Transcript Highlights:

• And then let's look at what are the meaningful credentials that students could earn.
• If that work aligns with the credential that they earned, If that work aligns with the credential that
• So the credentials that we're offering the different concentrations and tracks and this is based on the
• This is what the credential that our university, because it we have 5 in a study concentrations that
• And then also that industry credential that is specialized in that whatever track that is.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then to know, ultimately, what are the credentials of any third parties that are coming on campus
• And so when they are, it's just a matter of informing parents what those credentials are.
• But again, if they have that background, it shouldn’t be a problem explaining what their credentials
• “No, that the current notice doesn’t require you to say who it is or what the credentials are of that
• , you know, their background credentials for why they’re qualified to come in and teach sex ed.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee met for its first hearing of the session, adopted its committee rules on a 6-0 vote, and then heard several bills. AB 347, which would require written notice to students about the right to opt out of animal dissection and receive a comparable assignment, drew strong support from the author, a student, and multiple advocacy and education groups, while opponents argued it would burden teachers and duplicate existing law. The committee approved AB 347 on a 7-0 vote and sent it to Appropriations. AB 281, which would expand parent access to sex education materials and require disclosure of outside consultants’ credentials, drew mixed testimony. Supporters framed it as a transparency and parent-rights measure, while school administrators and county education officials said current law already allows inspection and that the bill would create an unfunded administrative burden. After extended member discussion, the bill failed on a 4-3 vote with one abstention, though reconsideration was granted. AB 65, which would provide paid pregnancy leave for educators without requiring them to exhaust sick leave first, was supported by teachers, CTA, and the State Treasurer, but opposed by school administrators and business officials over cost concerns; it passed 6-0 to Higher Education. The committee also approved AB 361, which would extend and expand LAUSD’s best-value procurement authority for school construction to all school districts for five years, on a 5-0 vote with one abstention. AB 86, which would require the State Board of Education to adopt standardized K-8 health education instructional materials, passed 5-0. Finally, AB 228, the Zaki Fast Act, was introduced to clarify that schools may stock any federally approved epinephrine delivery system, including newer devices beyond auto-injectors, and was presented with testimony from the bill’s young namesake and his family; the transcript cuts off before the committee vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• And are any of the other YRTCs credentialed as a PRTF?
• I don't believe any of them are currently credentialed as a PRTF.
• And are any of the other YRTCs credentialed as a PRTF?
• I don't believe any of them are currently credentialed as a PRTF.
• YRTC versus PRTF credential?

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee held an invited-testimony hearing on LR 425, which examines the Whitehall campus in Lincoln and possible long-term options for youth currently served there. Chair Brian Hardin explained that Whitehall houses two separate programs for adolescent males: a substance use program and a youth-who-sexually-harm program. Testimony from DHHS officials described Whitehall as a Joint Commission-accredited psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF) that provides about 40 hours of weekly programming, family involvement, school services, and community reintegration activities. Officials said the department is evaluating whether the programs should remain at Whitehall or move to another state-owned facility, with Hastings described as the department’s preferred alternative because it is more residential in design than a youth rehabilitation treatment center (YRTC).

Transcript Highlights:

• The overall goal of this Kentucky qualification system is to establish and maintain credential personnel
• "The overall goal of this Kentucky qualification system is to establish and maintain credential
• , credentialing standards for professionals<00:08:28.040> involved<00:08:28.520> in<00:
• <00:08:42.320> personnel<00:08:43.599> for<00:08:44.440> uh maintain credential
• personnel for uh maintain credential personnel for uh incident<00:08:44.960> management<00:08

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Membership in SIPACT would allow psychologists in Massachusetts to choose to obtain a credential that
• At that time, my credentials were vetted by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards
• You have to go through a vetting of every single credential you've ever had in order to pass this.
• There was a PA that was deployed to the base while I was credentialed and onboarded for three months
• And it provides consumers with disclosures of credentialing information so they can make an informed

