Video & Transcript Research : 'speech therapist'
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NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Education Study Jun 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- of RISD's uh elementary Education, and Christy Surget, one of RISD certified academic language therapists
- They've only had a certified academic language therapist for 2 years. Sunset Elementary again.
- Um, they need to learn that letters represent speech sounds.
- Learning to read involves going from speech to print by learning the system in which oral speech is represented
- Speech and listening of language comes naturally.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session May 11th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, I have to first say it's impossible to follow up that wonderful speech by Senator Reyes.
- I would not be here today without the major care of the doctors, medical teams, rehab therapists, and
- It creates a disconnect between transferring the thoughts in one's mind into speech.
- I have speech therapy twice a week. I have eye therapy.
- Here with me today from the Aphasia Center of California are Manta Olson, my speech therapist; Sarah
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journals, and removed SB 830 from the inactive file for return to the Assembly. It then took up several gubernatorial appointments, including Clint Kellum as Director of the Cannabis Control, Jennifer Osborne as Director of Industrial Relations, and two Medical Board of California appointments, Dr. Trinidad Solis and Dr. Gerald Tolbrook. Each appointment was confirmed by roll call, with broad support and no recorded opposition.
The chamber also adopted SR 97 recognizing Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month. Senators from multiple caucuses spoke in support, highlighting AAPI contributions to California, histories of exclusion and solidarity, and the importance of visibility and representation. The resolution passed 39-0. The Senate also recognized numerous AAPI community leaders and honorees on the floor, including Kay Buck and Mira Sorvino for anti-trafficking advocacy, and later several additional guests and community figures.
Members then adopted several other resolutions by unanimous consent: SCR 168 designating Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, SCR 148 declaring GM1 gangliosidosis awareness day, SR 95 proclaiming ALS Awareness Month, SCR 156 for Stroke Awareness Month, and SR 110 recognizing Hospital Week in California. Floor remarks focused on public safety, rare disease awareness, stroke recovery and aphasia, and the role of hospitals and health care workers. The Senate also honored retiring California Professional Firefighters president Brian Rice with extensive tributes to his labor leadership, firefighter safety work, and disaster response advocacy. The meeting concluded with the remaining appointment confirmations and adjournment until May 14, 2026.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Feb 18th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Senators, Florida statute requires applicants for marriage and family therapist licensure to graduate
- New marriage and family therapist programs cannot pursue accreditation until their first graduating class
- I was asking if there was any consideration to add speech-language pathologists to the list of eligible
- licensure requirements, revising references, removing the current inaccuracy around occupational therapists
- licensure requirements, revising references, removing the current inaccuracy around occupational therapists
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 17, 2026 - 08:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- And when you say anyone else, so, for example, could a licensed therapist, thus providing counseling
- You can have the support of a therapist and get the mental counseling you need.
- There is no workplace crisis to fix, no pronoun mandate, no compelled speech.
- Professionalism is not compelled speech; respect is not ideology. Thank you.
- So, I have some problems with the compulsion of speech as being unconstitutional.
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard and voted on a series of bills covering child abuse reporting, firearms products liability, crime victim records, guardianship eligibility, historic monuments, animal welfare, juvenile justice, and restrictions on sex reassignment care for minors. HB 373, on the statute of limitations for violations involving required child abuse reports, passed unanimously. HB 1551, as amended, clarified that a firearm is not defective merely because it lacks optional safety features and preserved design-defect claims and nonretroactivity; after substantial testimony and debate, it passed 13-5. CS/HB 1113, expanding public-records protections for crime victims and briefly exempting law enforcement victims, passed unanimously. CS/HB 737, allowing courts more discretion in appointing guardians with prior felony convictions and adding a narrow exception for certain older convictions, also passed unanimously as amended.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
Transcript Highlights:
- I required most of the help with speech therapy.
