Transcript Highlights:

• group plans.
• group market, and then the fully insured large group market. terms of what terms of what Repres I'll
• actually applies to a relatively small actually applies to a relatively small part<00:15:29.519>
• He added that they are citing the increase in the cost of fully insured individual and small group coverage
• He said the increase in the cost of fully insured individual and small group coverage is part of that

Bills: HF3388, HF400

Keywords: HF3388, Minnesota premium security plan, reinsurance, health insurance, group health carriers, MCHA, MNsure, individual market, premium stabilization, carrier assessment, health insurance assessment, premium security plan account, state innovation waiver, high-risk pool, reinsurance payments, healthcare premiums, insurance carriers, deferral of assessment, financially impaired condition, HF400

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from the prior day and then heard House File 400, a bill described as a defrayal measure for health insurance mandates. Representative Perryman said the bill would not block future mandates, but would require the state to pay the added costs of any new mandated benefits so those costs would not be shifted to premium payers. She and supporters framed the bill as a way to protect affordability for Minnesota employers, workers, and families, especially in the fully insured market. Testimony in support came from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and the Minnesota Council of Health Plans. They argued that Minnesota has a high number of mandated benefits, that each new mandate adds cost to premiums, and that businesses—especially small and midsize employers—are already struggling with rising health insurance costs. The health plans representative said the bill would use the existing Commerce defrayal process to reimburse plans for eligible mandate-related claims, allowing those costs to be removed from premium rates. Several members echoed support, saying the bill would improve transparency by showing the fiscal impact of proposed mandates and help prevent people from being priced out of coverage. Members also explored how mandates apply in the market and how premiums are set. Deputy Commissioner Julia Dryer explained that, unless otherwise specified, mandates generally apply to the individual, small group, and fully insured large group markets, while self-insured ERISA plans and other markets are generally outside that scope. Representative Elkins noted that the affected market is relatively small and said small businesses are increasingly moving to self-insured plans because of cost. He and others raised concerns about affordability, while Representative Smith argued that mandates often ensure needed care and that the bill shifts costs to taxpayers rather than insurers. Representative Bacham added a personal example from tribal self-insurance, saying preventive physicals had saved lives and asking whether other factors besides mandates are driving insurer costs. No amendments were offered, and the bill was laid over for possible future consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, in Texas, finding adoptive homes for sibling groups is difficult anyway.
• And you know, in Texas, finding adoptive homes for sibling groups is difficult anyway.
• Members, group home consultants receive referral fees for directing potential residents to group homes
• A consultant may direct a resident to an unlicensed group home that lacks oversight, proper staffing,
• There is an oversaturation of group homes being placed in communities, and they're not licensed.

Bills: SB500, SB1522, SB1137, SB1266

Keywords: SB 500, Texas adoption law, Family Code, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child-placing agency, prospective adoptive parents, adoption records, confidential information, nondisclosure agreement, child history report, health history, social history, educational history, genetic history, termination of parental rights, permanency plan, single source continuum contractor, privacy, redaction

Summary: The Committee on Human Services met with a quorum and first voted out Senate Bill 1589, relating to contract requirements between a single-source continuum contractor and DFPS. The motion to report the bill favorably to the full House with a recommendation that it do pass and be printed prevailed on a 7-0 vote. The committee then heard Senate Bill 500, which would set deadlines for providing foster care adoption records, including health, social, educational, and genetic history reports, to speed adoptions. The bill’s author and witnesses from Addie’s Hope Social Services supported it, saying delays in redacted files can take months, slow permanency for children, and increase costs to the state. Members asked about redactions and sibling/family information, and witnesses explained the bill would mainly speed the preliminary file used to decide whether to proceed with placement. SB 500 was left pending. Members also heard Senate Bill 1266, which would require regular reevaluation of the Medicaid provider support team and add written notice of provider disenrollment at least 30 days in advance. There were no witnesses, no questions, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1522, concerning continuing care retirement communities, was then laid out and supported by LeadingAge Texas and counsel, who said it updates outdated definitions, clarifies licensing and disclosure rules, and strengthens consumer protections for seniors. It was also left pending. After a brief recess, the committee heard Senate Bill 1137, which would prohibit group home consultants from referring people to unlicensed or unpermitted group homes except in limited circumstances, require disclosure of complaints, and create a Class B misdemeanor for violations. Members discussed whether consultants are regulated and noted concerns about unlicensed referral practices. The bill was left pending, and the committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• author's group or the group<00:21:06.960> that<00:21:07.120> they're<00:21:07.280>
• high risk due to being such a small high risk due to being such a small pool.<00:34:10.639> Our
• <00:36:54.000> of and the most racially diverse group of and the most racially diverse group
• expensive compared to our take-home expensive compared to our take-home wages.<00:37:19.040>
• the premium is 30% of our take-home pay. the premium is 30% of our take-home pay.

