Transcript Highlights:

• Up for consideration first, we have Senate Concurrent Resolution 76, a concurrent resolution directing
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 76 passes unanimously with favorable expression. Thank you so much.
• Next on the agenda, we have Senate Concurrent Resolution 131, a concurrent resolution directing the Legislative
• Senate concurrent resolution 131 a Senate concurrent resolution 131 a concurrent<00:03:53.319><c> resolution
• </c><00:03:53.840><c> directing</c><00:03:54.200><c> the</c> concurrent resolution directing the concurrent

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with a quorum and first considered two concurrent resolutions. SCR 76, sponsored by Sen. Amanda Bledsoe, would create a Kentucky School for the Deaf Governance Task Force to examine the school’s future governance and its relationship with the Kentucky Department of Education. Bledsoe described the school’s long history and said the task force would give the small deaf-school community more voice. The committee adopted the resolution unanimously with favorable expression. The committee then took up SCR 131, sponsored by Sen. Max Wise, to continue the Efficient and Effective Districts Task Force from 2024. Wise said the prior task force met about 10 times and focused on student achievement and district policy, and the new version would continue that work as a legislature-only task force. The resolution passed unanimously with favorable expression. Members next considered HB 240 on primary school promotion. Rep. Truitt explained that the bill would require students who are not ready in kindergarten to repeat kindergarten, while a committee substitute softened the approach by allowing a school to hold a child back in kindergarten but requiring action in first grade. He said the bill aligns with existing reading-screening efforts and is intended to strengthen early literacy foundations. The committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill unanimously with favorable expression; Sen. Williams briefly explained his support as favoring performance-based advancement. The committee also approved HB 298, which would change the identification of schools for comprehensive support and improvement from every three years to annually, require KDE recommendations during management audits, add professional development in reading and math, and require effective instructional resources. The committee substitute also allowed districts with multiple CSI schools to contract for a turnaround vendor. The bill additionally carried employee-misconduct provisions from prior sessions, including disclosure requirements for applicants; the only change discussed was removing the word “investigation” from one disclosure section. HB 298 passed unanimously with favorable expression, and the committee also adopted a title amendment. Finally, the committee heard HB 424 on employment at public postsecondary institutions. Rep. Tipton said the bill would require performance and productivity reviews for faculty at least every four years, clarify appointment and removal authority for presidents at certain institutions, and expand “cause” for dismissal to include failure to meet performance and productivity requirements. Dr. Ray Horton, speaking for faculty groups, proposed a small substitute that would tie any performance measures to existing employment contracts to preserve academic integrity and avoid unintended changes to tenure processes. Members discussed how tenure works at Kentucky universities, and the committee was still in the middle of considering the proposed substitute when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to the reading of the resolution. to the reading of the resolution.
• </c> concurrence with proposal of amendment? concurrence with proposal of amendment?
• </c> house. Thank you, Mr. President. house. Thank you, Mr. President.
• </c> Housing and General Affairs. Housing and General Affairs.
• </c> hours in the House Chamber. hours in the House Chamber.

Transcript Highlights:

• Secretary, please read: Senate Concurrent Resolution 111 by Senator Nilo relative to certified public
• Secretary will please read: Senate Concurrent Resolution 92 with amendments.
• I'm sorry, Secretary, please read: Senate Concurrent Resolution 109 by Senator Grove relative to National
• The resolution is adopted. Members will now return to motions, resolutions, and notices.
• Deeply committed to both housing and education, he also began working to build teacher housing for San

Transcript Highlights:

• Comerford has been to resolutions with the clerk will read. By Ms.
• The question comes on the adoption of the resolutions. I'm going to say aye. Opposed?
• The ayes have it, and the resolutions are adopted.
• House No. 4379. Is there objection? The Chair hears none.
• Paper from the House: The House petition of James J.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's what we're used to in the House, a little more fluid in the Senate, but I'm from the House.
• ,</c><00:14:32.480><c> a</c> what we're used to in the House, a what we're used to in the House, a little
• So that might be HR1, resolution one. &gt;&gt; Sorry, just one more.
• </c> then when I look at the 117 then when I look at the 117 again<01:17:26.480><c> that</c><01:17:27.760
• This is in Simon's house, but thanks for asking. >> Thank you.

