Transcript Highlights:

• depictions of individuals depictions of individuals indistinguishable<00:37:48.400> from<
• They make community supervision distribution modifications for DOC-supervised counties.
• They make incarcerated individuals.
• changes to the community supervision changes to the community supervision funding<00:47:58.839><
• <00:48:12.400> supervision<00:48:13.119> advisory supervision supervision advisory supervision

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:00.120> who there are a number of individuals who there are a number of individuals
• They would never be working independently without supervision.
• "And where is that supervision written?" "Let me confirm for you.
• "And where is that supervision written?" "Let me confirm for you.
• doing the work always in supervision doing the work always in supervision even<00:22:42.279>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard House Bill 2712, which would remove the exam requirement for licensure as a Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA). Members expressed concern that the exam requirement was only added in 2021 and has not been in place long enough to evaluate, but they also questioned whether licensure should be granted without a meaningful measure of competency. Testimony was split: supporters argued the exam is a barrier for applicants without formal social work education, while opponents said licensure should still require some standard of competency, especially because the title carries public expectations and insurance reimbursement implications. Karina Bonia, speaking for NASW New Hampshire, said there is very limited data because only one person in New Hampshire currently holds an LSWA. She explained that LSWA applicants may have degrees outside social work, unlike licensed social workers, and that the current exam is the same national social work exam used for higher levels of licensure. She argued that this creates a significant barrier for LSWA applicants and noted that LSWA holders are already required to complete 30 hours of training and substantial supervised hours. Members asked for data on pass/fail rates and whether a different exam or practical skills test would be more appropriate. Committee members and OPLC representatives discussed whether the current statute and board rules already provide enough authority for the board to set other criteria, and whether the exam requirement is tied to the social work compact. OPLC indicated that the current rule requires passage of a national proctored exam approved by the board, but that no national exam exists specifically for this level, and that the board may need legislative authority to develop different criteria. The discussion ended with interest in obtaining the existing rule language and possibly revisiting the issue through amendment or future legislation rather than immediately removing the exam requirement.

Transcript Highlights:

• perform certain veterinary tasks under the supervision of a licensed Florida vet.
• In the case of prescribing, it also violates federal law, making these individuals and supervising veterinarians
• I would be glad to speak with each of you individually or any of your staff.
• So who would delegate to some unknown individual? They will be well-trained.
• And then once delegated, it's under the supervision of the vet. This will allow vets...

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and took up two bills. First, it considered SB 754 on heated tobacco products. The sponsor said the bill would define heated tobacco products and exempt them from the cigarette tax, arguing they are a less harmful alternative for nicotine users. Senators asked about youth access and regulation, and the sponsor said he would research those issues further. A representative of the Florida Retail Federation appeared in support, and the committee voted the bill favorably. The committee then heard SB 796 on veterinary medicine, after adopting a delete-everything amendment. The amended bill would create a Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA) role, allowing individuals with a master’s degree and national competency exam to perform certain delegated veterinary tasks under a licensed veterinarian’s responsible supervision. It also expanded the allowable period for telehealth prescriptions for flea and tick products and other medications. Supporters said the bill would expand access to care, reduce costs, and help address veterinary shortages, while opponents from the Florida Veterinary Medical Association argued the proposal was unnecessary, could create safety and federal-law concerns, and that existing veterinary technicians and other workforce measures were a better solution. After testimony and debate, the amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. During final debate, several senators said the VPA proposal was more limited and better balanced than earlier versions, with the veterinarian retaining liability and control over delegated duties. The sponsor closed by emphasizing rising veterinary costs, shortages of care, and the need for more affordable access for pet owners. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those we use on our supervision end of things.
• And so an individual who's been revoked, and we've had multiple individuals who have gone back into the
• It's a very intensive supervision program, probably the most intensive supervision program that exists
• This is how individuals will now receive treatment in a supervised treatment program in the community
• If asked to do it, we will supervise it.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee held an oversight hearing on the state auditor’s October 2024 report on California’s Forensic Conditional Release Program (CONREP) for sexually violent predators. Members and witnesses discussed public safety, the long delays in finding community housing, the role of local housing committees, and the Department of State Hospitals’ oversight of Liberty Healthcare, which operates much of the program. Several legislators from rural and high-desert districts said their communities have been disproportionately affected by placements and questioned why many placements end up in remote areas. State Auditor Grant Parks said the audit found that CONREP participants were convicted of new offenses less often than sexually violent predators who were unconditionally released, but that 18 of 56 participants had been revoked and returned to state hospitals for noncompliance. He said it took an average of 17 months to place current participants in the community, with 20 additional people awaiting placement for an average of 20 months, and that the program incurred significant pre-placement costs. Parks also said local officials were often unclear about their role, DSH had not given clear guidance at the time of the audit, and California lacks a transitional housing option used in some other states. He reported that DSH had implemented four of the five audit recommendations, while declining the recommendation to explore state-owned transitional housing. DSH Director Stephanie Clendendon and Liberty representative Ken Carabello defended the program as a court-ordered, highly supervised treatment model intended to reduce reoffending and support reintegration. They said DSH is actively involved in placement review, that Liberty searches countywide under statutory restrictions, and that community feedback and court approval are part of the process. DSH said it has now implemented guidance for housing committee designees, formal program reviews, an outcome tracker, and an analysis of whether to separate some Liberty services into different contracts. DSH continued to oppose transitional housing, arguing it would not solve the core siting and statutory problems and would add cost. Several members remained critical, arguing the program is broken, costly, and unfairly concentrated in certain communities, and some called for major statutory changes or suspension of the program.

