Committee Summary for House Children and Family Law (03/31/2026)

Member	Member	Member
DeSimone, Debra(Chairman)(R)[B+]2025	Nelson, Jodi(Clerk)(R)[B]2025	Rice, Kimberly(V Chairman)(R)[B-]2025
McMahon, Charles(R)[B+]2025	Love, David(R)[B+]2025	Pearson, Mark(R)[B]2025
Korzen, Lori(R)[B+]2025	Georges, Mary(D)[D-]2025	Raymond, Heather(D)[CT]2025
Gregg, Alicia(D)[D-]2025	Petrigno, Peter(D)[F]2025	Grossman, Gaby(D)[IN]2025
Levesque, Cassandra (D)[D-]2025	Malone, Amy(D)[D-]2025	Markell, Jay(R)[B]2025

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB608 2026-1263H	Executive Session	relative to family caregiver support in certain programs and child care support for kinship caregivers.	Watters, David(D)[D-]2025
SB515 1257H	Executive Session	relative to judicial determinations related to children placed in a qualified residential treatment program in certain juvenile matters and appointment of counsel in certain circumstances.	Long, Pat(D)[F]2025

SB608 2026-1263H: Support 00:02:44.972 - 10:00:35 AM; Moves ought to pass and amendment 2026-1263H, explains that the amendment ensures implementation only with funding due to budget concerns and adds bimonthly reports to oversight committees for accountability.
SB608 2026-1263H: Support 00:03:32.592 - 10:01:23 AM; Supports the kinship provision as important for the state given lack of resources, emphasizing care for family members.
SB608 2026-1263H: Support 00:04:36.086 - 10:02:27 AM; Supports based on personal experience caring for family, notes unexpected caregiving situations like grandparents with grandkids and the need to spread awareness of resources.
SB608 2026-1263H: Support 00:04:36.086 - 10:02:27 AM; Supports the bill for future personal relevance and importance of preparations for aging.
SB608 2026-1263H: Support 00:06:00.914 - 10:03:51 AM; Highlights lack of resources for seniors before assisted living, notes benefits of keeping people home with family to save money, stress, and maintain love.
SB515 1257H: Support 00:11:55.373 - 10:09:46 AM; Moves ought to pass.
SB515 1257H: Information Only 00:12:43.578 - 10:10:34 AM; Moves amendment 1257H to return to original version before prior amendment, due to concerns that children could languish in care without attorneys.
SB515 1257H: Oppose 00:13:40.031 - 10:11:31 AM; Speaks against the amendment, supports right to counsel for children in cases like Blood Sow, Tennessee; notes it's working well; opposes removing repeal and codifying exceptions, cites benefits from other states and federal research on permanency, reunification, and cost savings; emphasizes children's rights.
SB515 1257H: Oppose 00:16:49.380 - 10:14:40 AM; Opposes exception in the bill, compares to staff deadlines where firm requirements are met more reliably; argues human nature favors exceptions over mandates.
SB515 1257H: Oppose 00:16:49.380 - 10:14:40 AM; Agrees with prior speakers, draws from experience representing juveniles; stresses importance of counsel for child's trust and voice in the system, opposes exceptions.
SB515 1257H: Information Only 00:16:49.380 - 10:14:40 AM; Expresses concern about permanency of court orders without full representation.
SB515 1257H: Oppose 00:18:09.627 - 10:16:00 AM; Emphasized the importance of representation in the system, stating that without it, many things go wrong, and making something permanent without representation is wrong.
SB515 1257H: Support 00:18:09.627 - 10:16:00 AM; Thanked the chair and committee for the decision, expressing happiness that it benefits all children.
SB515 1257H: Vote 00:18:30.000 - 10:16:21 AM; The clerk called the roll on the amendment. Yes votes: Representatives Rice, Guzovski, Nelson, Corrison, Markel, Cofalt (6 yes). No votes: Representatives Pearson, Love, Petrinho, Scheer, LaVest, Greg, Rung, Georges, Schultz (9 no). The amendment fails.
SB515 1257H: Information Only 00:19:41.910 - 10:17:32 AM; Announced that the amendment fails and returned to the motion for ought to pass on Senate Bill 515.
SB515 1257H: Information Only 00:19:41.910 - 10:17:32 AM; Asked for clarification on whether the original bill includes a carve-out, noting confusion due to multiple amendments.
SB515 1257H: Information Only 00:20:37.934 - 10:18:28 AM; Explained that the original bill has a carve-out until August 1, 2027, to allow time for securing lawyers, as the implementation was delayed from the previous January due to budget issues. Noted that the amendment aimed to align with federal regulations, after which representation becomes mandatory.
SB515 1257H: Vote 00:20:37.934 - 10:18:28 AM; The clerk called the roll on ought to pass for SB 515FN. Yes votes: Representatives Rice, Pearson, Guzzoski, Nelson, Corzine, Markell, Petrino, Scheer, Levesque, Greg, Wrung, Georges, Schultz, Cofalt, Chairman DeSimone (15 yes). No vote: Representative Love (1 no). The bill passes 15-1.
SB515 1257H: Information Only 00:21:54.068 - 10:19:45 AM; Moved the bill for consent calendar, noted no objections, and closed the hearing on Senate Bill 515. Announced the next meeting at 10 a.m. next week for another bill.
SB515 1257H: Information Only 00:22:46.090 - 10:20:37 AM; Thanked everyone for attending and appreciated their participation.