Video & Transcript : 'Waco Center for Youth' :

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MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/25

Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:03:39.519><c> Very</c> training center for child welfare.
  • Very training center for child welfare.
  • for for those exact been a fan of fame for for those exact reasons.<00:31:52.640><c> And</c><00:31:52.799
  • </c> today's market for vehicles for homes. today's market for vehicles for homes.
  • </c><00:53:40.720><c> for</c> we're on the same page pretty for for we're on the same page pretty for
Bills: HF2135 , HF776 , HF1581 , HF1158 , HF2226
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Early Learning & Human Services Jan 23rd, 2026 at 08:00 am

Early Learning & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • residential centers, and removing the requirement for state monitoring of the residential program at
  • residential centers, and removing the requirement for state monitoring of the residential program at
  • 1 of this year, detailing a reduction in daily operating costs for crisis residential centers operating
  • able to continue to advocate for the best possible care as the center is getting back into compliance
  • They can have other pathways for resolution. Thank you for the discussion.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Early Learning & Human Services Jan 16th, 2026 at 08:30 am

Early Learning & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • We began the process immediately to relicense a center that we previously had a license for.
  • Do we have any questions for our prime sponsor? Thanks for bringing the bill for us.
  • The RHCs are federally certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS.
  • with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services conditions of participation.
  • Our center is geographically isolated and, as a remote area, we have limited access both to and for families
Bills: HB2099 , HB2317 , HB2318 , HB2350
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Apr 14th, 2025 at 02:00 pm

Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Transcript Highlights:
  • For IMDs, and that's not for the treatment of individuals in IMDs, but for the medical care that is not
  • That from $5 million for SUD funding added by the House for treatment for incarcerated individuals.
  • Funding for youth crisis stabilization pilot project, $3 million.
  • public health and $4.5 million, and also $500,000 to the health department along with $300,000 for youth
  • There is $1.5 million for youth crisis stabilization. 4.4 was in a section and is also included in this
Bills: SB2015
Summary: The Senate Appropriations Human Resources Division met with all members present and took up several bills, focusing most of the discussion on SB 1577 and SB 1619, along with a detailed review of the HHS budget bill draft. On SB 1577, Senator Magrum explained that the bill was being revised to focus on wastewater rather than raw water, possibly shifting the Washburn project to the Department of Water Resources so it could access matching funds, and potentially converting the bill into a line of credit if federal money is restored later. Members discussed whether to keep an emergency clause or instead use a date-based approach, and agreed the bill would likely be handled through the full committee and possibly reconsidered later. On SB 1619, Senator Davison said amendments were still being worked on, including changes requested by the Bank of North Dakota, and the committee planned to hold it for possible amendment before full committee consideration. The bulk of the meeting was a section-by-section review of the HHS appropriations bill draft. Members discussed one-time funding items such as technology projects, child care programs, housing programs, behavioral health facility grants, infant and toddler care provider support, juvenile justice diversion, medical housing, and other public health and human services projects. Several adjustments were noted, including reductions or changes to IMD-related funding, incarcerated-person treatment funding, the child welfare technology project, and the provider rate increase. The committee also discussed the FTE block grant structure at length, with staff explaining that the apparent increase in positions reflected budgeting mechanics, zero-dollar “phantom” positions, and positions approved previously but not counted in the FTE total. Members raised concerns about transparency and whether the bill should list FTE numbers, but staff said the block grant was intended to give the department flexibility while quarterly reporting would provide oversight. Other topics included Medicaid expansion funding and provider reimbursement rules, the move toward certifying human service centers as certified community behavioral health clinics, a moratorium on new ICF beds, and studies or reports on Medicaid, obesity, disability services, truancy, and behavioral health facility grants. The committee also discussed removing or revising broad intent language in Section 31 so the department would report findings rather than implement changes without further legislative action. No final votes were taken in the transcript; instead, members agreed to make a few technical adjustments, continue reviewing the bill, and likely revisit it the next day before moving it to conference committee.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Apr 11th, 2025 at 09:30 am

Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Transcript Highlights:
  • $20 million for flood control. We're live. $20 million for flood control. We're live.
  • We are ready to put the RFP for the OASIS system out.
  • the authority for the federal.
  • vendor for the total amount that was held back.
  • That was for the inflator adjustment.
Bills: SB2015
Summary: The Senate Appropriations Human Resources Division met to finalize changes to the human services budget bill and related amendments. Members discussed several items, including a proposed $5 million appropriation for the Altru Hospital project to address inflationary costs, with the rest of the funding question left for conference committee. They also agreed to keep the 10-year operating requirement language for the project and remove a matching-funds provision that was no longer needed. The committee spent considerable time on the OASIS child welfare IT system. Donna Auckland explained that the project is still in the RFP stage, with vendor selection and contract negotiation likely taking months, and that the system will require 50-50 federal matching authority. Based on that testimony, the committee agreed to reduce the general fund amount from $14 million to $6 million and use a line of credit for the remaining authority, while preserving the federal match authority so the contract can be signed and the project can proceed. Members also approved a technical fix to add governor’s designee language for the Children’s Cabinet, which had been missed in another bill already on the governor’s desk. Keith reviewed updated long sheets showing additional budget adjustments, including provider inflation changes, a $50,000 Family Voices grant, reductions to CARES Act COVID funds, and moving the $5-per-day basic care rate increase from ongoing to one-time funding. No formal votes were recorded in the transcript, and the committee adjourned with plans to reconvene Monday if the final bill version was ready.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Apr 10th, 2025 at 02:00 pm

Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Transcript Highlights:
  • loan funding for that project.
  • So they are looking for that grant funding. ...hard for communities to afford that because of the cost
  • David, thanks for being back here.
  • They could build it for less, they could build it for more, and access that portion of it.
  • Manchester House is for children.
Bills: SB2015
Summary: The committee first discussed a wastewater infrastructure bill, centered on whether state support should be provided as a grant or through the existing Clean Water State Revolving Fund as a low-interest loan program. Department of Environmental Quality official David Brushwine explained that the SRF already finances wastewater projects, can leverage federal funds with state bond proceeds, and could accommodate the Washburn, Lincoln, and Peasant projects if they are ready to proceed. Members noted that losing federal grant support would make projects harder for local residents to afford because costs would be recovered through utility rates or special assessments, but the projects would still be eligible for loans. Senator Magrum indicated he would likely concur with the budget after this discussion, and the bill was set aside for later consideration. The committee then turned to a proposed amendment for a four-plex housing project for people with disabilities or other special needs. Senator Mathern described Sections 7 and 8 as creating a design consultation appropriation and a revolving loan fund modeled on existing hospital and nursing home loan programs, while Section 9 would transfer $3.3 million from the state infrastructure fund. Members debated ownership, rent subsidies, repayment terms, and whether the state should finance the project directly or leave it to a private developer with Department of Human Services oversight. Concerns were raised that the state should not own the housing and that the proposal needed more work to be workable, but the committee ultimately reached consensus to adopt Sections 7 and 8 and leave out Section 9 for further conference committee discussion. The committee also reviewed provider inflation and long-term care rate issues, with members discussing whether to support a 2% and 1.5% inflation adjustment and how to handle the $5-per-day basic care rate. Staff explained that the $5 payment was already in the base budget, but members debated whether it should remain ongoing or be treated as one-time funding and paired with a study of rate rebasing. The committee agreed to have draft language prepared to remove the $5 from the base budget and add study language, then moved the bill forward for drafting.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Apr 10th, 2025 at 09:30 am

Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Transcript Highlights:
  • Alexis has 30 beds for mental health services for youth, which we know there to be a shortage of, and
  • That's $1.9 million for Human Services. That would be for the DD grants.
  • Negative $1.9 million for general fund, positive $1.9 million for other.
  • That's for public health.
  • So we're done for the morning? Well, it's adjourned for the morning.
Bills: SB2015
Summary: The committee met to review revised long sheets and section-by-section language for a human services/health budget bill, with much of the discussion focused on how to present block grant funding and full-time equivalent (FTE) positions for behavioral health clinics and CCBHCs. Members debated whether to keep FTE counts in the budget at all, ultimately leaning toward removing or zeroing out the FTE references while keeping the dollar authority, and reducing the salaries-and-wages block grant by about $4.75 million. They also discussed public health federal authority, agreeing to remove about $60 million in unused federal spending authority tied to COVID-era funds, and clarified that if federal money later becomes available it could be requested through the Emergency Commission. A major topic was the provider inflation increase. The House version had 2% and 2%, while members debated alternatives and appeared to settle, at least for further work, on 2% in the first year and 1.5% in the second year, with staff asked to recalculate the fiscal impact. The committee also reviewed FMAP changes, noting a revised 2027 FMAP estimate and its effect on general fund and other funds, and discussed whether to adjust public health and other line items accordingly. Several members emphasized that many of these numbers are still tentative and will be refined before final action. The committee also touched on several policy items and capital-related provisions, including behavioral health services, Medicaid expansion, the moratorium on new ICF beds, and a proposed amendment for a medical homes/fourplex-related item that would show a $400,000 legislative investment with repayment from a developer. There was extended discussion of the All True hospital/facility proposal, with some members favoring leaving it in with a smaller initial commitment and others preferring to remove it and revisit later in conference committee. The meeting ended with staff asked to continue updating the bill language and members instructed to review remaining sections before the next meeting; no final votes were taken in the portion provided.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Apr 7th, 2025 at 09:30 am

Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Transcript Highlights:
  • Well, the discussion of the need for this has taken place for quite some time.
  • For people who are medically fragile, allows them to be in the least restrictive environment and person-centered
  • I'm not for the amendment.
  • They did have a year of pay for reporting before they moved to pay for performance.
  • is for a different purpose.
Bills: SB2015
Summary: The Senate Appropriations Human Resources division met with a quorum and spent much of the meeting on a proposed “medical home” concept for people with significant disabilities and medical needs. Matt Schwartz described the need for small, community-based homes so adults like his daughter could live in a least-restrictive setting without losing housing if service providers change. Architect Jeff Eubel presented a conceptual budget for one roughly 5,000-square-foot facility for four residents, explaining that the design would likely include four large sleeping units, common space, support areas, and medical infrastructure such as emergency power, oxygen, sprinklers, and accessibility features. Committee members and George Sink, joining by phone, raised questions about layout, zoning, ownership, staffing, and whether families would actually move loved ones into such facilities if they were far from home. The department said the concept was not in the governor’s budget and identified staff who could continue discussions; the committee did not take final action and instead discussed refining the language with interested members. The committee then turned to amendments related to long-term care and behavioral health funding. One amendment would reduce a planned $4 million general fund incentive payment and instead create a withhold-based quality program for nursing facilities, to be developed collaboratively by the department and providers and reported to Legislative Management by September 2026. The department said it could live with the language but preferred the governor’s timing; several senators questioned whether the committee should be directing an operational policy change and whether the study would simply delay implementation. No vote was taken, and the amendment was set aside for later consideration. A second