Transcript Highlights:

• outcomes like low birth weight, preterm birth, and as well as... worse Mental Health it leads to worse
• > birth</c> adverse birth outcomes like low birth adverse birth outcomes like low birth weight<00:33:
• Certainly, there is a strong link between prenatal care and birth outcomes, which means when someone
• </c> link between prenatal care and birth link between prenatal care and birth outcomes<00:40:27.560>
• These birth centers push people to much better outcomes, but it's hard to have one.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Everyone who's given birth or been alongside someone who's given birth has a story to tell.
• centers, so that one day I could give birth to the neighborhood birth center in Roxbury.
• and baby health outcomes.
• Midwives provide skilled, compassionate, and culturally competent care that improves outcomes for birthing
• , is linked to lower physical complications and better mental health outcomes for birthing people.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing with testimony on several health care bills, with most of the discussion focused on primary care access, community health center reimbursement, midwifery and birth centers, telehealth, hospital-at-home, direct primary care, and trans-inclusive health care access. Chair Feeney and Chair Murphy opened by noting the large number of signups and asking testifiers to keep remarks brief because of time constraints. Legislators and witnesses repeatedly emphasized that Massachusetts’ primary care system is under strain and that federal policy changes and reimbursement gaps are worsening financial pressure on providers. On community health centers, Representative Blay, Senator Lovely, Michael Curry, Bethany Keeley, Jag Deep Trevetti, Sean Cahill, and Christina Severin all supported H. 1096/S. 711, which would require commercial insurers to pay federally qualified health centers at least the MassHealth prospective payment system rate. They argued that commercial plans currently reimburse health centers below Medicaid rates, threatening sustainability, staffing, and access, especially as federal cuts and coverage losses could increase uncompensated care. Testifiers said the bill would stabilize health centers, protect primary care access, and not cost the state money. A second major topic was H. 1117/S. 784 on sustaining birth centers and the midwifery workforce. Senator Lovely, Senator Miranda, Emily Anesta, Rebecca Orden, Catherine Rushworth, Nishira Burrill, Joel Sutherland, Rachel Blessington, Joelle Ward, and others described the 2024 maternal health omnibus as an important first step, but said birth centers and midwives still face low reimbursement, workforce shortages, and financial instability. They urged reimbursement parity, a workforce development fund, and support for freestanding birth centers, citing improved outcomes, lower C-section rates, better patient experience, and racial equity in maternal health. Several speakers shared personal birth stories and said the bill would help preserve and expand birth options in communities like Roxbury, Worcester, and the North Shore. The committee also heard support for H. 1343 on direct primary care from Dr. Garofalo, Dr. Altman, Dr. Nair, Stephanie Cameron, Dr. Haley Moke-Blessed, and others, who said current insurance rules force patients to use a separate in-network primary care doctor for referrals and sometimes prevent physicians from dispensing medications. They argued the bill would reduce delays, administrative burden, and costs while improving continuity of care. In addition, Dr. Miklides and Sue Stempeck supported H. 1141 on hospital-at-home parity, saying the model has strong outcomes and should be reimbursed at the same rate as brick-and-mortar hospital care. Heather Myers and Katrina Cook testified on telehealth and digital health equity, urging broader coverage for asynchronous care, remote monitoring, interpreter services, and digital literacy supports. SEIU Local 509 supported H. 1188/S. 681 on trans-inclusive health care access, saying it would remove arbitrary insurance barriers to gender-affirming care. No votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• birthing people.
• , and better overall outcomes for both birthing people and babies.
• outcomes, reduce interventions, and reduce racial disparities in outcomes.
• Similarly, fair reimbursement for CNMs is an investment in better birth outcomes, decreased interventions
• CNMs are an investment in better birth outcomes, decreased interventions, and lower costs, again in care

