2006-01-30                     Senate Journal                      Page 2015
SB 252                                                                                            
SENATE BILL NO. 252 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                   
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                               
                                                                                                    
          "An Act relating to the definition of 'child abuse and                                    
          neglect' for child protection purposes; and providing                                     
          for an effective date."                                                                   
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education and Social                            
Services and Judiciary Committees.                                                                  
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal information was published today:                                               
 Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Health and Social Services                                  
                                                                                                    

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