Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:47.120> officer warrant signed by a judicial officer warrant signed by a judicial officer
• difference between judicial warrants and admin<00:04:20.880> warrants.
• judicial warrant from doing their job. judicial warrant from doing their job.
• Thank you. law that a valid judicial warrant is law that a valid judicial warrant is required<00:35:04.640
• <00:53:12.720> warrant without even showing a judicial warrant without even showing a judicial

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 3415, a bill aimed at limiting immigration enforcement activity at child care centers. House Research explained the DE1 amendment, which defined key terms and barred child care employees from consenting to civil immigration enforcement entry without a judicial warrant, while requiring officials to identify themselves and state their purpose; the amendment also clarified that it would not block officials administering child care programs. After brief debate, members adopted the DE1 amendment. The bill author, Representative Sensor Mura, said the measure was intended to address fear and disruption in child care settings caused by recent immigration enforcement activity and to keep those spaces safe for children and families. Supporters, including a pastor, a Children’s Defense Fund representative, parents, child care workers, and an ACLU policy counsel, testified that immigration enforcement near daycares has caused fear, staff absences, lockdowns, and emotional harm to children. They argued the bill would not stop lawful enforcement but would require warrants and basic identification before entry, protecting children from witnessing raids or arrests and giving providers clear rules. Several witnesses described specific incidents involving ICE activity near Spanish immersion daycares in Minneapolis and St. Paul, including staff members being detained, parents organizing safety watches, and children showing distress. Testimony emphasized that many affected children are U.S. citizens in immigrant families and that visible enforcement can create toxic stress and separation anxiety. No final action on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided beyond adoption of the DE1 amendment and continuation of testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• judicial judicial Council Council Council um<01:48:33.280> to um to um to um<01:48:37.280>
• <01:48:48.040> account it's listed under judicial account it's listed under judicial account
• <01:51:17.719> council I know that the we the judicial council I know that the we the judicial
• <01:51:32.119> C within a certain limit the judicial C within a certain limit the judicial
• how are they going to fund the judicial how are they going to fund the judicial Council<01:51:55.000

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 313, and Representative Perez moved to retain the bill, saying it needed work and was not ready as written. Representative Smith supported that approach, and the motion to retain passed 18-0. The committee then considered House Bill 391, an anti-SLAPP measure. Representative Smith and others argued the bill was too broad, could create litigation and discovery disputes, and might even be read to affect criminal cases. The committee voted 18-0 to retain HB 391 as well, and the chair agreed to place it on consent with a report to be prepared. The committee next heard House Bill 462, establishing a cause of action for unwarranted video imaging of residential properties. Representative McFarland moved to retain, saying the bill raised First Amendment and property-rights concerns. The motion passed 18-0. The committee then took up House Bill 509, a fiscal note bill requiring reporting related to forfeitures. Members on both sides discussed the bill’s cost, the burden of collecting and collating the data, possible duplication across fiscal years, and whether the information was already being collected. The OTP motion passed 11-7, and Chairman Lynn asked Representative McFarland to prepare the report; a minority report was anticipated. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 520, which would authorize Department of Education hearing officers to issue subpoenas. Representative Kuttab supported the bill, saying similar authority exists in other agencies and states. Opponents argued the DOE already can obtain information through the attorney general, that the bill would create an unbalanced internal enforcement process, and that the subpoena authority was not tied to the curriculum-related concerns raised in testimony. Representative Ter offered Amendment 0842H to shift subpoena authority from DOE hearing officers to the attorney general; the amendment failed 7-11. The committee then voted on the bill as amended, and the OTP motion passed 10-8, with a minority report also requested.

Transcript Highlights:

• that the judicial officer consider the person's status as a resident of West Virginia.
• It only requires that the judicial officer give consideration to the resident...
• That the judicial officer give consideration to the residency status.
• It's only which judicial officer may issue that PR bond. Correct.
• They have a defense lawyer, and they have a full judicial review in front of a magistrate.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we also have some financial concerns about the change for the judicial retirement fund.
• So, we also have some financial concerns about the change for the judicial retirement fund.
• Um, the judicial plan, you had the judges and clerks and their benefit that was created in 2016, but
• So, we also have some financial concerns about the change for the judicial retirement fund.
• >> Talking about the funding for the judicial side.

Bills: HB304, HB285, HB312, HB311, SB60

Keywords: impoundment, driver licenses, vehicle redemption, local identification cards, law enforcement, HB285, TJ's Law, traffic infraction, traffic ticket, uniform traffic ticket and complaint, minor driver, juvenile driver, parent notification, guardian notification, emergency contact, citing agency, traffic citation, driver safety, youth safety, Alabama traffic law

Transcript Highlights:

• Essentially, this is a new budget obligation that the judicial council has not had previously.
• Essentially, this is a new budget obligation that the judicial council has not had previously.
• Essentially, this is a new budget obligation that the judicial council has not had previously.
• paying for these, to my agency, the judicial council.
• So essentially the payment obligation went from the judicial branch to the judicial council. >> Okay.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on Friday, November 21st and first approved the October 17th minutes, with one member abstaining because she was not present. The committee then adopted the remainder of the consent calendar after removing two items for separate consideration. On tab four, members discussed item 25282 with the Commissioner of Administrative Services and Public Works staff; the project had been delayed after testing revealed design errors and flaws, and the committee was told the work would restart with test piles the following week and was projected for completion in fall 2027. The item was approved. On tab five, item 25279 concerned a Health and Human Services facility project and a federally required element added late in the process. Commissioners explained that the project had originally been funded at $21 million, later required additional financing, and that the legislature had recently lifted a restriction so non-ARPA funds could be used. They also said the sale of the existing Manchester property would not be needed to complete the build, that a broker RFP was about to be issued, and that any sale would require further approvals. The committee approved the item. The committee then approved item 25280 after a brief exchange about rainy day fund estimates and prior budget assumptions, and approved item 25278 without discussion. Item 25272 drew questions about the consumer advocate’s RFP for outside utility-rate-case assistance; the office said it eliminated proposals focused only on return on equity work after the Eversource decision, selected a Michigan firm for spreadsheet and operating-cost analysis, and noted there were no in-state firms doing this specialized work. The committee approved the item, with one member recorded in opposition. On tab nine, item 25261 concerned a new judicial council budget obligation tied to legislation and public defense staffing needs. The presenter said the request reflected a late-added obligation from the judicial branch, that more requests may still be needed, and that public defense staffing was strained by vacancies and competition from Massachusetts. The committee approved the item. Under informational items, members received an update on 529 plan distributions and on interest and dividends tax refunds, with Revenue Administration saying roughly $21 million more in refunds remained and that the repeal-related refunds were nearly finished. The committee also noted an environmental services item for which questions would be submitted separately. The next meeting was set for December 19th at 11:00 a.m., and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• are not a feature of or otherwise associated with a covered platform, and that they have two qualifications
• are not a feature of or otherwise associated with a covered platform, and that they have two qualifications
• He said that a covered platform has two qualifications.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the March 17, 2026 journal, and received several committee reports and appointment recommendations. Finance reported two banking-related reappointments for the consent calendar and recommended amendments and favorable action on Senate Bills 128 and 131. The chamber also heard notices of committee realignment affecting the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, including a reduction in membership and the removal of Senator John Carson from that committee for the remainder of the session. During personal privilege, senators recognized Greeley Day at the Capitol and College Board. The Senate then took up Senate Joint Resolution 16, concerning retirement readiness and financial well-being. Supporters said the resolution highlights the importance of retirement security, financial education, and lifetime income options for PERA members. The resolution passed 34-0, and the current roll call was added as co-sponsors. The Senate also laid over HJR 1023 and SB 66 until March 19. On third reading, the Senate passed House Bill 1142, Senate Bills 2660, 2635, 1031, and 105 on the consent calendar, with some senators recorded as no votes on SB 2660 and SB 2635. It also passed Senate Bill 62, which designates second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides as restricted-use pesticides, by a 22-12 vote, and Senate Bill 98, which reestablishes local authority over noise abatement, by a 30-4 vote. The chamber then concurred with House amendments and re-passed Senate Bills 11, 32, and 16; the House changes to SB 11 were described as clarifications to search-warrant requirements for certain electronic platforms, SB 32’s changes concerned immunization access and removed a vaccine-manufacturer liability provision, and SB 16’s changes were mostly technical and removed a criminal-penalty reference. The Senate also laid over the general orders calendar until March 19 and recessed until 11:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Professional and positive support analyst required qualifications.
• These are the substance use disorder treatment program and service changes, and provider qualification
• Disorder Treatment Program and service changes, and provider qualification changes.

Bills: HF2434

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, row 41, judicial branch uh,000 cost.
• about 7.8 million on the judicial about 7.8 million on the judicial branch.<01:03:58.559> These
• There was a reduction judicial branch.
• 39.600> council judicial council uh contract council judicial council uh contract council received
• . uh judicial branch space assignment. uh judicial branch amended<01:21:01.679> RSA<01:21:02.800

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The Legislative Budget Assistant staff presented an overview of the Senate changes to the House-passed budget, focusing on revenue estimates, appropriations, and ending balances across the general fund and education trust fund. The presentation emphasized that the Senate’s budget reflected higher revenue assumptions than the House, driven in part by updated April revenue figures, changes to business, tobacco, and real estate transfer tax splits, and different assumptions about video lottery terminal revenue. The Senate also adjusted lapse estimates upward, especially for HHS, after receiving updated information that lapses could be much larger than originally assumed. The presenter walked through the major differences in the surplus statements for fiscal years 2025 through 2027. Compared with the House, the Senate budget generally showed higher revenues, lower or different appropriations in some areas, and larger balances carried forward, including a larger education trust fund balance and a different rainy day fund transfer. The Senate’s approach also changed several policy assumptions, such as maintaining liquor revenue dedication, removing the House’s meals-and-rooms distribution cap, changing the treatment of unique revenue, and altering the process for meeting a targeted revenue amount by giving the governor more flexibility. On the appropriations side, the Senate removed or modified several House reductions and added funding or adjustments in areas including the judicial branch, corrections, HHS, the Human Rights Commission, and certain settlement costs. The presenter also highlighted Senate changes in House Bill 2 and related budget provisions, including a new arts tax credit, a nursing home bed fee, changes to Medicaid premium assumptions, and differences in how motor vehicle inspection repeal and BLT-related revenue are handled. No votes were taken in the portion shown; the discussion was informational and comparative, aimed at explaining the Senate budget changes before conference committee negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think that's a good segue to my next kind of set of questions regarding your judicial philosophy
• And I think that's a good segue to my next kind of set of questions regarding your judicial philosophy
• Your judicial philosophy: how do you define the proper role of a justice on the Delaware Supreme Court
• And the judicial system will be accountable to the rule of law.
• officers then to feel... ...could do a better job of for judicial officers then to feel that perhaps

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today's agenda includes updates from the judicial branch, the State Board of Parole, Access to Justice
• Commission, Commission on Judicial Discipline, BHA, or the Behavioral Health Administration, Office
• <00:26:28.159> branch,<00:26:28.400> the updates from the judicial branch, the updates
• from the judicial branch, the state<00:26:28.799> board<00:26:28.960> of<00:26:29.120>
• commission, commission on judicial commission, commission on judicial discipline,<00:26:31.919><

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the January 20, 2026 journal as corrected, and received House messages transmitting House Joint Resolutions 101 and 103. The chamber also introduced House Joint Resolution 10003, concerning National Blood Donor Month, and laid it over until Monday, January 26, 2026. Members then considered House Joint Resolution 10001, concerning the officers and employees of the second regular session of the 75th General Assembly. After brief discussion, the resolution was adopted on a 30-0 vote, with no absences and five excused. The president also signed House Joint Resolution 102. During announcements, senators recognized foreign exchange students visiting the chamber, noted an upcoming legislative breakfast with Professional Land Surveyors of Colorado, promoted the junior livestock auction, and announced a joint judiciary SMART Act hearing and a JBC meeting. The majority leader also announced a wholesale liquor and beer industry reception and moved that the Senate recess until 11:00 a.m., which was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are also asking to reduce the grant qualifications from 2.0 to 1.5 FTE.
• <01:35:48.360> The qualifications from 2.0 to 1.5 FTE.
• The qualifications from 2.0 to 1.5 FTE.
• The questions would be something that I would expect would be listed as qualifications required to be
• > required<01:40:37.840> to<01:40:38.240> be listing of qualifications required

Bills: HF3489, HF3393, HF3785, SF856, HF4006, HF4615, HF3919, HF4591, HF3682, HF4240

Keywords: grooming, child protection, student safety, sexual exploitation, educator licensing, teacher discipline, mandatory reporting, mandated reporter training, school misconduct, predatory offender, child abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, position of authority, school employee, school administrator, license revocation, license suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• What qualifications should be on there, and who controls that port?
• They know that I have the training,<01:34:25.280> the<01:34:25.440> qualifications,<01:
• 34:25.920> and<01:34:26.159> they training, the qualifications, and they training, the
• qualifications, and they can<01:34:26.400> immediately<01:34:26.800> send<01:34:27.040>
• What qualifications should be on there, and who controls that port?

Bills: HF3418, HF3739, HF3791, HF3356, HF3695, HF3430

Keywords: pedestrian safety, traffic safety, roadway improvements, nonmotorized transportation, crosswalks, sidewalks, bike lanes, complete streets, Vision Zero, Toward Zero Deaths, MnDOT, Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, local road authority, county roads, city streets, tribal transportation, capital improvements, safety design solutions, grant program

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 25, 2026, and the chair noted the absence of Representative Katie Jones due to the birth of her baby. The chair also acknowledged that the committee would be discussing difficult topics related to the June 14 killing of Mark and Melissa Hortman and Gilbert. The main business began with House File 3418, which Chair Tabke moved for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill, and the committee adopted the A1 author’s amendment. The bill was described as a pedestrian safety measure prompted by a fatal Moorhead crash involving a young boy; it would create an opt-in program for communities to use pre-made traffic safety templates, with the state covering 80% of project costs to speed implementation of measures like lane narrowing, rumble strips, and bollards. A Moorhead testifier said the city could have acted faster with such funding, and members generally supported the goal while raising concerns about overlap with existing Safe Routes to School and active transportation programs, the bill’s fiscal note, and how communities would be selected. MDOT testified that it already supports similar community demonstration projects and has funded about 30 such projects since 2019. HF 3418 was laid over. The committee then took up House File 3739, a memorial highway bill for Mark and Melissa Hortman. An A1 amendment to shift funding away from trunk highway funds and toward legislative budgets was moved but not adopted after members argued memorial signage should continue to be paid for with private funds, as in prior memorial highway designations. The bill author explained the memorial was intended to honor Melissa Hortman’s service and connection to Highway 610, and members discussed the length of the proposed memorial stretch and whether it should be narrowed to the area she represented. Several members supported the tribute but expressed concern about using public funds and about setting a precedent for future memorial highways. The committee indicated the bill would move on to Ways and Means with other issues still to be worked out.

Transcript Highlights:

• medically necessary covered service and all the rules of the program are met, on top of that qualifications
• ><00:55:26.079> top<00:55:26.240> of<00:55:26.400> that<00:55:27.440> qualifications
• are met on top of that qualifications are met on top of that qualifications orders<00:55:29.599>
• <01:14:59.679> submit<01:15:00.159> for<01:15:00.800> um<01:15:01.440> qualification
• them to um submit for um qualification them to um submit for um qualification for<01:15:02.239><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission to study special education costs under SB 57 met for its second meeting, with members introducing themselves and reviewing background materials on New Hampshire special education identification rates, NAEP results, and a Wall Street Journal article about the rise in autism diagnoses. The chair explained that the commission is examining special education aid formulas, including how New Hampshire’s current catastrophic aid threshold works and how changes to that threshold might affect school districts, but noted that the needed data on how many students would shift into the aid system at lower thresholds is not yet available. The main testimony came from Henry Litman of HHS on Medicaid reimbursement in schools. He explained that school-based Medicaid funding is tied to health-related services, not all special education services, and that federal rules are changing in state fiscal year 2027. Under the new approach, schools will move away from an in-kind methodology to a certified public expenditure model that may also allow recovery of some overhead costs, such as support staff time. He said the state won a federal grant to help build the new system, hired a vendor, and is setting up training and a help center for districts. Members asked about why Medicaid claims have declined and whether districts are leaving money on the table. Litman said claims are down about 25% from pre-pandemic levels, with declines tied to federal and state rule changes, documentation requirements, provider qualification rules, and the end of temporary pandemic flexibilities. He said some districts adapted better than others depending on local medical-provider access and administrative capacity. He also said the new federal legislation does not directly affect schools, while New Hampshire’s return to pre-pandemic eligibility rules has reduced enrollment somewhat. No votes were taken, and the discussion ended with agreement that the commission needs better data to determine how much special education spending is truly Medicaid-eligible and whether additional legislation is needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• With regards to the judicial branch, a question for the Judicial Council: Does the Judicial Council believe
• Is that something that the Judicial Council will support?
• With that, I do have a few questions regarding the judicial branch.
• Tamara Ahmed, Facilities Director for the Judicial Council.
• California speaking tonight on the Judicial Branch pretrial Services Program.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on the Governor’s May Revision proposals for labor, public safety/judiciary, and transportation, and no votes were taken. In Part A on labor, the Employment Development Department reviewed proposals for EDD Next document management system funding, updated UI loan interest costs, disability insurance and paid family leave benefit and administration adjustments, WIOA funding changes, UI administrative and benefit changes, school employee benefit adjustments, an EMT training reappropriation, and a technical correction tied to EDD Next. PERB discussed funding tied to AB 28 and AB 1, including litigation-related workload and new jurisdiction over legislative employees. DIR presented proposals for legal unit reclassifications, two major IT modernization projects, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COIA reappropriation, and trailer bill language on electronic assessment payments and the DWC director salary cap. CalHR proposed additional funding for a consolidated employee assistance program contract, and CalPERS and CalSTRS presented budget adjustments tied to investment costs and state contribution changes. Members focused heavily on UI debt and interest payments, asking the administration for a plan to reduce the outstanding loan and relieve employers. Finance said no specific repayment plan was included in the May Revision, while LAO said the state’s UI tax structure is structurally insufficient and that any debt payoff should be paired with tax-system reform. Senators also questioned EDD Next costs and timelines, PERB’s caseload and staffing needs, and DIR’s emerging technologies unit, with LAO noting that the unit would appear focused on physical workplace safety rather than broader AI labor issues. CalHR said the new EAP contract would consolidate services, improve access to clinicians, and lower costs relative to the current model. CalPERS defended higher external management fees as part of a strategy to pursue higher net returns, while some members pressed for more transparency about private investments; CalSTRS said it was not prepared to address investment-strategy questions at this hearing. Public comment in Part A was dominated by advocates urging support for an immigration enforcement emergency relief fund, along with comments supporting the Jails to Jobs proposal, the Apprenticeship Innovation Fund, and additional PERB funding. The chair noted that many of the immigration-related requests might fall under other committees and said staff would follow up. In Part B, Finance and LAO outlined judicial branch and DOJ May Revision items, including funding for court interpreter services, appellate court security, lactation room implementation delays, courthouse construction reappropriations, and DOJ budget increases. LAO recommended approving the language-access proposal with a report on reducing interpreter cost growth and reducing the General Fund backfill for state court facilities by $10 million on an ongoing basis.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's what the judicial officers are determining when they remand somebody to custody.
• A judicial officer, the Commonwealth, is making that determination. Released from custody.
• A judicial officer, the Commonwealth, is making that determination.
• And in some instances, these actions occurred without judicial warrants.
• It means requiring school districts to have clear... ...without a judicial warrant.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on several public safety bills, with testimony first on S.2681, Colby’s Law, which would establish safety standards for BMX and motocross tracks. Supporters, including the family of a child killed at a track, argued the bill is needed because some tracks lack basic protections such as barriers, emergency plans, on-site medical staff, and adequate track maintenance. A motocross track representative opposed the bill as overregulation that could impose major costs and argued existing safety efforts and voluntary safety committees are preferable. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee also heard testimony on S.2680, which would expand emergency preparedness requirements around aging nuclear power plants and nuclear waste sites from a 10-mile to a 50-mile radius. Supporters from Cape Cod Downwinders, Massachusetts Peace Action, physicians, and other advocates said current law is outdated and insufficient, citing risks from radioactive waste storage, limited federal oversight, and the need for broader evacuation and emergency planning. Testifiers urged the bill’s passage, and no action was taken. A major portion of the hearing focused on the Protect Act, H.5158, dealing with limits on cooperation between state/local agencies and federal civil immigration enforcement. Sheriffs testified about how ICE detainers and notification requests work in practice, emphasizing discretion, public safety, and the difference between sentenced prisoners and pretrial detainees. Supporters from labor, education, and health care groups said immigrant communities are living in fear and asked for stronger protections, including bans on 287(g) agreements and clearer limits on ICE activity in schools, hospitals, and other sensitive locations. The hearing also included testimony on H.4697 regarding training and certification of constables and civil deputy sheriffs, with the Hampshire County sheriff saying sheriffs are already working with POST and MPTC on training standards and that the bill may be duplicative.

Transcript Highlights:

• confirmation of the Senate with respect to the following appointment to be a member of the Commission on Judicial
• Members of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct is the commission created to protect the public,
• The joint resolution would also remove the ability of the state commission on judicial conduct to issue
• authority of the commission and the Texas Supreme Court to more effectively sanction judges for judicial
• SJR 27 proposing a constitutional amendment regarding the membership of the state commission on judicial

Transcript Highlights:

• helps ensure that those performing specialized disaster debris removal and cleanup work meet the qualifications
• ensure that those performing specialized disaster debris and removal and cleanup work meet the qualifications

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But in the last few years, there was a change in legislation that kind of took out the pre-qualification
• take a One of the unintended consequences of some of the legislation to take out some of this pre-qualification

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight held a public hybrid hearing with several late-file bills and a large turnout. The main topics were symbolic designations and local property/lease matters: bills to designate the American lobster as the official crustacean of the Commonwealth, asparagus as the official state vegetable, and a Waltham bill concerning the Veterans Memorial Ice Rink lease and right of first refusal. Senator Howard also testified on a Lowell bill making a limited language change to facilitate redevelopment of the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor (LINK) at UMass Lowell. Testimony on the lobster bill emphasized the industry’s cultural and economic importance to coastal Massachusetts, its sustainability efforts, and its role in working waterfronts and the seafood economy. The asparagus bill drew especially enthusiastic support from Hadley Elementary students, teachers, local farmers, and legislators, who described asparagus as central to western Massachusetts agriculture, identity, and civic education. The Waltham rink bill was presented as necessary to protect a heavily used community and youth hockey facility after major city investment, while committee members noted concerns about privatization and affordability of ice time. The Lowell bill was described as a narrow technical fix to remove a reversionary clause that could impede a major redevelopment project. Committee members generally expressed support or favorable reactions to the proposals, with several lighthearted comments about lobster and asparagus. The hearing concluded after testimony ended, and a motion was made and seconded to close the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm kind of discussing how a licensed psychological practitioner has many of the same qualifications
• qualified provider language that is already written into state law, that if they overlap with those qualifications

Summary: The Arkansas Legislative Autism Task Force approved the April 1, 2026 meeting minutes and discussed several vacant membership slots, including positions tied to the Arkansas Psychology Board, Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield, UAMS, and parent or guardian appointments. Members said they would try to fill the vacancies and, if not, include the issue in the legislative report and consider statutory changes in the next General Assembly. The task force then heard from the Developmental Disabilities Provider Association and Civitan Services about DDPA’s role in supporting 80 provider organizations serving more than 13,000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across 75 counties. They described services such as early intervention day programs, adult day programs, supported employment, intermediate care facilities, work activities, and community/residential waiver services, and said autism falls within the populations they serve. They also shared survey information on services used by older adults with IDD and offered contact information for providers. Members also heard a proposal to amend Act 656 of 2021 to add licensed psychological practitioners as qualified providers for autism waiver-related evaluations. The presenter argued this would reduce wait times, avoid duplicate assessments, and help families access services sooner, while noting that Arkansas Medicaid already pays for some of these evaluations. Task force members and Dr. Scott discussed the roles of psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and the possibility of using training or board oversight to ensure evaluators are properly qualified, with some noting that speech pathologists’ inclusion has historical and clinical roots. The task force also said it still needs a future discussion on fraud, plans to invite the Attorney General’s office, and wants to identify priorities for the 2027 session before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of times you'll hear people say, well, they just didn't meet the qualifications.
• Every single one of these young ladies met the qualifications.

Keywords: 1204, all