1999-01-22                     House Journal                      Page 0063
HB 56                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 56 by the House Rules Committee by request of the               
Governor, entitled:                                                            
                                                                               
"An Act relating to the crimes of murder, manslaughter, and                   
criminally negligent homicide of children and other victims."                  
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance              
Committees.                                                                    
                                                                               
                                                                               
The following fiscal notes apply:                                              
                                                                               
Indeterminate fiscal note, Dept. of Administration, 1/22/99                    
Fiscal note, Dept. of Corrections, 1/22/99                                     
Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Law, 1/22/99                                        
                                                                               
                                                                               
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 20, 1999, appears below:       
                                                                               
"Dear Speaker Porter:                                                          
                                                                               
Last year we made great progress in protecting Alaska's children from          
adults who abuse and neglect them, in part by enacting better laws and         
financing more positions for the state workers and agencies that protect       
our children.  I am transmitting today a bill to complete the legislative      
work undertaken last year by clarifying the law and increasing the             
punishment for those convicted of causing the death of children.               
                                                                               
The intent of this bill is to make clear through our laws that we will not     
tolerate heinous actions against children.  Under this bill, crimes against    

1999-01-22                     House Journal                      Page 0064
HB 56                                                                        
children will be treated with severity and with the recognition that many      
of the victims are being abused and losing their lives by those who            
should be supporting and nurturing them.                                       
                                                                               
The safety of Alaska's children is critical to all of us.  I urge your prompt  
and favorable action on this measure.                                          
                                                                               
							Sincerely,                                                              
							/s/                                                                     
							Tony Knowles                                                            
							Governor"