Transcript Highlights:

• So, the Family Law Foundation supports this bill. Thank you.
• House Bill 2159 empowers them and eases the strain on families and support systems.
• I respectfully ask you to support HB 2159 so we can help young families stay strong and healthy.
• We are so thankful to Chair Dutton, who has many measures designed to support Texas families.
• There's no teeth to the FBSS case, family-based safety services. There's no consequence.

Bills: HCR 16, HB 782, HB 2159, HB 2288, HB 3281, HB 3819, HB 4656, HB 4696, HB 5494

Keywords: fatherhood, family support, fatherlessness, community engagement, youth development, social policy, male role models, child development, policy reform, role models, mental health, parenting, single-parent homes, welfare reform, economic opportunity, mentorship, community initiatives, children, welfare programs, education

Bills: HB 148, HB 334, HB 554, HB 762, HB 1520, HB 1593, HB 3526, HB 3810, HB 5092, SB 2215, HB 2607

Keywords: family leave, leave pool, county employee, sick leave, vacation leave, family care, pandemic, guardianship, severance pay, political subdivision, contract termination, misconduct, public funds, suicide prevention, peer support, fire departments, mental health, advisory committee, fiscal transparency, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• received through the Indian Health Service.
• expanding access to tribal traditional healing services.
• We also support the effort to reclassify both contract support costs for the tribal 105 L.E.E.S. program
• Enhance access to quality health services.
• systems. services, and I put this to when I was born in Alaska and went to the Indian Health Services

Keywords: tribal sovereignty, healthcare, education, public safety, Economic Development, Tax Parity Act, PROTECT Act, trust obligations, bipartisan support, Indian Health Services

Summary: The committee meeting focused on crucial issues facing tribal nations, particularly emphasizing the federal government's trust and treaty obligations. The discussions highlighted ongoing challenges such as disparities in healthcare, education, and public safety within Native communities. Chair Murkowski underscored the importance of listening to Native leaders and aligning congressional efforts with community needs, advocating for legislative actions that support tribal sovereignty and economic development. Various initiatives, including the Tax Parity Act and the PROTECT Act, aimed at addressing jurisdictional and financial disparities, were discussed in detail. A call for bipartisan support to alleviate the funding shortages affecting Indian Health Services was made several times during the meeting. Testimonies from tribal leaders and representatives emphasized the dire need for legislative support to enhance infrastructure, healthcare access, and public safety initiatives in tribal communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was sold off; the family, the Bender family, had it.
• and Support programs.
• We ask for your support of House Bill 2894, which will bolster our ability to supply the level of services
• Service members want to move off base.
• So please join me in supporting HB2892.

Bills: HB511, HB972, HB 1035, HB2481, HB2723, HB2742, HB2894, HB2962, HB3077, HB3093, HB3307, HB3684, HJR67, HJR72

Keywords: ad valorem taxation, caregiver exemption, Medicaid, long-term services, tax relief, assisted living, housing support, property tax exemption, caregiver support, residence homestead, tax exemption, unpaid caregiver, state tax code, property tax, caregiver, waiting list, intellectual disability, developmental disability, ad valorem tax, family support

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve as the division chief for legal services in our child support division.
• in cases with the Department of Family and Protective Services.
• You know, I think the Department of Family and Protective Services has to have two answers, right?
• So, I serve on the Human Services Committee and have spent a lot of time focused on supporting kinship
• Kinship families only receive about half the monetary support we provide to foster families, yet they

Bills: HB557, HB732, HB1892, HB1954, HB2301, HB3180, HB3405, HB3650, HB3758, HB4035, HB4621, HB4795, HB4870, HB5069, HB5137, HB5149

Keywords: child support, arrears, court enforcement, contempt, legal protections, healthcare, insurance, cost reduction, accessibility, regulations, impotency, marriage annulment, Family Code, Texas law, family law, Texas legislation, dissolution of marriage, annulment, marriage, child custody

Transcript Highlights:

• living services, which support clients living in their own home with up to three roommates.
• supports for a youth who has entered shelter services and the youth's family, focused on resolving family
• supports for a youth who has entered shelter services and the youth's family focused on resolving family
• It expands eligibility for community support team assistance to youth seeking a shelter service.
• I have lived experience and provide family-to-family services across Washington State.

