Transcript Highlights:

• We interviewed from 700 Texas small businesses.
• So in this audit, of this forensic audit...
• Okay, how long does that forensic audit take you?
• Forensic accounting. We did a forensic accounting.
• You may be familiar with forensic audits.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires a sunset advisory commission to conduct a full forensic audit audit of the TEA's charter
• I mean, we want to forensically audit everything we can. So the reality is, is, did you go out?
• Um, so we would need to hire folks with the expertise in forensic auditing, for example.
• Hiring can be forensic auditors are hard to find, and they're not cheap, correct?
• Was it a forensic audit?

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to make something very clear: this does not deal with our Department of Forensic Sciences because
• our Department of Forensic Sciences doesn't keep whole organs but can only perform an autopsy to determine
• Um, Forensic Sciences in the country.
• Um, their efforts to make sure that it's not about the Department of Forensic Sciences because, again
• Refuses to provide documents or allow the department to interview witnesses, or the employer refuses.

Bills: SB324, HB395, HB222, HB310, HB285, HB144, HB251, HB380

Keywords: Morgan County, judge of probate, legal qualifications, equity jurisdiction, constitutional amendment, campaign finance, electronic notifications, civil penalties, Fair Campaign Practices Act, Secretary of State, sex offenders, treatment programs, electronic media, post office box restrictions, Class C felony, parole, probation, human cloning, criminal penalties, embryo

Transcript Highlights:

• In Missouri, forensic interviews are admissible as an exception to hearsay as long as there's been a
• Forensic interviews, forensic interviewers, I think the research would suggest that that is the best
• And I think the experience in other states making those forensic interviews, after a judge has determined
• be able to finance, you know, like we're lucky in Montgomery County, we have an in-house digital forensics
• have questions on one of my cases, I don't have to call up the FBI's lab, the regional computer forensics

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So when you're looking at the forensic-involved cases, are you looking in?
• Well, I was trying to figure out about the forensics.
• We have about 1,200 people on our forensic wait list. For an inpatient stay.
• They aren't all forensics. 75 are forensic, but but 125 are actually civil beds.
• Which is different than our standard forensic. Why?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 569, Forensic Client, APD, assists those with developmental disabilities who have been convicted
• federal partners, has historically extended renewal dates for affected areas and waived eligibility interviews
• Changes to the eligibility interview questions to make them easier to understand and elicit more information
• enhanced technology tools throughout the eligibility determination process, particularly during interviews

Bills: SB1465, SB2110, SB1771, SB206, SB1584, SB1386, SB1696, SB1806, SB1428, SB1390, SB1381, SB201, SB1778, SB1332, SB1836, SB1369, SB1794, SB1290, SB175, SB1379

Keywords: professional engineers, surveyors, licensure board, sunset extension, state board, occupational licensing, engineering license, surveying license, professional regulation, regulatory board, sunset review, emergency clause, Oklahoma O.S. 59, board appointments, lay member, Oklahoma Workforce Commission, workforce development, data collection, economic development, outside counsel

Transcript Highlights:

• enforcement, which is offset by a decrease of nine million. for one-time costs associated with the forensic
• Figure four shows the three most common types of forensic testing and the number of cases completed for
• Texas legislature funded these ballistic windshields, and when we interview our recruits Why are you

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's just the way it's handled: you meet, you're interviewed, you're kind of had this—I don't even
• The twins were interviewed and reported the same story.
• The DCS investigator watched the interview and substantiated emotional abuse and depraved indifference
• So it's not like we're inventing the wheel to get some forensic-trained real investigators in there to
• They're trained to do this, and they're trained to forensically interview the children and not take sides

