2004-04-27                     Senate Journal                      Page 3096
SB 364                                                                                            
The Finance Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 364 "An Act                                        
relating to liability for expenses of placement in certain mental health                            
facilities; relating to the mental health treatment assistance program;                             
and providing for an effective date" and recommended the adoption of                                
the Health, Education and Social Services Committee Substitute                                      
offered on page 2774.                                                                               
                                                                                                    
The Finance Committee further recommended the adoption of the                                       
following Health, Education and Social Services Committee Letter of                                 
Intent:                                                                                             
                                                                                                    
                             Letter of Intent                                                     
                                                                                                    
  It is the intent of the legislature that the Department of Health and                             
  Social Services continue to develop and support a continuum of                                    
  mental health care that includes community-based outpatient and                                   
  supportive services, community hospital-based inpatient                                           
  evaluation and treatment services, and tertiary mental health care                                
  through the Alaska Psychiatric Institute. In developing this                                      
  system the Department of Health and Social Services shall be                                      
  guided by the principles that mental health services should be                                    
  clinically appropriate, cost effective, offered in the least                                      
  restrictive setting available, and provided as close to the client's                              
  home as possible.                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
  It is further the intent of the legislature that in the event of a                                
  shortfall in appropriations for mental health evaluation and                                      
  treatment at community hospitals to stabilize persons                                             
  experiencing a psychiatric emergency or crisis, and who meet the                                  
  criteria for involuntary commitment under AS 47.30.700 - AS                                       
  47.30.915, the Department of Health and Social Services shall                                     
  make every effort to identify additional financing sources or                                     
  reallocate appropriations available for the purpose from lesser                                   
  priorities to continue these important services for the remainder of                              
  the fiscal year.                                                                                  
                                                                                                    
Signing do pass: Senators Green, Wilken, Cochairs; Senators Bunde,                                  
Ben Stevens. Signing do not pass: Senator Hoffman. Signing no                                       
recommendation: Senator Dyson. Signing amend: Senator Olson.                                        

2004-04-27                     Senate Journal                      Page 3097
The following previously published fiscal information applies:                                      
 Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Health and Social Services                                        
                                                                                                    
The bill was referred to the Rules Committee.