Transcript Highlights:

• </c> clarified that maltreatment allegations clarified that maltreatment allegations that<00:04:29.440
• I graduated the next day, and the abuse continued into my early college years.
• </c><00:07:15.599><c> continued</c> the next day and the abuse continued the next day and the abuse continued
• </c><00:07:22.560><c> and</c> an active participant in my abuse and an active participant in my abuse
• , whether or not the physical abuse actually occurs.

Bills: HF3489, HF3550

Keywords: grooming, child protection, student safety, sexual exploitation, educator licensing, teacher discipline, mandatory reporting, mandated reporter training, school misconduct, predatory offender, child abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, position of authority, school employee, school administrator, license revocation, license suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• Shame wants you to hide, and hiding protects your abuser.
• Grooming is not a precursor to abuse; it is abuse on its own.
• Grooming is not a prelude to abuse; abuse is abuse.
• Ruling is not a priest or person to abuse is abuse and indoor or 5 years.
• Intentionally abusing your power as a public official.

Bills: HF3489, HF3990, HF3825, HF3826, HF3827, HF3822

Keywords: grooming, child protection, student safety, sexual exploitation, educator licensing, teacher discipline, mandatory reporting, mandated reporter training, school misconduct, predatory offender, child abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, position of authority, school employee, school administrator, license revocation, license suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are two Supreme Court cases regarding specifically alleging anything that increases the minimum
• It requests a study on the intersection of parental discipline, allegations of abuse, and the impact
• or sexual abuse, there's nobody in this building that I serve with that would think that's okay.
• She is a survivor of domestic abuse, and she would like us as a government to look at whether or not,
• That is really the core issue of the abuse, and the underage issue. The underage issue.

Bills: HR73, HR272, HR273, HR278, HCR91, HCR99, HCR100, HCR111, HB255, HB261, HB328, HB378, HB479, HB517, HB564, HB778, HB1090, SB135, SB278, SB448

Keywords: domestic abuse, protective orders, victim protection, Louisiana State Law Institute, mandatory procedures, parental discipline, corporal punishment, child abuse, cruelty to juveniles, juvenile delinquency, juvenile justice, child welfare, DCFS, Office of Juvenile Justice, reasonable discipline, parental rights, family law, law enforcement reports, abuse allegations, single-parent households

Transcript Highlights:

• as an X-ray department or CAT scan that advises the patient that if they are a victim of domestic abuse
• , sexual abuse, physical abuse, or human trafficking, they can notify the technician that's doing whatever
• sharpie on the wall that they were supposed to put a red dot on the urine cup if they were a victim of abuse

Bills: HB3287, HB2947, HB3784, HB3901, HB4275

Keywords: public health, domestic violence, human trafficking, healthcare facilities, hospital protocols, behavioral health, Medicaid expansion, clinical interns, mental health services, licensing requirements, micropigmentation, medical procedure, physician oversight, nursing certification, state regulations, psychological autopsy, mental health, suicide prevention, state health department, investigation

Bills: HB85, HB94, HB276, HB323, HB374, HB586, HB656, HB998, HB1204, SB42, SB46, SB51, SB87, SB110, SB154

Keywords: animal abuse, registry, law enforcement, felony offenses, public notification, firearms, due process, confiscation, law-abiding citizen, government funding, self-defense, bail, contradictory bail hearing, Gwen's Law, pretrial detention, criminal procedure, child sexual abuse, child rape, sexual battery, oral sexual battery

Transcript Highlights:

• it really looks to give DCF another tool in its toolbox to try to deal with situations of claimed abuse
• the child to determine whether the medical condition was likely to have caused symptoms of suspected abuse
• I believe that a child had it, or at least was prone to a genetic condition that showed signs of abuse
• For other survivors, they have already been forced to retell their story of trauma and abuse to police
• For other survivors, they have already been forced to retell their story of trauma and abuse to police

Bills: H5085, H5286

Keywords: poverty alleviation, family support, economic mobility, youth transition, financial education, matched savings, community programs, Department of Children and Families, DCF, child abuse investigation, child neglect, pediatrician, advanced practice registered nurse, medical misdiagnosis, rickets, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, vitamin D deficiency, bone fragility, child welfare

