Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. practice for all of these different um practice for all of these different um license<00:47
• um include in their scope of practice um include in their scope of practice this<00:47:59.680>
• will be to practice here.
• will be to practice here.
• will be to practice here.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I practiced I live in Lexington.
• had intended to continue practicing had intended to continue practicing medicine<00:03:27.040>
• <01:55:32.159> of into the independent practice of into the independent practice of optometry
• Scope of practice is so important.
• <02:17:34.479> appropriate Kentucky scope of practice appropriate Kentucky scope of practice

Keywords: 00:00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 00:02:17 - Approval of June 18, 2025 Minutes 00:02:33 - Introductions and Discussion on Priorities 00:07:27 - Health Data Discussion-KY Health Information Exchange (KHIE) 00:34:02 - Health Data Discussion-Public Health Data 01:19:24 - Health Data Discussion-Other Health Data Platforms 01:42:40 - Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations (Except 201 KAR 005:010) 01:44:48 - Discussion of Optometry Regulation 201 KAR 005:010 02:25:29 - Hearing on Unified Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant Application for FFY 2026 - 2027 Funds 02:33:40 - Administrative Regulation 201 KAR 005:010 Vote Clarification 02:34:03 - Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on Health Services met to approve the June 18 minutes and hear introductory remarks from new Cabinet Secretary for Health and Family Services Dr. Steven Stack and new Department for Public Health Commissioner Dr. John Langfeld. Both described their backgrounds and emphasized a shared focus on using health data to improve quality, coordination, and outcomes across Kentucky. They highlighted the Kentucky Health Information Exchange (KHI) as a central tool for connecting hospitals, labs, providers, public health systems, Medicaid, and other state and federal data sources, and said the system supports notifications, immunization records, surveillance, and care coordination. They also outlined priorities such as continued investment in KHI, stronger interoperability, privacy protections, and expanded analytic capacity to turn data into action. Committee members then asked about COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and informed consent, particularly for pregnant women and children. Dr. Stack said informed consent should come through a licensed health care provider, that Kentucky did not mandate the COVID vaccine, and that the evidence still supports vaccination for high-risk groups, including pregnant women, citing professional medical guidance. A follow-up exchange focused on concerns about past vaccine policies and the need for patients to receive full information before making decisions. Senator Heron asked how KIPRC/KIPR could be used to address firearm injuries. Dr. Langfeld said the key opportunity is to make data more real-time and usable for day-to-day response, while Dr. Stack said the department would continue its long-standing partnership with KIPRC and noted his view that gun violence is a public health emergency. He added, however, that because firearms are a deeply divided issue, the Department for Public Health’s current role is mainly to make data available for authorized research rather than to take a broader policy role. No votes or formal actions beyond approving the minutes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and, and advanced practice registered nurse, uh, has to have a supervising physician, uh, to practice
• Um, advanced practice registered nurse can participate in a, an insurance plan without her physician,
• Uh, it's not a scope of practice bill.
• So in the, in the self-funded market, this has been a long practice.
• I practice in San Antonio.

Bills: HB139

Keywords: ad valorem tax, tax rates, voter-approval, taxing unit, property tax, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• If an employer prohibits a physician from practicing in their region after they leave that practice,
• If an employer prohibits a physician from practicing in their region after they leave that practice,
• leave that practice patients are often leave that practice patients are often less<00:25:06.559>
• non-compete that prohibits practice non-compete that prohibits practice within<00:26:32.320>
• But trade secret laws, my understanding is, someone who's not practiced it, but I practiced a bit of

Bills: HF1355, HF1469, HF1768

Keywords: commercial diving, scuba diving safety, aquatic plant management, workplace safety, environmental regulations, HF1469, Minnesota, workforce development, job training, job skills training, reentry, reentry services, formerly incarcerated, ex-offenders, inmates, recently released inmates, felony conviction, felony-level offense, corrections, prison release

