Video & Transcript : 'female genital mutilation' :
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US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, December 17, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Keywords:
Protect Children’s Innocence Act, HB3492, H.R. 3492, 18 U.S.C. 116, female genital mutilation, FGM, genital mutilation, bodily mutilation, chemical castration, puberty blockers, gender-affirming care, transgender minors, youth healthcare, pediatric medicine, intersex, gender transition surgery, medical exceptions, federal criminal law, child protection, interstate commerce
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 2/25/26 - Part 1
Health Finance and Policy
Committee:
House Health Finance and Policy
Keywords:
hospital moratorium, hospital construction, bed capacity, hospital expansion, health care facilities, hospital licensing, safety-net hospital, level I trauma center, Ramsey County, Minnesota health law, hospital beds, new hospital exception, certificate of need, inpatient capacity, emergency care, trauma services, health system regulation, state moratorium, hospital modernization, health infrastructure
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Law & Justice Jan 26th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Third, it would afford victims of female genital mutilation the same statutory rights as are currently
- In this bill is also around female genital mutilation. I want to thank you.
- The bill is also around female genital mutilation.
- I am a... ...coalition to end female genital cutting/mutilation. I am a survivor.
- I'm a counselor, educator, and a survivor of female genital mutilation.
Summary:
The committee heard several public hearings on criminal justice and victim-related bills. SB 6087 would expand existing liability protections for donations of children’s items to include religious organizations and add strollers and car seats to the definition of children’s items; the sponsor said it would make it easier to donate usable baby equipment, and the Washington State Board of Health said it supported the goal but noted rulemaking and funding concerns under the original version. SB 5934 would change the standard for post-conviction DNA testing so courts must grant testing unless the state shows by clear and convincing evidence that the results could not demonstrate a likelihood of innocence; the Innocence Project and a DNA exoneree supported it as a way to reduce years of litigation, while prosecutors and sheriffs/police chiefs opposed it as a burden shift that could increase frivolous motions and strain lab and attorney resources. SB 5520 would revise Washington’s wrongful-conviction compensation law by broadening definitions, extending filing deadlines, removing the waiver requirement, and making other process changes; the sponsor and Innocence Project said it would reduce barriers and better fulfill the state’s promise to exonerees, and a DNA exoneree described years of litigation just to access compensation.
The committee also heard SB 6017, which would expand victim-centered and trauma-informed protections. The bill would allow a court to appoint a representative to ask questions of victims when a defendant represents themself, extend forensic exam consent to minors 13 and older in non-fatal strangulation cases, add female genital mutilation survivors to protections similar to the Sexual Assault Survivors Bill of Rights, and reauthorize and broaden the Safe Advisory Group’s mandate. Survivors, advocates, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Office of Crime Victims Advocacy strongly supported the bill, describing courtroom questioning by self-represented defendants as retraumatizing and urging broader access to services for FGM survivors; defense advocates raised constitutional concerns about limiting a pro se defendant’s right to personally question witnesses and said the bill could be vulnerable to challenge without narrower guardrails. The hearing drew extensive survivor testimony, and the chair noted 108 people signed in support and one opposed.
Finally, the committee heard SB 5890, which would create an alternative reckless-driving offense for driving more than 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. The sponsor, a former firefighter, framed the bill as an accountability measure aimed at preventing severe crashes caused by extreme speeding. A committee member asked about officer discretion in emergencies, and the sponsor said the bill targets excessive speed while acknowledging that some situations may still be problematic. A preliminary fiscal note had been received.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senator Manka Dhingra Press Conference Feb 13th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Transcript Highlights:
- We have been addressing female genital mutilation, and so much more.
- We have been addressing female gentle mutilation, and so much more.
- Despite mutilation and so much more.
- And now we're working to ensure that survivors of female genital mutilation and cutting have the same
- The other thing in this bill is around female genital mutilation.