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a lengthy public hearing with testimony on a wide range of health insurance and access-to-care bills. Early testimony focused on prescription drug pricing and pharmacy reimbursement, with supporters of H. 1326 arguing that pharmacy benefit managers and MassHealth managed care arrangements reimburse independent pharmacies too little, contributing to pharmacy closures and “pharmacy deserts.” The committee also heard repeated support for H. 1151/S. 742 on cognitive rehabilitation for acquired brain injury, H. 1288/S. 716 on telehealth parity for nutrition counseling, H. 1309/S. 761 on full-spectrum pregnancy care without cost-sharing, H. 1312 on insurance coverage for doula services, H. 309 on prompt access to health care by removing deductibles for certain services, H. 809/H. 1227 on biomarker testing, H. 1162/S. 810 on reducing inequities in access to medical procedures by limiting insurer cuts tied to Modifier 25, and S. 726 on insurance coverage for mobile integrated health. Testifiers included legislators, physicians, pharmacists, dietitians, emergency and rehabilitation clinicians, and patients and family members. Supporters of the brain injury bill said cognitive rehabilitation is medically necessary, improves long-term outcomes, and can reduce institutional care and public costs; they noted the bill has been heard repeatedly and has support from the Brain Injury Commission and prior favorable committee action. Supporters of the pregnancy care and doula bills described out-of-pocket costs as a barrier to maternal health and shared personal stories of high bills and unmet support needs. Biomarker testing advocates and cancer patients said coverage gaps deny patients access to precision treatment, can lead to avoidable suffering, and should be standardized across insurers; several speakers said insurers often deny claims despite clinical benefit. Dermatology witnesses said insurers’ use of Modifier 25 cuts reimbursement for same-day evaluation and procedure visits, forcing separate appointments and increasing patient burden. Mobile integrated health supporters described home-based care as a way to reduce emergency department use and hospital readmissions, especially for patients with transportation or mobility barriers. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• births births outcomes<00:22:26.080><c> the</c><00:22:26.240><c> most</c><00:22:26.520><c> harm</c><
• <00:33:23.360><c> outcomes</c><00:33:24.039><c> over</c><00:33:24.279><c> the</c> birth outcomes over
• outcomes for the last 10 years is under 6%. 95% of the home birth outcomes are safe and it’s in line
• birth outcomes for the that Hawaii home birth outcomes for the last<01:55:16.159><c> 10</c><01:55:16.599
• </c><01:55:23.280><c> outcomes</c> 6% 95% of the home home birth outcomes 6% 95% of the home home birth

