF PROTECTING MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS AND VETERANS BY THAT PARTICULAR
• My parents saw the second backlash to the Civil Rights Movement.
• MY PARENTS SAW THE SECOND BACKLASH TO THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.

Bills: HB5764 , HB5763 , HB1663 , HR659 , HB5784 , HB5788 , HB3496

Keywords: AI for Main Street Act, artificial intelligence, small business, small business development centers, SBDC, Small Business Act, business technology, digital transformation, cybersecurity, data protection, intellectual property, regulatory compliance, business training, entrepreneurship, technology adoption, AI literacy, outreach, main street businesses, Main Street Parity Act, Small Business Investment Act of 1958

Transcript Highlights:

• They play a critical role, and it enables true parental choice to allow parents of four-year-olds and
• And that's parents with school-age children.
• And with this today, we have Jennifer Greppie, Director of Parent Policy, Parent Voices California; La
• I'm the Director of Parent Policy with Parent Voices California.
• I asked both parents why they were taking them.

Summary: The hearing focused on California child care costs, access, and provider pay, opening with remarks from committee co-chairs and members describing child care as essential infrastructure for working families and the state economy. Early testimony from a parent and a rural family child care provider illustrated the personal and financial strain of limited care options, long waitlists, and low reimbursement rates. The provider detailed monthly expenses and income, explaining that even with a full roster of subsidized children, her margins are extremely thin and she relies on weekend work and training jobs to cover gaps. State and policy witnesses described recent progress, including a major increase in child care funding, growth in the number of subsidized slots, reforms to family fees, and a new tentative three-year agreement with Child Care Providers United that includes cost-of-living adjustments, stabilization payments, and continued work on an alternative rate methodology. The Department of Social Services also discussed efforts to unify reimbursement structures and improve CalWORKs child care coordination, while noting that federal cuts to safety-net programs could indirectly worsen child care stability and state budget pressures. Legislative members asked about the slow pace of slot expansion, the middle-income “cliff,” regional variation in costs, and how the alternative methodology will be implemented and include providers. Researchers from the California Budget and Policy Center and PPIC emphasized that child care remains unaffordable for many families, that only a fraction of eligible children receive subsidies, and that low wages continue to drive workforce shortages. PPIC highlighted the labor-force impact, estimating that tens of thousands more mothers could work if child care access improved, while the Budget Center stressed persistent racial and gender inequities in both access and pay. An employer-focused witness from the California Chamber of Commerce described survey results showing that child care benefits can improve retention, and outlined public-private partnership models from other states and local chambers. The final panel, including Parent Voices and Black Californians United for Early Care and Education, called for fully funding the system, confronting private equity involvement, and addressing racial inequities and culturally affirming care. No formal votes were taken; the hearing ended with commitments to continue work on rate reform, slot expansion, and broader child care investment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Need some type of assistance, but you are deemed ineligible because of your parents' income.
• We must shift towards protection and prevention because community well-being is not optional.
• And that means ensuring that we have the resources available to protect...
• One thing, Are protected.
• Access to legal representation is one of the strongest protections we can provide.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pew found similar levels of concern from parents, reporting that 70% or more of parents worry that their
• With two-thirds of parents saying that parenting is harder today compared to 20 years ago, and many of
• our men and women who protect our men and women who protect. programs and funding our Department of
• parent.
• SB 1120, Radiation protection; Health and Human Services. SB 1121, Radiation protection systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> protect. So, spare me. protect. So, spare me.
• As a parent, I can't imagine asking a center to do that.
• As a parent, I can't imagine asking a center to do that.
• As a parent, I can't imagine asking a center to do that.
• </c> the parents. the parents.

Bills: HF4382 , HF2929

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to present SB 48, which implements critical protections to ensure students, parents, staff,
• Protect children against the trauma that they are experiencing.
• a critical step toward protecting our students and upholding the basic right to education.
• School administrators and other personnel are failing to protect our young students.
• You know we entrust our schools to protect our kids and yet too often we fail that trust.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Pray your protection over them.
• </c> Pray your protection over them. Pray your protection over them.
• </c> You know, this just allows the parents You know, this just allows the parents the<01:14:05.560><
• choice for those parents and for those choice for those parents and for those students? students?
• . parent. parent.

Transcript Highlights:

• certainly there's a there's a parent certainly there's a parental<04:04:10.640><c> rights</c><04:04:
• I know we’ve had the question of parental choice come up, but you can talk about parental choice, and
• The foreskin protects the glans, and so a lot of doctors tell parents to retract it to wash.
• , to protect girls without extending equal protection to boys.
• , to protect girls without extending equal protection to boys.