- One of my first memories after the accident was at Spaulding, when the speech therapist showed me flashcards
- I did go back to school, and with the help of my speech therapist there... ...I did go back to school
- , and with the help of my speech therapist, I was able to take my five classes, but only one at a time
- I used to joke with that speech therapist that she should go to law school.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security heard testimony on several bills, beginning with a major workplace violence proposal for health care settings. Senator Lovely, the Massachusetts Nurses Association, the Massachusetts Hospital Association, and SEIU 1199 all supported legislation requiring hospitals and other health care employers to conduct facility-specific risk assessments, develop violence prevention plans, train workers, and provide reporting and protections for assaulted employees. Witnesses described workplace assaults as frequent and escalating, and committee members discussed balancing worker safety with concerns about criminalizing mental illness; testimony emphasized that the bill targets intentional assaults while preserving treatment and discretion for behavioral health crises.
The committee also heard strong support for bills to strengthen traffic safety, including primary seat belt enforcement, rear-facing car seat requirements, and seat belts on school buses. AAA Northeast, the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts, law enforcement, legislators, and the Massachusetts Insurance Federation all backed the measures, citing crash data, injury prevention, and personal stories of traumatic brain injury. Senator O’Connor testified for school bus seat belts, saying Massachusetts should join other states requiring them, and later Sophia Furzada of the National Transportation Safety Board urged passage of school bus seat belt and child passenger safety bills, saying lap-shoulder belts would reduce injuries and save lives in crashes where compartmentalization is not enough.
Other testimony included support for a bill to make 9-1-1 disability indicator forms more accessible and inclusive, with the witness arguing the form should better reflect mental health, developmental disabilities, language access needs, and a fifth-grade reading level. The committee also heard opposition to a proposal to extend Christian’s Law to swimming pools, with a parks and recreation director warning of unintended consequences for municipal camps and underserved communities. Finally, the committee took testimony on a bill to expand the Forensic Science Oversight Board to include workforce representation, which MOSES said would restore technical expertise to the board. At the end of the hearing, the committee adjourned without taking votes on the bills discussed.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Feb 18th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Senators, Florida statute requires applicants for marriage and family therapist licensure to graduate
- New marriage and family therapist programs cannot pursue accreditation until their first graduating class
- New marriage and family therapist programs cannot pursue accreditation until their first graduating class
- licensure requirements, revising references, removing the current inaccuracy around occupational therapists
- providing... ...references, removing the current inaccuracy around occupational therapists providing
Keywords:
child protection, medical records, investigation, abuse, neglect, healthcare, Child Protection Team, diagnosis, uterine fibroids, health database, medical research, personal data protection, women's health, clinical laboratory, licensure, healthcare personnel, technologist, technician, medical marijuana, low-THC cannabis
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met to hear and vote on a series of health, human services, and education-related bills, along with a presentation of the committee’s proposed HHS budget. The budget was described as increasing by more than $2.1 billion over the current base, with major funding highlighted for Medicaid and KidCare, rural health, provider rate increases, child welfare, mental health and substance use, opioid treatment, Alzheimer’s initiatives, cancer research, ADAP, veterans’ services, and IT modernization. Public testimony on the budget focused heavily on AIDS Drug Assistance Program funding and concerns about Department of Health changes affecting access, premium assistance, notice, and continuity of care for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Among the bills reported favorably were measures on podiatric medicine and tissue-based products (SB 1092), background screening and clearinghouse procedures (SB 1168), child protective investigations involving specific medical diagnoses and second opinions (SB 42), clinical laboratory personnel licensure standards (SB 878), uterine fibroid data tracking and research (SB 196), medical marijuana treatment center oversight and related health provisions (SB 902), dyslexia and dyscalculia screening and intervention in schools (SB 1340), memory care licensure for assisted living facilities (SB 1404), congenital CMV education materials (SB 1414), Parkinson’s disease registry and related public records exemption bills (SB 1684 and SB 1686), and occupational therapy dry needling licensure standards (SB 914). Several bills were amended before passage, including SB 1092, SB 42, SB 902, SB 1684, and SB 1404.
Testimony generally came from professional associations, advocacy groups, and affected stakeholders, with support voiced for most measures. The committee adopted amendments on the floor, heard no opposition during debate on the bills described, and then voted to report each measure favorably. At the end of the meeting, senators requested to be recorded in the affirmative on selected bills, and the committee adjourned.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- Physical therapists helping a child take their first independent steps, speech-language pathologists
- It includes PT, OT, speech services, orthopedic impairment, adaptive PE, and music therapy.
