Video & Transcript : 'child abuse' :

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MD

Maryland 2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session, 4/7/2026 #1

Maryland Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And unfortunately, reports have surfaced later about child abuse.
  • Maryland's general law, um, child abuse is hard to share.
  • abuse abuse and under later about child abuse abuse and under Maryland's<02:28:56.479><c> general</c
  • </c> Maryland's general law, um, child abuse Maryland's general law, um, child abuse is<02:28:59.040>
  • </c><02:31:08.960><c> abuse</c><02:31:09.200><c> and</c> is kids that go through child abuse and is kids
Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation by Rabbi Ari Goldstein, whose remarks were journalized at the request of the senator from District 33. The chamber then recognized the doctor of the day, Dr. Maryann Lamont, for her 50 years in medicine and her work in neurology and stroke care, and also thanked a legislative aide, Samantha Briggs, who is leaving for law school. The presiding officer noted a quorum was present and moved into the day’s floor work. The Senate handled several messages and committee reports, including a conference committee appointment on Senate Bill 18, which concerns provisional social work licensure. In Finance, the chamber advanced Senate Bill 246 on Health Services Cost Review Commission member terms, Senate Bill 370 on acupuncture board revisions, Senate Bill 564 creating a Division of Data Protection in the Attorney General’s office and a related work group, Senate Bill 782 on telecommunications infrastructure protections, Senate Bill 808 on health insurance provider panel requirements, Senate Bill 849 on agricultural equipment warranties, Senate Bill 867 on the Maryland Aerospace and Technology Commission, and Senate Bill 982 on mutual insurance holding companies converting back to mutual insurers. Most of these bills were reported favorably with technical or conforming amendments, which were adopted without objection, and each was ordered printed for third reading. The committee also considered several House bills with Senate cross-files or identical measures. These included House Bill 118 on money transmitter licensing, House Bills 339 and 512 on Anne Arundel County Board of License Commissioners compensation, House Bill 1100 on telecommunications infrastructure protections, House Bill 1395 on agricultural equipment warranties, House Bill 1473 creating Maryland’s Future Board, House Bill 226 on Department of Disabilities housing programs, House Bill 278 codifying the Longevity Ready Maryland plan, and House Bill 746 on collaborative care model coverage and cost-sharing limits. In each case, the committee reports were adopted, amendments were approved where offered, and the bills were advanced to third reading or passed for third reading, with no recorded opposition on the floor.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Judiciary (01/14/2026)