Summary: The committee first approved the draft minutes of its May 16, 2025 meeting, with one correction removing Representative Dry from the attendance list because she was present as a guest rather than an appointed member. The committee then received a Department of Health and Human Services update from Commissioner Lori Weaver, who focused on the rural health transformation grant process. She said the department has been gathering stakeholder input since July, issued a request for information on September 22, and is working toward an end-of-October draft and a November 3 deadline, with a grant writer request expected to go before Governor and Council at no cost to the state. The bulk of the meeting centered on federal changes affecting SNAP and Medicaid. Karen Heert explained that the federal law changes commonly referred to as the “Big Beautiful Bill” or HR1 will affect SNAP eligibility and state costs, including a shift in administrative cost sharing from 50/50 to 75/25 beginning in October 2026 and a possible state share of benefits if New Hampshire’s error rate is too high. She said the program affects about 43,000 households, that New Hampshire’s federal fiscal year 2024 error rate was 7.57% versus a national rate of 10.93%, and that the state must get below 6% to avoid liability. She also said DHS is preparing remediation steps, auditing cases, and seeking technology and staffing support, including a grant for automation and training. Henry Litman then described Medicaid changes under HB2 and the new federal law. He said New Hampshire returned to pre-pandemic eligibility verification rules on July 1, including a 10% income compatibility standard and reduced ex parte renewals, which has increased manual work and contributed to a drop in enrollment from about 185,000 in late June to about 178,000 in early September. He also reviewed new child premiums, pharmacy copays, Granite Advantage premiums, and possible Medicaid work requirements, noting that DHS is working with CMS on implementation details and may use a state plan option rather than an 1115 waiver because it would be less expensive and faster. Members asked several questions about the SNAP error-rate rules, the distinction between administrative and client errors, the effect of unpaid copays, and the timing and legal risk of the Medicaid work requirement; no votes were taken on those policy issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, the House has passed House Bills 45, 50, 212, 333, 369, 385, 387, 388, and requests the concurrence
• 32, Senate Resolution 38, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 66.
• 38 and Senate<00:42:03.440><c> Concurrent</c><00:42:03.839><c> Resolution</c><00:42:04.400><c> 66.
• </c><00:42:04.880><c> And</c><00:42:05.040><c> I</c> Senate Concurrent Resolution 66.
• And I Senate Concurrent Resolution 66.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Judiciary and Rules Committee reports that Senate Concurrent Resolution 114 and Senate Bills 1228
• President, I ask unanimous consent that Senate Concurrent... Senator Guthrie. Mr.
• President, I ask unanimous consent that Senate Concurrent Resolution 114 be referred to the Senate Judiciary
• This is the bill or the resolution that seeks to limit legislative volume.
• Hearing none, Senate Concurrent Resolution 114 will be referred to the Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The House of Representatives having communicated and presented for concurrence the following bills, numbered
• House Bill 2109 referred to Urban Affairs and Housing.
• Bill 852, House Bill 853, House Bill 1344, House Bill 1646, House Bill 1870, House Bill 1830, House
• This bill has passed the Senate and will be sent to the House of Representatives for its concurrence.
• This bill has been passed by the Senate and will be sent to the House of Representatives for its concurrence

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer by Senator Anthony H. Williams and the Pledge of Allegiance, then received gubernatorial communications and a long list of newly referred Senate and House bills and resolutions. The chamber approved the April 22, 2026 journal by a 49-0 vote. Senators also introduced guests, including a high school senior advisory council visiting with Senator Malone and a young guest welcomed by Senator Costa. On the floor, several bills were taken up and either set aside or advanced. Senate Bill 1377 and Senate Bill 482 were re-referred to Appropriations, Senate Bill 906 was re-referred to Rules and Executive Nominations, and Senate Bills 1133, 1334, and 1368 were also sent to Appropriations. Senator Dush requested a conflict-of-interest ruling on an amendment to Senate Bill 469; the chair ruled no conflict existed and required him to vote, and the amendment was adopted. The Senate also took Senate Bill 127 from the table and placed it on the calendar. The Senate then considered Supplemental Calendar Number One. Senate Bill 362 received a technical amendment and was advanced; Senate Bill 1183 passed 50-0; Senate Bill 1352, which would allow qualifying substance use disorder treatment providers to receive two-year licenses, passed 45-5 after supportive remarks from Senators Brooks, Tartaglione, and Street; and House Bill 1877, codifying the Pennsylvania seal of biliteracy, passed 50-0 after Senator Lindsey Williams described its student-led origins. The session ended with committee announcements for the next day and Senator Tartaglione’s petition urging a floor vote on the House-passed minimum wage bill, House Bill 2189.

