Video & Transcript Research : 'bed availability'
Page 7 of 500
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
PSM-TCA, PSM Public Hearings 03-24-2025
Public Safety and Military Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:04:30.240>
for support the intent and are available for support the intent and are available - Is it per person or per bed? It's per person per bed. We bill about $96 a day.
- per person or It's per person per bed. per person or It's per person per bed.
decades stagnated that bed for the for decades stagnated that bed for the for decades where<00- codes as fast as they come available codes as fast as they come available because<00:45:18.800><
Summary:
The joint committees heard three resolutions first. STR 32/SR 18 asked the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to work with the Department of Transportation to use inmate work furlough programs for state roadway and highway maintenance. Testimony was generally supportive of the intent, but the Correctional System Oversight Commission raised concerns about using work furlough for maintenance and emphasized that participants should be paid at least minimum wage, be able to meet restitution and support obligations, and not have their release timing affected. The measures were later recommended and adopted by both committees with no amendments in the joint portion.
STR 199/SR 179 concerned increased caution regarding foreign infrastructure. There was no public testimony. In decision-making, the committees split the measures: STR 199 was deferred because of a similar measure, while SR 179 was passed with amendments. The amendments were described as clarifying Hawaii’s goals of self-sufficiency, local self-reliance, and self-determination, and encouraging scrutiny by departments and agencies to reduce dependence on imports. STR 231/SR 207, which would direct DOT to install electronic equipment at state airports and harbors to scan for illegal fireworks, drew mixed testimony, including support from the Oahu Filipino Community Council and comments from Matson Navigation. DOT said it supported the intent. The committees adopted amendments to address Matson’s concerns by moving inspections to a place outside the immediate loading and unloading area, and both committees passed the measures as amended.
The Public Safety and Military Affairs committee then took up additional resolutions. STR 113/SR 94, designating Hawaii as a Purple Heart state on August 7, 2025, received no testimony and was not discussed further. STR 204/SR 164, asking the Department of Law Enforcement for information on disposal, detonation, and destruction of explosive fireworks and similar hazardous materials, also drew no testimony in the excerpt. STR 107/SR 88, urging military branches in Hawaii to provide hurricane-resistant shelters for active and retired personnel and families, likewise received no testimony. STR 148/SR 119, supporting construction of a floating dry dock at Pearl Harbor, drew broad support from industry, military, and state economic development representatives. STR 149/SR 120, creating a vegetation management working group to address wildfire risk, received extensive testimony in support and comments, with speakers from DCCA, PUC, Hawaiian Electric, IBW 1260, Hawaiʻi Telecom, and Kamehameha Schools discussing wildfire hazards, responsibility for vegetation near utility infrastructure, and the need to include workers and landowners in the process. STR 126/SR 105, calling for an incremental reduction in the number of inmates housed in private out-of-state facilities, prompted a lengthy discussion with DCR. The director said Hawaii’s out-of-state incarceration is driven by overcrowding and security needs, not a quota, described the per-person-per-day cost of CoreCivic housing, noted that Hawaii pays about $96 per inmate per day out of state versus about $37 in-state, and said the department is working on a master plan and future facility needs. The committee also discussed the need for a new prison and possibly a new jail. The excerpt ends with the committee still in discussion, without showing a final vote on STR 126/SR 105.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
October 8, 2025 - 08:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- IT WILL BE 14 BED MODULES AND 16 ACCESS SERVICES.
- LAST SESSION WE APPROPRIATE SOME MONEY FOR 24 TO 30 NEW BEDS I THINK.
- SPACE GO TO BED SPACE FOR KIDS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN SENTENCED IN THESE FACILITIES?
- >> YES. . >> BED CAPACITY. I WAS PAYING ATTENTION. >> Rep.
- IN SOUTH FLORIDA AND 34 BEDS IN LOWELL.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We have done a call to hospitals across the state looking at their PD. bed availability.
- And one of them said purchase psychiatric beds at least 193 new beds for a total of 769 purchase inpatient
- psychiatric beds available state. wide.
- We will have roughly a 1,000 new beds, so a total in 25, we had 2,800. 307 beds upon completion of all
- That is 292 beds. They aren't all forensics. 75 are forensic, but but 125 are actually civil beds.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Finance (Part II) Jan 28th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Right now we have beds.
- physical beds.
