Transcript Highlights:

• So then below that, we had the Behavioral Health Services. We talked about that yesterday.
• Behavioral Health Services. We talked about that yesterday. What did we decide? Mr.
• That's $1.9 million for Human Services. That would be for the DD grants.
• Section 11, EMS service grants.
• Is that Human Services? Is that federal funds that flow into that? Human Services Finance Fund?

Bills: SB2015

Keywords: corrections, rehabilitation, prison budget, department of corrections, adult services, youth services, correctional facilities, Heart River correctional center, Missouri River correctional center, James River correctional center, minimum security facility, county jails, regional jails, deferred maintenance, capital construction, strategic investment and improvements fund, Bank of North Dakota, line of credit, tasers, body cameras

Summary: The committee met to review revised long sheets and section-by-section language for a human services/health budget bill, with much of the discussion focused on how to present block grant funding and full-time equivalent (FTE) positions for behavioral health clinics and CCBHCs. Members debated whether to keep FTE counts in the budget at all, ultimately leaning toward removing or zeroing out the FTE references while keeping the dollar authority, and reducing the salaries-and-wages block grant by about $4.75 million. They also discussed public health federal authority, agreeing to remove about $60 million in unused federal spending authority tied to COVID-era funds, and clarified that if federal money later becomes available it could be requested through the Emergency Commission. A major topic was the provider inflation increase. The House version had 2% and 2%, while members debated alternatives and appeared to settle, at least for further work, on 2% in the first year and 1.5% in the second year, with staff asked to recalculate the fiscal impact. The committee also reviewed FMAP changes, noting a revised 2027 FMAP estimate and its effect on general fund and other funds, and discussed whether to adjust public health and other line items accordingly. Several members emphasized that many of these numbers are still tentative and will be refined before final action. The committee also touched on several policy items and capital-related provisions, including behavioral health services, Medicaid expansion, the moratorium on new ICF beds, and a proposed amendment for a medical homes/fourplex-related item that would show a $400,000 legislative investment with repayment from a developer. There was extended discussion of the All True hospital/facility proposal, with some members favoring leaving it in with a smaller initial commitment and others preferring to remove it and revisit later in conference committee. The meeting ended with staff asked to continue updating the bill language and members instructed to review remaining sections before the next meeting; no final votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• You decide who those services are provided by, but if that goes away, or if the service provider isn't
• able to provide those services, you don't also lose your home.
• For example, DD providers, aging services, private duty nursing services, just like one chooses their
• These services would be coordinated with the case managers of each service provider.
• of Health and Human Services.

Bills: SB2015

Keywords: corrections, rehabilitation, prison budget, department of corrections, adult services, youth services, correctional facilities, Heart River correctional center, Missouri River correctional center, James River correctional center, minimum security facility, county jails, regional jails, deferred maintenance, capital construction, strategic investment and improvements fund, Bank of North Dakota, line of credit, tasers, body cameras

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Human Resources division met with a quorum and spent much of the meeting on a proposed “medical home” concept for people with significant disabilities and medical needs. Matt Schwartz described the need for small, community-based homes so adults like his daughter could live in a least-restrictive setting without losing housing if service providers change. Architect Jeff Eubel presented a conceptual budget for one roughly 5,000-square-foot facility for four residents, explaining that the design would likely include four large sleeping units, common space, support areas, and medical infrastructure such as emergency power, oxygen, sprinklers, and accessibility features. Committee members and George Sink, joining by phone, raised questions about layout, zoning, ownership, staffing, and whether families would actually move loved ones into such facilities if they were far from home. The department said the concept was not in the governor’s budget and identified staff who could continue discussions; the committee did not take final action and instead discussed refining the language with interested members. The committee then turned to amendments related to long-term care and behavioral health funding. One amendment would reduce a planned $4 million general fund incentive payment and instead create a withhold-based quality program for nursing facilities, to be developed collaboratively by the department and providers and reported to Legislative Management by September 2026. The department said it could live with the language but preferred the governor’s timing; several senators questioned whether the committee should be directing an operational policy change and whether the study would simply delay implementation. No vote was taken, and the amendment was set aside for later consideration. A second amendment would clarify use of an existing $2 million general fund item for behavioral health services in nursing homes and basic care facilities, directing it toward training, technical assistance, consultation, and direct patient care for residents with medically based behavioral health disorders. Members noted the funding was already in the bill and discussed it in the context of other budget items, but again deferred action. The committee also clarified that a separate $750,000 juvenile justice diversion appropriation in House Bill 1425 was distinct from a similar amount in the budget and should likely remain in that separate bill. The chair indicated a goal of having amendments ready by the end of the week, and the committee recessed without final votes on the discussed items.

