Transcript Highlights:

• These certified child care centers updates generally align with how we do things for other types of child
• These certified child care centers updates generally align with how we do things for other types of child
• These certified child care centers updates generally align with how we do things for other types of child
• </c><00:34:53.119><c> care</c> I believe written into the child care I believe written into the child
• </c><00:34:59.760><c> Care</c> because I know um some Child Care because I know um some Child Care programs

Bills: HF1662 , HF2115 , HF2159 , HF1095 , HF2160

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• sexual abuse material from datasets used to train a generative AI system.
• There is no place for child sexual abuse material in any system, especially in artificial intelligence
• There is no place for child sexual abuse material in any system, especially in artificial intelligence
• steps to ensure that these systems aren't built on material that exploits children or perpetuates abuse
• There is no place for child sexual abuse material in any system, especially in artificial intelligence

Summary: The Technology, Economic Development, and Veterans Committee met in executive session on January 28, 2026, and advanced six bills. House Bill 2325, creating a tourism self-supported assessment program for statewide tourism promotion, was amended to add certain large restaurants and retailers, adjust enforcement and governance provisions, and remove a recommendation tied to an advisory report; the committee adopted Amendment 264 and reported the substitute bill out with a due pass recommendation by a 12-0 vote, with one member excused. Members supporting the bill emphasized tourism’s economic benefits, local flexibility, and the need for stronger statewide marketing funding. House Bill 2481, addressing surveillance-based price discrimination and surge pricing for retail goods, drew the most discussion. Representative Kloba withdrew the proposed substitute, and the committee voted on the bill as written. Members debated affordability, grocery pricing fairness, and the impact on businesses; Representative Waters said she would work on the issue further but urged a no vote. The bill was reported out with a due pass recommendation on an 8-4 vote, with one excused. House Bill 2503, on documentation for data used to train AI systems, was amended to require posting information describing efforts to remove child sexual abuse material from training datasets. Supporters said the bill promotes transparency and accountability in AI, while opponents warned the measure could burden startups and smaller developers. The amended bill was reported out with a due pass recommendation on an 8-4 vote, with one excused. House Bill 2397, concerning reimbursement timing under the State Fire Services Mobilization Plan, was amended so the 60-day reimbursement clock starts when complete documentation is received; it passed unanimously with one excused. House Bill 2278, on tourism promotion areas, and House Bill 2417, updating victim protections under the Washington Code of Military Justice, were both reported out unanimously with one excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• County's child welfare agency.
• County, and it has been a problem for years, long before AB 218 relating to sexual child abuse.
• Abusers usually will use different things to keep their victims in harm's way.
• And so they have a much harder time escaping their abuse. So this is not hypothetical.
• , child abuse, and human trafficking.

