Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to call to order the evening edition of the Human Services Committee here on January 28th
• local probation, which is often ordered by a district court, or a period of community custody.
• local probation, which is often ordered by a district court or a period of community custody.
• It was court-ordered, and I felt a little bit of peace of mind.
• to, to, that he suggests GAC to them in order to prevent them from being anorexic.

Bills: SB5979, SB6308, SB6319

Keywords: opioids, substance abuse, dependent children, child welfare, caregiver substance use, court orders, shelter care, judicial discretion, family law, early childhood, family services, diversion programs, court-ordered assessments, 904, all

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee held an evening hearing on January 28th and took testimony on several bills. Senate Bill 6249 would require all people convicted of stalking to be supervised by the Department of Corrections after release. Staff explained current sentencing and community custody rules, and Senator Torres said the bill is intended to increase accountability and survivor safety. Victims and advocates testified in support, describing stalking as dangerous and arguing that mandatory supervision would help prevent reoffending; one sponsor noted possible amendment language had been emailed to the committee. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6255, which renames and expands the Legislative Executive Poverty Reduction Oversight Task Force into the Legislative Executive Economic Justice and Well-Being Task Force. Staff said the bill updates membership, duties, and reporting requirements tied to the 10-year plan to dismantle poverty, with a partial fiscal note showing a $4,000 OSPI cost. Senator Lovelett and agency and public witnesses supported the measure as a cleanup and coordination bill that strengthens poverty-reduction work and better incorporates lived experience and ethnic commissions. No vote was taken. Senate Bill 6286 would authorize the Department of Health to fine private detention facilities that deny entry for inspections, with escalating daily penalties and a new account to fund assistance for wrongfully detained people and others harmed by ICE agents. Senator Orwall and Senator Trudeau framed the bill as a human-rights and accountability measure, and testimony from a Tacoma councilmember and others supported stronger enforcement. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6224, which creates a Children and Youth Behavioral Health Leadership Council and formalizes implementation of the Washington Thriving strategic plan. The bill drew broad support from parents, providers, advocates, and state officials who emphasized early intervention, coordination, and system accountability, though a few witnesses raised concerns about psychiatric framing and urged amendments. The chair adjourned the meeting after testimony concluded; no votes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• The court cannot order services for the parents at that time, so a parent will have to be willing to
• But the court, once again, still cannot order that parent to participate in services.
• But the court, once again, still cannot order that parent to participate in services.
• And after that point, when their child is in the jurisdiction of the state, they can be court ordered
• And after that point, when their child is in the jurisdiction of the state, they can be court ordered

Bills: SB5979, SB6308, SB6319

Keywords: opioids, substance abuse, dependent children, child welfare, caregiver substance use, court orders, shelter care, judicial discretion, family law, early childhood, family services, diversion programs, court-ordered assessments, 904, all