Transcript Highlights:

• We supervise individuals who are placed under supervision from the district court on probation, released
• That is supervision of individuals who have been arraigned on a usually a Class A misdemeanor or a felony
• There's the opportunity for the individual to be released from jail and placed under supervision of a
• Would we rather have skilled, trained individuals supervising those people when they're out, those that
• the number of individuals that we would potentially have placed on pretrial supervision throughout the

Summary: The Judiciary Interim Committee met to begin its study of charitable gaming and the ownership of alcoholic beverage establishments by licensed charitable gaming organizations, a study directed by Senate Bill 2334. Legislative Council gave an overview of the constitutional and statutory framework for charitable gaming, site authorizations, rent limits, proceeds, and recent legislative changes. The Attorney General’s Gaming Division then clarified the financial flow of gaming, explaining that in fiscal year 2025 North Dakota had about $2.5 billion in gross gaming proceeds, with roughly 88-90% paid back in prizes and about $256 million available to organizations after taxes; most of that activity came from electronic pull tabs. Members asked for more detail on winnings, replays, rent, and the breakdown of manufacturer/distributor revenues, and the AG’s office agreed to provide supplemental information. The committee also heard from the League of Cities and the Association of Counties about local site authorization. Cities said they have a limited role in approving gaming sites, can adopt policies after public hearing, may charge up to $100, and can set certain conditions, including local nexus requirements, but cannot require donations or force a specific charity or site. The League said it had worked with stakeholders on a model policy to provide more consistency, though members raised concerns that local requirements could become too restrictive for charities serving broader areas. Counties said the issue is mostly a city matter, with little county involvement beyond minimal site fees and general site approval. The North Dakota Gaming Alliance testified in support of the study and provided IRS-related material suggesting charities may use asset diversification, while emphasizing it had not taken a position on whether charities should own bars. Members questioned whether bar ownership is being used for site stability or to channel charitable gaming dollars, and whether city policies might disadvantage charities with broader missions. The committee also discussed the relationship between gaming organizations, manufacturers, and distributors, including restrictions on incentives and interference, and asked for more information on those entities and their ownership. Later in the meeting, the Racing Commission gave its regular update on live racing, pari-mutuel wagering, ADW providers, purse and promotion funds, a new TRPB contract, and concerns about cease-and-desist actions from other states. Finally, the State Hospital superintendent briefly reported on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s support services, including the SORT team, training, and security assistance for the hospital campus.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:50.360> retailers to underage individuals retailers to underage individuals retailers
• Why does supervision matter?
• life better but the supervising life better but the supervising physicians's<00:58:33.200> life
• You're right there to supervise them in the rural area. You're not.
• You're right there to supervise them in the rural area. You're not.

