Video & Transcript Research : 'community-based organization'
Page 1 of 500
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 2/23/26
Health Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- This makes supporting clinics serving our communities even more important.
- This makes supporting clinics serving our communities even more important.
- This makes supporting clinics serving our communities even more important.
- This makes supporting clinics serving our communities even more important.
- This makes supporting clinics serving our communities even more important.
Keywords:
massage therapy, Asian bodywork therapy, massage therapist, Asian bodywork therapist, licensure, professional licensing, health occupations, Department of Health, commissioner of health, advisory council, protected title, unlicensed practice, scope of practice, consumer protection, background check, professional liability insurance, continuing education, credentialing examination, state preemption, municipal regulation
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Budget Review Sub. on Health and Family Services. (2-4-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Lisa Dennis, and I am the commissioner for the Department for Community Based Services.
- with the department of um community with the department of um community based<00:31:28.480>
services - department for community based services. department for community based services.
- community behavioral health clinics. community behavioral health clinics.
- Uh the certified community today.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:00:01
Department for Public Health Budget Request 00:01:46
Department for Community Based Services Budget Request 00:31:58
Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) 00:57:13, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes, then heard a lengthy presentation from the Department for Public Health on Kentucky’s rural health transformation plan and related budget questions. Commissioner John Langfeld said the state received a $212.9 million federal award, one of the larger awards nationally, and outlined five focus areas: maternal and infant health, integrated EMS/trauma response, behavioral health and substance use disorder, oral health, and chronic disease prevention with an emphasis on obesity and diabetes. He stressed that the effort is intended to be integrated, data-driven, and sustainable, and that the federal funds cannot be used for new construction, clinician salaries, research and development, EHR replacement, or to pay for currently billable services. He also said the program carries accountability requirements and that funds can be clawed back if milestones are not met.
Members pressed for clarification on duplication with other budget requests, sustainability after the five-year funding period, and how success would be measured. Langfeld said he was not aware of any duplicate funding with the department’s additional budget requests and said the rural health funds were separate from those requests. He also said the program will be tracked through specific metrics and timelines, using both execution measures and outcome measures such as readmissions, with more rapid-cycle feedback to allow course correction. Representative Fleming raised concerns about possible overlap with navigator funding and asked for more detail on the budget breakdown; Langfeld said a detailed line-item budget had been prepared but was still awaiting final CMS approval before release, and that he would explore sharing more information once restrictions were lifted.
The committee then heard from the Kentucky State Public Health Laboratory about a request for a new central lab expansion. The presenter described the current 35-year-old facility as outdated and constrained by aging infrastructure, obsolete equipment, deferred maintenance, and inadequate space, and said the lab performs critical work with no in-state alternative for many services, including newborn screening, select-agent and biosafety level 3 testing, animal necropsy for rabies, genetic sequencing, environmental and food safety testing, and response to emerging infectious diseases. The project is already in design phase C, expected to finish in mid-April, with construction funding sought at roughly $276 million on top of about $35 million already approved for design. Members asked about long-term operating costs, backup arrangements, and whether the current facility would remain in use; the presenter said the current lab would continue to be used by the department while other divisions move into vacated space, and that the lab has mutual-aid agreements with the Southeast Consortium and universities for contingency support.
Finally, the Department for Community Based Services began its budget presentation on SNAP and relative caregiver issues. Commissioner Lisa Dennis and budget director Misty Sammons identified the governor’s recommended budget items tied to new federal requirements under HR1, including changes affecting payment error rates. The discussion was just beginning when the transcript ended.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 2/26/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- currently overly stressed facility based currently overly stressed facility based care<00:04:41.160
- So it’s going to be based on that geographical distribution, and the grants would be awarded based on
- There is one organization for the four-year programs and another organization for the two-year programs
- Representative Noor said the previous estimate indicated about $5 million based on the previous bills
there's <00:20:17.520>one <00:20:17.760>organization Statewide so there's one organization
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- , the entire community, and HHSC.