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint House Committee on Health and Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce heard two midwifery bills, with testimony focused primarily on HB 1194. Committee chairs opened the hearing with rules for Zoom testimony and noted the bills relate to midwives. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs said it supported the intent of HB 1194 and offered comments. Supporters of the bill, including the Midwives Alliance of Hawaii, argued that midwifery should remain subject to mandatory licensure to protect consumer safety, citing the state’s regulatory licensing standards and a 2025 state auditor sunset analysis. They said the bill would strengthen educational standards and public protection, and some offered clarifying amendments. Opponents argued HB 1194 would restrict access to care and fail to protect traditional, cultural, and community-based birth practices. Testifiers from the Hawaii Home Birth Task Force, the Hawaii Home Birth Collective, the Libertarian Party of Hawaii, the Center for Reproductive Rights, Pacific Birth Collective, and Papa Ola Lōkahi said the bill would limit licensure pathways, reduce access in rural and underserved areas, and burden Native Hawaiian and traditional practitioners. Several speakers said the measure could worsen Hawaii’s maternal health shortages, especially on Maui, and urged lawmakers to defer HB 1194 or instead advance HB 1328, which they said better protects practitioner access and cultural practices. The Hawaii affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives said it opposed HB 1194 because it did not align with national or state standards for certified midwives and could create conflicts with Medicaid reimbursement and prescriptive authority. The ACLU also opposed the measure, emphasizing reproductive rights, privacy, and the need to preserve apprenticeship pathways to licensure. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the hearing reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• our midwifery care model is nationally recognized for cultural competence, high-quality birth outcomes
• our midwifery care model is nationally recognized for cultural competence, high-quality birth outcomes
• our midwifery care model is nationally recognized for cultural competence, high-quality birth outcomes
• our midwifery care model is nationally recognized for cultural competence, high-quality birth outcomes
• our midwifery care model is nationally recognized for cultural competence, high-quality birth outcomes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it’s a bill regarding wagering on political outcomes.
• Thank you. outcomes. Welcome, Senator. Thank you.
• Our birth mother was in Iowa after a C-section.
• a birth mother from another state.
• a birth mother from another state.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held its inaugural hearing of the session, led by Chair Michael Day and co-chair Senator Lydia Edwards, and reviewed a large slate of bills and constitutional amendments. The chair laid out hearing procedures, including three-minute testimony limits, priority for in-person witnesses, and deadlines for reporting constitutional amendments and House bills. The committee heard testimony on 29 proposals, with many witnesses and advocates speaking in support of measures they said would clarify the law, improve access to justice, or address public safety and fairness concerns. Several bills drew extensive testimony. Supporters of H.1686/S.1254 urged creation of a commission to study intentional misrepresentation of service animals, citing disruptive and dangerous encounters with fake service dogs and the need to protect legitimate service-dog teams. H.1649/S.1168 on court transcriber fees received strong support from transcribers and CPCS, who said rates have been frozen at $3 per page since 1988 and should be raised to $4.50, with an automatic CPI adjustment; they also described the work as time-consuming and essential to the justice system. H.1768/S.1037 on indigency was backed by CPCS, which said the bill would update eligibility rules, reduce unnecessary six-month reassessments, and eliminate the $150 counsel fee for indigent adults. H.1723/S.1193 to remove the charitable immunity cap was supported by legislators and attorneys who argued the current $20,000/$100,000 caps leave seriously injured people undercompensated and make Massachusetts an outlier. The committee also heard testimony on S.1046 regarding adoptions, with multiple adoptive parents, attorneys, and agency representatives describing recent probate court interpretations that have disrupted out-of-state surrender and finalization practices. Witnesses said the bill would restore predictability and allow birth parents outside Massachusetts to use either their home-state law or Massachusetts law, while preserving ICPC safeguards. Senator Feingold testified on H.1748/S.1109, “Conrad’s Law,” to criminalize coercing someone into suicide, arguing Massachusetts should join most other states in creating a specific offense rather than relying on involuntary manslaughter charges. Representative Donahue supported H.66 to remove “so help me God” from the constitutional oath of office. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee simply heard testimony and thanked witnesses, with chairs indicating they would continue reviewing the bills and written submissions.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is very deep for me. births in 2023. This figure remains births in 2023.
• Birth Center on Grand Avenue in St. Paul Birth Center on Grand Avenue in St.
• </c> of birth centers. of birth centers.
• These outcomes result in health care cost savings, not because birth centers are paid less.
• These outcomes result in health care cost savings, not because birth centers are paid less.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> we advocate for Optimal Health outcomes we advocate for Optimal Health outcomes and<00:04:17.840
• very few Black-owned birth centers in the United States.
• care model is nationally recognized for cultural competence, high-quality birth outcomes, and strong
• care model is nationally recognized for cultural competence, high-quality birth outcomes, and strong
• </c><00:10:40.560><c> outcomes</c> competence high quality birth outcomes competence high quality birth

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• outcomes.
• outcomes.
• Adequate prenatal care reduces the risk of pregnancy complications and adverse birth outcomes, each of
• Missed appointments, delayed care, and more stress, all of which leads to poorer birth outcomes, long-term
• complications, Hyatt Health All of which leads to poor birth outcomes, long-term complications, higher

