Transcript Highlights:

• We are here in support of SB 1131.
• We're also looking at doing direct caregiver education and support and evidence-based support for state
• Obviously, support fighting Alzheimer's however we can.
• I support this.
• I support this.

Bills: SB1131, SB1249

Keywords: cardiac arrest, defibrillators, school safety, emergency response, CPR training, Arizona education funding, Alzheimer's, dementia, memory care, cognitive decline, brain health, caregiver support, long-term care, in-home care, public health, health services, state plan, dementia services program, Arizona Department of Health Services, aging

Summary: The Committee on Appropriations heard two bills. Senate Bill 1131 would require school districts and charter schools to report AED counts, CPR/AED training levels, and cardiac emergency response plans to ADE, and would appropriate $1 million for AED purchases and maintenance. The committee adopted an amendment shifting the funding source from the general fund to the industry-recognized certification and licensure reimbursement fund, after staff said the fund had an estimated $2 million balance and continued to receive $1 million annually. The American Heart Association testified in support, emphasizing the need for AEDs, CPR training, and emergency planning in schools. The bill was returned with a due pass recommendation by a 15-1 vote, with two members voting present and several members noting concerns about using the special fund rather than general funds. Senate Bill 1249 would create or continue a dementia services program and Alzheimer’s state plan at the Department of Health Services and appropriate $600,000 from the Health Services Lottery Moneys Fund. The Alzheimer’s Association testified in strong support, saying the prior three-year appropriation helped establish the plan and workgroups and that the new funding would support implementation, caregiver support, data collection, training, and grant applications. Several members raised concerns about taking money from a fund that supports maternal and child health programs such as Health Start and WIC, describing it as “robbing Peter to pay Paul,” while others said they supported the policy but wanted a sustainable funding source. The bill received a due pass recommendation on a 9-3 vote, with three members voting present.

Transcript Highlights:

• These rebates have funded the HIV support service grants to HIV supportive services organizations, which
• families<01:21:57.719> and service designed to support families and service designed to support
• Amendment now allows posit Support Amendment now allows posit Support Services<01:46:39.280>
• importance of positive support services, specifically despite a growing demand for these services we
• Services to also uh positive Support Services to also ensure<01:51:17.880> high<01:51:18.079>

Bills: HF2367, HF2319, HF2523, HF1742, HF671, HF2331, HF2722, HF2406, HF1674

Keywords: HF2367, Community First Services and Supports, CFSS, personal care assistance, PCA, consumer-directed community supports, CDCS, home and community-based services, HCBS, direct support professionals, direct care workers, caregivers, support workers, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa, collective bargaining agreement, retention stipend, health care cost stipend, training stipend, orientation program, retirement trust

Transcript Highlights:

• , and accessibility of services. ...trace of high-quality support coordination, best practices and areas
• competencies, and standardize the assessment of support coordinator service provisions.
• But the waiver only works when support coordination works.
• our budget waiver, as well as the support coordinators.
• our budget waiver, as well as the support coordinators.

Bills: S0162, S0254, S0688, S0794, S1110, S1574

Keywords: surgical smoke, health standards, hospital safety, patient protection, medical regulations, nursing education, licensure, remedial courses, temporary license, graduate nursing preceptorship, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, background screening, support coordination services, developmental disabilities, Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome, public hearings, orthotics, prosthetics, healthcare, Medicaid

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met with a quorum present and took up several health-related bills. CS/SB 1110 on Medicaid and insurance coverage for orthotics and prosthetics was heard first. The bill would require coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics without lifetime or continuous-use caps, direct AHCA to seek federal approval and update contracts, and require annual reporting. Testimony from a child using prosthetic “gymnastics blades,” his mother, and another young person with a prosthetic leg emphasized the high cost of activity-specific devices and the impact on children’s mobility, sports participation, and quality of life. Senators voiced strong support, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then approved SB 1574, “Maddie’s Law,” which adds newborn screening for biliary atresia using the existing blood specimen collected at birth. The sponsor and the child’s father described the condition as time-sensitive and potentially fatal without early detection, and argued the screening could prevent transplants and save money. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also considered CS/SB 794 on background screening for employees of residential facilities and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities, plus a review of waiver support coordination quality, training, and access issues. Parents and a support coordinator testified that strong support coordination is essential for families and that the bill would help standardize expectations and improve services. An amendment aligning the bill with the House companion was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. Members next heard SB 162, which requires hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. Supporters, including nurses and the Florida Nurses Association, described surgical smoke as a workplace hazard with toxic chemicals and potential cancer risks; hospital representatives said they support the intent but argued existing federal and state standards already regulate the issue and the bill is too prescriptive. A late-filed amendment clarifying the smoke must be “effectively captured and filtered” was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 254, a major nursing education bill that tightens oversight of low-performing nursing programs, creates a temporary provisional license and preceptorship pathway for graduates awaiting NCLEX results, requires remediation for delayed testing, and increases transparency by posting passage rates. Nursing groups supported stronger standards, while private nursing schools warned the bill could reduce capacity and discourage program directors; the amended bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 688, which would reestablish licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors in Florida, create a board of naturopathic medicine, set licensure and renewal requirements, and define the scope of practice while excluding most prescription authority. Supporters said it would expand health care choices and allow naturopathic doctors to practice openly, while opponents from the medical community warned the bill could authorize diagnosis and treatment without sufficient training and rely on unproven therapies. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned after members thanked staff for their work.

