Legislature(2015 - 2016)BUTROVICH 205
03/10/2016 03:30 PM Senate EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB190 | |
| HB76 | |
| SB191 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 76 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 190 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 191 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 191-LIMIT ABORTION SERV. PROVIDERS IN SCHOOLS
3:57:33 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced that the final bill will be SB 191,
which was introduced last week.
3:58:12 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY opened public testimony.
3:58:26 PM
CORY CROSSETT, representing himself, testified in opposition to
SB 191. He said he is a teacher in the Juneau School District.
He related that for the last couple of years students in the
district have been getting accurate information about personal
hygiene and reproductive health from a representative of Planned
Parenthood. He noted the feedback he received from parents and
students was positive.
He summarized that the purpose of the bill is to keep abortion
services providers from indoctrinating students. He countered
that the only agenda he ever saw from Planned Parenthood was to
provide accurate information. The alternative is ignorance,
hearsay, and the risk of pregnancy and STD's. He pointed out
that parents are informed ahead of time about the class and have
the opportunity for their student to opt out of it. He concluded
that it is irresponsible to deprive children of the facts they
need to know and it is fiscally irresponsible, as well.
4:00:45 PM
SENATOR STEVENS asked how a parent would opt out.
MR. CROSSETT explained that parents are informed of the topic
and format and then they are given the opportunity to state in
writing that they do not want their child to participate.
4:01:26 PM
At ease
4:01:43 PM
VICE CHAIR HUGGINS took over the meeting.
SENATOR GARDNER asked how Planned Parenthood receives approval
by the school or the district for the curriculum.
MR. CROSSETT explained that the curriculum presented to his
students came from King County in Washington State.
SENATOR GARDNER asked if it was Planned Parenthood curriculum.
MR. CROSSETT said it wasn't; it was prepared by King County
School District.
SENATOR GARDNER asked if he used the services of the Planned
Parenthood trainer.
MR. CROSSETT said yes.
4:03:18 PM
STACY LAMASCUS, representing herself, testified in opposition to
SB 191. She said she and Mr. Crossett both teach grades 4 - 6.
She noted the large number of teenagers present today to
represent their experiences with reproductive health classes
with Planned Parenthood. She pointed out that SB 191 would also
impact students in elementary grades. She explained how she
attained the curriculum and how she chose which parts to use in
conjunction with a trainer from Planned Parenthood. The
curriculum did not include sex education, but rather positive
body image, personal health and hygiene, and a little on healthy
relationships. She stressed that the class is the foundation for
healthy sexual relationships in the future.
4:05:24 PM
LAURA POWERS, representing herself, testified in opposition to
SB 191. She spoke as a home school parent for the past 15 years.
She chose the Planned Parenthood curriculum because it provides
unbiased, medically accurate information. She said the bill is
biased. Pro-life, faith-based curriculum teaches biased
information using scare tactics in hopes of promoting
abstinence. It is also not inclusive of all communities; whereas
Planned Parenthood includes information regardless of age, race,
sexual preferences, and religion. She shared statistics about
the lack of information regarding contraception for sexually
active teens.
4:07:26 PM
SENATOR STEVENS thought the concern being raised was whether
Planned Parenthood teaches abortion. He asked if any part of the
training dealt with abortion.
MS. POWERS said they cover it, but the focus is on sex
education. She stated that only 2 percent to 3 percent of
Planned Parenthood services relate to abortion and 97 percent to
98 percent is sex education.
SENATOR GARDNER asked how old her daughters are.
MS. POWERS said 17 and 20.
4:08:37 PM
DEANNA HOBBS, representing herself, testified in opposition to
SB 191. She said she is a senior at Thunder Mountain High
School. She spoke as a peer educator for Teen Council, a program
through Planned Parenthood where teens willingly come together
to learn about topics on healthy sexuality and how to be good
educators in health classes. She pointed out that SB 191 would
destroy the relationship Teen Council has made with the school
district.
She noted that she helped round up students to testify today
from all three high schools and all four grades. She said it is
not for extra credit. She concluded teachers and students feel
that health education in the schools is very important.
4:10:53 PM
SENATOR GARDNER asked about Teen Council subjects in addition to
consent and healthy boundaries.
DEANNA HOBBS added healthy relationships.
SENATOR GARDNER asked whether they teach sex education or
biology.
DEANNA HOBBS said they do not specifically address anatomy or
sex education. She noted she considers consent and healthy
boundaries sex education. She related that Teen Council attended
a youth conference in Anchorage which included reproduction,
anatomy, and physiology.