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development heard testimony on several workforce-related bills, with most of the hearing focused on ESOL and apprenticeship legislation, followed by testimony on a four-day workweek pilot and paid prenatal leave. On ESOL, witnesses including the Boston Foundation, Skillworks, MassINC, MIRA, JVS Boston, Eastern Bank, immigrant advocates, employers, and legislators supported H.2080/S.1326, arguing that Massachusetts has a large backlog of limited-English-proficiency residents waiting for classes, that ESOL is essential to economic mobility and immigrant integration, and that the state needs a coordinated, statewide strategy with more vocational and workplace-focused English instruction. Testifiers cited long waitlists, fragmented delivery across agencies, labor shortages, and examples of workplace English programs helping immigrants gain jobs, advance careers, and support businesses. Committee members asked questions about how vocational ESOL differs from standard classes, and witnesses explained that it focuses on job-specific language and workplace scenarios. The committee also heard strong support for H.2085/S.1303, which would require more use of registered apprentices on public construction projects over $1 million. Labor leaders from the Massachusetts AFL-CIO and Massachusetts Building Trades, along with electricians and apprentices, said the bill would help apprentices complete training by ensuring enough job-site hours, expand access to good union careers, and strengthen the construction workforce for housing, infrastructure, and clean energy work. Several witnesses defended existing apprenticeship ratios and electrical licensing standards, warning against deregulation and emphasizing safety. Committee members asked about project thresholds and apprenticeship ratios, and witnesses said the bill’s phased apprentice-hour requirement was intended to cover most public projects under current cost conditions. The committee then heard testimony on S.1330, a four-day workweek pilot program. Senator Dillon Fernandez and Representative Shirley Arriaga described the proposal as a response to burnout, affordability pressures, and changing workplace norms, arguing that a pilot would let Massachusetts study whether shorter workweeks improve productivity, retention, and worker well-being. Witnesses said the model could help families balance caregiving and commuting while maintaining or improving output. Finally, the committee took testimony on S.1361, establishing paid prenatal leave. Parents, health advocates, March of Dimes, and others said paid leave would help pregnant workers attend critical prenatal appointments, reduce missed care, and improve maternal and infant health outcomes. Several speakers shared personal stories about high-risk pregnancies, pregnancy loss, and the financial strain of taking unpaid time off. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and asked a limited number of questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Research shows that midwifery care improves birth outcomes.
• Alternative birth centers provide excellent outcomes for birthing people and infants, including reduced
• Alternative birth centers provide excellent outcomes for birthing people and infants, including reduced
• All of your actions recognize the potential of this workforce to improve birth outcomes in the state.
• Other states that have better birth outcomes and better midwife reintegration do not have these time-distance

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on April 8 and heard a long series of bills, beginning with AB 54 on medication abortion access. The author and supporters, including the Attorney General’s office and reproductive justice advocates, said the bill would protect California’s medication abortion supply chain and shield providers and manufacturers from civil, criminal, and professional liability. Opponents from the California Family Council argued the bill removes safeguards and increases risks. The bill was moved forward on a committee motion. The committee then heard several reproductive and public health measures, including AB 551 to create a pilot program supporting emergency departments in providing reproductive health services, AB 260 to protect medication abortion access and telehealth, AB 309 to remove sunset dates on laws allowing pharmacy syringe sales and lawful possession of sterile syringes, AB 536 to preserve colorectal cancer screening coverage if federal guidelines are challenged, AB 804 to make housing support services a Medi-Cal benefit, AB 594 to address student health insurance billing and transparency, AB 836 to study and expand the midwifery workforce, AB 1418 to collect data on health coverage for eligible employees, and AB 1500 to maintain and expand the abortion.ca.gov information site. Supporters emphasized access, preventive care, workforce shortages, and public health benefits, while opponents raised concerns about abortion, syringe distribution, and the focus of state resources. Most measures were advanced by committee vote, with roll calls showing broad support and a few no votes from members on some bills. The final bill discussed in the transcript was AB 1037, which would update substance use disorder laws to reflect evidence-based, harm-reduction approaches and remove barriers to treatment. The author and supporters described it as a compassionate response to overdose and treatment access problems, while law enforcement opposition argued it would encourage drug use and endanger communities. The transcript cuts off during testimony on AB 1037, so no final committee action on that bill is shown in the provided text.

Transcript Highlights:

• and equity, including outcomes with African American birthing parents, suspected to be known causes
• while giving birth.
• maternal health outcomes and equity, including<00:54:41.520><c> outcomes</c> including outcomes including
• outcomes with<00:54:42.880><c> African</c><00:54:43.200><c> American</c><00:54:43.560><c> birthing</
• </c> birthing parents. birthing parents.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have seen firsthand over and over how home birth outcomes exceed standards because not only are the
• I have seen firsthand over and over how home birth outcomes exceed standards because not only are the
• I have seen firsthand over and over how home birth outcomes exceed standards because not only are the
• I have seen firsthand over and over how home birth outcomes exceed standards because not only are the
• I have seen firsthand over and over how home birth outcomes exceed standards because not only are the

