Legislature(2019 - 2020)BUTROVICH 205
04/09/2019 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB92 | |
| SB10 | |
| SB32 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 32 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 92 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 10 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
SB 10-EXTEND SUICIDE PREVENTION COUNCIL
3:52:44 PM
CHAIR SHOWER reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 10 "An Act extending the
termination date of the Statewide Suicide Prevention Council;
and providing for an effective date."
3:53:19 PM
SENATOR SCOTT KAWASAKI, bill sponsor, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, said SB 10 extends the termination date of the Statewide
Suicide Prevention Council. Members of the National Alliance for
the Mentally Ill (NAMI) have been in the capitol the last
several weeks to talk about suicide and highlighting that talk
is an important aspect of prevention. In the U.S. there are
about 12 suicides per 100,000 people whereas the Alaska rate is
roughly double that number. For Alaska Native males there are 52
suicides per 100,000 and someone who serves in the armed
services is twice as likely to die by suicide as a civilian. He
continued the introduction of SB 10 speaking to the following
sponsor statement:
Senate Bill 10 would extend the termination date of
the Statewide Suicide Prevention Council to 2027,
ensuring another eight years of support for suicide
prevention efforts in Alaska. The Council would
otherwise be terminated on June 30, 2019.
According to the Alaska Department of Health and
Social Services Section of Epidemiology, the suicide
rate in Alaska increased by 13 percent between 2012
and 2017, making suicide the leading cause of death
for Alaskans between the ages of 10 and 64. As a
matter of public health, the state has a
responsibility to address this disturbing trend and
must actively continue to pursue strategies to prevent
suicide in Alaska.
The Statewide Suicide Prevention Council was created
in 2001 and consists of 14 public and private members,
including four state legislators. Under AS 44.39.350,
the Council is statutorily responsible for:
? Advising legislators and the Governor on ways
to improve Alaskans' health and wellness by
reducing suicide;
? Improving public awareness of suicide and risk
factors;
? Enhancing suicide prevention efforts;
Working with partners and faith-based
organizations to develop healthier communities;
? Creating a statewide suicide prevention plan
and putting it in action; and
? Building and strengthening partnerships to
prevent suicide.
The Council holds public meetings, publishes a 5-Year
State Suicide Prevention Plan, and works with schools
and community groups to provide resources that educate
Alaskans on how to prevent suicide.
Last year, the Council partnered with the Alaska
Community Foundation and Alaska Children's Trust to
continue the GCI Suicide Prevention Grant Program.
Nine grants were funded in 2017 across the state,
totaling $100,000. The Council also helped secure
funding for a 5-year grant from the National Institute
of Mental Health to create the Alaska Native
Collaborative Hub for Resilience Research, which will
help Alaska Native communities share knowledge, guide
research, and identify culturally-relevant suicide
prevention strategies in rural Alaska. [He noted this
is one reason for the large fiscal note.]
Terminating the Statewide Suicide Prevention Council
would jeopardize the state's efforts at addressing
this heartbreaking, but preventable, issue.
I respectfully ask for your support of SB 10 this
year.
3:56:20 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE disclosed that he serves as one of the
legislative representatives on the Statewide Suicide Prevention
Council. He said there is no question that the council supports
this extension because suicide is a very serious issue in the
state. He said there is a lot of work to do to reduce the rate.
CHAIR SHOWER commented on the heartbreaking statistics of
suicide among active duty and veteran members of the armed
services. He stated wholehearted support for SB 10.
He asked Ms. Curtis to go through the audit.
3:59:09 PM
KRIS CURTIS, Legislative Auditor, Legislative Audit Division,
Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, explained the purpose of the
sunset audit was to determine whether this council is serving
the public interest and should be extended. Overall the audit
found the council operated in the public interest by actively
broadening awareness of suicide prevention and coordinating the
efforts of other suicide prevention entities. Additionally, the
council fulfilled its statutory duty by issuing the 2018-2022
Suicide Prevention Plan and is working closely with stakeholders
to refine the plan's strategies, resources, and indicators. The
division recommends an 8-year extension for the council, which
is the maximum allowed in statute.
She directed attention to Exhibit 2 on page 4 that shows the
council is completely funded by general fund appropriations. In
FY 18, the council expended just under $600,000. Exhibit 5 on
pages 9-10 has a detailed list of the council's activities
during the audit period. It shows that the council is very
active.