4:12:03 PM
KORBYN POWERS, Student, University of Alaska-Southeast,
testified in opposition to SB 191. She maintained that students
who are not informed about sex education cannot properly protect
themselves. If children in school do not receive medically
accurate information, they will have to ask their parents, which
can be awkward, inaccurate, and incomplete. The goal is to have
the next generation be healthy and happy and have the right
tools and knowledge to have successful and healthy lives.
SENATOR STEVENS noted the issue is political and is about
abortion. He asked if Planned Parenthood is an avenue to teach
abortion and if it is a large part of the curriculum.
MS. POWERS opined that it isn't any part of what goes on in the
classroom with Planned Parenthood. Abortion stays in the back of
people's minds.
4:13:50 PM
REBECCA MILLER, representing herself, testified in opposition to
SB 191. She said she is a senior at Thunder Mountain High
School. She stated that local communities should have the right
to invite trusted partners like Planned Parenthood into the
classroom because students need medically accurate, unbiased,
evidence-based sexual health education. She shared statistics
from the Centers for Disease Control about the high rates of
chlamydia in Alaska and its costs. She said Planned Parenthood
teaches awareness of, and how to treat, STI's. She shared
stories about myths learned in a poor sexual education class.
4:16:31 PM
RAVENCLOUD HALL, representing herself, testified in opposition
to SB 191. She said she is a senior at Thunder Mountain High
School. She viewed sex education as a necessity for a healthy
lifestyle and without it, teens and young adults are at risk for
unhealthy behavior. The bill does not protect Alaska's youth and
it limits access to necessary health information. Schools should
be able to decide what they think is best for their students.
Teachers and healthcare providers should not be penalized for
education that makes a community healthier. SB 191 would
negatively affect Alaska students.
4:17:49 PM
KYLER ROMME, representing himself, testified in opposition to SB
191. He said he is a senior at Thunder Mountain High School. He
said the bill openly attacks qualified sexual education
providers and keeps them from teaching in schools. It also
limits access to important information that increases healthy
decision making among Juneau youth. He shared his experience
about getting inclusive, comprehensive sex education through
Teen Council and its Planned Parenthood facilitator.
He shared statistics about the high level of STI's in Alaska. He
said the state is obligated to teach students to be as safe,
smart, and as healthy as possible.
4:19:58 PM
KEVIN ALLEN, representing himself, testified in opposition to SB
191. He said he is Thunder Mountain's student representative to
the Juneau School Board. He noted that the legislature goes to
outside experts for information, similar to how Planned
Parenthood provides sexual education expertise to schools. He
took issue with the point that Planned Parenthood is banned from
schools; it is a free service and offers a wide range of
educational material.
SENATOR STEVENS asked what the district would do to provide sex
education if they couldn't use Planned Parenthood.
MR. ALLEN wasn't sure, but thought that someone should suggest
that the district's sex education curriculum be reformed to
reflect current times.
SENATOR STEVENS questioned who prohibits Planned Parenthood from
providing materials.
MR. ALLEN said the provisions in SB 191 do, not the Juneau
School Board.
4:24:05 PM
SELMA HOUCK, representing herself, testified in opposition to SB
191. She said she is a sophomore at Juneau Douglas High School
and a survivor of sexual assault. She shared statistics about
the number of youth who are sexually assaulted in the U.S. and
in Alaska. She said when her incidences happened there were no
adults who were educated on how to help the victims, but today
organizations like Planned Parenthood can educate this
generation. Teen Council is a program of Planned Parenthood that
provides a resource to help student who experience sexual
assault.
SENATOR GARDNER thanked her for her testimony.
4:26:41 PM
SID HEIDERSDORF, Member, Alaskans for Life, testified in support
of SB 191. He said banning Planned Parenthood will protect
children from a philosophy regarding sexual promiscuity and
abortion that undermines parents. The controversy is not whether
sex education is good or bad, it is because Planned Parenthood
promotes sexual promiscuity and is the largest abortion provider
in the country. He shared horror stories about harvesting baby
parts. He concluded that Planned Parenthood is not welcome in
schools.
4:30:24 PM
ALYSON CURREY, Representative, Planned Parenthood Votes
Northwest and Hawaii, testified in opposition to SB 191. She
disputed several statements made in the bill regarding their
education programs and some statements heard in the room today.