Summary:
Washington State Sen. Manka Dhingra opened a press conference focused on survivor-centered policies and funding for victim services, saying the state should continue supporting survivors despite a difficult budget climate and reduced federal support. She highlighted prior state actions such as extending the statute of limitations for sexual assault, restricting firearms for abusers, protecting survivors from discrimination, easing access to protection orders, and addressing female genital mutilation, while emphasizing the need to fund services that are trauma-informed and victim-centered.
Much of the event focused on the request to restore about $21.38 million in victim services funding. Colleen McIngles of the King County Children’s Justice Center warned that without the funding, programs statewide would close, eliminating forensic interviewers, advocates, and coordinated response teams. Kate Garvey of the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center said agencies have already laid off staff and are triaging clients, and that the money would only maintain existing services. Several speakers tied the need for funding to broader public safety and survivor support, including references to federal VOCA cuts and the national reckoning over the Epstein case.
Legislators also discussed several bills. Sen. T’wina Nobles described SB 5169, which would reduce the need for child victims and witnesses to repeatedly relive trauma in court. Rep. Jamila Taylor and Rep. Roger Goodman discussed HB 1591, which would provide mitigating treatment, resentencing options, and possible vacatur for survivors whose criminal conduct was connected to coercion or abuse. Rep. Chris Stearns and Sen. Tina Orwall discussed court-process reforms in SB 6017 and related efforts to prevent retraumatization of sexual assault survivors, along with recognition of female genital mutilation as sexual assault. Rep. Lauren Davis shared her personal experience with domestic violence and argued that cuts to system-based victim advocacy have left many survivors without support. The press conference also celebrated unanimous Senate passage of the Ebony Alert bill, which advocates said is needed to improve responses to missing Black women and girls; speakers urged the House to pass it next.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- Third, it would afford victims of female genital mutilation the same statutory rights as are currently
- In this bill is also around female genital mutilation.
- I am also a founding member of the Washington Coalition to End Female Genital Cutting/Mutilation.
- I'm a counselor, educator, and a survivor of female genital mutilation.
- Including victims of female genital mutilation and cutting in the Sexual Assault Bill of Rights is especially
Committee:
Senate Law & Justice
Keywords:
children's items, donations, charitable donations, nonprofit, religious organization, public health agency, liability shield, gross negligence, intentional misconduct, car seats, child safety seats, baby formula, diapers, strollers, cribs, playpens, high chairs, used goods, donation centers, Washington RCW
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senator Manka Dhingra Press Conference Feb 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We have been addressing female genital mutilation, and so much more.
- And now we're working to ensure that survivors of female genital mutilation and cutting have the same
- The other thing in this bill is around female genital mutilation.
Summary:
Sen. Manka Dhingra held a press conference focused on Washington’s ongoing efforts to support survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, trafficking, and other gender-based violence, while warning that state victim-services funding is at risk amid budget pressures. She highlighted past legislative actions such as extending sexual-assault statutes of limitation, keeping firearms from abusers, protecting survivors from discrimination, improving civil protection orders, and addressing female genital mutilation, and said the state must continue funding trauma-informed, victim-centered services.
Several advocates and service providers testified that the system is at a breaking point without restored funding. Colleen McIngles of the Children’s Justice Center said programs statewide could close if the Legislature does not restore roughly $10 million in additional victim-services funding, while Kate Garvey of KSARC said $21.38 million is needed just to maintain current services after federal VOCA cuts and staff layoffs. They argued that losing forensic interviewers, advocates, and coordinated response teams would leave survivors without support and increase harm.
Legislators also discussed several bills. Sen. T’wina Nobles described SB 5169, aimed at protecting children from having to relive trauma in court. Rep. Jamila Taylor and Rep. Roger Goodman discussed HB 1591, which would address “defendant survivors” by recognizing coercion and allowing mitigation, resentencing, and vacatur in some cases. Rep. Chris Stearns and Sen. Tina Orwall discussed a bill to make court proceedings less retraumatizing for sexual-assault survivors and to address female genital mutilation, and Dhingra noted the Senate had unanimously passed the Ebony Alert bill. Rep. Lauren Davis shared her personal experience relying on victim services and said the state must fully fund both community-based and system-based advocacy. In response to a question, Dhingra said funding discussions were ongoing but emphasized the need to secure about $21.5 million for survivors and to create a more stable statutory funding mechanism.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 2/25/25 - Part 2
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- You might hearken back to 2017, 2018, when I led the charge against female genital mutilation, which
- genital mutilation, with Democrats voting against my amendment, therefore supporting female genital
- mutilation.