- So around there, 300 beds more or less. Yeah, there's 300 available beds.
- So around there, 300 beds more or less. Yeah, there's 300 available beds.
- available beds. I just don't have the humans to supervise those beds.
Summary:
The Senate Finance Committee heard the Legislative Budget Board’s overview of the Texas Department of Public Safety’s 2026-27 budget, followed by extensive testimony from DPS leadership. The LBB presentation covered funding and staffing changes across driver license services, facilities, troopers and recruit schools, crime labs, vehicle and aircraft operations, and border security. The recommendations included added support for customer service staffing and trooper hiring, but did not include several DPS exceptional items such as major driver license staffing and technology requests, new regional headquarters in El Paso and San Antonio, and other capital projects. Members also discussed proposed rider changes, including a new rider to lapse unused trooper funding and require reporting after recruit schools.
Much of the committee’s questioning focused on driver license operations, where senators criticized long call wait times, low call-answer rates, appointment delays, and what they viewed as an overreliance on adding staff rather than improving processes. DPS and LBB witnesses said the agency is pursuing some technology upgrades, including automation, online pre-population of applications, and appointment-system improvements, but acknowledged that the driver license division remains a major problem area. Senators also raised concerns about whether the 2019 efficiency study led to meaningful changes and whether the agency should consider broader process redesign or even a different administrative structure.
Colonel Freeman and other DPS officials then defended the agency’s broader law enforcement and border-security work, emphasizing the need for the Williamson County training academy, the 500 additional troopers funded in prior sessions, and continued support for Operation Lone Star. They described DPS’s role in border interdiction, threat-to-life investigations, oilfield theft cases, Capitol and Alamo security, and highway safety, and said the agency is stretched thin by deployments and overtime. Members asked about border reimbursement possibilities, regional staffing differences, pursuit safety, fleet and aircraft replacement needs, and the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame museum. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 2/25/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:20:02.720>
for creation and Greg would be available for creation and Greg would be available - > are<01:09:40.040>
we necessary beds are available how are we necessary beds are available - have the resources that are available have the resources that are available for<01:10:08.800>
- I'm actually talking about beds and the availability of getting somebody in one of our facilities.
- I'm guessing you need more than physical beds.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Tool on page 27 is contracted capacity bed by bed type included in the recommendations.
- And that would be for civil beds and then just civil. beds and then I would ask for forensic as well
- What's the total number of beds that? What's the total number of children's beds and forensic beds?
- That means the beds aren't free.
- There are residential treatment beds or diversion beds for families.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
PUBLIC HEALTH- HOUSE HEALTH SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE Jun 25th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- There's 16-bed or less units. Medicaid pays for that. There's 16-bed or less units.
- So they had empty beds. I think they were averaging maybe two people a day in 16 beds.
- I know, like, the Hospital Association has a dashboard that can tell them what beds are available, where
- I know, like, the Hospital Association has a dashboard that can tell them what beds are available, where
- and which beds available.
Summary:
The House Health Services Subcommittee met to approve the October 7, 2024 minutes and then shifted to behavioral health as the main topic. Representatives Woodridge and Vaught described the work of the behavioral health working group, saying Arkansas needs a more proactive system that improves access, reduces red tape, and focuses on a few achievable policy changes for the 2027 session rather than many bills. Members discussed barriers such as low reimbursement, workforce shortages, licensing and credentialing hurdles, rural access problems, and the need to better use community providers, compacts, and step-down services.
Director Paula Stone of DHS’s Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health gave a detailed overview of the behavioral health system. She said Medicaid pays for more than 75% of behavioral health services in Arkansas and explained that when people are jailed or admitted to the state hospital, Medicaid generally stops, leaving state general revenue to cover care. She described current efforts including family-centered treatment for children, community reintegration group homes, a new adolescent substance use disorder residential unit, expanded community mental health center contracts, a secured restoration unit to reduce state hospital backlogs, and an IMD waiver to allow Medicaid payment for certain residential services. She also said DHS is working on crisis services, forensic evaluations, and provider rebidding in areas previously served by ERISA.