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:58.559> prohibited discriminatory practices prohibited discriminatory practices prohibited
• practicing in New Hampshire since 2001. practicing in New Hampshire since 2001.
• , been generally understood in practice, been generally understood in practice, the<01:41:42.000>
• So, that related to court practice.
• rules for court administration practice rules for court administration practice and<02:04:09.119

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Barra, PLC, where he practiced until his appointment to the judiciary.
• Barra, PLC, where he practiced until his appointment to the judiciary.
• building a well-rounded civil litigation practice.
• Um, so our our our practicing.
• Has practiced before her, and speaks very highly of her.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Recently, there was a visiting practice that got implemented, and in that practice, there ...was a visiting
• practice that got implemented, and in that practice, it had discouraged our loved ones from being able
• Over the years, these practices have been blatant.
• Over the years, these practices have been blatant.
• This practice is not just unjust. It is harmful to democracy itself.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on S. 7 and H. 63, proposed constitutional amendments to restore voting rights to people incarcerated for felony convictions. Sponsors Rep. Erica Iderhoven and Sen. Liz Miranda argued that Massachusetts should reverse the 2000 disenfranchisement change, describing it as a recent and racially discriminatory policy that excludes thousands of residents—disproportionately Black and Latino—from civic participation. They said the amendment would put the question before voters, likely in 2028, and noted that implementation details such as domicile and where incarcerated people would register to vote would be handled separately through legislation and existing jail-based voting work. A large number of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people testified in support, many speaking remotely from MCI Norfolk, MCI Shirley, and MCI Framingham. They said voting would affirm dignity, accountability, rehabilitation, and connection to community, and several described civic education programs inside the facilities that had helped them engage with public policy. Witnesses repeatedly characterized disenfranchisement as “civil death,” linked it to racial injustice and the legacy of slavery, and urged the committee to advance the bills favorably. A few speakers also addressed practical questions about voting location and domicile, with sponsors saying those issues are not specified in the constitutional amendment and would be worked out later. Committee members asked several questions, including whether incarcerated people would vote in the community where they were incarcerated or where they previously lived, and whether future legislation could include carve-outs based on offense type or time served. Testifiers and sponsors generally said the amendment itself does not decide those implementation questions, and some said they would oppose carve-outs. One member raised a broader moral objection about allowing people convicted of serious crimes to vote; supporters responded that punishment should not erase democratic rights and that voting can support rehabilitation and reentry. No vote or final committee action was taken during the transcript provided. The hearing also briefly included testimony on a separate matter, S. 521, a proposed ratification of the federal Child Labor Amendment. Witnesses supporting that measure warned against renewed child labor rollbacks in other states and argued Massachusetts should reaffirm protections for children and education. That portion of the hearing was separate from the voting-rights discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:07:18.880> in to allow PAs to more easily practice in to allow PAs to more easily practice
• Um only the scope of practice of PAS.
• So PAs in New Hampshire practicing under the compact will be required to practice under the laws and
• they practice both. they practice both.
• Um, I've been practicing environmental law for about 20 years, and I practice on our EJ team, and I practice

