Transcript Highlights:

• Protection Program while also maintaining the safety of the community.
• It's a community protection program.
• It is a Community Protection Program, and we still need to protect the community, and these services
• The community may not understand... ...with the disabled community.
• custody and has been convicted of stalking.

Bills: HB2510, SGA9305

Keywords: community custody, probation, Department of Corrections, DOC supervision, Washington criminal law, sentencing, felony supervision, risk assessment, sex offense, serious violent offense, domestic violence, repetitive domestic violence, failure to register, sex offender registration, dangerous mentally ill offender, indeterminate sentence, parole, conditional commutation, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee met on February 24 to executive a large docket of bills in two packets, with staff first briefing measures on the Community Protection Program, jail search policies for transgender and intersex individuals, medically tailored meals, community residential service provider reviews, and the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group and Leadership Council. The committee also later heard bills on foster care licensees and adult family home licensure, DOC supervision for stalking convictions, inmate funds, and residential habilitation center transparency, plus a gubernatorial appointment to the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board. On Substitute House Bill 1390, which would repeal references to the Community Protection Program and transition participants to other services, Senator Christian offered 22 amendments seeking studies, added restrictions, notification requirements, and delays; all were rejected except a technical name-change amendment, and the bill was advanced. On Engrossed House Bill 1604, dealing with searches of transgender and intersex individuals in local jails, nine Christian amendments on private facilities, housing, attorney presence, religious accommodation, liability, medical personnel, staff disclosure, and gender-identity changes were all defeated, and the bill was sent forward. On House Bill 2211, medically tailored meals, a Christian amendment to add a competitive-bidding credit for nonprofits and small businesses failed, and the bill advanced; House Bill 2230, limiting DSHS annual reviews of community residential service providers, moved without amendment. Second Substitute House Bill 2429, extending and restructuring the children and youth behavioral health work group and leadership council, received a Wilson striking amendment and was sent to Ways and Means. In the second packet, Substitute House Bill 2505, exempting certain foster care licensees from adult family home licensure, passed without amendment, and House Bill 2510, requiring DOC supervision for people convicted of stalking who are sentenced to community custody, also advanced without changes. House Bill 2539, raising the indigent inmate threshold, saw debate over whether the amount should be $50 or $100 and whether the standard should be fixed or adjustable; a Christian amendment to lower the threshold failed, while a Wilson amendment allowing the amount to rise with available funds was adopted, and the bill moved forward. Substitute House Bill 2350, requiring notice when an RHC is out of compliance, received a Christian amendment to email legislative committees, which was adopted, and the bill passed. Finally, the committee recommended confirmation of Corey McNally to the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe this affects many different communities, not just the veteran community, but also the LGBT
• I believe this affects many different communities, not just the veteran community, but LGBT and several
• , but the judge gave custody. ...custody or partial custody of the child to her partner because her partner
• The non-custodial parent's rights are treated differently than the custodial parent's rights.
• It's not even custodial.

Bills: HCR 16, HB 782, HB 2159, HB 2288, HB 3281, HB 3819, HB 4656, HB 4696, HB 5494

Keywords: fatherhood, family support, fatherlessness, community engagement, youth development, social policy, male role models, child development, policy reform, role models, mental health, parenting, single-parent homes, welfare reform, economic opportunity, mentorship, community initiatives, children, welfare programs, education

Transcript Highlights:

• Custody case.
• I believe this affects many different communities, not just the veteran community, but LGBT and several
• , but the judge gave custody.
• Custody or partial custody of the child was given to her partner because her partner had been involved
• It's not even custodial.

Bills: HCR16, HB782, HB2159, HB2288, HB3281, HB3819, HB4656, HB4696, HB5494, HCR16

Keywords: fatherhood, family support, fatherlessness, community engagement, youth development, social policy, male role models, child development, policy reform, role models, mental health, parenting, single-parent homes, welfare reform, economic opportunity, mentorship, community initiatives, children, welfare programs, education

Transcript Highlights:

• So just giving law enforcement the tools they need to keep our community safe. Thank you. Mr.
• I'm here today to stand up for the immigrants in my community that have always been there for me and
• It's about silencing communities while I see those people. Thank you. Thank you. Good. Thank you.
• It does not change the broader custody framework. Questions. Thank you. Thank you. Mr.
• Come on up. involving alleged domestic abuse and abuse and it does not change the broader custody of

