Transcript Highlights:

• child was not the biological child of the husband.
• The younger child was. She gets going through the divorce. The husband is abusing the older child.
• The younger child that's biological, no supervised visits.
• oldest child.
• Members, Senate Bill 1708 pertains to child custody, and this would change Oklahoma's child custody laws

Bills: SB2030 , SB1926 , SB2170 , SB2151 , SB2166 , SB1213 , SB1381 , SB1824 , SB1876 , SB1728 , SB1582 , SB1286 , SB1386 , SB1708 , SB1618

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee heard and advanced a series of bills covering criminal justice, family law, elections, insurance, and property issues. Among the measures approved were SB 2030, a clean-slate/automatic expungement bill; SB 1926, allowing victims seeking protective orders to file in another county; SB 2170, requiring supervised visits when sexual abuse allegations are substantiated by DHS; SB 2151, giving prosecutors discretion to seek a 65% sentence instead of an 85% sentence in some cases; SB 2166, setting evidentiary rules for calculating future medical damages; SB 1213, allowing certain inmates to start at a higher earned-credit level; SB 1381, creating a statewide pretrial hearing process with a pilot program approach; SB 1824, updating corporation and LLC statutes; SB 1876, modernizing service of process on foreign insurers; SB 1728, adding a domestic violence definition for coercive control; SB 1582, defining bona fide resident and lawful permanent resident for alien land ownership rules; SB 1286, requiring more political subdivisions to provide polling places at no cost; SB 1386, creating a courtroom transparency pilot program using audio-video recording; and SB 1708, creating a rebuttable presumption of joint custody and equal parenting time. Several bills were amended before passage, including title-striking motions on multiple measures and committee-substitute language changes. Debate centered on the policy tradeoffs in several of the more controversial bills. Senators raised concerns about forum shopping and judicial bias in the protective-order bill, the fairness and practical effects of the future-damages bill on injured plaintiffs and insurers, the impact of the custody presumption bill on domestic violence cases and guardian ad litem practice, and the risks of foreign land ownership. Supporters generally framed the bills as responses to constituent concerns, efforts to improve fairness or transparency, or ways to modernize outdated statutes and procedures. Opponents or skeptics focused on unintended consequences, possible burdens on victims, and whether existing law already addressed the problems being raised. The committee also heard that SB 1381 would likely return as a pilot program in one county because of fiscal concerns, and SB 1386 was discussed as a limited courtroom-recording pilot rather than a full statewide rollout. SB 1582 passed after discussion of the meaning of “bona fide resident” and whether certain noncitizens could buy land. SB 1708 drew especially detailed debate over whether the law should begin with a presumption of equal parenting time or leave custody decisions entirely to the judge’s best-interest analysis. Most measures advanced on bipartisan roll-call votes, with some dissent on SB 1926, SB 2166, SB 1386, and SB 1708.

Transcript Highlights:

• But this is Military Child Month.
• Every child is not the same.
• the retention of that child, that drive gains.
• LB 1050 does not take the student's child into account.
• The child is not meeting the standards for reading. They say, we're going to hold the child back.

Bills: LB878 , LB958 , LB958A , LB762 , LB1187 , LB966 , LB929 , LB962 , LB1209 , LB937A , LB962A , LB1050 , LB1050A , LB965 , LB1022 , LB753 , LB788 , LB913 , LB1055 , LB1195 , LB429 , LB721 , LB722 , LB727 , LB745 , LB749 , LB778 , LR293 , LR296 , LR422 , LR495 , LR496 , LR497 , LR498 , LR499 , LR500 , LR501 , LR502 , LR503 , LR504

Transcript Highlights:

• And so if their child cannot read in the third grade, our policy is you're going to retain that child
• We can... ...move their child out, decide to homeschool.
• But at the same time, the child needs to learn to read.
• Plus, child care centers and nursing homes are included.
• This is... ...child is memorialized.