Committee: House Judiciary

Summary: The committee first took up several Senate bills by Senator Umberg. SB 253, the annual State Bar fee bill, would keep fees unchanged while requiring two years’ notice before changing the multiple-choice question vendor for the bar exam and restoring a more traditional exam delivery method after the February exam problems. SB 25, the Pre-Merger Notification Act, would give the California Attorney General earlier access to federal merger filings to improve antitrust review; supporters said it would reduce delays and duplication, while members discussed how it would work alongside federal review. SB 36 would strengthen California’s price-gouging laws after the January 2025 firestorms by requiring reporting from listing platforms, expanding consumer enforcement, and allowing warrants in housing-related cases; it drew support from consumer advocates and opposition from business groups. After quorum was established, the committee approved the consent calendar and moved SB 25, SB 36, and SB 253 out of committee, with SB 36 receiving some no votes and being placed on call before final action. The committee then heard SB 413 by Senator Allen, which would streamline access to juvenile case files in certain civil cases brought by the subject of the file against child welfare or probation agencies. Supporters, including Los Angeles County and county associations, said the bill would reduce costly and repetitive petitions and speed litigation while preserving redactions and confidentiality protections. The Youth Law Center opposed unless amended, warning that bypassing juvenile court review could expose sensitive information and weaken long-standing privacy protections for youth. After discussion about who could access the records and what safeguards remained, the committee passed SB 413 as amended to Appropriations. Next, Senator Becker presented SB 770, which would remove the requirement that a homeowner installing an EV charger in a common-interest development name the HOA as an additional insured. Supporters argued the insurance requirement is confusing, difficult to obtain, and an unnecessary barrier to EV adoption; opponents from HOA and property groups warned it could shift liability and costs to associations. Members focused heavily on insurance and indemnity questions, and the bill was moved out of committee to Insurance. Finally, Senator Wahab presented SB 436, which would extend the residential pay-or-quit notice from three days to 14 days. Supporters said the longer notice would help tenants cure late rent, avoid eviction, and prevent homelessness, while opponents argued it would burden landlords, could be misused repeatedly, and might inadvertently affect commercial leases. The committee engaged in extensive debate over landlord hardship, tenant protections, and possible guardrails; the bill was ultimately held on call for further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><03:10:08.080><c> This</c> 1705 relating to child custody. This 1705 relating to child custody.
• </c><03:10:50.800><c> welfare</c> represented in both the child welfare represented in both the child
• </c> judiciary to utilize LMHC's as child judiciary to utilize LMHC's as child custody<03:11:55.200><
• </c> misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor abuse misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor abuse of<03:13:01.200>
• </c> related to Epstein files, all the child related to Epstein files, all the child pornography,<03:

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard testimony on two immigration-enforcement bills: HB 1886 HD1 and HB 2540 HD1. HB 1886 would limit state and federal collaboration in immigration enforcement, require visible identification and restrictions on facial coverings for law enforcement officers, and create offenses for improper masking, lack of identification, and unauthorized civil immigration interrogation, arrest, or detention. HB 2540 would also limit state and federal collaboration, require law enforcement agencies to adopt and publicly post written civil immigration enforcement policies, prohibit stops or arrests based solely on immigration status, and restrict state and county participation in civil immigration enforcement in certain places. Most testimony supported both measures. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Office of the Public Defender, the ACLU of Hawaii, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and several private individuals said the bills would increase transparency, accountability, and community trust, and would help protect constitutional rights and reduce fear among immigrants and other community members. Several testifiers emphasized Hawaii’s history and the need to keep local law enforcement separate from federal immigration enforcement, while others said the bills would help people feel safer going to court, school, work, or public protests. A retired police officer also supported visible identification and uniform standards for officers, including federal agents operating in Hawaii. A few testifiers opposed the use of masked or unidentified officers and argued that local police should not be diverted from ordinary public safety duties to immigration enforcement. One ACLU witness noted that the federal government has increasingly used local and state agencies to expand immigration enforcement, and said the task-force provisions in the bills are important to prevent blurred lines between agencies. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion of the meeting provided, but it recorded very large numbers of supportive testimonies for both bills, with only a small number in opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• or child pornography.
• What protections are in place to share that those powers art abuse?
• This brief was from people who work directly with survivors of child sexual abuse.
• It could one day protect your child or grandchild.
• So when parents are giving care to their child, they are trained for that child.

Transcript Highlights:

• What we mean when we say that is the cost of child care is very high, and availability of child care
• The cost of child care, even for one child, is more than we pay for in-state tuition.
• I was to say, if you hear of child abuse happening or a child, you know, is mismanaged or something happens
• provider and have a child, your child can actually attend that place for free.
• provider and have a child, your child can actually attend that place for free.