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• The state found evidence of negligence and the parents have filed a lawsuit.
• It lets parents and students know what their rights are.
• As a former trustee in a school district representing many, many parents.
• And within those parents, many parents of students with disabilities, this is a huge need.
• Hi Juliana Hubbell Charter School parent and representing Springs Charter Schools.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• And this bill does not protect the institutions individually.
• SB 98 is not just a policy, it's protection. We respectfully ask for an aye vote on SB 98.
• So that's where the parents were getting blocked out. No longer a number you can use in FAFSA.
• So that's where the parents were getting blocked out.
• So the parents, if a student is applying for CADAA, their parents can use their identifying numbers in

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard several Senate measures focused on student access, workforce needs, and institutional stability. Senator Laird presented SJR 4, which urges the federal government to restore NIH funding cuts and protect California’s research universities; UC testified in support and there was no opposition. Senator Ashby presented SB 761, the CalFresh for Students Act, to connect Cal Grant applicants with potential CalFresh eligibility and expand qualifying programs; the bill drew broad support from higher education, student, anti-hunger, and county groups, with members sharing personal experiences with food insecurity and no opposition. Senator Cabaldon presented SB 520 to create a California Nurse Midwifery Education Fund for a new master’s-level nurse midwifery program, citing maternal health disparities and provider shortages, especially in rural and Central Valley communities. Supporters from the California Nurse Midwives Association and the Black Wellness and Prosperity Center emphasized workforce shortages and maternal mortality; one member raised concerns about the bill’s use of inclusive language, but the bill was otherwise well received. Cabaldon also presented SB 640, which would create a statewide direct admissions process to CSU for eligible high school seniors using existing data systems; supporters said it would reduce barriers, improve equity, and help declining-enrollment campuses, while members raised questions about special education students, rural access, dual enrollment, and measuring effectiveness. The committee voted SB 640 out on a 6-0 roll call. Cabaldon’s SB 744 would preserve California students’ access to enrollment and financial aid if a federally recognized accrediting agency loses approval, by treating affected institutions as accredited for state purposes; the bill drew no public testimony and advanced on a 4-2 roll call. Senator Cortese’s SB 494 would require classified school employees’ disciplinary appeals to be heard by an administrative law judge, matching protections already available to teachers and community college faculty; labor groups supported the bill, while school districts and administrators opposed it over cost, local control, and implementation concerns. The committee also heard SB 550, a revised pilot to allow San Jose State and a nonprofit, state-accredited law school to jointly develop a public law school pathway; supporters argued it would expand affordable legal education and public-interest careers, while UC and independent colleges opposed it as inconsistent with the Master Plan. Members debated access, jurisdiction, funding, and bar pass rates, and the bill advanced on a 4-2 roll call to the Judiciary Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's important for us to protect our freedom.
• How do you protect the professors from being unfairly targeted?
• Is somebody still protected? If someone says... Is somebody still protected?
• Yeah, those types of activities are protected.
• You would do what it takes to protect them.

Summary: The joint Senate and House Select Committee on Civil Discourse and Freedom of Speech in Higher Education convened for its first public hearing, adopted its proposed rules without objection, and framed the hearing as an organizational, invited-testimony-only session. Members repeatedly condemned political violence and the assassination of Charlie Kirk, saying the committee was created in response to concerns about civil discourse, intimidation, and hostility on college campuses. Several members emphasized that the goal was not to suppress speech but to protect open expression while maintaining order, due process, and institutional accountability. The first witness, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Commissioner Wyn Rosser, outlined implementation of Senate Bill 37. He described the General Education Advisory Committee, which is reviewing broad core-curriculum knowledge and skills and may recommend reducing the current 42-hour core, while leaving review of specific courses to individual institutions. He also explained the new Office of the Ombudsman, the board’s role in supporting it, and existing training and certification requirements for governing board members. Members asked about enforcement tools, transparency, and whether the ombudsman would investigate complaints involving censorship, retaliation, or political bias; Rosser said some enforcement exists in certain laws, but he deferred on the exact scope of the ombudsman’s investigatory authority and on issues outside the agency’s role. University of Texas at Austin President Jim Davis testified that UT Austin supports free speech, academic freedom, and civil discourse, and he described three areas of focus: speech on campus grounds, classroom discourse, and how people treat one another. He said the university enforces time, place, and manner rules, expects professors to present alternative views on controversial topics, and has created internal reporting and appeal processes for students and faculty. Members questioned him about heckler’s veto incidents, protests, off-campus participants, complaints about professors, hate speech, and whether the university would protect speakers and students from disruption or unfair targeting. Davis said the university would not tolerate disruptions, would use due process and factual review, and is working to align campus practices with the new law and regents’ expectations. Ricky Adam Jr. of Turning Point USA’s Club America described the group’s campus and high-school organizing, praised Charlie Kirk’s approach to open debate, and said the organization is expanding in Texas. He raised concerns about school administrators and a counselor at an Early College High School in Killeen allegedly interfering with a student club and withholding footage, and committee members said they would seek information and, if necessary, use legislative process to investigate. Members from both chambers reiterated support for free speech, criticized political violence and campus suppression of viewpoints, and stressed that future hearings would continue examining implementation and enforcement issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have to know how to work with parents.
• We put in protections for that so that we can track that.
• We have a lot of protections in here.
• This is the responsibility of the parent.
• I really value the guardrails, the fraud protection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Survivors deserve that protection.
• Survivors deserve that protection.
• My adopted parents didn't know how to help me.
• They were not given the support they needed to parent me.
• And I begged to stay when my adopted parents came to get me.