amendment would clarify use of an existing $2 million general fund item for behavioral health services in nursing homes and basic care facilities, directing it toward training, technical assistance, consultation, and direct patient care for residents with medically based behavioral health disorders. Members noted the funding was already in the bill and discussed it in the context of other budget items, but again deferred action. The committee also clarified that a separate $750,000 juvenile justice diversion appropriation in House Bill 1425 was distinct from a similar amount in the budget and should likely remain in that separate bill. The chair indicated a goal of having amendments ready by the end of the week, and the committee recessed without final votes on the discussed items.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • We're happy for that, uh, for the table.
  • ><c> individual</c><00:36:45.760><c> for</c> for this particular individual for for this particular individual
  • </c><00:41:53.599><c> five</c> worked for a year you work for five worked for a year you work for five
  • The overview of Life Learning Center programs and partnerships for justice-involved individuals.
  • If I could just for a moment let you know what we do at Life Learning Center: we are not a treatment
Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary heard testimony from the Department of Public Advocacy (DPA) on attorney compensation and alternatives to incarceration. Because the committee lacked a quorum, the chair skipped formal roll call and minutes approval, then invited DPA Public Advocate Damon Preston, Deputy Public Advocate Melanie Lowe, and alternative sentencing worker Cena/Tina Mills to present. Preston said DPA is fully state-funded, has 698 funded positions, and was near full staffing with 673 filled positions and 42 new law graduates expected to join in August. He argued that DPA’s resources lag behind those of prosecutors, noting that local prosecutorial offices receive substantially more total funding and have additional revenue sources beyond the state budget. Preston focused on salary disparities and turnover. He said DPA trial-office attorneys total about $26 million in salaries, compared with about $41.9 million for prosecutors on publicly listed state funding, and estimated that more than 100 additional prosecutors are paid through other sources, bringing total prosecutor compensation to a little over $50 million versus DPA’s $26 million. He said starting DPA attorney pay is $58,200, experienced attorney pay averages about $73,000, and that these levels are too low given law school debt and the state’s constitutional obligation to provide defense counsel. He also said DPA attorney turnover is about 20%, median service time before separation was 15 months in 2024, and exit interviews often cite salary as the main reason for leaving. He gave examples of former DPA attorneys moving to prosecutor offices for raises ranging from 12% to 50%. Committee members asked about how often defendants are represented by private counsel versus DPA and how that affects workload. Preston said a 2017 study found about 50% of misdemeanor cases and about 75% of circuit court cases were handled by DPA, with DPA handling most of the most labor-intensive cases. He said DPA will step aside when a defendant hires private counsel or is found ineligible, and he acknowledged the system historically erred by denying counsel in some cases, though he said the current concern is whether DPA is now appointed too broadly. Members requested updated trend data on appointments over the past decade. Preston also described DPA’s pay scale and said the agency’s compensation structure makes retention difficult. Mills then described DPA’s alternative sentencing worker program, which she said has operated for about 20 years and has received national recognition. She shared a case example involving a client named Patrick, who faced a prison sentence on a possession charge and was referred to a horse-based treatment and certification program in Shelbyville. She said the client wanted treatment and a fresh start, a bed became available, and she and the client’s attorney presented an alternative sentencing plan to the court. The presentation was interrupted briefly by a technical issue, but the testimony continued.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Education Mar 31st, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • So I ask for a favorable consideration for HB 407 as amended. Rep.
  • Thank you both, ladies, for testifying, and I'm sorry for your experience and for your father's experience
  • I've worked in For coming to testify. And I'm sorry for your situation.
  • Who pays for that? Most of the juvenile detention centers are alternative schools. was...
  • Who pays for that?
Bills: HCR10 , HB195 , HB283 , HB319 , HB325 , HB407 , HB448 , HB482 , HB992
Committee: House Education
DE

Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Health & Social Services Committee Meeting Jun 24th, 2026

Health & Social Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • My apologies for that.
  • Used for sale.
  • Senator Lockman’s rationale for House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill 394.
  • I provide for my family, and I am present for my children.
  • I provide for my family, and I am present for my children.
Bills: HB305 , HB395 , HB341
Summary: The committee met in late June with Senators Hansen, Buckson, Siegfried, Townsend, and Huxable present, and first approved the meeting minutes by voice vote. The opening bill, HB 341, would limit DFS from filing child support in foster care cases unless doing so would not hinder reunification; Children’s Department staff said the department has already decided to stop filing in all such cases, with an estimated fiscal impact of about $140,000 annually. Public testimony from the League of Women Voters supported the bill as a compassionate measure to help families reunite. The committee then heard HB 446/related anaphylaxis legislation for colleges and universities, which would allow institutions to stock and use intranasal epinephrine alongside auto-injectors and update training and reporting requirements. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America supported the measure, emphasizing the need for needle-free options and faster treatment of anaphylaxis. The committee also took up HS1 for HB 356 on PFAS, which would ban firefighting foam containing PFAS beginning in 2028, require disclosure if PPE contains PFAS, and address recalls; DNREC and the fire service supported it, saying most departments have already transitioned away from PFAS foam. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 305, a diabetes wellness pilot program that would use continuous glucose monitoring, app-based care coordination, lab testing, and DHIN data analysis to shift care toward prevention and remission. Sponsor Senator Siegfried described the bill as a response to Delaware’s high diabetes costs and prevalence, and the Medical Society of Delaware supported it as a proactive model. The committee also discussed HB 395, which would regulate intoxicating hemp-derived products and synthetic cannabinoids by classifying products over a THC threshold as marijuana and creating penalties for unlicensed sales; the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner supported the bill, while hemp industry representatives and Senator Hoffner warned it could harm legitimate hemp retailers and access to hemp products. The final item, HS1 for HB 332, would ban sales and marketing of kratom products to those under 21 and direct the state to study testing and regulation of kratom and synthetic variants. Supporters, including the Delaware Healthcare Association and several recovery advocates, said age-gating is a reasonable first step and that synthetic products are the main concern; opponents and some senators argued the bill should go further and fully ban kratom or better distinguish synthetic products from natural leaf kratom. No formal roll-call votes were taken on the substantive bills during the transcript, and the meeting adjourned after public comment.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Early Learning & Human Services Jan 13th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Early Learning & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • to allow for youth or young adult representatives under age 25 instead of committee to allow for youth
  • The issue of youth homelessness is for a period of time.
  • and young adult homelessness, and the Office of Homeless Youth is a major reason for this.
  • We're simply swapping out that term school for residential habilitation center, which is the term most
  • commonly used anyways. ...for residential habilitation center, which is the term most commonly used
Bills: HB2185 , HB2200 , HB2230 , HB2319
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 2/18/25

Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • In 2021, the market rate for infant care at a center was $1,164.
  • infant care at 2021 the market rate for infant care at a<00:03:16.400><c> center</c><00:03:17.200><c
  • I mean, there are some child care centers that can now qualify as seminaries of learning for a complete
  • Are you asking for pictures? Are you going to the center?
  • She said many families use a center for child care and also need a family provider because centers are
Bills: HF656 , HF655 , HF633
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 3/27/25

Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • ><00:08:32.880><c> centers</c><00:08:33.279><c> that</c><00:08:33.519><c> do</c> unfair for the c for
  • the centers that do unfair for the c for the centers that do comply<00:08:34.240><c> already</c><00:
  • The center also, uh, centers also asked for language that allowed them to use footage for training and
  • </c> their center retained video footage for their center retained video footage for a<00:23:18.000><
  • Center for Missing and from the National Center for Missing and Exploited<00:46:56.839><c> Children's
Bills: HF1027 , HF2226 , HF1916 , HF1915 , HF1567 , HF1986
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • So thank you for what you do. Thank you, sir. Thank you for your support.
  • It aims to satisfy the marketplace need for lodging arrangements for vacationers and for folks traveling
  • center hotels.
  • center hotel.
  • This community has been in need of a convention center hotel for a number of years, and this will enable
Bills: SB209 , SB529 , SB1265 , SB1592 , SB1728 , SCR37 , SCR38
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Children, Youth and Family Services REVISED: HB3637 - Added Feb 18th, 2026 at 03:00 pm

Children, Youth and Family Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • Again, I ask for your vote for this measure. ...the future.
  • Again, I ask for your vote for this measure. Thank you for that debate.
  • Yield for questions. You are recognized for a question.
  • So a center could be licensed for a hundred students, but they would be enrolled for 80.
  • Yield for questions, move for adoption. Yield for questions. Move for adoption.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Children, Youth and Family Services REVISED: HB3637 - Added Feb 18th, 2026

