Transcript Highlights:

• health interns is Medicaid.
• You know, we've got this looming danger of them closing the state-run facilities.
• the Department of Health since they could probably more easily access mental health records.
• A mental health. And I really don't want to add anything over there right now.
• Have they seen someone for, you know, a counselor or mental health, or they don't.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to Public Health.
• So the idea I had was, for instance, everybody, when you come into a health care facility, whether it's
• I was actually in a bathroom recently at one of our health care facilities and they had a red Sharpie
• At one of our health care facilities, and they had a red Sharpie on the wall that they were supposed
• And so all they're doing right now for clinical behavioral health interns is Medicaid.

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

Summary: The Public Health Committee met for its first session and laid over House Bills 3884 and 4410. The committee then heard and advanced several bills. HB 3287 would require hospitals to post discreet notices in areas like X-ray, CAT scan, MRI, or bathrooms telling victims of domestic abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse, or human trafficking how to alert staff and ensuring they are not discharged before appropriate reporting occurs; members discussed whether to include a phone number, and the bill passed 5-0. HB 2947 would allow clinics to bill Medicaid for services provided by master’s-level mental health interns working under supervision in accredited programs, with supporters saying it could help address rural workforce shortages; questions focused on supervision, liability, whether it would be limited to Medicaid, fiscal impact, and how many interns might participate, and it passed 5-0. The committee also considered HB 3784, as amended by a PCS, which would let permanent makeup artists come out from under physician oversight after three years of experience, while preserving supervision if they use prescription medications such as topical anesthetics; after clarification about the PCS, it passed 5-0. HB 3901 would create a psychological autopsy position in the Department of Health to review suicides and overdoses through voluntary family interviews and records review to improve prevention efforts; members raised questions about cost, whether the work should be housed elsewhere, the pilot nature of the proposal, and what data are currently collected, and it passed 5-0. Finally, HB 4275 would allow case managers and peer support specialists to be employed by cities and counties while keeping their certification, and it also passed 5-0. The meeting ended with adjournment and a notice that the committee would meet again the following Wednesday morning at 9:00.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then I think another change was to change human service centers to behavioral health clinics.

Bills: HB1012

Keywords: health and human services, DHHS, appropriations, biennial budget, behavioral health, substance use disorder, opioid settlement, medical assistance expansion, Medicaid, basic care, long-term care, child care assistance, early childhood care, child care provider payments, guardianship, conservatorship, housing loan fund, disability services, extraordinary medical needs, community health trust fund

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Human Services Division met to consider House Bill 1012, the Department of Human Services budget, and reviewed three previously made amendments: correcting a reference to $30 million underfunding, changing “human service centers” to “behavioral health clinics,” and revising section 31 language so the department would review medical assistance services and report findings and recommendations rather than directly implement adjustments. The committee also discussed whether to include funding related to two other bills with fiscal impacts, House Bill 1485 (personal needs allowance) and House Bill 2399 (PRTF reimbursement), noting those measures may go to conference committee and that appropriations could be added there instead of in HB 1012. The committee agreed to proceed with HB 1012 and members noted provider inflation questions would be raised later in full committee. The division then approved a due pass recommendation on the amendments to HB 1012 and, after a roll call vote, approved HB 1012 as amended on a 4-1 vote, with Senator Mathern voting no. Senator Davison was named as carrier. Members also discussed House Bill 1577, involving wastewater project financing and possible amendments related to a line of credit from the Bank of North Dakota for specific projects, and House Bill 1619, for which additional amendments were expected before full committee action. The meeting ended with general thanks and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• It excludes school instructional facilities located on military bases from a district's inventory of
• It excludes school instructional facilities located on military bases from a district's inventory of
• that the cost might range somewhere between $35 million and $40 million for a 50,000-square-foot facility
• It's a secure facility.
• We've got facilities over there.