Keywords: Call to Order 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:35 SB 22 Discussion 00:01:20 SB 22 Vote 00:11:45 SB 100 Discussion 00:15:07 SB 100 Vote 00:38:53 SB 88 Discussion Only 00:42:11 Adjournment 01:03:52, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met on February 18, 2025, and first took up Senate Bill 22 by Senator Reginald Thomas, which was presented as a cleanup measure following prior cosmetology reforms and a Legislative Oversight and Investigations report. The bill would allow cosmetologists to retake exams multiple times with a one-month wait, authorize the Board of Cosmetology to immediately close facilities that intentionally use unlicensed workers while preserving due process, give the board flexibility to hire an executive director based on qualifications rather than licensure, and recognize certain out-of-state or territorial cosmetology licenses. Board officials said the changes were intended to improve fairness, equality, and administrative due process. Senators asked about retesting fees and whether partial retests could dilute standards; Thomas clarified that the exam is cumulative and must be retaken in full. The committee approved SB 22 with all favorable votes, and Senator Meredith explained his support as a workforce and fairness issue. The committee then heard Senate Bill 100 by Senator Jimmy Higdon, as substituted, concerning tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product retail licensing and enforcement. Youth advocates from the University of Kentucky testified in support, describing youth nicotine use as a public health crisis and urging stronger enforcement, annual compliance checks, retailer licensing, and tougher penalties for illegal sales to minors. Higdon said the bill would create a Division of Tobacco, Nicotine, and Vapor Products Licensing within ABC, require licenses for retailers, authorize inspections and confiscation of contraband, impose escalating criminal and civil penalties for unlicensed sales and sales to minors, publish a list of licensed retailers, and dedicate fine revenue to enforcement and youth education. He said the measure targeted bad actors rather than responsible retailers. A retailer witness also supported licensing but raised concerns about contradictory product definitions that could sweep in hemp and medical marijuana vapor products, and asked that the bill be delayed until after an expected Supreme Court decision affecting federal vapor-product rules. The transcript ends during discussion of SB 100, before any committee vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• centralized repository of individual centralized repository of individual level<00:18:26.320>
• /c><00:26:15.840> supervision have been compliant with supervision have been compliant with supervision
• We've seen individuals violations.
• another mechanism like supervised another mechanism like supervised release,<00:40:18.320> um
• They could be on supervised status. They could be on supervised release<00:44:41.280> status.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing on findings from the deportation data project and possible policy responses to increased federal immigration enforcement in Hawaii. In opening remarks, the chair said the committee was concerned about changing federal executive orders, policies, and enforcement actions, and framed the issue as one involving due process and public safety. The chair and presenters described reports of ICE activity on multiple islands, including raids, courthouse presence, and fear in immigrant communities, and said the committee was considering whether state policies should be advanced more quickly. Mandy Fernandez of the ACLU of Hawaii presented updated deportation data and argued that increased immigration enforcement is creating fear, reducing crime reporting, and potentially making state and local agencies extensions of the federal immigration agenda if they accept federal funding with conditions. She said the deportation data project, housed at UC Berkeley Law with UCLA’s Center for Immigration Law and Policy, uses FOIA requests and its latest data runs through late July 2025. She reported 153 ICE arrests in Hawaii from January through July 2025, up from 41 in the same period in 2024; 96 removals, up from 15; a federal detention center average daily population of 91 in June 2025 versus 31 in June 2024; and 111 ICE detainers issued in Hawaii from September 2023 through July 2025, with 49 issued in 2025. She also cited an immigration court backlog of 1,144 pending cases as of August 2025 and noted that about one in five Hawaii residents were born outside the United States. Haley Chang of the Office of the Public Defender said her office is seeing a marked increase in ICE presence around courthouses and more ICE contacts with clients, including reports of people being detained after court appearances or while on supervision. She emphasized that the office is not an immigration law office and that much of its information is anecdotal, but said the pattern appears new compared with prior years. In response to committee questions, she explained that ICE detainers are requests, not judicial warrants, and said local law enforcement is generally not required to honor them unless accompanied by a judicial warrant or other legal authority. She also said the public defender’s office had not yet seen new criminal charges arise solely from an ICE detention or failure to appear tied to immigration enforcement, though cases could be affected if defendants are removed from the criminal process.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I'll be um individual proposals.
• They don't want to be supervising the folks that they're working with.
• function, not a supervising function. function, not a supervising function.
• It was the supervision funding formula.
• <00:39:51.599> funding changes to the supervision funding changes to the supervision funding

