Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:43.760><c> thank</c> position uh that we can support thank position uh that we can support
• </c><00:07:48.840><c> of</c> respectfully ask for your support of respectfully ask for your support of
• decided through the disability determination if they qualify for ongoing disability services.
• disability services.
• Looking forward to your support.

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:20.000><c> documentation</c> linked in the supporting documentation linked in the supporting
• </c> strong support of HB1405. strong support of HB1405.
• </c> mission to promote, finance, and support mission to promote, finance, and support housing<00:52:
• </c> me in supporting HB1598. me in supporting HB1598.
• , social service supports.

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• There is an asset limit for people who are 65 or older, and people who are disabled.
• About 60% of Medicaid spending is for older adults and people with disabilities.
• And those that don't, the vast majority of that group, have a reason: a disability.
• Two, when you talk about the new adults, these are not disabled. These are not children.
• These are not disabled. These are not children. They are not aged; they are not elderly.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• ADL supports the right to protest. We support the right of free speech.
• We're in support of Senate Bill 2225.
• We support this bill.
• I am supportive of this bill.
• I strongly support Senate Bill 2284.

Bills: HB45 , SB1540 , SB2225 , SB2284 , SB2382 , SB2487 , SB2514 , SB2595 , SB2876 , SB2877 , SB3031 , SB2753

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The committee first adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 30 and then voted to report the substituted bill favorably to the full Senate; the roll call showed six ayes and one nay, with later unanimous-consent corrections noted for additional aye votes. The committee also reported Senate Bill 801 favorably to the full Senate by an eight-to-one vote. Both bills were left with no further action in the meeting after the votes. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2595 by Senator Middleton and Senate Bill 2876 by Chairman Hughes, both aimed at addressing masked harassment and riot-related conduct. Supporters said the bills would deter intimidation, protect public order, and respond to recent protests and anti-Semitic incidents, while opponents from civil rights, disability, and advocacy groups argued the measures were overly broad, could chill peaceful protest, and would burden people who wear masks for religious, medical, or disability-related reasons. Public testimony was taken on both bills, and both were left pending after testimony closed. Senate Bill 2753, by Senator Hall, proposed consolidating early voting and election day into a single continuous in-person voting period with common procedures and equipment, while preserving countywide voting and mail voting. The Secretary of State’s office said the bill could improve ballot secrecy and simplify administration, though witnesses raised concerns about ballot privacy, logistics, and access for disabled voters; some county election officials were neutral or supportive of the concept, while others opposed it as confusing or potentially burdensome. The bill was left pending after extensive testimony. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2225 on allowing spirit-based ready-to-drink beverages to be sold in grocery and convenience stores, with supporters arguing the law should focus on alcohol content rather than the source of the alcohol and that the bill would modernize an outdated code. Later, Senate Bill 1540, which would add election officials and related workers to confidentiality protections, drew support from county election officials who described threats and harassment, though one witness suggested the bill’s language may need technical adjustment to better match its intent. Finally, Senate Bill 2382, concerning statewide voter registration systems and offline counties, drew opposition from county election administrators and vendors who warned about capacity, cybersecurity, and single-point-of-failure risks, while others suggested a phased approach or API-based integration; the transcript ends with testimony still open on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Laws regarding how people with disabilities are described.
• It is of utmost importance In regard to how people with disabilities are described.
• The Disability Law Center, the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council, the Arc of Massachusetts
• an act amending certain laws relative to individuals with disabilities.
• I rise in support of... ...and all who helped on this bill.