Summary: The committee focused on child welfare, with three bills and a work session on national and state child safety trends. Senator Torres briefly introduced SB 5979 on in-home dependencies and dependency filing standards, and committee staff explained it would direct DCYF to develop guidelines and training with courts and child welfare stakeholders, give greater weight to high-potency synthetic opioids and prior referrals, and require clearer petitions when removal is not sought. Senator Torres and several supporters said the bill is intended to prevent avoidable harm and improve coordinated, earlier intervention; DCYF said it already has a case-by-case process and raised concerns about duplicative work. Public testimony on SB 5979 was generally supportive, though some witnesses asked for amendments to protect access to justice and clarify the bill’s scope. The committee then heard a lengthy informational presentation from Casey Family Programs on Washington’s child welfare performance compared with national data. The presenters said Washington is doing as well as or better than the national average on several measures, including lower foster care entry rates, higher kinship care use, and lower re-entry rates, but noted continuing concerns about maltreatment recurrence, permanency timelines, and child fatalities, especially among infants. They emphasized the need for stronger safety planning, better data, more kinship and family-finding supports, and integrated services for substance use, behavioral health, and domestic violence. Senators raised concerns that fewer foster care entries may not be a success if child deaths are rising, and asked about housing and court decision-making. DCYF then provided an update on child welfare operations and critical incidents, describing intake pathways, shelter care and dependency timelines, and recent data showing 2025 as a record year for fatalities and near-fatalities, many involving fentanyl and children ages birth to three. DCYF said it has made practice changes, safe child consults, hotspot mapping, and other responses, and pointed to budget proposals for additional prevention supports. The committee also heard from providers and parents about prevention and post-reunification services, including home visiting, infant mental health, family preservation, and substance-exposed infant care. Maddie’s Place described its non-pharmacological model for substance-exposed newborns and said it is not fully Medicaid reimbursed. The committee then took testimony on SB 6319, which would allow some high-risk CPS cases involving children under four and high-potency opioids to remain open longer; supporters said it could improve engagement and follow-through, while opponents warned about constitutionality, surveillance without counsel, and the risk of leaving older children unprotected. Finally, the committee heard SB 6308, which would let courts order certain safety-related conditions at shelter care hearings when a child is returned home; DCYF supported it, while public defense raised due process and constitutional concerns about moving dispositional requirements earlier in the case.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, there is nothing that we're doing today that is going to make us comply with court orders.
• Because of what you all have done, the... neutral map that the court drew, neutral map that the court
• </c> going to make us comply with court going to make us comply with court orders. orders. orders.
• The court<00:14:10.640><c> was</c><00:14:10.760><c> very</c><00:14:11.040><c> specific</c> court was
• </c> High Court? High Court?

Bills: HB1

Keywords: HB1, Alabama, elections, primary election, special primary, runoff, congressional districts, redistricting, reapportionment, district boundaries, federal court, injunction, judgment, Governor proclamation, nominee certification, party nominee, general election 2026, election calendar, voting rights, congressional race

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> And under special session to order. The Ways and Means General Fund Committee to order.
• </c> pending before the federal court. pending before the federal court.
• . courts. courts.
• Supreme Court rejected. Now, we here Supreme Court rejected.
• </c> court case. court case.

Bills: HB1

Keywords: HB1, Alabama, elections, primary election, special primary, runoff, congressional districts, redistricting, reapportionment, district boundaries, federal court, injunction, judgment, Governor proclamation, nominee certification, party nominee, general election 2026, election calendar, voting rights, congressional race

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's a court order that we didn't... I was mistaken. We didn't settle. It's just a court order.
• order that we didn't I I it's a court order that we didn't I I was<00:13:05.520><c> mistaken.
• </c> are we still under a court order? are we still under a court order?
• </c><01:22:40.520><c> order</c> So, we're under this court order So, we're under this court order because
• </c> if the court will lift their order if the court will lift their order we<01:22:58.840><c> want</

Bills: SB1

Keywords: special primary election, redistricting, State Senate districts, federal court ruling, injunction, vacated order, election calendar, 2026 general election, 2026 primary election, runoff election, party nominee, Governor proclamation, Alabama elections, district boundaries, court-ordered redistricting, special election, nomination process, Secretary of State, election law, 1136

Transcript Highlights:

• If the federal courts issue an order to vacate an injunction allowing the legislature to use maps that
• The state of Alabama within the past 12 months stipulated in court in a court order that they would not
• disturb the court orders line until 2030.
• Doing so sends a troubling message that this body continues to view federal court orders it does not
• c><00:17:30.600><c> like</c><00:17:31.200><c> as</c> court orders it does not like as court orders it

Bills: SB1

Keywords: special primary election, redistricting, State Senate districts, federal court ruling, injunction, vacated order, election calendar, 2026 general election, 2026 primary election, runoff election, party nominee, Governor proclamation, Alabama elections, district boundaries, court-ordered redistricting, special election, nomination process, Secretary of State, election law, 923

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, it is so ordered.
• Hearing none, it is so ordered.
• Hearing none, it is so ordered.
• Hearing none, it is so ordered.
• Hearing none is so ordered.

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:

• If a court wants to order therapy between the non-custodial parent and the child, the court can certainly
• That is therapy that is being ordered by the courts of the state.
• Child, which would normally be under the order of the court? Yes.
• It just says the court may order a party to, and it says, pay the cost of counseling.
• I was court-ordered for reunification with my son. However, it was sabotaged.