Transcript Highlights:

• before you is Senate Bill 6103, also sponsored by Senator Mazzall, relating to making payments for services
• sponsored by Senator King, relating to allowing payments to be made based on allowable costs for services
• We now have Senate Bill 6103, making payments for services provided by a rural emergency hospital subject
• Finally, we have Senate Bill 6194, allowing payments to be made based on allowable costs for services
• through our agencies on the Medicaid contract side to get those services as well.

Bills: SB5985, SB6019, SB6161, SB6183, SB6210, SB6194, SB6102, SB6103

Keywords: endometriosis, healthcare, reproductive health, patient education, awareness campaign, home care, home care services, home care agency, home care worker, caregiver, direct care, consumer directed employer, consumer-directed care, Medicaid, long-term care, aging services, disability services, personal care, respite care, vendor rate

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and advanced SB 6102, SB 6103, and SB 6194. SB 6102, concerning the Ambulance Transport Fund quality assurance fee, and SB 6103, concerning payments for rural emergency hospitals, were both given due pass recommendations to the Rules Committee. SB 6194, which would allow cost-based Medicaid payments for certain rural hospitals on federally recognized Indian reservations, was referred to the Ways and Means Committee without recommendation. All three actions were approved without recorded opposition. The committee then held hearings on several public hearing bills. SB 6183 would require health plans, including public employee plans, to cover all FDA-approved HIV antiviral drugs without prior authorization, step therapy, or other utilization management, with one therapeutic-equivalent exception for prevention drugs. The prime sponsor argued it would reduce barriers to timely treatment and prevention, and a person living with HIV testified that insurance changes had once interrupted access to medication. The hearing drew substantial public interest, with testimony and sign-in counts reported as 53 pro, 58 con, and one other. SB 5985 would create an endometriosis online resource center, Department of Health training modules, and related school health curriculum updates. The sponsor and multiple patients and clinicians described long diagnostic delays, dismissed symptoms, and the need for better education; testimony was strongly supportive, though the sign-in count showed both support and opposition. SB 6019 proposed changes to home care rate statutes to preserve parity and set administrative-rate caps; labor and provider witnesses supported it as a technical fix, while the committee also discussed an updated fiscal note. SB 6161 would direct the Department of Health to include dementia risk-reduction information in public health materials and provider resources when appropriate; the sponsor, Alzheimer’s advocates, and family members supported it as a low-cost prevention measure. Finally, SB 6210 would let the Health Benefit Exchange add a new certification criterion for exchange plans to address affordability and access, including county availability and plan differentiation. The sponsor, the Exchange, and supporters said it could help prevent bare counties and improve affordability amid rising premiums and federal subsidy changes, while the Insurance Commissioner requested an amendment to protect rate confidentiality. Carriers, brokers, and some insurers opposed the bill, warning it could destabilize the market, reduce competition, and pressure premiums; AARP and some consumers supported it as a way to preserve access and choice.

Transcript Highlights:

• amendment to Senate Bill 1112 dated March 20th at 8:19 a.m. appropriates $1 million from the Special Services
• Thank you for your service to the other ladies that are in Perryville.
• I'd be happy to follow up with the estimate of how many UIOs would be utilizing these services if the
• Would this bill allow non-Indian folks to get this service, and is that why there's a cost?
• Chairman Livingston, the bill would only be for American Indians who can receive services through IHS

Bills: SB1112, SB1517, SB1537, SB1584, SB1673, SB1776

Keywords: mental health, hearings, acquaintance witnesses, patient rights, treatment evaluation, barbering, cosmetology, appropriation, funding, licensing, board operations, peace officer, training, public safety, traffic offenses, judicial system, corrections, recruitment, state budget, crime victims

Bills: SB1379

Keywords: human trafficking, victims, prevention, support services, Attorney General, pilot program, grant funding, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the Senior Director of Safety at Chalk Mountain Services.
• We bring the motor fuels to your neighborhood service station.
• the services.
• We're a service and construction company.
• They've directed me to stop using any company services.