- The AAC department includes assistive tech specialists and OTs, COM facilitators who train speech therapists
- The AAC department includes assistive tech specialists and OTs, COM facilitators who train speech therapists
- He's had services that they've gotten him, including reading and speech.
Summary:
The committee first met in executive session on House Bill 3070, a Second Amendment-related bill. Representative Koslow and Vice Chair Gregory spoke against it, arguing it was not truly pro-Second Amendment, could create conflicts with federal law, and was not supported by law enforcement. The roll call vote failed the bill by a vote of 3 ayes to 9 noes.
The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 2904, which would expand animal mistreatment law to include starvation and add a House committee substitute addressing false reporting of animal abuse. Representative Don Mayhew said the bill was intended to address intentional neglect, and witnesses from the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Humane World for Animals, and Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation supported it. No opposition testimony was offered.
The remainder of the hearing focused on House Bill 2933, which would allow school districts in St. Louis County to withdraw from the Special School District of St. Louis County if approved by the local board and voters. The sponsor and supporters, including Lindbergh officials, a special education attorney, and parents, argued the current SSD structure is too rigid, lacks local control, and has failed some students, citing service delays, legal disputes, and recent DOJ findings about abuse. Opponents, including SSD officials, parents of students who benefit from SSD, the Missouri NAACP, and others, said SSD provides specialized services that many districts could not replicate, warned of fragmentation and inequity, and urged use of existing county review and ballot processes instead. No vote was taken on HB 2933 during the hearing.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Executive Departments and Administration (04/23/2025)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- And so the what I came therapist would.
- There's 199 respiratory therapist openings right now. 147 of them are current in our state.
- Uh, and I do not support it. uh trainy respiratory therapists where uh trainy respiratory therapists
- </c><00:43:03.200><c> and</c> you know the respiratory therapist and you know the respiratory therapist
- If you were floor speech coming... Well, it's on... No, I'm not going to speak.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Professional Registration and Licensing Mar 4th, 2026
Professional Registration and Licensing
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm here on behalf of the Missouri Speech Hearing and Language Association.
- So in all medical school, we hear from nurses, pharmacists, optometrists, physical therapists.
- This bill updates how we license respiratory therapists.
- I’m a practicing respiratory therapist from Springfield, Missouri.
- I’ve been a respiratory therapist for 17 years.
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 3111, which concerns bail bonds oversight. Representative Phelps offered a committee substitute that moved bail bondsmen into the existing Board of Private Investigators, Private Fire Investigators, and Professional Surety Bail Bonds to avoid a fiscal note. An amendment was adopted to remove fee caps in the substitute, and the committee then adopted the revised substitute and voted it do pass 21-0.
The committee then heard Senate Substitute No. 2 for Senate Bill 1233, the CPA licensure bill, along with related provisions for social work supervisors and speech pathologists. Senator Trent and supporters from the Missouri Society of CPAs, the speech-language association, the social work community, and the State Auditor’s Office said the bill would address CPA shortages by creating a new licensure path based more on experience, while preserving exam standards and adding reciprocity. No opposition was offered, and the hearing concluded without a vote.
House Bill 2999 on optometry scope of practice drew extensive testimony and debate. The sponsor and ophthalmology witnesses described the bill as a negotiated compromise that would codify specific procedures optometrists may perform, while opponents from optometry argued it would freeze scope in statute, limit modernization, and require repeated legislative action as standards change. Witnesses disagreed sharply over whether the bill improved patient safety and access, whether the procedures were already within current practice, and whether surgical procedures such as lasers should be included. The bill was heard but no committee action was taken in the transcript.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2957 on respiratory therapist licensure. Representative Castile and respiratory care witnesses said the bill would phase out the CRT as the entry credential for new applicants in favor of the higher RRT standard, while grandfathering current CRTs and adding renewal audits to confirm active credentials. Supporters said the change reflects current training standards and would raise patient-care quality without reducing workforce numbers. No opposition testimony was presented, and the hearing adjourned without a vote.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 28th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Importantly, the cases were not about speech or online content.