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have seven sections that I supervise.
• It's in the hundreds where individuals have to interrupt their day to go resolve... ...where individuals
• Jumping into direct supervision, the last thing we'll talk about on the direct supervision front: I won't
• In the female part of the prison, we are using direct supervision.
• Direct supervision is really based on a facility design, and then the inmate supervision is structured

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The requirement of duplicative and unnecessary written protocol supervision.
• Usually, they practice under, again, the supervision of the surgeon, and as mentioned, these are individuals
• supervising physician increases the cost by 50% to 200%.
• The truth is, though, the supervision in all those scenarios is illusory. It's paperwork.
• Fundamentally, we should want health care to be supervised by physicians.

Summary: The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee met with a quorum and heard two bills. HB 649 would remove the current written physician protocol requirement for certified registered nurse anesthetists, allowing CRNAs to practice autonomously. The sponsor and supporters argued the change would modernize Florida law, address anesthesia workforce shortages, keep graduates in the state, and improve access especially in rural areas; opponents, including the Florida Medical Association and a cardiologist, warned that physician oversight is important for patient safety and that anesthesia complications can arise quickly. After debate, the committee passed HB 649 favorably by a vote of 12 yeas and 6 nays. The committee then heard HB 723, which requires the Department of Health, working with school districts, to develop informational materials on early detection of type 1 diabetes and have schools notify parents within the first 30 school days about those materials. The sponsor said the goal is to help parents recognize warning signs earlier and avoid emergency diagnoses such as diabetic ketoacidosis, with minimal fiscal impact because the materials would be distributed digitally. Members generally supported the bill and discussed timing and distribution methods, suggesting the notice not get lost in back-to-school paperwork. HB 723 passed unanimously, 18 yeas and 0 nays, and was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• than direct supervision and defines the term.
• So this was going from direct supervision to supervision, and it says the supervision means supervision
• So is the supervision then becoming more lax? ...supervision.
• So this was going from direct supervision to supervision, and it says the supervision means supervision
• Specifically, it says an individual may assert a violation or threatened violation, but an individual

Bills: HB2049, HB2050, HB2051, HB2072, HB2082, HB2085, HB2177, HB2178, HB2179, HB2183, HB2195

Keywords: radiation therapy, particle accelerator, critical access hospitals, patient care, rural healthcare, AHCCCS, lactation care, breastfeeding, health services, healthcare access, Cesar Chavez, public holiday, state law, holiday repeal, Arizona Revised Statutes, childhood cancer, rare diseases, research funding, healthcare, clinical trials

