Senate approves bill to expand family supports and establish statewide communication access service

The state senate on third reading passed Senate Substitute No. 3 for Senate Bill 10 62 after sponsor Senator from Newton said the measure would "help connect struggling families with local community and faith based groups to strengthen their family unit and keep them together." The senator also said the bill would "establish a statewide communication access service program to improve compliance with federal Americans with Disabilities Act."

The bill’s sponsor, identified in the floor proceeding as the Senator from Newton, offered the bill for final passage and there was no recorded floor debate before the secretary read the roll and recorded votes. The secretary’s tally was recorded in the proceedings as 28 in favor and 1 opposed; the presiding officer declared the bill passed, noting that it had received a constitutional majority and that titling and perfecting motions were carried.

Supporters framed the measure as a combination of direct family‑support connections and an access‑compliance initiative. Sponsor remarks emphasized linking families with local and faith‑based organizations and adding a communication access program to help meet ADA obligations; no amendment debate or fiscal detail was offered on the floor in the recorded discussion.

The senate record shows the bill moved quickly through the third‑reading process: motion to take up the substitute, a brief explanation from the sponsor, and a roll‑call vote that produced final passage. The journal notes that titling and perfecting motions were made and carried; the transcript does not specify an effective date or program budget in the floor explanation.

The bill now proceeds per legislative process toward enrollment and further administrative steps; the transcript does not specify an implementation timeline or funding sources.