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee met and first took up HB 47, Child Care and Early Learning Providers, sponsored by Rep. McFarland. The bill was presented as an effort to reduce child care costs and regulatory burdens by exempting preschools from special tax assessments, moving teacher training and testing online and making it free, allowing abbreviated inspections for top providers, extending license-exempt status to employer-provided child care, and addressing an insurance issue affecting family child care homes. Members asked about DCF transparency, accreditation, background screening timelines, accountability for exempt facilities, and whether violations would still be searchable; McFarland said accreditation would still be required, DCF reporting and abuse hotlines would remain available, and the bill would not eliminate existing transparency for licensed providers. An amendment was adopted to add clarifying language and exempt certain DOD and Coast Guard child care facilities operated by DOD personnel. Several witnesses and members spoke in support, emphasizing workforce needs, affordability, and safety. HB 47 was reported favorably by a vote of 18-0. The committee then heard HB 259, which designates August 21 as Fentanyl Awareness and Education Day. Rep. Gerwig said the bill is intended to raise awareness of fentanyl’s dangers and overdose risks. Members spoke in strong support, citing fentanyl’s impact on families, youth, and first responders, and the need for education because fentanyl is often unknowingly ingested or mixed into other drugs. Gerwig also described a personal example involving a child exposed to fentanyl in a vacation rental. HB 259 was reported favorably by a vote of 17-0. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• conduct an independent investigation merely because the Department of Human Services did not find an abuse
• conduct an independent investigation merely because the Department of Human Services did not find an abuse
• One of the dispositions available to a court in a child abuse and neglect case is returning the child
• or neglected the child.
• The court may also order testing where there is credible evidence that the parents are currently abusing

Summary: The committee considered and advanced several bills. House Bill 4995, concerning video cameras in special education classrooms, was explained as requiring parents to be notified of recording interruptions, providing written notice of the law to parents and school employees, shortening the required random review of recordings from every 90 days to every 30 days, and clarifying that school boards must still conduct independent investigations even if DHS or prosecutors do not act. The committee adopted the motion to report the bill to the full Senate. House Bill 5214, dealing with drug testing in child abuse and neglect cases, would allow courts to order testing of parents in certain cases, require laboratory confirmation of positives, and require DHS to notify the court and other parties; the committee adopted the strike-and-insert amendment, then reported the bill as amended and adopted a title amendment. The committee also advanced House Bill 4025 and House Bill 5441, both restructuring state personnel systems. HB 4025 would exempt employees of the Department of Health, health facilities, and human services from classified civil service and grievance procedures beginning July 1, 2026, while preserving status for some current employees and allowing exemptions to comply with federal requirements; the committee adopted a piecemeal amendment and reported it as amended. HB 5441 would eliminate separate civil service systems for Transportation, Revenue, and the Bureau for Social Services and move classifications and compensation structures to the Division of Personnel, with testimony from the governor’s counsel emphasizing faster hiring and more flexibility; the committee adopted the strike-and-insert amendment and reported the bill as amended. House Bill 4602, a child welfare pilot program creating a private community-based system for post-removal services, drew testimony from DHS about concerns over costs, continuity, oversight, and child well-being outcomes, while supporters argued it could reduce caseloads and improve flexibility. The chair amended the bill to remove one of the two pilot regions, leaving only the Berkeley/Jefferson County pilot, and the committee then reported the bill as amended despite opposition from the senator from Marion. House Bill 4106, removing the provisional concealed handgun license requirement for ages 18 to 21, heard testimony from a pediatrician opposing the change and from a gun rights advocate supporting it; an amendment requiring firearms training for under-21 carriers failed by a 1-14 roll call, and the committee then reported the bill as amended. Finally, House Bill 4198, after a subcommittee rewrite, was advanced with a strike-and-insert amendment that refined E-Verify requirements for public and private employers, added exemptions for certain small or new employers and sole proprietors, clarified recordkeeping and notice requirements, and adjusted penalties and enforcement procedures. After a motion for the previous question, the committee adopted the amendment and reported HB 4198 as amended. House Bill 5319 was removed from the agenda, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2018, this individual was convicted of possession of child sexual abuse material, and again earlier
• It would ensure that survivors do not have to fight abusers for a voice in local government.
• So someone could quietly work their way into this office and have that potential for abuse there.
• Child victim, you may run for school board. No one has offered a rationale.
• It protects child victims least, exactly where the protection is needed most.