Transcript Highlights:

• Two resolutions have been presented.
• Paper from the House.
• Committee on Ways and Means to Homeless for the House Bill, Enhancing Child Welfare Protection, House
• The House Order that, notwithstanding Senate Rule 7 or any other rules to the contrary, the House Bill
• From the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• House No. 5317.
• Paper from the House. The House bill.
• The House bill, relative to the employees of the Dedham-Westwood Water District, House No. 2917, comes
• Papers from the House.
• House bill promoting the rule of law, oversight, trust, and equal constitutional treatment, House No.

Summary: The Senate took up several bills on final passage and enacted measures including retirement benefits for a former Attleboro firefighter, maintenance of private roads in Gloucester, expansion of a local board of health, and amendments to the Middleton town charter. It also adopted a series of Eagle Scout congratulatory resolutions and advanced a bill allowing Somerset to prohibit water fluoridation, a Fairhaven charter bill amended on the floor, a Boston easements/takings measure consolidated with a Senate bill, and local bills for Lancaster and Orange. The Senate additionally ordered to third reading and engrossment a bill concerning Dedham-Westwood Water District employees. The chamber approved extensions of reporting deadlines for the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development and the Committee on Transportation, after members asked how many bills were covered and the deadlines involved. The Labor extension covered 13 bills until July 30, and the Transportation extension covered 11 bills until July 31, 2026. The Senate also suspended rules to advance two public service committee reports establishing sick leave banks for Greg Pinkerton of the Department of Correction and Stephanie Rivera of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. A motion was adopted for the Senate to adjourn in memory of Dorothy Bonfante, with a brief tribute read into the record describing her family, community involvement, and ties to Peabody and Salem. Later, the Committee on Ways and Means reported that House No. 5316, a bill titled to promote rule of law, oversight, trust, and equal constitutional treatment, ought to pass with a new text amendment. The Senate adopted a special order setting the bill for second reading on May 7, 2026, with filing deadlines and procedures for amendments, then suspended the rules and adopted the order by standing vote. The Senate finally adopted an order to meet again on Monday at 11 a.m. and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's move on to the next measure or set of measures: Senate Concurrent Resolution 132 and Senate Resolution
• </c><00:07:09.440><c> 2</c> agenda House Bill 345 house draft 2 agenda House Bill 345 house draft 2 relating
• Moving on to the next set of measures: Senate Concurrent Resolution 157 and SR 127.
• Finally, moving on to Senate Concurrent Resolution 157 and SR 127.
• We are adjourned. finally moving on to Senate concurrent finally moving on to Senate concurrent resolution

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 345, which would establish ʻōpae ʻula as the state shrimp. The Department of Land and Natural Resources and Kua Ulu Aumo testified in strong support, saying the designation could help protect endemic shrimp in anchialine pools and increase public education and awareness. In response to questions, DLNR said it would use existing education programs, press releases, and partnerships for statewide outreach and was not seeking a separate appropriation for that purpose. Members then took up SCR 132 and SR 111, which encourage adoption of recommendations from the UN Global Plastics Treaty and the Rapa Nui Summit Declaration on climate justice and sustainable development. Greenpeace Hawaii supported the measures, arguing that plastic production is tied to fossil fuel interests and that microplastics pose serious health and environmental risks. The committee later adopted the measures with amendments, including a change from “waste hierarchy” to “zero waste hierarchy” and technical edits. The final measures, SCR 157 and SR 127, urged the state to adopt and implement the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea agreement on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. DLNR testified that it had only just reviewed the resolution but stood on its written testimony. The committee passed SCR 157 and SR 127 as is. The meeting also included a separate hearing on SCR 89 and SR 72, which would create a University of Hawaiʻi Community College pathway for meat processing. The Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council supported the idea, citing workforce needs and local protein supply, while several members raised concerns about whether a formal educational pathway or degree requirement might unnecessarily limit entry into the field; discussion focused on whether the proposal should be more vocational and whether there is enough data on workforce demand. No final vote on those measures was shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Secretary will read: Senate Concurrent Resolution 133 by Senator Grayson relative to California Down
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 133 by Senator Grayson relative to California Down syndrome Awareness Month
• Resolution is adopted.
• Secretary will read: Senate Concurrent Resolution 134 by Senator Wahab relative to Nowruz.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 139 by Senator Wahab relative to Afghan American Heritage Month.