She stated that when Planned Parenthood is invited into
classrooms they are not there as representatives of a business
and they do not recruit patients. Planned Parenthood delivers
health care in their clinics and education in the classroom. She
stressed that education includes learning skills like healthy
decision making - health, reproduction, consent, and
relationships - to prepare students for the real world. Their
education programs compliment the conversations that are
happening at home and do not replace parents.
It has been suggested that Planned Parenthood curriculum is
based on values, not science. She clarified that their
curriculum uses evidence-based information from highly qualified
sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control, the Mayo
Clinic, and the national network of HIV and STD Prevention
Training Centers. She noted their curriculum is vetted and
approved by the Office of Adolescent Health for medical accuracy
and is reviewed by local school staff for curriculum alignment,
as well as for age and cultural appropriateness to fit the needs
of each community.
MS. CURREY emphasized that Planned Parenthood promotes respect,
inclusivity, and tolerance grounded in a values neutral
approach. They absolutely do not teach abortion curriculum in
schools.
She said it is disappointing that this body would threaten the
livelihood of teachers and health care providers, as well as
student access to quality education, in order to score political
points because of its objection to abortion, a safe and
constitutionally protected procedure. She requested the sponsor
focus on solving real problems in the state rather than creating
them.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY said his motivation is not to score political
points. He said there are a number of folks in Alaska that have
an issue with what is occurring.
4:33:44 PM
CHRISTINE NIEMI, representing herself, testified in opposition
to SB 191. She addressed Senator Steven's question about whether
Planned Parenthood's curriculum includes abortion. She answered
by referring to an article on March 6 in the Juneau Empire that
says Planned Parenthood does not mention abortion in its lessons
or discussion and it is not part of the district's health
curriculum. It encourages students to talk to a trusted adult or
parent. She maintained that sex education should be left up to
the local community to decide and parents should be able to opt
out, not opt in. She stated that it is not ok to threaten people
about losing their jobs and licenses.
4:36:49 PM
ROBYN STEVENS, representing herself, testified in opposition to
SB 191. She countered Senator Giessel's statement that parents
could take their kids to the local Planned Parenthood to receive
sex education. She said in Alaska many people cannot drive to a
local Planned Parenthood. She said all students should be able
to get comprehensive reproductive information. She disagreed
with Senator Dunleavy's statement that abortion providers are in
the business to recruit students for potential clients. She said
it was a lie and does not have any part in the legislative
process. She opined that in banning qualified, well-trained
sexual health educators like Planned Parenthood from schools,
the legislature is squandering their responsibility to Alaskan
students.
4:38:47 PM
JANE ANDREEN, Alaska Women's Lobby, testified in opposition to
SB 191. She said all children should be loved and should have
good accurate information in order to make good decisions. She
recalled her inadequate sex education experience. She noted how
much more dangerous sexual activity is today than it was 40-plus
years ago. Kids today have to know how to protect themselves.
4:40:44 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY asked if that could be taught by the schools.
MS. ANDREWS replied that the issue I, "Who is best prepared -
who are the experts who best know how to do this?" She thought
some teachers could do it, but they are not found in every
school.
4:41:42 PM
KATEY BLAGDEN, representing herself, testified in opposition to
SB 191. She said she works in Early Childhood Education with
families who have experienced sexual abuse and assault, of which
Alaska has some of the highest rates. She related that Planned
Parenthood provides quality education to help prevent these
incidences by teaching youth to be safe, respectful, and
responsible sexually. She suggested focusing on solutions and
steps forward on making Alaska a healthier place.
4:43:31 PM
JOHN SONIN, representing himself, testified in opposition to SB
191. He said that Planned Parenthood is not state funded. He
said SB 191 would take away from the quality of life in Alaska.
4:46:28 PM
LISA EAGAN LAGERQUIST, representing herself, testified in
opposition to SB 191. She said the bill is crazy and she is
appalled at wasting time on it. She said as a parent she
facility Planned Parenthood to come to Gastineau Elementary
School to talk to parents about how to talk to their kids about
healthy relationships. She wondered how many committee members
had heard a Planned Parenthood presentation. She shared her
experience as a teacher and the number of student pregnancies
that happened during high school. She concluded that students
are going to be sexually active and they need to be prepared.
