Video & Transcript : 'pass/fail' :
Page 80 of 500
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Early Learning & Human Services Jan 27th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Early Learning & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- because our laws failed them.
- Please do not pass this bill.
- I urge you not to pass this bill.
- And I ask you not to pass this bill and instead to have passed Tom Dent's bill, 2511. Thank you.
- It is failing them. Please do not pass this through committee. Thank you. Vice Chair Cortez.
Keywords:
child welfare, dependency, imminent physical harm, child abuse, neglect, foster care, extended foster care, shelter care, out-of-home placement, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, DCYF, family law, juvenile court, child protection, unsafe home, substance use, caregiver impairment, relative placement, guardianship, adoption
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, April 20, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In April of last year, we passed the House version of this bill.
- It passed the Energy and Commerce Committee 51 to 1.
- It passed the House by a voice vote last April. It passed the Senate by voice in June.
- The question is, will the House suspend the rules and pass the bill?
- This is the solution, and Congress must pass it.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:35:54.880><c> these</c> We ask that you not only pass these We ask that you not only pass these
- I urge you to pass this bill. Thank you.
- I urge you to pass increasing revenue. I urge you to pass this<00:55:29.080><c> bill.
- </c> failed so many times before. failed so many times before.
- </c> Um and that is all before Trump passed Um and that is all before Trump passed the<01:40:35.680><
Keywords:
child tax credit, financial assistance, low-income families, state revenue, tax policy, net investment income, taxation, business income, self-employment, tax increase, wealth tax, fairness, public services, high-income earners, economic equity, Internal Revenue Code, employee classification, federal law, Minnesota statutes, 1183
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Joint Legislative Audit and Assembly Business and Professions Committee Feb 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- When California passed Proposition 64, the message from voters was clear: legalization of cannabis should
- And yet, as the state auditor's report shows us, the industry and DCC have failed to uphold this core
- With that, Chair, I'll pass it back to you. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
- If you'd like to see any of these, I'm happy to pass them around. Appreciate that.
- Like, there's just no way that that passes the smell test.
Summary:
The Joint Legislative Audit Committee heard an audit on the Department of Cannabis Control’s oversight of cannabis packaging and labeling, focused on products that may be attractive to children. The auditor said the department’s rules are often vague or subjective, leading to inconsistent enforcement, and that the state relies heavily on complaints rather than pre-market review. The audit found disagreements with DCC’s conclusions in 13 of 80 packaging reviews, and noted weaknesses in tracking repeat violators and escalating penalties. The auditor recommended clearer statutory standards, better internal review tools, stronger repeat-offender policies, and consideration of options such as plain packaging or pre-approval systems.
Committee members and the audit requester emphasized rising cannabis poison-control calls involving children under five and cited examples of legal products with cartoon imagery, bright colors, candy-like names, and beverage packaging that resembled ordinary drinks. DCC representatives said they had already begun reforms, including a centralized review team, improved databases, enhanced technology tools, and new procedures to track compliance history and apply progressive discipline. They also stressed that illicit cannabis and intoxicating hemp remain major sources of youth exposure and argued that some issues require both regulatory refinement and more legislative clarity.
Public health witnesses argued that California has not done enough to protect children and urged plain packaging, limits on flavors and child-appealing design, and a pre-market review process. Industry representatives agreed that cannabis should not be marketed to children but said the current rules are too subjective and inconsistent, and asked for objective, bright-line standards rather than broader bans. Several members said the examples shown were plainly child-appealing and called for stronger statutory guardrails, while also acknowledging the need to keep pressure on the illicit market. No formal vote or action was taken during the hearing.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Primary and Secondary Education. (2-25-26)
Primary and Secondary Education
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 383 passes with the expression of opinion that the same should pass on the House floor with
- It's a pass-fail issue. It's not a questionable area. So that would be left up to the county clerk.
- House Bill 469 passes with the expression of opinion that the same should pass on the House floor with
- House Bill 586 passes with the expression of opinion that the same should pass on the House floor.