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee opened with remarks framing the meeting as a bipartisan effort to improve Arizona’s child welfare system, especially DCS oversight, accountability, and child safety. The chair said the committee would focus on reforms based on Auditor General findings and hear bills and testimony from youth, advocates, foster parents, and attorneys. Roll was taken, and the committee then began considering several child-welfare bills. HB 2611, dealing with group foster home safety, employee drug screening, resident rights, training, and advocates in congregate care, drew extensive testimony. Supporters, including current and former foster youth, described bullying, unsafe staff behavior, drug use in homes, trafficking concerns, and the need for posted rights, mental health services, and stronger accountability. The sponsor and members discussed an amendment that would require quarterly drug-screening results to be submitted, require removal from child contact pending confirmatory testing after a positive result, and give the DCS director more discretion. The amendment was adopted, and HB 2611 as amended received a do-pass recommendation by a 5-1 vote, with some members voting present or expressing procedural concerns but supporting further work on the bill. HB 2035, which expands kinship placement requirements by adding extended family members to search and notification duties and presuming kinship placement is in the child’s best interest, also received substantial testimony. Advocates argued kinship care reduces trauma and improves stability, while several witnesses described cases where children were not placed with available relatives and instead ended up in congregate care. The committee discussed whether the bill duplicated existing law and whether DCS was already required to search for kin; the sponsor said the bill strengthens existing policy and adds written documentation requirements. HB 2035 was given a do-pass recommendation by a 4-2 vote. The committee then heard HB 4049, which would authorize DCS to employ legal counsel or incur legal expenses, along with an amendment that would require the Attorney General or appointed counsel to represent the state’s interests independently in certain cases and not be subject to DCS retaliation for taking a different position. Testimony split between those who argued the current structure creates a conflict of interest and allows DCS narratives to go unchallenged, and those who said the AG’s office already has separate divisions and that keeping representation centralized preserves consistency and oversight. Discussion continued on whether the current system is structurally broken and where counsel would be housed if the arrangement changed; the transcript ends while that debate is ongoing, without a recorded final vote on HB 4049.

Transcript Highlights:

• law enforcement, which is offset by a decrease of 9 million for one-time costs associated with the forensic
• Figure 4 shows the three most common types of forensic testing and the number of cases completed for
• And, uh, when we, when we interview our recruits, why are you here at DPS when all the job opportunities

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> A forensic interviewer who specializes in child interviews. >> Yes, correct.
• . >> A forensic interviewer who specializes in child interviews. >> Yes, correct.
• . >> A forensic interviewer who specializes in child interviews. >> Yes, correct.
• . >> A forensic interviewer who specializes in child interviews. >> Yes, correct.
• they would have a nurse investigator. >> A forensic interviewer who specializes in child interviews.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of these cases are now being solved using forensic genealogy.
• I'm proud to say we have a forensic genealogist on our staff on our staff to help us.
• There are forensic examinations that don't get completed in a fast enough time.
• There are forensic examinations that don't get completed in a fast enough time.
• It can be an interviewer for a child in a child advocacy center.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing was held in Clinton Town Hall as part of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means’ budget review, with local officials welcoming legislators and noting the long agenda of many panels. The main presentation was from Secretary Terrence Reedy of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, who outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s FY26 proposal for the secretariat, including a $1.7 billion budget and a 7% increase over FY25. He described investments in emergency preparedness, hate-crime prevention, reentry programming, technology modernization, internships, and public safety training, while also noting some reductions driven by resource constraints, including cuts to certain grant programs and administrative costs. Committee members also raised concerns about federal uncertainty and how it could affect state budgets and public safety planning. A major portion of the questioning focused on the Department of Correction. Secretary Reedy and Commissioner Sean Jenkins said the biggest challenges are staffing, officer wellness, facility safety, and contraband—especially K2. They described steps taken at MCI Souza and other facilities, including reducing population at the maximum-security unit, changing management, removing metal products and free weights, improving screening and roll calls, adding a rapid response team, and increasing investigative and technological efforts to combat K2. They also discussed the closure of MCI Concord, saying it was driven by high maintenance costs and staffing needs, and explained that savings are being used to improve staffing patterns and address deferred maintenance over time rather than producing immediate large budget reductions. Members also questioned the budget’s impact on police training and community policing. The administration defended the increase in police academy tuition from $3,200 to $6,000 as reflecting true training costs and said it would still be subsidized by the state, while acknowledging the burden on small municipalities. They said the MPTC is expanding regional training and considering proposals such as Greenfield Community College’s. On community policing, officials emphasized uniform statewide training, de-escalation, and communication skills. The State Police also announced an outside review of the academy by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and said the next class will be split into two smaller groups to improve oversight and allow quicker implementation of recommendations. Other topics included ICE and federal immigration enforcement, with Reedy saying state law prohibits Massachusetts law enforcement from acting in a civil immigration capacity and that no state dollars were used in the Tufts-related ICE operation mentioned by a member. Senators and representatives also raised the upcoming FIFA World Cup, warning that it will require significant public safety resources and likely federal funding. Additional discussion covered restorative justice and juvenile diversion, health care costs in DOC, electronic health records, and the need for more diverse and culturally competent public safety staffing. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• interview.
• They, they are interviewing more collateral witnesses.
• So they're interviewing teachers, um.
• Because if I have the information in there that someone has done an interview that the state doesn't
• The people that we've interviewed because typically they're going to go back and talk to those people