Bills: SB5979 , SB6308 , SB6319

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: opioids, substance abuse, dependent children, child welfare, caregiver substance use, court orders, shelter care, judicial discretion, family law, early childhood, family services, diversion programs, court-ordered assessments

Transcript Highlights:

• This year, I have my children in schools in schools and the parents know how it.
• This bill strengthens long-term stability while protecting small businesses.
• Their parents know they are in a safe, loving, and high-quality environment during the day.
• Their parents know they are in safe, loving, and high-quality environment during the day.
• This bill is a chance to protect our future and prevent cuts to health care.

Summary: House Finance held a public hearing on Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6346, a proposal to impose a 9.9% tax beginning in 2028 on Washington taxable income over $1 million for individuals, with related rules for residents, nonresidents, pass-through entities, estimated payments, penalties, credits, and revenue distribution. Staff explained that the bill would also fund several tax changes, including an expanded Working Families Tax Credit, sales tax exemptions for grooming and hygiene products, higher small business B&O credits, an early end to the B&O surcharge on very large businesses, and repeal of most retail services sales tax changes from last session. The fiscal note projected about $2.53 billion in additional state revenue in FY 2029 and $3.21 billion in FY 2030, with local revenue losses and significant Department of Revenue implementation costs. The chair also announced concerns about apparent fraud and duplicate records in the public sign-in system and set testimony rules limiting questions and shortening testimony time as the hearing progressed. The prime sponsor, Senator Jamie Peterson, said the bill was intended to make Washington’s tax system less regressive and to raise revenue for schools, health care, higher education, and other public needs while reducing the burden on lower- and middle-income residents. Supporters from labor, education, health care, child care, housing, poverty-reduction, and social service organizations argued that the bill would help fund essential services, expand the Working Families Tax Credit, and improve fairness by asking the wealthiest households to contribute more. Several individual supporters, including business owners and workers, said they were willing to pay more and described the need for better-funded schools, health care, child care, and public defense. Opponents, including former Attorney General Rob McKenna, business groups, construction and real estate representatives, and taxpayer advocates, argued the measure would function as an unconstitutional income tax, would be unstable and likely expanded over time, and would harm small businesses organized as pass-through entities. They said the bill would reduce investment, discourage entrepreneurship, and could drive businesses and high earners out of Washington. Some local government representatives supported the public defense funding but asked for more dedicated revenue and protection against local revenue losses from the bill’s sales tax exemptions. No committee vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the idea was all residents would feel safe and protected in Washington State.
• So really focusing on protecting, limiting the data being collected.
• , meaningful protection, and a state level.
• And our communities are counting on you all to continue to protect all of us, to ensure protections are
• And in some cases, that parent is the sole breadwinner for the family.

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Summary: The Tribal Relations Committee held a work session on the Keep Washington Working Act, hearing first from the Office of the Attorney General and then the Office of the Governor, followed by testimony from the ACLU of Washington, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, and One America. The Attorney General’s office described the 2019 bipartisan law as limiting state and local involvement in federal immigration enforcement, emphasizing privacy, minimal data collection, model policies for agencies, and the distinction between immigration status information and other personal data. The office said the law has not been challenged in Washington, noted similar laws in other states, and explained that agency attorneys coordinate to provide consistent guidance and defend the law in court when needed. The governor’s office said Keep Washington Working is being implemented across state agencies through case-by-case review of data-sharing requests, coordination with the Attorney General and privacy offices, and a new executive order creating an immigration sub-cabinet and reinforcing data privacy and community engagement. Officials pointed to federal funding exceptions, including Medicaid and other programs where data must be shared to receive funds, and said the state has challenged federal grant conditions in court. In response to questions, the governor’s office said it believes the statute is consistent with federal law, applies broadly to all Washingtonians, and is being monitored for unnecessary data sharing, including at the Department of Licensing. Advocates and the ACLU argued that Keep Washington Working is grounded in the anti-commandeering doctrine and is intended to keep state resources focused on state purposes rather than federal civil immigration enforcement. They said the law helps maintain trust so residents will seek police, fire, health, and licensing services without fear, but warned that federal enforcement and data-sharing practices are still harming communities, including people with lawful status and families separated by detention. Several speakers said the law is strong but could be improved through stronger enforcement, more consistent implementation across agencies and contractors, and possibly a private right of action. No votes or formal actions were taken; the chair closed by inviting follow-up on implementation challenges and possible legislative improvements.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> is it provides options for protecting is it provides options for protecting every<00:02:56.320><
• I am a parent My name is Laura Jean.
• </c><00:15:45.240><c> and</c> must align with IDEA protections and must align with IDEA protections and
• And their parents need the help.
• Um, you're saying that parents are activists. Parents are here to talk about their kids.

Bills: HF3493 , HF4114

Committee: House Education Finance