- House Bill 621 passes with the expression of opinion that the same should pass on the House floor.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- If the parents fail to remove photographs of the child or fail to do the parents' part of the trust,
- As you know, last year we passed the zero-cost adoption bill.
- Last year we passed the zero-cost adoption bill.
- I'm not passing them out; I'm just passing them out.
- And it failed me.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Jan 29th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- from an applicant pool of near 1,700, and when they get to our front door, students are graded on a pass-fail
- those who are much older than ours, that U.S. schools have letter grades, with a conversion toward pass-fail
- For the first two years, they're pass-fail, correct? And then you mentioned a tiered system.
- About 80% of medical schools in the country use pass-fail in the pre-clerkship phase, which is the first
- And we failed to say we had a time limit.
Summary:
The committee began with a work session on the Workforce Education Investment Act (WEA) Oversight Board, hearing from board co-chair Jane Broome and Joel Anderson of WASAC. They described the account’s origins as a public-private partnership intended to supplement, not replace, existing higher education funding, and emphasized the board’s role in oversight and outcomes. Members discussed the need for better data, especially outcome-based data, and concerns that recent budget actions have used WEA funds to supplant general fund support for higher education, particularly at the University of Washington. The presenters said WASAC staffing has improved transparency, but they urged the committee to preserve the original “do not supplant” intent and to keep WEA focused on high-demand programs, financial aid, and student success.
The committee then held public hearings on three bills. SB 6251 would require public medical schools to use letter grades or a tiered grading system; the sponsor said the bill was meant to standardize grading, while both Washington State University and UW Medicine testified in opposition, arguing that pass-fail and competency-based systems better support collaboration, student mental health, and residency competitiveness. SB 6259 would make students ineligible for state aid and require repayment of aid if they are found by a court to have caused major damage to a public institution; the sponsor framed it as accountability for serious vandalism, while the lone testifier from WSU student government supported free speech but opposed the bill’s penalties as inequitable for lower-income students. SB 6235 would address the higher education “fund split” by requiring state funding of compensation and central services to return to 2023-25 levels over time and directing a study on essential student services; nearly all testimony from university, faculty, and community college leaders supported the bill, saying the current approach shifts costs to tuition, creates instability, and forces cuts to classes, staffing, and student services.
In executive session, the committee advanced several bills. It adopted proposed substitutes and gave do-pass recommendations to SB 5978, SB 6209, SB 6217, and SB 6227, sending them to the Ways and Means Committee. The committee did not take action on SB 6235 in executive session. The meeting then adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Pass SJR27. The people are watching.
- She passed her baby in the toilet.
- I urge you to pass these bills.
- Pass this bill. ...and pass it now. And thank you for your testimony. Welcome.
- God bless his soul, he has passed.
Bills:
SB31, SB33, SB510, SB871, SB1868, SB2024, SB2166, SB2309, SB2880, SJR27, SJR39, SJR40, SB 31, SB 33
Keywords:
SB 31, Life of the Mother Act, Texas abortion law, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, miscarriage, unborn child, abortion exception, abortion ban, physician liability, health care liability claim, aiding and abetting, Texas Medical Board, State Bar of Texas, continuing medical education
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So by an 11-0 vote the House Bill 1 166 will be passed and referred to the calendars committee.
- Pass and be printed and sent to the committee on calendars clerk.
- That's what current law fails to do. It encompasses the essence of what a sexual assault is.
- So I would urge you to go ahead and pass this out and.
- A system that failed to protect me, failed to inform me, and ultimately failed to see me.
Keywords:
sexual assault, victim rights, forensic examination, medical care, trauma-informed care, crime victims compensation, evidence retention, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, digital services, reporting requirements, children's protection, sex offender registration, indecent assault, educator-student relationship, criminal justice, legislation, crime victims, compensation fund, information disclosure
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Higher Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- That's why I'm urging you to pass H. 1436 and S. 929.
- They failed my family. They failed my granddaughter.
- So I would urge you to pass H. 1427. ...successes statewide.
