Transcript Highlights:

• and also with Senator Barrow.
• Speaker Pro Tem, the President Pro Tem, and the chair of House Health and Welfare and Senate Health
• and Welfare to be notified.
• And thank you for your work and for what you do. And it is appreciated.
• And we are a team, and we are working with you and not against you. I hope that you know that.

Bills: SB237

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

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on April 20 and took up Senate Bill 237 by Senator Barrow, a child welfare measure addressing the duties of the state child ombudsman, DCFS, public reporting, confidentiality, critical incident reviews, multidisciplinary investigative teams, forensic interviews, mandatory reporter training, and related child abuse and neglect procedures. Before discussion, the committee reconsidered and withdrew a previously adopted amendment set, then heard the bill re-read and reviewed a new amendment package developed through meetings among Senator Barrow, Representatives Spell and Berault, DCFS, and the ombudsman’s office. Members described the revised bill as narrowing and clarifying several provisions: reducing the number of law enforcement liaisons, limiting death/near-fatality notifications to legislative leadership and committee chairs with later notice to affected district members if substantiated, adjusting medical review language, and adding quality-improvement and training components. Other changes included keeping school-related reports routed to law enforcement, changing some mandatory language to discretionary language for certain child-on-child sexual abuse situations, aligning multidisciplinary team procedures with existing interagency protocols, and making technical revisions to reduce burden and likely lower the fiscal note. The committee also adopted a separate amendment to include recreation language for the Department of Children and Family Services. Senator Barrow and several representatives emphasized that the goal was to improve child protection and review processes while making the bill workable for DCFS and other agencies. They noted the importance of outside review, ombudsman access to records, and using review findings to drive implementation changes. After no objections, the committee adopted the amendment sets and reported Senate Bill 237 favorably with amendments. The meeting then adjourned.

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• But the program is and has been up and running, even before the promulgation of the rules.
• And that small staff coordinates and monitors homelessness funding and programs across eight parishes
• So my amendment in concept is to exclude birth control and to prevent... ...birth control and the prevention
• And so for pregnancy prevention, STD prevention, and thank you for that amendment, and, you know, to
• And so for pregnancy prevention, STD prevention, and thank you for that amendment, and, you know, to

Bills: SB237

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

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 20, 2026, with eight members present and approved the May 13 minutes. The committee quickly reported several bills favorably, including SB 1224, which requires DCFS review when a pregnancy involves a child under 17 and makes children under 12 a child in need of care; SB 1100, which repeals an old statute on unenriched bread; HB 1220, a continuation of prior work to codify certain provisions related to the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners; HB 1231, clarifying that continuous glucose monitoring is covered through Medicaid for any insulin-dependent diabetic, including gestational diabetes; and HB 198, setting reimbursement rates for ambulatory surgery centers for certain Medicaid procedures. The committee also adopted a personal privilege welcome for physicians on White Coat Day and repeatedly noted that several bills were being advanced with the understanding that further work might continue before floor debate. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 1160, which would create a streamlined restricted license pathway for qualified international medical school graduates, especially for rural and shortage areas. Committee members pressed the Board of Medical Examiners about delays in promulgating rules under an earlier 2024 law and objected to rule language they said went beyond the statute. Board representatives acknowledged a misunderstanding about the original bill’s intent and said the program had been operating, but members warned against agencies writing rules that contradict enacted law. Despite the criticism, HB 1160 was reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably HCR 67, which creates a task force to study gaps in acute care for special-needs adults and children, following emotional testimony from the sponsor about her son’s death and the lack of appropriate care options. The committee then approved HCR 27, calling for a coordinated statewide evaluation of autism services by the Department of Health and Department of Education, with testimony emphasizing rising diagnosis rates, rural provider shortages, and the need for better data and coordination between medical and school-based services. HCR 28, which would study school nurse orientation and training, was also reported favorably after school nurses described the lack of standardized onboarding for new graduates and the risks of placing them alone in schools without adequate supervision. HB 469, which would have allowed pharmacy license renewal fees to be directed to Xavier University’s pharmacy school as well as public schools, was deferred after concerns about diverting funds from public institutions and the absence of testimony from affected schools. The committee also took up HB 223, which recreates DCFS, and adopted an amendment shortening the sunset date and requiring law enforcement reports to be accepted through a secure web-based platform; the bill was then reported favorably as amended. Another major discussion centered on HB 457 and HB 616, both tied to homelessness. HB 457, establishing minimum standards for shelters and related facilities, was reported favorably as amended after sponsor testimony and support cards. HB 616, which would allow the legislative auditor and local officials access to records and databases for audits of homelessness initiatives, drew extensive debate over privacy, federal funding, and accountability. Supporters cited a 2025 audit showing more than $216 million in federal homelessness spending in New Orleans and argued that auditors need access to performance data to detect waste and abuse; opponents warned about client privacy and the impact of funding cutoffs. The committee adopted an amendment changing permissive language to mandatory language for enforcement and then continued hearing testimony, with the discussion still centered on balancing oversight with confidentiality.

