Video & Transcript Research : 'disabled'
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NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Feb 12th, 2026 at 05:32 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- Early recognition and treatment reduce long-term disabilities, improve readiness, and support recruitment
- and retention. ...reduce long-term disabilities, improve readiness, and support recruitment and retention
- House Bill 132, as amended, creates a new statute in the Occupational Disease and Disablement Act in
- House Bill 132, as amended, creates a new statute in the Occupational Disease and Disablement Act in
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and took up its only bill, House Bill 132, which would create workers’ compensation presumptions for police officers for certain conditions, including noise-induced hearing loss/tinnitus, PTSD, and heart injury or stroke occurring within 24 hours of responding to or returning from a call or emergency. The sponsor described the bill as a bipartisan effort developed with input from workers’ compensation officials, PERA, and the Albuquerque Police Department, aimed at easing the burden on officers to prove causation while still allowing employers to rebut claims. An amendment was adopted first, refining definitions and adding language that preserves an officer’s ability to prove causation even when the presumption does not apply, and tying the heart/stroke presumption to the existence of a physical training program and medical screening requirements.
Supporters included representatives of the Albuquerque Police Officers Association, the Workers’ Compensation Administration, New Mexico State Police, AFSCME/NMFL, and a workers’ compensation attorney. They argued the bill recognizes the cumulative physical and psychological toll of law enforcement, could improve treatment and retention, and would reduce disputes over causation while remaining balanced. One supporter asked the sponsor to consider changing the 20-year requirement tied to PTSD coverage so officers in smaller departments could access benefits earlier. Committee discussion focused on the amendment’s physical training and medical screening condition for the heart/stroke presumption, with questions about whether all departments have such programs and whether the language could limit coverage.
Workers’ compensation staff testified that, from 2016 through 2025, there were 75 statewide claims potentially covered by the bill’s provisions before amendment, including about 20 hearing-loss claims, 11 heart-related claims, and about 44 mental-injury claims. A medical witness said research supports a correlation between law enforcement work and these conditions, though no New Mexico-specific study was available yet. After discussion, the committee voted to give House Bill 132, as amended, a do-pass recommendation, with no opposition recorded.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Health and Human Services Oversight REVISED: 11:15 a.m. - New Start Time
Health and Human Services Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- And it would change existing law related to 100% disabled veterans so that 100% disabilities caused by
- would make these veterans eligible to receive state-level benefits that Oklahoma offers to 100% disabled
- So, veterans who are disabled through VA medical malpractice are treated as if they are service connected
Keywords:
HB3043, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, ODVA, seasonal employees, project labor, pro rata jobs, unclassified service, state personnel law, state employee benefits, paid leave, paid holidays, retirement benefits, health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, temporary workers, veterans affairs, Title 72, Oklahoma Personnel Act, budget reporting
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 4, 2026 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair Melo: Next, PCS for HB 565, Agency for Persons with Disabilities. Our very own Rep.
- every employer of a residential facility or day training program for people with developmental disabilities
- uncomfortable because what APD is basically saying is before we pay for care, have you tried crowdsourcing disability
- the surviving spouse or child of a veteran who has died during service or has a service-related disability
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/15/25 - Part 1
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Week in honor of those who had thought their courage deeds have lost their lives and have become disabled
- <00:09:49.120>
and <00:09:49.360>have <00:09:49.600>become <00:09:50.000>disabled - <00:09:50.640>
in their lives and have become disabled in their lives and have become disabled
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- A friend, an employee of mine, is a disabled veteran and he's very proud of his service.
- So of course, he has the disabled veteran license plate.
- Well, the first thing he went out to do was get a new license plate, a disabled vet license plate.
- He has to go get a different license plate and give up his disabled veteran license plate now because
Keywords:
transportation, TxDOT, Texas Department of Transportation, road projects, highways, infrastructure, bridge construction, interchanges, corridor improvements, road widening, railroad grade separation, sound barrier, unified transportation program, legislative notice, project prioritization, capital projects, state highway system, Farm-to-Market Roads, San Antonio, Harris County
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- referred to the committee on public health Hb 521 by Guillen relating to accommodating voters with a disability
- for to the committee on elections Hb 522 by Mesa relating to the ability of voters with certain disabilities
- consecutive sentences for more than one criminal offense or injury. to a child, elderly individual, or disabled
- taxation that certain political subdivisions may impose on residential homesteads of a person who is disabled
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/26
Transportation Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Autonomous vehicle technology may also expand mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities
- Autonomous vehicle technology may also expand mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities
- Access to autonomous vehicles would not just make the lives of people with disabilities much better.