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing to take testimony on a wide range of bills involving professional licensure, clinical practice, and public health-related workforce issues. The chair explained that no votes would be taken at the hearing and that the purpose was to gather public input. Early testimony focused on Marnie’s Law, with supporters describing the bill as a no-cost, preventive measure to require nursing education on inflammatory breast cancer after a family tragedy and arguing it could reduce misdiagnosis and save lives. A major portion of the hearing centered on bills affecting clinical decision-making and licensure compacts. Supporters of the physician ownership/clinical autonomy bills argued they would protect independent practices from corporate interference after the Steward collapse, while supporters of EMS, dental, psychology, physical therapy, and physician assistant compacts said the measures would improve workforce mobility, reduce delays, and expand access to care, especially for rural patients, military families, and telehealth users. Several witnesses emphasized that the compacts would not reduce standards and would strengthen public protection through shared disciplinary databases and streamlined credentialing. There was also testimony on bills to ensure safe medication administration and to protect the independence of complementary and alternative health care practitioners. Nursing representatives urged that only licensed professionals administer medications in hospitals, hospices, and home care settings, warning that delegation to unlicensed staff could endanger patients and nurses’ licenses. A complementary and alternative care witness supported consumer access with mandatory disclosures and limits on reserved medical acts. On the dental compact, witnesses were split: some supported portability and workforce flexibility, while others warned the compact lacked a hands-on skills exam and could weaken Massachusetts’ regulatory authority and patient safety. The hearing concluded with continued testimony on the psychology compact, physical therapy compact, and physician assistant bills, with most speakers favoring expanded interstate practice and reduced administrative barriers.

Transcript Highlights:

• People getting certified today in the PT world, are they choosing the upper end of the credentialing
• Depending on the MCO, FQHCs are sometimes not reimbursed for services rendered during the credentialing
• House Bill 3151 designates FQHCs and FQHC providers as providers eligible for expedited credentialing
• And if you look at the language, there's already an expedited credentialing process.
• Because there are no uniform guidelines by HHSC... ...on two MCOs on the credentialing process and when

Bills: HB1106, HB3284, HB541, HB713, HB1403, HB1586, HB1942, HB2070, HB2844, HB2851, HB3151, HB3749, HB3940, HB3963, HB4454, HB4466, HB4795, HB5154, HB5394, SB1357, HB1052, HB4099, HB4638, HB5147

Keywords: child abuse, neglect, gender identity, sexual orientation, child welfare, marriage, family, Texas Commission, family welfare, marriage support, stability, premarital education, child development, strong families, direct patient care, healthcare, physicians, medical services, insurance regulation, maternal health

Transcript Highlights:

• Johnson, with the committee staff, as well as with the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, on as well
• But how will the teacher credentialing program educate bilingual?
• No credentialed education specialist is available, so they bring in a substitute.
• No credentialed education specialist is available, so they bring in a substitute.
• I know that it was helpful for me when I was working under my emergency credential.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pathway Program, allowing high school. juniors and seniors to earn a diploma alongside a child care credential
• Child care, obviously. is a tremendous workforce need, and the credentials and certifications of that
• What is a Child Development Associate credential? I mean, what are we talking about there?
• opportunity to define curriculum for certification to gain both in 11th and 12th grade to walk out with a credential
• As you know, this session is really focused. towards CTE and credentialing for workforce.

Bills: HB 1079, HB3651, HB4980

Keywords: Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, Leadership Officer Training Corps, public school, career education, military readiness, public school accountability, funding allotments, healthcare, insurance, cost control, patient access, regulation, affordability, public health, JROTC, automobile maintenance, high school education, elective course, student skills, practical knowledge

Transcript Highlights:

• However, fewer than 50% of Texans earn a postsecondary credential.
• requiring each school board to include in its required CCMR plan goals related to postsecondary credentials
• expands access to CTE programs for all students, ensuring that they can earn industry recognized credentials
• years of its founding, the students in the RSIZ, the model for RPEPs, have increased industry-based credential
• More likely to graduate with a college credit or credential of value.

Bills: HB6, HB120, HB210

Keywords: hemp, consumable hemp products, hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, cannabidiol, CBG, cannabigerol, Texas hemp law, hemp regulation, cannabinoid products, delta-9 THC, intoxicating hemp, hemp gummies, hemp vape, retail registration, product registration, QR code labeling, child-resistant packaging, youth access, minor sales

Transcript Highlights:

• They are entering a comprehensive transition program that provides them with a meaningful credential,
• So the credentials that we’re offering, the different concentrations and tracks, and this is based on
• There are 117 concentrations and tracks, 173 micro-credentials and badges that students have, and 352
• Our students earn a certificate of professional readiness, which is the credential at our university
• Our students earn a certificate of professional readiness, which is the credential at our university