Transcript Highlights:

• WELFARE SPECIALTY PLAN FOR RECIPIENTS IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM.
• SUNSHINE HEALTH AND SUNSHINE HEALTH CHILD WELFARE SPECIALTY PLAN.
• SUNSHINE HEALTH AND SUNSHINE HEALTH CHILD WELFARE IS A SPECIALTY PLAN AND UNITED.
• AND SUNSHINE HEALTH CHILD WELFARE AND UNITED CARE.
• THERE ARE TWO CHILD COURT MEASURES THAT WILL BE AGENCY RUN FOR THE PLANS.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, child care.
• And if military families can't find child care, they just may not be able to serve.
• DOD knows how important child care is, and that is why it runs the nation's largest employer-based child
• So let me just ask, do you agree that cutting child care by laying off civilian child care workers makes
• For our child care employees, they are funded out of non-appropriated funds.

Committees: Senate Subcommittee on Cybersecurity , Senate Subcommittee on Personnel

Keywords: NDAA, military recruitment, personnel readiness, testimony, military leaders

Summary: The committee meeting focused on pressing issues related to the U.S. military's recruitment and personnel strategies, especially in light of the upcoming NDAA for fiscal year 2026. Chairperson expressed appreciation for the service of witnesses including senior military leaders from different branches, emphasizing the importance of personnel as the backbone of national defense. Discussions revealed concerns regarding the recent lowering of recruitment standards across military branches, which could potentially affect the quality of service members and long-term military readiness. Witnesses were asked to address the implications of these changes on military health and efficiency.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> learning um options for that child, learning um options for that child, better<00:09:30.880><c>
• </c> are making with division of child care? are making with division of child care?
• Uh child care 68%. only a 1% increase. Uh child care 68%.
• care a child partner with um a child care a child care<00:55:40.400><c> facility</c><00:55:40.800><c
• </c> for any other child. for any other child.

Summary: The committee opened its sixth meeting of the 2025 Interim Joint Committee on Education, confirmed a quorum, recorded attendance votes, and approved the minutes. Chair Lewis reminded presenters to keep remarks brief because of the full agenda and limited time. The first presentation was from United Way of Southern Kentucky, with Anne Puckett, Craig Browning, and Warren County Schools Superintendent Rob Clayton introducing a regional early childhood initiative. The presenters argued that kindergarten readiness and early childhood support are critical to later academic and life outcomes. They cited research and statistics about brain development in the first five years, the effects of unprepared kindergarten entry, and links between low literacy, school discipline, dropout rates, and incarceration. They said their region’s readiness scores fell during COVID and after a tornado, and that the most effective response was in-home parent education to help families support children from birth to age five. They described the model as voluntary, community-based, and not requiring new buildings, and said similar programs have been successful in Missouri. The group said it had already raised more than $1 million in private donations and committed three years of funding for four additional staff, expanding service in Allen, Logan, and Warren counties. They requested $600,000 per year for the next two-year budget cycle to add 12 more educators, serve about 360 families and 660 additional children, and build evidence for a possible statewide model. Members generally expressed support for the concept, with Representative Tipton and Representative Jackson discussing a prior home-based preschool pilot and the importance of starting early. Representative Calloway questioned whether increased family chaos and government involvement justified the approach; presenters responded that the program uses community educators, not a government-run organization, and is aimed at helping overwhelmed families. Representative Stalker asked about eligibility and early intervention, and presenters said the program serves children from birth to age five and can help identify needs early enough to connect families with services such as First Steps.

Transcript Highlights:

• Curious as to the top— With child care, with DHS.
• Curious as to the talks about not funding child care further.
• child care that we funded last year.
• We looked at the teacher retention child care that we funded last year.
• But $5 a day— Monies for child care that they're going to shut down.

Bills: SB1177

Committee: House Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Summary: The Joint Appropriations and Budget Committee took up Senate Bill 1177, the main budget bill, and first adopted the committee substitute as the working version. Chairman Caldwell presented the bill as the measure funding state government and answered a series of questions about major budget items, including CareerTech funding, child care, school security, teacher pay raises, the state plane purchase, Medicaid, mental health, veterans’ homes, and higher education projects. He said CareerTech received increased funding, child care funding was increased by roughly $12 million over last year, school security funding was continued at $50 million, and teacher pay raises were included through a mechanism that would raise the state minimum by $2,000. He also explained the $3 million state plane item as a restructuring of state aviation assets, and said the budget did not cut law enforcement funding tied to 287(g) agreements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Delinquent child support payments are a big problem, and this bill is going to be a huge win for the
• When people have outstanding child support liens, they're on these checks already.
• So when I have a client who has, you know, outstanding child support and we settle a claim, there's a
• Louisiana does participate in the child support lien network, I think.
• But if y'all are saying this will ensure... ...for back-paid child support.