Bills: HB2047, HB2136, HB2198, HB2411, HB2662, HB2966, HB2970

Keywords: forcible entry, detainer, writ of restitution, criminal trespass, judgment enforcement, civil terrorism, disorderly conduct, vandalism, political activism, public order, subversion, government security, criminal records, sealing records, civil rights, expungement, rehabilitation, coerced abortion, abortion-inducing drugs, felony

Transcript Highlights:

• Strong families strongly influence the health, stability, and social cohesion of communities.
• In 2016, I was awarded primary custody and joint managing conservatorship.
• This is communicated to every judge because it's a very public way that he lost his license.
• They gave him sole custody. I still had the right to have my daughter 50-50.
• or temporary custody cases.

Bills: HB168, HB 1044, HB1534, HB1914, HB2240, HB2530, HB3284, HB3395, HB3515, HB3783, HB4034, HB4213, HB168

Keywords: marriage age, minors, family law, void marriage, rights of minors, Texas marriage law, marriage ceremony, authorized officiants, family code, judges, religious leaders, parent-child relationship, Department of Family and Protective Services, legal rights, notice requirements, HB 1914, Texas Family Code, Chapter 156, conservatorship, custody

Transcript Highlights:

• they turn 18, a minor who leaves home to escape from an unwanted wedding may be taken into temporary custody
• They deserve loving parents, supportive communities, access to education, and to form healthy families
• And me with a little Texas medal, we got communities to write to the Louisiana senator.

Bills: HB168, HB 1044, HB1534, HB1914, HB2240, HB2530, HB3284, HB3395, HB3515, HB3783, HB4034, HB4213, HB168

Keywords: marriage age, minors, family law, void marriage, rights of minors, Texas marriage law, marriage ceremony, authorized officiants, family code, judges, religious leaders, parent-child relationship, Department of Family and Protective Services, legal rights, notice requirements, HB 1914, Texas Family Code, Chapter 156, conservatorship, custody

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a failure to communicate all of these underlying issues to the judge.
• It was a failure to communicate all of these underlying issues to the judge.
• This would require that person on that misdemeanor to now go into custody.
• The task force also highlights a Jewish community member, no mention of an Arab or Muslim member.
• So I'm Jewish myself, so I'm all for doing what is needed to protect our communities and our Jewish communities

Bills: S0436, S0532, S0600, S0644, S0682, S0928, S1072, S1332, S1632, S1634

Keywords: foreclosure, court clerks, budget management, judicial sales, Florida statutes, bail bonds, pretrial release, forfeiture, criminal justice, bond conditions, surety, attorney fees, litigation costs, court jurisdiction, equitable awards, financial resources, domestic violence, protective injunctions, electronic monitoring, enhanced penalties

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met to consider several criminal justice and court-related bills, along with the committee’s proposed $7.9 billion budget. The committee first heard and approved CS/SB 600 on bail bonds, as amended to adjust solicitation, cash bond return, forfeiture remission timing, and clerk procedures; CS/SB 436 on felony battery, which expands qualifying prior offenses and was amended to correct a drafting issue; CS/SB 928, “Missy’s Law,” requiring immediate remand to custody after conviction for dangerous crimes; SB 1332 on career offender registration, adding in-person reporting, more detailed registration requirements, and stronger penalties for noncompliance; and CS/SB 682 on violent criminal offenses, a domestic violence measure adopted via a substitute amendment that adds stricter penalties, electronic monitoring, injunction protections, and related procedures. All of those bills were reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1072 creating an anti-Semitism task force in the Attorney General’s Office. The bill drew extensive public testimony both for and against, with supporters emphasizing rising anti-Semitic incidents and the need for statewide review, and opponents raising concerns about free speech, the definition of anti-Semitism, and possible conflation of criticism of Israel with hate speech. Senators also discussed the bill’s scope and the IHRA definition before it was reported favorably. In addition, CS/SB 532 on clerks of court was amended to clarify foreclosure sale procedures and funding predictability for clerks, then reported favorably. CS/SB 644 on attorney’s fees, suit money, and costs was also approved after amendments that aligned family-law fee provisions and codified standards for fee awards in dissolution and paternity cases; the sponsor said the bill was intended to curb vexatious litigation and improve consistency across districts. After the bill actions, the chair summarized the criminal and civil justice budget, describing it as a disciplined proposal that addresses corrections deficits and future inmate growth while funding core public safety needs. The committee then heard substantial public testimony on prison conditions, staffing, pay, heat, infrastructure, and the possibility of reducing prison populations or adding air conditioning in facilities. The chair announced that SB 1632 and its conforming bill SB 1634 would be temporarily postponed to the following week, and the record was supplemented with the names of many people who had registered to speak for or against those bills. The meeting concluded after members were invited to record votes and the committee adjourned.