- In fact, ASWB has failed to show any correlation between passing their exam and high-quality care delivery
- The patient sadly passed away.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Higher Education heard testimony on a broad set of bills focused on making public higher education more affordable and accessible, protecting student information, and changing social work licensure rules. Chair Rogers and Senator Comerford opened by emphasizing the committee’s focus on financial aid, tuition and fee waivers, scholarships, admissions, and institutional changes, and they reminded witnesses about the three-minute testimony limit. No votes were taken during the hearing.
A large portion of the hearing centered on the “Super Act” (H. 1423/S. 218), which would eliminate the master’s-level social work licensing exam and create grant support for social work internships. Supporters—including students, practitioners, educators, and advocates—argued that unpaid internships and the exam create financial barriers, worsen workforce shortages, and disproportionately affect Black, brown, older, ESL, and other marginalized candidates. Opponents from the Association of Social Work Boards argued the exam is a necessary public-protection standard, helps maintain uniform licensure, and is important to the social work licensure compact; they said workforce shortages should be addressed through pay, working conditions, and caseloads instead. Committee members asked detailed questions about compact participation, exam accommodations, and how other states such as Rhode Island and Connecticut have handled similar changes.
The committee also heard extensive testimony in favor of debt-free public higher education bills (H. 1436/S. 929). Witnesses, including students, faculty, advocates, and Senator Eldridge, said Massachusetts should expand on free community college by covering tuition and mandatory fees at public colleges and universities, with additional aid for living costs for lower-income students. Supporters said student debt delays homeownership, family formation, and career entry, and that the state should use Fair Share revenue to invest in public higher education. Some committee members voiced support but also raised concerns about prioritizing K-12 funding and the cost of expanding free college further.
Several witnesses also supported bills to extend tuition and fee waivers to young adults raised by grandparents or other kinship guardians outside the DCF system, arguing that these students face the same trauma and financial barriers as foster youth but do not receive the same benefits. Representative Donato, Joseph O’Leary, Shauna Manning, Sandra Vecchio, Karen Gardner, Judy Walter, Elaine Arsenault, and others described the financial strain on grandparents raising grandchildren and urged parity with DCF-related waivers. In addition, Senator Jake Oliveira testified for a bill to protect public higher education student directory information from data mining and unauthorized sharing, and Deirdre Cummings testified for an open educational resources bill to reduce textbook costs. The hearing concluded with continued testimony on kinship care and college access, with committee members thanking witnesses and indicating follow-up on some bill language issues.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Budget Review Subcommittee on Education (9-17-25) - Reupload
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill passed.
- The bill passed.
- The bill passed.
- The bill passed.
- The bill passed.
Summary:
The meeting focused on Kentucky school choice and innovation, with discussion of the state constitution’s “common schools” requirement and how that has been interpreted alongside newer education models. Chairman Tipton described model laboratory schools, Gatton and Craft Academies, magnet and virtual programs, and said these options show that Kentucky has long expanded opportunity through innovation. He then turned the discussion to Senate Bill 207, which he said was designed to support schools of innovation.
Senator Steve West reviewed the history of Kentucky charter schools and explained that SB 207 was modeled on a South Carolina approach. He said the bill allows a local school board to contract with a third-party entity to manage an existing school, seek waivers from certain state rules, and receive SEEK funding while also allowing outside private investment. He emphasized that the district initiates the process, that the school remains public, and that the bill includes accountability through a time-limited contract that can be ended if the school is not performing.
Members asked about the difference between SB 207 and the earlier charter school law, whether schools could cherry-pick students, and whether teachers would remain district employees. West and Tipton said the new model is tied to an existing school rather than a new charter, cannot cherry-pick students, and keeps teachers as district employees. Representative Brown raised concerns that charters and exceptions could leave some children out, especially lower-income students, while West responded that the proposal is intended to expand choice for families who may not otherwise have it and cited examples from other states where similar models improved low-performing schools. No vote or formal action was taken during the discussion.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs Mar 4th, 2026
Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Second, if someone fails to appear twice or fails to pay for minor moving traffic violations, their license
- Are you referring to Senate Bill 754 that was passed a couple of years ago?
- I move that House Bill 306 be voted due pass. Any discussion?