Summary: The committee heard AB 2255, which would require more detailed disclosure for certain large campaign expenditures made when a candidate is not on the next ballot. The author and the FPPC said the bill would improve transparency around campaign spending; there was no opposition, and the bill was later approved on a 5-0 vote. The committee also heard AB 686, extending California’s ban on election-related deepfake media from 2027 to 2031, and AB 1130, which would strengthen disclosure and liability rules for paid social media campaign posts; both measures were approved. Members also considered AB 2281, which would have the Office of Election Cybersecurity assess whether additional resources are needed to replace lost federal support and consult with academic researchers, and AB 2604, which would create a statewide electronic signature-curing system for vote-by-mail ballots. AB 2281 was presented as a response to reduced federal cybersecurity support and was approved; AB 2604 was supported as a way to help voters, especially younger voters, cure signature issues more quickly, but faced opposition from the Secretary of State’s office over regulation and standards concerns, and it was also approved. The committee heard AB 2753, which would bar registered sex offenders from running for or holding state or local office, and AB 2691, which would expand disqualifying felony convictions to include the most serious sexual assault and sex trafficking offenses. AB 2753 drew support from the author and Fresno officials but opposition over its breadth and registry concerns, and it ultimately failed on a 2-1 vote. AB 2691 drew strong support from survivors and education advocates but also opposition from groups objecting to amendments that excluded certain crimes involving minors; despite that dispute, the bill passed 4-1. The committee also approved AB 2573, clarifying the confidential voter registration program for elected officials and candidates, AJR 31 urging Congress to restore Voting Rights Act provisions, and SB 830 making election-administration cleanup changes for the Bay Area regional transit measure. The consent calendar was approved as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• He was a school principal and had a five-year-old child. He was 35 years old.
• sexual abuse material.
• First, they befriend the child online. Then they isolate them.
• It is currently a crime to possess, develop, or reproduce child sexual abuse material, not to mention
• During my incarceration, I found out I was expecting a child.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 907, which would strengthen California DUI laws in several ways, including mandatory Watson advisements when DUI charges are reduced, judicial discretion for consecutive sentences in cases with multiple victims, enhancements for repeat felony DUI offenders and certain hit-and-run cases, and adding vehicular manslaughter offenses to the violent felony list. The author and supporters, including prosecutors, law enforcement, and victims’ family members, described the bill as a response to repeated, preventable tragedies and argued it would close loopholes and increase accountability. Opponents, including criminal defense and civil liberties groups, raised concerns about duplicative penalties, legal overreach, and the violent-felony and sentencing provisions. Committee members were divided but generally supportive of stronger DUI enforcement; the bill was moved out on a do-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations, with the three-strikes provision removed and the bill kept on call. The committee then heard SB 1015, aimed at online child exploitation and extortion networks. The bill would create a new offense for adults who recruit, direct, coerce, or use minors to harm or exploit other children, and it would also allow limited misdemeanor or felony charges for minors engaged in extreme coercive conduct, with diversion available for juveniles. Supporters, including sheriffs, district attorneys, and child-safety advocates, said the bill addresses a fast-growing cybercrime problem involving grooming, blackmail, self-harm, and organized online groups using minors as intermediaries. Opponents argued existing laws already cover much of the conduct and warned against criminalizing adolescent behavior, urging the Legislature