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • So slips and falls, clergy, and child care abuse are not impacted by this bill.
  • So slips and falls, clergy, and child care abuse are not impacted by this bill.
  • So slips and falls, clergy, and child care abuse are not impacted by this bill.
  • 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
Summary: The Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on House Bill 1067-FN, which would formalize and expand mental health courts in New Hampshire and create a grant-based funding structure for them. Representative Mark Pearson, the prime sponsor, described the bill as a bipartisan, compassionate, and cost-effective approach that would connect people with mental illness to treatment and supervision instead of incarceration, while still holding them accountable. He said the proposal was developed with input from the judicial branch, law enforcement, corrections, mental health organizations, and others, and emphasized that local courts could tailor programs to their needs. Committee members questioned the bill’s fiscal note, whether the legislature had previously studied the issue, how the program would be funded, and whether the bill should more explicitly address treatment, prevention, and data collection. Representative Buzz Sher, who helped develop the bill, explained how mental health courts work, including referral, clinical and public-safety assessments, case management, goal-setting, and graduation from the program. He said existing New Hampshire mental health courts are mostly partial and county-funded, and that the bill would formalize them, set standards, and allow grant funding. He also cited data from Georgia and New Hampshire suggesting significant savings from reduced incarceration and related costs. Members also raised concerns about due process, whether people not formally charged could be swept into the system, and whether individuals with violent offenses or domestic violence histories could be diverted inappropriately. Sher responded that only people already in the criminal justice process are eligible and that courts use safety assessments to screen out most violent cases. The committee requested that Sher file supporting financial data from other jurisdictions, and he agreed to do so. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • juveniles in our DJJ facilities that has resulted in a federal investigation to review civil rights abuses
  • </c><00:03:15.640><c> um</c><00:03:15.799><c> there's</c> review civil rights abuses um there's review
  • civil rights abuses um there's actually<00:03:16.120><c> several</c><00:03:16.400><c> lawsuits</c><00
  • Waste Fraud and Abuse we also look for Waste Fraud and Abuse we also look for compliance<00:08:12.280
  • </c> session's budget to address child session's budget to address child exploitation<00:35:03.400><c
Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government met for its first meeting and heard budget-related presentations from the Auditor of Public Accounts and the Secretary of State, with the Treasurer beginning a presentation at the end of the transcript. Auditor Allison Ball reviewed her office’s 2024 and early 2025 work, including hundreds of county and state audits, several special examinations, and ongoing reviews such as the kinship care funding issue, the Kentucky Department of Education audit, and the Jefferson County Public Schools audit. She said her office is focused on waste, fraud, abuse, and legal compliance, and asked the committee to consider future budget changes, including aligning her appropriation with restricted funding and restoring a stronger performance-audit function. She also highlighted audits that exposed serious problems, including the Department of Juvenile Justice review, and said those reports are intended to serve as models for other entities to avoid similar failures. Secretary of State Michael Adams said his office is self-sustaining through fees and does not need tax dollars, but asked for greater access to its own revenues and more flexibility in using them. He highlighted the Safe at Home address confidentiality program, saying recent changes expanded protections for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, and that the program has grown rapidly while remaining funded by offender fines. Adams also urged lawmakers to again adjust county election funding for inflation, noting the current per-voter and per-precinct amounts were set decades ago. In questioning, Representative Hart asked whether the Safe at Home program was self-funding; Adams replied that it covers only about 10% of its operating cost and said the best solution would be to let the office use more of the revenue it already collects rather than rely on tax dollars. Treasurer Martin Medcafe, introduced with staff member Russell Weber, praised the General Assembly’s fiscal discipline and described the Treasury’s work in managing state funds. He reported strong results from the Unclaimed Property Fund, saying the office returned $35.5 million to Kentuckians in its first year and $3.8 million in the first month of the current year, and said the State Investments Commission generated $682 million in returns last year. He also highlighted financial literacy efforts through the Kentucky Financial Empowerment Commission and said the Treasury is helping manage opioid settlement funds, which are now earning up to $200,000 per month through investment. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Children and Families Apr 14th, 2026 at 09:30 am

Children and Families

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
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Health and Welfare May 6th, 2026

Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:
  • So it’s important for there to be privacy in cases of, say, abuse, right?
  • show outward signs of abuse in the first place.
  • So we’re kind of in a weird area when we collect, when we have documentation on a child who’s been abused
  • So we're kind of in a weird area when we collect, when we have documentation on a child who's been abused
  • And you don't see that this could be abused in any way.
Summary: The committee heard a personal privilege update on HB 1227, which Representative DeWitt said would return next week as a proposed HCR for a two-year study of the three-doctor panel after discussions with Dr. Nia Colotta. Better Louisiana also presented its new Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows Program, describing it as a data-driven leadership initiative focused on health care workforce, rural access, chronic disease, and other system issues; members discussed whether the program could also help generate policy research, including on managed care organizations. The committee then considered SB 427 on anatomical gifts. After adopting technical amendments, Senator Presley and Dr. Jeff White explained that the bill would strengthen organ donation law by creating a decision registry that records both yes and no choices, clarifying the legal effect of refusal, and codifying ethical principles such as the dead donor rule. Questions focused on organ viability, registry procedures, minors, and a Monroe case involving a disputed donor designation. Supporters included LOPA and the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the bill was reported favorably. HB 946, dealing with hospital price transparency and compliance with federal pricing rules, drew extensive testimony. Representative Landry and a witness from Patient Rights Advocate described it as a consumer transparency measure, but the Louisiana Hospital Association opposed the bill’s state-level enforcement and debt-collection provisions. Landry offered an amendment removing the debt-collection and affirmative-defense language, but after debate the substitute failed on a 5-6 vote and the bill was voluntarily deferred. The committee also reported favorably on SB 109, which revises membership qualifications for the Louisiana Emergency Medical Services Commission; SCR 20, urging federal flexibility on Medicaid redetermination for elderly and disabled beneficiaries; SB 216, allowing coroners to rely on licensed practical nurses for medical pronouncements of death; and SB 45, exempting certain gratuitous hospice houses from licensure, with testimony from hospice house operators and supporters. Finally, HCR 71 by Representative Chasson sought an LDH study of how Louisiana’s law and guidance on pregnancy-related emergency medications is working in hospitals, urgent care, and retail settings. Supporters said providers are hesitant to use medications such as misoprostol because of stigma and uncertainty, while opponents from Louisiana Right to Life argued the resolution was unnecessary and could create controversy. The discussion centered on whether the study should be narrowed or made more objective, but no final action on the resolution was reached in the portion provided.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Human Services Jan 27th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • In the event of a near-fatality of a child who was in the care of or receiving child...
  • In the event of a near-fatality of a child who was in the care of or receiving child welfare services
  • If the child was in the care of or receiving child welfare services within three months preceding the
  • If the child was in the care of or receiving child welfare services within three months preceding the
  • I urge you yes so we can start looking at these child care contracts.
Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee heard public testimony on Senate Bill 5977, which would require DCYF to publish child near-fatality review reports within 180 days and post them publicly, with confidential information redacted as allowed by law. Senator Nikki Torres said the bill is intended to improve transparency, accountability, and child protection. There was no public testimony on the bill, and the hearing was closed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6184, an Office of Homeless Youth request bill sponsored by the chair. The bill makes technical and policy updates to OHY programs, including replacing the term “street youth” with “unaccompanied homeless youth,” allowing certain flexible funds to go directly to youth or vendors, renaming and making permanent the H-Sync program, expanding eligibility and housing options in the Independent Youth Housing Program, and clarifying shelter and reporting provisions. Testifiers from Commerce, advocates, school support organizations, and a youth advocate all supported the bill, emphasizing that the changes would improve access, consistency, and housing stability for unhoused youth. The hearing was then closed. The committee moved into executive session on seven bills. SB 5681, concerning intellectual and developmental disability services at age 20, had Amendment A1 fail and the proposed substitute was adopted and sent to Ways and Means. SB 5917, regarding abortion medication in DOC, saw one amendment adopted and multiple Christian amendments rejected before the bill was sent to Rules. SB 5942, renaming the DCYF Oversight Board as the DCYF Accountability Board and revising its duties, had only Amendment C16 adopted; the amended bill passed to Rules. SB 6024, on duplicative audits for community residential providers, passed without amendment. SB 6036, concerning adult family homes and foster care licensees, had Amendment D1 adopted and the bill passed to Rules. SB 6085, on the DOC institutional welfare account, had Amendment E1 adopted and the bill was sent to Ways and Means after several other amendments failed. In each case, the committee voted to advance the bill after considering amendments, with most of the proposed changes from Senator Christian failing except where noted.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House Judiciary Committee Feb 25th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • 45.199><c> with</c><00:07:45.360><c> a</c><00:07:45.599><c> child,</c> there communicating with a child
  • ><00:10:18.560><c> orders</c> basically protection from abuse orders basically protection from abuse
  • Because the education of your child?
  • </c> "I'm taking this child from this school. "I'm taking this child from this school.
  • </c><00:25:22.159><c> and</c> direct the education of my child and direct the education of my child and
Committee: House Judiciary
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
  • Swaboda said she was appearing for herself and that she has a child with juvenile diabetes.
  • This bill would not be necessary if there were not increasing reports of abuse or neglect.
  • That is if DHS suspects that there is a health concern or abuse, etc.
  • So if there's suspected abuse, that has to be reported.
  • , and prevents child abuse from an overwhelmed parent.
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.
DE
Transcript Highlights:
  • I have paid child support because I went through a divorce. I have also received child support.
  • So when I say that, that... ...of paying child support.
  • But this is only when a child is placed in foster care.
  • abuse, dependency, or neglect.
  • This is not to disparage child support in any way.
Summary: The House received a series of Senate communications and committee reports, then took up a long consent calendar and several individual measures. Early actions included passing consent calendar items, recognizing Freedom of Speech Week and Juneteenth, and hearing numerous introductions and tributes, including remarks honoring House fellows, Father’s Day, and Representative Mara Gorman. The chamber also adopted several procedural motions and recesses, with roll calls recorded throughout. Among the bills considered, the House passed House Bill 134 on animal cruelty, increasing penalties for repeat offenses; House Bill 131 with Senate Amendment 1 on pet stores and animal welfare; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 320 on technical corrections to the Delaware Constitution; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 407 on technical updates to the Hazardous Substance Control Act; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 425 on salary supplements for certain school employees; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 450, the Road Delaware Act, on land use and permitting reform; House Bill 459 on restricting energy drink sales in schools; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 439 on electric moped and motorcycle disclosures; and House Bill 444, the Delaware John Lewis Voting Rights Act, after amendment delaying its effective date to July 1, 2027. House Amendment 1 to House Bill 459 was adopted, and House Amendment 1 to House Bill 444 was adopted before final passage. The House also rejected House Amendment 1 to House Substitute 1 for House Bill 425 after debate over salary supplement policy for school-related certifications, then passed the substitute bill itself. House Bill 407 prompted questions about the increase in civil penalties, which DENREC said was intended to update outdated fines and align the penalty structure with other laws. House Bill 444 drew floor speeches emphasizing voting rights protections and concerns about voter suppression and dilution. The session ended with the House moving to recess after continuing consideration of House Bill 355, the Speaker Truth Act, which had just adopted an amendment changing damages language to attorney’s fees and costs.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Foster Youth Bill of Rights established 3/11/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> doctors, nurses, social workers, child doctors, nurses, social workers, child protection<00:03:22.959
  • I was dismissed as just another child, a troubled child.
  • It is the child. And it should always be the child.
  • It is the child. And it should always be the child.
  • And it should always be is the child. And it should always be the<00:35:55.760><c> child.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Public Health REVISED: Links added Feb 4th, 2026