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard extensive testimony on HB 1194 HD2, a bill to regulate midwifery and require accredited education for licensed midwives. Supporters, including the Midwives Alliance of Hawaii, ACOG, a pediatrician, and several licensed midwives, argued the bill would improve maternal and newborn safety, clarify the definition of midwife, strengthen accountability, and align Hawaii with national education standards. They said accredited training is necessary to avoid gaps in knowledge and to support safe transfers and collaboration with hospitals. Opponents, including many midwives, parents, cultural practitioners, and community groups, argued the bill would restrict access to care, criminalize traditional and apprenticeship-based midwifery, and undermine reproductive autonomy and Native Hawaiian and other cultural birthing practices. Several asked for amendments to preserve a birth attendant exemption, the PET/portfolio pathway, and cultural and religious protections. Others said the bill would disproportionately harm rural, Indigenous, and low-income families by making training and licensure less accessible. The committee also heard testimony from state and county entities and professional organizations, with some standing on written testimony and others offering brief comments. The chair repeatedly reminded testifiers of the one-minute limit and the possibility that final decision-making would be deferred if quorum was lost. The transcript does not show a final vote or action taken during this segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we also have extensive metrics related to pregnancy and maternal health outcomes.
• outcomes for virtually every mother and infant born in our state.
• That covers about 90% of births in the state of Florida.
• And the goal of this process is to improve birth outcomes in each region, so they look at those deaths
• Here are some of our outcomes for the family planning program.

Summary: The Senate Health Policy Committee met to discuss maternal and infant health, beginning with a presentation from New Jersey’s Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority (MiHA). Pamela Taylor described New Jersey’s statewide effort to reduce maternal mortality and racial disparities through the Nurture New Jersey campaign, a strategic plan with more than 80 recommendations, universal home visiting, Medicaid-covered doula care, hospital report cards, limits on non-medically indicated early elective C-sections, and a new maternal and infant health innovation center. Senators asked about doula certification, funding, home visiting, and how New Jersey coordinates across agencies; Taylor said the authority uses quarterly stakeholder meetings, annual summits, and a tracker for recommendations, and that community input helped shape its programs. Florida Agency for Health Care Administration Deputy Secretary Brian Meyer then outlined Florida Medicaid’s maternal coverage and managed care structure. He reviewed eligibility and services for pregnant women, labor and delivery, postpartum coverage, newborn coverage, and family planning, noting 12 months of postpartum coverage, expanded benefits in managed care plans, and new contracts launching February 1 with more maternal-health-focused benefits, quality measures, and a new quality withhold incentive structure. Senators questioned doula certification and duplication with Healthy Start, provider access and network adequacy, kick payments, quality reporting, and whether Florida should consider broader eligibility standards; Meyer said many details are still plan-driven, that quality metrics are public, and that the agency is working on maternal-health work groups and incentives. Department of Health Division Director Shea Holloway followed with an overview of Florida’s maternal and child health programs and data. She cited Florida CHARTS data showing pregnancy-related deaths, severe maternal morbidity, and infant mortality trends, and described the Title V block grant, the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, the Florida Perinatal Quality Collaborative, the electronic prenatal risk screen, Healthy Babies, BH Impact for perinatal mental health, Healthy Start, WIC, family planning, telehealth maternity care, and the Pregnancy Care Network. Senators asked about delays in mortality review reporting, preterm birth, substance use disorder in pregnancy, WIC participation, cesarean rates, and the impact of the abortion ban; Holloway said the department is continuing to monitor outcomes, expand screening and telehealth, and use data and hospital partnerships to improve care. The committee then adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• AS FAR AS EXPECTED OUTCOME LIKE THE PATIENT SAFETY AGENT SURVEY AGAIN TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY.
• NEXT WE HAVE SERVICE AUTHORIZATION PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES.
• HOW WE ARE IMPACTING THE OUTCOMES OR FOR PRENATAL CARE AND CHILDCARE VISITS.
• I DO QUESTION WHEN IT CAME TO DATA ON LOW BIRTH RATE. YOU REFERENCE MRS.
• DATA FROM BIRTH CERTIFICATES THAT RECORD MEDICAID AS THE PROVIDER IN THE BIRTH.