Committee: House Insurance

Summary: The House Insurance Committee met on April 14 with a quorum present and first deferred Senate Bill 241 to the following week. The committee then took up House Bill 1117, which would clarify that an insurer’s payment on a first-party claim does not restart the two-year prescriptive period for filing suit. The sponsor said the bill responds to a Louisiana Supreme Court decision and is intended to restore a fixed deadline from the date of loss. Testimony from the Department of Insurance and industry representatives was generally supportive, and members discussed whether policyholders could be confused by partial payments and whether insurers have any duty to warn them about prescription. Representative Glorioso moved the bill favorably, and it was reported favorable without objection. The committee next considered House Bill 943, which creates a process for insurers to check for delinquent child support before issuing certain settlement payments and to withhold and remit arrears to DCFS. The committee adopted a substitute bill and then a committee amendment narrowing the scope by removing annuities and life insurance beneficiaries from the definition of covered recipients. The sponsor described the measure as a tool to help children receive overdue support, and DCFS said Louisiana currently lacks a legal mechanism to capture some settlement payouts owed by noncustodial parents. Members discussed how the bill differs from existing child support liens and whether it would close gaps in current enforcement. The transcript cuts off during that discussion, before any final vote on House Bill 943 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pay it if you have the money, but the child also needs... the child needs the money, obviously, to live
• Again, we're always in this discussion on child support.
• But in Minnesota, child support is a very important issue.
• So yes, child support is based... the child support amount is based on a set of guidelines.
• For the best interest of the child as well. Thank you very much.

Bills: HF2233 , HF1524 , HF1893 , HF1396 , HF2456 , HF2959 , HF2300 , HF2412 , HF3022 , HF2825 , HF1862 , HF1373 , HF1039 , HF3070

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a product of our child custody task force from the summer.
• And so someone says, well, you know, he's abusing my child or she's, you know, she's whatever.
• And the last thing I'll just say is this: it's kind of a big change for child custody.
• It's kind of a big change for child custody.
• , you know, abusing our child.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• If a child needs glasses to see the board, we provide them.
• If a child needs a wheelchair to access the building, we provide it.
• I'm asking for my child to get what he's promised.
• They know my child. And it's not just my daughter.
• They know my child. And it's not just my daughter.

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:

• Hill, first of all, I'm sorry you had to go through that as a child. That's terrible.
• Hill, first of all, I'm sorry you had to go through that as a child. That's terrible.
• This child was nine years old and had been diagnosed with Down syndrome.
• The child could not wear a mask in public; it was impossible for him to do it.
• I represent licensed private child care centers across the state of Arizona.

Committee: House House Regulatory Oversight Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee met for its first hearing of the session, took roll, introduced members and staff, and reviewed committee rules and amendment deadlines. The chair also announced that video recording would not be allowed in the room and set the order and speaking limits for the day’s bills. The committee heard HB 2248, the Arizona Medical Freedom Act, which would bar governmental entities, businesses, schools, and ticket issuers from denying employment, entry, services, or participation based on whether a person has or has not received a medical intervention. Supporters framed it as protecting bodily autonomy, parental rights, and freedom from medical discrimination. Opponents, including physicians, child care and public health advocates, argued the bill was overly broad and could undermine vaccination policies, school and child care illness controls, and protections for immunocompromised people. The bill passed on a 3-2 vote. The committee then heard HB 2086, which would prohibit governmental entities and businesses from requiring vaccination or masks/face coverings, with limited exceptions for workplace safety and infection control. Supporters said it would prevent government coercion and protect individual liberty and business freedom; opponents warned it would interfere with private business decisions and public health measures. After testimony and debate over the scope of the bill and the relevance of Jacobson v. Massachusetts, the committee approved HB 2086 on a 3-2 vote. Finally, the committee considered HB 2688, which would require the Arizona Department of Administration to identify state budget positions vacant for at least 150 days and direct budget units to eliminate those positions each fiscal year, with some exceptions such as Corrections and DPS. The sponsor said the bill was intended to reduce waste and prevent vacant positions from functioning as slush funds, while critics raised concerns about hard-to-fill specialized roles. The committee passed HB 2688 on a 3-2 vote and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hill, first of all, I'm sorry you had to go through that as a child. That's terrible.
• The child was nine years old and had been diagnosed with Down syndrome.
• The child could not wear a mask in public; it was unable for him to do it.
• I represent licensed private child care centers across the state of Arizona.
• of antibiotics, if that family chooses, to be able to return to child care.