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, welcomed former legislative leaders and members to the floor, and opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. The session then focused on several ceremonial resolutions and a lengthy adjourn-in-memory tribute to former Senate President Pro Tem John Burton. Members repeatedly described Burton as a forceful, unvarnished advocate for foster youth, the poor, and other vulnerable Californians, while also sharing personal stories about his humor, bluntness, and bipartisan relationships. The Senate also announced upcoming committee hearings and birthday recognitions for several members and former Speaker Willie Brown. Three resolutions were taken up and adopted unanimously or near-unanimously. SCR 133, by Senator Grayson, recognized California Down Syndrome Awareness Month and Day; Grayson spoke about the dignity, autonomy, and contributions of people with Down syndrome, and introduced guests from the Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area and several families. SCR 134, by Senator Wahab, recognized Nowruz and the Afghan American community; Wahab and Senator Caballero highlighted the holiday’s themes of renewal and the contributions of Persian and Afghan Americans, and members received baklava gift boxes. SCR 139, also by Senator Wahab, recognized Afghan American Heritage Month; Wahab and Senator Grove emphasized Afghan Americans’ history, resilience, and service, and Wahab introduced leaders from the Afghan Coalition and other community advocates. Each resolution was adopted by roll call vote. The remainder of the session was devoted to memorial remarks for John Burton, with speeches from the President Pro Tem, minority leader, and many senators recalling his work on foster youth, public service, and California politics. Members also suspended and later reinstated Mason’s Manual rules to allow direct quotations during the tribute. The Senate concluded by expressing condolences to Burton’s family and colleagues, inviting members to a reception, and announcing that the chamber would reconvene later in the week for the formal adjourn-in-memory motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House Education Committee, located in the House Chamber, is now in session.
• Good afternoon, Chair Williams, members of the House Education Committee.
• I’m pleased to present House Concurrent Resolution 137, which requires the Delaware Department of Education
• We're voting on House Concurrent Resolution 137, Representative Berry.
• We're voting on House Concurrent Resolution 137, Representative Berry. Yes. Representative Bush.

Bills: SB293 , SB279 , SB293 , SB279

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee met and first heard Senate Bill 293, the Youth Camp Licensing Act, which would amend child care licensing rules for youth camps. The sponsor said the bill, with amendments, would remove accreditation language, clarify shelter requirements for outdoor camps, and eliminate limits that had restricted the number of children camps could serve, especially for families using purchase-of-care assistance. YMCA and school representatives testified in support, saying the measure would expand access to safe, affordable summer care for low-income working families. The committee voted to release the bill. The committee then approved Senate Bill 328, which would require the Department of Education’s school facility evaluation instrument to be established by regulation and to include lead-based paint hazards in the standard of good repair. The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Advisory Committee supported the bill, explaining that lead had not been included in the original evaluation tool and that the new language would improve transparency and public comment. Senate Bill 318, updating the Delaware State Education Association special license plate program, also passed after DSEA testified that proceeds support scholarships for educators and students pursuing education careers. House Bill 443, dealing with background checks for education volunteers and mentors, passed as well. The sponsor said it would allow DOE to continue receiving wrapback reports for mentors in the state mentoring program and ensure state and federal criminal background checks remain in place. The committee also released Senate Joint Resolution 15, which directs DOE to reevaluate Delaware’s use of the SAT, modernize the accountability framework, and develop additional measures of student achievement and readiness; supporters argued the SAT does not capture career and technical pathways or other indicators of success. House Bill 459, which prohibits the sale of energy drinks on public middle and high school campuses during school hours or events, passed after discussion focused on whether the bill would affect possession versus sale and whether it could lead to student discipline; DOE said the bill only bans sales, and the sponsor said an amendment would clarify intent. Finally, House Concurrent Resolution 137 passed, directing DOE to review math instruction and MTSS supports statewide; testimony emphasized low math proficiency and the need for stronger, more coherent interventions. The committee also began hearing Senate Bill 279 on occupational therapist salary placement, with discussion centered on aligning OT compensation with other specialist roles and broader salary regulation updates, though the transcript cuts off before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to present Senate Concurrent Resolution 118, which urges a full and transparent release of unclassified
• I'm here to present Senate Concurrent Resolution 118, which urges a full and transparent release. to
• present Senate Concurrent Resolution 118, which urges a full and transparent release of unclassified
• , her resolution the government's failures in the Epstein case.
• And we're here today in support of Senate Resolution 118.