- genital mutilation, with Democrats voting against my amendment, therefore supporting female genital
- mutilation.
Committee:
House Public Safety Finance and Policy
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- -year-old biological male who identifies as female.
- surgery. ...gender mutilation surgery.
- And they have been mutilated. They have been chemically castrated.
- This is torture, mutilation, and it's just outright evil.
- I really do not understand the Republican obsession with genitals, children's genitals here, though it's
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Twenty - Thursday, February 12
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And for this cause a man shall... ...male and female.
- For females, that bone density growth happens during puberty.
- They don't want you to have mutilating surgeries as you like to. They have not.
- split into male and female.
- So the image of God, In my reading of it, the closest thing has both aspects of male and female.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House public safety panel hears HF435 - Pt. 2 2/25/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Commissioner, what is the importance of having a female-only space for inmates? Mr.
- You might hearken back to 2017, 2018, when I led the charge against female genital mutilation, which
- genital mutilation, with Democrats voting against my amendment, therefore supporting female genital
- mutilation.
- <c> passed</c><00:08:26.520><c> in</c> female gendle mutilation which passed in female gendle mutilation
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- -year-old biological male who identifies as female.
- surgery. ...gender mutilation surgery.
- And they have been mutilated. They have been chemically castrated.
- This is torture, mutilation, and it's just outright evil.
- I really do not understand the Republican obsession with genitals, children's genitals here, though it's
Summary:
The Senate met in multiple Committee of the Whole sessions and later took third-reading votes on several measures, with the day dominated by election administration bills, immigration-related bills, public safety measures, and a series of bills affecting transgender youth and health care. The chamber also heard ceremonial remarks recognizing Lutheran Day at the Capitol, introduced the Doctor of the Day, and handled routine appointments, messages, and committee reports. Several bills were retained on the calendar, including SB 1431 and SCR 1005.
Among the major policy items, senators debated and advanced SB 1049 on spousal maintenance, SB 1053 on concealed weapons permits, SB 1415 on insurance adjuster license eligibility, SB 1015 on health care actions related to gender transition procedures and provider liability, SB 1095 on gender transition care for minors, and SCR 1006 on school-related sex and privacy requirements. Members opposing the transgender-related bills argued they were discriminatory, harmful to youth, and an intrusion into family and medical decisions; supporters said the measures protected children, parental rights, privacy, and medical judgment. The chamber also considered election and campaign finance measures including SB 1003, SB 1006, SB 1037, SB 1040, SB 1057, SB 1168, SB 1237, SCR 1002, SCR 1010, SCR 1013, and SCR 1014, with debate centering on transparency, ballot procedures, voter registration, and disclosure thresholds.
Additional bills addressed immigration enforcement and foreign influence concerns, including SB 1055, SB 1058, SB 1093, SB 1152, SB 1289, and SB 1308. Supporters framed these as public safety, election integrity, or enforcement measures, while opponents warned they would chill reporting to police, harm asylum seekers and immigrants, or expand punitive government power. The Senate adopted Committee of the Whole reports and assigned bills accordingly throughout the day, and several measures later received third-reading passage votes, including SB 1049, SB 1053, SB 1415, SB 1015, and SB 1095, with recorded roll-call outcomes and transmission of passed bills to the House.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Twenty - Thursday, February 12
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- He which made them in the beginning made them male and female.'
- And for this cause a man shall Male and female.
- For females, that bone density growth happens during puberty.
- They don't want you to have mutilating surgeries as you like to. They have not.
- split into male and female.