Bills: HB40, HB1916, HB1973, HB2524, HB2530, HB3180, HB3421, HB3783, HB4170, HB4213

Keywords: business court, civil procedure, litigation, jurisdiction, arbitration, divorce, property division, family law, court jurisdiction, marital assets, parent-child relationship, birth certificate, identity proof, Family Code, court process, attorney fees, court costs, legal expenses, dispute resolution, child support

Summary: The committee considered several House bills dealing with family law and civil procedure. House Bill 1916, concerning a court’s jurisdiction in suits to divide property not divided on dissolution of marriage, was reported favorably on a 4-0 vote and recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. House Bill 1973, addressing proof of the identity of a child’s parents in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship, was also adopted with a committee substitute, reported favorably 4-0, and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. House Bill 2524, on recovery of fees, court costs, and expenses in family law proceedings, and House Bill 2530, on special appointments in suits affecting the parent-child relationship, each received favorable 4-0 votes and were likewise recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then took up House Bill 3180, which was reported favorably 4-0 and recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The most detailed discussion centered on House Bill 40, relating to updates to business courts. Senator Hughes explained a committee amendment that made conforming changes requested by the Finance Committee and removed language creating two new judgeships, replacing it with a different judge allocation. The amendment was adopted, the amended committee substitute was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably on a 4-0 vote and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. At the end of the meeting, members briefly clarified procedural details about the House Bill 40 amendment and then closed out the agenda. The committee also noted a correction to an earlier reference to Bartleby the Scrivener, and the Chair recessed the Committee on Jurisprudence subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it would clarify an amicus attorney cannot give custody opinions, have private talks with a judge
• Today, our custodial parents... Thanks.
• So maybe we need to do something to non-custodial, non-paying parents to incentivize them to pay.
• But they cannot make a removal or no-contact order against the custodial parent for that therapy.
• So you're with your mom now as far as custody goes? Yes, sir.

Bills: HB40, HB1916, HB1973, HB2524, HB2530, HB3180, HB3421, HB3783, HB4170, HB4213

Keywords: business court, civil procedure, litigation, jurisdiction, arbitration, divorce, property division, family law, court jurisdiction, marital assets, parent-child relationship, birth certificate, identity proof, Family Code, court process, attorney fees, court costs, legal expenses, dispute resolution, child support

Summary: The committee heard several House bills, most of them relating to family law and court procedure, and left each bill pending after testimony. House Bill 1916 would clarify that the court that issued a final divorce decree retains exclusive jurisdiction over later actions involving undivided property. House Bill 1973 would require a certified birth certificate, if reasonably available, to be filed with a SAPCR petition or allow alternative proof of parentage while keeping the information confidential. House Bill 2530 would add qualifications and procedural safeguards for appointing amicus attorneys in SAPCR cases, including notice and hearing requirements, minimum qualifications, conflict rules, and limits on what amicus attorneys may do. House Bill 2524 would make Family Code references to attorney’s fees consistent by using “reasonable and necessary” language. House Bill 3180 would correct a scrivener’s error in the civil discovery rules by changing “settlement” to “statement.” The committee also heard House Bill 4213, which would change the interest rate on overdue child support from the current 6 percent simple interest to a fixed 5 percent and require the Attorney General to report on the impact of the change. Testimony was sharply divided: supporters argued lower interest could improve collections and help low-income obligors catch up, citing research and the size of child-support arrearages; opponents said lowering the rate would reduce incentives to pay and harm custodial parents and children. The Attorney General’s office raised implementation concerns about a House version that would have created a variable rate, while the committee substitute was described as restoring a simple fixed rate. After testimony, the bill was left pending. The committee also discussed House Bill 40, updating business court provisions and supplemental jurisdiction; House Bill 3421, streamlining probate procedures for original wills and copies; and House Bill 417, clarifying venue for lawsuits involving private transfer fees on real property. Each drew limited testimony and was left pending. Finally, House Bill 3783 drew extensive testimony on court-ordered counseling and reunification therapy in family cases. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would protect children and abuse victims from coercive, unregulated reunification practices, while opponents argued it was too broad, could interfere with legitimate therapy and judicial discretion, and might affect military families and other high-conflict cases. The committee heard testimony from judges, therapists, parents, survivors, and advocates, but took no final action and left the bill pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:42.880><c> across</c> many many county communities across many many county communities across
• 28.840><c> this</c><00:41:29.040><c> issue</c> community has been fighting this issue community has been
• </c><01:02:26.640><c> This</c> staying within their community. This staying within their community.
• </c> intentional is a must for our community intentional is a must for our community to<01:02:42.320>
• community African American community want<01:22:34.880><c> to</c><01:22:35.040><c> continue</c><01:22