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:

• Hearing none, it is so ordered.
• Hearing none, it's so ordered.
• Hearing none, it's so ordered.
• Hearing none, it is so ordered.
• Hearing none, it is so ordered. Thank you, Mr. McMillan.

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:

• We then went through a no-contact order with our mom, which lasted about 70 days, instead of the court-ordered
• If a court wants to order therapy between the non-custodial parent and the child, the court can certainly
• would normally be under the order of the court?
• We then went through a no-contact order with our mom, which lasted about 70 days, instead of the court-ordered
• The court may order counseling under those sections where they render an order that is designed to protect

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:

• I call to order the House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee.
• </c><00:06:43.520><c> more</c><00:06:43.759><c> years</c><00:06:44.000><c> in</c><00:06:44.319><c> court
• </c> to spend two or more years in court to spend two or more years in court trying<00:06:44.880><c>
• So, in order for us to be able to give services to keep people in the job, to make sure that they're
• Chair, and you know, in order to help this bill out and make sure everybody feels comfortable, I have

Bills: HF1667, HF2526, HF68

Keywords: correctional fees, supervision fees, probation, Department of Corrections, criminal justice funding, electronic home monitoring, drug testing, restitution collection, community service work, postprison supervision, court-ordered services, fee sunset, fee phaseout, offender fees, community corrections, supervised individuals, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Health and Human Services is called to order. The Secretary will note the roll.
• Madam Chair, members, Senate Bill 1242 allows the court on its own motion...
• Madam Chair, members, Senate Bill 1242 allows the court on its own motion or by request of a party to
• Technology is appropriate, the court must consider the inconvenience to or burden on a party or witness
• Finally, the bill allows the Arizona Supreme Court to adopt procedures for conducting virtual mental

Bills: SB1023, SB1145, SB1242, SB1247

Keywords: optometrists, eye exams, eyeglass prescriptions, healthcare, vision care, behavior analysis, licensing, psychologist examiners, state regulations, committee authority, mental health, court-ordered treatment, outpatient treatment, audiovisual technology, secure facilities, evaluations, guardian powers, patient rights, assisted living, occupants

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate will come to order. Mr. Doorkeeper. Mr. President, there's a message from the House.

Bills: SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB1, HB4

Keywords: school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments, through-year assessment, diagnostic reports, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plans

Summary: The Senate briefly convened and received a message from the House stating that the House was taking a vote. No bills, motions, or substantive policy matters were discussed in the exchange. Pursuant to a previously adopted motion, the Senate then adjourned until 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 21.

Transcript Highlights:

• notify... ...if the court grants an application, the person who is required to register, the court shall
• Madam Chair and members, House Bill 2265 prohibits the court from making any assessment against a person
• Additionally, the bill prohibits the courts from imposing certain fees and assessments related to a criminal
• filing fee on a criminal defendant, and the courts may not adopt any new fee, fine, surcharge, or assessment
• Indigent defense at present statute permits the courts themselves to assess an indigent administrative

Bills: HB2043, HB2046, HB2126, HB2131, HB2132, HB2133, HB2223, HB2265, HB2411, HB2666

Keywords: felony murder, unborn child, homicide, Arizona Revised Statutes, life imprisonment, death penalty, education, funding, school districts, state aid, education reform, venue, employee conflict, superior court, legal proceedings, workplace disputes, weapons, explosives, trafficking, firearm regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• The court may order the parent, custodian, or legal guardian to comply with conditions necessary to maintain
• B3: The court must order that the child's home is safe before the child can stay in the home.
• will need to order the removal of the children until the court has the time and the ability to go and
• I am unfortunately going to ask for a no because the courts already must order a removal of a child if
• in a court of law.