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by a 119-0 vote. Members then used personal privilege remarks to recognize a 40th wedding anniversary, honor Sherry Anderson for her service to the House, and observe Black History Month with a tribute to former Senator Yvonne Starks-Wilson. The chamber also welcomed several guest groups, including representatives from the Alzheimer’s Association, the Festus girls cross-country team, the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce Leadership Conference, and advocates connected to the blind pension fund.
The main floor debate centered on House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2033, 1608, 1672, and 1854, which would remove the sunset from the SAFE Act and continue restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors. Supporters argued the bill protects children, citing concerns about puberty blockers, hormones, surgery, and evolving medical guidance; opponents said it targets transgender youth, interferes with family and medical decisions, and misstates the science. After extended debate, the previous question was adopted 102-45, and the combined bill package passed 102-40. House Bill 1847, creating the Dental Licensure Compact, also passed 138-10 after questions about reciprocity, data sharing, and state sovereignty.
The House then passed House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1866, which bars peace officer licensure for applicants whose certification was revoked or suspended and for non-citizens, by a 101-36 vote after debate over citizenship, military service, and law enforcement standards. House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1908 and 2337 passed 147-0; the sponsor described it as protecting women and children in abusive situations and addressing legal responsibility in marriage. House Bill 1961, allowing temporary dietitian licenses and a compact for interstate practice, passed 137-8. House Bill 2180, changing Department of Revenue and blind pension notice delivery methods and allowing electronic notices, passed 146-0 and was described as both a service improvement and a cost saver. House Bill 2591, updating speech-language pathologist licensure to allow out-of-state training and practice in Missouri, passed 144-0. The House then announced upcoming committee meetings, a Scouting America Eagle Scout recognition, an America 250 celebration event, and a Labor Caucus meeting before adjourning until Monday, February 16, 2026.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/26/2026 - Senate Federalism
Senate Federalism Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- world, rulings issued under Sharia-based systems have resulted in forced and underage marriages, female
- genital mutilation, honor-based violence and killings, systematic denial of equal legal status to women
- simple question: Why would anyone oppose a law that explicitly bars honor killing, child marriage, or genital
- mutilation from ever being treated as legally defensible practices?
- ...or genital mutilation from ever being treated as legally defensible practices.
Summary:
The committee heard several bills and a memorial, with extensive testimony on each. SB 1018 would amend Arizona’s foreign-law statute to expressly include Sharia law. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill was needed to prevent foreign legal systems from being enforced in Arizona courts and said it would not restrict private religious practice. Opponents, including the ACLU of Arizona, said the measure singled out Islam, was based on fear rather than evidence, and was unconstitutional. After debate, the committee approved SB 1018 on a 4-3 vote.
The committee then considered SB 1075, which restricts conveyance of Arizona land to foreign entities deemed hostile to the United States and adds disclosure and penalty provisions through an amendment. The sponsor said the bill was modeled on similar efforts in other states and was intended to prevent adversarial foreign ownership near sensitive sites. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill as amended on a 4-3 vote.
SB 1141, dealing with presidential electors, would require electors to vote for a properly nominated successor if a winning presidential or vice presidential candidate dies or withdraws before the Electoral College meets, and would treat an elector’s office as vacant if the elector fails to appear. Supporters said the bill closes a gap in Arizona law and helps avoid a deadlock in an unlikely but possible contingency. The committee passed SB 1141 unanimously, 7-0.
Finally, the committee heard SCM 1003, a memorial urging Congress to affirm state authority over election processes and campaign finance through a constitutional amendment. Supporters framed it as a federalism measure responding to concerns about outside money in politics, while some members questioned claims about money laundering and noted the memorial’s broad language. The committee approved SCM 1003 unanimously, 7-0.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/26/2026 - Senate Federalism
Senate Federalism Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- world, rulings issued under Sharia-based systems have resulted in forced and underage marriages, female
- genital mutilation, honor-based violence and killings, systematic denial of equal legal status to women
- simple question: Why would anyone oppose a law that explicitly bars honor killing, child marriage, or genital
- mutilation from ever being treated as legally defensible practices?
- Or genital mutilation from ever being treated as legally defensible practices.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Children and Family Law (03/18/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- genital mutilation.