Bills: HB 741, HB 1199, HB 2070, HB 2402, HB 2542, HB 2665, HB 2789, HB 3096, HB 3396, HB 3595, HB 3747, HB 4116, HB 4127

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• interview.
• They are interviewing more collateral witnesses.
• Interviewing teachers, neighbors, all kinds of collateral resources. while law enforcement is mainly
• DFPS is then documenting these interviews, which may have mitigating evidence for the alleged perpetrator
• Who did you interview that gave you that information, or why did you rule it this way?

Bills: HB741, HB 1199, HB2070, HB2402, HB2542, HB2665, HB2789, HB3096, HB3396, HB3595, HB3747, HB4116, HB4127

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• The police refuse to interview them.
• The police refuse to interview<00:35:13.760> them. interview them. interview them.
• with the police. interviews with the police.
• Both with the forensic studies on this.
• <03:26:13.359> in the testimony of um phone forensic in the testimony of um phone forensic

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• receive a written response analyzing the case, identifying missed investigative steps, reevaluating forensic
• We interviewed seven survivors whose loved ones' cases were over 10 years old, considered long-term unsolved
• However, cases without forensic evidence, many involving communities of color, often receive less attention
• to briefly explain how this bill directly addresses the patterns we identified through survivor interviews
• This strategy of mostly pursuing forensic cases works great for the squad and the DA's office because

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. Representative David Linsky supported HB 3383, which would designate the song “Roadrunner” as the official rock song of Massachusetts, describing its Boston roots and cultural significance. Representative Sean Garberle supported HB 3335 on public access to historical records, arguing that records from state institutions should be released after 75 years and that families and researchers should be able to identify people buried in unmarked graves at former state institutions. Representative Rodney Elliott and Lowell officials supported HB 4138, authorizing easements for a Lowell sewer separation project; they said the project is needed for Clean Water Act compliance, will reduce combined sewer overflows into the Merrimack River, and must proceed quickly to meet SRF and consent-decree timelines. Committee members asked about Article 97, the location and scope of the easement, environmental justice impacts, and minority/small business participation in construction. The committee also heard extensive testimony on Senate 2183 and its House companion, which would elevate the Massachusetts National Guard to a cabinet-level position reporting directly to the Governor. Senators Mike Moore and John Velis, along with the National Guard Association’s Matthew McKenna, argued the change would reduce bureaucracy, improve communication and readiness, and reflect the Guard’s broad domestic and military missions. Velis cited the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home tragedy as an example of a breakdown in communication, while committee members said they wanted more information, including input from the Governor’s office and Guard leadership, before acting. The committee noted the distinction between state-controlled and federalized Guard missions and said it would continue reviewing the issue. Senator Liz Miranda and a large panel of survivors, advocates, and Northeastern law students testified in support of S. 2174 and S. 2177, which would create an office and task force on unsolved homicides, allow families to petition for case review after three years, require written responses, and establish a tip line, database, and dedicated funding. Witnesses described long-standing lack of communication, low clearance rates, and the disproportionate impact on Black and Brown communities. Senator Becca Rausch also testified on S. 2210, extending public records law to the governor and Legislature, and S. 2207, creating stronger information-governance and records-retention standards; she said both would improve transparency and reduce waste. The transcript does not reflect any votes taken during the hearing, though chairs repeatedly indicated support for moving some bills favorably and said the committee would continue reviewing the National Guard proposal.