Bills: HB4806

Keywords: civil action, damages, health care services, noneconomic damages, negligence, legal standards, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The increased cost of insurance is reflected in the cost of goods and services that Texans buy, while
• So the intent is to have all of the value of the service, right?
• Not necessarily the piece you paid; it is the total of what that service was valued and paid.
• provide for therapy services.
• They've been accepted by the doctor, they are within a range that the service provider...

Bills: HB4806

Keywords: civil action, damages, health care services, noneconomic damages, negligence, legal standards, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Cher, welcome to Senate Health and Human Services again to the people in the room.
• So in order to make their services available to women in Oklahoma, particularly I believe in Oklahoma
• So, but for this one thing, they met the requirements of the RFP to provide services.
• So is this only for digital services?
• So, I'm a big proponent of ABA services. So, I just want to leave you with that.

Bills: SB1421, SB1427, SB1484, SB1503, SB1553, SB1557, SB1564, SB1566, SB1567, SB1591, SB1642, SB1794, SB1837, SB2044

Keywords: mental health, nonphysical intervention, training, youth care, conflict resolution, staff training, pediatric screenings, type 1 diabetes, health care providers, parental consent, reimbursement, state funding, public health, medicolegal investigation, medical examiner, coroner, sudden infant death syndrome, SIDS, sudden unexpected infant death, SUID

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to Senate Health and Human Services.
• So, but for this one thing, they met the requirements of the RFP to provide services.
• So is this only for digital services?
• Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend routine screening.
• So I'm a big proponent of ABA services.

Bills: SB1421, SB1427, SB1484, SB1503, SB1553, SB1557, SB1564, SB1566, SB1567, SB1591, SB1642, SB1794, SB1837, SB2044

Keywords: mental health, nonphysical intervention, training, youth care, conflict resolution, staff training, pediatric screenings, type 1 diabetes, health care providers, parental consent, reimbursement, state funding, public health, medicolegal investigation, medical examiner, coroner, sudden infant death syndrome, SIDS, sudden unexpected infant death, SUID

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee heard and advanced a series of health-related bills. Senate Bill 1503 would allow a digital abortion-related service provider to participate in the Choosing Childbirth grant program without requiring a brick-and-mortar Oklahoma presence; it passed 10-2. Senate Bill 1553, dealing with appeals reviewed by psychologists, passed unanimously. Senate Bill 1427, as amended, would add antibody screening for type 1 diabetes with parental consent and Medicaid reimbursement for the Medicaid population; it passed 9-3. Senate Bill 1642, allowing physicians to prescribe opioids in divided quantities during the initial seven-day period, passed unanimously. Senate Bill 1421, requiring non-physical intervention training for direct-care staff and volunteers in certain mental health facilities, also passed unanimously. The committee also approved several behavioral health and rural care measures. Senate Bill 1837 would ask the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to seek a federal exemption so rural providers of home- and community-based services can also provide case management and person-centered planning; it passed 12-0. Senate Bill 1566, aimed at expanding access to autism diagnosis and ABA therapy by broadening who may diagnose ASD and allowing telemedical supervision of behavioral techs, passed 9-3 with title off due to fiscal concerns. Senate Bill 1567, a cleanup bill for APRN prescriptive authority and medical board fee language, passed 9-3. Senate Bill 1794 would create a statewide behavioral health vacancy registry to help place people in crisis more quickly; it passed 11-1 with title off after fiscal concerns were raised. Later, the committee approved Senate Bill 1484, requiring medical examiner investigations of SIDS and sudden unexpected infant deaths to include review of immunization and medical records and adding parental notification/consent provisions unless a crime is suspected; it passed 12-0. Senate Bill 1557, transferring ABA therapist licensing duties from DHS to a licensing board, passed after an amendment shifting the board involved. Senate Bill 1564, requiring a standardized billing code and reimbursement rate for certain dental surgeries under general anesthesia, passed 11-1 with title off because of a $1.9 million fiscal note. Finally, Senate Bill 1591, as amended, would cap THC in medical marijuana edibles at 10 mg per edible and 100 mg per package to reduce child poisonings; it passed 10-2. Several bills were amended during discussion, and multiple members noted fiscal concerns, parental consent, and access-to-care issues throughout the meeting.