instead to focus on platform accountability. The committee nevertheless advanced the bill on a do-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations, with members emphasizing the need to address evolving online harms. The committee also heard SB 1285, which would clarify that juvenile court dismissals under Welfare and Institutions Code section 782 remain a broad “general dismissal” remedy, separate from record sealing, so that eligible youth can more fully avoid future collateral consequences. Supporters said the bill would restore the intended effect of prior juvenile justice reforms and help young people access employment, education, military service, and licensure without lingering barriers. There was no opposition after one group withdrew its objection, and the bill was moved to the floor on a do-pass motion. SB 1342 followed, a technical cleanup measure for automatic record clearance laws that would prevent outdated pending charges from blocking relief, require local court records to match DOJ updates, and create a way for people to obtain written proof of clearance; it also advanced to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1330 was heard to extend existing assault-and-battery protections for certain workers to utility workers; supporters described rising assaults and even shootings against crews, while one utility worker opposed the bill as only increasing penalties after the fact rather than preventing attacks. The bill was moved out on a do-pass motion and left on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• your child is safe and supported.
• SB 50 will prevent abusers from controlling and remotely harassing victims when instances of abuse are
• The clerk will read: Senate Bill 778 by Senator Limon and relating to child care.
• child care and development services if they meet specific criteria.
• child care and development services if they meet specific criteria.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a long floor file with many Senate bills. Early procedural actions included unanimous-consent motions, a successful roll-call to rescind prior action on SB 351, and a 54-vote suspension of Joint Rule 61(a)(3) to allow floor amendments on SBs 80, 351, and 415. The chamber also made several referrals, moved one item to the inactive file, and welcomed new Assembly Member Natasha Johnson and other guests. The bulk of the meeting consisted of concurrence and third-reading votes on a wide range of measures, many of them passing with little or no opposition. Topics included tribal gaming grants (AB 221), State Bar fee and bar exam changes (SB 253), AI guardrails in community colleges (SB 241), consumer arbitration clauses (SB 82), due process for law enforcement in Racial Justice Act cases (SB 734), dental payment fee disclosures (SB 386), HOA balcony inspection reports (SB 410), farmland protection and EIFD rules (SB 5 and SB 516), emergency shelter zoning (SB 340), HIV confidentiality (SB 504), election signature-cure reforms (SB 3), contractor workers’ compensation compliance (SB 291), fire training funding (SB 345), wage theft enforcement (SB 355 and SB 261), food allergen disclosures (SB 68), ride-share insurance coverage (SB 371), housing and disaster recovery measures (SB 233, SB 625, SB 21), midwifery education (SB 520), mobile home insurance access (SB 525), epinephrine in schools (SB 568), health facility emergency licensing (SB 582), hair relaxer enforcement (SB 236), wastewater surveillance (SB 317), and several tax, transportation, and public health bills. A number of bills drew brief policy debate or opposition. SB 388, creating a California Latino Commission, prompted criticism from some members who argued the money should go directly to community needs rather than a new commission; it still passed. SB 50 on digital safety for victims of abuse, SB 20 on silicosis prevention, SB 306 on prior authorization reform, SB 373 on oversight of out-of-state special education placements, and SB 437 on reparations descendant-status verification were among the more substantive and discussed measures. Most bills passed by wide margins, often unanimously, and several urgency or tax-levy measures required 54 votes and were approved. The session ended with continued passage of remaining file items and multiple items retained or passed temporarily for later action.