Summary: The House began with ceremonial resolutions, adopting several measures congratulating new Eagle Scouts and recognizing the town of Sturbridge on the 250th anniversary of the United States. It then took up and advanced several local bills, including the Massachusetts Consumer Data Privacy Act (S. 2619/H. 5472), a Fall River land conveyance bill, a Belmont alcohol licensing bill, a Reading senior property tax exemption bill, and a Lynnfield fund appropriation bill. The House also recessed and later returned to continue floor action. The most extensive debate centered on the data privacy bill, which supporters described as a comprehensive consumer privacy framework. Members emphasized rights to access, correct, delete, and transfer personal data; limits on data collection; enhanced protections for sensitive data; a ban on selling precise location data; restrictions on targeted advertising to minors; and enforcement focused largely on large data holders rather than small businesses. Several members spoke in favor, framing the bill as a response to surveillance capitalism and a protection for vulnerable groups, civil liberties, and small businesses. The House adopted amendments and passed the bill to be enacted by roll call vote. The House also passed a fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill after a separate constitutional vote, and enacted a bill extending Milton’s deadline to appropriate money for a high school or conservation land. Another major item was the bill authorizing municipalities to opt into a temporary summer 2026 pilot extending liquor license hours and allowing public consumption in designated districts; after debate and an amendment, it was passed to be engrossed and the House concurred with the Senate’s referral. The House additionally enacted a bill updating laws concerning individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with members praising the removal of outdated and offensive language and stressing that the measure changed terminology without altering substantive rights. The session ended with the House adopting an order to adjourn and meet again the following Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> community support program. community support program.
• </c> supports CFSS. supports CFSS.
• Both of them are for people with physical disabilities, not people with developmental disabilities such
• Both of them are for people with physical disabilities, not people with developmental disabilities such
• </c><00:21:09.919><c> services</c> already do this in disability services already do this in disability

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of our students entered unable to speak without support.
• Further testimony in support of House Bill 2933.
• Further testimony in support of House Bill 2933.
• Is there testimony in support of House Bill 2933?
• For what we should do to support our kids.

Committee: House General Laws

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm asking you to join me, please, in supporting this bill.
• This committee already supported this bill last year, and I urge you to support it again.
• Please support HB 2594.” “Thank you, Jonas.
• And we support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including helping families navigate
• We support this bill and we urge its passage.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several House education bills. HB 1796 would allow school districts, under existing debt limits and with voter-approved capital levies, to issue non-voted bonds for certain new construction projects. The sponsor and school district witnesses said it would let districts front-fund projects, speed construction, and reduce inflation-related costs; a member of the public opposed it as bypassing voters. HB 2317 would exempt school-day ECEAP and Head Start programs located in public school or community/technical college buildings from child care licensing. The sponsor and providers said the current licensing process is duplicative, delays services, and creates barriers to expanding early learning; no opposition was heard. The committee also heard HB 2594, which would codify McKinney-Vento homeless student protections in state law, require OSPI planning and reporting, and reinforce district responsibilities for students experiencing homelessness. The sponsor gave personal testimony about experiencing homelessness as a student, and advocates said the bill would improve coordination and accountability at no added cost. For HB 2557, which requires school districts to give parents a copy of special education evaluation reports by the 35th school day and hold the eligibility meeting at least five school days later, the sponsor said it would give families time to review reports; school psychologists and OSPI supported the substitute version, while some advocates asked for shorter timelines and clearer waiver language. After the hearings, the committee moved to executive session and advanced two bills: Substitute HB 2360, allowing schools to maintain and use stock albuterol under specified conditions, and Engrossed Substitute HB 2534, updating requirements for military families’ enrollment, records transfer, and related services. Both bills received due pass recommendations and were sent to Rules, with no recorded opposition in the executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> page there pupil with a disabling page there pupil with a disabling condition<00:23:10.720><c> means
• </c> hearing impaired intellectual disability hearing impaired intellectual disability multiple<00:23
• :24.640><c> disabilities</c><00:23:25.360><c> orthopedic</c> multiple disabilities orthopedic multiple
• ,</c> impaired, specific learning disability, impaired, specific learning disability, speech<00:23:34.400
• So it's a learning disability disability disability &gt;&gt; and<00:37:06.560><c> it's</c><00:37:06.960