Children, Youth and Family Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • Again, as for your vote for this measure. Thank you for that debate.
  • Again, as for your vote for this measure. Thank you for that debate.
  • So a center could be licensed for 100 students, but they would be enrolled for 80.
  • So a center could be licensed for a hundred students, but they would be enrolled for 80.
  • how much your capacity is licensed for okay so what this allows a center to do if they have fluctuation
Summary: The committee first considered House Bill 3552, which would let child care providers bridge the gap between subsidy reimbursement rates and tuition rates. An amendment was adopted unanimously to make the bill subject to approval by the Administration for Children and Families, with the author explaining it was intended to protect federal DHS funding. The bill then passed on a 4-1 vote. Members then heard several child welfare and human services measures. House Bill 3380, on foster care reform and DHS transparency, passed 5-0 after questions about how public input and scoring would be documented. House Bill 3502, the parental rights and child welfare bill, passed 4-1 after debate over whether the bill addressed a real problem and whether resources would be better spent recruiting foster parents. House Bill 3849, updating and broadening a mentoring program for children and youth, passed 5-0, and House Bill 3886, requiring Health Department personnel to remain on site after an immediate jeopardy finding at a nursing home until a removal plan is accepted, also passed 5-0. The committee also approved House Bill 3907, which would prohibit certain facilities serving vulnerable juveniles and adults from being staffed through temporary staffing agencies, on a 5-0 vote. House Bill 4201, changing master teacher requirements in licensed child care from license capacity to actual enrollment, passed unanimously after discussion of how staffing ratios would work in practice. House Bill 4302, as amended, passed unanimously after removing subpoena language and instead allowing the Office of Juvenile System Oversight to disclose a complainant’s identity to law enforcement when needed to protect safety. House Bill 3448, requiring umbrella insurance coverage for certain child care caregivers, and House Bill 3409, streamlining recertification for five-star child care providers, both passed unanimously. House Bill 4095, reauthorizing and clarifying the 211 collaborative as the state lead entity for hotline services, also passed 6-0. The most extensive debate came on House Bill 3131, which would establish statewide baseline standards for transparency, public safety, and health safety in homeless shelters and create an advisory board. Members raised concerns about local control, rural county burdens, agency workload, and whether the bill duplicated existing requirements, while the author said he was open to further changes, including strike title and possible population-based exceptions. Despite objections, the bill advanced to the Oversight Committee on a 4-3 vote. Before adjournment, the chair said the committee would begin a deeper review of OCCY multidisciplinary teams and CAC child advocacy groups in upcoming meetings.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

HSH Public Hearing - Tue Feb 17, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST

Human Services & Homelessness

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, so the it's already free for youth.
  • Thank you for this opportunity to testify. uh youth service provider for 25 years uh youth service provider
  • and</c><00:42:12.640><c> three</c> for Youth Action Hawaii and three for Youth Action Hawaii and three
  • aides for disabled youth.
  • And for youth accompanying aides, and for youth accompanying a youth with disabilities, we want to put
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to human services, homelessness, transit, and family supports. HB 2116 HD1, concerning grants from the Office of Community Services to nonprofits providing training and volunteerism opportunities, drew strong support from Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and multiple organizations in written testimony. Supporters said the bill would help vulnerable people affected by federal program changes and cuts by connecting them to reintegration and support services. HB 1879 HD1, establishing a subsidized youth transit program coordinated with counties, received extensive testimony in support from the Department of Health, Department of Taxation, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Aloha United Way, Hawaii Bicycling League, Hawaii Appleseed, Hawaii State Youth Commission, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Greenpeace Hawaii, Hawaii Youth Transportation Council, and others. Testifiers emphasized equity, school attendance, reduced transportation costs, climate benefits, and broader access for youth. Several witnesses urged amendments to make the program universal rather than means-tested, and committee discussion noted implementation questions for neighbor islands and rural areas. HB 2214, creating a refundable diaper tax credit for low-income families with children age four and under, was supported by the Hawaii Diaper Bank, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and several other organizations. The Department of Taxation recommended making the credit non-refundable and clarifying definitions to aid administration, while supporters argued refundability was important for low-income families who may owe little or no income tax. HB 2310, an emergency appropriation to replenish DHS funds used to provide SNAP benefits during a federal shutdown, also drew broad support from DHS, Catholic Charities, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Aloha United Way, and others; witnesses praised the state’s rapid response and said the appropriation would prepare DHS for future emergencies. The committee also heard HB 2168 HD1 and HB 2427 HD1 on education for students experiencing homelessness and unaccompanied homeless youth; the Attorney General recommended technical amendments to avoid conflicts with existing law and to clarify McKinney-Vento-related definitions, while advocates stressed the need for school access, transportation, meals, and other supports for homeless and runaway youth.