Members asked about reimbursement for jail services, the lack of a statewide behavioral health dashboard, civil commitment options, crisis stabilization units, and whether Arkansas should expand step-down or long-term facilities for people who cannot safely return to the community. Stone said the state hospital backlog remains significant, average stays are still about 14 months, and crisis stabilization units have had mixed success, with Fort Smith and Jonesboro performing better than Fayetteville and Little Rock. The meeting ended with a commitment to continue the work, with more substantive discussion planned for August.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 03/13/25
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- another hospital, all to no avail.
- at another hospital all to no even a bed at another hospital all to no avail<00:07:20.240>
over - Patients are often transferred across the state to find an available psychiatric bed where appropriate
- <01:19:37.920>
psychiatric <01:19:38.520>bed <01:19:39.120>where available psychiatric - bed where available psychiatric bed where appropriate<01:19:39.800>
treatment <01:19:40.199>
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/16/2026 - House Health & Human Services #1
Transcript Highlights:
- Sarn and there isn't an S-Burf available.
- We're talking about until beds are available.
- We're talking about until beds are available.
- But there are no beds. There are none of the state health facility. But there are no beds.
- We do. the beds.
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 2307, as amended, which would require the Department of Health Services to contract with out-of-state secure mental health facilities when Arizona beds are unavailable for certain involuntary commitment cases involving defendants found dangerous and incompetent. The sponsor and supporters framed it as an emergency stopgap to prevent individuals who are deemed non-restorable from being released because Arizona lacks secure behavioral health beds, while opponents argued it would raise due process, disability rights, family access, and cost concerns, and questioned whether the state could even implement such interstate placements. After debate, the committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and advanced HB 2307 on a 6-5 due pass vote.
The committee then heard House Bill 2083, which updates diabetes-related coverage language in health plans to include newer devices and supplies such as continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps, and smart insulin pens. Supporters said the bill modernizes outdated statutes and improves access and outcomes for people with diabetes, while an insurer representative offered soft opposition, warning that writing these items into statute could create a state mandate and potential cost exposure, especially if the language is read to include GLP-1 medications. The committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and moved HB 2083 forward on an 11-1 due pass vote.
Next, House Bill 2673 was heard, addressing mental health screening and treatment for incarcerated people. The sponsor said the bill was being reworked into a study committee concept after stakeholder feedback, but the underlying proposal would require prompt evaluation of prisoners showing mental disorder symptoms and faster referral for treatment. A family member testified about her son’s severe deterioration in jail and death, while an attorney opposed the bill as overbroad and legally problematic. Despite the sponsor’s indication that the bill would become a study committee, the committee voted 12-0 to give HB 2673 a due pass recommendation. The committee also advanced House Bill 2923, which revises timelines, procedures, and notice requirements for judicial review of court-ordered mental health treatment; supporters said it clarifies outdated language and improves communication with families, while opponents argued it shifts burdens onto patients and could prolong confinement. HB 2923 also received a 12-0 due pass vote.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Jan 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- : 380 beds at Florida State Hospital and 94 beds at Northeast Florida State Hospital.
- There's just much less resources available. conversations with our local stakeholders.
- There's just, there's a much less resources available. There's just much less resources available.
- One is Florida State Hospital; that's 380 beds.
- The second is Northeast Florida State Hospital, with 94 beds. Thank you. With 94 beds.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard a presentation on the governor’s proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget for the health and human services silo, which totals $48.5 billion. Agency leaders outlined major requests for AHCA, APD, DCF, DOEA, DOH, and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, including behavioral health redesign, Medicaid rate changes, developmental disability services, child welfare and opioid programs, senior services, cancer research, public health initiatives, and veterans’ facility and technology needs. The committee also received an overview of the overall state budget, which was described as $117.4 billion, up 1.1% from the current year.
AHCA’s presentation focused on $71.6 million for a Medicaid behavioral health redesign, including funding for residential treatment, a serious mental illness waiver, and higher inpatient psychiatric rates for youth, plus $7.1 million to raise private duty nursing reimbursement in fee-for-service Medicaid, $2.5 million for the background screening clearinghouse, and $124.4 million for the Health Care Connection System (FX). APD requested funding to continue moving people off the pre-enrollment list and to support developmental disability centers, a new forensic facility, an electronic health record system, and higher operating costs. DCF highlighted $81.9 million for eligibility and system integrity, $187.5 million for opioid prevention and treatment, $35.5 million for community-based care lead agencies, and $72.7 million to expand behavioral health bed capacity, including 474 new beds at state hospitals. DOEA sought additional funding for Alzheimer’s services, home care, and community care for the elderly. DOH emphasized $278 million for cancer research and innovation, $5 million for food and product safety testing, $5 million for the Florida FIRST blood-on-ambulance initiative, and $5.7 million for a public lab feasibility study. Veterans Affairs requested funds for facility improvements, cybersecurity, and medication management equipment.