Summary: The commission to study the cost of special education met, confirmed a quorum, introduced members and guests, and approved the minutes from the October 29 meeting. Members noted the commission’s mandate under Senate Bill 57 and emphasized the need to focus on recommendations and findings by July 1, 2026. The chair also distributed additional handouts, including materials related to the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program and administrative rules tied to differentiated aid and disability determinations. The main discussion centered on how students qualify for differentiated aid under the EFA program. Matt Sutherton of the Children’s Scholarship Fund explained that the organization, which contracts with the state to administer EFAs, accepts either school-district/IEP documentation or a medical certification of disability (MCD) from a licensed medical professional. Members questioned how this process relates to the state’s special education rules and whether the school-district examiner standards in ED 107/1107.04 apply to EFAs. Sutherton said the MCD form, created with the department, requires the medical professional to sign that they are qualified to make the determination and to identify the disability. Several members expressed concern that the EFA process is less rigorous than the school-district IEP process and may be inflating disability counts. One member argued that the administrative rules cited are primarily for school districts, not EFAs, and said the Department of Education may not know how many of the roughly 890 EFA students receiving differentiated aid came through school-district documentation versus the MCD pathway. Another member said the EFA system appears more generous than the school system and raised concerns about oversight, auditing, and whether the program’s data are accurate. Sutherton said the organization reviews signed documentation, credentials, and diagnosis information, and may request additional records to help adjudicate expenses. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the prior minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> disability rights commission community. disability rights commission community.
• And so we are in support.
• During my life, I've had the opportunity to support hundreds of people with disabilities all throughout
• opportunity to support hundreds of people<02:18:25.920><c> with</c><02:18:26.160><c> disabilities</c
• in the state of New Hampshire that support people with developmental disabilities and acquired brain

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• There's an enthusiastic support for expanding passenger rail.
• We support this bill. Thank you for your consideration. Thank you for your consideration.
• Solutionary Rail supports House Bill 2092.
• Solutionary Rail supports House Bill 2092.
• , families, and businesses to provide support for employment.

Bills: HB1823 , HB2092 , HB2111 , HB2114

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: transportation improvement board, TIB, transportation improvement account, motor vehicle fund, arterial streets, local match, private match, grant funding, transportation grants, county roads, city streets, transportation benefit district, urban county, small city program, active transportation, pedestrian, bicycle, bike routes, transit, public transit

Transcript Highlights:

• Permanent supportive housing. Okay.
• Housing and Fargo Housing Authority for their permanent supportive housing vouchers to provide the support
• , transportation supports, employment supports, and health and medical supports.
• And then disabling conditions...
• Without ongoing support.

Committee: Joint Human Services

Summary: The Human Services Committee met in interim session and first approved the previous meeting minutes before receiving a series of presentations on homelessness and housing stability. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency updated members on the new Interagency Council on Homelessness, describing its executive-order mandate to review resources, gather input from stakeholders, identify gaps, and develop recommendations. She said the council’s first work is building a statewide program matrix of existing homeless services and funding sources, with attention to youth, tribal communities, and other vulnerable populations. Members raised concerns about youth homelessness, homeless veterans, and how the council will stay focused on a practical framework rather than getting lost in details. The committee also discussed possible connections to the rural health transformation grant and agreed to continue the topic later in the spring. Beth Olson of Presentation Partners in Housing described the organization’s housing-first model in Cass County and Clay County, including homeless prevention/diversion, housing navigation, and Cooper House, a 42-unit permanent supportive housing building in Fargo. She said the organization focuses on people with long-term and chronic homelessness, many with mental health, addiction, health, domestic violence, and Indigenous identity-related barriers, and reported strong outcomes: 85 of 86 people housed in 2025, 91% still housed after one year, and major reductions in emergency room use, ambulance rides, jail stays, detox days, and shelter use. She also explained that state funding has grown from a small share of the budget to about $1.1 million in state-connected funding for fiscal 2026, largely through contracts tied to supportive services. Members asked about vouchers, rent contributions at Cooper House, length of stay, and whether similar projects could be expanded elsewhere. Andrea Olson of the Community Action Partnership of North Dakota outlined statewide homeless and housing-related services delivered through six community action agencies in all 53 counties. She explained the Community Services Block Grant structure, said housing was identified as the top need in the most recent statewide needs assessment, and described programs including Supportive Services for Veteran Families, North Dakota Homeless Grant services, and Home ARP supportive services. She emphasized that the end of North Dakota Rent Help has increased pressure on the system, that the current $2 million annual homeless grant is far smaller than prior rent-help assistance, and that community action is using case management and financial assistance to move households toward self-sufficiency. Members asked about funding formulas, rural service delivery, and coordination with Presentation Partners to avoid duplication. YouthWorks then began a presentation on youth homelessness, describing services for ages 12 to 24, the special needs of youth and former foster youth, and the organization’s use of federal and state funds to support transitional housing, emergency shelter, maternity housing, and diversion services.