Bills: SB5957, SB5977

Keywords: homeless youth, youth homelessness, runaway youth, young adult homelessness, housing instability, family reunification, family stability, youth services, homelessness prevention, protective services, Department of Commerce, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, DCYF, advisory committee, lived experience, data sharing, outcome measures, interagency coordination, service providers, at-risk youth

Transcript Highlights:

• child ombudsman, to provide for the duties and responsibilities of the Department of Children and Family
• Services, to provide for exceptions to public meetings, to provide for confidentiality, to provide for
• It recreates the Department of Children and Families. This amendment set contains four amendments.
• It recreates the Department of Children and Family Services and provides the necessary technical changes

Bills: SB237

Keywords: child welfare, Department of Children and Family Services, mandatory reporting, abuse prevention, investigative teams, child ombudsman, forensic interviews, confidentiality, 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Stephanie Muth, Commissioner at the Department of Family and Protective Services.
• Jennifer Sims, Deputy Commissioner at the Department of Family and Protective Services.
• Communities can support these families, because every time a kid goes in and is living with kin, that
• All your work you do to support kinship families, and we support this bill and hope we can get a vote
• Senate Bill 1524 prohibits Health and Human Services, the Department of Family and Protective Services

Bills: SB397, SB481, SB596, SB760, SB855, SB1195, SB1196, SB1233, SB1257, SB1318, SB1368, SB1388, SB1398, SB1524, SB1558, SB1589, SB1677, SB1792, SB2034

Keywords: SB 397, telemedicine, telehealth, teledentistry, remote care, virtual care, consent documentation, patient consent, data collection, data sharing, audio-only telehealth, in-person examination, irreversible medical procedure, health professional regulation, Occupations Code, Texas Health and Human Services, medical records, provider compliance, data privacy, consumer rights

Transcript Highlights:

• Our Texas families that are in need of these services and support deserve respectful and evidence-based
• , and supports Texas families.
• Family Support Services Division at HHSC to improve and assist with access to our family support programs
• a permanent plan for family-based safety services.
• , or the family preservation services cases.

Bills: SB397, SB481, SB596, SB760, SB855, SB1195, SB1196, SB1233, SB1257, SB1318, SB1368, SB1388, SB1398, SB1524, SB1558, SB1589, SB1677, SB1792, SB2034

Keywords: SB 397, telemedicine, telehealth, teledentistry, remote care, virtual care, consent documentation, patient consent, data collection, data sharing, audio-only telehealth, in-person examination, irreversible medical procedure, health professional regulation, Occupations Code, Texas Health and Human Services, medical records, provider compliance, data privacy, consumer rights

Transcript Highlights:

• We strongly support this bill.
• And so we urge your support.
• We can create meaningful change to support their educational attainment and families' future economic
• We can create meaningful change to support their educational attainment and families' future economic
• Creating effective policies to support families is challenging when the data is unavailable, incomplete

Bills: SB234, SB210, SB243, SB244, SM16, HB8

Keywords: foster children, school transportation, education funding, public education, child welfare, New Mexico Highlands University, soccer field, women's sports, infrastructure improvement, funding allocation, student athletes, appropriation, New Mexico State University, nutrition, travel support, funding, education, university support, financial assistance, parenting students

Transcript Highlights:

• It supports teachers with meaningful professional learning, and it strengthens the systems that support
• The focus has been galvanized across the state with legislative support, governor support, and all of
• All of us work together to support.
• And I support what's in the bill.
• And I support what's in the bill.

Bills: SB234, SB210, SB243, SB244, SM16, HB8

Keywords: foster children, school transportation, education funding, public education, child welfare, New Mexico Highlands University, soccer field, women's sports, infrastructure improvement, funding allocation, student athletes, appropriation, New Mexico State University, nutrition, travel support, funding, education, university support, financial assistance, parenting students

Transcript Highlights:

• First, we'll go out to the audience here with us, those in support.
• We strongly support this bill.
• Okay, so there were four or five in support, no one in opposition.
• We can create meaningful change to support their educational attainment and families' future economic
• Creating effective policies to support families is challenging when the data is unavailable, incomplete

Bills: SB234, SB210, SB243, SB244, SM16, HB8

Keywords: foster children, school transportation, education funding, public education, child welfare, New Mexico Highlands University, soccer field, women's sports, infrastructure improvement, funding allocation, student athletes, appropriation, New Mexico State University, nutrition, travel support, funding, education, university support, financial assistance, parenting students

Summary: The Senate Education Committee began by announcing that SB 210 would be rolled over to Friday and would not be heard. The committee then returned to SB 234, which would provide foster child school transportation funding statewide rather than only for Albuquerque Public Schools. Members adopted an amendment striking the APS-only language and making the bill statewide after testimony from the sponsor, PED, and others that foster youth transportation is a growing issue and should have its own funding stream. The committee discussed how the money might be distributed and whether the $1.2 million appropriation would be sufficient, then voted do pass on SB 234 as amended. The committee next heard HB 8, which creates a Higher Education Major Projects Fund for large capital projects that are difficult to fund through existing capital outlay processes. Testimony from the sponsor, LFC, HED, and university representatives explained that the bill would support projects such as the UNM School of Medicine, an NMSU multidisciplinary building, student housing, student life projects, and certain Division I athletic facilities, while requiring design readiness, institutional matches, and legislative oversight. Several senators raised concerns about the clarity of the prioritization process, the Division I-only athletics language, the recurring nature of future funding, and the relationship to other capital funding streams, but the committee ultimately voted do pass on HB 8. The committee then considered SB 243 and SB 244, nearly identical bills for UNM and NMSU that would each appropriate $5 million for student health, student support, nutrition, travel, scholarships, and other athletic department needs. Athletic directors testified that conference realignment, higher travel costs, nutrition demands, and new revenue-sharing/NIL obligations have increased expenses, and sponsors said the bills were intended as one-time appropriations. Some senators questioned whether the requests should be recurring or funded through university revenue rather than the state, but both bills received do pass recommendations. Finally, the committee heard SM 16, as amended, which asks HED to convene a task force to study parenting students in higher education and recommend ways to collect data and improve support. Supporters said better data is needed to understand barriers such as child care and transportation, and the memorial passed with a do pass recommendation. The committee then adjourned until Friday morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to support Senate Bill... responsibly responsive and to support biliteracy.
• Thank you for your support.
• I'm going to support this bill. But Mr. Treasurer... Okay. I'm going to support this bill. But Mr.
• All of us work together to support.
• And I support what's in the bill.

Bills: SB234, SB210, SB243, SB244, SM16, HB8

Keywords: foster children, school transportation, education funding, public education, child welfare, New Mexico Highlands University, soccer field, women's sports, infrastructure improvement, funding allocation, student athletes, appropriation, New Mexico State University, nutrition, travel support, funding, education, university support, financial assistance, parenting students

Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 37, the High-Quality Literacy Instruction Act, which would strengthen reading instruction and educator preparation around the science of reading. The sponsor and supporters said the bill requires evidence-based, culturally and linguistically responsive literacy instruction, including support for English learners and students in bilingual and dual-language programs, use of approved high-quality instructional materials for K-3 reading and interventions, a K-3 reading assessment, literacy coaches, and parent progress reports. An amendment package was adopted to clarify biliteracy language, broaden references to bilingual/dual-language and Indigenous language settings, remove awkward phrasing, and adjust reporting requirements from monthly to four times per school year. The committee then moved forward with the amended bill. Public testimony was largely supportive. Students, educators, school leaders, advocacy groups, and tribal representatives said structured literacy has improved reading outcomes and can help struggling readers, including students with dyslexia and multilingual learners. Several speakers emphasized that the amended bill better protects bilingual, dual-language, and Native language programs, and some noted the importance of parent communication and early intervention. Supporters also cited recent literacy gains in New Mexico and said the bill aligns teacher preparation, materials, assessment, and coaching. Opposition focused mainly on concerns that the bill could still privilege English over Indigenous languages, that high-quality materials requirements may be too restrictive or costly for districts, and that testing and reporting could add workload. Tribal speakers from Acoma and Taos said they could not support the bill without further changes to explicitly protect Native language revitalization. Other opponents raised concerns about funding for materials and coaches, the burden on teachers, and whether the assessment and HQIM requirements would be flexible enough for local needs. In committee discussion, the sponsor and PED said existing funds and staff could support implementation, that the assessment would be formative and teacher-focused, and that the bill was intended to complement, not replace, Native and bilingual education programs.