Members asked detailed questions about several items, especially the proposed changes to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), which would reduce eligibility and the number of people served. Senators and public witnesses criticized the lack of transparency and urged the department to pause the changes and work with stakeholders; the Surgeon General said the issue was driven by funding constraints and federal changes, not a legal barrier, and that the agency was exploring alternatives. Questions also addressed the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity, the Kids Care/CHIP expansion implementation, the cancer research funding structure, and the timeline and cost of the FX system. Public testimony focused heavily on ADAP, with speakers warning that thousands could lose medication access and calling for community involvement and a review of the program’s finances. The committee adjourned after the presentations and questions, with no votes taken on the budget items during this meeting.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- So the three-phase power and the amount you needed was not available?
- Actually, it's worse today than it's been all year, but we've got 39 vacant beds.
- Actually, it's worse today than it's been all year, but we've got 39 vacant beds throughout the system
- , of the 204 beds that we're allotted, based on the ones that we can screen that are available.
- of the 204 beds that we're allotted based on the ones that we can screen that are available our numbers
Summary:
The review subcommittee met to consider a supplemental agenda, methods of finance, an alternative delivery project, discretionary grants, and a large slate of construction, out-of-state, and in-state contracts. The supplemental item was a $2.6 million out-of-state contract with Tyler Technologies for a mobile app that would let citizens access state services through a single sign-on, initially for DFA vehicle and licensing services, with possible expansion to other agencies. Members also reviewed five methods of finance, including University of Arkansas projects for roof and cooling tower replacements, a new $100 million academic classroom building at U of A Fayetteville, a police department renovation at UA Fort Smith, and a boiler/chiller replacement at Hope-Texarkana. Questions focused on project timing, why some items were being reviewed after work had begun, and the high estimated cost of the Fayetteville classroom building; DFA explained that projects under $250,000 are not reviewed and that the larger project was still in design and would later seek a guaranteed maximum price.
The committee also reviewed two DHS discretionary grants: one for targeted youth advocacy in southwest Arkansas and another adding $582,000 for family-centered treatment training and implementation. In the services contract section, members discussed construction-related contracts, including an ASMSA electrical scope increase tied to three-phase power requirements and the U of A Fayetteville architect contract for the classroom building. Out-of-state contracts included major items such as ACT Education’s $17 million amendment to provide required pre-ACT testing for 9th and 10th graders, a $12.5 million DFA contract for rural health transformation grant management, DHS’s $16.5 million EBT services contract with updated chip-card and fraud-prevention features, and ADH’s special procurement for the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. The committee also reviewed U of A system consulting contracts for financial advisory and sponsorship strategy work, with university officials saying the outside expertise was needed for specialized planning and revenue-generation efforts.
In-state contracts covered corrections reentry services, nursing board investigations, foster care and child welfare services, DHS office janitorial work, emergency management radio system expansion, veterans’ home nursing staffing, and UAMS grants consulting. A lengthy exchange centered on the Department of Corrections’ reentry housing contract, with members pressing officials about vacant beds and urging fuller use of the program, while corrections staff said placements depend on screening and eligibility. Another discussion addressed the balance between out-of-state and in-state contracting, with a member noting the large dollar volume going to out-of-state vendors and asking whether Arkansas vendors receive any preference; State Procurement said current law does not allow an in-state preference. The committee approved the supplemental agenda, the methods of finance, the alternative delivery project, the discretionary grants, and the contract lists, and then received routine reports and an emergency action report before adjourning.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
CHILDREN & YOUTH COMMITTEE- SENATE & AGING, CHILDREN & YOUTH, AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS- HOUSE Feb 11th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- But he's been able to get more beds.
- to get more and more beds.
- We have a 24-bed facility.
- It's not just DYS youth in those beds. We do... It's not just DYS youth in those beds.
- We do pay for those beds.