Bills: HB16

Keywords: judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments

Summary: The Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence met with a quorum present and took up House Bill 16, the omnibus courts bill that had been vetoed by the governor after the regular session. The committee substitute made several changes, including moving certain court creation dates, creating a new county court at law for Maverick County, repealing a missed youth diversion article, removing a civil preference for the 456th District Court in Guadalupe County, clarifying the digital court recording study makeup, correcting a drafting error involving prosecutors in the Special Prosecution Unit, and allowing the Office of the Attorney General to represent SPU prosecutors. Megan LaVoie of the Office of Court Administration testified as a resource witness in support of the bill and thanked the committee for working with the judiciary on the measure. Steve Bresnan of the Texas Court Reporters Association also testified in support of the bill, but used his time to urge action on a separate anti-SLAPP appeal that he said had been pending for 47 months; he distributed materials and proposed an amendment to impose deadlines on the courts, though he said he was not expecting discussion of it that day. After public testimony closed, the committee adopted the substitute without objection. Representative Hayes moved that House Bill 16, as substituted, be reported favorably to the full House with the recommendation that it be passed and printed. The motion prevailed on a 10-0 vote, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And lastly, at the Department of Human Services.
• This increases the MA rates for ambulance services by 13.6%.
• Next up is Commissioner Gandhi from the Department of Human Services (DHS).
• I thank you for your work to improve access to critical health care services.
• That there will be ambulance services to arrive.

Bills: HF2435

Keywords: healthcare, dementia services, public health funding, opioid prevention, women's health, community health boards, mental health

Bills: HF2435

Keywords: healthcare, dementia services, public health funding, opioid prevention, women's health, community health boards, mental health

Bills: HB16

Keywords: judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Human Services will come to order. The clerk will call the roll. Chair hole here.
• newborns are manually being enrolled, a mother's Medicaid ID can and should be used to cover these services
• When my boss was elected to higher office, I became an investigator for Child Protective Services.
• Arizona Children's Protective Services, as does Texas, as in fact some of the people who are sitting
• Thank you for your time and for your service to the citizens of Texas, and I would be happy to answer

Bills: HB 2646, HB 3941, HB 5153, HB 5155, HB 5394, HB 1106, HB 426, HB 4529, HB 3984, HB 4273, HB 1097, HB 3940, HB 1941, HB 4377, HB 3153

Keywords: child care, task force, high-quality care, affordability, prekindergarten partnerships, foster care, transitional living, Medicaid reform, youth assistance, independent living, services for youth, employment training, educational support, mental health services, health care, public health, child health program, reimbursement, local health entities, maternal health

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so we will take up House Bill 1012, the budget of the Department of Human Services.
• And then I think another change was to change human service centers to behavioral health clinics.
• And the changes are on lines 16 and 17, where the department is able to review medical assistance services

Bills: HB1012

Keywords: health and human services, DHHS, appropriations, biennial budget, behavioral health, substance use disorder, opioid settlement, medical assistance expansion, Medicaid, basic care, long-term care, child care assistance, early childhood care, child care provider payments, guardianship, conservatorship, housing loan fund, disability services, extraordinary medical needs, community health trust fund