MS. CURTIS said the audit made two administrative
recommendations for improvement, beginning on page 12 of the
audit.
Recommendation No. 1: The council's executive director
should develop and implement procedures to ensure
public notices for meetings are published timely and
accurately.
The audit found five of 18 meetings between July 2014 through
March 2018 were not public noticed or not public noticed
properly. This was caused by a lack of written procedures.
Recommendation No. 2: The council chair should develop
and implement written procedures to ensure performance
evaluations are completed annually for the council's
executive director.
Statutes require annual evaluations. The audit found that just
two of four audits were completed. It was unclear why the
evaluations did not take place.
MS. CURTIS said the responses to the audit start on page 23.
Both the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS)
commissioner and the council chair agree with the
recommendations.
4:01:51 PM
SENATOR COGHILL asked if the evaluations were done properly but
not timely.
MS. CURTIS said that's correct.
SENATOR COGHILL asked if there were extenuating circumstances to
the lapse in public notice.
MS. CURTIS replied it was just an oversight by staff.
CHAIR SHOWER noted the positive responses to the
recommendations.
4:02:32 PM
BEVERLY SCHOONOVER, Acting Executive Director, Statewide Suicide
Prevention Council, Juneau, reported that the Statewide Suicide
Prevention Council was established by the legislature in 2001
and serves as an advisory council to the legislature and
governor regarding awareness and prevention. There are 13
volunteer members of the council appointed by the governor and
four ex officio members appointed by the legislature. There is
one staff member.
She said most of the council's activities involve collaboration
among stakeholders, supporting outreach and educational plans
through the Suicide Awareness Prevention and Postvention grant
program, advocating for federal and local funding, and providing
technical assistance. One example of statewide coordination
efforts was the completion of the five year suicide prevention
plan titled "Recasting the Net. Promoting Wellness to Prevent
Suicides in Alaska." Hundreds of Alaskans participated in
creating the plan. The number one goal is that Alaskans accept
the responsibility for preventing suicide. All Alaskans are
responsible for working together to prevent suicide and reduce
the risk of suicide statewide. She summarized that the council
brings people together to talk about suicide, evaluate
prevention efforts, and to advise agencies, the governor, and
the legislature on ways to promote wellness and reduce suicide
in Alaska. She highlighted that no other organization performs
the statewide coordinator function. She asked the committee to
support SB 10 to extend the council.
CHAIR SHOWER said he would add his name as a cosponsor.
4:05:27 PM
CHAIR SHOWER opened public testimony on SB 10.
4:05:57 PM
DEBEN DAS, Board Member, National Alliance on Mental Illness
(NAMI)-Fairbanks, Fairbanks, stated that his wife has suffered
from mental illness for about 40 years and he has been
volunteering at NAMI-Fairbanks to help her, to help himself, and
to help others who are in a similar situation. He said he has
experienced the close link between mental illness and suicide in
his family. The Statewide Suicide Prevention Council is
particularly helpful in improving the health and wellness of
Alaskans, enhancing public awareness of suicide, and providing
guidance. He stated support for SB 10 as a board member of NAMI
Fairbanks.
4:08:49 PM
JANE ANDRENE, Alaska Public Health Association (APHA), Juneau,
stated that APHA is a 150 member statewide organization of
public and behavioral health professionals that strongly
supports SB 10 to extend the Statewide Suicide Prevention
Council. She said it is vitally important for Alaska to have a
central council that coordinates and collaborates on the issues
associated with suicide. She also voiced support for the fiscal
note, particularly the research project.
4:09:56 PM
SAM TRIVETTE, Juneau Suicide Prevention Coalition, Juneau,
stated that he has been involved with the coalition and the
Statewide Suicide Prevention Council for about 11 years. He and
his wife have participated in statewide conferences and regional
trainings with the council. The council has linked them with
very valuable national experts and resources that they would not
have known about otherwise. He said suicide will always be here
but we need to continue to work to reduce the numbers. He is
pleased to report that the council is fulfilling its mission.
When he testified the first time the audit recommended
abolishment. He recounted the problems the council had in the
past and highlighted the positive signs. He said he is heartened
that the number of people calling the statewide crisis line has
quadrupled in recent years. That tells you that people are
starting to open up and reach out for help, he said.