Bills: HF3665, HF3002, HF4217, HF4125, HF4174

Keywords: foster care, early childhood education, child care programs, placement plan, social services, extended foster care, kinship care, relative custody, permanent legal and physical custody, Northstar kinship assistance, independent living plan, transition services, youth aging out of care, medical assistance, Medicaid, child welfare, children youth and families, out-of-home placement, case plan, relative placement

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, the child may trust, and it may be information that they are too scared to communicate with
• The other situation you have is when one party requests interim fees, they're accessing the community
• Clear and outdated statutory language regarding community property obligations creates confusion.
• The next provision relates to community debts.
• to community debts throughout the state's code for some time.

Bills: HB368, HB3311, HB1734, HB2495, HB2716, HB793, HB3376, HB2524, HB3421, HB3446, HB3181

Keywords: electronic devices, family violence, criminal prosecution, protective orders, tracking, harassment, family allowance, decedent's estate, surviving spouse, minor children, inheritance, child support, maintenance, HB 1734, Family Code, Section 155.207, suit affecting the parent-child relationship, SAPCR, continuing exclusive jurisdiction, jurisdiction transfer

Transcript Highlights:

• Dementia training, such as understanding the disease, communication techniques, and information about
• relegated to lower priority, which can result in delays and financial hardships for children and custodial
• The date of the custody suit still significantly affects the child's well-being.
• For survivors navigating ... in mitigating custody disputes, this bill offers a voice and validation

Bills: HB368, HB3311, HB1734, HB2495, HB2716, HB793, HB3376, HB2524, HB3421, HB3446, HB3181

Keywords: electronic devices, family violence, criminal prosecution, protective orders, tracking, harassment, family allowance, decedent's estate, surviving spouse, minor children, inheritance, child support, maintenance, HB 1734, Family Code, Section 155.207, suit affecting the parent-child relationship, SAPCR, continuing exclusive jurisdiction, jurisdiction transfer

Transcript Highlights:

• It also takes these folks away from actual emergencies in the community. who commits this act.
• folks away from actual emergencies in folks away from actual emergencies in the<00:38:40.000><c> community
• 40.800><c> Uh</c><00:38:41.359><c> last</c><00:38:41.680><c> year</c><00:38:42.000><c> in</c> The community

Bills: HB63, HB19, HB80, HB41, HB20, HB60, HB100, HB71, HB91, HB93, HB63, HB19, HB80, HB41, HB20, HB60, HB100, HB71, HB91, HB93

Keywords: paternity, child custody, joint custody, parental rights, family law, domestic violence, shared parenting, Ebony Alert, missing youth, public safety, law enforcement, racial equity, human trafficking, victim restitution, civil action, criminal prosecution, labor servitude, sexual servitude, class A felony, class B felony

Transcript Highlights:

• And have you experienced this when it has come to custody issues, because a lot of times Chair thinks
• And I do think in the custody cases, especially, uh, we are a mid-size, uh, county, uh, and so we do
• Start the communication with CPS. Hey, we're investigating this. What do you have over here?
• And in fact if they request it or we have communication and they ask us questions, we absolutely should
• If they're asked to communicate with the district attorney, they're, they're happy to do that, or do