- He noted that the provision appears to refer back to paragraph one, which is about female genital mutilation
- c> there's</c> female genital mutilation not there's female genital mutilation not there's nothing<03
- /c> nothing about the male genital nothing about the male genital mutilation<03:10:11.840><c> in</c><
- </c><03:10:17.680><c> genital</c> which again is all about female genital which again is all about female
Summary:
The committee first opened with brief remarks about a member’s recovery and then heard House Bill 518, which would require the commissioner of Health and Human Services to provide a detailed annual report of all costs related to DCYF. The sponsor, Representative Erica Layon, said the bill was intended to improve transparency, clarify how much time and money are spent on DCYF work versus other departmental work, and help future discussions about staffing, resources, and whether DCYF should remain within DHHS or become a separate department. She said the department could likely produce the report without additional cost, though she was open to adjusting the reporting date and possibly adding more detail about federal mandates.
Former Representative Betty Gay and several members supported the bill as a way to better document costs and procedures, while DCYF Director Marie Nunan said the department was not taking a position on the bill, already has many policies and operating procedures, and believed it could comply without a fiscal note. Members raised questions about whether the reporting requirement duplicated existing oversight, whether it should apply to other agencies, and whether the report should include federal funding mandates. Some suggested that a broader review or subcommittee on DCYF might be more useful than a single reporting bill.
In executive session, the committee voted 15-1 to retain HB 518, so it will not go on the calendar. Members said they wanted more time to discuss the bill, watch the budget process, and consider whether the reporting requirement could be implemented informally or through a broader oversight effort. The committee then moved on to House Bill 775, which was introduced by Representative Jodi Nelson as a measure to support supervised visitation centers. Dr. Scott Hampton testified in favor, describing the loss of visitation centers since 2019, the role of supervised visitation in protecting children and vulnerable parents in domestic violence cases, and the potential benefits for child safety, crime prevention, and family preservation.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (01/29/2025)
Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- But I did agree with a lot of what he brought up about female genital mutilation.
- I wanted to correct the record: female genital mutilation comes in many forms, some of which are far
- cutting, like female genital cutting, is not medically indicated, meaning doctors know it's not needed
- cutting, like female genital cutting, is not medically indicated, meaning doctors know it's not needed
- I think most reasonable people understand it's wrong to cut female children's genitals; in fact, it's
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Tue Feb 10, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 2448, relating to female genital mutilation.
- This measure establishes the offense of prohibited acts of female genital mutilation of a minor and civil
- </c><01:17:52.000><c> genital</c> harmful practice of female genital harmful practice of female genital
- </c> relating to female genital mutilation. relating to female genital mutilation.
- House Bill 2448 relating to female genital mutilation.
Committee:
House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1552, which would make the attorney general the interim chief election officer if that office becomes vacant until the Elections Commission appoints a replacement. The Department of the Attorney General opposed the bill, saying it could create a conflict of interest if the attorney general were both the state’s lawyer and the chief elections officer in any related litigation. The League of Women Voters supported having some interim backup for the office, but said it was not necessarily advocating that the attorney general fill the role. Several other testifiers, including the Hawaiian Islands Republican Women, opposed the bill, arguing the current law already provides for a prompt commission appointment and warning about partisan bias and concentration of power. Supporters, including Indivisible Hawaii, said an interim mechanism is needed to ensure election certification in a crisis. The chair also asked whether any statutory acting capacity already exists, and the attorney general said none was known.
The committee then took up House Bill 2125, which would bar corporations operating under state law from engaging in election activity. The attorney general opposed the bill, citing Citizens United and arguing that corporations have First Amendment-protected political speech rights and that the bill would likely be unconstitutional. Indivisible Hawaii supported the measure, saying it would keep elections focused on the will of the people rather than corporate influence. Libertarian Party testimony was mixed: one witness supported the goal of reducing corruption but warned the bill could suppress organized dissent and sweep too broadly by treating many associations as corporations. The bill’s introducer asked whether the legislature could still enact it as a policy matter, but the attorney general maintained federal constitutional law would control. No vote was taken on either bill during the portion of the hearing provided.