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Human Services Division met to consider House Bill 1012, the Department of Human Services budget, and reviewed three previously made amendments: correcting a reference to $30 million underfunding, changing “human service centers” to “behavioral health clinics,” and revising section 31 language so the department would review medical assistance services and report findings and recommendations rather than directly implement adjustments. The committee also discussed whether to include funding related to two other bills with fiscal impacts, House Bill 1485 (personal needs allowance) and House Bill 2399 (PRTF reimbursement), noting those measures may go to conference committee and that appropriations could be added there instead of in HB 1012. The committee agreed to proceed with HB 1012 and members noted provider inflation questions would be raised later in full committee. The division then approved a due pass recommendation on the amendments to HB 1012 and, after a roll call vote, approved HB 1012 as amended on a 4-1 vote, with Senator Mathern voting no. Senator Davison was named as carrier. Members also discussed House Bill 1577, involving wastewater project financing and possible amendments related to a line of credit from the Bank of North Dakota for specific projects, and House Bill 1619, for which additional amendments were expected before full committee action. The meeting ended with general thanks and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> opposed no does not carry um Services opposed no does not carry um Services Too<00:54:29.319><c>
• Human Services anything further Too Human Services anything further representative<00:54:31.319><c>
• </c><00:58:45.559><c> hired</c> family supports and services hired family supports and services hired
• </c> from hired and its support and services from hired and its support and services thank<01:04:02.760
• , IT services, and the medical field.

Bills: HF500, HF718, HF1096, HF1246, HF1469

Keywords: nursing home, employment standards, worker rights, Minnesota Statutes, labor compensation, workforce development, job training, economic stability, low-income, career pathways, education funding, Summit Academy, employment, STEM programming, GED preparation, Neighborhood Development Center, NDC, small business, entrepreneurship, business training

Transcript Highlights:

• No federal agency should have the power to cut off access to our financial services industry simply .
• They should not have the power to cut off access to our financial services industry simply because they
• My only other experience is in the Senate Armed Services Committee, where we routinely say.
• It gives the Secret Service the authority they need to better deter and detect money laundering, drug
• This amendment enables the Treasury Department to sanction the crypto-mixing services that are used by

Bills: SB875

Keywords: banking regulation, federal agencies, reputational risk, financial services, supervision, FIRM Act, bank supervision, depository institutions, federal banking agencies, FDIC, OCC, Federal Reserve, NCUA, CFPB, credit unions, Operation Choke Point, financial discrimination, safety and soundness, supervisory guidance, examination manual

Summary: This meeting focused on the markup of the Genius Act and the FIRM Act, two significant pieces of legislation addressing stablecoin regulation and the financial industry's regulatory framework. The Chairman noted the importance of providing clarity to the digital asset community and protecting American consumers, while also promoting innovation and competition within the financial sector. Members of both parties expressed varying viewpoints, with some highlighting concerns related to national security and the potential risks associated with stablecoins.

Transcript Highlights:

• But what I’m insinuating is having all those different options and providing services to the community
• </c> different options and providing services different options and providing services to<00:31:33.760
• I think our larger companies can be good neighbors, and we work with them, and they perform a service
• I think our larger companies can be good neighbors, and we work with them, and they perform a service
• </c> with them and they perform a service with them and they perform a service that<01:17:53.440><c>

Bills: HF3718

Keywords: veterinary medicine, veterinary technology, animal care, licensing, client consent, continuing education, emergency services, teletriage, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Why would you write a law when Apple, Google, and other providers of these services are way ahead of
• </c><00:15:36.480><c> are</c><00:15:36.720><c> way</c> providers of these services are way providers
• of these services are way ahead<00:15:37.199><c> of</c><00:15:37.360><c> the</c><00:15:37.519><c> law
• 25:08.159><c> multiple</c> personal documentation to multiple personal documentation to multiple services
• . services. services.

Bills: HB161

Keywords: building codes, standardization, commercial construction, architectural services, energy conservation, federal compliance, local governance, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Human Services.
• </c> maintain our current service levels. maintain our current service levels.
• to critical health care services.
• A uniform transportation services.
• </c> for services that I think are important. for services that I think are important.

Bills: HF2435

Keywords: healthcare, dementia services, public health funding, opioid prevention, women's health, community health boards, mental health, 1183, house