Bills: HB2295

Keywords: Washington capital budget, supplemental capital budget, capital appropriations, state building construction account, taxable building construction account, climate commitment account, natural climate solutions, housing trust fund, affordable housing, supportive housing, homelessness, manufactured home communities, mobile home parks, school construction, school modernization, school seismic safety, healthy schools, school electrification, SCAP, behavioral health facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• We thank you for your $4 million investment into behavioral health.
• Currently, one out of two patients at Tubman Health received behavioral health services.
• for the Yakima Behavioral Health Hub, Crisis...
• Inclusion for funding for the Yakima Behavioral Health Hub, Crisis Relief, and Sobering Center in the
• By expanding access to integrated behavioral health and crisis services, this facility will help people

Bills: HB2295

Keywords: Washington capital budget, supplemental capital budget, capital appropriations, state building construction account, taxable building construction account, climate commitment account, natural climate solutions, housing trust fund, affordable housing, supportive housing, homelessness, manufactured home communities, mobile home parks, school construction, school modernization, school seismic safety, healthy schools, school electrification, SCAP, behavioral health facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• behavioral health patient brokering.
• Not Indian Health Services facilities as well.
• Bill 1173 requires, as a condition for licensure of behavioral health facilities, each applicant, licensee
• health facilities.
• And with that, I'd be Residents as a condition for licensure of behavioral health facilities, and with

Bills: SB1051, SB1114, SB1115, SB1122, SB1132, SB1162, SB1169, SB1171, SB1172, SB1173, SB1174, SB1175, SB1179, SB1188, SB1233, SB1236, SB1242, SB1316, SB1368

Keywords: SB1051, Arizona hospitals, immigration status, patient intake, admission forms, registration forms, health care reporting, uncompensated care, emergency department, lawfully present, undocumented immigrants, noncitizen patients, hospital funding, Arizona Department of Health Services, ADHS, border security, health care institutions, patient privacy, medical access, immigration policy

Transcript Highlights:

• These facilities are regulated by the Health and Human Services Commission.
• So each inpatient mental health facility, treatment facility, or hospital that provides... comprehensive
• It requires medical examinations for inpatient mental health facilities to be done in person, not by
• health facilities, the flexibility it affords ensures that every patient has access to the specialized
• Thank you Madam Chair. trying to clarify is this just hospitals or is this any mental health facility

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:

• HB 909 is seeking for commercial payers to cover behavioral health crisis services.
• health crisis and behavioral health framework for the state of Louisiana.
• Cost offset, as I just mentioned, possibly by individuals accessing lower-cost behavioral health crisis
• When we talk about behavioral and we talk about health crisis and everything, I think it is important
• Say health plans, I mean OGB group health plans are the ones who are suffering.

Bills: HB12, HB145, HB222, HB291, HB430, HB821, HB874, HB909, HB951, HB979, HB1193

Keywords: survivor benefits, law enforcement, reserve officer, auxiliary officer, public safety, firefighters, medical expenses, dental expenses, disability benefits, Medicaid, dental coverage, healthcare access, medical necessity, Louisiana Department of Health, health insurance, provider agreements, contracting actions, participating facilities, network status, survivors benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 426 updates Louisiana's behavioral health workforce by modernizing the addictive disorder
• Every day across Louisiana, individuals in need of behavioral health services walk into our hospitals
• I also serve as the chairman of the Louisiana Behavioral Health Advisory Council, and I'm on some other
• facilities, to provide for the duties and responsibilities of the Louisiana Department of Health, and
• in place guardrails through the Department of Health to monitor those facilities much more closely, to

Bills: HR174, HR194, HCR98, SB39, SB124, SB190, SB236, SB270, SB273, SB359, SB415, SB426, SB437, SB451

Keywords: fenbendazole, cancer treatment, public health, FDA, clinical trials, patient safety, visual acuity, student health, de-identified data, longitudinal analysis, education policy, SNAP, food stamps, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, grocery delivery, delivery fees, service charges, online grocery, food access, food insecurity

Transcript Highlights:

• We try in life to regulate the behavior of others.
• Tracking someone's location does not change their behavior or prevent re-offending.
• the root causes of these behaviors.
• The liberty of parents to direct the upbringing, education, health care, and mental health of their children
• I'm accountable for my decisions, my behavior. I'm accountable for my choices.

Bills: HB2205, HB2265, HB2413, HB2415, HB2418, HB2495, HB2589, HB2661, HB2720, HB2771, HB2833, HB2870

Keywords: criminal damage, trespassing, critical facilities, felony, Arizona Revised Statutes, court fees, public defender, criminal justice, legal aid, indigent defense, appeals, administrative assessments, sex offender, electronic monitoring, registration, public safety, youth protection, Kratom, narcotic drugs, regulation

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, HB2681

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, cannabis, license fees, regulatory framework, revenue generation, legalization

