Legislature(2011 - 2012)SENATE FINANCE 532
01/30/2012 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB9 | |
| SB137 | |
| SCR2 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 9 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 137 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SCR 2 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE BILL NO. 137
"An Act requiring suicide awareness and prevention
training for certain school personnel."
9:22:28 AM
Senator Davis stated that SB 137 would allow teachers and
school employees to obtain suicide prevention training.
Mr. Obermeyer explained the bill, and quoted the Sponsor
Statement (copy on file). He stated that SB 137, short
titled the Jason Flatt Act, required mandatory youth
suicide awareness and prevention training approved by the
Commissioner, Department of Education and Early Development
to each teacher, administrator, counselor, and specialist
who was employed by a school district, regional educational
attendance area, or department each year for services to
students in grades 7 to 12. Training was important because
suicide was the third leading cause of death for ages 10-24
and the number one cause of death for Alaskans under the
age 50 years.
Mr. Obermeyer stated that awareness and education were the
keys to prevention, and tying suicide prevention efforts
into teacher training had proved very helpful in other
states for reducing teen suicides. Most young people
contemplating suicide showed clear warning signs prior to
the attempt. It was imperative that educators know how to
recognize signs of at-risk youth and were prepared to
intervene when they identified a problem.
Mr. Obermeyer explained that recognizing that Alaska had by
far the highest rate of suicide per capita in the country,
particularly among teens, young men, and Alaska Natives.
The Alaska Mental Health Board and Advisory Board on
Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, in partnership with the
Statewide Suicide Prevention Council, the Alaska
Association of Student Governments, the University of
Alaska, and the Jason Foundation had established goals,
training programs, and resources for teachers, coaches and
staff in suicide prevention.
Mr. Obermeyer noted that the bill would create the needed
hope, promise, and optimism to build healthy and
appropriate relationships and behaviors. By requiring
suicide prevention training for educators and school staff,
the state of Alaska can ensure the youth at risk of suicide
were more likely to be identified and receive help.
Mr. Obermeyer noted the fiscal note, and felt that some
member fees could be eliminated through donations from
foundations.
9:28:39 AM
Co-Chair Stedman noted the fiscal impact note from the
Department of Education and Early Development. He requested
a look at whether the fiscal note could be adjusted, per
Mr. Obermeyer's observation.
Senator Davis remarked that there was some money in the
governor's proposed budget that could possibly be used for
the program.
JAMES BIELA, AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION,
BETHEL (via teleconference), testified in support of SB
137. He stressed that teachers and school employees were
the main contact for most students in Alaska.
9:33:09 AM
CAROL WATERS, ALASKA ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT GOVERNMENTS,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of SB 137.
She felt that suicide prevention should be a focus when
training educators and school employees. She shared an
anecdote regarding an associate who had numerous family
members, friends, and acquaintances who had committed
suicide.
SONNIE ANDERSON, KLAWOK SCHOOLS (via teleconference),
testified in support of SB 137. She explained a resolution
that had passed among the Alaska Association of Student
Governments.
9:37:54 AM
AT EASE
9:38:31 AM
RECONVENED
Ms. Anderson continued with her testimony. She furthered
with her explanation of the resolution.
9:40:23 AM
CLARK FLATT, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE JASON FOUNDATION,
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE (via teleconference), testified in
support of SB 137. He noted that a similar bill had been
passed in six other states. He pointed out that five states
had passed the bill without a fiscal note. He stressed that
educators could reduce the number of suicides. Education
was a key to the foundation of preventing suicide.
SHARIN STRUTZNORTON, AMERICAN SOCIETY OF SUICIDE
PREVENTION, HOMER (via teleconference), testified in
support of SB 137. She stated that she had a history of
suicide in her family.
9:46:21 AM
DONNA BARTMAN, ALASKA ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT GOVERNMENTS,
MANOKOTAK (via teleconference), spoke in support of SB 137.
She referred to the resolution for the Association of
Student Governments, and stressed that it had passed with
unanimous consent. She felt that the bill should focus on
ages younger than seventh grade. She stressed that some
elders in her Yupik culture were lacking in leadership, and
even taking their own lives.
9:50:42 AM
ANN SCHAACK, NORTH STAR, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified in support of SB 137.
MADISON MANNING, ALASKA ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT GOVERNMENTS,
PORT HEIDEN (via teleconference), spoke in support of SB
137.
BYRON CHARLES, TRIBAL MEMBER OF TLINGIT AND HAIDA,
KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), testified in support of SB
137. He explained that the tourism industry provided jobs,
and that jobs were the key to preventing suicide.
KATE BURKHART, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STATEWIDE SUICIDE
PREVENTION COUNCIL, testified in support of SB 137. She
noted a letter of formal support from the Suicide Awareness
and Prevention Training (copy on file).
9:58:50 AM
LES MORSE, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND
EARLY DEVELOPMENT, explained the fiscal note and cost of
the implementing the bill. He pointed out that the funding
behind the fiscal note would be the e-learning model and
expertise. He stated that the fees would contribute to the
e-learning module. He explained that there were some no-
cost modules available from the Jason Foundation. He noted
that there would be some updates required from year to
year. He stressed that Department of Education and Early
Development modules could track usage and effectiveness.
Co-Chair Stedman felt that the bill sponsor should focus on
the issues that Mr. Morse addressed.
Senator Olson wondered if there were plans to focus on
school districts with higher rates of suicide. Mr. Morse
replied that the fiscal note from the Department of
Education and Early Development would provide money for
training for everyone, however there was money available in
the Governor's budget from the Suicide Prevention Council.
The funds needed to be examined to determine exactly how
and where they would be distributed, without excluding any
school district.
Senator Egan wondered if it was up to the individual school
boards to make the training mandatory in the school
districts. Mr. Morse replied that the districts would be
required to implement the training based on a list of
trainings that would be approved by the Commissioner of the
Department of Education and Early Development.
In response to a question from Senator Thomas, Mr. Morse
stated that there would be money from the governor's
proposed budget that could be used for suicide prevention
training. He pointed out that students had expressed
concern and interest in piloting a program called Cognito,
which was a suicide prevention tool.
10:05:27 AM
KATYA WASSILLIE, INTERN, SENATOR BETTYE DAVIS, stressed
that the bill would particularly impact rural Alaska. She
shared personal experiences with suicide.
Senator Olson felt that suicides were often committed
because an older person commits suicide, so younger people
were copying the older people. Ms. Wassillie felt that if
there was more awareness at the school level, the indicator
awareness could spread out throughout the community.
Senator Bettye Davis thanked the committee.
SB 137 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.