Furthermore, the council has developed a model to improve
suicide awareness and prevention programs in the schools in
Alaska. "I think they're doing a better job than we've ever
done," he said.
CHAIR SHOWER agreed that the need will continue to be there.
4:13:37 PM
BARBARA FRANKS, Chair, Statewide Suicide Prevention Council,
Ninilchik, stated that she is or has been associated with the
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the NAMI Board, and the
Alaska Psychiatric Institute (API) Board but she is removing
those hats to speak as the mother of a child who died by suicide
and whose husband died of cancer two days later. At that time
there were no 800 numbers to call, websites to access, or books
that talked about what to do if someone in your family had
thoughts of suicide. She said the fact that the previous
speakers are from different entities is evidence of cooperative
work to follow the national strategic plan. She encouraged
continued outreach and support for SB 10.
4:16:07 PM
SHARON FISHEL, Education Specialist, Department of Education and
Early Development (DEED), Juneau, stated that she is the staff
that oversees the school-based suicide prevention services. She
was available to answer questions.
4:17:14 PM
MONIQUE ANDREWS, representing self, Eagle River, stated that
while she is a member of the Statewide Suicide Prevention
Council, she is testifying as a mother and a member of the
Alaska Army National Guard. She talked about the council's
collaborative efforts to focus on youth as the most vulnerable
population. She stressed that the efforts of the council are
instrumental in ensuring that prevention services continue to be
available for youth. She said we want children to develop
resiliency skills. Some of these children may join the military
when they grow up, she said, and we want them to be as equipped
as possible to take on that huge responsibility. That is only
done through efforts that start early. She said she supports the
council as a mother whose child needs to learn resiliency skills
from all sides. At home and at school we all need to be talking
the same language, she said.
4:20:14 PM
JAMES BIELA, Lead Field Advocate, American Foundation for
Suicide Prevention (AFSP) - Alaska Chapter, Newtok, stated that
AFSP and the Statewide Suicide Prevention Council (SSPC) are
aligned with the national strategy for suicide prevention as
well as the American Indian and Alaska Native National Suicide
Prevention Strategy Plan. SSPC is also aligned with the goal of
AFSP to reduce suicide at least 20 percent by 2025. He said he
has worked with the SSPC since the Alaska Chapter of AFSP was
formed in 2010. He cited statistics of suicide rates nationally,
in Alaska, and the military. He reported that the council has
helped him in his work with elders and youths on suicide
prevention and healing and to increase participation in AFSP
International Survivor Suicide Loss Day. He stated that AFSP
strongly supports SB 10 and the continuation of the Statewide
Suicide Prevention Council.
4:22:46 PM
BRENDA MOORE, Chair, Alaska Mental Health Board, Alaska
Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), Anchorage,
stated that she is also a member of the Statewide Suicide
Prevention Council. She described how the council has changed
over the years to the point where it now "has some momentum."
When she started with the council suicide prevention wasn't well
understood, particularly with tribal organization. This changed
through partnering with the Alaska Federation of Natives to hold
local and statewide summits. These summits resulted in an active
regional suicide prevention coalition. The council collaborates
and coordinates with the coalition and the Division of
Behavioral Health prevention grantees. She noted that the
council now has a member who represents the military. She
emphasized the importance of the work the council does to
coordinate the efforts of the various entities. She urged the
committee to support SB 10.
4:26:17 PM
CHAIR SHOWER closed public testimony on SB 10.
4:26:25 PM
At ease
4:26:48 PM
CHAIR SHOWER reconvened the meeting and solicited a motion.
4:26:59 PM
SENATOR COGHILL moved to report SB 10, version A, from committee
with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s).