Transcript Highlights:

• A specific example of missing infrastructure was the lack of forensic medical services available in our
• Last year, we took action by opening a forensic exam room in our Red Wing outreach office that provides
• Last year, a local police officer contacted us about a sexual assault survivor who needed a forensic
• /c><00:07:44.599> who<00:07:44.720> needed<00:07:45.000> a<00:07:45.120> forensic
• assault Survivor who needed a forensic assault Survivor who needed a forensic exam<00:07:46.520>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• investigation of crimes, interviewing investigation of crimes, interviewing criminal<00:42:35.240
• So, I mean, criminal defense attorneys interviewing suspects, the media interviewing someone suspected
• Let me ask this: are you trying to prohibit all those kinds of interviews, both investigative interviews
• doing interviews, employers sometimes are interviewing employees who have been suspected of engaging
• defense attorneys doing interviews, defense attorneys doing interviews,<00:54:06.400> employers

Bills: HF3547, HF3651, HF4043, HF4282, HF4095

Keywords: fireworks, public safety, regulation, tax revenue, local government, sale, safety standards, fire safety, ethanol, fuel equipment, compatibility standards, law enforcement, peace officer, unauthorized practice, criminal justice, civics education, jail medication, correctional facility, detention, incarcerated persons

Transcript Highlights:

• Brenda Holt, the director of the forensic audit division, for 25 years.
• criminal misappropriation via forensic, investigative, and special audits.
• The evidence compiled by forensic and performance auditors is critical to convictions.
• Now, thanks to the forensic team's work, the state has already recovered $20 million and stands to gain
• That's making it particularly difficult to hire forensic auditors, which we must do if we're going to

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Due to concern that funds may lapse, LOIC staff interviewed budget staff with the Justice and Public
• I didn't know pediatric forensics was a thing.
• <00:40:45.920> was<00:40:46.160> a I didn't know pediatric forensics was a I didn't
• know pediatric forensics was a thing.<00:40:47.520> And<00:40:47.680> we<00:40:47.920>
• :40:51.440> MD<00:40:51.920> docs, pediatric forensic specialists, MD docs, pediatric forensic

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:03 Summary of Staff Report on the Firefighter Commission Minimum Training Standards and Administrative Spending- 00:01:00 Staff Update on Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel 00:16:00 Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Panel Representatives Available for Questions-00:39:34 Kentucky State Police & Finance Cabinet Status Update on Kentucky Statewide Emergency Responder Voice System-00:52:35 Adjournment-01:46:24, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from December 19 and June 12, then received a staff report on the Kentucky Fire Commission’s minimum training standards and administrative spending. Staff explained that the commission’s current minimum training hours are 115 for volunteer firefighters and 300 for paid firefighters, down from 150 and 400 before January 1, 2023, after the commission removed elective classes not directly tied to NFPA standards. The report found the commission’s certification testing aligns fully with NFPA standards, but recommended that the commission formally promulgate regulations establishing the reduced training hours. On finances, staff said the commission complied with the first statutory cap on administrative reimbursements to KCTCS, but could not verify compliance with a second, more specific cap because the finance system does not break out program-level costs and the statute is vague. Staff recommended the commission work with KCTCS to fix that issue and suggested the General Assembly may wish to clarify the statute. After questions about reimbursement levels and investment income, the committee voted to accept the report. The committee then heard an update on the Kentucky Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel. Staff reported that the panel has implemented two of three prior recommendations: it revised its agency notification letter to clearly state the 90-day response deadline and added response prompts and checkboxes to improve completeness. The third recommendation, to adopt formal written procedures, remains in progress; staff said the panel plans to develop those procedures alongside its new case management system. The panel is meeting its statutory membership and meeting requirements, but agency responses to its recommendations have been inconsistent: 48% were timely and appropriate in 2022, 36% in 2023, and 82% in 2024, though only three of nine timely 2024 responses were fully complete. Staff also described the new case management system project, funded with $200,000 in one-time money, and recommended the panel consult budget staff about use of those funds beyond fiscal year 2025. They reissued the recommendation that the panel develop written procedures for case review, findings, recommendations, and annual reports. Committee members raised concerns about the lack of penalties for noncompliance, the volume and length of panel meetings, and technology barriers to reviewing cases, and one member said the panel’s findings should inform future legislation.