The committee voted to report proposed substitute House Bill 16 60 out of committee with a due pass recommendation after supporters said the substitute incorporated department requests and removed costly data requirements.

Representative Ortiz Self told the committee the substitute “incorporates the changes that the department wanted into the bill. It also eliminates asking for certain data that would cost a lot of money.” She urged members to vote yes, saying better information from the department would “give us a clearer picture of how we can move forward in making sure, that we make movement towards eliminating the disparity that exists in our child welfare system.”

Representative Dent said he hoped the bill would produce useful information and pledged to work with the sponsor on solutions. Ranking Member Neslick said some members favored more data but allowed others to explain their positions.

On the roll call, clerks recorded nine yes votes and two no votes recorded as “nay without recommendation.” The chair announced that the substitute would be reported out of committee with a due pass recommendation.

The discussion focused on balancing the desire for robust, disaggregated data against the cost of collecting and maintaining that data. Supporters framed the substitute as a pragmatic adjustment that preserves department capacity while pursuing disparity-reduction goals.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 16 60 — substitute reported out of committee with a due pass recommendation (tally on the record: 9 yes; 2 no without recommendation).