The Human Services, Youth & Early Learning Committee voted to report substitute House Bill 1648 out of committee with a due‑pass recommendation; the clerk recorded the vote as 11 aye, 0 nay.

Representative Taylor urged support for the bill, saying it would move the family reconciliation program from a state‑run model to a community‑based model "that can more easily meet the needs of individuals and their family" and would allow a phased, fiscally responsible implementation. "These are young people who are in dire family conflict and they need services that meet their specific needs," Taylor said.

Ranking member Esselk (recorded in the transcript as raising objections) and others told the committee they opposed the transfer because of concerns about where reconciliations would occur and about keeping services within DCYF offices. "Our social workers were in my office this week and they said, we don't want this to move from our DCYF offices. We like having them here," Esselk said, adding that some members prefer family support centers as the nonconfrontational local venue for reconciliations.

Representative Dent and others said they saw positive elements in the sub and committed to working on fiscal issues before the bill moves across the floor.

The motion to report the substitute was made by Vice Chair Cortez and the clerk called the roll for a recorded vote. The transcript does not record a floor second by name; the committee proceeded to a roll call.

Votes at a glance: Bergquist (aye); Cortez (aye); Eslic (aye); Burnett (aye); Birnbaum (aye); Denn (aye); Goodman (aye); Hill (aye); Ortiz Self (aye); Penner (aye); Taylor (aye).

Committee members emphasized the need to ensure the department meets earlier training and outreach commitments so community providers can access training and move to higher quality levels. The substitute requires the department to convene a stakeholder group to plan outreach and training, according to committee remarks.

The substitute now moves forward in the legislative process for additional steps outside the committee record.