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer recognizing Black History Month, reflecting on sacrifice, justice, and the responsibility of legislators to serve with humility, courage, and dignity. The body then approved the previous day’s minutes and adopted House Resolution 4701 honoring Black History Month without objection. After the resolution, both Democratic and Republican caucuses were called, and the House briefly went at ease. The chamber then handled routine business: first-reading referral of bills, memorials, and resolutions from the introduction sheet, referral of bills from committee reports, and placement of Engrossed Senate Bill 5272 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 8406 onto the second reading calendar after the Rules Committee was relieved of them. No floor debate or recorded votes on substantive legislation occurred in this segment. The House announced that floor action had concluded for the day and adjourned until 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 26th.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:49.640><c> Health</c> Developmental and Behavioral Health Developmental and Behavioral Health
• </c><00:14:58.040><c> Health</c> crisis services and Behavioral Health crisis services and Behavioral
• <00:16:57.199><c> behavioral</c> Behavioral Health home so a behavioral Behavioral Health home so a behavioral
• </c><01:09:42.199><c> Health</c> doctors not by Behavioral Health doctors not by Behavioral Health Specialists
• Behavioral Health if it's mental health Behavioral Health if it's mental health this<01:16:15.840><c>

Bills: HF1005

Keywords: health insurance, medical assistance, behavioral health, reimbursement rates, primary care services, physician fee schedule, managed care, residential services, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Provider associations—we have a ton of health care provider associations, from hospitals to behavioral
• health, to transportation, to nursing homes, to hospice, home health.
• It empowers the Louisiana Department of Health to work closely with facilities to evaluate care standards
• and Louisiana commercial health insurance payors to increase reimbursement rates for behavioral health
• and Louisiana Commercial Health Insurance Payors to increase reimbursement rates for behavioral health

Bills: HR290, HR298, SB405, SCR61, HR318

Keywords: gender-affirming care, gender affirming therapy, gender-affirming hormone therapy, transgender health, trans youth, LGBTQ, mental health, psychosis, psychiatric conditions, puberty blockers, androgen blockers, cross-sex hormones, estrogen, testosterone, informed consent, screening, monitoring protocols, Louisiana Department of Health, LDH, House Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• All receipts from the tax will be deposited into the youth behavioral health account.
• All receipts from the tax will be deposited into the youth behavioral health account.
• The youth behavioral health account is created in the state treasury.
• youth behavioral health account, with the recognition social media will continue to exist and can do
• I think we all care deeply about the mental and behavioral health of our young people.

Bills: HB2038, HB2297, HB2382, HB2487, HB2018

Keywords: HB2038, Washington, B&O tax, business and occupation tax, social media tax, platform tax, youth behavioral health, mental health, adolescent mental health, children's mental health, telebehavioral health, behavioral health account, state treasury, digital services tax, internet platform, social media companies, youth services, depression, anxiety, public health funding

Summary: House Finance held hearings on several tax-related bills. HB 2038 would impose a 0.4% additional B&O tax on businesses operating social media platforms starting in 2027 and direct the revenue to a new youth behavioral health account. The sponsor and supportive youth witnesses said social media contributes to youth anxiety and problematic internet use and that the bill would fund prevention and behavioral health services. Opponents from business and tech groups argued the tax unfairly targets one sector, could violate federal internet tax law, and should be funded through the general fund instead. HB 2297 would create local tax incentives to help grocery stores in underserved communities, including preferential city B&O rates, a sales tax exemption for security services, a property tax exemption program, a B&O credit, and a B&O exemption for certain locally owned or employee-owned stores. Supporters, including food access advocates, local officials, grocers, and residents of food-desert neighborhoods, said the bill would help preserve and attract grocery stores in communities that have lost access to healthy food. Counties supported the concept but raised concern about the bill’s sales tax exemption, saying local revenue losses should be minimized. HB 2382 would raise cigarette taxes by $2 per pack, restructure vapor and other tobacco taxes, and dedicate portions of the revenue to emergency medical services, tobacco enforcement, and public health accounts. Supporters said higher tobacco taxes reduce smoking, generate revenue, and help fund cancer research and public health programs. Retailers and industry groups opposed the bill, warning it would hurt small stores, push sales to illicit or out-of-state markets, and burden lower-income consumers. HB 2487 would narrow the B&O tax exemption for insurers after a 2024 Supreme Court decision, with retroactive application to 2019; DOR and patient advocates supported it as a clarification to prevent an overly broad exemption, while insurers and business groups opposed the retroactivity and warned of higher premiums and ambiguity affecting related insurance activities. HB 2018 would raise the solid waste tax by 0.5% annually for five years and create a local government solid waste assistance account; counties and solid waste officials supported it as a way to stabilize funding for waste management as landfill revenue declines, and the hearing included public testimony in favor. No committee votes were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><01:04:05.200><c> proposed</c> behavioral health group uh we proposed behavioral health group uh we
• Uh commitment to behavioral health care.
• </c><01:13:02.640><c> health</c> The 7,500 Medicaid and behavioral health The 7,500 Medicaid and behavioral
• </c><01:18:52.480><c> health</c> assistance in the behavioral health assistance in the behavioral health
• needing</c> the behavioral health fund from needing the behavioral health fund from needing to<01:26