Summary: The committee opened with attendance and member introductions, then heard a series of health-related bills, many focused on access to care in rural and underserved communities. HB 2049 would allow particle accelerators for radiation therapy in critical access hospitals and counties under 400,000 population under general supervision; sponsors and rural oncology witnesses said it would reduce travel burdens for cancer patients while maintaining safety protocols. HB 2050 updated radiologic technologist statutes to align with current national standards, adjust accreditation and clinical-hour requirements, and allow radiologist assistants to work under supervision rather than direct supervision; an amendment also added registered nurses to the list of professionals not needing a separate license to use diagnostic X-ray machines. Both bills were supported by testimony about workforce shortages and access, though one member voted no on HB 2050 over concerns about oversight and board authority. Both measures received do-pass recommendations, with HB 2050 amended. The committee then unanimously advanced HB 2082, which creates a Childhood Cancer and Rare Childhood Disease Research Commission to award grants for phase-one pediatric cancer and rare disease trials. Testimony came from families affected by pediatric brain cancer, including a parent who described traveling internationally for treatment and a college student currently undergoing treatment who urged the state to invest in research. Members expressed strong sympathy and support, and the bill passed 12-0. Next, HB 2015 would require Access to cover breastfeeding and lactation services in multiple settings; the sponsor and medical witnesses described breastfeeding as preventive care with benefits for infants and mothers, while Access testified neutral and noted a fiscal estimate was being developed and that the amendment would protect the state if CMS does not approve the services. The bill, as amended, also received a unanimous do-pass recommendation. The committee also approved HB 2177, which directs Access to seek CMS waivers so tribal and Indian Health Service facilities can be reimbursed for certain covered services, including dental care, for American Indian and Alaska Native members. The sponsor and a Sage Memorial Hospital representative said the bill would help rural tribal facilities keep services local and maximize federal matching funds; it passed unanimously as amended. HB 2178, requiring a state agency medical chief officer to hold an active medical or osteopathic license, was described as a cleanup measure after a lapse in licensure exposed a statutory gap, and it also passed unanimously. HB 2179, which clarifies definitions separating air ambulance from ground ambulance regulation, was supported as a technical clarification to avoid unintended consequences and likewise received unanimous approval. Finally, the committee advanced HB 2183, which creates an emergency medicine study committee to examine Arizona’s EMS system, including rural and urban capacity, workforce burnout, uncompensated care, and emergency department utilization. The sponsor said the study would help the state understand system pressures and identify policy solutions; firefighters, health care advocates, and an emergency medicine nurse practitioner testified in support, emphasizing the ER’s role as the safety net and the strain from staffing shortages, rural closures, and high volumes. The bill was still under discussion at the end of the transcript, with testimony continuing after the initial supporters spoke.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:35.000> and client documentation supervision and client documentation supervision and
• <00:43:09.560> professionals, uh supervising professionals, uh supervising professionals,
• that puts supervising professional that puts together<00:51:31.680> the<00:51:31.840> individual
• individuals are typically those individuals are typically [clears throat]<00:51:41.720> licensed<
• individualize the complicated treatment. individualize the complicated treatment.

Bills: HF3542

Keywords: data privacy, investigative data, welfare system, public funds, transparency, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• that we supervise in the community.
• That means more individuals are under community supervision... Likely at an all-time low.
• That means more individuals are under community supervision, but yet we are continuing to be tasked to
• that we supervise are even utilizing their services.
• And if you're requiring the individuals that we supervise to travel to Woburn or Dorchester, it's not

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration met on June 15 with co-chairs Senator Will Brownsberger and Representative Dan Hunt. After deciding not to approve prior meeting summary notes at this session, the commission heard testimony from the Massachusetts Parole Officers Association (Brian Lucier and Shauna Hawksley). They described parole officers’ work in both institutions and the community, including housing, mental health, substance use, employment, education, and benefits referrals, and argued that parole officers often know local service providers best. They also said the former reentry navigator positions were lost in 2025 and that regional reentry centers used in the past helped reduce duplication and improve information sharing; they urged more funding, staffing, and training, and said parole should be better integrated with MPTC/POST training and with community-based reentry resources. Commission members asked about the relationship between parole and Community Justice Support Centers, training and arrest authority, revocation practices, and coordination with sheriffs and the Department of Correction. The witnesses said CJSC access is limited by location, transportation, and scheduling, while parole’s older reentry centers were referral-based and did not require regular attendance. They also said parole officers are special state police officers with arrest authority, receive a parole-specific academy plus firearms/defensive tactics/first responder training, and would benefit from more formal reentry training. On revocations, they said they lacked data but believed parole now returns fewer people for mental health or first-time substance use issues and focuses more on public safety threats. They also said collaboration with sheriffs and DOC reentry staff is generally good but still suffers from duplicative referrals and last-minute changes that can undo work done inside facilities. After testimony, the commission discussed next steps, including extending its reporting deadline from September 30 to November 30 through the pending budget, finishing remaining DOC facility visits in the fall, and holding additional meetings on mental health and other unresolved issues. Members also discussed whether to seek more input from the judiciary and district attorneys, with agreement to continue outreach and document responses. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, and the commission indicated it would reconvene in the fall.