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• and contributions they have made to preserve the freedoms and way of life we hold dear, and whereas
• By day, she works as a writer and a strategist, and by night, she returns to poetry and personal reflection
• and Gynecologists and a member of the Oklahoma State Medical Association.
• guidance and care.
• Speaker, members, this is our yearly recognition of April being National Child Abuse awareness and prevention

Bills: HR1037, HR1043, SB1491, SB1451, SB1286, SB1581, SB1521, SB201, SB1290, SB169, SB1377, SB1991, SB1346, SB1509, SB1928, SB2028, SB2071, SB2110, SB2117, SB2127, SB2134, SB722, SB3

Keywords: National Poetry Month, poetry, education, cultural celebration, arts and humanities, child abuse, prevention, community support, family safety, child welfare, presidential electors, vacancies, oath of office, political party, elections, voter registration, election integrity, Secretary of State, cancellation of registration, gender neutrality

Transcript Highlights:

• Reassignments of bills and resolutions. Bills and resolutions.
• and contributions they have made to preserve the freedoms and way of life we hold dear, and whereas
• By day, she works as a writer and a strategist, and by night she returns to poetry and personal reflection
• And this spoke to me, and I hope it speaks to you.
• Members, this is our yearly recognition of April being National Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention

Bills: HR1037, HR1043, SB1491, SB1451, SB1286, SB1581, SB1521, SB201, SB1290, SB169, SB1377, SB1991, SB1346, SB1509, SB1928, SB2028, SB2071, SB2110, SB2117, SB2127, SB2134, SB722, SB3

Keywords: National Poetry Month, poetry, education, cultural celebration, arts and humanities, child abuse, prevention, community support, family safety, child welfare, presidential electors, vacancies, oath of office, political party, elections, voter registration, election integrity, Secretary of State, cancellation of registration, gender neutrality

Summary: The House convened, completed the roll call, prayer, pledge, and a series of ceremonial recognitions and introductions. Chaplain Ronnie Wilson delivered the invocation, and the chamber honored Veteran of the Week Bobby Joe Floyd for his Army service and decades in Oklahoma law enforcement. Members also recognized a visiting youth performer, Nova Williams, and adopted House Resolution 1037 recognizing April as National Poetry Month and House Resolution 1043 recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month. The House also featured several special presentations tied to Caregivers Day, including introductions of Dr. Mukesh Perrek as Doctor of the Day, Dr. Colby Kipp as Psychologist of the Day, and Cynthia Cothram as Nurse of the Day. Additional guests from Stillwater Medical Center and Share Medical Center were welcomed, and Representative West presented Metropolitan Library System poet laureate Hallie Waugh, reading one of her poems in honor of Poetry Month. Representative Hill then recognized the week’s pages, highlighting students from across Oklahoma and their academic and extracurricular achievements. In floor action, Representative Schreiber moved to request further conference on House Bill 1851, and the motion was adopted without objection. The House also reassigned measures according to the Majority Floor Leader’s list. After announcements, Representative Kennedy hosted a special presentation for the Oklahoma Rifle Association and NRA-related guests, and the House adjourned until Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.

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• for the administration of certain savings, including ABLE, START, and START K-12 programs, and provides
• Early voting provides more opportunities and days for people to vote.
• And when we have a precinct where everyone, or a majority of them, early vote, and there's only a handful
• And looking forward to this program, actually, it's something awesome, and it's going to be great.
• It creates a second-tier system, and the... ...saying, 'Hey, wait, there's a Bayou Gold program.

Bills: HB12, HB42, HB205, HB222, HB324, HB325, HB350, HB416, HB482, HB610, HB749, HB797, HB807, HB821, HB979, HB992, HB1193

Keywords: survivor benefits, law enforcement, reserve officer, auxiliary officer, public safety, phased retirement, Teachers Retirement System, faculty retention, administrative fees, public postsecondary education, Medicaid, dental coverage, healthcare access, medical necessity, Louisiana Department of Health, judicial salaries, judges, judiciary compensation, cost of living adjustment, COLA

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• And with that, I would... ...tuition program.
• the loan repayment program. ...the state and the loan repayment program.
• And basically, what we're asking is that the science and teacher education program require the commission
• to develop accountability and an evaluation program for these students that are receiving these loans
• is very good in trying to get more people through that program and get them out there.