- And I vote that House Bill 2906 be voted due pass. Any discussion?
- And any time that we pass redundant laws, I just throw out flags.
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 1087 from Senator Joe Nicola, which would update limited driving privileges and create a process to suspend licenses after repeated failures to appear or pay for minor moving traffic violations. Nicola said the bill was intended to improve public safety and municipal court compliance without restoring the pre-2015 system of fines and fees. Supporters, including officials from Independence, O’Fallon, and the Missouri Municipal League, argued that municipal court reform had sharply reduced citations and increased failure-to-appear rates, leaving courts with too little leverage to ensure compliance and creating safety problems for repeat offenders. They said the bill would preserve discretion, protect work and basic travel needs, and help law enforcement and courts address chronic noncompliance. Opponents, including the State Public Advocate, argued the bill would restore a cash-cow system, burden low-income residents, and create harsh consequences for missed notices or address problems. The hearing closed without a vote on SB 1087.
The committee then moved into executive session and reconsidered House Bill 2288, ultimately voting to reconsider and then voting the bill due pass by a 10-5 margin. The committee also adopted a substitute and passed House Bill 3006 due pass by 13-1, passed House Bill 2289 due pass by 10-3 with one present, and passed House Bill 2906 due pass by 13-1 after adopting an amendment and rolling it into a substitute. Members discussed procedural issues about quorum and the reconsideration motion during the HB 2288 vote.
Later, the committee heard House Bill 3491 from Representative Don Mayhew, which would codify English-language proficiency requirements for commercial driver’s license holders and impose penalties on drivers and motor carriers when those requirements are violated. Mayhew and a Lincoln County prosecutor described a recent Highway 61 incident involving a Minnesota CDL holder who could not communicate in English, could not identify his location, and was taken out of service after a Highway Patrol proficiency test. Supporters said the bill would mirror federal rules in state statute, improve safety, and hold both drivers and carriers accountable. Some members questioned whether the bill was redundant with federal law, whether it would be enforceable before an accident, and whether the language was too broad, especially the phrase about conversing with the general public. The prosecutor said the current tools are mostly reactive and that the bill would help remove dangerous drivers and penalize carriers, but no final action was taken on HB 3491 in the portion provided.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Feb 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We don't waste these spots on participants who are failing to meet expectations.
- So if somebody fails one of those drug tests, what is the sanction?
- If we could hand that to our page, I'll just let that pass around to us now.
- Yeah, we'll pass that around properly.
- I move to send House Bill 683 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Summary:
The Idaho Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee began with introductions of a new page and visiting family members, then unanimously approved the minutes from February 19, 2026. The committee heard presentations from court administrators on court assistance offices, family court services, and treatment courts. Testimony described services for self-represented litigants, family law support, mediation and fee assistance, and the structure and outcomes of treatment courts. Members asked questions about recidivism, sanctions, and court procedures, and one line of questioning about child interviews in family cases was cut short because of pending legislation in that area.
The committee then took up House Bill 692, which would expand access to child protection hearings and create a rebuttable presumption for attendance by children, relatives, foster parents, fictive kin, service providers, and legislators unless the judge finds exclusion appropriate. The sponsor and advocates said the bill would improve transparency and allow children and caregivers to be heard; opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, confidentiality, and the inclusion of legislators and broad categories of service providers. After discussion, the committee rejected a motion to send the bill directly to the floor and instead approved a substitute motion to send it to general orders by a 15-1 vote.
Next, House Bill 23, a House rule change for procedures during a call of the house, was explained as allowing members and staff access to offices and restrooms while still requiring attendance and voting. It passed unanimously. House Bill 683, concerning sex offender residency definitions and removing a care-facility exemption near schools or daycares, also passed unanimously after testimony from the sponsor and a sheriff. House Bill 684, shifting transport costs for escaped state prisoners from counties to the state, passed unanimously as well. Finally, House Bill 615, which would add religious gatherings and houses of worship to the disturbing-the-peace statute, drew both support and constitutional concerns about vagueness and First Amendment issues; it passed the committee 9-2 and was sent to the floor.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- If the parents fail to remove photographs of the child or fail to do the parents' part of the trust,
- By your vote of 12 yes and 5 no, you have voted House Bill 2688 do pass.