Summary: The committee held its first meeting of the session and received an overview of the Higher Education Appropriations budget from staff director Tim Elwell. He explained the committee’s broad jurisdiction over universities, state colleges, district workforce programs, vocational rehabilitation, blind services, student financial aid, private colleges, and the Board of Governors, and reviewed key budget concepts such as local funds, funds per FTE, performance funding, and the distinction between the total appropriation and the recurring base budget. He noted that higher education is funded largely through state and local sources, with substantial flexibility compared with other state budgets, and that the base budget is heavily weighted toward lump-sum allocations to the public systems. The committee then heard a presentation from the University of South Florida’s Florida Center for Cybersecurity (Cyber Florida), led by retired Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie and USF representative Mark Walsh. They described Cyber Florida as a statewide cybersecurity platform created by the Legislature in 2014 to support education, research, workforce development, public policy, and community engagement. McKenzie emphasized the growing cyber threat environment, Florida’s leadership role, and several funded initiatives, including K-12 outreach, workforce training, a cyber range for county governments, critical infrastructure assessments, grant development, and public conferences and outreach. Members asked about public cyber awareness, the lack of a national cyber defense strategy, school district participation in Cyber Launch, and which counties are most at risk; McKenzie said smaller counties with limited cybersecurity staffing are generally more vulnerable and offered to provide follow-up information. Finally, the committee heard from the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities at the University of Central Florida, led by Dr. Drew Andrews, along with program and parent representatives from participating institutions. Andrews explained the center’s role in coordinating Florida’s postsecondary comprehensive transition programs for students with intellectual disabilities, supporting program development, distributing grants and scholarships, and monitoring outcomes. He reported that the state now has 33 approved programs at 35 institutions, including universities, state colleges, and technical colleges, and that scholarship and grant funding has grown significantly. He said student retention is about 88 percent, many graduates are employed, and median hourly earnings have increased over time. A representative from Southeastern University described how the center’s support helped build and sustain SEU Link, including a new third-year employment-focused option for students.

Transcript Highlights:

• pathway program, allowing high school juniors and seniors to earn a diploma alongside a childcare credential
• Childcare obviously is a tremendous workforce need and the credentials and certifications of that needs
• What is a child development associate cre credential? I mean.
• curriculum for in terms of certification to gains both in 11th and 12th grade to walk out with a credential
• And as you know, this session is really focused towards CTE and, and credentialing for workforce.

Transcript Highlights:

• , which is teacher credentialing, and another as to statute and clarifications.
• In credentialing, you'll see in Century Code 15.1-016.
• To date, there are 23 credential topics that DPI manages.
• The department recommends that these credentials be reviewed in their total for relevancy, as some credentials
• Also connected to the credentialing process is the North Dakota teaching license.

Summary: The task force reviewed survey results from state agencies on potential statutory revisions, with Levi reporting 70 proposals from 20 agencies and noting that about 33 might become agency pre-file bills. Members discussed the need to share the survey more broadly within higher education and to better coordinate issues involving IT and other cross-agency functions. The task force then heard from the Office of Management and Budget on three topics: concessions, architect/engineering pre-qualification, and legal notices. OMB said the concessions law is outdated and inconsistent with current practice, and suggested a collaborative rewrite to allow best-value evaluation, raise the threshold, and standardize solicitation templates. On architect/engineering pre-qualification, OMB proposed expanding authority beyond current state-agency limits and creating uniform templates. On legal notices, OMB proposed modernizing publication requirements, exploring online and abbreviated notices, and working with newspapers and other stakeholders on technology and accessibility improvements. Members asked about where concession revenues go, whether political subdivisions must follow the same rules, and how to move from discussion to action. The task force agreed to have OMB work with Legislative Council and affected stakeholders to develop bill drafts, and the motion passed unanimously. The University of North Dakota then presented a series of proposed revisions focused on public buildings and procurement. UND asked to rework the definition of construction so routine maintenance and one-for-one replacements over $250,000 would not automatically trigger public-improvement requirements, suggested raising the threshold to $500,000, and asked for more flexibility based on project complexity and risk. UND also proposed changes to public bid advertisements to reflect electronic bidding, revisions to construction manager-at-risk selection criteria, changes to architect/engineer procurement rules, an increase in the direct-hire design threshold, and a higher legislative-consent threshold for privately funded projects. The task force supported having UND work with counsel and OMB to develop bill drafts, and that motion also passed. The Department of Public Instruction concluded with proposed cleanup to credentialing and education statutes. DPI recommended reviewing its credential categories for relevance, possibly transferring credentialing authority to the Education Standards and Practices Board, removing outdated school safety patrol language, clarifying waiver provisions, and updating dyslexia screening reporting requirements so the statute reflects current practice. Members focused mainly on whether the dyslexia reporting requirement should remain, and DPI said the screening itself would continue even if reporting language were revised. No votes were taken on DPI’s suggestions, and the task force recessed after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Based on credentials, experience, and role.
• With similarly credentialed K-12 educators.
• On higher credentials, we also supported coaching and professional development.
• We need to identify practical ways to track and monitor wages and credentials, and create policies for
• credentials, what their salaries are.

