2006-01-30                     Senate Journal                      Page 2016
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 27, 2006:                                               
                                                                                                    
Dear President Stevens:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am                          
transmitting a bill relating to the definition of "child abuse and                                  
neglect" for child protection purposes.                                                             
                                                                                                    
This bill would clarify that the definition "child" includes an infant                              
who has been identified by a health care provider involved in the                                   
delivery or care of that infant as being affected by abuse of a                                     
controlled substance or from withdrawal from prenatal exposure to a                                 
controlled substance.  The purpose of the bill is to ensure that health                             
care professionals report such infants to the Department of Health and                              
Social Services under the state's mandatory reporting laws for child                                
abuse and neglect.  This provision is necessary to be in compliance                                 
with federal law as a condition of continued federal funding for child                              
abuse and neglect prevention and treatment.                                                         
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
Sincerely yours,                                                                                    
/s/                                                                                                 
Frank H. Murkowski                                                                                  
Governor                                                                                            
                                                                                                    
SB 253                                                                                            
SENATE BILL NO. 253 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                   
BY REQUEST OF THE LEGISLATIVE BUDGET AND AUDIT                                                      
COMMITTEE, entitled:                                                                                
                                                                                                    
             "An Act extending the termination date for the Board                                  
               of Chiropractic Examiners; and providing for an                                     
          effective date."                                                                          
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and                                  
Finance Committees.