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety met on March 17, 2026, with no quorum at the start and throughout much of the hearing, so bills were presented and discussed but no final votes were taken. The committee heard SB 936 on nitrous oxide sales, SB 941 on commissary price caps in private immigration detention facilities, SCR 118 urging release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files, SB 1009 on juvenile detention standards, AB 46 on mental health diversion, and SB 948 on firearm safety training and registration for new residents. The chair explained public comment procedures and noted that SB 891 was on consent, but the transcript focused on the other measures. SB 936 drew strong support from the author, prosecutors, local officials, and public health/environmental groups, who described rising misuse of flavored large nitrous oxide canisters, youth targeting, impaired driving crashes, deaths, and waste disposal costs. Opposition from the ACLU argued the bill was too broad and should use a regulatory rather than criminal approach, warning about overreach into ordinary household items. Members generally expressed support, though some asked for narrowing amendments to avoid unintended coverage. SB 941 was presented as a cap on markups for commissary goods sold to detainees in privately run federal immigration detention facilities, modeled on prior prison commissary limits. Supporters described severe price inflation for basic necessities and the burden on families, while no opposition testified. SCR 118, calling for full release of unclassified Epstein investigation files, was supported by the author, a survivor statement, and anti-trafficking advocates; one member objected that the resolution could implicate people without full facts, while others emphasized transparency and survivor accountability. SB 1009 and AB 46 both centered on criminal justice discretion: SB 1009 would require clear and convincing evidence before detaining youth and was supported by defenders and youth advocates but opposed by probation and district attorneys who warned about public safety and resource constraints; AB 46 would narrow mental health diversion by allowing judges to deny diversion when public safety is at risk, with prosecutors and victims’ families supporting it and public defenders, ACLU, and behavioral health groups opposing it as an unnecessary restriction on treatment. SB 948 would expand firearm safety certificate requirements to include live-fire training and require new California residents to register firearms within 60 days; the author and gun-safety advocates supported it as a common-sense safety measure, and the hearing moved into support testimony as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before we vote, we will first take up resolutions.
• Assembly Concurrent Resolution 17 by Assemblymember Hadwick and others, relative to Certified Registered
• Nurse Anesthesiologist and House Resolution 6 by Assembly Member Connolly relative to school governance
• Assembly Concurrent Resolution 17 by Assemblymember Handwick and others relative to certified registered
• House resolution six. Again, that is ayes 66, noes 0.

Transcript Highlights:

• Leave Youth and Government in the House. Welcome. Okay, we have several guest introductions.
• Concurrent file item number one will pass and retain. Reconsideration file items two through four.
• The Senate Concurrent Resolution 107 by Senator Richardson and others, relative to Reverend Dr.
• The Senate Concurrent Resolution 107 by Senator Richardson and others, relative to Reverend Dr.
• Alanis seconds that this House stands adjourned until Tuesday, February 17th at 1 p.m.