Bills: HB2086 , HB2248 , HB2688

Committees: House Regulatory Oversight , House House Regulatory Oversight Committee of Reference

Keywords: vaccination mandates, mask requirements, public health, government entities, COVID-19, medical freedom, healthcare mandates, employment requirements, government regulation, vacant positions, state budget, government efficiency, employment, full-time equivalent positions

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a child care bill to help child care by getting them more money for employee benefits and so on.
• </c><00:13:22.720><c> care,</c> thumb on the scale toward child care, thumb on the scale toward child
• </c><00:24:00.799><c> care</c> expense of running this child care expense of running this child care
• </c> because they're running child care. because they're running child care.
• We're here today to talk about child care and the supply of child care.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Services continue for three years after the birth of the child.
• We also encourage providing a healthy family life for the child as well.
• General liability is cheaper than your EPA, your Child Placement Agency.
• The chair calls Noah Torres, Steve Wollob, and Tilden Childs.
• Tilden Childs. I'm a radiologist from Fort Worth.

Bills: SB397 , SB481 , SB596 , SB760 , SB855 , SB1195 , SB1196 , SB1233 , SB1257 , SB1318 , SB1368 , SB1388 , SB1398 , SB1524 , SB1558 , SB1589 , SB1677 , SB1792 , SB2034

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• When we had child care programs, line, page 2, lines 7 and 11.
• Currently, the regulations reference child care and daycare.
• Doctor, if a parent or parents are trying to enroll their child into a daycare, licensed child care..
• . is child care considered infant by three months?
• The daycare center still accept the child? Mr.

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> you risk for your child? you risk for your child?
• </c> we would also need IVF to have a child. we would also need IVF to have a child.
• </c> recognize that child children are gifts. recognize that child children are gifts.
• </c> in a healthy child? in a healthy child?
• </c> bringing child into this world. bringing child into this world.

Transcript Highlights:

• Item 2 is the **OAG's Child Support IT Modernization Project**.
• Additionally, my office has collected nearly **$44.2 billion** in child support.
• I am very proud of our child support division.
• timely to complaints about failure to pay child support?
• The same was true for child support. It took me years to get it.

Bills: SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, Attorney General, budget recommendations, funding swaps, salary increases, Landowner's Compensation Program, public testimony, law enforcement

Summary: The meeting focused on the budget recommendations for the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), where key issues included the proposed decrease of $163.9 million for the 2024-25 biennium and various methodology swaps for funding. Attorney General Paxton discussed ongoing litigation expenditures and emphasized the need for continued investments in agency staffing to address rising demands within law enforcement. Notably, he requested a 6% salary increase for 2026 and 2027 to retain talented personnel amidst competitive job markets. Public testimony highlighted community awareness challenges regarding the Landowner's Compensation Program, indicating a need for enhanced outreach efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• with child neglect.
• A pregnant person could still have their child removed and be charged with child neglect.
• The garnishment is not for child support.
• need to why shouldn't this child Equal parenting time.
• By the way, I believe in the civil rights of the child.