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

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

Bills: HB40, HB40, HB1916, HB1973, HB2524, HB2530, HB3180, HB3421, HB3783, HB4170, HB4213

Keywords: law enforcement, sheriffs, constables, contracts, county authority, business court, civil procedure, litigation, jurisdiction, arbitration, divorce, property division, family law, court jurisdiction, marital assets, parent-child relationship, birth certificate, identity proof, Family Code, court process

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, these custodial parents I had...
• They make many concessions and seem to disregard the needs of the custodial parents.
• Last year, I was trying to get child support from my own non-custodial parent, and Mr.
• Assessment of that section, including, for example, isolation from community.
• , and the office's response was there were no carve-outs for the military community.

Bills: HB40, HB1916, HB1973, HB2524, HB2530, HB3180, HB3421, HB3783, HB4170, HB4213, HB40

Keywords: business court, civil procedure, litigation, jurisdiction, arbitration, divorce, property division, family law, court jurisdiction, marital assets, parent-child relationship, birth certificate, identity proof, Family Code, court process, attorney fees, court costs, legal expenses, dispute resolution, child support

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we see this as we and the community.
• citizen in his community.
• Our senior retirement community, a retirement community located in Houston, Texas.
• Community B does have a full-size generator. This is what it does. Community C has this policy.
• Those communities went bankrupt.

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

• And have you experienced this when it has come to custody issues because a lot of times Chair, thank
• I just think more information is better and I do think in the custody cases especially.
• So if the bill could be rewritten where you guys have to start the communication with CPS, hey, we're
• Oh, but you've already said that maybe I'll need to just communicate better to...
• If they request it, or we have communication and they ask us questions, we absolutely should provide.

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

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

Bills: SB35

Keywords: child custody, criminal offense, law enforcement, penal code, parenting

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> communities, often across generations. communities, often across generations.
• I'm testifying as a community advocate.
• <c> nonprofit</c><01:21:00.720><c> organizations</c> community-based nonprofit organizations community-based
• 59.000><c> true</c> community-based organizations are true community-based organizations are true partners
• . community. community.

Bills: HB1518, HB1699, HB1747, HB1705, HB1565, HB1801, HB1645, HB2115, HB2114

Keywords: HB1518, Hawaii SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, food stamps, Department of Human Services, DHS, pre-release SNAP, pre-release application process, incarcerated individuals, prisoner reentry, reentry services, formerly incarcerated, jail release, prison release, recidivism, food security, benefits eligibility, controlled substance felony, drug felony, drug conviction

Summary: The committee opened its first meeting of the 2020 session and heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 1518, which would allow people incarcerated and nearing release to apply for SNAP benefits before release. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Human Services said they support the bill and are already piloting a pre-release application process at two facilities, with plans to expand it. The Attorney General’s Office supported the intent but noted a technical issue: one section of the bill appears to affect TANF as well as SNAP, while the title refers only to SNAP. A wide range of advocates, including Catholic Charities, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Hunger Action Network, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, ACLU of Hawaii, and others, testified in strong support, emphasizing food insecurity after release, reentry stability, and reduced recidivism. The committee did not take a vote during the hearing. The committee then heard HB 1747, which would direct the Department of Human Services to seek federal waivers or extensions related to restricting certain SNAP purchases, including sugary drinks. DHS said it had already been approved for a narrow demonstration waiver and was working with retailers on implementation, with a target date of August 1. Supporters of the measure argued it would promote healthier choices, while opponents, including Hawaii Appleseed, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association, said such restrictions are ineffective, stigmatize low-income residents, create burdens for retailers and DHS, and may be difficult to implement. Members asked DHS to clarify the scope of the waiver and confirmed it applies to sugary drinks and beverages containing more than 10 grams of sugar. Finally, the committee took up HB 1705, which would allow licensed mental health counselors to serve as child custody evaluators, but there was no testimony from the relevant agencies and the item was quickly set aside. The committee also heard HB 1565, which would establish a judiciary working group to improve family court processes and legal representation for youth in the child welfare system. The Attorney General’s Office offered minor technical amendments, and supporters from the Office of Wellness and Resilience, High Hopes Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and a social work student described the need for legal representation, citing better reunification and stability outcomes and the importance of youth voice in court proceedings. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.