- of people with disabilities much better. of people with disabilities much better.
- I am a disability advocate. I have been for the last 30 years. I've been blind for 30 years.
Keywords:
vehicle platooning, transportation, public safety, pilot project, Wilkin County, Grant County, autonomous vehicles, transportation regulations, driverless cars, safety standards, first responder interaction, school bus, third-party testing, driver certification, transportation regulation, 1183, house
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/26
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- And so I was shocked because in the disability community, we do pick people up.
- community, we we do pick disability community, we we do pick people<00:12:47.920>
up. - again in the in the disability again in the in the disability community,<00:13:06.639>
we - disability waiver services providers. disability waiver services providers.
- That's the aging and disability services. >> Thank you so much, Miss Graham.
Keywords:
assisted living, healthcare, training, unlicensed personnel, resident rights, safety regulations, nursing home, long-term care, guardian, conservator, arbitration, mandatory arbitration, consumer protection, fee increase, rate increase, price hike, private pay, public funds, Medicaid, waiver services
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 36 (2-27-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- and the disabled individuals. and the disabled individuals.
- ,<00:40:33.760>
and <00:40:33.920>those people with disabilities, and those people - with disabilities, and those living<00:40:34.320>
in <00:40:34.480>rural <00:40:34.800>< - ,<00:50:41.440>
people <00:50:41.760>working <00:50:42.160>low-wage disabilities - , people working low-wage disabilities, people working low-wage jobs,<00:50:43.040>
and <00:50:
Summary:
The House convened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, excused absent members, suspended rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications, and approved the journal from February 26, 2026. The clerk then reported several bills on second reading, including measures on state personnel, domestic violence, fish and wildlife resources, open records, workforce investment, data centers, guardians ad litem and domestic relations, along with Senate Concurrent Resolution 9 on a Medicaid pilot feasibility study and Senate Joint Resolution 23 declaring Kentucky a “food is medicine” state.
The main floor business was House Bill 2, the Medicaid reform and appropriation bill. The sponsor described it as a response to rising Medicaid costs and federal changes, saying it would improve transparency, oversight, fraud prevention, and program operations. He said the bill would apply mainly to the Medicaid expansion population and include community engagement, cost-sharing, eligibility safeguards, stronger managed care oversight, transportation and dental delivery changes, waiver program prioritization, greater legislative access to CHFS data, a transparency dashboard, periodic auditor review, and limits on certain weight-management drug coverage. A House committee substitute was adopted, and a floor amendment on phasing in a marginal medical loss ratio requirement over four years was offered as a friendly amendment and adopted.
The House then debated House Floor Amendment 1, which would have removed state-mandated co-payments and limited cost sharing to the federal minimum, while also prohibiting reporting medical debt to credit agencies. Supporters argued the amendment would protect low-income Kentuckians from barriers to care and prevent medical debt from worsening poverty. Opponents said the bill’s co-pays were intended to encourage appropriate use of care, especially to reduce non-emergency emergency room visits, and noted that providers and MCOs could waive or work around some charges. After a roll call vote, the amendment failed 20-39.
After the amendment vote, the House continued discussion of the bill, with the sponsor defending the co-payment structure as a way to promote personal responsibility and sustainability while preserving access to primary care. The transcript ends during further debate on House Bill 2, and no final passage vote is shown in the provided excerpt.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 3/13/25
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- LSS provides comprehensive and innovative services to people to support people with disabilities, children
- There's a pie chart I would like you to reference that shows that 70% of our disability services make
- and individuals living with disabilities and individuals living with disabilities please<00:20:48.440
- <00:21:36.640>
our <00:21:36.840>Disability <00:21:37.520>Services disabilities - our Disability Services disabilities our Disability Services make<00:21:38.360>
up <00:21:38.640
DE
Transcript Highlights:
- Yeah, page eight, line 15, Health or Disability Services, Mr. Smith. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
- Again, we are on page eight, starting on line 15 for the Health or Disability Services category.
