Simone highlights federal budget concerns impacting child support services and community care for children.

Senate Bill 564 would require adult residential care homes with fewer than four residents to register with the Department of Social Services; sponsor and members cited a DSS estimate of roughly 1,300 currently unlicensed homes and the subcommittee recommended reporting and referral to Appropriations (8-0).

SB140 would create a felony offense for recruiting, harboring or exploiting elders and adults with disabilities to obtain their government benefits. Advocates cited recent investigations of unlicensed facilities and in‑home exploitation; committee asked about sentencing gradations and prosecutorial discretion.