- , including our governor Kona community, including our governor Kona community, the<00:39:43.280>
- <00:39:45.200>
Thank the entire community and HHSC. Thank the entire community and HHSC. - West Hawaii business community and advocate for policies that support long-term community stability
- name based finger name based check is name based finger name based check is not<01:28:12.480>
Keywords:
Medicaid, disability, buy-in program, workers with disabilities, income eligibility, premium structure, biomarker testing, health insurance, medical coverage, state law, health maintenance organization, juvenile justice, youth penalties, minors, court fees, court costs, fines, surcharges, restitution, fee waiver
Summary:
The House Committee on Health heard testimony on a series of bills related to public health, pharmacy regulation, disability access, and health care infrastructure. HB 1535, creating an income tax credit for automated external defibrillator installations, drew support from the Department of Health, tax department comments, and public testimony emphasizing AED access in community and transit settings. HB 1765, requiring safety warnings for spear fishing gear, received comments from DLNR and strong support from a free-diving safety advocate who described blackout risks and argued for point-of-sale warnings. HB 1549, which would repeal the law prohibiting drug paraphernalia, drew mixed testimony: the Department of Health, the Public Defender, and harm-reduction advocates supported repeal as a public health measure, while HPD and a county prosecutor opposed it, warning it could encourage drug use and create public safety issues.
The committee also heard HB 1550, which would exclude drug testing products from the definition of drug paraphernalia. The Department of Health and harm-reduction advocates supported the bill, saying drug checking tools save lives and help prevent overdoses, while one written opponent was noted. HB 1995, allowing people who are blind or deaf to receive disabled parking permits, drew opposition from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Disability and Communication Access Board, and other opponents, while a few written supporters were also noted. HB 1671, allowing licensed dental hygienists to place interim therapeutic restorations in public health settings, received support from the Department of Health and several oral health organizations, with the Board of Dentistry offering comments.
HB 1643, establishing a framework for pharmacy audits and record retrieval, prompted the most extended discussion. The Board of Pharmacy and independent pharmacy representatives supported the bill as a needed framework to limit burdensome audits and protect patient care, while HMSA raised concerns about possible conflicts with upcoming federal PBM reforms and potential unintended consequences. Committee members questioned both sides about timing and workload, and supporters argued the bill was needed now to protect rural and independent pharmacies. Finally, HB 1978, appropriating funds for a new outpatient care center in North Kona, received strong support from Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Queen’s Health Systems, the Kona-Kohala Chamber, and others, who described it as a long-term investment in West Hawaii’s health care capacity and economy. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Human Services Subcommittee Feb 9th, 2026 at 10:30 am
A&B Human Services Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- We have home and community-based services, which is at the Department of Human Services.
- Home and community-based services cost about $22,000 per individual.
- These programs, home and community-based services and PACE, are underutilized because no one knows about
- We know that if we provide better information, more people will choose home and community-based services
- So what this would do is just create a revolving fund that any monies geared to home and community-based
Keywords:
home care, community services, Oklahoma Department of Human Services, rating system, inspection reports, substantiated complaints, agency oversight, child care, workforce, pilot program, affordable care, income eligibility, long-term care, revolving fund, options counseling, funding, consultation services, Medicaid, community-based services, seniors
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/26
Health Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- through community assisters.
- through community assisters.
- last is community engagement. last is community engagement.
- haven't communicated directly with CMS. haven't communicated directly with CMS.
- Thank you. systems, and to communities. Now, as systems, and to communities.
Keywords:
Medical Assistance, Medicaid, MNsure, MinnesotaCare, disability determination, expedited eligibility, state medical review team, compassionate allowance, rare disease, home and community-based services, long-term care, managed care, county-based purchasing, eligibility redetermination, periodic data matching, death master file, Social Security Administration, program integrity, income eligibility, asset test
Summary:
The House Health Finance and Policy Committee met on March 4, 2026, approved the minutes from its February 25 and March 2 meetings, and then heard a presentation from Katherine Castanza of the National Conference of State Legislatures on Medicaid eligibility changes in the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR1/OB3). The presentation focused on provisions affecting Medicaid expansion adults ages 19 to 64, including new work and community engagement requirements, changes to retroactive eligibility, quarterly death master file checks, address verification requirements, six-month redeterminations for expansion enrollees, and new limits on some lawful permanent residents and other immigrant groups. Castanza also discussed state implementation issues, including the need for new data-sharing systems, system modernization, outreach, and options for helping people transition to other coverage if they lose eligibility.