Summary: The Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities held a hybrid hearing on miscellaneous bills, including H. 5286, which would require DCF to consult a medical professional when a parent presents evidence of a pre-existing diagnosis that could explain symptoms mistaken for abuse or neglect. Representative Brian Mario said the bill would give DCF another tool in difficult cases. Jennifer Fernandes testified about her family’s experience with her grandson being removed after doctors initially suspected a skull fracture that later proved unfounded, saying the bill could help prevent similar outcomes. Committee members expressed sympathy and indicated interest in further discussion. The committee then heard extensive testimony on H. 5085/S. 3095, the omnibus “An Act Significantly Alleviating Poverty.” Supporters described the bill as a comprehensive anti-poverty package built from the Poverty Commission’s work, combining higher cash assistance grants, matched savings, baby bonds, a guaranteed stipend for youth aging out of foster care, expanded tax credits, language access, clean slate record sealing, and worker protections. Senator Eldridge, Senator Miranda, Representative Decker, and many advocates argued that poverty is tied to housing instability, child welfare involvement, health harms, and racial and gender inequities, and that the bill would help families meet basic needs, build wealth, and reduce the benefits cliff. Witnesses from social service, legal aid, labor, immigrant advocacy, and public health groups strongly supported the bill’s provisions. Several focused on specific sections: child support pass-through and a broader good-cause exception for TAFDC recipients; extending the state EITC to ITIN filers; creating baby bonds and matched savings programs; automating criminal record sealing; improving language access at state agencies; and ending the subminimum wage for farm workers. Former foster youth and service providers said the guaranteed stipend would help young adults avoid homelessness and transition more safely into adulthood. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chairs repeatedly noted the limited time and encouraged written testimony and follow-up conversations.

Transcript Highlights:

• it really looks to give DCF another tool in its toolbox to try to deal with situations of claimed abuse
• the child to determine whether the medical condition was likely to have caused symptoms of suspected abuse
• I believe that a child had it, or at least was prone to a genetic condition that showed signs of abuse
• marks were not bruises, although he wasn't sure what they were, but nothing would make him suspect abuse
• For other survivors, they have already been forced to retell their story of trauma and abuse to police

Bills: H5085, H5286

Keywords: poverty alleviation, family support, economic mobility, youth transition, financial education, matched savings, community programs, Department of Children and Families, DCF, child abuse investigation, child neglect, pediatrician, advanced practice registered nurse, medical misdiagnosis, rickets, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, vitamin D deficiency, bone fragility, child welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• And this bill ensures domestic abuse resulting in great bodily injuries is treated as. A felony.

Bills: SB1192, SB1264, SB1284, SB1810, SB1921

Keywords: substance abuse, counseling, assessment fees, mental health, alcohol and drug programs, domestic violence, domestic abuse, assault and battery, assault, battery, strangulation, dangerous weapon, family or household member, intimate partner, pregnant woman, great bodily injury, batterers intervention program, batterers' intervention, anger management, victim safety

Transcript Highlights:

• One is the domestic abuse incident training, which is on page one, is in the core curriculum of the basic
• And you look at the years where these things were put in place: domestic abuse in 2000...
• And you look at the years where these things were put in place: domestic abuse in 2002, the one I did
• ensuring child safety upon arrest in 2007, child abuse incident training in 2011, you know, the missing
• seeing now, which it seems like you're eliminating these short refresher courses on child and domestic abuse

Bills: SB30, SB43, SB50, SB136

Keywords: SB30, induced abortion, abortion reporting, vital statistics, public health reporting, medical records, health care providers, repeal, New Mexico, pregnancy termination, abortion data, state reporting requirements, confidentiality, reproductive health, parole, life imprisonment, rehabilitation, criminal justice, victim rights, law enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> protects your abuser. protects your abuser.
• </c> typically think of as abuse. typically think of as abuse.
• </c> responding to child abuse and neglect. responding to child abuse and neglect.
• </c> concern for physical abuse. concern for physical abuse.
• the signs of abuse.

Bills: HF4277, HF3819, HF3489, HF4408, HF3901, HF4316

Keywords: child care, child care center, day care, licensed child care, video security cameras, surveillance, security cameras, maltreatment, child abuse, child safety, public and shared areas, camera mandate, child care assistance program, CCAP, Great Start Compensation Support, early learning scholarships, licensed provider, Minnesota Statutes 142B.68, Harvey's Law, privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the whole sexual abuse component was one that was, I think, a bit contentious.
• We have in here that any sexual abuse cases, it's just kind of some wording changes that the department
• got 'referred,' and then they have to just look into the case for any reports that they get of any abuse
• This was a very important one on page 21, line 24: any reports of sexual abuse in which the alleged perpetrator
• , we want to call it that, of who and how it is ...you know, abuse, we want to call it that, of who and