Transcript Highlights:

• considered within the definition of abused child and child endangerment.
• definition of abused child and child endangerment.
• Raising a child consistent with their biological sex would be definitionally unable to be abused due
• A child is abused when they are psychologically injured so that child exhibits symptoms of emotional
• A child is abused keep in the statute.

Transcript Highlights:

• This does not get rid of any child abuse laws.
• Child abuse laws will still be in place.
• This does not get rid of any child abuse laws.
• Child abuse laws will still be in place.
• Child abuse laws will still be in place.

Transcript Highlights:

• and have the child return to her care.
• and have the child return to her care.
• </c> that think about the pain of a child that think about the pain of a child trapped<00:30:49.120><
• Every moment we delay, another child is pulled into the abyss.
• </c> important because back with the child important because back with the child abuse<00:47:54.920><

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and heard three bills. Senate Bill 26, sponsored by Chair Storm, would protect parents and prospective parents with disabilities by barring disability alone from being the sole basis for denying an adoption petition or terminating parental rights. Testimony from Judge Marcus Vanover and Crystal Adams described the bill as a product of the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health and its work groups, cited Kentucky and national cases and federal ADA guidance, and said the bill would require consideration of supportive services, clearer documentation, retention of records, and conforming language changes. Senator Carroll asked how the bill would apply to a hypothetical adult child with special needs; witnesses said the bill is aimed at adoption and termination proceedings where the Cabinet is already involved, not proactive service requests. The committee approved SB 26 by a unanimous 7-0 vote and sent it to the floor with favorable expression. The committee next considered Senate Bill 64, also sponsored by Chair Storm, which would expand the definition of key infrastructure assets to include telecommunications services such as telephone lines and broadband and make damaging, tampering with, or rendering those services inoperable a Class D felony. Representatives from Charter/Spectrum and AT&T testified that copper theft and vandalism have increasingly damaged fiber and other facilities, citing more than 20 incidents in Kentucky in 2024 affecting over 30,000 customers and diverting resources from broadband expansion. The committee adopted a committee substitute and then passed SB 64 by a 7-0 vote with favorable expression. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 73, sponsored by Senator Julie Adams, which would create a felony offense for sexual extortion, allow victims or their representatives to bring civil actions, include the offense in Kentucky’s sex-crime definitions, and require school-based notification and education efforts along with resource information for students. Senator Adams and witness Lady T. Thompson described sextortion as a fast-growing online crime targeting minors, often through social media, gaming, and messaging apps, and argued that stronger penalties and prevention efforts are needed. The transcript cuts off before any committee action on SB 73.

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 3769, also Representative Curran's bill, updates the Department of Corrections substance abuse
• Finally, this section removes outdated language in statute that relates to victim survivors of abuse.
• Finally, this section removes outdated language in statute that relates to victim survivors of abuse.
• A vulnerable child at this point in time, you want to put a more aggressive child in with them?
• A vulnerable child at this point in time, you want to put a more aggressive child in with them?

Transcript Highlights:

• I was sexually abused by my... ...made my letter confidential, and no changes were made.
• I was sexually abused by my direct supervisor in her office.
• I'm the executive director at Team Child.
• I'm the executive director at Team Child.
• Members of the committee, Karen Pilat, executive director at Team Child.

Bills: HB2389 , HB2456

Committee: House Early Learning & Human Services

Keywords: juvenile justice, youth sentencing, juvenile rehabilitation, DCYF, Department of Children Youth and Families, community supervision, community transition services, suspended disposition, less restrictive alternative, sentencing grid, juvenile confinement, juvenile prison, rehabilitation, recidivism, mental health treatment, substance use disorder, chemical dependency, trauma-informed care, racial disparities, equity

Transcript Highlights:

• So YDC slips and falls, clergy, and child care abuse are not impacted by this bill.
• So YDC slips and falls, clergy, and child care abuse are not impacted by this bill.
• So YDC slips and falls, clergy, and child care abuse are not impacted by this bill.
• So YDC slips and falls, clergy, and child care abuse are not impacted by this bill.
• > currently</c><02:27:28.960><c> I</c> child abuse prosecutor, and currently I child abuse prosecutor

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• . abuser. abuser.
• </c> access to firearms by domestic abusers. access to firearms by domestic abusers.
• their abusers.
• </c> act around their abuser. act around their abuser.
• abuse no contact orders and<01:16:52.880><c> child</c><01:16:53.400><c> in</c><01:16:53.520><c> need

