Legislature(1999 - 2000)
2000-01-20 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2000-01-20 Senate Journal Page 2014 SB 206 SENATE BILL NO. 206 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: An Act relating to disclosure of public assistance information to report suspected abuse or neglect of children or vulnerable adults. was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education and Social Services, Judiciary and Finance Committees. Indeterminate fiscal note published today from Department of Administration. Zero fiscal notes published today from the Department of Health and Social Services, Department of Administration. 2000-01-20 Senate Journal Page 2015 SB 206 Governors transmittal letter dated January 19: Dear President Pearce: Part of the state's multi-faceted battle against child abuse is to take protective action for those children suspected to be victims of this crime. We can only succeed, though, if people who are aware of the abuse are allowed to report it to the proper authorities. This bill I transmit today makes it clear that employees of the state Division of Public Assistance may report cases of suspected child abuse, and abuse of a vulnerable adult, without violating any confidentiality requirements of their positions. Public assistance information is entitled to confidentiality protections under both federal and state law. However, before welfare reform, it was clear under federal law that public assistance employees were required to report information concerning suspected child abuse or neglect to the state agency charged with investigating such reports. Since welfare reform, this requirement is no longer explicit in the federal law. Furthermore, under state law, employees of contractors who provide services for the Department of Health and Social Services are mandatory reporters of suspected harm to vulnerable adults. The lack of clarity in terms of the responsibility of our own employees is inconsistent. This legislation explicitly exempts public assistance employees from their confidentiality requirements in order to file a report of suspected abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult. In this way, we can move Alaska further along in its efforts to stop child abuse and neglect. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor