Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> they show up in crimes, they show up in crimes, like<00:32:18.399><c> the</c><00:32:18.640><c>
• It doesn't prevent any crime.
• It doesn't prevent any crime. crime. crime.
• </c> anything to deter crime. anything to deter crime.
• ,</c><02:19:35.280><c> the</c> like somehow one side is violent, the like somehow one side is violent

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, you're making up a crime. So, give me the crime.
• So, give Well, you're making up a crime.
• It allows them to me the crime.
• But we're dealing with those types of crimes.
• And dealing with those types of crimes.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill states violent, them out.
• ,</c> define violent, abusive, uncontrollable, define violent, abusive, uncontrollable, and<00:48:14.160
• Now, again, disruptive, highly disruptive, violent students that we're talking about in general.
• Again, if they're being violent and throwing a desk, we're not calling mom first.
• </c> disrupt, highly disruptive, violent disrupt, highly disruptive, violent students<01:11:17.120><c

Committee: Joint Education

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It creates a crime of unlawful operation of a group home.
• And looking at the enumerated crimes, there is no specific reference to trafficking or any crimes of
• These crimes would come about from that conduct, but the actual crime of human trafficking is not included
• Anybody who is convicted of a sex crime in Louisiana, most of the sex crimes require registration.
• It is aimed to create a state crime for those individuals who falsely Aimed to create a state crime for

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee first deferred HB 374 without objection. It then heard SB 46, which creates the crime of unlawful operation of a group home aimed at protecting vulnerable adults living in unsafe, unlicensed residences where operators control residents’ assets. The Attorney General’s office described severe neglect and exploitation in some homes, while the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center opposed the bill over concerns it could create confusion, criminalize legitimate recovery or disability housing, and chill protected housing arrangements. After discussion, including assurances that the bill was narrowly targeted at bad actors, the committee reported SB 46 favorably. The committee next took up HB 276, which sets a statewide minimum bail amount for certain sexual offenses against minors. Testimony from a victim’s mother and an anti-trafficking expert supported the bill as a way to keep dangerous offenders detained and protect children, while members debated whether the original $50,000 minimum was too low and could be treated as a benchmark. The committee amended the bill in committee to raise the minimum to $1 million and to add human trafficking involving a victim under 18 to the covered offenses, then reported HB 276 favorably as amended. Members then heard SB 42 and SB 110, both addressing AI-generated child sexual abuse material. SB 42 expands the definition of child sexual abuse material to include digital and AI-generated depictions, while SB 110 prohibits using a child’s image to train AI to produce such material. The Attorney General’s office and survivor advocates supported the measures as necessary updates to keep pace with technology and protect children; the committee reported both bills favorably. HB 998, dealing with forensic medical exams and reimbursement for domestic violence victims, especially strangulation cases, was also heard and amended to remove human trafficking references and set implementation steps; advocates said the bill would improve evidence collection and reimbursement, and it was reported favorably with amendments. Finally, the committee heard SB 51 on fraudulent representation of military service or awards, which was supported as a tool to address stolen valor and was reported favorably, and HB 323 on notification and reporting of inmate deaths, which was presented as a transparency measure after a family testified about learning of a relative’s death from the news rather than the facility.

Transcript Highlights:

• These meetings emphasized a collective commitment to maintain a safe, non-violent school environment
• These meetings emphasized a collective commitment to maintain a safe, non-violent school environment
• environment and non-violent School environment and address<00:56:15.799><c> any</c><00:56:16.119><c>
• I don't know if exclusions are the legal definition of dismissal, um, and we can figure that out.
• </c><01:33:30.199><c> may</c> so it says expulsions and exclusions may so it says expulsions and exclusions

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Senate Standing Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction.
• But when you then commit another crime within, whether you assault a CO or another prisoner or you're
• found with illegal drugs or something, you're committing another crime.
• It really depends on the crime. Can I just interject?
• You know, looking at crime and punishment, you have to look at causation.

Committee: Senate Crime Victims, Crime And Correction

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction met with a quorum of members present and considered 10 bills. The committee held a lengthy debate on S.2656, a bill to repeal provisions related to solitary confinement, with supporters arguing the current law is not fully implemented and that solitary confinement is harmful and ineffective, while opponents said the law has made facilities less safe and removed needed disciplinary tools. After discussion, the bill failed to advance, with five negative votes and no report to the floor. The committee also considered several correctional administration and health-related measures. S.394, the Clemency Justice Act, and S.2509A, concerning transfers of incarcerated individuals from county jails to state facilities, were both reported to finance. S.5134, creating a uniform electronic medical records system for correctional facilities, was reported, as was S.9126A. S.8492, establishing a digital legal mail program, drew concerns about privileged communications and was defeated in committee. S.9467, setting radiation standards for employees and visitors at correctional facilities, was reported to the Health Committee. Two additional bills, S.9916 on employee mental health services and S.9928 on rights of sexual assault survivors during the investigative process, were reported after brief discussion and expressions of support. One bill on the agenda was laid aside at the sponsor’s request. Overall, the meeting featured a mix of correctional policy, facility operations, health, and survivor-rights legislation, with several bills advancing and one major reform measure on solitary confinement failing to move forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, people that are exhibiting drug-seeking behavior and are denied often become violent.
• </c> that crime that crime because<00:34:22.000><c> of</c><00:34:22.080><c> a</c><00:34:22.120><c> mental
• We are the only law that I'm aware of that we put an exception in that said this crime won't apply to
• We are the only law that I'm aware of that we put an exception in that said this crime won't apply to
• We are the only law that I'm aware of that we put an exception in that said this crime won't apply to

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 409 in executive session, with the chair noting a caucus break to explain amendments to several substitute members. Members discussed a proposed amendment to narrow the bill’s felony provisions by limiting them to specific, knowingly dangerous conduct rather than making the offense too broad. The committee also noted a planned floor amendment to add missing “or” language to clarify that the listed acts were alternatives, not cumulative requirements. The amendment was adopted 13-0, and the bill as amended was then reported OTPA by a 13-0 vote. It was initially said to be headed to consent, but members later agreed it would not go on consent because a floor amendment was anticipated. The committee then opened House Bill 667, which would extend protections for medical personnel into emergency room settings. Supporters said the bill was needed because emergency room staff face increasing assaults and existing protections did not fully cover ER circumstances. Several members described firsthand or secondhand incidents involving nurses, EMTs, and other staff being threatened or injured, and argued that stronger penalties would help deter violence and improve prosecution. Others supported the bill but raised concerns about how it might affect people experiencing mental health crises, dementia, or intellectual and developmental disabilities. A proposed amendment from Representative Sher would exempt people experiencing a mental health crisis who have a mental health diagnosis, and also address dementia and certain developmental disabilities. Supporters said the amendment was narrowly tailored and had backing from the Disability Rights Center, NAMI New Hampshire, and the New Hampshire Nurses Association. Opponents argued that the criminal justice system already has safeguards such as prosecutorial discretion, insanity defenses, and competency rules, and warned against creating special exceptions that could weaken equal application of the law. After debate, the committee voted 10-3 to report HB 667 ought to pass, with members noting that minority and majority reports would be prepared.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it removes first degree assault from the list of crimes that are permanently barred to the list of
• crimes that are barred for five years.
• For 12 years, I worked mostly on crimes against people, sex crimes against children, child pornography
• Secondly, removing specific violent crimes from permanent disqualification modifications—this also may
• These are individuals with a history of violent crimes that exhibit traits of this.

Bills: HF1367 , HF2732 , HF1897 , HF1424 , HF1383 , HF2728 , HF2863 , HF1685 , HF2929

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: child maltreatment, child abuse, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, labor trafficking, human trafficking, child protection, local welfare agency, county social services, Minnesota Department of Human Services, judicial review, district court appeal, venue, out-of-state abuse, cross-border investigation, Minnesota child welfare, family assessment, maltreatment determination

Transcript Highlights:

• We're trying to prevent youth crime.
• So this is really a crime prevention program by having role models there that both keep them safe. help
• or they have an intense fear of crime.
• in a pretty good percentage of cases, it's the weapon that's taken from the officer. ...and used violently
• Also, anytime we increase penalties, we create a crime.

Bills: HF1354 , HF1901 , HF2124 , HF2130 , HF2260 , HF2099 , HF104 , HF134 , HF1769

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: public safety, school safety, active shooter, active shooter drill, violence prevention, threat reporting, anonymous tip line, See It, Say It, Send It, Minnesota Fusion Center, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, officer-involved death, missing person, endangered missing person, criminal background check, national background check, FBI fingerprint check, adult entertainment license, massage license, correctional facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• reform that provides for compassionate treatment of prisoners, responds to the needs of victims of crime
• wanted to point out that I have a 17-year-old daughter myself, and I can't imagine her committing a crime
• Many of these young people committed crimes out of necessity or out of normalcy based on how or where
• I wasn't violent and I was not a threat, yet I was charged with assault against the on-call staff member
• Under Texas law, it was considered a crime of moral turpitude. Now, I'm a lawyer.

Bills: HB1511 , HB1831 , HB1988 , HB2147 , HB2234

Committee: House S/C on Juvenile Justice

Keywords: housing, affordable housing, state regulations, zoning, local government authority, drug court, juvenile justice, diversion programs, rehabilitation, criminal justice reform, remote proceedings, depositions, virtual hearings, court technology, criminal responsibility, age of maturity, expungement, mental health services, juvenile record sealing, 1184

Transcript Highlights:

• crimes, specific violent crimes.
• </c> making those exceptions for violent making those exceptions for violent crimes,<01:14:25.199><c>
• specific</c><01:14:25.679><c> violent</c><01:14:26.080><c> crimes.
• </c><01:14:26.480><c> But</c><01:14:26.640><c> I</c><01:14:26.960><c> I</c> crimes, specific violent
• But I I crimes, specific violent crimes.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, March 20, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• From local and national statistics from the National Crime Victimization Survey, and hearing from victim
• survivors directly, I lost my place, that the majority of ...crimes, more than half of violent crimes
• , over two-thirds of property crimes, and nearly 75% of sexual assaults go unreported.
• And even when you do report a crime, which I've heard from multiple survivors, there's no guarantee that
• Let me be clear: protective restorative justice conversations— we are not going to go soft on crime.

Transcript Highlights:

• This to exclusion is morally wrong and discriminatory.
• That's someone who is is being prosecuted for committing a crime and the damages are they are penalize
• If the parent is the subject of an investigation of a crime committed against the minor child, if the
• These crimes are our that specific.
• law enforcement and ensures to detect prevents and deter insurance crimes.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're getting a much more violent, volatile offender in our system.
• Now the inmates we're getting are more violent.
• It's basically a free automated service for victims of crime established back in 1999, and it allows
• Baker Act, Marchman Act, and sexually violent predators, which is a $2.5 million ask.
• Next, we have the Baker Act, Marchman Act, and sexually violent predators.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice heard an update from Department of Corrections Secretary Ricky Dixon on staffing, overtime, capital needs, and inmate population growth. Dixon said the prison population has risen by about 8,000 since January 2021 while staffing has not kept pace, forcing the agency to open 53 housing units without funded positions and rely heavily on overtime and National Guard support. He cited a $189 million deficit tied to salaries and overtime, noted that most staff have less than three years of experience, and argued the solution is to fully fund posts for operational housing units. He also reviewed the department’s fixed capital outlay projects, including repairs, new housing construction, and medical modular units intended to reduce outside hospital transports, and gave an update on the VINE victim notification system and its expansion. The committee then heard from Florida clerks of court representatives Jason Welty and Miami-Dade Clerk Juan Fernandez-Barquin, who described clerks’ court-related and county duties and said clerk budgets have not kept pace with the broader justice system. They requested reimbursements for injunctions for protection ($3.3 million), Baker Act/Marchman Act/sexually violent predator cases ($2.5 million), and juror management ($4.8 million), and said future funding for new judges should include the full courtroom system, not judges alone. Fernandez-Barquin also raised concerns about unfunded mandates, rising retirement and health costs, low court-side pay, and the need to revisit filing fees and trust fund allocations. Members asked about collections, payment plans, license suspensions, and whether some fees or trust fund distributions could be redirected; the governor’s budget had already picked up the $2.5 million request for Baker/Marchman/SVP cases. During public testimony, speakers urged broader criminal justice reforms and additional funding priorities. A prosecutor emphasized that adding judges requires funding for prosecutors, public defenders, and clerks as well. Other speakers called for parole or long-term sentencing reform to reduce prison populations and costs, criticized staffing and conditions in prisons, and raised concerns about inexperienced correctional officers, visitation delays, and lack of air conditioning in some facilities. The committee took no substantive votes on the items discussed and adjourned after hearing the presentations and public comments.

Transcript Highlights:

• attacks and hate crimes due to ideology, beliefs, or mission.
• On the VOCA, on the victims of crime...
• with tools to lead productive lives free from crime.
• crime in Los Angeles County.
• crime, help survivors heal, and reduce future violence.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is just cleanup language that designates the specific crimes.

Bills: HB2936 , HB2967 , HB3627 , HB3721 , HB4132 , HB4303 , HB4478 , HB4322 , HB4227

Keywords: HB2936, children, child protection, adoption, Oklahoma Adoption Code, gestational carrier, gestational agreement, surrogacy, intended parent, preplacement home study, home study, prospective adoptive parent, foster placement, child abuse, child neglect, child sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation, lewd molestation, sex offender registry, Oklahoma Sex Offenders Registration Act

Transcript Highlights:

• This is just cleanup language that designates the specific crimes.

Bills: HB2936 , HB2967 , HB3627 , HB3721 , HB4132 , HB4303 , HB4478 , HB4322 , HB4227

Keywords: HB2936, children, child protection, adoption, Oklahoma Adoption Code, gestational carrier, gestational agreement, surrogacy, intended parent, preplacement home study, home study, prospective adoptive parent, foster placement, child abuse, child neglect, child sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation, lewd molestation, sex offender registry, Oklahoma Sex Offenders Registration Act