Summary: The Assembly met for a floor session marked largely by ceremonial and procedural business. After a quorum call, the body opened with Valentine’s Day remarks, a prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by guest introductions recognizing California YMCA Youth and Government participants from several delegations, including Glendora High School, Crenshaw YMCA, Wilmington YMCA, and Mid Valley YMCA. On the daily file, most items were passed, retained, or continued without controversy. The only recorded vote was on the consent calendar, which included Senate Concurrent Resolution 107 honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; it was adopted 63-0. The chamber also approved a request to allow certain members to speak on adjournments in memory. Several members then offered adjournment tributes: Assembly Member Gibson honored James Armstrong, a veteran and community leader in Carson and Watts; Assembly Member Rubio remembered actor-comedian Thomas Kent Carter (TK Carter); and Assembly Member Boerner honored Dave Hodges, founder of the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach. The Assembly then announced there would be no session on President’s Day, with the next floor session scheduled for Tuesday, February 17 at 1 p.m., and adjourned accordingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• Leave youth and governments in the House. Welcome. Okay, we have several guest introductions.
• Concurrent file item number one will pass and retain. Reconsideration file items two through four.
• The Senate Concurrent Resolution 107 by Senator Richardson and others, relative to Reverend Dr.
• The Senate Concurrent Resolution 107 by Senator Richardson and others, relative to Reverend Dr.
• Alanis seconds that this House stands adjourned until Tuesday, February 17th at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm on the first page of the bill under Section 2, and we're looking at 33-117.
• So this particular section 33-117 is considered obsolete.
• is considered obsolete, because it was eliminated through the creation of the modernization fund in House
• And then House Bill 521 also helped modernize that formula. Okay. Section 7 deals with 33-1011.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I move that Senate Concurrent Resolution 1006 be returned with your best recommendation.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 1006 be returned with that's recommendation.
• Chairman, members, Senate Concurrent Resolution 1006 requires a public school to provide a reasonable
• Finally, Senate Concurrent Resolution 1006 prohibits a school district or charter school employee or
• Finally, Senate Concurrent Resolution 1006 prohibits a school district or charter school employee or

Committees: House Education , House House Education Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• In our first item, we will present House Concurrent Resolution 148.
• Our first item we will present will be House Concurrent Resolution 148, presented by Representative Cam
• Concurrent Resolution No. 148.
• If you wish to comment on House Concurrent Resolution 148, please use the raise hand function in Zoom
• I will now call the roll on House Concurrent Resolution 148. Representative Chcocha, yes.

Bills: SB274 , SB301 , SB249

Committee: House Health & Human Development

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several measures related to health care, public health, and patient protections. House Concurrent Resolution 148, urging a statewide educational strategy on menopause, was presented as a workplace awareness measure and received supportive comments from members before being released. Senate Bill 274, updating Delaware’s MOST program to POLST and clarifying capacity determinations and documentation for end-of-life orders, also drew supportive testimony from medical and nursing groups and was released. House Bill 458, limiting local backflow preventer requirements for certain low-hazard buildings, was presented as a cost-relief measure for homeowners and small businesses; DHSS expressed concerns but said it was willing to work on amendments and a sunset provision, and the bill was released. Senate Joint Resolution 18, designating August 31, 2026 as International Overdose Awareness Day and ordering flags at half-staff, was released after brief supportive remarks. The committee then considered Senate Bill 339, a technical correction to the advance health care directive form clarifying that an agent’s authority for voluntary mental health admission cannot exceed 72 hours, consistent with existing law. Members asked detailed questions about how the 72-hour limit works and whether it applies to voluntary directives; the sponsor and a Disability Rights Delaware witness explained that the bill only aligns the form with current statute and does not expand authority. The bill was released. House Bill 301, requiring hospitals to create discharge plans for pregnant patients discharged while showing signs of labor, prompted extensive discussion. The sponsor and supporters said it would improve safety, transportation planning, and aftercare, while some members noted Delaware hospitals already do much of this work and questioned whether codifying it was necessary; supporters emphasized maternal mortality disparities and the need for guardrails. The bill was released. Senate Bill 196, creating ownership disclosure requirements for long-term care facilities and resident notice rules after ownership transfers, was presented as a transparency measure for seniors and families and was released after supportive testimony from the Delaware Nurses Association and elder-care advocates. Senate Bill 320, expanding pharmacists’ independent prescriptive authority for certain non-controlled medications and allowing opioid use disorder medications under standing order, with added malpractice reporting requirements in Senate Amendment 2, was supported by pharmacists and nurse practitioners as an access-to-care measure and was released. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 161, establishing a unified licensing and oversight framework for adult behavioral health providers under DSAM, was presented as a patient-protection measure; providers supported the goal but cautioned that regulations must be workable, and the substitute was released. Senate Joint Resolution 19, directing DHSS to study strategies to reduce health care costs, was released with a note reflecting concerns about broadening the analysis to include additional cost drivers and alternatives. Finally, Senate Bill 249 with Senate Amendment 2, modernizing harm-reduction programs and paraphernalia laws, generated the most extended debate: supporters framed it as life-saving public health policy, while opponents raised concerns about needle litter, community impacts, and whether the approach facilitates addiction. Despite the objections, the bill was released.