- As you know, last year we passed the zero-cost adoption bill.
- And the lovely sweetheart baby passed away in her care. Yes.
- , and it failed me.
Summary:
The Committee on Children and Families met with a quorum and first took up several bills in executive session. House Bill 1818, dealing with protections for children involved in content creation and related financial arrangements, was amended and converted into a House Committee substitute. Members discussed that the bill is aimed at children creating content for financial gain and clarifies that platforms must comply with federal law without being drawn into disputes between children and parents. The substitute was then voted do pass by a 17-0 roll call. House Bill 1948 was also amended and substituted; the amendment changed references from the Family Support Division to the Department of Social Services, and members briefly joked about the wording of “fatherhood” versus “fathership.” The committee then voted the substitute do pass 17-0.
The committee next debated House Bill 2688, which drew sharp disagreement. Opponents argued the bill’s due process language for unborn children was too vague, could create legal uncertainty, and might have consequences for IVF, miscarriage investigations, and criminal liability for women and medical providers. Supporters said the bill was about protecting pre-born life and that due process should apply. The bill was voted do pass by a 12-5 roll call. The committee then moved into public hearings.
In public hearing, House Bill 1772 was presented as an adoption-fee bill intended to raise state-paid attorney fees for adoptions, increase fees for contested adoptions, and separate guardian fees so more children could be adopted from foster care. The sponsor said the goal was to reduce costs and speed adoptions; Foster Adopt Connect testified in support, while members raised questions about contested adoptions, subsidy timing, and whether the bill would affect access to attorneys. House Bill 1696 proposed clarifying who has the right of sepulcher for minors with court-appointed guardians, giving the guardian priority unless the guardian is under criminal investigation for the child’s death, and adding religious-belief protections regarding cremation. Testimony from family members described painful experiences where legal authority reverted to abusive parents after a child’s death, and committee members generally supported clarifying the law.
Finally, House Bill 2505 was heard, a grandparent custody bill giving grandparents priority when both parents are found unfit, unsuitable, or unable to serve as custodians and the child’s welfare requires placement. Supporters, including Foster Adopt Connect and a grandmother who testified emotionally, said grandparents often provide the most stable care and should be recognized in statute. An opponent argued the current law already allows courts to place children with grandparents when appropriate and warned that statutory priority could override the child’s best interests in some cases. The committee adjourned after concluding public testimony on HB 2505.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day038_b Feb 23rd, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 1150 is passed. House Bill 1152 is passed.
- House Bill 1152 is passed. House Bill 1153 is passed.
- </c> passed co-spor sponsors. passed co-spor sponsors.
- And we're failing.
- And<01:06:06.240><c> we're</c><01:06:06.559><c> failing.</c> And we're failing. And we're failing.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs Mar 4th, 2026
Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Second, if someone fails to appear twice or fails to pay for minor moving traffic violations, their license
- I move that House Bill 306 be voted do pass. Any discussion?
- And I move that House Bill 2906 be voted do pass. Any discussion?
- And any time that we pass redundant laws, I just throw up flags.
- I honestly don't know that we pass this today and it's law tomorrow.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee 5/7/25
Rules and Legislative Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- So Senate File 908, as my understanding, has already passed the Senate unanimously.
- </c><00:02:18.080><c> the</c> understanding, has already passed the understanding, has already passed
- </c><00:04:38.000><c> So</c><00:04:38.240><c> the</c> also pass a resolution.
- So the also pass a resolution.
- Okay, the amendment passes. Chair Long, to your bill, please present it. Thank you so much.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> I will pass to the member from Stowe.
- The question is, shall the bill pass in concurrence with proposal of amendment?
- The bill has passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment.
- ><c> in</c><00:51:16.720><c> concurrence</c> bill passed the Senate in concurrence bill passed the Senate
- S. 183 was passed out of the fraud bill.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HLT/HSH Joint Public Hearing - Fri Jan 31, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- that this bill um uh gets passed and that this bill um uh gets passed and that<00:39:20.160><c> we</c
- Thank you. pass this bill forward so we can pass this bill forward so we can continue<01:13:30.600><c
- So we ask you to pass the bill.