Bills: SB6062, SB6080, SB6184, SB6224, SB6255, SB6286, SB6308, SB6319, SB5977, SB5979, SB6249, SGA9299

Keywords: juvenile justice, criminal offense, minors, rehabilitation, legal provisions, contracts, jails, federal custody, municipal agreements, incarceration, law enforcement, homeless youth, youth services, mental health, support programs, state law, behavioral health, children, support services, poverty reduction

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee first held a confirmation hearing for Angela Ramirez, the governor’s appointee to lead the Department of Social and Health Services. Ramirez described her background in public service and said her priorities would include improving technology and electronic records, addressing workforce shortages, strengthening communication with the legislature, and protecting DSHS programs and services. The Lieutenant Governor also spoke in strong support of her confirmation. No vote was taken on the appointment during this meeting. The committee then took executive action on several bills. Senate Bill 6062, concerning juvenile rehabilitation capacity, midpoint reviews, and transfer/release rules, was amended and advanced to Ways and Means after all six proposed amendments from Senator Christian failed. Senate Bill 6308, dealing with shelter care conditions for young children in dependency cases, was amended with a tribal-clarification amendment and passed to Ways and Means; several amendments to add staffing, removal, or safety requirements failed. Senate Bill 6319, creating a community referral pathway for high-risk families involving high-potency synthetic opioids, was amended to require referral within seven days and passed to Ways and Means after other proposed amendments failed. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 6286, which authorizes Department of Health inspections of private detention facilities and creates an account for related community repair assistance, sending it to Ways and Means after rejecting amendments that would have limited inspections or fines. Senate Bill 6080, governing jails that hold people in federal custody and related contracts, was amended and sent to Rules after all proposed amendments failed. Finally, Senate Bill 6184, an agency-request bill making technical and programmatic updates, was held over for action the next day. Throughout the session, Senator Christian offered multiple amendments emphasizing victim notice, child safety, staffing, transparency, and limits on transfers or detention, but most were rejected by the committee majority.

Transcript Highlights:

• treatment, to convert an order to convert a court order for treatment to an order for continuing court-ordered
• If the application for continuing court-ordered treatment is denied, the court may order the release
• If the application for continuing court-ordered treatment is granted, the court must order the patient
• court-ordered treatment.
• In order to stay safe, he has required court-ordered outpatient treatment.

Bills: SB1095, SB1127, SB1170, SB1208, SB1211, SB1237, SB1239, SB1240, SB1243, SB1244, SB1259, SB1283

Keywords: gender transition, minors, irreversible surgery, health professionals, puberty-blocking drugs, medical procedures, prohibition, Arizona Revised Statutes, reporting abuse, child neglect, mandatory reporting, child safety, medical treatment, faith exemptions, penalties, narcotic drugs, fentanyl, sentencing, drug offenses, juvenile justice

Transcript Highlights:

• We have one county court law judge that does a lot of juvenile work. He has a specialty court.
• He's in county court law number two. Our county court law number one doesn't do any juvenile work.
• As Judge Phillips mentioned, our county court law judge number two has a specialty court known as Passage
• Back in 2018, I testified before the Texas Supreme Court and the Criminal Court of Appeals for the establishment
• Juvenile Justice will come back to order at 9:13 a.m.

Bills: HB1967, HB3442, HB5525, HB5561, HB5653, HB5667, SB1171

Keywords: juvenile justice, correctional facilities, reform, rehabilitation, Texas Juvenile Justice Department, alcohol awareness, court-ordered programs, substance misuse education, deferred disposition, youth, parole reform, inmates under 18, mental health, educational achievement, reintegration, foster youth, behavior intervention, community services, diversion policies, HB 5653

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate will come to order.

Bills: SB 2, SB 5, SB 10, HB17, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB17, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB2, SB5, SB10

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice, school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate will come to order. The secretary will call the roll.
• In this order, you said, safety first, happiness second. That order.
• Did you put them in the same order, Kobe? Perfect.
• I think there was an amendment out of order here. Okay.
• I was in a federal court proceeding down in Laredo, Texas.

Bills: SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, SB 1, HB4, HB4, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB1, SB2, SB5

Keywords: school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments, through-year assessment, diagnostic reports, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plans

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate will come to order. Mr. Doorkeeper. Mr. President, there's a message from the House. Mr.

Bills: SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, SB 1, HB4, HB4, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB1, SB2, SB5

Keywords: school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments, through-year assessment, diagnostic reports, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plans