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And what it is, in private practice or in any kind of practice, any of y'all have practiced? No.
• That's not practically what's happening.
• I'm an attorney practicing in Covington.
• This was the law before 1992, for all practical purposes.
• What's going to happen, practically, the law clerk going to get all this.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary A Committee met on May 5, 2026, with five members present and adopted the April 28 minutes. The committee then heard and favorably reported several measures, including HCR 31, which asks the Louisiana Law Institute to study replacing or clarifying the term “foreign” in state law; HB 263, allowing the 14th JDC magistrate judge to handle certain specialty court felony matters; HB 299, clarifying paper filing rules for jury bonds and related payment issues; HB 535, simplifying hospital-based acknowledgments of paternity by removing the two-witness requirement while keeping notarization; HB 571, codifying the 19th JDC’s complex litigation section program; and HB 538, increasing the East Baton Rouge Parish Juvenile Court fee cap from $15 to $75 to help offset court costs. The committee also reported HB 215, raising the small succession affidavit threshold from $125,000 to $200,000, and HB 226, adding a 10.1 conference requirement before requests for admissions are deemed admitted, with discussion about discovery fairness and default judgment exceptions. The committee also took up HB 324, which makes judicial stipend increases permanent and adds a 2.7% salary increase for judges effective July 1, 2027; an amendment restoring the second year of the COLA was adopted, and the bill was reported with amendments. HB 1043, raising the jurisdictional amount in Jefferson Parish first and second parish courts, was amended to increase the amount from $35,000 to $50,000 and then reported with amendments. HCR 6, directing the Law Institute to study forced heirship and disinherison issues, was amended to add reporting language and related Civil Code references and then reported with amendments. HB 1006, changing summary judgment deadlines to give opponents more time to respond, was amended and reported by a 3-2 vote after roll call. Two more substantive bills drew extended debate. HB 1239 would strengthen the presumption that parents share physical custody equally unless a court finds that arrangement infeasible or not in the child’s best interest; supporters framed it as a parental-rights measure, while an attorney in opposition warned it would increase litigation, reduce stability for children, and be used as leverage in child support disputes. Despite the opposition, the committee reported the bill favorably. HB 190, as amended, would create a duty of reasonable care for certain software/app providers toward minors and require expert testimony, while excluding manufacturers; supporters said it was aimed at protecting children from harmful platform design, but opponents argued the proposal was unnecessary because existing tort law already covers negligence and warned it could create new causes of action and uncertainty over whether software is a “product.” The committee heard testimony from the Louisiana State Law Institute, the sponsor, and outside witnesses, but the transcript ends before final action on HB 190 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The regulators generally do not allow a project to do the practical solution.
• The law is explicit about this, and it is consistent with what we observe in practice.
• And we find that that improves the outcomes because people are sharing real practical problems, practical
• And we find that that improves the outcomes because people are sharing real practical problems, practical
• solutions. because people are sharing real practical problems, practical solutions.

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Regulatory Authority held its first hearing to examine how California’s regulatory framework affects housing production, affordability, and timelines. Chair Pacheco and Assemblymember Haney framed the discussion around the state’s housing shortage and the need to reduce costs while maintaining environmental, safety, and community protections. The first panel featured housing experts and industry representatives who argued that state regulations, code complexity, utility constraints, and agency review processes add substantial cost and delay to development. Bill Fulton described overlapping state and local land-use authorities and the tension among housing, coastal protection, climate, and wildfire goals. CBIA’s Chris Ochoa and California Apartment Association representative Bob Raymer said building codes, energy mandates, and agency processes have materially increased per-home costs, and they urged more centralized affordability analysis and greater scrutiny of regulatory impacts. The Bay Area Council’s Louis Marante called for a statewide cost target for housing and stronger timelines and accountability for state agency reviews. The second panel brought in state agencies to explain their roles. HCD said its housing element enforcement, streamlining laws, and technical assistance have helped increase production, shorten entitlement timelines, and improve compliance by local governments. CARB said SB 375 is a planning law that does not directly regulate land use, and argued that regional housing assumptions in sustainable communities strategies are not being fully implemented on the ground. The Coastal Commission said it works with local governments to balance coastal protection, sea-level-rise risk, and housing, and noted recent guidance and pilot efforts to streamline housing approvals in the coastal zone. The Energy Commission said its building energy standards are designed to be cost-effective and save consumers money over time, though they can add some design and documentation complexity. Fish and Wildlife and DTSC both emphasized early engagement and collaboration to reduce delays while protecting natural resources and public health; DTSC said it is refining vapor intrusion guidance and using brownfield grants to support redevelopment. The State Water Resources Control Board said it uses general orders and basin planning to provide predictable permitting while balancing water quality, water rights, and housing needs, and noted billions in grants and loans for water infrastructure and site remediation that can support housing affordability. In response to questions from Assemblymember Haney, several agencies described ongoing coordination across departments, including regular meetings among HCD, CARB, the Coastal Commission, and transportation agencies, as well as broader interagency efforts to reduce redundancies and identify pinch points in project delivery. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the hearing; the main outcome was informational testimony and discussion of possible future reforms to improve coordination, predictability, and affordability in state regulatory processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a lot of independent practices that really need more expertise to help them.
• How do you encourage that sort of practice?
• Practice with an established doc to a new doctor? Madam Chairman, possibly.
• But I just wanted to let you know that's not a very common practice.
• for people's practices.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I wanted to note that this measure is primarily a scope of practice measure for licensed midwives
• , allowing them to practice to the full extent of their training, which is very extensive and allows
• an obstetrician or advanced practice an obstetrician or advanced practice nurse<01:01:39.640>
• <01:01:46.440> performed Hawaiian traditional practices performed Hawaiian traditional practices
• measure is primarily a scope of practice measure is primarily a scope of practice for<01:02:31.680

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I recently retired after having practiced for 42 years in Jacksonville, Florida.
• What percentage of all licensed practicing veterinarians in Florida are members of your association?
• So 75% of the practicing veterinarians in this state are not a member of your association.
• So 75 percent of the practicing veterinarians in this state are not a member of your association.
• I owned a private practice. We used to have veterinary technicians come in.

Bills: S0754, S0796

Keywords: heated tobacco products, tobacco regulation, vaping, definition changes, Florida statutes, veterinary medicine, telehealth, veterinary professional associate, animal health, public safety, access to veterinary services

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and took up two bills. First, it heard SB 754 on heated tobacco products. The bill would statutorily define heated tobacco products and exempt them from the cigarette tax. Senator Davis questioned why the exemption was needed, and Senator Bernard asked about youth access; the sponsor said the bill was limited to taxation and would look into age and regulatory issues. A Florida Retail Federation representative appeared in support. The committee voted the bill favorably, and Senator Bracey Davis later asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on tab 1. The committee then considered SB 796 on veterinary medicine, after adopting a delete-everything amendment. The amended bill would create a Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA) role for individuals with a master’s degree in veterinary clinical care to perform delegated tasks under a licensed veterinarian’s responsible supervision. It also would extend the time period for telehealth prescriptions for flea and tick products from one month to six months and for other medications from 14 days to 30 days. Senator Boyd raised liability concerns, and the sponsor said existing statute already places liability on the supervising veterinarian. The Florida Veterinary Medical Association testified against the bill, arguing Florida should expand and better utilize existing veterinary technicians rather than create a new mid-level role, and warning about federal prescribing restrictions and animal safety. Supporters, including the Animal Legal Defense Fund and Dr. Wayne Jensen, argued the bill would expand access to care, reduce costs, and provide a well-trained supervised workforce. Several senators said the bill balanced access and safety, and the committee reported SB 796 favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have practices. They don't want to be stuck in depositions.
• , since I've been practicing for 33 years.
• For those of us that are actually practicing, that's what happens.
• I don't practice this kind of law.
• You know, for whatever it's worth. 35% of my practice is Medicare.

Transcript Highlights:

• That historical practice is why former U.S.
• This ban has served as an essential bulwark against this horrific practice.
• It extends the statute of limitations for malpractice claims arising from these practices.
• My current practice area is working with detransitioned males.
• At that point, people should not have been practicing it.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on domestic violence protections, pay equity enforcement, Jewish demographic data collection, court transparency, auto glass insurance practices, pet policy disclosure for renters, and civil rights accountability for federal officers. SB 99 would require courts and law enforcement to better recognize military protective orders in domestic violence cases; supporters from the Department of Defense and military organizations said it would close jurisdictional gaps for military families, and the bill passed to Public Safety. SB 1237 would increase penalties for repeat noncompliance with California pay data reporting laws; supporters said stronger enforcement is needed to address persistent wage gaps, and the bill passed to Appropriations. SB 1387 would allow Jewish identity to be reported as an ethnic category in state demographic data; supporters said better data would improve policy and anti-discrimination efforts, while opponents argued the bill was unnecessary or divisive, and it passed to Privacy. SB 932 would require assignees filing civil actions to identify the original party in the case caption; supporters framed it as a transparency measure, and it passed to Judiciary/Appropriations on call. The committee also took up SB 98, which would regulate auto glass insurance claims by restricting assignment of benefits, requiring clearer estimates and invoices, and limiting inducements to consumers. The sponsor and NICB said the bill would curb fraud and unsafe repairs, while independent glass shops and industry groups argued it could reduce consumer choice and favor insurer-aligned networks; the bill passed to Appropriations. SB 1296 would require landlords to disclose pet policies before collecting application fees and provide refunds if nondisclosure materially affected an applicant’s decision; supporters said it would save renters time and money, while rental housing representatives objected to a provision limiting eviction based solely on failure to sign a pet addendum. The bill passed to Appropriations. Finally, SB 747, the No Kings Act, would create a California cause of action allowing people to sue federal officers for constitutional violations using standards similar to Section 1983. Senator Wiener and a witness who said he was unlawfully detained by Border Patrol argued the bill is needed because federal officers currently lack comparable accountability after the Supreme Court narrowed Bivens remedies. Law enforcement groups opposed the bill, warning that the qualified immunity language is unclear, could create a separate California standard, and might expose officers and governments to retroactive litigation; members discussed possible amendments on qualified immunity and retroactivity, and the bill was moved forward with an urgency amendment while negotiations continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll give them some time with regard to the Best Practice Handbook for Student Achievement.
• Chair, our Best Practice Handbook for Student Achievement in Public Education.
• And we tried to identify specific instances of a practice being implemented or an instance where practice
• We have this complete list of best practices—nine best practices for board members, then for the central
• We focused on filtering systems, policy compliance, and communication practices.

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:06:39.759> of<00:06:39.919> targeting abusive practices of targeting abusive practices
• It hobbles my ability to to practice.
• I am licensed to practice difference.
• <01:31:21.600> by to eliminate predatory practices by to eliminate predatory practices by
• <01:37:07.199> around very pervasive business practice around very pervasive business practice

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In practice, though, an individual's insurance does impact the services they're able to access through
• PAs are licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting.
• And many PAs around Massachusetts practice in clinical settings where an authorized provider is not on
• However, as a practical matter, anyone seeking this care will be told to move on to MassHealth or pay
• One of my social work colleagues was able to provide brief therapy to this child within the practice,

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on a large group of behavioral health and insurance-related bills. Topics included expanding access to mental health services by allowing physician assistants to authorize Section 12 emergency holds and be recognized as licensed mental health professionals (H. 1131/S. 773); improving coverage for community behavioral health centers so commercial insurance matches MassHealth’s bundled outpatient and crisis services (H. 1276/S. 703); eliminating cost sharing for certain behavioral health services (S. 718); extending detox and clinical stabilization coverage from 14 to 30 days and adding transitional support services (H. 1319/S. 772); requiring coverage for dual-diagnosis treatment in psychiatric facilities (H. 1277/S. 771); and preserving access to treatment for serious mental illness through coverage of coordinated specialty care and assertive community treatment (H. 1135/S. 709). The committee also heard bills on preventive behavioral health services for children (H. 1228/S. 802) and post-pregnancy mental health care, including postpartum depression and pregnancy loss-related care (H. 1314/S. 823).

Transcript Highlights:

• And they continue to raise awareness about safe sleep practices.
• Turnover and increased workload impact case practice.
• or a best practice in which they are not paired with the sex of an individual who may have assaulted
• What are there any practices or best practices in case just to make sure that the children are protected
• So based on, also in the state of Arizona, we also do our direct practice work where our social workers

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to medication abortion in California by protecting against federal interference with the current practice
• And it reduced the ability of pharmacists to practice within their scope and training and expertise.
• Standard of care directs that you practice according to the standards of training, practice setting,
• This bill is not simply proposing to transition pharmacy practice to a standard of care.
• I'm a certified massage therapist practicing in Roseville.

Keywords: 988, house, all