- Total amount for Health or Disability Services is on page 9, line 31, at $5,512,050.
- Madam Chair, I move that we adopt Section 2, Health or Disability Services. Thank you.
- Let the record reflect that Health or Disability Services has been accepted by this committee.
Summary:
The Joint Finance Committee met to review and vote on the fiscal year 2027 Grants and Aid Act, which was expected to be pre-filed as Senate Bill 337. Members first reviewed Section 1, covering county seat payments, paramedic operations, senior center allocations, senior center transportation, and Homeland Security grants. They approved Section 1 after discussion of how senior center transportation is being moved from DART to grant-in-aid and how some organizations can appear in both the senior center formula and the general aging category.
The committee then worked through Section 2, which included one-time appropriations and the various grant categories for aging, arts/historical/recreation, economic housing or labor services, family and youth services, health or disability services, and neighborhood and community services. Members discussed several specific items, including New Castle County reassessment-related funding, Friends of Cooch’s Bridge, Slaughter Neck Community Action Organization, Plastic-Free Delaware, Love, Inc. of the Delmarva, and the Southern Delaware Horse Retirement Association. One aging line for Slaughter Neck was reduced back to flat funding after members questioned a large increase, and the revised category total was adjusted accordingly. Each of the Section 2 subcategories was then adopted.
Section 3, covering fire companies and public service ambulance companies, was approved with increases across apparatus, ambulance, rescue truck, aerial truck, rescue boat, substation, and insurance rebate equalization funding. Section 4, for veterans organizations and youth programs such as Boys State, Girls State, and Trooper Youth Week, was also adopted. The committee then approved the epilogue sections, which included eligibility, audit, payment, and reporting rules; special provisions for the Wilmington Senior Center contingency; conditions tied to several one-time appropriations; withholding funding from Merri-Dell Volunteer Fire Company pending a corrective report; and reprogramming $1,485,000 from a prior SMART food program appropriation toward SNAP/WIC-related food access initiatives. The meeting ended with remarks thanking staff and noting that it was likely the last JFC meeting for two members, followed by adjournment.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development
Transcript Highlights:
- programs, providing direct care to thousands of individuals across the state in both developmental disability
- Employees are tasked with providing 24-hour care to adults with disabilities and mental health issues
- My job is to support people with disabilities, medical needs, developmental support, and activities of
- These workers are home care aides, direct care staff, mental health, substance use, and disability service
- These workers are home care aides, direct care staff, mental health, substance use, and disability service
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a hybrid hearing on legislation concerning unemployment insurance, non-compete agreements, prevailing wage, and minimum wage issues. Committee leaders outlined the hearing process, asked witnesses to keep oral testimony to three minutes, and invited written testimony through November 20. No votes were taken during the hearing; it ended with a motion to adjourn and notice of the next hearing on November 20.
Much of the testimony focused on bills to expand unemployment insurance for striking workers, including H. 2168 and S. 1319. Labor leaders, union members, and legal advocates argued that workers who are out on strike for more than 30 days should be able to receive UI benefits, saying the policy would help workers and families meet basic expenses, reduce employers’ ability to “wait out” strikes, and encourage good-faith bargaining. Speakers cited recent strikes, including the Republic Services strike, and said the proposal would not meaningfully increase strike activity or strain the UI trust fund.