- </c> if the utilization review entity fails if the utilization review entity fails to<02:14:55.199><c
- </c> reservation chair your measure passes reservation chair your measure passes thank<02:19:41.760><
Summary:
The joint hearing covered HB 553 on biomarker testing coverage, HB 556 on colorectal cancer screening access, and later HB 712 on 340B drug pricing. For HB 553, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, patient advocates Natalie Heyman and Susan Hirano, a surgical oncologist, and the American Lung Association strongly supported the bill, arguing that biomarker testing should be covered when ordered by a doctor and guided by current evidence. DHS and several insurers offered comments and requested amendments, with DHS saying it appreciated the intent but wanted changes. The committees then voted to pass HB 553 with amendments, including a House draft and a defective date of July 1, 3000; both the House Health and Human Services and Homelessness committees adopted the recommendation unanimously.
For HB 556, testimony focused on closing gaps in colorectal cancer screening, especially for uninsured and underinsured patients who can get stool-based screening but then cannot access follow-up colonoscopies. Community Clinic of Maui, ACS CAN, and the American Cancer Society supported the bill, with ACS CAN urging a program similar to the breast and cervical cancer control program and offering amendments. DHS requested that the program and appropriation not conflict with executive budget priorities, and the committees noted technical amendments, a defective date, a blank appropriation amount, and corrections changing Medicare references to Medicaid. HB 556 was also passed with amendments by both committees.
The hearing then moved to HB 712 on 340B drug pricing and contract pharmacies. The Department of Health and the Attorney General’s office expressed concern that the bill would require the state to regulate private commercial activity and said the department lacked the expertise and resources to implement it as written, suggesting it might belong in a different statutory section. In contrast, PhRMA opposed the bill, while Hawaii Pacific Health and Hawaii Island Community Health Center supported it, saying 340B savings are important for hospital services and patient access to low-cost medications, especially where manufacturers have restricted shipments to contract pharmacies. No vote on HB 712 was taken in the portion provided.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- We don't waste these spots on participants who are failing to meet expectations.
- So if somebody fails one of those drug tests, what is the sanction?
- If we could hand that to our page, I'll just let that pass around to us now.
- Yeah, we'll pass that around properly.
- I move to send House Bill 683 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Summary:
The Idaho Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee approved the minutes from February 19, 2026, then heard a series of informational presentations from court administrators on court assistance services, family court services, and treatment courts. Imelda Lopez described the court assistance program for self-represented litigants, including statewide forms, legal-information-only help, county funding, and high usage in Ada County. Chris Paulson outlined family court services, including parenting resources, the Focus on Children course, mediation, and financial assistance for court-ordered services. Israel Enriquez described treatment courts in the Fifth District, emphasizing intensive supervision, drug testing, treatment, sanctions, and recidivism outcomes; members asked about statewide standards, sanctions, and metrics.
The committee then considered House Bill 692, which would expand access to child protection hearings and create a rebuttable presumption for attendance by children, relatives, foster parents, fictive kin, service providers, and legislators unless the judge finds exclusion appropriate. Supporters argued the bill would improve transparency and allow children and caregivers to be heard; opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, confidentiality, and whether legislators should be included. After discussion, the committee voted 15-1 to send the bill to general orders rather than directly to the floor.
The committee also advanced House Bill 23, which would modify procedures during a call of the House to allow access to leadership offices, staff offices, restrooms, and floor desks while still requiring members to remain available for business; it passed unanimously. House Bill 683, dealing with sex offender residency rules near schools and care facilities, and House Bill 684, shifting prisoner escape transport costs from counties to the state, both received unanimous due-pass recommendations. Finally, House Bill 615, which would add religious gatherings and houses of worship to the disturbing-the-peace statute, drew testimony both for and against on First Amendment grounds and concerns about vagueness, but the committee approved it 9-2 and sent it to the floor.