Josh Wheeler — During roll call, Representative Josh Wheeler was called and responded 'Aye,' recording his vote.
Brandon Shippy — Representative Hosteller is addressed during the committee discussion of the bill, thanked for bringing it forward, and then responds that he will have answers and that implementation would be easier within their own institutions.
Jordan Redman — Was recognized after the request for information about affected Medicaid contracts.
Jordan Redman — Supported the motion and said the committee has previously killed rules involving DEI in training.
Jordan Redman — Recognized after the sponsor asked for an introductory hearing.
Jordan Redman — Moved to introduce RS 32997 C2.
Jordan Redman — Representative Redman asked Representative Kaler whether she preferred to take the bill back for edits or move it forward for full introduction, and Kaler responded in the same exchange.
Jordan Redman — Jordan Redman was recorded as voting no during the roll call on the motion to send the RS back to the sponsor.
Lucas Cayler — Representative Kaler (Lucas Cayler) introduced RS 32997 C2 and then responded to questions about the bill’s new inquiry language in Section 5. He explained that the added language is meant to address missing information and lack of follow-up in abandonment investigations, and said the bill would give a parent a kind of "clean slate" after an abandonment notation, with more detail to come at a full hearing. The discussion also included clarification about whether the committee was referring specifically to paragraph 5 on page 2.
David Leavitt — The question is directed to Representative Kaler in the following exchange.
David Leavitt — Said the bill is about training requirements for social workers and asked for clarification on how the question relates to abandonment investigations.
David Leavitt — The discussion continues on whether the training requirements apply only to abandonment investigations or to social workers generally.
David Leavitt — Clarified that the autism and introversion training requirement is separate from paragraph 5 on abandonment investigations.
David Leavitt — Explained that abandonment investigations are separate from the broader social worker training requirements.
David Leavitt — Said the training requirement applies to all social workers and referenced discussions with Superintendent Critchfield about school-system autism training.
David Leavitt — Explained the purpose of the training and noted the committee was drifting into debate on the whole bill.
David Leavitt — Representative Kaler is about to respond to the question.
David Leavitt — Explained that the penalty change applies to the proposed follow-on section 54-3218.
David Leavitt — Clarified that the penalties apply to the proposed follow-on code section 54-3218.
David Leavitt — Said the new section is intended to require social workers to report facts and findings rather than personal opinions.
David Leavitt — Explained that reports should contain facts and findings, not personal opinions or professional judgments.
David Leavitt — Reiterated that the report should contain only findings, not opinions or professional judgments.
David Leavitt — The motion is to return RS 32997 C2 to the sponsor.
David Leavitt — Voted no during the roll call.
Julie VanOrden — Recognized the request for roll call.
Julie VanOrden — Explained that comments were being taken on the motion to send the RS back to the sponsor.
Julie VanOrden — Voted aye during the roll call on the motion to send the RS back to the sponsor.
Ben Fuhriman — Asked whether comments were being taken on the motion.
Ben Fuhriman — Voted yes during the roll call.
Ben Fuhriman — Was recognized to present the next item on the agenda.
Ben Fuhriman — Introduced himself as Representative Ben Furman of District 30 and made a light remark about the thermometer going down when people ask questions.
Ben Fuhriman — Presented RS 33561 and said he preferred to keep the presentation brief unless the committee grants a hearing.
Ben Fuhriman — Closed his presentation and asked for introduction of the bill for a hearing.
Ben Fuhriman — Responded that he worked closely with insurance companies and providers and said the bill does not change the first 30 days.
Marco Erickson — Voted aye during the roll call on the motion to send the RS back to the sponsor.
Robert Beiswenger — Voted no during the roll call.
Tanya Burgoyne — Voted no during the roll call.
Faye Thompson — During the roll call, Representative Faye Thompson was called and recorded a 'No' vote.
Ilana Rubel — Her vote was called during roll call, but the transcript is incomplete in this section.
Steven Tanner — Announced absent during the roll call.
Megan Egbert — Her vote was called during roll call, but the transcript is incomplete in this section.
Lori McCann — Representative McCann asks follow-up questions about whether the bill could nullify or otherwise affect current contracts, seeking clarification and practical examples of how that issue would arise.
Lori McCann — Representative McCann questioned whether the bill applies only to abandonment investigations or more broadly to all social workers handling child abuse and neglect cases, including whether the autism training requirement is limited to abandonment cases or statewide. She also asked whether the sponsor had consulted social work departments, schools, or colleges about existing autism training. The exchange included responses from Representative Kaler directed to her questions.
Lori McCann — Voted yes during the roll call.
Lori McCann — Lori McCann expressed concern that the proposed change could undermine local behavioral health boards and the important work they do in her community. She noted her long involvement with these boards, said she believed they were created in connection with the Jeff D. settlement, and described how they produced annual reports, coordinated local efforts, and used subcommittees to address community issues. She asked how the bill would preserve that local reporting, coordination, and other good work, and again raised the Jeff D. settlement. She also said she had not yet discussed the bill with her community.
Melissa Wintrow — Was thanked and addressed during the exchange about whether Medicaid participation is voluntary.
Melissa Wintrow — Representative McCann asked for clarification on how the bill’s standard would apply, including whether it would cover child abuse cases, all social workers in the department, and other social workers statewide, and also sought clarification on paragraph 5.
Dori Healey — Not directly in this section, but the speaker continues the committee exchange in response to questions.
Dori Healey — Referenced in a comparison that this was not a 'Furman-style question.'
Dori Healey — Referenced as a comparison point for the style of questioning.