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• emergency when the child has ASD.
• emergency when the child has ASD.
• April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
• And as you all know, when a child is born, we do a routine newborn screening on that child.
• as well as the comfort of the child.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and heard several member introductions and recognitions. The Rules Chair moved CS/CS/SB 622 to the end of the special order calendar, which was adopted without objection. SB 80 on state land management was temporarily postponed, as were later bills SB 716 and CS/CS/CS/SB 1348. The chamber then took up a series of bills, often substituting House companions and adopting amendments before final passage. Measures approved included a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan (HB 295, 38-0), mitigation banking and land development changes with a phosphate mining lands amendment (CS/CS/SB 492, 35-3), aggravated animal cruelty with a searchable FDLE database and sentencing multiplier (HB 255, 37-0), the Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism and related training/funding (HB 711, 37-0), newborn screening for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (CS/CS/HB 1089, 36-0), and revisions to the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program to expand eligible mitigation projects and adjust approval thresholds (CS/CS/HB 393, 37-0). The Senate also passed workforce education legislation allowing charter schools access to grant funding and expanding money-back guarantees (HB 1145, 37-0), a statewide study on automation and workforce impact (HB 827, 35-0), parole guideline revisions (HB 181, 37-0), court-appointed psychologist procedures in family law cases (HB 901, 37-0), sexual cyber harassment protections covering digitally forged intimate images (HB 1451, 37-0), a home health aide program for medically fragile children with training and reimbursement provisions (CS/CS/SB 1156, 37-0), substance abuse and mental health care changes including 988 oversight and involuntary examination procedures (HB 1091, 37-0), a feasibility study for a statewide pond data database (HB 1359, 37-0), and Department of Law Enforcement housekeeping changes and retired police dog reimbursements (HB 1053, 37-0). The most extensive debate centered on the charter schools bill (HB 443), which expanded charter autonomy, reporting parity, enrollment flexibility, and governance rules; after a delete-all amendment and a friendly amendment, it was placed on the third-reading calendar rather than immediately voted on. Several bills were briefly discussed with concerns about transparency, accountability, funding, and constitutional issues, but all bills brought to a vote during this segment passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Representative Royer's domestic abuse bill. Any discussion? Representative Proudie.
• be someone with a continuing social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature, a person with a child
• Can the judge also agree that this is directly related to the abuse and therefore you're free to go?
• And so they had been abused at some point in the past. And it outlines those types of abuse.
• — A person or accept a plea of guilty who is a survivor of domestic abuse and has been charged with an

Committee: House Children and Families

Transcript Highlights:

• Is this just specific to substance abuse, or are there other conditions that would be investigated?
• "Madam Chair, substance abuse is the only pathway into this bill." "Thank you. Any other questions?
• and how that can affect children and the need to consider that in our child welfare laws.
• "And the need to consider that in our child welfare laws, and I appreciate the work that you've done
• This amendment is titled more broadly as substance abuse services.

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs heard and advanced several bills and confirmations. SB 1016, on medical assistance eligibility for working persons with disabilities, was amended to remove automatic enrollment and to improve information sharing between AHCA and DCF; supporters said the bill codifies an existing program that helps developmentally disabled adults work without losing Medicaid coverage, and the committee reported the bill favorably. SB 1002, on temporary custody of minor children, was amended to focus on substance abuse as a pathway for court intervention when parental drug abuse creates ongoing risk to a child, and it was also reported favorably. SB 1594, on veteran benefit payments for minor clients in foster care, would ensure military benefits accessed for foster youth are preserved for post-secondary education or aftercare rather than used as reimbursement to agencies; it passed favorably without amendment. The committee also considered SB 1630 on aging and disability services, a broad modernization bill covering long-term care screening, emergency continuity of care, area agency oversight, Alzheimer’s services, home care, and guardianship reforms. Two amendments were adopted, including one on competitive procurement and another allowing area agencies on aging to directly provide core services during emergencies with department approval. Supporters emphasized caregiver navigation, dementia training, and service continuity, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 1030 on substance abuse services/recovery residences was taken up with a substitute amendment that narrowed transfer definitions, required faster licensure action for existing providers adding levels of care, and limited credentialing entities’ access to resident medical records; stakeholders said further work was needed, but the committee still reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard the nomination of Robert Astellos to lead the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. He outlined priorities including reducing the pre-enrollment list, improving transparency and family involvement, strengthening customer service, and streamlining agency processes. Several disability and provider organizations appeared in support, and the committee voted to recommend his confirmation. The committee then recommended confirmation of the appointees on tabs 7 through 10 by a single favorable vote, and adjourned at the end of the meeting.