Summary: The House convened, took the roll, offered an invocation, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized the nurse of the day, Stephanie Cooper. Members also adopted motions related to a multi-day adjournment request and received several guest introductions, including students, athletes, family members, and constituents in the galleries. The chamber then considered and passed several bills. HB 2936 clarified that certain offenders may not adopt children, including in surrogacy-related situations; it passed 71-0. HB 2967 exempted certain vehicle title transfers between guardians and children or grandparents and grandchildren from motor vehicle excise tax; it passed 69-10. HB 3627 added the State Committee of Blind Vendors to the list of public bodies allowed to meet by video or teleconference and passed 70-2, with the emergency clause also approved. HB 3721 created a survivor-benefit option for children of unmarried public safety officers who die before retirement after qualifying for benefits; it passed 77-3, and the emergency clause was adopted. Additional measures passed included HB 4132, a data protection bill, by 77-0; HB 4303, extending the deadline for municipalities to publish ordinances, by 70-0; HB 4478, raising the daily deposit threshold for school activity funds from $100 to $500 while requiring weekly deposits, by 73-5; HB 4322, removing the requirement that a funeral director in charge also be a licensed embalmer/director, by 61-17; and HB 4227, protecting the legal rights of child sexual abuse victims, which was amended with cleanup language and then passed with no recorded nays. The House then adjourned until Monday, March 23 at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• She advised me I'd be surprised how many of these violent offenders are allowed to do so.
• We worry about the individuals who silently suffer from domestic violence or other violent crimes and
• It sits in a chapter called Crimes Against Chastity, Morality, Decency, and Good Order.
• It's not a crime to lose or end a pregnancy in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• And that's the same legal standard that applies to anyone who's accused of a crime.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a late-file hearing on several bills, with Chairs Michael Day and Lydia Edwards outlining hearing rules, testimony limits, and written-testimony procedures. The first bill discussed was H. 4876, a proposal to strengthen supports for survivors of abuse. Representative Carol Faiola testified on behalf of a constituent who described how a lifetime restraining order was effectively undermined after a family member’s death, arguing the bill should limit abusers’ legal standing after death, improve survivor notification and privacy protections, expand coercive-control definitions, and create education and resource programs. The committee then heard testimony on H. 5111, which would strengthen the Massachusetts Antitrust Act. Representative Dave Rogers and Attorney General’s Office antitrust chief Anthony Mariano said the bill would give the state more tools to pursue anti-competitive conduct, including conduct with multi-state effects, while allowing enforcement even when federal authorities are also involved. They said it would increase penalties, clarify that invitations to conspire are violations, protect labor markets, remove limits affecting some housing transactions, and extend the statute of limitations. The committee also heard support for a related “universal 1983” bill, S. 2976/H. 2976, creating a state cause of action for constitutional violations by federal, state, or local officers acting under color of law; supporters said it would fill gaps in remedies against federal officers while preserving qualified immunity. Testimony also supported H. 4783, a bill affirming the rights of people experiencing homelessness. The Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless said the measure would push back against growing criminalization of homelessness, especially after the Supreme Court’s Grants Pass decision and local encampment bans, and would protect the use of public spaces without discrimination based on housing status. On H. 4826, condo owners and advocates said Chapter 183A is outdated and leaves owners with too little say and too few remedies against mismanagement, citing problems such as unsafe water, major assessments, and lack of meaningful dispute resolution. The committee also heard strong support for H. 5116, renaming the Dorchester Division of the Boston Municipal Court the Judge Leslie E. Harris Courthouse, with testimony from family members, legislators, attorneys, and community leaders describing Judge Harris’s mentorship, community service, and commitment to second chances. Later testimony covered S. 2975, a bill to deter ICE courthouse arrests and protect access to justice; CPCS, law students, and defense advocates said courthouse arrests chill participation by defendants, witnesses, and victims and disrupt pending cases. The committee also heard support for H. 5244, repealing an archaic law criminalizing concealment of a child’s death, with advocates arguing it has been used to punish pregnancy loss and should be removed. The hearing concluded with additional testimony in favor of S. 2976 and more support for the Judge Harris courthouse renaming, after which the chairs closed the hearing and reminded the public how to submit written testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• She advised me I'd be surprised how many of these violent offenders are allowed to do so.
• We worry about the individuals who silently suffer from domestic violence or other violent crimes and
• It sits in a chapter called Crimes Against Chastity, Morality, Decency, and Good Order.
• It's not a crime to lose or end a pregnancy in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• And that's the same legal standard that applies to anyone who's accused of a crime.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a late-file hearing on several bills, with testimony limited to three minutes per individual or set time limits for panels. Chairs Michael Day and Lydia Edwards outlined hearing rules, written testimony procedures, and confidentiality protections before moving through the agenda. The committee heard testimony on bills including H.4876, H.5111, H.4783, H.4826, H.5116, H.5244, S.2975, and S.2976. On H.4876, supporters described it as the “Overcomers Law,” aimed at strengthening supports for survivors of abuse by limiting abusers’ legal standing after death, requiring survivor notification of an abuser’s death, expanding coercive control definitions, improving privacy protections, and creating education and resource programs. On H.5111, the Attorney General’s Office and legislative sponsors backed changes to strengthen Massachusetts antitrust enforcement, including broader jurisdiction over multi-state conduct, higher penalties, clearer treatment of invitations to conspire, labor-market protections, housing-related changes, and a longer statute of limitations. The committee also heard support for H.4783, which would reaffirm the rights of people experiencing homelessness and push back against criminalization of homelessness, and for H.4826, which would update condominium law to give owners more rights and nonjudicial dispute-resolution options. A large portion of the hearing focused on H.5116, which would rename the Dorchester Division of the Boston Municipal Court the Judge Leslie E. Harris Courthouse. Representative Worrell, the Harris family, senators, prosecutors, lawyers, educators, and community advocates testified in strong support, describing Judge Harris’s legacy of fairness, mentorship, community service, and support for young people and Black legal professionals. The committee also heard testimony on S.2975, which would prohibit civil immigration arrests in courthouses to protect access to justice, and S.2976, which would create a state cause of action for constitutional violations by federal officers. Finally, H.5244 was supported as a repeal of an archaic criminal statute that advocates said has been used to punish pregnancy loss and should be removed from the books. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded after all registered testimony was heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• She advised me I'd be surprised how many of these violent offenders are allowed to do so.
• We worry about the individuals who silently suffer from domestic violence or other violent crimes and
• It sits in a chapter called Crimes Against Chastity, Morality, Decency, and Good Order.
• It's not a crime to lose or end a pregnancy in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• And that's the same legal standard that applies to anyone who's accused of a crime.

Bills: H4783 , H4826 , H4876 , H5111 , H5116 , H5244 , S2975 , S2976

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Keywords: homelessness, homeless, unsheltered, unhoused, shelter rights, anti-camping, anti-loitering, public space, public land, encampment, sleeping in public, life-sustaining activities, right to rest, right to sleep, vehicle dwelling, RV living, tiny home, civil rights, municipal liability, affirmative defense