Public Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • , sexual abuse, physical abuse, or human trafficking, they can notify the technician that's doing whatever
  • It's similar to the child death review.
  • The child review is different. And adults and everything. The child review is different.
  • And that's different than the child review. Representative Pogemiller, you're recognized.
  • The Department of Health knows how to do child death reviews. They have that understanding.
Bills: HB3287 , HB2947 , HB3784 , HB3901 , HB4275
Committee: House Public Health
Summary: The Public Health Committee met for its first session and laid over House Bills 3884 and 4410. The committee then heard and advanced several bills. HB 3287 would require hospitals to post discreet notices in areas like X-ray, CAT scan, MRI, or bathrooms telling victims of domestic abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse, or human trafficking how to alert staff and ensuring they are not discharged before appropriate reporting occurs; members discussed whether to include a phone number, and the bill passed 5-0. HB 2947 would allow clinics to bill Medicaid for services provided by master’s-level mental health interns working under supervision in accredited programs, with supporters saying it could help address rural workforce shortages; questions focused on supervision, liability, whether it would be limited to Medicaid, fiscal impact, and how many interns might participate, and it passed 5-0. The committee also considered HB 3784, as amended by a PCS, which would let permanent makeup artists come out from under physician oversight after three years of experience, while preserving supervision if they use prescription medications such as topical anesthetics; after clarification about the PCS, it passed 5-0. HB 3901 would create a psychological autopsy position in the Department of Health to review suicides and overdoses through voluntary family interviews and records review to improve prevention efforts; members raised questions about cost, whether the work should be housed elsewhere, the pilot nature of the proposal, and what data are currently collected, and it passed 5-0. Finally, HB 4275 would allow case managers and peer support specialists to be employed by cities and counties while keeping their certification, and it also passed 5-0. The meeting ended with adjournment and a notice that the committee would meet again the following Wednesday morning at 9:00.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • The first budget request is for strategic funding for the prosecution of child abuse and District Attorney
  • Those are child abuse cases, deprived cases, and delinquent cases.
  • It focused our training, and some preliminary numbers suggest that offenders of child abuse and LuA cases
  • abuse case or a child sex assault case.
  • They pull a child out of a home on a Friday afternoon and hold that child in custody.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Judiciary (03/04/2025)