Bills: SB213, HB24, HB163, HB226, HB271, HB288, HB319, HB24

Keywords: utility tax, poultry industry, energy consumption, agricultural exemption, tax exemption, HB24, Volunteer Rescue Squad Tuition Reimbursement Program, EMS, emergency medical services, EMSP, paramedic training, EMT training, tuition reimbursement, scholarship, workforce development, volunteer rescue squad, volunteer fire department, ambulance service, nonprofit ambulance, Alabama Department of Public Health

Bills: SB 250, SB 375, SB 536, SB 845, SB 1633, SB 1944, SB 1957, SB 2081, SB 2137, SB 2262, SB 2299, SB 2419, SB 2452, SB 2522, SB 2549, SB 2594, SB 2605, SB 2631, SB 2639, SB 2675, SB 3029, SJR 60, HB 22, HB 1392, HB 2525

Keywords: municipal annexation, railroad, adjacent areas, local government, property rights, healthcare provider, Harris County Hospital District, hospital funding, healthcare services, public health program, home loans, nurses, veterans, public servants, Texas Heroes program, low-interest loans, social workers, housing assistance, housing tax credits, disaster recovery

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and paperwork prevention. and paperwork prevention.
• For that child, early intensive and individualized intervention can and has changed the entire trajectory
• and For that child, early intensive and and individualized<00:50:11.000><c> intervention</c><00:50:11.800
• </c> and support program integrity. and support program integrity.
• If we were in our early intervention program, if we were only reviewing the treatment plan once every

Bills: HF4207, HF4338

Keywords: housing aid, local housing trust, funding projects, income provisions, technical changes, human services, medical assistance, Medicaid, provider enrollment, provider revalidation, fraud prevention, program integrity, background study, background check, fingerprinting, licensing, license revocation, payment withholding, payment suspension, prepayment review

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• </c> down the path of good nutrition and down the path of good nutrition and preventing<00:25:39.039>
• Third, this creates competitive and cross-border issues. SNAP is a federal program used nationwide.
• point of sale and aligned with how the program operates nationwide.
• And that's from um<00:43:14.240><c> the</c><00:43:14.400><c> program</c><00:43:14.720><c> statute.
• The speaker said the state has the ability to keep that money and that the program is 100% federally

Bills: HF3831, HF3603, HF1900, HF495, HF3750, HF4316, HF2136, HF4384

Keywords: SNAP, income limits, asset limits, nutrition assistance, children and families, federal poverty guidelines, federal waiver, food assistance, low-income families, nutritional support, day care, tax subtraction, child care costs, licensed child care, dependent care assistance, child care, family child care, child care center, licensing, correction order

Bills: HB816, HB1535, HB1537, HB1541, HB1562, HB1574, HB1591, HB1853, HB1854, HB1871, HB1965, HB1966, HB1969, HB1973, HB1974, HB2315, HB2343, HB2501, HB2505, HB1577, HB2443, HB2498, HB2581, HB2622

Keywords: HB816, Hawaii, opioid overdose, opioid crisis, buprenorphine, naloxone, Narcan, paramedics, emergency medical services, EMS, first responders, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, withdrawal management, overdose reversal, pilot program, Department of Health, DOH, county population under 100,000, rural health

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• The programs must provide information on cancer prevention, risk reduction, and available social and
• And this program will further increase access as well. And I'm just happy to support it.
• early and treatable stage.
• By investing in educating our children early and supporting programs like the Cancer Pathways curriculum
• Cancer prevention starts early, and we must start with our kids.

Bills: SB5921, SB5185, SB6182, SB6115, SB6258, SB5916, SB5981, SB5985, SB6019, SB6161, SB6183

Keywords: psilocybin, mental health, therapy, decriminalization, legalization, international medical graduates, preceptorship, hardship pathways, medical practice, licensure, abortion, reproductive health, pregnancy termination, clinic access, abortion access fund, abortion savings account, health carrier assessment, insurance assessment, health insurer tax, Department of Health

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker Pro Tem, the President Pro Tem, and the chair of House Health and Welfare and Senate Health
• and Welfare to be notified.
• And thank you for your work and for what you do. And it is appreciated.
• And we are a team, and we are working with you and not against you. I hope that you know that.
• And thank you. All right.

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

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• TWC has a strong... commitment to preventing fraud, waste, and abuse in all agency programs.
• Currently, the data that informs Our early childhood programs is fragmented and spread across at least
• Secondly, we can improve coordination across early childhood. programs, and finally, we can better measure
• The provisions within HB3963 will provide a comprehensive understanding of early childhood programs and
• We know that high-quality early childhood programs and interventions are essential to ensuring that children

Bills: HB512, HB2248, HB2679, HB2832, HB3112, HB3368, HB3490, HB3512, HB3623, HB3666, HB3700, HB3711, HB3770, HB3963

Keywords: grievance procedures, state agency, employee rights, workplace regulations, employment law, employees, employment actions, appeal, state employees, workplace rights, disciplinary actions, employment conditions, employment disputes, job protections, public information, transparency, government accountability, information access, notification requirements, federal funding

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a portfolio of bills today that's going to talk about plant disease and pest prevention.
• That being said, I were. that we don't have the same intentionality around plant disease and pest prevention
• We have to be intentional and be ready to address. plant disease and pest prevention and if we don't
• It creates an agricultural plant disease and pest prevention grant program.
• I could talk about plant disease and pest prevention. all day long.