Summary: The committee approved the minutes and then heard a long series of bills, mostly from Senators Hoffman, Fernandez, and Bolick. Early action included SB 1436 on school bond/override ballot language, which passed 4-3 after brief debate over ballot length and transparency. SB 1568, requiring election systems to keep clocks within 60 seconds of official time and making violations a misdemeanor, was amended and passed 4-3 despite concerns about machine failures and the breadth of the penalty. SB 1569, limiting special election board members from collecting voter registrations while assisting confined voters, also passed 4-3 after testimony from county officials and a deputy registrar describing alleged misuse of SEBs. SB 1746, requiring schools to serve as polling places and closing schools on regular primary/general election days for staff training, passed 4-3 over objections about school autonomy and safety. SB 1295, allowing certain incarcerated people needing long-term care or treatment to be transferred to contracted medical institutions, passed unanimously after an amendment narrowing the medical eligibility language. The committee then took up SB 1067, a county blight/abatement bill allowing property tax bills to include assessments for removing rubbish, debris, and dilapidated structures; county officials from Gila and Pima Counties strongly supported it, and it passed 7-0. SB 1285, which would have repealed kratom protections and added kratom and its alkaloids to the narcotic-drug list, drew strong opposition from industry and a pharmacist and failed 3-4 after debate over safety, regulation, and criminal penalties. SB 1413, removing the $100,000 restitution cap for serious injury or death caused by a moving violation, passed after a short explanation that it was intended to conform statutes to a prior Arizona Supreme Court ruling. SB 1476, making prenatal exposure to dangerous or narcotic drugs and fetal alcohol syndrome a class six felony child neglect offense with an affirmative defense for mothers who completed treatment, drew emotional testimony from a foster/adoptive parent and opposition from reproductive justice and criminal defense advocates; it passed 4-2. Later, SB 1585, creating standards and funding mechanisms for sex offender-specific evaluations, treatment, and polygraphs, passed 4-2 after supporters argued it would improve oversight and opponents questioned the added surcharge and appropriation. SB 1662, requiring probation conditions to be the least restrictive necessary and tailored to risk and needs, passed 5-0 with support from justice reform advocates and defense attorneys. SB 1664, adjusting constable nomination signature requirements in Maricopa and Pima Counties, passed unanimously after county association support. The committee then began SB 1666 on in-state custodial interference, with the sponsor and a supporter describing repeated violations of custody orders and arguing for a tiered civil-penalty-to-felony structure; the transcript ends during questioning on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• and local licensing agencies to make publicly available the inspection reports and annual data on child
• deaths, injuries, and substantiated abuse that occurs in child care facilities.
• It removes statutory provisions that require family and large child care homes to provide parents with
• It requires certain exempt child care facilities to include a statement on their website, promotional
• It amends family care home to family child care home.

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Other Affairs considered four bills. SB 1690 on early childhood education was amended with a delete-all amendment that would require DCF and local licensing agencies to publicly post inspection reports and annual data on child deaths, injuries, and substantiated abuse in child care facilities, revise notice requirements for certain child care homes, add website disclosure requirements for exempt facilities, address insurance coverage for family and large family child care homes, and create the Florida Endowment for Early Learning. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably, with support noted from United Way of Florida. The committee then heard SB 1022 on children’s initiatives, which would create two new children’s initiatives in Bay County and Pompano in Broward County. The sponsor said the bill would expand local service networks for children in disadvantaged communities with no state fiscal impact. The bill was reported favorably after support was noted from representatives of Florida Children’s Initiative and others. SB 996 on dependent children drew extensive testimony from Florida Youth SHINE members and other foster youth advocates, who supported the bill’s focus on lived experience, regular consultation with youth-serving organizations, public reporting on implementation, and normalcy in foster care, including allowance to help youth learn budgeting. The bill sponsor said it would help make the system more responsive to youth needs. The committee also adopted an amendment to SB 1642 on temporary cash assistance eligibility, narrowing a SNAP-related eligibility carve-out to people who were victims of human trafficking at the time of a drug conviction. The sponsor said the change would remove barriers for trafficking survivors while keeping existing program requirements in place. Both SB 996 and the amended SB 1642 were reported favorably, and the meeting adjourned without further business.