Transcript Highlights:

• “Yeah, the outcome of it.
• at birth.
• California birth parents do not Hundreds of birth parents and adoptees for over 20 years.
• Well, no birth certificate with the name. With no original... ...birth certificate would be given.
• Birth mothers are dying.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 490 by Senator Umberg, which would set deadlines for DHCS to investigate complaints about unlicensed sober living or recovery homes and require follow-up site visits; if the department cannot act within those timelines, counties and cities could request to assist with enforcement. Supporters, including a Garden Grove councilmember and the League of California Cities, said the bill would improve public safety and close enforcement gaps. County behavioral health representatives opposed the measure, arguing counties lack jurisdiction over private unlicensed residences, could face liability, and would absorb an unfunded workload increase. After extensive questioning about jurisdiction, local pressure, and whether the bill creates a mandate, the committee voted 8-0 to pass SB 490 to Appropriations and placed it on call. The committee then heard SB 381 by Senator Wahab, which would allow adult adoptees and descendants to obtain original birth certificates, create a contact preference form for birth parents, and stop omitting certain birth information from the amended certificate. The author and many adoptees and birth parents testified that access to original records is important for identity, dignity, and medical history, and that the bill would reduce the need for invasive searches through DNA and informal records. Several members raised concerns about privacy, the possibility of unwanted contact, and the mental health impacts on birth parents who expected confidentiality, while others emphasized the health benefits and the fact that most modern adoptions are open. The discussion focused heavily on proposed amendments to the contact form and whether the bill should require opt-in or opt-out contact preferences, but the transcript does not show a final vote on SB 381.

Transcript Highlights:

• At 2:33, she gave birth to her son, Langston.
• Vaginal birth after C-section success rate.
• and maternal health outcomes.
• and maternal health outcomes.
• and maternal health outcomes.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, April 20, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• After the birth of my daughter, I experienced intense postpartum anxiety.
• Sadly, most birthing people aren't so lucky.
• have given birth.
• I am a birth injury lawyer. Good afternoon. My name is Marley Willer.
• I was knowledgeable about birth and the maternal health care system.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery held a public hearing on 17 bills focused on behavioral health workforce shortages, studies, and commissions. Chairs Mindy Domb and Senator John Velis opened by emphasizing the severity of the Commonwealth’s mental and behavioral health workforce crisis, the resulting gaps in access to care, and the legislature’s ongoing use of loan repayment programs, studies, and commissions to address these issues. They outlined hearing procedures and noted that testimony would be limited to three minutes, with written testimony also accepted. A major portion of the hearing focused on bills to expand the primary care workforce, including H. 2205/S. 1385, which would broaden eligibility for the Mass RePay loan repayment program. Testimony from the Massachusetts Medical Society, Senator Jo Comerford, and Dr. Kate Atkinson described severe primary care shortages, long wait times, physician burnout, high debt burdens, and the need to recruit and retain physicians in more practice settings and regions. Committee members asked about the likely impact of loan repayment, the role of nurse practitioners and physician assistants, and how to prioritize limited funding. Witnesses argued that primary care investment improves access and outcomes and that the bill would help sustain community-based practices. Another large block of testimony supported H. 2208/S. 1411, the proposed perinatal behavioral health care workforce trust fund, often referred to as the Moms Matter Act. March of Dimes, perinatal mental health advocates, doulas, clinicians, parents, and organizations such as the Boston Public Health Commission and Empty Arms Bereavement Support testified that postpartum depression, anxiety, substance use, and grief are widespread, often untreated, and worsened by long waitlists and a shortage of trained, culturally competent providers. Speakers repeatedly stressed that screening alone is not enough without a workforce to provide timely treatment, and several shared personal stories of postpartum illness, loss, and difficulty accessing care. The bill was also framed as a needed complement to the Commonwealth’s recent maternal health law, which increased screening and therefore increased demand for treatment. The committee also heard support for the Bridge Act, H. 2207/S. 1388, which would create mental health capacity grants for organizations serving communities at high risk of hate crimes or hate incidents. Testimony from the Jewish Community Relations Council and the bill’s sponsor described the mental health harms of hate, including anxiety, trauma, isolation, and loss of trust, and argued that community organizations need resources to build resilience and provide support. In addition, the committee heard from the Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association on H. 2218/S. 1380, which would update job classifications to explicitly include licensed mental health counselors and licensed supervised mental health counselors in state behavioral health roles. Witnesses said the change would modernize hiring, expand access, and better reflect current licensure and scope of practice. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the session ended with a motion to adjourn after all testimony was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to birth outcomes.
• outcome such as low-risk, sonseeahray and delivery and life births weighing less than 2500 grams of
• outcomes for moms and babies.
• outcomes for moms and babies.
• Oh, I mean, a 2% quality metric related to essentially healthy birth outcomes for the mother and the