Bills: HF238, HF3381, HF3754, HF1049

Keywords: microenterprise home kitchen operation, cottage food, home-based food business, home kitchen license, homemade food, prepared food, food entrepreneur, small food business, cottage food law, food safety training, ServSafe, food handler license, agriculture department, Minnesota food law, residential kitchen, local zoning, consumer labeling, allergen labeling, unpasteurized juice, time/temperature control for safety food

Transcript Highlights:

• > to prevent group homes which continues to prevent group homes which continues to be<01:32:04.960
• They said, “They don’t want a group home here.” They said they don’t want a group home here.
• What do you mean they don’t want a group home here?
• Final word, Representative Nido. about they don't want a group home about they don't want a group home
• don't want a group home here and they don't want a group home here and they said<01:50:47.960>

Bills: HF1937, HF2407, HF1678, HF1477, HF2040, HF1840, HF257

Keywords: PACE, elderly, Medicaid, health services, long-term care, community-based services, support person, healthcare, patient rights, assisted living, community support, caregiver respite, financial eligibility, Minnesota Statutes, HF1477, residential program licensing, community residential setting, small group home, licensed capacity six or fewer, rental licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, in Texas, finding adoptive homes for sibling groups is difficult anyway.
• Members, Group Home Consultants receive referral fees for directing potential residents to group homes
• A consultant may direct a resident to an unlicensed group home that lacks oversight, proper staffing,
• , I mean any type of group home that it is an actual licensed facility.
• This bill amends current law relating to group home consultant referrals and creates a criminal fee.

Bills: SB500, SB1522, SB1137, SB1266

Keywords: SB 500, Texas adoption law, Family Code, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child-placing agency, prospective adoptive parents, adoption records, confidential information, nondisclosure agreement, child history report, health history, social history, educational history, genetic history, termination of parental rights, permanency plan, single source continuum contractor, privacy, redaction

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's homes, apartments, small farms, neighborhood businesses, personal vehicles, all ag industry
• This group brought together stakeholders from governments to industry to community groups.
• This group brought together stakeholders from the governments, the industry, and community groups.
• And our small business is creating homes that meet net zero, passive house, and 2030 targets today, not
• That does not encourage our small communities.

Bills: SB12, SB36, SB92, SB120, SB133, SB151, SB18, SB96

Keywords: tax credit, physician, healthcare, income tax, rural health, quantum technology, infrastructure, economic development, New Mexico, corporate tax, research and development, innovation, affordable housing, gross receipts tax, tax deduction, construction materials, multifamily housing, low income, journalism, local news

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, group home consultants get referral fees for directing potential residents to group homes
• I know unlicensed group homes and referral agencies are an important part of the community.
• Group homes, or boarding homes as we call them, are much-needed supports within the community because
• Does the Fort Worth department have a specific task force for group homes?
• homes and has been very productive. ...for the last four years that deals specifically with group homes

Bills: SB331, SB883, SB926, SB1137, SB1138, SB1144, SB1151, SB1236, SB1270, SB1522, SB1869, SB2207, SB2422

Keywords: healthcare, cost disclosure, transparency, administrative penalties, health facility compliance, COVID-19, off-label use, prescription drugs, patient access, medical standards, insurance, physician ranking, incentives, fiduciary duty, health plan issuers, SB 1137, group home, assisted living, residential care, board and care