Transcript Highlights:

• done onsite, so that the qualified supervising professional, or whoever the supervising professional
• Vision remember of all of supervision Vision remember of all of the<00:12:00.480> individual<
• want to make sure that when supervision want to make sure that when supervision is<00:12:36.320>
• So I mentioned QSPs supervising many individuals; maybe taking a look at is that um that we adopt a system
• > supervising<00:16:05.880> many mentioned qsps supervising many mentioned qsps supervising

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's in the individual marketplace.
• It's in the individual marketplace.
• And just knowing that it individual market coverage, which is going to be really tough.
• It applies to individuals who are 19 to 65 years of age who do not meet an exemption.
• And ultimately, the level of supervision we also feel should be tailored to the competence of the individual

Summary: The committee first received an update on the effects of HR1 and related federal Medicaid and marketplace changes from Governor’s Office and Health Care Authority staff. Presenters said the most immediate coverage losses are expected in the individual market beginning in January, with premium increases and an estimated 80,000 people potentially unable to afford coverage. They warned that larger Medicaid impacts will follow over the next year and beyond, including tighter eligibility checks, work requirements, reduced retroactive coverage, limits on state-directed payments and provider taxes, new cost-sharing, and changes affecting certain non-citizen adults. They also said the state plans to seek a waiver or extension for work requirements and will continue to analyze impacts, including on rural providers and Planned Parenthood-related services. Members asked about the effect on nursing homes, rural hospitals, and how the state can help providers and enrollees navigate the new requirements; staff said timelines and a state-specific implementation chart are being developed. The committee then heard a report on the International Medical Graduate Work Group and Washington’s efforts to create pathways for internationally trained physicians. Testimony described the clinical experience license, the clinical evaluation assessment tool, grant funding for IMG support organizations, and a new hardship waiver process enacted this year. National presenters said many states have adopted similar pathways because of physician shortages, but Washington and Tennessee are among the few states that have actually issued licenses so far. They recommended clear guardrails, an employment offer before application, ECFMG certification, supervised practice, and data collection to avoid exploitation and protect patients. Members asked about state-to-state variation, retention of IMGs, and whether Washington should pursue dedicated residency or preceptorship options; presenters said the key next step is moving successful participants from supervised experience to a durable long-term license. The final topic was implementation of Washington’s Apple Health doula benefit and the statewide doula hub and referral system. Senator T’wina Nobles highlighted the state’s $3,500 per-birth Medicaid reimbursement rate for doulas and the importance of the hub for referrals, training, and billing. Health Care Authority staff said the benefit launched January 1, 2025, and covers prenatal intake, labor and delivery, postpartum visits, and telehealth-supported services. They reported 336 state-certified doulas, 134 enrolled in Apple Health, 287 unique clients served, and 641 claims paid so far. Testimony emphasized doulas’ role in improving birth outcomes, reducing unnecessary interventions, and addressing racial disparities in maternal health, while noting that implementation is still early and ongoing.

Transcript Highlights:

• They modify the distribution of tribal nation supervision funding, make changes to the community supervision
• <00:21:09.280> funding supervision funding supervision funding formula. formula. formula.
• agents, the community supervision agents, the community supervision advisory<00:21:30.000> committee
• Make changes to the supervision funding.
• funding community supervision for funding community supervision for funding formula.<00:22:12.799

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• able to pay um the monthly supervision able to pay um the monthly supervision um<00:01:03.039>
• Chairman. >> I think I heard, uh, Senator Chic... individuals get out of incarceration individuals get
• <00:03:03.200> So individuals who weren't incarcerated.
• So individuals who weren't incarcerated.
• they can determine if these individuals are truly eligible for parole.