Bills: HF2216, HF1978, HF2354, HF1963, HF1994, HF1995, HF1894

Keywords: assisted living, nursing home, long-term care, guardian, conservator, resident rights, arbitration, mandatory arbitration, consumer protection, fee increase, rate increase, price hike, private pay, public funds, Medicaid, waiver services, elderly, seniors, older adults, disability rights

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and members, we have Senate Bill 222 by Senator Presley, relative to Medicaid behavioral health
• services, to provide for administrative requirements, to provide for certain behavioral health telehealth
• Senate Bill 222 expands access to behavioral health services by cutting unnecessary red tape and strengthening
• Senate Bill 222 expands access to behavioral health services by cutting unnecessary red tape and strengthening
• And they still have to have the same requirements of two years of treating behavioral health in addition

Bills: HB946, HB1093, SB26, SB29, SB30, SB195, SB219, SB222, SB255, SB314, SCR2, SCR22

Keywords: healthcare transparency, hospital pricing, consumer protection, collection actions, fines, naturopathic medicine, Louisiana Board of Naturopathic Medicine, licensing, healthcare, prescriptive authority, natural therapies, opioid treatment, regulation, addiction recovery, state law, SB 29, Act 732, coroner, autopsy, child death

Transcript Highlights:

• In behavioral health to rural areas of the state.
• If the... ...off the principal from that behavioral health trust.
• If the behavioral trust is not made whole, the Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act, in my mind
• The Behavioral Health Trust is a forward-looking solution.
• The Behavioral Health Trust Fund does count as part of reserves.

Bills: SB5, SB6, SB8

Keywords: physician residency, healthcare, rural communities, medical education, appropriation, education, medical school, New Mexico, construction, behavioral health, funding, mental health services, general fund transfer, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• health facilities that have commenced operations on or before January 1, 2026.
• It's about controlling women and their health care decisions.
• This bill will create a chilling effect across the entire health... ...and their health care decisions
• The despicable behavior on this dais breaches the pale.
• But let's talk about the disorderly behavior stuff, okay?

Bills: HB2244, HB2364, HB2573, HB2749, HB2862, HB2870, HB4117, HCR2004

Keywords: evictions, judgment satisfaction, tenant rights, landlord obligations, court procedures, abortion-inducing drugs, medical abortion, pharmaceutical regulation, felonies, state law, DUI, ignition interlock, substance abuse treatment, driving privileges, alcohol education, felony conviction, misdemeanor designation, court judgment, criminal justice reform, rehabilitation

Transcript Highlights:

• Examples of these senior living facilities include adult foster care facilities, assisted living, retirement
• Well, when we look at the number of health plans, you're looking at about 30 health plans that would
• There was notification, price transparency, there was a facility fee, and there was a ban on the facility
• Health accountability.
• Mobile health care facilities or practitioners could be hours away.

Bills: SB227, SB269, SB407, SB463, SB527, SB547, SB1283, SB1380, SB1383, SB1511, SB1640, SB1784, SB2069

Keywords: school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, healthcare policy, vaccines, exemptions, religious beliefs, public health, workplace violence, healthcare facilities, definition expansion, safety regulations, health and safety code, health insurance, anesthesia, pediatric dental services, coverage, medical necessity

Transcript Highlights:

• Health and Human Services will come to order. Members, we'll pick up right where we had.
• However, some medical health insurers do not want to cover the anesthesia.
• Coverage of general anesthesia until a health emergency arises just prolongs the suffering.
• Health insurance for necessary general anesthesia for these dental procedures.
• And these are just as important for children's health as any other medical procedure that they undergo

Bills: SB227, SB269, SB407, SB463, SB527, SB547, SB1283, SB1380, SB1383, SB1511, SB1640, SB1784, SB2069

Keywords: school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, healthcare policy, vaccines, exemptions, religious beliefs, public health, workplace violence, healthcare facilities, definition expansion, safety regulations, health and safety code, health insurance, anesthesia, pediatric dental services, coverage, medical necessity