CHAIR SHOWER found no objection and SB 10 moved from the Senate
State Affairs Standing Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SSTA OFFICIAL AGENDA MEMO.pdf |
SSTA 4/9/2019 3:30:00 PM |
agenda |
| SB 92 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SSTA 4/9/2019 3:30:00 PM |
SB 92 |
| CS for SB 92 - Ver. M.pdf |
SSTA 4/9/2019 3:30:00 PM |
SB 92 |
| SB 92 - Explanation of Changes V.A to V.M.pdf |
SSTA 4/9/2019 3:30:00 PM |
SB 92 |
| SB 10 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SFIN 4/24/2019 9:00:00 AM SSTA 4/9/2019 3:30:00 PM |
SB 10 |
| SB0010A.PDF |
SSTA 4/9/2019 3:30:00 PM |
SB 10 |
| SB 10 Supporting Document 2018 Leg Audit Report ASPC.pdf |
SSTA 4/9/2019 3:30:00 PM |
SB 10 |
| SB10 Support Letters.pdf |
SSTA 4/9/2019 3:30:00 PM |
SB 10 |
| SB 10 - Fiscal Note - DHSS.pdf |
SSTA 4/9/2019 3:30:00 PM |
SB 10 |
| SB 32 Transmittal Letter.pdf |
SFIN 4/24/2019 1:30:00 PM SJUD 2/9/2019 1:00:00 PM SSTA 4/4/2019 1:30:00 PM SSTA 4/9/2019 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/15/2019 6:00:00 PM SSTA 4/16/2019 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/18/2019 1:30:00 PM |
SB 32 |
| SB32 - Version A.pdf |
SJUD 2/6/2019 1:30:00 PM SJUD 2/8/2019 1:30:00 PM SJUD 2/9/2019 1:00:00 PM SSTA 3/5/2019 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/4/2019 1:30:00 PM SSTA 4/9/2019 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/11/2019 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/15/2019 6:00:00 PM |
SB 32 |
| SB 32 - Classification and Sentencing Highilghts.pdf |
SJUD 2/6/2019 1:30:00 PM SSTA 3/5/2019 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/4/2019 1:30:00 PM SSTA 4/9/2019 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/11/2019 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/15/2019 6:00:00 PM SSTA 4/16/2019 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/18/2019 1:30:00 PM |
SB 32 |
| SB 32 - Classification and Sentencing Sectional.pdf |
SFIN 4/24/2019 1:30:00 PM SJUD 2/8/2019 1:30:00 PM SJUD 2/9/2019 1:00:00 PM SSTA 4/9/2019 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/11/2019 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/15/2019 6:00:00 PM |
SB 32 |
| SB91-GOA Bills Matrix 2-22-19 - DRAFT STA CS.pdf |
SSTA 4/9/2019 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/11/2019 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/15/2019 6:00:00 PM SSTA 4/16/2019 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/18/2019 1:30:00 PM |
SB 32 |
| SB 32 - FN#1 - DPS.pdf |
SSTA 4/4/2019 1:30:00 PM SSTA 4/9/2019 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/11/2019 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/15/2019 6:00:00 PM SSTA 4/16/2019 3:30:00 PM |
SB 32 |
| SB 32 - FN#2 - DOL.pdf |
SSTA 4/4/2019 1:30:00 PM SSTA 4/9/2019 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/11/2019 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/15/2019 6:00:00 PM SSTA 4/16/2019 3:30:00 PM |
SB 32 |
| SB 32 - FN#5 - DHSS.pdf |
SSTA 4/4/2019 1:30:00 PM SSTA 4/9/2019 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/11/2019 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/15/2019 6:00:00 PM SSTA 4/16/2019 3:30:00 PM |
SB 32 |
| SB 32 - FN#6 - DOC.pdf |
SSTA 4/4/2019 1:30:00 PM SSTA 4/9/2019 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/11/2019 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/15/2019 6:00:00 PM SSTA 4/16/2019 3:30:00 PM |
SB 32 |
| SB 32 - FN - DOA - Public Advocacy.pdf |
SSTA 4/4/2019 1:30:00 PM SSTA 4/9/2019 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/11/2019 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/15/2019 6:00:00 PM SSTA 4/16/2019 3:30:00 PM |
SB 32 |
| SB 32 - FN - Court System.pdf |
SSTA 4/4/2019 1:30:00 PM SSTA 4/9/2019 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/11/2019 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/15/2019 6:00:00 PM SSTA 4/16/2019 3:30:00 PM |
SB 32 |
| SB 32 - FN - DOA - Public Defender Agency.pdf |
SSTA 4/4/2019 1:30:00 PM SSTA 4/9/2019 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/11/2019 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/15/2019 6:00:00 PM SSTA 4/16/2019 3:30:00 PM |
SB 32 |