Another major topic was minimum wage legislation, especially H. 2107/S. 1349 to raise the minimum wage to $20 by 2029 and index it to inflation, and H. 2191 to create a $25 enhanced care worker minimum wage. Supporters said current wages are not keeping pace with housing, food, and childcare costs, and that care workers, direct support staff, and human service employees face chronic vacancies, burnout, and turnover. Testimony also supported H. 2126 on prevailing wage by adding apprenticeship and training contributions to the wage calculation, and H. 2159 and S. 1363 on prevailing wage-related issues. One witness, Russell Beck, testified against S. 1336, which would ban non-competes, and against H. 2118, arguing Massachusetts’ current non-compete law is a balanced compromise that should not be disrupted.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 519 improves safety, understanding, and respect for people with hidden or communication disabilities
- House Bill 519 improves safety, understanding, and respect for people with hidden or communication disabilities
- House Bill 519 improves safety, understanding, and respect for people with hidden or communication disabilities
- House Bill 519 improves safety, understanding, and respect for people with hidden or communication disabilities
- House Bill 519 improves safety, understanding, and respect for people with hidden or communication disabilities
Summary:
The House Transportation Committee met with a quorum and heard several bills. House Bill 282, sponsored by Representative White, was presented as “Troy’s Law” to allow tow trucks to use green lights, including while moving, as a safety measure for operators working roadside. White said the bill was developed after fatal crashes involving tow operators and that the green-light language was a compromise after earlier blue-light proposals drew opposition. Members asked about Kentucky State Police support and whether green lights were used by other groups; White said KSP and the FOP supported the bill and that the military also uses green lights. The committee adopted a committee substitute and then reported HB 282 favorably with the substitute attached.
The committee next took up House Bill 648, sponsored by Chairman Blanton, which addresses warranty reimbursement for dealers of heavy trucks. Blanton explained that some manufacturers were refusing to cover warranty work on components made by other manufacturers, leaving dealers to absorb the cost. The bill would require proper reimbursement for parts and specialized equipment used in warranty repairs on big trucks, not regular passenger vehicles. After a motion and second and no questions, HB 648 was reported favorably.
Finally, House Bill 519, sponsored by Representative Klein, was heard after the agenda was adjusted to move it to the end. The bill would let applicants for driver’s licenses, permits, or ID cards voluntarily indicate a communication disorder so first responders can better understand and accommodate them during traffic stops or emergencies; it would prohibit fees for adding or removing the notation and take effect July 1, 2027. Members asked about privacy, deletion of records, and whether additional training would be needed. Klein said the notation method was still being worked out with KYTC, no burden of proof would be required, and existing law-enforcement training could likely absorb the change with little added cost. HB 519 was then reported favorably by roll call vote.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, May 21, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- :20.640>
are <02:26:20.880>dangerous disabil disabled veterans are dangerous disabil disabled - And veterans with disabilities should not be discriminated against.
- >
should And veterans with disabilities should And veterans with disabilities should not<02:28 - Advocacy Network, work the disability Advocacy Network, work the disability rights<03:17:49.439>
- the catastrophically disabled veterans. the catastrophically disabled veterans.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 53 (3-25-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- bill for individuals with disabilities bill for individuals with disabilities who<00:49:34.320><
- There's no carve-out for individuals with disabilities. And there's no carve-out for the press.
- And there's no with disabilities.
- ,<01:17:13.320>
they manifestation of their disability, they manifestation of their disability - student's disability led to the<01:17:31.000>
assault.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 11th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It minimizes the voices of our aging and disabled population that have challenges making it to the polling
- A.B 17. ...dignity and respect to California students who are struggling with disabilities.
- as documented in their individualized education plan, IEP, or 504 plan, as valid proof of their disability
- Across California, students with permanent disabilities, including ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and epilepsy
- For example, UCLA's own Disability Services Office tells students to call and find out for themselves
Summary:
The Assembly met in session after a quorum call and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a ceremonial observance for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Members from multiple caucuses spoke in support of House Resolution 107, which designates May as AAPI Heritage Month, emphasizing the community’s contributions, resilience, and the need to confront discrimination and hate. The resolution was adopted, and the chamber then recognized 13 honorees for the 2026 AAPI Heritage Month celebration, highlighting leaders in education, business, labor, media, cultural preservation, and public service.
After guest introductions, the Assembly took up a series of bills. Measures discussed included HOA reserve funding for common interest developments (AB 2050), professional review requirements for lawsuits against design professionals (AB 2106), direct home delivery of enteral formula (AB 1794), expanded CalWORKs-related support for student parents (AB 1829), longer insurance moratoriums for wildfire survivors (AB 2038), election cybersecurity (AB 2281), medical privacy protections for reproductive and gender-affirming care (AB 2448), water district board compensation (AB 2568), county public contract change-order authority (AB 1658), and several other education, health, and licensing bills. Most measures passed with broad support; AB 2050 passed 44-6, AB 2038 passed 45-8, AB 2448 passed 49-13, and AB 1658 passed 61-2, while several others passed unanimously or near-unanimously.