The committee also heard House Bill 2493 on wrongful imprisonment, which would set procedures and compensation for people whose convictions are reversed or vacated on grounds consistent with innocence and whose charges are dismissed. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation supported the bill’s intent but objected to language assigning it responsibility for helping released individuals secure housing, identification, health coverage, and other reentry needs, saying it no longer has jurisdiction after release and suggesting the courts or a community-based contractor handle that role. The Office of the Public Defender strongly supported the bill, emphasizing the harm of wrongful conviction and the need for compensation, case management, and medical coverage after release. No action or vote was reported on this measure in the excerpt.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Health Jan 27th, 2026
Joint Committee on Public Health
Transcript Highlights:
- our male counterparts if vaginal estrogen and hormone therapy were present, because oftentimes male-female
- The amount of time male-female relationships are the cornerstone to life.
- fractures happen in Massachusetts, which is a little below the U.S. average, but the fracture rate for females
- osteoproductures happen in Massachusetts, which is a little below the U.S. average, but the fracture rate for females
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Public Health
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Health and Human Services (04/23/2025)
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- There would be overwhelming bipartisan support in the legislature for a ban, as when female genital mutilation
- There would be overwhelming bipartisan support in the legislature for a ban, as when female genital mutilation
- </c><02:38:46.720><c> genital</c> for a ban as when female genital for a ban as when female genital mutilation
- The mutilation of their body.
- The mutilation of their body.
Committee:
Senate Health and Human Services
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
06/11/2026 - Senate Director Nominations
Transcript Highlights:
- licensing action if they did not, among other things: one, facilitate sex-rejecting procedures and female
- genital mutilation for minors; or two, refer minors for abortion with and without parental consent.
- referral of residents for services—I mean, abortion, I think it was transgender care, and it was female
- genital mutilation, I think, was the other one.
- So I talked to general counsel... ...female genital mutilation, I think, was the other one.
Summary:
The Committee on Director Nominations met with four members present and approved the prior minutes without objection. Chair Jay Kaufman outlined the committee’s role in reviewing executive nominations and explained the hearing process for three nominees: Mary Foote for the Office of Economic Opportunity, Debbie Johnston for the Department of Health Services, and Chuck Bassett. Foote did not appear for her hearing, and members discussed her absence and alleged omissions in her disclosure materials, including prior service with Planned Parenthood-related organizations. The committee then moved to reject her nomination, and the motion passed 3-2, recommending that the full Senate reject Mary Foote.
Debbie Johnston, nominee to lead the Department of Health Services, appeared and gave an opening statement describing her Arizona background, prior Senate staff work, and more than 20 years with the Arizona Hospital and Health Care Association. She said her priorities at ADHS include rebuilding trust in public health licensing, improving stakeholder engagement, standardizing rulemaking communication, addressing alleged religious discrimination and retaliation concerns in licensing, and using technology and AI to improve efficiency. In questioning, senators pressed her on her management style, conflict-of-interest safeguards given her prior industry role, enforcement priorities, budget pressures, behavioral health and assisted living oversight, and the department’s response to COVID-19. Johnston said she would follow statutes, recuse herself from enforcement matters involving former contacts, and resign if directed to carry out an unlawful policy. She also said the department does not regulate therapy itself, only facilities, and that it would rely on legal counsel regarding the governor’s conversion-therapy executive order and related federal civil-rights allegations.
Several senators focused on public health trust and the department’s pandemic response, with Johnston acknowledging concerns about closures, data collection, and communication during COVID-19 while saying she would review past after-action materials and be better prepared in the future. Public testimony from stakeholders in aging services and health care strongly supported her confirmation, praising her accessibility, responsiveness, and collaborative approach. After testimony, the vice chair moved to recommend Johnston’s confirmation to the full Senate. The roll call was underway when the transcript ended, with several members voting aye and one member expressing reservations about her not reviewing the pandemic after-action report before another crisis occurs.