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 883, which would protect physicians’ ability to prescribe off-label medications and treatments, framed by the author as a “Right to Treat” measure tied to COVID-19 care. Supporters, including physicians and patient-choice advocates, said the bill would safeguard the doctor-patient relationship and prevent interference by boards, pharmacies, or hospitals. Several witnesses described using hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, budesonide, antibiotics, steroids, and monoclonal antibodies during the pandemic, and said they faced complaints, board scrutiny, or pharmacy refusals for those prescriptions. The bill was left pending after public testimony closed. The committee then took up Senate Bill 331, which would extend hospital price-transparency requirements to additional health care facilities such as freestanding ERs, urgent care and retail clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, outpatient clinics, and birthing centers. Proponents argued that broader disclosure of prices for shoppable services would help consumers compare costs and reduce surprise billing, while opponents from ambulatory surgery centers said the bill would impose costly compliance burdens on small providers and that insurers or the state already have much of the needed data. The bill was also left pending. Senate Bill 2422 would expunge Texas Medical Board records and impose reparations for disciplinary actions tied to COVID-era treatment decisions, including references to ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, budesonide, and masks. The author and supporters argued that doctors were unfairly targeted for trying to save patients and should be made whole; the Texas Medical Board representative said most pandemic complaints were dismissed, that actions generally involved broader issues such as privileges, documentation, or informed consent, and that no physician was disciplined solely for prescribing off-label COVID medications. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2207, which would loosen Texas Medical Board rules on physicians advertising themselves as board certified, especially by reducing barriers tied to maintenance of certification requirements. Supporters said the current rule is overly restrictive, inconsistent, and costly, and that it drives physicians out of practice; they also said Texas is one of only a few states with such a rule. Witnesses described hospitals using the rule against physicians and said the change would improve transparency and competition. The bill remained pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, group home consultants get referred fees.
• They get result fees for directing potential residents to group homes without checking if the homes are
• Group homes, or boarding homes as we call them, are much-needed supports because they serve as a stopgap
• There are issues with not really having an idea of how to approach group homes.
• Does the Fort Worth Department have a specific task force for group homes?

Bills: SB331, SB883, SB926, SB1137, SB1138, SB1144, SB1151, SB1236, SB1270, SB1522, SB1869, SB2207, SB2422

Keywords: healthcare, cost disclosure, transparency, administrative penalties, health facility compliance, COVID-19, off-label use, prescription drugs, patient access, medical standards, insurance, physician ranking, incentives, fiduciary duty, health plan issuers, SB 1137, group home, assisted living, residential care, board and care

Transcript Highlights:

• There could be a whole group of people that I represent that would be upset about that because they're
• We try notorious cases in the home counties all the time.
• I have seen that happen though in small counties.
• I know they're not in small... towns sometimes people know.
• And we're going to let you go home and get some sleep. Thank you all so much.

Bills: HB200

Keywords: HB 200, emergency communication, backup communications, satellite phone, portable satellite equipment, radio, floodplain, 100-year floodplain, FEMA, natural disaster, disaster preparedness, emergency preparedness, vulnerable populations, children, elderly, seniors, people with disabilities, care facilities, residential care, assisted living

Transcript Highlights:

• These groups also solicit and say, well, we're offering them a free. Cremation.
• We've been working on the issue of group homes for a long time.
• My first bill on group homes was in 2007, back when the Dallas Morning News was reporting that people
• were being fed dog food in these group homes because...
• At the time, we wanted a bill that would ask what was then called DADS to regulate all group homes in

Bills: SB1406, SB1681, SB2480, SB2721

Keywords: body donation, medical science, forensic science, willed body program, informed consent, boarding home, boarding home facility, adult care home, group home, assisted living, county reporting, municipal reporting, annual report, reasonable accommodation, fair housing, disability accommodation, local ordinance, permit requirement, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been working on the issue of group homes for a long time.
• My first bill on group homes was in 2007, back when the Dallas Morning News was reporting that people
• were being fed dog food in these group homes because they serve most of the time elderly and people
• At the time, we wanted a bill that would ask what was then called DADS to regulate all group homes in
• homes.

Bills: SB1406, SB1681, SB2480, SB2721

Keywords: body donation, medical science, forensic science, willed body program, informed consent, boarding home, boarding home facility, adult care home, group home, assisted living, county reporting, municipal reporting, annual report, reasonable accommodation, fair housing, disability accommodation, local ordinance, permit requirement, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 2480, which would clarify that the Texas Medical Board may collect license renewal surcharge fees from all licensees to fund the Texas Physician Health Program and related administrative costs. The bill author explained the funding fix was needed after prior language was found to allow surcharges only for physicians and physician assistants. Witnesses from the Texas Physician Health Program supported the measure and described the program’s confidential monitoring and treatment services; members asked about the fee amount, which was described as capped at $15 per two-year registration cycle. The bill was left pending. The committee then took up Senate Bills 1406 and 2721, both authored by Senator Parker, addressing the handling of human remains by non-transplant anatomical donation organizations, willed body programs, and related facilities. Senator Parker and several witnesses described alleged abuses involving unclaimed bodies, consent problems, body leasing, hotel-based dissections, and mishandling of cremains, and argued for strict licensing, inspections, transparency, and criminal penalties. Supporters included families of deceased veterans and other relatives, a biomedical ethicist, the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, and some public safety and hotel industry representatives who said legitimate training should continue but bad actors should be shut down. Opponents or cautious witnesses from accredited donation organizations and bioskills labs said they support stronger oversight but warned the bills could unintentionally disrupt legitimate medical education and urged clearer language and implementation of existing law. Both bills were left pending. Senate Bill 1681, by Senator Menendez, would require counties and municipalities that regulate boarding homes to report facility standards and related information to the Health and Human Services Commission. The author said the bill is intended to improve state oversight of boarding homes that serve elderly and disabled residents and to address abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The bill was left pending after brief discussion. After the testimony portion, the committee returned to voting on pending business and unanimously reported Senate Bills 527, 912, 1580, 1952, and 2032 to the Senate with recommendations that they do pass and be printed, and each was also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 407 and reported the substitute favorably, with six ayes and three nays. The committee then moved on to Senate Bill 500 as pending business.