Transcript Highlights:

• called day support services.
• We offer integrated community supports, community residential services, and customized living services
• supports and services to lowincome supports and services to lowincome individuals<00:36:13.319><
• housing, helping to coordinate economic assistance, coordinating and advocating for legal support.
• Continue to coordinate services and communicate for all of the different areas of support that was going

Bills: HF1662, HF2115, HF2159, HF1095, HF2160

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Individualized home supports is a service that provides support to individuals.
• Individualized home supports is service.
• , but a training and support service.
• but a training and support service. but a training and support service.
• service, individualized home supports.

Bills: HF3526, HF3375, HF3469

Keywords: home care, licensing, fines, advisory council, grant program, client safety, healthcare regulation, HF3375, Minnesota disability waiver, waiver rate system, human services, individualized home supports, individualized home supports with training, individualized home supports with family training, positive support services, employment support services, employment development services, employment exploration services, billing limits, service authorization year

Transcript Highlights:

• Did you have any organized support, Senator?
• I just know generally they were supportive.
• , or support.
• ... ...would help bring expert symptom management, psychosocial support, care coordination to families
• I support this.

Bills: SJR1, SM2

Keywords: school elections, partisan elections, voting rights, constitutional amendment, New Mexico, elector registration, pediatric palliative care, pediatric hospice, Medicaid, state plan amendment, Health Care Authority, children with serious illness, life-limiting conditions, complex medical conditions, curative care, concurrent care, family-centered care, hospice services, managed care, pain management

Transcript Highlights:

• and housing stabilization services, work somewhat well to support individuals but lack sufficient service
• populations, some that have this funding, this wraparound support, and supportive services, and some
• The demand for youth housing and support services continues to outpace available resources.
• My name is Kelly Reeves, and I am the Safe Harbor Supportive Services Program Manager.
• I'm here today in support of House File 1579. and to establish a supplemental housing support service

Bills: HF2115, HF2276, HF1644, HF99, HF2068, HF2707, HF2704, HF2406, HF1674, HF1579

Keywords: human services, aging services, disability services, behavioral health, long-term care, nursing home, nursing facility, assisted living, waiver services, medical assistance, Medicaid, case mix reimbursement, PDPM, RUG, direct care and treatment, developmental disabilities, day services, positive support, guardian, conservator

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:48.319> and long-term services and long-term services and supports.<00:03:50.319>
• community support services. community support services.
• <00:12:18.399> coordination add um treatment service coordination add um treatment service
• support services, we see real support services, we see real transformative<00:46:54.560> change
• <00:56:15.119> acuity supportive services due to high acuity supportive services due to high

Bills: HF2115, HF2276, HF1644, HF99, HF2068, HF2707, HF2704, HF2406, HF1674, HF1579

Keywords: human services, aging services, disability services, behavioral health, long-term care, nursing home, nursing facility, assisted living, waiver services, medical assistance, Medicaid, case mix reimbursement, PDPM, RUG, direct care and treatment, developmental disabilities, day services, positive support, guardian, conservator

Transcript Highlights:

• , and accessibility of services; traits of high-quality support coordination; best practices and areas
• support coordinator; and methods to assess core competencies. ...prerequisites for employment as a support
• competencies, and standardize the assessment of support coordinator service provisions.
• Next I have Victoria Zep waving in support, Family Support Services.
• Victoria Zep waving in support, Family Support Services.