Bills: SB2

Transcript Highlights:

• You get a user to give you their password and their credential.
• more than an online credential.
• It could be a passport, but generally most people, the primary credential used is a driver's license.
• That includes things like being able to detect if your credential has been compromised and being able
• We're also placing an extremely high focus on the security of the credential.

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They come with credentials that have maybe been offered by Ford Motor Company or as a mechanic or credentials
• They come with credentials that have maybe been offered by Ford Motor Company or as a mechanic, or credentials
• <01:03:59.559> that or as a mechanic or uh credentials that or as a mechanic or uh credentials
• approved by the department in a published list of acceptable credentials.
• I want to ask about a section B here, uh, certified credential.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 295, which would make school building aid funds non-lapsing/non-APS. Representative Cahill said the bill was intended to keep any unused building aid money available for future projects, potentially helping move projects up the priority list or provide a little more funding for school construction. Members asked about how much money has lapsed in past years, whether the education trust fund and building aid are separate, and whether any lapsing dollars could be used to pay down debt. Department of Education official Jim Carney said about $29.1 million would be available if building aid is funded to the $50 million maximum in FY26, confirmed that the fund currently lapses, and said the department would gather historical lapse data. Committee members also discussed whether a dedicated fund structure could achieve the same goal, and the chair noted that the education trust fund statute includes school building aid as one of its uses. No vote was taken; the hearing was closed and the committee said it would later hold a work session after receiving more information. The committee then took up HB 237, introduced by Representative Dan McGuire, which would prohibit the use of special education state funds and differentiated aid for students not receiving special education services. The New Hampshire School Boards Association, through Becky Wilson, opposed the bill as written, saying it was unclear, potentially unnecessary, and difficult to implement because adequacy and differentiated aid are distributed as part of a districtwide lump sum rather than as student-specific dollars. She explained that special education costs are embedded across district budgets, including staffing, training, transportation, and instruction, and that some staff and services benefit both special education and general education students. Wilson also said differentiated aid is not tied to a specific pupil and is used at the district’s discretion, though it is intended to support students with greater needs. Committee members pressed on whether the bill would require districts to track money by individual student, whether it could conflict with federal special education law, and whether it would affect least restrictive environment requirements. Wilson said making the funds student-specific could create privacy and accounting problems and could make it difficult to staff inclusive classrooms, though she did not give a definitive legal opinion on federal compliance. She agreed that students who are not eligible for special education would not be included in the separate catastrophic/special education aid reimbursement program. The discussion continued into the second section of the bill, with members exploring how adequacy aid and differentiated aid are used in practice, but no action was taken during the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• determine post-secondary credentials determine post-secondary credentials that<00:09:02.399>
• to understand what the impact credential to understand what the impact of<00:09:25.959> that<
• 00:09:26.120> credential<00:09:26.519> will<00:09:26.680> be<00:09:26.920> in
• credential will be in terms of what<00:09:27.839> they<00:09:27.959> can<00:09:28.160>
• <00:10:32.600> uh ed some sort of higher ed credential uh ed some sort of higher ed credential

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• licensing team has processed between February twenty-sixth and April 17th, we had 2,339 employee credentialing
• Currently, we have processed 2,322 employee credentialing applications, 290 transporter agent applications
• That means that our average application processing time is on the same business day for credential applications
• growth sites that have been abandoned for 30 days or more, Senate Bill 1242 now covers employee credentialing
• So, we're working to find the credentials that we need to look for and the positions and building that

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , the credentialing of anybody who's student-facing.
• are, how would that expertise be considered as for credentialing of that person by the department?
• ...the credentialing of anybody who is student-facing.
• They would be credentialed. Absolutely.
• So I think that was just a good question that they had on credentialing and what credentialing means

