2005-03-02                     Senate Journal                      Page 0444
                                                                                                    
     · Improve monitoring and enforcement of life, health, and                                      
          safety regulations for all DHSS long term-care programs.                                  
                                                                                                    
     · Extend background checks and fitness determinations to all                                   
          staff serving vulnerable populations.                                                     
                                                                                                    
     · Improve the overall safety and security of vulnerable                                        
          individuals in state licensed and certified long-term care                                
          programs.                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
Finally, this bill contemplates that at the same time that the statutory                            
changes would take effect, DHSS would have adopted regulations to                                   
implement these statutory changes.  It is anticipated that the resulting                            
regulations would further achieve the goal of efficiency and cost                                   
effectiveness.                                                                                      
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
Sincerely yours,                                                                                    
/s/                                                                                                 
Frank H. Murkowski                                                                                  
Governor                                                                                            
                                                                                                    
SB 126                                                                                            
SENATE BILL NO. 126 BY SENATOR STEDMAN, entitled:                                                   
                                                                                                    
              "An Act relating to aquatic farming; and providing                                   
          for an effective date."                                                                   
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Resources                                 
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                        Consideration of the Calendar                                            
                                                                                                    
                        Second Reading of Senate Bills                                           
                                                                                                    
SB 95                                                                                             
SENATE BILL NO. 95 "An Act relating to the collection of, and the                                   
use of reasonable force to collect, a deoxyribonucleic acid sample                                  
from persons convicted of or adjudicated delinquent for certain                                     
crimes" was read the second time.