2005-01-26                     Senate Journal                      Page 0162
Information from state agency CINA records would be made available                                  
to the public in three situations: when a parent or guardian in a CINA                              
case makes a public disclosure concerning the Department of Health                                  
and Social Services' involvement with the family; when the alleged                                  
perpetrator named in a report of harm under AS 47.17 has been                                       
charged with a crime arising from the harm; or when there is a report                               
of harm under AS 47.17 that has resulted in a fatality or near fatality                             
of a child.  In such instances, the bill would allow the Department of                              
Health and Social Services to release information about its response to                             
the report of harm.                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
Other provisions of the bill would allow for the release of information                             
to agencies or individuals when necessary to locate permanent                                       
placements for children in CINA cases, protect the safety of children,                              
or enhance agency review of CINA cases.  Also included is a                                         
provision for immunity for the state and municipalities, and their                                  
agencies, officers, and employees, relating to the disclosure or                                    
nondisclosure of information in CINA cases and certain child                                        
protection matters.                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
If enacted into law, the substantive changes in the bill would take                                 
effect July 1, 2005.  The bill also would require a report to the public                            
and the Legislature by December 1, 2006.  The report will assess these                              
new procedures in CINA cases and make recommendations to address                                    
any additional statutory changes necessary to improve our CINA                                      
confidentiality laws.                                                                               
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
Sincerely yours,                                                                                    
/s/                                                                                                 
Frank H. Murkowski                                                                                  
Governor                                                                                            
                                                                                                    
                             Unfinished Business                                                 
                                                                                                    
                       Reconsideration of Senate Bills                                           
                                                                                                    
SB 56                                                                                             
Senator French requested that the reconsideration on CS FOR                                         
SENATE BILL NO. 56(JUD) be taken up. The bill was before the                                        
Senate on reconsideration.