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows child care operators and at-home child care facilities to provide assistance or to provide
• This actually lowers the value of homes, and so that was a real problem for getting at-home child care
• This actually lowers the value of homes.
• Some homes may remain unlicensed and unregulated.
• , and homes.

Bills: HB303, SB96, HM6

Keywords: public utility, certificate of public convenience and necessity, certificate of need, Public Regulation Commission, PRC, utility regulation, ratemaking, energy storage, battery storage, grid reliability, renewable energy, transmission, distribution, generation plant, utility expansion, service territory, mutual domestic water consumer association, economic development department, clean energy, fossil fuel reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• When the girls came home, they were not thriving.
• Having a small pool of donors prevents them from being exposed to so many different donors, which in
• I don't live in an orphanage until my parents could come and bring me home.
• When I first got home, I was really, really. sick.
• I'm saying that right now it represents a small portion of the overall collections that We Are Blood

Bills: SB 53, SB53, SB125, SB315, SB379, SB457, SB541, SB599, SB896, SB921, SB963, SB1038, SB1084, SB1330, SB1461

Keywords: voter registration, election procedures, provisional ballot, change of address, residence requirements, mental health, court proceedings, notice requirements, legal filings, electronic documents, autologous blood donation, direct blood donation, blood bank, hospital, Health and Safety Code, physician order, preoperative blood donation, patient blood reserve, transfusion, surgery

Transcript Highlights:

• people in potentially bad group homes that are unlicensed.
• SB 77 addresses the critical issue concerning patient referrals to group homes.
• Reference to HCS waiver homes to only focus. on unlicensed group homes.
• Hey, you could be held responsible for referring somebody to a group home yet.
• Lori, as you understand the bill and the supplement, this is just for group homes, correct now?

Bills: SB500, SB719, SB912, SB1232, SB1467, SB1777, SB1864, SB2023, SB2119, SB2458

Keywords: SB 500, Texas adoption law, Family Code, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child-placing agency, prospective adoptive parents, adoption records, confidential information, nondisclosure agreement, child history report, health history, social history, educational history, genetic history, termination of parental rights, permanency plan, single source continuum contractor, privacy, redaction

Transcript Highlights:

• that place people in potentially bad, unlicensed group homes.
• The substitute simply strikes reference to HCS waiver homes and focuses only on unlicensed group homes
• She said the bill first establishes a definition for group home.
• The substitute simply strikes reference to HCS waiver homes to only focus on unlicensed group homes.
• First, it establishes a definition for group home.

Bills: SB500, SB719, SB912, SB1232, SB1467, SB1777, SB1864, SB2023, SB2119, SB2458

Keywords: SB 500, Texas adoption law, Family Code, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child-placing agency, prospective adoptive parents, adoption records, confidential information, nondisclosure agreement, child history report, health history, social history, educational history, genetic history, termination of parental rights, permanency plan, single source continuum contractor, privacy, redaction