- I love my physical therapists. The issue here is the needling issue.
- He finds a physical therapist, which he did.
- He finds a physical therapist, which he did. He starts treatment.
- He can't go back to his physical therapist.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Funding (02/11/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- What's the average caseload for a speech pathologist, a physical therapist, a resource room teacher,
- If a district hires a speech therapist, there's the cost for that speech therapist that is set by the
- </c> particular Community the average speech particular Community the average speech therapist<05:25:
- therapist there's the hires a speech therapist there's the cost<05:25:42.718><c> for</c><05:25:43.000
- :25:44.440><c> is</c> cost for that speech therapist that is cost for that speech therapist that is set
Summary:
The committee first discussed HB 443, which would change terms and vacancy language for members of a higher education commission. Members raised concerns that the bill was too narrow to address broader issues with commission membership, including expired appointments, attendance expectations, and whether the Department of Education could replace the commission’s role. Several members suggested the bill was not ready for action and favored holding it for further work, possibly through a subcommittee or work session. One member suggested that if attendance standards were added, no more than two unexcused absences should trigger removal, given the commission’s meeting schedule. The chair said he would defer action and form a small subcommittee to report back before the committee deadline.
The committee then moved to HB 484, dealing with repurposing Career and Technical Education classroom space after 20 years of exclusive use. The chair explained that the bill was aimed at the Milford CTE project, where shared use of space could allow a school to repurpose part of a CTE facility while still using it for CTE-related instruction. Members discussed other possible situations around the state, including Claremont, North Conway, and Jaffrey/Rindge, and whether the bill should be limited to Milford or broadened to allow local districts more flexibility. Some members favored passing the bill now to help CTE projects move forward, while others argued for an amendment removing the requirement that the space be vacated specifically to expand the CTE program occupying it.
Testimony and discussion emphasized that the Milford project had state approval but reduced funding, requiring a smaller scope and repurposing of existing space. Supporters said the bill could help preserve CTE programs while also benefiting general education space needs, and that local districts should have flexibility after 20 years. Opponents or cautious members noted that the language might not fit every district situation and asked for feedback from Director Beard and Steve Rothenberg before final action. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion provided, and instead discussed waiting for an amendment and additional input before acting.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session May 11th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, I have to first say it's impossible to follow up that wonderful speech by Senator Reyes.
- I would not be here today without the major care of the doctors, medical teams, rehab therapists, and
- It creates a disconnect between transferring the thoughts in one's mind into speech.
- I have speech therapy twice a week. I have eye therapy. I have therapy all the time.
- Here with me today are the Aphasia Center of California: Manta Olson, my speech therapist; Sarah Burton
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-04 (4:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- if they choose to hire a dental therapist.
- No matter how you spin it, a kid with a GED will be a dental therapist.
- And we all know these therapists won't go to rural areas. That's not where the money is.
- procedures for dentists, much less dental therapists, and it's due to that anesthesia.
- But I just want to point out the education required to be a dental therapist is extensive.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Washington County administrator Alan Massey, the Pledge of Allegiance, and adoption of the special order report for the day. The chamber then moved through a series of bills on the special order calendar, with several measures taken up on third reading and final passage after brief sponsor explanations and, in some cases, structured debate. The first bill, CS/HB 967, would allow electronic payments to local governments and passed 110-0. HB 127 would add cursive writing to required instruction for grades 2-5; members spoke in support of preserving a traditional skill and its educational value, and it passed 111-0. CS/HB 453 created new pathways for students in Special Olympics and marching band to satisfy certain high school diploma physical education and arts requirements, and it passed 111-0.
The House also considered HJR 583, a proposed constitutional amendment to protect student and school personnel religious expression in public schools. Debate centered on whether the resolution merely codified existing law or created ambiguity about prayer, religious viewpoints, venue authority, and potential conflicts with the First Amendment and separation of church and state. Supporters argued it would protect faith expression and let voters decide; opponents warned it could invite confusion, coercion, and litigation. The resolution passed 93-17. The chamber then approved CS/HB 237, requiring APRNs who use the title doctor to clarify they are APRNs when communicating with patients, by 111-0, and CS/HB 363, creating dental therapy as a mid-level provider to expand access to dental care, after substantial debate over safety, training, anesthesia, and whether it would create a two-tier system; it passed 80-29.