Summary:
The Senate and House Joint Committee on Children and Youth approved the December 10 minutes and confirmed Representative Mary Bentley to the Child Maltreatment Investigations Oversight Committee. The committee then heard the annual Arkansas Infant and Child Death Review report, which said the state reviewed 148 of 170 non-natural child deaths in 2023; the reviewed deaths included 69 accidents, 14 suicides, 18 homicides, and 47 undetermined causes. Members asked about how the report’s recommendations could be used, grant opportunities tied to prevention work, and whether the data could be broken down by age; presenters said the report is intended as a prevention tool for agencies and nonprofits and that some age detail is available in later pages of the report.
The committee next took up HCR 1010 and then a broader discussion of juvenile justice reform. Senator Missy Irvin, judges, and Administrative Office of the Courts staff described Arkansas’s use of validated risk assessments, including SAVRY, the Ohio Youth Assessment Tool, MAYSI, and substance-abuse screening, as part of a long-running effort to reduce juvenile incarceration and tailor services to individual youth and families. They said the reforms have contributed to fewer delinquency filings, fewer DYS commitments, and more diversions, while also emphasizing that mental health, substance abuse, school issues, and trauma often drive juvenile court involvement. Several members raised concerns about data gaps, school collaboration, and whether community-based services are sufficient, and presenters said more shared data and stronger school use of safety dashboards could help intervene earlier.
Division of Youth Services Director Michael Crump then presented custody, education, recidivism, and cost data. He said DYS commitments rose after the pandemic, secure residential populations remain high, and detention-center use increased when intake beds filled; he also noted that DYS pays about $320 per day for secure custody and that detention beds cost roughly $90 to $100 per day. Crump said most youth in custody are older teens, about 80 percent are male, and many have behavioral-health needs or educational deficits; he reported 222 GEDs and 102 high school diplomas over six years. He also said about 15 to 19 percent of youth return to DYS within three years and that a larger share later enter the Department of Corrections, while members pressed him on how assessments relate to commitments, how low-risk cases are handled, and how to improve mental health and substance-abuse services statewide.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And that's only jail bed cost.
- And unfortunately, our jail bed costs do not include other associated expenses. Jail bed cost.
- A shortage of available acute psychiatric beds continues to limit the effectiveness of these tools.
- What happens is they go into these hospitals where there are no more beds or doctors available, and they
- We started with about 40 available vouchers.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I will be available for comments today. I will be available for any<00:25:23.039>
questions. - only one security guard was available only one security guard was available and<00:34:17.200>
- There was no bed because, like you said, there are no beds.
- We can't take...' ma beds issue. So, that didn't really ma beds issue.
- <00:59:03.599>
and that maybe there's no open beds and that maybe there's no open beds and
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- We need these beds.
- be done I mean I think you have a 25 bed be done I mean I think you have a 25 bed non-secure<00:
- We don't have any bed openings.
- we don't have any uh get rid of any beds we don't have any bed<00:13:15.600>
uh <00:13:15.760> - resources and options that are available resources and options that are available to<00:24:25.399
Keywords:
psychiatric treatment, human services, mental health funding, per diem rate, Clay County, disability services, assistive technology, remote support, advocacy, training programs, HF487, Wellness in the Woods, Minnesota human services, grant funding, general fund appropriation, peer support, substance use recovery, addiction recovery, reentry services, reentry after incarceration
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Right now we have beds.
- The 5,600 beds that we talked about are also air-conditioned beds, and that puts you up over 80 when
- Those beds typically are more expensive than us keeping them on a unit or running them together. beds
- That's over $2 million a bed.
- physical beds.
Bills:
SB 1
Keywords:
campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards
Summary:
The Senate Finance Committee heard a presentation from the Legislative Budget Board on the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Article 5 budget. LBB recommended $3.7 billion in all funds for 2026-27, a 5.2 percent decrease from the base, while FTEs would rise by 856.7. Major items included funding for driver license services, DPS facilities, troopers and recruit schools, crime labs, vehicle and aircraft operations, border security, and rider changes. The committee also reviewed DPS exceptional items not included in the recommendation, including additional staffing, technology, and facility requests.
Members focused heavily on driver license operations, criticizing long wait times, call abandonment, and repeated staffing increases without clear process improvements. LBB said the agency’s call-answer rate was about 9 percent in fiscal 2024, with average hold times around 34 minutes, later reduced to roughly 22-25 minutes. Senators questioned whether more FTEs alone would solve the problem and urged a broader efficiency study and better use of technology. DPS officials said they were pursuing process changes, including appointment-system upgrades, online pre-population of forms, and remote issuance options, while noting that Real ID requirements and population growth continue to drive demand.