She said the work and community engagement rules take effect January 1, 2027, with states given flexibility on look-back periods, consecutive versus nonconsecutive months, and optional hardship exemptions, and noted that CMS guidance is not expected until June 2026. She also described federal support for implementation, including $200 million in grants and a 90% federal match for eligibility system work, while warning that the fast timeline could lead to coverage losses, churn, and challenges for special populations such as caregivers, people with behavioral health conditions, incarcerated individuals, and rural residents. She further explained that an erroneous payment provision could expose states to federal recoupment later if eligibility errors increase.
During member questions, Representative Beerman asked about the overall size of the Medicaid cuts and the cumulative national impact; Castanza said estimates vary by state and cited KFF analysis suggesting states could lose 4% to 19% of federal Medicaid revenue, with a newer RAND analysis recently released. Beerman also asked about the history and effectiveness of state work requirements, but that discussion was not completed in the excerpt. Representative Elkins noted the presentation was not initially posted on the committee website, and the chair said it had since been posted.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Often, these communities don't lack the motivation.
- We need support coordinating with MCOs and community-based organizations to ensure families are able
- To scale and expand these efforts, MCOs, healthcare providers, and community-based organizations need
- Like, will rural communities or food desert communities have access to this very, very valuable information
- The state, um, evidence-based practices, and then they are completely optional for managed care organizations
Keywords:
Medicaid, nutrition support, maternal health, chronic conditions, pilot program, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child protective services, child abuse investigations, child neglect, child exploitation, advisory committee, Family and Protective Services Council, council abolition, foster care, due process, investigative procedures, child welfare, parental rights, family preservation services
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/13/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- So this just streamlines the process for those community-based day services.
- -<00:16:06.279>
based <00:16:06.560>day those community- based day those community- - supports, and unlicensed home and community-based services.
- supports, and unlicensed home and community-based services.
- supports, and unlicensed home and community-based services.
Keywords:
veterans, veterans affairs, State Soldiers Assistance Program, Veterans Stable Housing Initiative, MAXIS, human services data, data sharing, eligibility verification, informed consent, private data, benefits coordination, veteran housing, veteran assistance, Department of Human Services, Children Youth and Families, state benefits, federal benefits, privacy, public assistance, human services
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a risk to the communities in these developments that have been created.
- Safety and security to the people in our community.
- We're based in Houston, Texas, and we have communities throughout the state and in Georgia.
- So most of our communities are in Houston area, Austin, Dallas, San Antonio.
- Does this help clean up issues that other counties are occurring based on your experience?
Bills:
HB23
Keywords:
property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support, youth programs, community education, county population threshold, large county, local government revenue, leasehold interest, possessory interest, county property tax, nonprofit-owned property
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- We have a long history of supporting existing community-based management structures, including helping
- to set up community-based fish sustainable fishing areas.
- We have a long history of supporting existing community-based management structures, including helping
- to set up community-based fish sustainable fishing areas.
- Representative Boy then asked what would happen in the event that there are multiple community organizations
Bills:
HB1881, HB2218, HB1956, HB2151, HB1845, HB1844, HB2103, HB2424, HB1650, HB376, HB2599, HB1861
Keywords:
land use, ropeway, transportation, state regulation, government exemption, DLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Board of Land and Natural Resources, BLNR, public lands, public trust resources, community co-management, co-management agreement, community-based organization, Native Hawaiian, malama aina, ahupuaa, subsistence, cultural resources, religious practices
Summary:
The committee on Water and Land met on February 10, 2026, with Chair Mark Hashem outlining strict testimony rules and noting a time constraint because of later hearings and floor session obligations. The committee then took up several bills, hearing mostly supportive testimony on HB 1881 relating to land use, HB 2218 relating to DLNR/community management, and HB 1956 relating to freshwater waves, while HB 1845 relating to the Land Use Commission drew legal concerns and opposition. HB 2151 relating to building materials had no substantive testimony presented in the excerpt, and the committee moved through it quickly.