Bills: SB237

Keywords: child welfare, Department of Children and Family Services, mandatory reporting, abuse prevention, investigative teams, child ombudsman, forensic interviews, confidentiality

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on April 20 and took up Senate Bill 237 by Senator Barrow, a child welfare measure addressing the duties of the state child ombudsman, DCFS, public reporting, confidentiality, critical incident reviews, multidisciplinary investigative teams, forensic interviews, mandatory reporter training, and related child abuse and neglect procedures. Before discussion, the committee reconsidered and withdrew a previously adopted amendment set, then heard the bill re-read and reviewed a new amendment package developed through meetings among Senator Barrow, Representatives Spell and Berault, DCFS, and the ombudsman’s office. Members described the revised bill as narrowing and clarifying several provisions: reducing the number of law enforcement liaisons, limiting death/near-fatality notifications to legislative leadership and committee chairs with later notice to affected district members if substantiated, adjusting medical review language, and adding quality-improvement and training components. Other changes included keeping school-related reports routed to law enforcement, changing some mandatory language to discretionary language for certain child-on-child sexual abuse situations, aligning multidisciplinary team procedures with existing interagency protocols, and making technical revisions to reduce burden and likely lower the fiscal note. The committee also adopted a separate amendment to include recreation language for the Department of Children and Family Services. Senator Barrow and several representatives emphasized that the goal was to improve child protection and review processes while making the bill workable for DCFS and other agencies. They noted the importance of outside review, ombudsman access to records, and using review findings to drive implementation changes. After no objections, the committee adopted the amendment sets and reported Senate Bill 237 favorably with amendments. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because there is some abuse. I'm going to say there's abuse.
• If you find one percent of fraud, waste, and abuse, that's a lot of money.
• Your mothers and children fleeing domestic abuse, your unhoused veterans, they should not have to worry

Bills: SB237

Keywords: child welfare, Department of Children and Family Services, mandatory reporting, abuse prevention, investigative teams, child ombudsman, forensic interviews, confidentiality

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 20, 2026, with eight members present and approved the May 13 minutes. The committee quickly reported several bills favorably, including SB 1224, which requires DCFS review when a pregnancy involves a child under 17 and makes children under 12 a child in need of care; SB 1100, which repeals an old statute on unenriched bread; HB 1220, a continuation of prior work to codify certain provisions related to the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners; HB 1231, clarifying that continuous glucose monitoring is covered through Medicaid for any insulin-dependent diabetic, including gestational diabetes; and HB 198, setting reimbursement rates for ambulatory surgery centers for certain Medicaid procedures. The committee also adopted a personal privilege welcome for physicians on White Coat Day and repeatedly noted that several bills were being advanced with the understanding that further work might continue before floor debate. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 1160, which would create a streamlined restricted license pathway for qualified international medical school graduates, especially for rural and shortage areas. Committee members pressed the Board of Medical Examiners about delays in promulgating rules under an earlier 2024 law and objected to rule language they said went beyond the statute. Board representatives acknowledged a misunderstanding about the original bill’s intent and said the program had been operating, but members warned against agencies writing rules that contradict enacted law. Despite the criticism, HB 1160 was reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably HCR 67, which creates a task force to study gaps in acute care for special-needs adults and children, following emotional testimony from the sponsor about her son’s death and the lack of appropriate care options. The committee then approved HCR 27, calling for a coordinated statewide evaluation of autism services by the Department of Health and Department of Education, with testimony emphasizing rising diagnosis rates, rural provider shortages, and the need for better data and coordination between medical and school-based services. HCR 28, which would study school nurse orientation and training, was also reported favorably after school nurses described the lack of standardized onboarding for new graduates and the risks of placing them alone in schools without adequate supervision. HB 469, which would have allowed pharmacy license renewal fees to be directed to Xavier University’s pharmacy school as well as public schools, was deferred after concerns about diverting funds from public institutions and the absence of testimony from affected schools. The committee also took up HB 223, which recreates DCFS, and adopted an amendment shortening the sunset date and requiring law enforcement reports to be accepted through a secure web-based platform; the bill was then reported favorably as amended. Another major discussion centered on HB 457 and HB 616, both tied to homelessness. HB 457, establishing minimum standards for shelters and related facilities, was reported favorably as amended after sponsor testimony and support cards. HB 616, which would allow the legislative auditor and local officials access to records and databases for audits of homelessness initiatives, drew extensive debate over privacy, federal funding, and accountability. Supporters cited a 2025 audit showing more than $216 million in federal homelessness spending in New Orleans and argued that auditors need access to performance data to detect waste and abuse; opponents warned about client privacy and the impact of funding cutoffs. The committee adopted an amendment changing permissive language to mandatory language for enforcement and then continued hearing testimony, with the discussion still centered on balancing oversight with confidentiality.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:04.959><c> head</c> son is a survivor of abusive head son is a survivor of abusive head trauma
• Our state does not abuse of head trauma.
• </c> also know that one in four um abusive also know that one in four um abusive head<00:05:14.320><c
• And I length about abusive head trauma.
• </c> the current climate of fraud and abuse the current climate of fraud and abuse of<01:13:40.880><c

