Legislature(2005 - 2006)HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/08/2005 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB97 | |
| SB60 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| = | HB 97 | ||
| = | SB 60 | ||
SENATE BILL NO. 60
"An Act extending the termination date of the Statewide
Suicide Prevention Council; and providing for an
effective date."
Representative Hawker MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 1:
Page 1, line 4 through Page 1, line 6
Delete all material
Insert
"* Section 1. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska
is amended by adding a new section
to read:
REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE. The Department of Health and
Social Services shall investigate the legal and
practical viability of merging the Suicide Prevention
Council into an existing advisory board or an
integrated behavioral health advisory board combining
the activities of one or more of these boards. The
department shall report its findings to the legislature
by the 30th day of the Second Regular Session of the
Twenty- Fourth Alaska State Legislature.
* Sec. 2. AS 44.66.010(8) is amended to read: (8)
Statewide Suicide Prevention Council (AS 44.29.300) -
June 30, 2006 [2005];"
Representative Weyhrauch OBJECTED for discussion purposes.
Representative Hawker explained the reasoning behind the
amendment. He noted that there are five major advisory
boards and a newly proposed board within the Department of
Health and Social Services. He suggested combining boards
for more efficient management and cost savings. He
questioned whether the Suicide Prevention Council could
accomplish its established goals within the huge Department
of Health and Social Services. The FY 06 budget proposal
would merge management responsibilities for two of the five
boards, the Mental Health Board and the Alcohol and Drug
Abuse Advisory Board. He further suggested that the Suicide
Prevention Council merge with the two previously mentioned
boards creating an integrated behavioral health advisory
board for the Mental Health Trust. He concluded that it
might be appropriate to consider a one-year extension of the
Suicide Prevention Council and then re-evaluate the merger
next session. He requested that the Department of Health
and Social Services continue to look for efficiencies.
1:54:07 PM
SHANNON STRAUBE, STAFF, SENATOR BEN STEVENS, spoke against
Amendment 1 on behalf of the sponsor. She maintained that
the Suicide Prevention Council has just begun its work, and
recently issued a statewide plan coordinating community,
private, and public efforts to curb suicide. She related
that Senator Stevens would prefer to have the Council
extended until 2009.
Representative Hawker opined that there is no right or wrong
answer as to what to do with the Council. He asked whether
the Council or the Department prepared the suicide
prevention plan. Ms. Straube explained that the information
was gathered from several sources and put together by the
Council. Representative Hawker asked if the Council needs
more resources to accomplish its mission, and if it would
benefit by being a part of an integrated board. Ms. Straube
replied that the sponsor would prefer that it be a "sole
purpose" board now, but that could be looked at later on.
Representative Hawker stated that the amendment simply
points out concerns to the sponsor and to the Department and
highlights an effort to become more involved in budget
decisions.
In response to a question from Representative Weyhrauch, Ms.
Straube replied that the sunset date in HB 97 is 2009.
Representative Weyhrauch asked for feedback on the idea of
the Department reporting back to the legislature next
session. Ms. Straube suggested that Jeanie Sparks, Chair,
Statewide Suicide Prevention Council, comment on the
amendment. Representative Weyhrauch asked what the
viability of such a merge would be. Ms. Straube suggested
that going year to year might focus the council on its
perpetuation and not on its mission.
1:59:37 PM
JEANINE SPARKS, CHAIR, STATEWIDE SUICIDE PREVENTION COUNCIL,
addressed Representative Weyhrauch's question. She agreed
with Ms. Straube that the council should be extended until
2009. She emphasized that last year a lot of energy was
spent on discussing possible mergers, filling positions, and
undergoing an audit, which distracted the council from its
mission. She related that she helped write the state plan,
which had input from Susan Soule from the Department of
Health and Social Services and federal advisement from Peggy
West.
Vice-Chair Stoltze voiced support for the council itself and
appreciation for the discussion, which assists the committee
in helping the council realize its mission.
Representative Joule shared his past experience on the
Advisory Board for Alcohol and Drug Abuse and on the Interim
Commission on Children and Youth. Attention to the issue of
suicide often fell short because of all the existing needs.
He suggested that once the council gets its footing, it
would be worthwhile to have this discussion again.
2:04:30 PM
Representative Kelly reported that he attended an impressive
Wellness Warriors presentation and said it is difficult to
be against suicide prevention. He questioned whether this
is the best method to prevent suicide. He shared a personal
story and called suicide prevention worthwhile, but wondered
if this is the right vehicle. He concluded that he would
support HB 97.
Representative Holm agreed with Representative Kelly and
mentioned the issue of accountability. He wondered if this
structure would lower the incidence of suicide. He pointed
out that suicide is regional, and he questioned if the
council appropriately represented the regions most affected.
Representative Hawker WITHDREW Amendment 1, deferring to the
wishes of the sponsor.
2:08:07 PM
Representative Foster MOVED to report HCS SB 60 (FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
HCS SB 60 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and a previously published fiscal
impact note # 2 by the Department of Health and Social
Services.
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