Keywords: Corrections - Room 210; 29 January, 2026: 11:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2778, which extends by four years the repealer on the authority to collect monthly supervision fees from probation and parole offenders for the Community Service Revolving Fund. Members asked no questions, and the bill was moved and passed by a sufficient motion with no opposition. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2041, which would require the Department of Correction to do pre-screening for dyslexia. Senator Hickman said the bill is intended to identify a condition that is reportedly more prevalent in the prison population and to help reduce recidivism through earlier intervention. Questions focused on cost and implementation; the sponsor said the fiscal impact would be minimal because the department already has the needed IT infrastructure and the screening would be an added step rather than a separate system. The bill was then moved and passed. Next, Senate Bill 2036 was explained as a narrow change from “shall” to “may” in language affecting probation, postrelease supervision, or suspension, giving judges discretion in revocation decisions. Senate Bill 2777, requested by the circuit judges association, would clarify that probation or postrelease supervision may be revoked if a person commits a felony, including in situations where the offense occurs before the prior supervision has commenced. That bill also advanced on a do-pass motion. Senate Bill 2043, dealing with parole eligibility for nonviolent offenses, was described as allowing the parole board to reduce eligibility dates by awarded days and to better assess whether offenders are truly eligible; the committee discussed a committee substitute and a reverse repealer before moving on. Finally, Senate Bill 2037 was taken up and amended to require medical care service providers to submit claims at no more than the Mississippi Medicaid reimbursement rate. The amendment by Senator Kirby was adopted, and the bill then received a do-pass-as-amended motion and passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• . misdemeanor community supervision placements, state incarceration, and parole supervision.
• , state residential, and parole supervision.
• Page 9 shows the final... population juvenile parole supervision.
• and parole supervision.
• supervision right now with 67 parole offices around the state.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Supervising dentists may restrict or limit the scope. This has been known as the poison pill.
• Supervising dentists may restrict or limit the scope.
• Can you dig a little deeper into that word supervision? What exactly does it mean?
• So no matter what level of supervision, there's a high degree of responsibility on the dentist.
• They would be under my supervision. They would be under my supervision.

Summary: The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee heard and advanced three bills. HB 21 would create a new licensed profession of dental therapy under the Department of Health and Board of Dentistry, allowing trained dental therapists to provide a limited scope of care under a supervising Florida-licensed dentist through a collaborative management agreement. Sponsor Rep. Cheney argued the bill would help address severe dental shortages and improve access in underserved areas; opponents from the Florida Dental Association and oral surgery groups warned that the bill would allow irreversible procedures by less-educated providers and could compromise patient safety. Supporters, including dentists, hygienists, and community health center leaders, said dental therapists would expand access and free dentists to handle more complex care. An amendment was adopted to require proof of local anesthesia training, adverse-incident reporting, and updated background screening language. The bill was reported favorably as amended by a 14-1 vote. The committee then considered HB 27, which creates the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact to allow licensed social workers to practice across member states, including through telehealth, and to help military families and address workforce shortages. Supporters from the National Association of Social Workers and other advocates said the compact would improve mobility, reduce administrative burdens, and expand access to mental health services, especially in underserved and rural areas. A technical amendment restoring model language and setting an effective date of July 1, 2025 was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably as amended on a 15-0 vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 29, the public-records companion to the social work compact, which creates exemptions needed for compact compliance and allows the compact commission or its committees to meet in closed session when discussing information exempt under law. After a technical amendment authorizing closed meetings for exempt matters was adopted, the bill was reported favorably as amended on a 15-0 vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm under the supervision of a psychiatrist.
• They knew that this conscientious individual was having very unusual problems.
• They knew that this conscientious individual was having very unusual problems.
• Because of limited psychiatrists within the state willing to supervise.
• They are not required to be My supervising physician has no further obligations.

Summary: The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee heard and advanced several health care bills. HB 909, joining the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, was presented with a strike-all amendment and reported favorably as amended by a 13-0 vote. HB 911, the related public records exemption protecting certain biological information, was also adopted and reported favorably as amended by a 14-0 vote. CS for HB 597, allowing schools to procure and administer glucagon for students with diabetes under trained personnel, passed unanimously 14-0 after a technical amendment. HB 519, aligning state law with federal language on controlled substances administered by paramedics, passed as amended 14-0. The committee then took up HB 919 on nursing education programs. Sponsor Rep. Overdorf argued the bill would create accountability for underperforming nursing schools by requiring remediation, tuition refunds in the lowest-performing programs, and public reporting of passage rates. Supporters said it would improve quality and protect students from debt without licensure success, while opponents from private nursing schools warned it could close programs and reduce nurse supply. After extensive debate, the bill was reported favorably 15-0. HB 1553, which would require health care providers to submit identified uterine fibroid data so the Department of Health can implement the research database previously authorized by law, passed unanimously 15-0. The final bill, HB 883, would allow psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners to practice autonomously; supporters said it would expand access to mental health care, especially in rural and underserved areas, while opponents raised concerns about quality and physician oversight. After lengthy testimony and debate, the bill was reported favorably 14-3.