Later, HB 375 on autonomous practice by certified registered nurse anesthetists passed 78-28, and HB 301 authorizing psychiatric mental health APRNs to provide mental health services within existing training and licensure passed 88-18. HB 863, giving Citizens Property Insurance policyholders the choice of arbitration or court for disputes, passed 105-3, and HB 1399, increasing oversight of property insurance affiliates and related transactions, passed 160-3. The House then began consideration of HB 6517, an uncontested local claims bill for relief of Eribeito and Sanchez Mayan against the City of St. Petersburg, with the sponsor explaining it as a $2.3 million claim, but the transcript cuts off before further action on that bill.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Feb 9th, 2026 at 11:52 am
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Bills:
HB111, HB61, HB43, HB156, HB70, SB3, HB103, HB109, HB128, HB247, HJM2, HJM3, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM32, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50
Keywords:
water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Feb 9th, 2026
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Bills:
HB111, HB61, HB43, HB156, HB70, SB3, HB103, HB109, HB128, HB247, HJM2, HJM3, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM32, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50
Keywords:
water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance
Summary:
The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and pledges, and spent much of the session on memorials and recognitions. Members honored former Senator Clint Hardin with a certificate and extended condolences, with several representatives sharing personal remembrances of his work on autism coverage, second chances for formerly incarcerated people, rural issues, and bipartisan dealmaking. The chamber also recognized Council of Governments Day, 4-H Day, NMSU Day, scouting groups, and several student and community guests, including youth from 4-H, NMSU CAMP, folklórico, and the La Cueva boys soccer team.
The House received messages from the governor and Senate, including authorization for House Bill 320, the Industrial Carbon Reduction Act, and Senate passage of several bills. Committee reports were adopted on a long list of measures, including House Bills 145, 158, 180, 49, 164, 256, 287, 60, 120, 166, 306, 124, 314, 185, 253, 195, 259, 295, 296, 338, and others, along with several joint resolutions and memorials. The chamber also ordered certain bills germane and referred them to committees, and enrolled and engrossed multiple memorials.
On third reading, House Bill 43, a PERA cleanup bill, passed 65-0. The House Judiciary Committee substitute for House Bill 70, updating the Public Regulation Commission and hearing officer structure, passed 66-0 after brief debate. House Bill 247, which modernizes capital outlay procedures and limits reauthorizations, was then taken up; the sponsor explained it would send unspent general fund capital outlay money to a Capital Development and Reserve Fund and tribal project balances to the tribal infrastructure fund. An amendment was offered to redirect the reserve fund money to the state road fund, and debate began, with members discussing road conditions and the purpose of the reserve fund.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Professional Registration and Licensing Jan 14th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Professional Registration and Licensing
Transcript Highlights:
- As a physical therapist, we're in a compact.
- As a physical therapist, we're in a compact.
- This is a bill that you heard last year having to do with licensure for speech-language pathologists.
- This is a bill that you heard last year having to do with licensure for speech-language pathologists.
- I'm here on behalf of the Missouri Speech Hearing and Language Association.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Health Services (3-12-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Some therapists blame a child’s close relationship with their mother.
- That's the whole purpose of our First Amendment, both religious freedom and freedom of speech.
- </c><00:47:17.040><c> Thank</c> freedom and freedom of speech. Thank freedom and freedom of speech.
- But what are the options that a therapist has in this?
- mean our First Amendment freedom of speech, right.
Summary:
The committee first took up administrative regulations, found no concerns, and then passed House Bill 389 with a favorable expression by a 9-0 vote. HB 389 was described as a cleanup bill for the CASPER prescription monitoring program: it clarifies that practitioners must have active CASPER accounts, exempts charitable health care providers from e-prescribing requirements, allows sharing CASPER data with certain federal entities such as military-base providers, and updates references to hydrocodone’s Schedule II status. The sponsor said there was no expected fiscal impact.