On HB 1881, testimony focused on protecting North Shore lands from overdevelopment. A supporter described the area as valuable precisely because it remains largely undeveloped, and a member asked whether the bill’s restrictions on “finculars” would affect existing or future private residential installations; the response suggested the bill was aimed at future commercial uses and that grandfathering or personal-use exceptions might be possible, but the exact wording would need legal refinement.
HB 2218 received broad support from OHA, DLNR, Kua, Sierra Club, Hui Maka Aana, the Honlay Initiative, and others, who said the measure would expand community-based co-management across DLNR divisions, build on existing park partnerships, and produce real benefits such as better stewardship, safer access, local jobs, and stronger community trust. Members asked about the bill’s five-year review structure, how multiple community groups would be handled, and whether the model could apply to ocean or nearshore areas; DLNR said the board would retain authority, agreements would be non-exclusive and subject to review, and the department was still working through how the approach would function across different divisions and marine settings.
For HB 1956, the Attorney General offered technical comments, urging clearer definitions of “residing” and “freshwater way,” clearer timing for citations and arrests, and more explicit procedural safeguards and agency roles. On HB 1845, the Attorney General and Land Use Commission raised concerns that the bill could conflict with constitutional protections for important agricultural lands and could not be reconciled with existing voting requirements; the LUC also said commissioners cannot vote by proxy under sunshine law and warned that the bill could allow too few commissioners to approve major boundary changes. Members questioned how the bill would work in counties without designated important agricultural lands, and the LUC explained that Kauai is the only county to have completed the IAL process, while the broader statutory process remains county-driven and has been the subject of litigation. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And there's an organization called Tactile Communication, which is in Milemouth, Oregon.
- Yes sir, the name of that organization is Tactile Communication, and they closed because the owner and
- Who believe that we can do better, um, and that brings us to community-based care.
- So whenever Region 9 was added to the list for community-based care implementation in 2021.
- um and what might need to be done differently in a rural community to help community-based care be successful
Keywords:
commercial sexual exploitation, child sex trafficking, human trafficking, child welfare, foster care, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, juvenile probation, risk assessment, needs assessment, trauma screening, child abuse prevention, exploitation screening, validated screening tool, evidence-informed tool, conservatorship, juvenile justice, at-risk youth, trafficking prevention, Child Sex Trafficking Prevention Unit
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Jan 20th, 2026
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm tired of this government hunting down marginalized communities. That's all this bill does.
- I'm also a member of the intersex community. Transgender and intersex people have always existed.
- What they are doing is weaponizing fear, and it's a... ...and they are not making our community safer
- They change how families and doctors communicate.
- not liable. ...base of knowledge as a therapist, that you are not liable for the action you take.
Keywords:
child welfare, psychotropic medication, Department of Children and Families, community-based care, liability insurance, forensic services, defendants, mental health, judicial system, defense, legal definitions, minors, healthcare, parental rights, criminal penalties, civil action, sex-reassignment, investigations, economic damages
Summary:
The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs considered four bills. SB 590, by Sen. Bradley, would toll the statute of limitations for failure to report suspected child abuse by mandatory reporters until the offense is known to law enforcement; an amendment clarified retroactive application for offenses not already time-barred by the bill’s effective date. Sen. Bradley said the bill is intended to ensure accountability in institutional abuse cases and not to change the reasonable-suspicion reporting standard. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably.
The committee also heard SB 778, by Sen. Simon, which would update the definition of forensic client so certain individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism whose charges were dismissed for incompetency can be housed with other Chapter 916 residents, reducing duplicative staffing and space needs at the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. Barney Bishop appeared in support, and the bill was reported favorably without amendment.
SB 560, by Sen. Garcia, would streamline procedures for psychotropic medication prescriptions for children in DCF custody, reduce duplicative background checks and reporting, and simplify consent documentation. Amendments removed language allowing licensed clinical social workers and marriage and family therapists to serve as evaluators and narrowed changes to the Road to Independence Program’s postsecondary education services and supports, extending eligibility ages from 18 to 26 while keeping the five-year cap. Senators discussed the fiscal impact and funding blend for the education stipend. The committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably.
The committee then took up SB 1010, by Sen. Yarbrough, which adds criminal and civil enforcement for violations involving sex-reassignment prescriptions or procedures for minors and related parental-rights provisions. An amendment clarified that the civil action authority applies to minors and that damages benefit the affected minor. Public testimony was heavily divided, with supporters saying the bill enforces existing protections and opponents warning it would chill care, counseling, and school-based support for transgender youth. Senators Harrell, Sharief, and Rouson raised concerns about vagueness, standing, and impacts on teachers and health professionals; Sharief voted no, while the bill was still reported favorably.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee Apr 30th, 2025
Ways and Means Education
Transcript Highlights:
- But we need them to move and invest their time in our community.
- We want to specifically recruit them to depressed and rural communities.
- The ones that occur in our communities are by people who live in our communities who People who live
- ...kind of what you're thinking maybe do based on poverty? Yeah.
- going to live based on if the place has a Publix or a Starbucks.
Keywords:
entertainment, film, music, production incentives, Alabama Film Office, tax rebates, media industry, economic development, Baptist convention, tax exemption, sales and use tax, Alabama, nonprofit, HB203, High Socks for Hope, nonprofit tax exemption, sales tax, use tax, state tax exemption, local option tax exemption
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 23 clarifies an already existing tax exemption for charitable organizations for property used
- by a nonprofit organization in a county with a population of 3.3 million or more to promote agricultural
- Population growth inflation figures show whether increases align with actual community data.
- They get a chance under the law to say, I want all my communication to be emailed from now on. OK.
- Senator Eckhardt: Senator, I just wanted to clarify, based on the discussion we've had, it sounds like
Keywords:
property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice, property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support, youth programs, community education, county population threshold, large county, local government revenue, leasehold interest, possessory interest
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services May 13th, 2025
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Organize the local efforts.
- Ending that acclaims payer base.
- providers that it represents, including all of our single-source continuum contractors who deliver community-based
- We completely agree with the removal of the requirement for community-based care providers to be licensed
- already, addresses the unique role of the single-source continuum contractors who operate under community-based
Bills:
HB35, HB138, HB754, HB1314, HB1612, HB2254, HB2510, HB2789, HB3560, HB3597, HB4224, HB4273, HB4643, HB4783, HB138
Keywords:
peer support, first responders, mental health, confidentiality, emergency services, health impact analysis, cost analysis, coverage mandates, health insurance, legislative analysis, health care data, human trafficking, trafficking prevention, medical assistant training, health care facilities, hospital compliance, clinic compliance, anti-retaliation, whistleblower protection, employee reporting
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 23 clarifies an already existing tax exemption for charitable organizations for property used
- by a non-profit organization in a county with a population of 3.3 million or more to promote agricultural
- Population growth and inflation figures show whether increases... ...is aligned with actual community
- I want all my communication to be email from now on, okay?
- think it was mentioned here, but the bill requires school districts to publish revenue comparisons based
Keywords:
property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice, property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support, youth programs, community education, county population threshold, large county, local government revenue, leasehold interest, possessory interest
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It's about basing the ISD's rate on enrollment when... And the state bases it on the ADA.
- Base from which to work.
- And to your communities as well.
- We are a fast-growing community.
- Our job as a community is to keep our community safe.
Keywords:
property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice, property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support, youth programs, community education, county population threshold, large county, local government revenue, leasehold interest, possessory interest
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services (2-15-23)
Keywords:
KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNg2fNu_Rg0, 2026-06-21T07:17:02+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, MEETING START 00:00
ROLL CALL 00:27
APPROVAL OF MINUTES 01:02
DISCUSSION WITH COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES, LESLIE HOFFMAN, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, PAM SMITH, DIRECTOR FOR MEDICAID SERVICES. WAIVER ENROLLMENT NUMBERS, AND RATE & STUDY FINDINGS. 2:06
DISCUSSION WITH CEO, KY ASSOCIATION OF PRIVATE PROVIDERS, AMY STAYED ON THE IMPLANTATION OF THE INCREASE FOR WAIVER PROVIDERS THAT IS LISTED IN HOUSE BILL 1 24:18
DISCUSSION WITH LESA DENNIS, ACTING COMMISSIONER WITH DEPT. OF COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES &SHANNON HALL, CHIEF OF STAFF ABOUT SOCIAL WORK RECRUITMENT & RETENTION IN THE FIELD AND OFFICES. 32:16, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/26
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Improve our system of providing home and community-based services.
- Community-based organizations are often well equipped to serve racially and ethnically diverse residents
- -<01:09:46.799>
based <01:09:47.120>organizations services. - Community- based organizations services.
- Community- based organizations are<01:09:48.159>
often <01:09:48.480>well <01:09:48.719>
Keywords:
pediatric care, hospital discharge, home care, healthcare accessibility, nursing services, family support, mental health, crisis services, Dakota County, mobile crisis response, public safety, treatment services, rehabilitation, behavioral health fund, client eligibility, home and community-based services, case management, waiver services, county services, disability advocacy
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HSH Public Hearing - Tue Mar 24, 2026 @ 10:00 AM HST
Human Services & Homelessness
Transcript Highlights:
- We want to make sure we start possibly work with existing community-based organizations or places that
- <00:31:10.440>
based <00:31:10.840>organizations <00:31:11.640>or <00:31:12.080>< - c> places community based organizations or places community based organizations or places that<00
- We at the department are seeing a growing demand for these community-based care homes that allow our
- SB 3324 SD 1, which is increasing rates for our Medicaid home- and community-based care.
Keywords:
criminal procedure, family violence, dating violence, child abuse, evidence admissibility, reduced sentencing, homelessness, reporting requirements, statewide office, housing solutions, kauhale projects, public oversight, SB2861, Hawaii, Office of Wellness and Resilience, OWR, Department of Human Services, DHS, Kakou Pilot Program, Kakou
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several measures related to criminal procedure, homelessness, family resilience, Medicaid-funded services, and school Medicaid reimbursement. On SB 2479 SD2, the Judiciary testified in neutral opposition with concerns that the bill could require imprisonment even for probation-eligible defendants, expand sentence reconsideration in ways that could undermine finality for victims, conflict with existing sentencing statutes, and require additional judicial resources. The Office of the Public Defender supported the bill’s intent but asked for language changes so people serving sentences could raise the new evidence in Rule 40 petitions and so probation would remain available in appropriate felony cases. Written testimony also included opposition from several county prosecutors and police, and support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The chair later deferred SB 2479 SD2, citing unintended consequences and problems with the bill.
For SB 2557 SD1, which would require annual reporting by the State Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, the office said it supported the intent but noted it already produces annual and quarterly reports, that some requested data is already available, and that staffing and cost constraints could make the new reporting burdensome. The State Council on Mental Health supported the measure and suggested narrowing the reporting language to data on individuals with serious mental illness or co-occurring behavioral health conditions, to the extent practicable and in collaboration with relevant agencies. A committee member asked about the availability of point-in-time count data, and the office explained that some figures may not be available every year and may need to be generated through HMIS. Dr. Jack Lewin testified in support, saying the data would be useful for understanding health care costs. The committee passed SB 2557 SD1 with amendments, including a deferral of the effective date.
The committee also heard SB 2861 SD2 and SB 3204 SD1, both family resilience pilot program measures. For SB 2861 SD2, the Office of Wellness and Resilience and DHS supported the bill but requested amendments to clarify that the office’s role is planning and advisory, that DHS is a key partner, and that federal compliance safeguards are included. The chair raised concerns about overlap with DHS’s existing Ka Ohana program and asked for language to avoid redundancy while allowing the bill to cover other at-risk children; decision-making was deferred to the next hearing. For SB 3204 SD1, which would create a peer-navigator-based family resilience pilot, the Office of Wellness and Resilience and DHS supported the measure, with the office requesting a two-year pilot period, and both agencies and several advocacy groups submitted support. The committee discussed funding, the proposed five peer navigators, and whether the pilot should be limited to one or two geographic areas; no final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard and supported SB 3324 SD1 on Medicaid home and community-based services, with the Department of Health emphasizing caregiver shortages and the cost-effectiveness of community care, and SB 3325 SD1 HD1 on public school Medicaid reimbursement, where DOE and the Attorney General requested clarifying amendments to reporting language and position titles.