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, the outcome of it. Okay. I'd like an opportunity for you to respond. Yeah, the outcome of it.
• at birth.
• at birth.
• California birth parents do not ...hundreds of birth parents and adoptees for over 20 years.
• Birth mothers are dying. Birth mothers are dying.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 490 by Senator Umberg, which would require the Department of Health Care Services to investigate allegations of unlicensed sober living or recovery homes within set timelines, complete follow-up site visits, and allow cities or counties to step in if the department misses deadlines. Supporters, including a Garden Grove councilmember and the League of California Cities, said the bill would improve oversight, protect neighborhoods, and address complaints about illegal operations. Opponents from the County Behavioral Health Directors of California argued counties lack jurisdiction over private sober living homes, could face liability and unfunded workload increases, and that the bill shifts responsibility without solving DHCS capacity problems. After extensive questions about jurisdiction, local pressure, and whether the bill created a mandate, the committee voted 8-0 to pass SB 490 and send it to Appropriations. The committee then heard SB 381 by Senator Wahab, which would allow adult adoptees, and in some cases descendants of adoptees, to obtain their original birth certificates and create a contact preference form for birth parents. The author and supporters described the bill as a matter of identity, dignity, and health, arguing that access to family medical history can help with genetic testing and long-term care, and that many birth parents want contact or at least do not oppose it. Numerous adoptees and birth parents testified in support. Committee members raised concerns about privacy, possible trauma for birth parents, and whether the bill could create unintended consequences or costs, especially if public notice and form administration become burdensome. Several members said they supported the goal but were troubled by the lack of stronger protections for birth parents or by the bill’s retroactive effect. The author and sponsors explained that the contact preference form would be publicized in advance, that the bill was intended to be narrow, and that the form would not be a binding barrier to access. The committee did not take a final vote on SB 381 during the portion shown, but members indicated they wanted continued work on the measure and some expressed support for moving it forward with further amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, the outcome of it. Okay. I'd like an opportunity for you to respond. Yeah, the outcome of it.
• at birth.
• California birth parents do not ...hundreds of birth parents and adoptees for over 20 years.
• “Well, no birth certificate with the name. With no original birth certificate would be given.”
• Birth mothers are dying. Birth mothers are dying.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 490 by Senator Umberg, which would require the Department of Health Care Services to investigate allegations of unlicensed sober living or residential recovery facilities within set timelines, issue notices promptly, and conduct follow-up site visits. Supporters, including a Garden Grove councilmember and the League of California Cities, said the bill would improve public safety, clarify enforcement, and address complaints about illegal operations in neighborhoods. County behavioral health representatives opposed the bill, arguing counties lack jurisdiction over these private facilities, could face liability and unfunded workload increases, and should not be pulled into enforcement responsibilities that belong to the state. After extensive discussion about whether the bill creates a county role or merely a pathway for local assistance, the committee passed SB 490 on an 8-0 vote and placed it on call for missing members. The committee then heard SB 381 by Senator Wahab, which would allow adult adoptees, and in some cases descendants of adoptees, to obtain their original birth certificates, create a contact preference form for birth parents, and remove current limits that omit certain birth information from amended certificates. The bill drew strong support from adoptees, birth parents, and advocates who said access to original records is a matter of identity, dignity, and health because it can reveal family medical history and cultural background. Several committee members expressed support for the goal but raised concerns about privacy, the potential emotional impact on birth parents, and whether the contact preference form adequately protects confidentiality. The author and supporters said the bill is narrowly tailored, that the form is nonbinding, and that many birth parents are open to contact; they also noted the bill had been amended to delay implementation and allow public notice. The transcript ends amid continued debate, with members indicating the bill would continue moving forward with further work, but no final vote is shown in the excerpt.