DPS leadership then outlined the agency’s priorities: completion of the Williamson County training academy, recruitment and retention of troopers, capital needs for vehicles and aircraft, and expanded responsibilities at the Capitol complex and the Alamo. Officials said the new trooper funding would help address staffing shortages, public safety, and border operations, and that overtime and deployment patterns had been adjusted to reduce burnout and improve flexibility. They also discussed Operation Lone Star, saying DPS spending is largely overtime, travel, and fuel, and that the agency continues to coordinate with federal partners while awaiting clarity on possible federal reimbursement for border security costs. Senators also raised concerns about oilfield theft, cartel activity, high-speed pursuits, bilingual pay, and the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, and DPS said it would follow up on some of those issues.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Tribal and State Relations Committee Apr 13th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Tribal and State Relations Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- So our five levels of care, we have 16 beds because that's a state reg.
- The IMD exclusion also does not apply to facilities of 16 beds or less.
- The IMD exclusion also does not apply to facilities of 16 beds or less.
- upstream services were available.
- Some of these resources are being updated, but they are available.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Nov 18th, 2025
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Out of 36 beds, typically 50% of those are filled by children.
- We're a 156-bed shelter, and we include many of the services that Mr.
- We're a 156-bed shelter, and we include many of the services that Mr.
- I have 156 beds. They are full 99.9% of the time.
- If it's about the number of beds we would hold for specific, um, for, um, The number of beds we would
Summary:
The committee held a panel discussion on Florida’s domestic violence system, focusing on how state and federally funded services are coordinated, the role of the Florida Partnership to End Domestic Violence (FPEDV), the Florida Domestic Violence Collaborative, DCF, and certified domestic violence centers. Members reviewed the post-2020 restructuring after the dissolution of FCADV, the current hotline, legal services, training, and technical assistance contracts, and the Legislature’s recent work on lethality assessments under SB 1224. Panelists also described prevention, shelter, counseling, child advocacy, and legal support services, along with the statewide network of 41 certified centers serving all 67 counties.
Testimony highlighted both collaboration and tension. FPEDV and Women in Distress described overlapping training and technical assistance roles, but FPEDV said its relationship with DCF has been difficult and at times obstructive, while DCF said communication and coordination are ongoing. Women in Distress and other providers emphasized the importance of direct services, the statewide hotline, injunction assistance, child welfare co-located advocates, and prevention programs. Several members asked about funding flows, certification, and whether the current structure is sufficient for rural counties; witnesses said federal FVPSA funds are formula-based, DCF contracts directly with centers, and rural programs face staffing and fundraising challenges that limit beds and services.
A major portion of the discussion centered on the lethality assessment work group and implementation of the new statewide tool. FDLE explained that the work group concluded the Maryland model was copyrighted and costly to replicate exactly, so Florida adopted a statutory assessment that is not evidence-based in the same way, with training available online and 46 of about 400 law enforcement agencies having completed it so far. Senators raised concerns about multiple assessments, redacted police reports, and whether the tool will be useful without better coordination and data collection. Witnesses also discussed rising domestic violence, teen dating violence, and strangulation cases, with providers reporting increased demand, full shelters, and greater use of hotels and mobile crisis responses. No formal votes or actions were taken.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Joint Legislative Budget Hearings (PM) Feb 6th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We really need 50 beds; the optimal level is 50 beds per 100,000.
- Right now, we have 188 beds and 16 bed crisis residential units. and 16 bed crisis residential units
- Residential beds. How are you approaching that? Is that to contract existing beds?
- These temporary observation beds are available for 23 hours a day.
- beds in Dothan.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Health and Human Services (02/06/2025)
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- 7,500 unnecessary days in a hospital bed 7,500 unnecessary days in a hospital bed more<00:53:39.119
- hallways when we talk capacity it's beds hallways when we talk capacity it's beds it's<00:57:53.799
- <02:06:43.440>
tomorrow not sure about my availability tomorrow not sure about my availability - on remains available to folks um and a on remains available to folks um and a telecommunication<02:53
- department for several days before a bed department for several days before a bed could<03:13:33.520