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • meet the statutory definition of a child sexual abuse image but is therefore concerning in nature, which
  • a child sexual abuse image definition of a child sexual abuse image but<00:49:50.480><c> is</c><00:49
  • The current law talks about preventing child sexual abuse images, meaning children engaged in sexually
  • There's certainly legitimate cases where you've had child abuse cases where genitals or buttocks have
  • There's certainly legitimate cases where you've had child abuse cases where genitals or buttocks have
Committee: Senate Judiciary
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • We will first take up tab 3, SB 1600 on child welfare by Senator Yarbrough.
  • Providers in the child welfare and child-caring space have been raising concerns about the increase in
  • safety organization and child-serving organization.
  • And if those of you who know her story, she has a child with a disability.
  • services. ...office, but DCF plays a major role in our mental health and substance abuse services.
Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs considered three bills and a confirmation. On SB 1600, as amended, the sponsor explained that the original child welfare language was replaced with a strike-all requiring the Office of Insurance Regulation to work with DCF and community-based care lead agencies to study liability insurance coverage and availability, report findings to the Legislature by January 1, 2027, and allow penalties for failure to provide requested information. The committee adopted the amendment and amendment to the amendment, heard supportive testimony from child welfare advocates, and reported the committee substitute favorably. The committee also heard CS/SB 556, which would allow students with disabilities to satisfy a physical education graduation requirement through participation in Special Olympics, and clarify that two years of marching band participation can satisfy PE and fine arts credit. Special Olympics Florida, parents, and other supporters testified in favor, and the bill was reported favorably. On SB 794, the sponsor described requirements for background screening of employees in residential facilities and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities, plus a review of waiver support coordination quality, workforce needs, geographic service gaps, and related recommendations due in 2027. The committee adopted a conforming amendment and reported the bill. The committee then took up the confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. Hatch outlined DCF’s recent work on child welfare, behavioral health, peer support, and technology improvements, and answered questions about child welfare system challenges, funding formulas, opioid settlement dollars, and interoperability of agency systems. After public comment, the committee voted to recommend her confirmation favorably, with Chair Graal voting no. The meeting ended with a request to record one senator’s vote on SB 1600 and adjournment.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Finance Jun 25th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • Is the child not a case?
  • needs to be removed, then they give CYFD a hold on that child, and we pick that child up.
  • of abuse and neglect.
  • Representative Chatfield: Per child or per family? Secretary: Per child.
  • One of them was penalties for the abuse of a CYFD or Child Protective Services worker.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Working Group on Omnibus K-12 Education Appropriations - 05/22/25

Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The first section relates to attendance and to whom a parent would submit a child for an excused absence
  • </c><00:03:24.959><c> It's</c> child for an excused absence. It's child for an excused absence.
  • </c> Section three uh includes physical abuse Section three uh includes physical abuse um<00:09:08.399
  • Section 7 modifies a definition of abuse.
  • JFK2501 ensures that no child, JFK2501 ensures that no child, regardless<00:28:47.039><c> of</c><00:28
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • sexual abuse.
  • sexual abuse.
  • </c><06:38:05.160><c> sexual</c> considered child sexual considered child sexual abuse abuse abuse so
  • sexual abuse.
  • child in a sex act, by procuring or possessing a child engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 763, an early bill concerning AED access at athletic events and venues. Representative Morris offered amendment 0743H to clarify the bill by removing charter schools from the language and tying AED placement to American Heart Association guidance, emphasizing that AEDs should be readily accessible within a reasonable walking distance rather than mandated on every field. The amendment and then the bill as amended both passed 17-0, and the bill was reported out as Ought to Pass with Amendment. The committee then considered House Bill 781, requiring school districts to adopt cell phone-free education policies, and a related bill, House Bill 131. HB 781 was amended to include charter public school boards, cover other personal electronic communication devices, require at minimum restrictions on student personal cell phones during class instruction, allow superintendent-approved exceptions for medical or language needs, protect students with medical needs or disabilities under Section 504, and set an effective date of July 1, 2025. Some members argued the amendment was too prescriptive and limited local control, while supporters said it still left districts flexibility outside classroom instruction. The amendment passed 16-1, and the bill then passed Ought to Pass as Amended 16-1. HB 131, described as a mirror bill, was then retained by a 17-0 vote. House Bill 398, a title bill requiring Holocaust and genocide studies to include impacts on people with disabilities, was moved to ITL after Representative Selig reported the genocide commission believed the topic was already being covered. That motion passed 17-0. The committee also agreed to hold several bills for later consideration, including HB 754, HB 1221, HB 360, and HB 699, citing the need for more review or missing copies. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 361, prohibiting mandatory mask policies in schools. Supporters argued the bill would preserve individual choice while preventing statewide or districtwide mandates in future public health emergencies, and cited a Department of Health and Human Services letter saying masks remain effective but decisions should be based on individual choice and risk assessment. Opponents emphasized local control and the need for districts to respond to different public health conditions. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 361 was completed.