Transcript Highlights:

• We support the clarity provided by the bill. Thank you.
• , rather than only to veterans with a permanent service-connected disability rated as 100% disabling,
• The revenue we receive goes directly back into supporting our parks, and we have over 30 parks to support
• The revenue we receive goes directly back into supporting our parks, and we have over 30 parks to support
• He was disabled in the Korean War as an Army paratrooper.

Committee: House House Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee opened with a lengthy chair’s statement about Department of Child Safety oversight, saying prior hearings had revealed systemic failures in communication, child placement oversight, response times, transparency, and accountability. The chair said the committee would continue pursuing reforms through legislation and ongoing reporting requirements. Members then discussed allegations involving child trafficking in congregate care settings and the need for separate legal representation for children who are victims of crimes, with one member saying the state and AG’s office were aware of trafficking issues and that outside representation was necessary. The committee then heard and voted on several bills. SB 1141, dealing with presidential electors if a candidate dies, withdraws, or becomes incapacitated before the Electoral College meets, received support from the sponsor and outside groups and passed 4-3. SB 1186, requiring disclosure of certain things of value by companies seeking government contracts or grants, also passed. SB 1808, concerning display of certain flags in HOA and planned community settings, passed after the sponsor said it was intended to protect the ability to fly the Israeli flag. SB 1050, providing a lifetime state parks pass for certain veterans, passed after adoption of an amendment expanding eligibility to some disabled veterans; Arizona State Parks testified neutral but warned of revenue impacts, while members debated the fiscal note and support for veterans. The committee also passed SB 1140, which creates a misdemeanor expungement process for certain people, including trafficking survivors, after testimony from anti-trafficking advocates and service providers who said it would help survivors rebuild their lives while excluding serious offenses. SB 1437, requiring public records to be provided in the least expensive electronic form when possible, passed over opposition from some local government groups. SB 1246, raising the delinquency threshold before a condominium lien foreclosure can occur, passed unanimously. SB 1664, lowering signature requirements for constable candidates in large counties, passed unanimously. Finally, SB 1338, making certain noncitizens ineligible for state or local public benefits, passed 4-3. The meeting ended with members offering farewells and thanks to one another and staff, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities.
• The group recommended creating a seven-hour upper limit for meal prep support.
• a disabled adult.
• Does not require us to cover sits in long-term services and supports.
• Is that we're able to support families.

Summary: The subcommittee opened with roll call and approved the November 2025 minutes. Commissioner Charlie Carr then introduced Leslie Darcy, chief of LTSS at MassHealth, who provided an update on the PCA working group and on federal and state budget pressures affecting MassHealth and long-term services and supports. Darcy said the PCA working group had completed its work and submitted recommendations, including reinstating the 66-hour overtime cap, strengthening program integrity, and ending paid paperwork time for EVV users; she said those changes were implemented on 11/26 and were expected to save $7.4 million. She also described additional consensus recommendations to lower the overtime cap from 66 to 60 hours, create a seven-hour weekly meal-prep support limit, and continue exploring benchmarks, though the group could not reach consensus on a benchmark standard. Darcy warned that a federal bill enacted about six months earlier would significantly affect MassHealth, with an estimated $3.5 billion loss to the Commonwealth by 2028. She outlined upcoming changes including revised immigrant eligibility rules in October 2026, work requirements for certain non-disabled adults beginning in January 2027, six-month redeterminations for some adults, and shorter retroactive coverage periods. In response to questions, she said people with disabilities and Medicare beneficiaries would be exempt from the work and six-month redetermination requirements. She also explained that reduced federal ACA subsidies were being offset in Massachusetts by state spending, including $250 million in additional state support to keep premiums lower for middle-income families. Members raised concerns about community hospitals, the health safety net, and the impact of federal funding changes on provider rates and uncompensated care. Darcy said restrictions on provider taxes would limit MassHealth’s ability to use those revenues to support rates, and she noted a current $300 million shortfall in the health safety net. She said FY27 would likely include a rate freeze, targeted reductions, one-time budget measures, and further work groups to examine programs such as adult foster care, which she said had grown 40% in two years. Carr emphasized that the situation was serious but potentially fluid, and the meeting ended with no further business; the subcommittee agreed to adjourn before the next meeting and noted an upcoming February presentation from the Department of Public Health.