The committee then passed House Bill 392, also by a 9-0 favorable expression. HB 392 would streamline payment for non-elective medical care for patients in state mental facilities when the facility cannot provide the needed treatment, allowing care in community-based settings and payment to those providers. The sponsor said the bill was intended to improve efficiency and would not have a fiscal impact on the cabinet.
House Bill 501 was next and likewise passed 9-0 with favorable expression. The bill would allow pharmacists, in their professional judgment, to refill certain prescriptions for up to 180 days when a physician has died, while excluding controlled substances and preserving pharmacist discretion to require follow-up care. Senators raised concerns that the bill does not require patients to seek a new provider during that period, but supporters said the longer window addresses rural provider shortages and access delays.
The committee then heard House Bill 495, as amended by a committee substitute. The substitute would prohibit Medicaid services and managed care organizations from covering cross-sex hormones above normal levels and gender reassignment surgery. Testimony on the bill was overwhelmingly opposed, with speakers including a former senator, psychologists, advocates, and legal and social work representatives arguing that conversion therapy is harmful, that the substitute would deny medically necessary gender-affirming care, and that the measure could increase suicide risk and litigation. One witness from the Family Foundation of Kentucky spoke in favor, arguing the executive order on counseling limits free speech and that counseling should not be restricted by government. The transcript ends during testimony, with no final committee vote on HB 495 shown.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Apr 8th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Keywords:
rural hospitals, small hospitals, grant program, healthcare funding, Oklahoma health department, cosmetology, barbering, massage therapy, State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, Service Oklahoma, license renewal, license reinstatement, licensing fees, sunset extension, board membership, human trafficking, victim services, beauty school, barber school, esthetics
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Apr 8th, 2026
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Keywords:
rural hospitals, small hospitals, grant program, healthcare funding, Oklahoma health department, cosmetology, barbering, massage therapy, State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, Service Oklahoma, license renewal, license reinstatement, licensing fees, sunset extension, board membership, human trafficking, victim services, beauty school, barber school, esthetics
Summary:
The Senate convened, established a quorum, and opened with prayer. The chamber then recognized several guests and groups, including the Doctor of the Day Dr. Abby Woods, Nurse of the Day Kara de la Pena, and multiple student and community delegations. These included Dominic Matthias of Moore High School for his cross-country accomplishments, Calumet boys baseball and basketball teams for state championships, the Oklahoma Federation of Republican Women, Morris High School’s academic team, the Junior Chamber of Catoosa, Rogers County Leadership Program participants, and Legacy Christian Schools students.
The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 40, designating the second week in April as Lung Cancer Action Week in Oklahoma. The resolution was presented in support of the American Lung Association’s efforts to raise awareness, encourage screening, and promote early detection, especially given the low screening rate among high-risk Oklahomans. The resolution passed without opposition, and unanimous consent was granted to make all senators co-authors unless they declined.
The chamber also hosted Cherokee Nation Legislative Day. Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and other Cherokee leaders spoke about the tribe’s history, sovereignty, and major investments in education, housing, health care, workforce development, and economic growth in Oklahoma. Hoskin emphasized the Cherokee Nation’s partnership with the state and urged support for Medicaid expansion, arguing it helps fund health care services and jobs. Later, Senator Weaver offered a personal privilege statement mourning the death of Trooper Vernon Brake in the line of duty, followed by a moment of silence.
The only other action was an announcement inviting members to a Sportsman’s Caucus reception. With the clerk’s desk clear, the Senate adopted a motion to adjourn until Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Health and Human Services REVISED Mar 2nd, 2026 at 02:00 pm
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- are medical doctors, athletic trainers, therapeutic recreation specialists, and respiratory care therapists
Bills:
SB1328, SB1380, SB1436, SB1558, SB1572, SB1651, SB1805, SB1831, SB1836, SB2014, SB2023, SB2044, SB2179, SB933
Keywords:
parents' rights, healthcare consent, minors, medical records, protection, legal guardianship, Medicaid, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, eligibility verification, death records, Death Master File, vital statistics, disenrollment, recoupment, improper payments, benefits integrity, public assistance, income verification, residency verification, incarceration status