Bills: HB109, HB136, HB 109, HB136, HB694, HB 1201, HB1716, HB2071, HB2216, HB2358, HB2807, HB2886, HCR78

Keywords: taxation, ballot propositions, public funding, voter information, transparency, training, public officials, candidates, requirements, political education, mental health, inpatient psychiatric facility, juvenile treatment, residential treatment facility, emotionally disturbed juveniles, Department of State Health Services, Health and Human Services Commission, state grant, facility construction, facility expansion

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee on Human Services will come to order. The clerk will call the roll. Chair hole.
• quote, state officials expected the cards to help deter fraud, but federal regulations allow for any family
• or a person with disabilities, and I am tasked with their shopping as part of personal attendance services
• School Health and Related Services, better known as SHARRS, is a federally funded program that provides
• For delivering direct medical services to Medicaid eligible special education students in the school

Bills: SB 596, SB 961, SB 1398, SB 1183, SB 1952

Keywords: DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child protective services, foster care, child welfare, Family Code, conservatorship, managing conservator, parental child safety placement, authorization agreement, temporary authorization order, child abuse, child neglect, placement reporting, court-ordered removal, investigation, family preservation, transparency, public reporting, data reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• , family resource centers, navigation services, and we also do foster care adoption and residential services
• family preservation department that works to support families before they ever encounter the child welfare
• In addition to placement and case management services, TFI also provides family preservation services
• And then we do bed shares with them and the family so that the family is getting support.
• The bill expands community-based care to include family preservation services, adoption support, and

Bills: SB596, SB961, SB1398, SB1183, SB1952

Keywords: DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child protective services, foster care, child welfare, Family Code, conservatorship, managing conservator, parental child safety placement, authorization agreement, temporary authorization order, child abuse, child neglect, placement reporting, court-ordered removal, investigation, family preservation, transparency, public reporting, data reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Human Services will come to order. The clerk will call the roll. Chair Hull. Here.
• "State officials expected the cards to... help deter fraud, but federal regulations allow for any family
• Members, School Health and Related Services, better known as SHARS, is a federally funded... program
• A 2017 federal audit report revealed that Texas... were improperly billing for services not permitted
• Texas Health and Human Services Commission work to ensure compliance with federal guidelines.

Bills: SB596, SB961, SB1398, SB1183, SB1952

Keywords: DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child protective services, foster care, child welfare, Family Code, conservatorship, managing conservator, parental child safety placement, authorization agreement, temporary authorization order, child abuse, child neglect, placement reporting, court-ordered removal, investigation, family preservation, transparency, public reporting, data reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• So I ask for your support. Thank you. ...bill last week.
• I'd encourage support. Thank you. Are there further remarks? ...encourage support. Thank you.
• So I respectfully ask for your support. Thank you.
• I urge support for this amendment.
• I urge support for this amendment.

Bills: HB2007, HB2360, HB2369, HB2432, HB2440, HB2534, HB2557

Keywords: competency-based assessment, graduation requirements, education reform, student opportunity, pathway options, albuterol, asthma, inhaler, rescue inhaler, respiratory emergency, school nurse, student medication, self-administration, anaphylaxis, public schools, private schools, charter schools, tribal compact schools, K-12 health, medication policy

Bills: HB 35, HB 138, HB 754, HB 1314, HB 1612, HB 2254, HB 2510, HB 2789, HB 3560, HB 3597, HB 4224, HB 4273, HB 4643, HB 4783

Keywords: peer support, first responders, mental health, confidentiality, emergency services, health impact analysis, cost analysis, coverage mandates, health insurance, legislative analysis, health care data, healthcare, price estimates, billing requirements, consumer protection, nonemergency services, assisted living, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to executive session and our Early Learning and Human Services Committee today.
• House Bill 2230, streamlining monitoring and oversight activities relating to community residential service
• House Bill 2230 streamlines monitoring and oversight activities relating to community residential service
• And one more bill, House Bill 2429, supporting children and youth behavioral health.
• I just want to support that through there to work this through all the way, so thank you.

Bills: HB2230, HB2364, HB2389, HB2429

Keywords: community oversight, residential services, regulation, service providers, monitoring, poverty, task force, legislative, executive, social programs, juvenile justice, youth sentencing, juvenile rehabilitation, DCYF, Department of Children Youth and Families, community supervision, community transition services, suspended disposition, less restrictive alternative, sentencing grid