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a long agenda of agency rule changes, beginning with housekeeping on the order of business and then taking up rules from multiple state agencies. Early items included Department of Energy and Environment rules on landfill post-closure trust fund spending thresholds and liquefied petroleum gas standards, DFA’s odometer disclosure rule allowing electronic signatures and disclosures, and several Department of Health rules covering ionizing radiation, mobile home and recreational parks, lead-based paint, counseling licensure, hearing instrument dispensers, athletic training, dental specialties and compacts, nursing, pharmacy, physician assistants, medical compacts, speech-language pathology and audiology, radiologic technology, massage therapy, community health workers, doula certification, and cosmetology/body art. Most of these were described as technical updates, conformity with recent acts, federal standards, or compact participation, and nearly all were approved without objection after brief questions and, in many cases, no public comment. The committee also reviewed Department of Labor and Licensing rules on minimum wage/independent contractor standards, boiler rules, motor vehicle commission requirements for ATV/LSV dealers, professional wrestling regulation, appraiser qualifications, and military recruiting and retention programs. Testimony generally emphasized that the rules implemented recent legislation, updated fees or licensing standards, or streamlined existing processes. Members asked a few questions about fee structures, the rationale for regulating professional wrestling, and how the National Guard’s public-private partnership and incentive programs would work; the department said the recruiting incentives would be funded from existing appropriations and were intended to improve retention and force strength. These rules were also approved without objection. The most extensive discussion came on the Department of Education’s Arkansas Children’s Educational Freedom Account Program rule. The department said the revisions, based on Act 920 of 2025, were intended to add guardrails, clarify allowable expenses, and speed approval of core educational purchases. Changes included defining core educational expenses, limiting certain sports-related spending, adding an intentional misuse standard, restricting phone purchases except for disability-related needs, setting a $1,000 threshold for additional review of technology purchases, capping carryover funds at $8,500, and creating a reconsideration process for denied expenses. Members raised concerns about safeguards, appeals, sports equipment, provider credentialing, rural vendor access, and whether the department would be flexible or overly restrictive. The department said it would review every request, provide written explanations for denials, allow appeals up to the State Board, and refer suspected fraud to prosecutors if necessary. After hearing from 13 members of the public, the committee continued to discuss the rule, but the transcript ends before any final vote on the EFA rule is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, I will cover the BCP investments for the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
• The mayor vision proposes an augmentation of 1.5 million teacher credentials fund and seven positions
• This allowed candidates to receive their preliminary teaching credential as long as they complete to
• then pass the TPA before they received their clear credential.
• In 2023, the budget waived the need for those preliminary credential holders to take the TPA if they

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• social workers who have passed the ASW board national exam and hold a licensed clinical social work credential
• School social work is a predominantly female-led profession, and advanced credentials in female-dominated
• SB 231... ...mental health professionals with advanced credentials.
• School counselors, nurses, SLPs, and music therapists are recognized for their advanced credentials.
• Our credentials, our responsibilities, and our student needs point to the same conclusion.

Bills: SB231

Keywords: school social workers, salary supplement, LCSW, mental health, education funding, Delaware Code, certification, professional standards

Summary: The House Administration Committee met and first considered Senate Bill 231, which would extend the existing 6% salary supplement for school-based mental health professionals with advanced credentials to school social workers who hold licensed clinical social worker credentials and have passed the national exam. The bill sponsor and multiple witnesses described school social workers as essential to student mental health, crisis response, attendance, and family support, and argued the measure corrects an oversight and inequity in the current salary supplement structure. Public testimony was uniformly supportive, and the committee voted to release the bill. The committee then heard Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 212, a constitutional amendment to protect the rights to hunt, fish, and trap. Supporters, including sportsmen’s groups and individual residents, said the amendment would preserve longstanding traditions, support wildlife management, and guard against future threats to hunting and trapping. An opposing witness argued there was no current threat in Delaware and said the Constitution should not be used to protect trapping or elevate hunting and trapping over other wildlife management approaches. Despite the opposition, the committee voted to release the substitute bill. Finally, the committee took up Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 284, the First State Emergency Response Act, which would create a 25-foot buffer around first responders at emergency scenes after warning, with misdemeanor penalties for knowingly entering or remaining in the zone to interfere with duties. Supporters said the bill would protect police, firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics from interference, while opponents from the ACLU and the Office of Defense Services raised concerns about vague terms, potential First Amendment impacts, enforcement clarity, and jurisdictional issues. Committee members also questioned how the buffer would be marked and enforced. The sponsor and staff said they would continue working on the language, and the committee voted to release the bill.