The Assembly also adopted AJR 29, a resolution opposing a federal executive order affecting vote-by-mail and affirming California’s mail voting system. The resolution prompted extended debate over election integrity, voter access, and federal versus state authority, with supporters arguing mail voting is secure and accessible and opponents calling for stronger voter list maintenance and verification. The resolution passed 47-13. In addition, ACR 141 and ACR 123 were adopted by voice vote after co-author roll calls, and the chamber continued or passed on numerous other file items as it worked through the daily file.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration May 21st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- On the unemployment disability fund, I remember this item from last year.
- That is our disability insurance fund. That supports DI and paid family leave.
- And what would the balance of this fund be, the disability fund?
- It's not inclusive, it disproportionately impacts people with disabilities and lower incomes.
- We care for the mental ill, support the disabled, and protect the vulnerable.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Appropriations - S/C on Article III Feb 24th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Article III
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the mother of a 19-year-old who's blind with multiple disabilities, and I have personally used all
- not coded mainstream and therefore are impacted in some way by the disability penalty.
- Yeah, the disability penalty is a new term. Somebody invented that, I think, in the last week.
- We'd love for the disability penalty to just. go away and the new revamp that's happening in HB2.
- My third ask is that you please consider removing the disability penalty to the basic allotment.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EIG-CPN, EIG, EIG-TRS Public Hearings 04-16-2026
Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- And for our testifiers, we have Gentry Bartoldus from the State Council of Developmental Disabilities
- And this is testifying for the State Council of Developmental Disability—oh, wait, no. Oh, yeah.
- testifying for the State Council of testifying for the State Council of Development<00:10:53.120>
Disability - <00:10:54.880>
Oh, Development Disability Oh, wait, no. - Oh, Development Disability Oh, wait, no.
Bills:
HCR202
Keywords:
Hawaii, renewable energy, task force, energy independence, cost savings, decarbonization, public utilities, stakeholders, clean energy goals, 912, senate, all
Summary:
The joint committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Consumer Commerce and Consumer Protection heard HCR 202 HD2, a resolution creating a task force to study Hawaii’s electric generation mix and related costs. Testimony from the Hawaii State Energy Office was neutral and stood on written comments, while another testifier supported the resolution, emphasizing affordability, reliability, and the need to understand the right balance of thermal generation and renewables as the state moves toward its 2045 renewable goals. The chairs said they had conferred on the measure and outlined recommended amendments, including adding study of the separation of ownership and control of generation versus transmission and distribution, and adding Senate committee representation to the task force.
The Consumer Commerce and Consumer Protection committee voted to pass HCR 202 HD2 with amendments; the chair, vice chair, and another member voted aye, with one senator excused, and the recommendation was adopted. The Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee did not have quorum at that time and said it would take its vote later.
The Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee also heard HCR 165, concerning pickleball courts in Hawaii Kai. One resident testified in opposition, citing concerns about permanent lights, permanent nets, noise, light pollution, safety, maintenance, and the loss of multi-use flexibility. After discussion, the chair recommended passing the measure as is, and the committee said it would vote the next day because it lacked quorum. The committee also heard HCR 154 and HCR 43 with the Transportation Committee; HCR 154 was passed unamended, and HCR 43, which urged raised crosswalks near Ala Wai Elementary School for pedestrian safety, was also passed unamended. Supporters of HCR 43 described heavy pedestrian traffic, schoolchildren crossing, and unsafe vehicle turning patterns at the intersections. The Transportation Committee adopted both recommendations, while the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee scheduled its votes for the following day.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Health and Human Resources Committee in Session Mar 10th, 2026 at 01:10 pm
Health and Human Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- The proposed bill removes providing intellectual disability services and providing personal care services
- But I believe that as we have an aged and disabled population in this state, really one of the highest
- Another one is aged and disabled waiver. So it's two of them.
- Aged and Disabled Waiver is a very similar program, but it is not under CON.
- Aged and Disabled Waiver is a very similar program, but it is not under CON.