Transcript Highlights:

• We encourage your support, thanks. Thank you.
• We encourage your support, thanks. Thank you.
• The Public Education Department supports House Bill 120.
• And I stand in support of HB 120.
• How about supporters? Is there an organized support presentation at all? Did you all sign in to...

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 120, which would revise New Mexico law on restraint and seclusion in public schools. The sponsor and supporters said the bill grew out of a year-long stakeholder working group and would clearly define terms such as chemical, mechanical, prone restraint, seclusion, timeout, de-escalation, and elopement; prohibit chemical, mechanical, and prone restraint; require continuous supervision during seclusion; update school safety plans and staff training; and improve reporting to parents and the state. Testimony from disability advocates, the Public Education Department, educators, and parents emphasized that students with disabilities are disproportionately affected, that clearer rules would help staff act safely, and that better reporting and de-escalation practices would reduce trauma. Committee members asked about the meaning of timeout, chemical restraint, data accuracy, and the juvenile detention facility exception, and the sponsor indicated an amendment on parent-notification timing would not be pursued to avoid delay. The committee then began House Bill 213, which would expand the Optometry Act to allow trained optometrists to perform certain laser procedures, including treatment for capsular clouding and glaucoma-related procedures. The sponsor said the bill adds training, certification, supervised live-procedure requirements, adverse-outcome reporting, and an Optometry Board member qualified to perform the procedures. Supporters argued the measure would improve access to care, especially in rural areas, and that the procedures are already performed safely in other states. Opponents, including ophthalmologists and the New Mexico Medical Board, argued the bill would move surgery outside the Medical Practice Act, lower the standard of care, and create regulatory and malpractice-accountability concerns because optometrists would not be subject to the same oversight and emergency-care authority as physicians. The committee did not reach a final vote on HB 213 before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:01.919><c> the</c> the program supporters like the the program supporters like the Minnesota
• And homes and to disability services.
• As of now, the human disabilities.
• ><c> this</c> legislation you've supported this legislation you've supported this session<00:15:17.839
• Um, so we know support that program.

Transcript Highlights:

• support services.
• They have support groups.
• On page 250 is gambling addiction support.
• providers because I'm imagining with the, you know, I'm a big supporter of recovery support providers
• disabilities to help them live as independently Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the behavior [clears throat] support the behavior [clears throat] support plan.<00:02:51.920><c>
• </c> disegregation by race and disability. disegregation by race and disability.
• would become part of a teacher in training for every teacher supporting students with disabilities.
• would become part of a teacher in training for every teacher supporting students with disabilities.
• We just want to support educators.

Transcript Highlights:

• With enforcement, anyone with a disability that requires a mobility support device can guarantee that
• :08:25.440><c> a</c><00:08:25.680><c> mobility</c> disability that requires a mobility disability that
• </c><00:08:28.000><c> that</c> support device can guarantee that support device can guarantee that they'll
• </c> the stop, and disabled users can board. the stop, and disabled users can board.
• </c> work and I won't be supporting it today. work and I won't be supporting it today.

Transcript Highlights:

• People with disabilities, particularly those with invisible disabilities like PTSD, are more likely to
• People with disabilities, particularly those with invisible disabilities like PTSD, are more likely to
• </c> perfect, I'm still going to support it. perfect, I'm still going to support it.
• So I'd urge support.
• So I'd urge support.