Bills: S0556, S0794, S1600

Keywords: high school diploma, graduation requirements, physical education credit, performing arts credit, marching band, Special Olympics, students with disabilities, IEP, individual education plan, 504 plan, Florida education, school credits, diploma substitution, ROTC, dance class, State Board of Education, public schools, graduation pathways, adaptive physical education, Agency for Persons with Disabilities

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs considered three bills and a confirmation. On SB 1600, the committee adopted a strike-all amendment and a technical amendment that shifted the bill from creating an accreditation process to requiring the Office of Insurance Regulation, DCF, and community-based care lead agencies to study liability insurance coverage and availability in the child welfare sector and report findings to the legislature by January 1, 2027; the bill also included enforcement provisions for failure to provide requested information. Support was noted from child and family advocacy groups, and the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard CS for SB 556, which would allow students with disabilities to satisfy a physical education graduation requirement through participation in Special Olympics, if included in the student’s IEP, and would clarify that two years of marching band participation can satisfy both PE and fine arts credit. Special Olympics Florida, families, and other supporters testified in favor, emphasizing flexibility, access, and recognition of rigorous activity. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS for SB 794, which requires background screening for employees of residential facilities and day training programs serving people with developmental disabilities and directs a review of waiver support coordination, including quality, consistency, access, competencies, recruitment and retention, caseloads, and geographic gaps in services. An amendment to conform to the House version was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. Members then questioned Secretary Taylor Hatch regarding her confirmation as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. Senators raised concerns about child welfare system performance, parent notification and rights, CBC funding formulas, managing entities, opioid settlement spending, peer support expansion, and technology/interoperability improvements. Hatch described DCF’s recent data and initiatives, including reductions in out-of-home care entries, youth advisory efforts, missing children recovery operations, expanded behavioral health capacity, and technology upgrades for benefits processing. Public comment included support from family and provider organizations and concerns from a former foster care worker about medical misdiagnosis cases. The committee voted to recommend Hatch’s confirmation favorably, with Chair Grall voting no, and adjourned after allowing Senator Sharief to be recorded as voting in favor of SB 1600.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because agencies from across the state routinely support one another, our infrastructure must be supported
• The funding supports the quickly.
• <00:20:19.720> uh um and just it's just coordinating uh um and just it's just coordinating
• , appreciate the bipartisan support, appreciate the bipartisan support, especially<00:21:25.640><
• and also I got a late letter of support and also I got a late letter of support from<00:21:31.760

Bills: HF4810, HF4597, HF1082, HF3230

Keywords: public safety, radio communications, infrastructure funding, county funding, interoperability, ARMER network, local jurisdictions, HF4597, Minnesota public safety, 911, emergency dispatch, emergency communications, public safety appropriation, Metropolitan Emergency Services Board, PSAP, dispatch interoperability, real-time coordination, emergency response coordination, cross-jurisdictional response, 911 center awareness platform

Bills: SB43, SB50, SB145, SM2

Keywords: parole, life imprisonment, rehabilitation, criminal justice, victim rights, law enforcement, training requirements, mental health, domestic abuse, child abuse, public safety, crisis intervention, auditing, financial reporting, state auditor, public agencies, capital outlay, compliance, federal audits, pediatric palliative care

Bills: SB43, SB50, SB145, SM2

Keywords: parole, life imprisonment, rehabilitation, criminal justice, victim rights, law enforcement, training requirements, mental health, domestic abuse, child abuse, public safety, crisis intervention, auditing, financial reporting, state auditor, public agencies, capital outlay, compliance, federal audits, pediatric palliative care

Transcript Highlights:

• services, Especially getting into supportive housing.
• supportive services for homeless youth.
• > services<00:50:10.880> so<00:50:11.000> they support, the wraparound services
• so they support, the wraparound services so they become<00:50:11.520> successful.
• services administration at and support services administration at DHS.