Bills: HF3831, HF3603, HF1900, HF495, HF3750, HF4316, HF2136, HF4384

Keywords: SNAP, income limits, asset limits, nutrition assistance, children and families, federal poverty guidelines, federal waiver, food assistance, low-income families, nutritional support, day care, tax subtraction, child care costs, licensed child care, dependent care assistance, child care, family child care, child care center, licensing, correction order

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2786 is the FY25 supplemental for the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

Bills: HB2786, HB2787, HB2786, HB2787

Keywords: mental health, substance abuse, appropriation, state funding, emergency declaration, healthcare, State Department of Health, childbirth program, emergency funding, 914, all

Bills: HB2786, HB2787, HB2786, HB2787

Keywords: mental health, substance abuse, appropriation, state funding, emergency declaration, healthcare, State Department of Health, childbirth program, emergency funding, 914, all

Bills: SB92, HB9, HB9

Keywords: K-12 education, wireless communication devices, digital safety, social media education, classroom distraction, three-cueing system, reading instruction, structured literacy, scientific strategies, elder abuse, elder exploitation, financial exploitation, elderly person, senior abuse, probate, inheritance forfeiture, slayer statute, intestate succession, will contest, joint tenancy

Transcript Highlights:

• What this does is help us understand why veterans are coming through so that is it substance abuse, is
• What this does is help us understand why veterans are coming through so that is it substance abuse, is
• What this does is help us understand why veterans are coming through so that is it substance abuse, is
• you have resources in the community, whether it's treatment, mental health services, or substance abuse

Bills: HB2620, HB2960

Keywords: homeless veterans, emergency shelters, state funding, veterans' services, grant distribution, veterans, treatment court, rehabilitation, recidivism, mental health, substance abuse, 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• services is rising, especially due to the increase in Fentanyl addiction. and a 22% spike in substance abuse
• Senate Bill 626 has to do with in-service abuse training.
• annually provide their employees a minimum of eight hours of in-service training. in identifying patient abuse
• I recognize that there are cases where the discretion of the judge is being abused. and creating issues

Bills: SB437, SB528, SB626, SB636, SB884, SB968, SB1044, SB1608, SB2336

Keywords: healthcare, training, abuse, neglect, penalties, chemical dependency, safety, regulation, inpatient competency restoration, competency restoration, forensic mental health, mental health law, criminal competency, incompetent to stand trial, Chapter 46B, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission, state hospital, behavioral health, local mental health authority

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the whole sexual abuse component was one that was, I think, a bit contentious.
• We have in here that any sexual abuse cases, it's just kind of some wording changes that the department
• This was a very important one on page 21, line 24: any reports of sexual abuse in which the alleged perpetrator
• So we adjusted that language. ...certified child abuse pediatrician would be a little bit burdensome.
• , we want to call it that, of who and how is it... ...you know, abuse, we want to call it that, of who

Bills: SB237

Keywords: child welfare, Department of Children and Family Services, mandatory reporting, abuse prevention, investigative teams, child ombudsman, forensic interviews, confidentiality, 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, it's what we call our elder abuse bill.
• What we've done with this bill here, we've added the word abuse to this bill, which means that if someone
• is convicted of abusing an elder, it also restrains them from being able to receive any kind of inheritance
• Uh, it's what we call our elder abuse bill.
• What we've done with this bill here, we've added the word abuse to this bill, which means that if someone

Bills: HB9, HB52, HB53, HB99, HB9, HB52, HB53, HB99

Keywords: elder abuse, elder exploitation, financial exploitation, elderly person, senior abuse, probate, inheritance forfeiture, slayer statute, intestate succession, will contest, joint tenancy, right of survivorship, joint bank account, beneficiary designation, life insurance proceeds, estate law, Alabama probate law, vulnerable adults, senior advocacy, forfeiture of benefits