Legislature(2003 - 2004)
05/17/2003 01:24 PM House HES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SB 30-ABORTION: INFORMED CONSENT; INFORMATION CHAIR WILSON announced that the first order of business would be CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 30(JUD) am, "An Act relating to information and services available to pregnant women and other persons; and ensuring informed consent before an abortion may be performed, except in cases of medical emergency." Number 0212 CHAIR WILSON explained that the amendments discussed in the last hearing on this bill have been rolled into a proposed House committee substitute (HCS). REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved to adopt HCS CSSB 30, Version 23- LS0193\X, Lauterbach, 5/17/03, as a work draft. There being no objection, Version X was before the committee. CHAIR WILSON, in response to questions, said these changes make SB 30 identical to HB 292, which passed out of committee. Number 0321 SENATOR FRED DYSON, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of SB 30, explained that a provision added on the Senate floor allowed a registered nurse who works for a physician to discuss and present material so that the doctor doesn't have to do it all. CHAIR WILSON clarified that the above-mentioned provision is in this proposed HCS. SENATOR DYSON went on to say that the Senate also added a provision that if the patient/client had received the information before getting to the office that could meet the requirement for the 24-hour waiting period. He said that in testimony members were told that people traveling from the Bush will have called ahead and made the provision so it is anticipated that the patient would get the information. Research showed that every clinic has the Internet so the material could be obtained and given to the patient in advance. This would allow the person coming to town to have the information in time to review it and therefore not add another day to their time in town. He said he believes this is useful. CHAIR WILSON confirmed that provision is also in the proposed HCS. SENATOR DYSON said he doesn't think this provision was in the version of HB 292 that passed committee. Number 0502 REPRESENTATIVE SEATON responded that the provision is on page 6, beginning on line 8. This allows a member of the physician's staff who is a licensed health care provider to give the information to the patient. It cannot be a receptionist; it must be someone who is licensed. Representative Seaton also referred to line 26, which addresses the option of the patient obtaining the information from the Internet. He told the committee that Representative Dahlstrom worked very hard on these changes. Number 0591 SENATOR DYSON summarized his comments by saying he cannot tell the committee that he agrees with all the changes because he has not had the time to thoroughly review the proposed HCS. However, he said he is in general agreement, and if there is a detail or two that needs to be looked at then there will be a conference committee to do so. Senator Dyson told the committee he will work with them in good faith. He said he has no pride in authorship and appreciates all the interest taken on this bill. Number 0641 REPRESENTATIVE NANCY DAHLSTROM, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of HB 292, the companion bill to SB 30, told the committee she has worked extensively on these changes. She said she believes once Senator Dyson has had the opportunity to look at the language line by line, he will be 100 percent comfortable with the committee substitute. She clarified for the record that she and Senator Dyson have had the understanding that if something needs to be resolved they are both comfortable with the bill going to conference committee. REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL moved to report HCS CSSB 30, Version 23- LS0193\X, Lauterbach, 5/17/03, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. Number 0734 SENATOR DYSON commented that adopting the least of the two fiscal notes might be helpful in getting the bill get through the legislature. REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL said there is a House Finance Committee referral. CHAIR WILSON responded that the committee will let the House Finance Committee address that issue. CHAIR WILSON, hearing no objection, announced that HCS CSSB 30(HES) was reported from the House Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee. CHAIR WILSON apologized to any individuals in the audience who wanted to testify on the bill. She recommended that anyone who wanted to testify could do so in the next committee of referral.
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