Summary: The committee first took up several pending bills and reported them favorably: SB 968, SB 636 as substituted, SB 1137, and SB 1138 as substituted. Each was advanced by roll call vote, and the committee also recommended the approved bills for the local and uncontested calendar. The chair then moved to the posted agenda and heard SB 719, a mental health bed-capacity study bill by Senator Eckhart, with a committee substitute that refined the data collection to distinguish state and non-state beds, child and adult beds, include two point-in-time counts, and capture jail diversion data. Testimony on SB 719 was largely supportive from Integral Care, NAMI Texas, and the Children’s Hospital Association of Texas, all of whom said Texas needs better data on inpatient psychiatric capacity, workforce needs, and future demand. Several witnesses described long waits for beds, especially for forensic restoration, and argued the study would help target future investments. Senator Perry and others noted the state has already made major investments in new beds and urged the bill to account for beds already coming online; the committee ultimately withdrew the substitute and left SB 719 pending after public testimony closed. The committee then heard SB 1864, which would allow small egg producers to sell ungraded eggs more broadly, including to restaurants and retailers, with the substitute increasing the weekly sales threshold and addressing sanitation and labeling. Supporters said grading is about size, not safety, and that the bill would help small farms reach new markets; opponents from the Texas Poultry Federation argued grading and candling help identify cracks and defects that can affect safety and quality. The committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending. It also heard SB 1467, requiring DSHS to share death record information with hospitals for record accuracy and quality review, and SB 912, which would modernize continuing education tracking for health licensing agencies; both bills drew supportive testimony and were left pending. Finally, the committee heard SB 2023, which would create an HHSC grant program to help counties pay for indigent burial costs, with county representatives testifying in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• Perhaps they're in nursing homes but need the cash out of their home that they still own.
• those home equity loans.
• There were a lot of abusive home repair loans being made, and shoddy home repair people would go and
• Our home and our home equity, that's the only asset we own.
• mortgages and home equity lending.

Bills: HB1342, HB2889, HB3002, HB3254, HB4820, HJR40, HJR40

Keywords: private activity bonds, housing, residential rental projects, low-income, affordable housing, bond measures, funding equality, political subdivisions, public communications, election fairness, debt collection, consumer rights, disclosures, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, settlement agreements, State Board of Education, group benefits program, health insurance, state employees, dependents eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1771 is a bill about group homes, and what it does is in a few, uh, statements are groups
• Unfortunately, many cities and counties continue to struggle with unregulated group homes that operate
• Residents in unlicensed group homes often face neglect, abuse, or exploitation, increasing risk to health
• Referrals to licensed group homes remains permitted.
• With this legislation, Texas can protect group home residents from being exploited through profit-driven

Bills: SB 2041, SB 1777, SB 1681, SB 2311

Keywords: child welfare, foster care, Department of Family and Protective Services, DFPS, Family Code, conservatorship, placement selection, contract residential care, kinship care, relative placement, designated caregiver, best interest of the child, least restrictive setting, placement stability, child protective services, residential treatment, group home, family reunification, Texas foster system, residential care

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1777 is a bill about group homes, and what it does is, in a few statements, group homes are
• Unfortunately, many cities struggle with unregulated group homes that operate without oversight while
• Residents in unlicensed group homes often face.
• homes.
• Licensed group homes remain permitted.

Bills: SB2041, SB1777, SB1681, SB2311

Keywords: child welfare, foster care, Department of Family and Protective Services, DFPS, Family Code, conservatorship, placement selection, contract residential care, kinship care, relative placement, designated caregiver, best interest of the child, least restrictive setting, placement stability, child protective services, residential treatment, group home, family reunification, Texas foster system, residential care

Transcript Highlights:

• registered homes, licensed family homes and licensed group homes, permitted by right in all residential
• I think the license group home is 12; the highest is 12, so it's six to 12 children at most.
• Are there any other things that are making it easier for a small home daycare versus large.
• Before you get to center, there's a registered home, a licensed family home, and a licensed group home
• So how many is in a licensed group home? 12? And what's in the middle category?

Bills: SB20, SB53, SB86, SB96, SB129

Keywords: prior authorization, pharmacy benefits manager, PBM, health insurer, prescription drugs, step therapy, formulary, auto-adjudication, electronic portal, appeals, medical necessity, serious mental illness, mental health, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, cancer, autoimmune disorder

Transcript Highlights:

• group individual small group and large group individual small group and large group there<00:20:34.039
• <00:59:16.440> group small group small group plan<00:59:18.359> yes<00:59:18.760> uh
• <01:03:25.559> group about individual Market small group about individual Market small group
• <01:04:19.400> group around 200,000 or so in the small group around 200,000 or so in the small
• <01:04:30.640> group little bit of Market in the small group little bit of Market in the small

Bills: HF747, HF1014, HF320, HF400

Keywords: corporate governance, shareholder rights, beneficial ownership, defective corporate acts, Minnesota Business Corporation Act, Minnesota Insurance Guaranty Association, MIGA, insurance guaranty fund, insurer insolvency, covered claim, net worth threshold, high-net-worth insured, financial information request, insurance claims, self-insured retention, deductible, commercial insurance, insurance regulation, Minnesota Statutes 60C.09, guaranty association