Bills: HB147, HB 1113, HB 1203, HB 1269, HB 1276, HB 1277, HB1437, HB147

Keywords: livestock, brands, marks, earmarks, tattoos, electronic registry, Texas Animal Health Commission, county clerk, Agriculture Code, cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, horses, animal identification, brand registry, livestock traceability, electronic filing, rerecording, law enforcement access

Bills: HB0070, HB0043, HB0103, HB0157, HB0092, SF0092

Keywords: foreign censorship, digital innovation, constitutional rights, Wyoming GRANITE Act, extraterritorial laws, civil actions, speech protection, legal jurisdiction, joint liability, money laundering, illegal investment, financial institutions, criminal activity, Wyoming legislation, First Amendment, free speech, lawsuits, immunity, public participation, strategic lawsuits

Bills: HB0070, HB0043, HB0103, HB0157, HB0092, SF0092

Keywords: foreign censorship, digital innovation, constitutional rights, Wyoming GRANITE Act, extraterritorial laws, civil actions, speech protection, legal jurisdiction, joint liability, money laundering, illegal investment, financial institutions, criminal activity, Wyoming legislation, First Amendment, free speech, lawsuits, immunity, public participation, strategic lawsuits

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and that is the fundamental problem that this is trying to solve, is to prevent or mitigate against
• Um, and that is the fundamental problem that this is trying to solve, is to prevent or mitigate against
• Um, and that is the fundamental problem that this is trying to solve, is to prevent or mitigate against
• Um, and that is the fundamental problem that this is trying to solve, is to prevent or mitigate against
• He said that motions to dismiss in early practice are usually filed and ruled on in the first couple

Bills: HB0070, HB0043, HB0103, HB0157, HB0092, SF0092

Keywords: foreign censorship, digital innovation, constitutional rights, Wyoming GRANITE Act, extraterritorial laws, civil actions, speech protection, legal jurisdiction, joint liability, money laundering, illegal investment, financial institutions, criminal activity, Wyoming legislation, First Amendment, free speech, lawsuits, immunity, public participation, strategic lawsuits

Transcript Highlights:

• Easter weekend with your family and friends. We have a rather lengthy agenda as you can tell.
• The bill strengthens statewide oversight, establishes quality standards for crisis centers, and prioritizes
• Move for adoption and yield for questions. That concludes the explanation of the bill.
• And a do pass. Do pass. Second. And a second. Will there be debate?
• Senate Bill 1369 having received five ayes and zero nays, it goes to say no pass.

Bills: SB1369, SB1570

Keywords: mental health, crisis services, 988 Lifeline, suicide prevention, behavioral health, revolving fund, child welfare, child safety, administrative transition, Department of Child Safety and Well-being, Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, juvenile justice, foster care, 914, all

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• </c><00:35:33.880><c> that</c> these programs are being used and that these programs are being used and
• Um and the program was set to governor.
• </c><00:58:38.120><c> and</c> Um if they have done the program and Um if they have done the program and
• /c> underlying program and it is about underlying program and it is about ensuring<00:58:50.680><c> that
• /c><01:20:42.440><c> and</c> prevent clustering, segregating, and prevent clustering, segregating, and

Bills: HF4110, HF4101, HF4144, HF3546

Keywords: workplace regulations, employee rights, meal breaks, rest breaks, exemptions, medical assistance, data matching, eligibility, reporting, human services, assisted living, health regulations, inspection authority, vulnerable adults, local government, program integrity, high-risk providers, enrollment requirements, fraud prevention, compliance

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• on H. 5013 and S. 2928, an act to establish a celiac disease screening pilot program.
• My clinical and research work focuses on improving the early diagnosis of celiac disease and understanding
• In fact, I had very few medical issues until my late 30s and early 40s.
• symptom onset and diagnosis, and earlier identification means earlier intervention, reduced health care
• onset and diagnosis and earlier identification means earlier intervention reduce health care burden

Bills: H5013, H5087, H5115, S2928

Keywords: celiac disease, gluten intolerance, autoimmune disorder, pediatric screening, child health, public health, screening pilot, early detection, 12-year-olds, cholesterol screening, lipid screening, health care providers, Department of Public Health, patient advocacy, family support, Massachusetts, preventive care, diagnostic screening, nutrition, gastroenterology