Bills: HF1767, HF2068, HF4725, HF4637, HF4638

Keywords: human services, community support, integrated care, disability services, stakeholder consultation, homeless youth, grants, funding, Minnesota, mental health, substance use disorder, education, workforce development, licensure, direct care services, healthcare, long-term care, personal care assistants, employment support, medical assistance

Summary: The Human Services Finance and Policy Committee approved the April 8, 2026 minutes and then heard House File 1767, as amended by the DE4 amendment. Representative Garande explained that the bill, originally intended to codify Integrated Community Supports (ICS), was being redirected because of concerns about fraud vulnerability and program integrity. The DE4 would create a smaller legislative study group to redesign ICS, pause DHS changes for about six months while the group develops a transition plan, continue DHS fraud investigations and enforcement, and ultimately terminate ICS as currently structured. Testimony in support came from Mr. Buck and Zania Harut of the Residential Providers Association of Minnesota, both of whom argued that ICS is unstable, inconsistently implemented, and in need of a new statutory foundation. They said the current system mixes different service models under one rate framework, lacks clear codification, and has shifting policy guidance that creates compliance problems for providers and risks to people receiving services. They emphasized that the bill would preserve oversight and enforcement while allowing time to build a replacement service with clearer rules, documentation standards, and guardrails. Members asked about effects on counties, providers, data, audits, and fraud enforcement. Representative Curran and Mr. Berg said the bill would not change funding structures or DHS’s existing authority to audit, request documentation, investigate fraud, or sanction bad actors, and that the study group would use existing data to identify where problems are concentrated. Vice Chair Gillman supported the study-group approach as a bipartisan, public process and raised concerns about whether the bill would prevent DHS from acting on known fraud; Curran responded that the language was intended to preserve those enforcement actions. The discussion ended without a final vote on the bill in the portion provided, beyond adoption of the DE4 amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Human Services to voluntarily remain in care till the age of 21.
• Senate Bill 1428 creates the office of Alzheimer's and related dementia services coordination at the
• So I'm excited to be able to support this effort today. Debate the charitable debate.
• We did hear this full last year in health and human services, but altered it significantly.
• I can't speak to other grant services or other organizations or entities.

Bills: SB1290, SB1332, SB1369, SB1379, SB1381, SB1386, SB1390, SB1428, SB1584, SB1696, SB175, SB1778, SB1794, SB1806, SB1836, SB201

Keywords: 2-1-1 services, revolving fund, Department of Human Services, crisis pregnancy, abortion, legal funding, housing, infrastructure, water projects, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, economic development, zero-interest loans, clawback provision, local contractors, mental health, crisis services, 988 Lifeline, suicide prevention, behavioral health, human trafficking

Transcript Highlights:

• student services coordinators.
• Support Services. Support Services.
• insert for the office of student support insert for the office of student support services<00:39
• <00:46:51.640> services administrative and support services administrative and support services
• between student and word service between student and coordinators. coordinators. coordinators.

Bills: SB2479, SB2557, SB2861, SB3204, SB3324, SB3325

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• Clarifying that tribal licensed SUD programs may provide recovery support services.
• programs may provide recovery support programs may provide recovery support services.<00:48:41.200
• and support.
• and support.
• and support.

Bills: HF4210, HF4212, HF4549, HF4464, HF4546, HF4447

Keywords: senior nutrition, older adults, aging services, home-delivered meals, congregate dining, meal delivery, grocery delivery, food insecurity, nutrition support, area agencies on aging, Minnesota Board on Aging, human services, special revenue fund, nonprofit grants, SNAP outreach, medically tailored meals, rural nutrition, food access, transportation services, elderly

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we are here today to ask for your support for this resolution.
• model to ensure sustained care and support.
• I respectfully urge your support.
• It supports local jobs.
• I'm here to testify in support of House Bill 4230.

Bills: HCR6

Keywords: Meals on Wheels, senior services, nutrition, community support, volunteerism

Transcript Highlights:

• We also provide home care services in the consumer-directed community support program.
• We also provide home care services in the consumer-directed community support program.
• As you know, the idea and intentions were good for Community First Services and Supports, CFSS.
• It replaced Consumer Support Grant and personal care assistant, PCA, services.
• of services. of services.

Bills: HF3797, HF3780, HF4068, HF3935

Keywords: long-term care, insurance policy, healthcare, partnership policy, Minnesota, human services, wage increase, support workers, shared services, community first services, medical assistance, sanctions, healthcare services, monetary recovery, government accountability, assisted living, training, unlicensed personnel, resident rights, safety regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, we are here to seek your support for the appropriation of funding for staff and services needed
• Today, we are here to seek your support for the appropriation of funding for staff and services needed
• It requires meaningful investment in prevention services, culturally responsive supports, and workforce
• We must make sure that the culturally responsive prevention services are available to support active
• and to support kids. and to support kids.

Bills: HF3665, HF3002, HF4217, HF4125, HF4174

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

Bills: SB1379

Keywords: human trafficking, victims, prevention, support services, Attorney General, pilot program, grant funding, 914, all