4:48:51 PM
ZHEVIA PETERSON, representing herself, testified in opposition
to SB 191. She spoke as a student at UAA involved with
Generation Action, a group that focuses on sex education,
promoting healthy lives and youth leadership. She noted that at
the collegiate level, students are missing vital information on
sex education and understanding of SDI's. She shared statistics
about STI's and discussed Planned Parenthood's prevention
services. She concluded that it is unjust and undemocratic to
target teachers and school boards for providing medically
accurate and age-appropriated information to students. Planned
Parenthood's role is indispensable for students.
SENATOR GARDNER thanked Ms. Peterson.
4:51:59 PM
KAITLYN ROBERTS, representing herself, testified in opposition
to SB 191. She said in light of the SDI epidemic, it is a waste
of time trying to prevent Planned Parenthood from educating
students in Alaska. She applauded the former testimony from
students and strongly supported Planned Parenthood's continuing
to provide comprehensive, scientifically accurate sex education.
4:53:05 PM
HENRY SCHILDBACH, representing himself, testified in opposition
to SB 191. He described his role with the Teen Council at
Highland Tech Charter School. He said the goal of sex education
is prevention and to enable people to lead healthy lives. He
argued for comprehensive sexual education to continue because
Alaska does not have a standardized sex education curriculum. He
concluded that Planned Parenthood and Teen Council are important
and should be continued.
4:55:02 PM
JOSHUA MASTERSON, representing himself, testified in opposition
to SB 191. He said he is a senior at Highland Tech Charter
School. He said studies show that states that teach abstinence
have some of the highest rates of teen pregnancies. This
standard should not be used in Alaska. Alaska has a high rate of
chlamydia and teen pregnancies and SB 191 will make it worse.
The bill will not do anything productive.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY pointed out that the bill does not prevent sex
education in schools.
4:57:32 PM
MOIRA PYHALA, representing herself, testified in opposition to
SB 191. She said she is a college student and a member of
Generation Action at UAA. She shared her experience of not being
able to have sex education in Soldotna, an area that has one of
the highest rates of STI's in the state. She said Planned
Parenthood was the only resource available to her. She said to
put the safety of youth and their teachers over this
unreasonable bill. She concluded that a student's access to sex
education is a conversation that should be held between their
teachers and their health care providers, not their politicians.
4:58:54 PM
NATHAN CARRAWAY, representing himself, testified in opposition
to SB 191. He said he attends Highland Tech Charter School. He
thought the $5,000 fine against teachers and districts was too
harsh. He did not agree with the description of Planned
Parenthood - "abortion service provider." He countered that
Planned Parenthood are teachers of sexual education and
prevention, a big need in Alaska. He concluded that the bill
will only prevent education about prevention.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY said the bill does not prevent sex education.
5:01:08 PM
JOHN BROWN, representing himself, testified in opposition to SB
191. He shared his experience with lack of access to sexual
education and listed the resource Planned Parenthood provides.
He said the bill is politically motivated and legally
questionable. He believed individuals have the right to live
their own lives and make their own decision, and do not want
politicians to make decisions for them.
5:03:21 PM
KARYN WARNER, representing herself, testified in opposition to
SB 191. She said she finds the bill appalling. The bill targets
highly qualified and capable Planned Parenthood from providing
critical education for Alaska's youth. She spoke as a sexual
assault nurse examiner and she shared sexual assault, STI, and
teen pregnancy statistics in Alaska. She opined that youth and
the community deserve the trustworthy, quality free education
and support services by Planned Parenthood.
5:04:53 PM
KIRA HAMILTON, representing herself, testified in opposition to
SB 191. She said she is a junior at Service High school. She
cited high rates of STI and sexual abuse statistics as reasons
to be encouraging sex education in schools. She called fining
teachers a sinister part of the bill. She shared her experience
learning from the incredible resources of Planned Parenthood.
She said she is a member of Planned Parenthood's Teen Council
and a resource to her peers. She termed the bill appalling.
5:06:29 PM
AMMIE TREMBLAY, representing herself, testified in opposition to
SB 191. She shared her role as a teacher in the nursing program
at UAA and as a volunteer for Planned Parenthood. She said the
bill would create a barrier and makes her an outlaw. She felt
strongly that she should have a choice regarding Planned
Parenthood and not be restricted from her civic duty. She spoke
as a mom who wants her boys to have comprehensive sex education.
5:08:20 PM
ROBIN SMITH, representing herself, testified in opposition to SB
191. She called the bill unconstitutional and was offended that
it slanders Planned Parenthood. She said the state is not doing
its job to provide comprehensive sex education because there is
no state standard curriculum for it. She maintained that kids
learn about sex from the media and the internet. She concluded
that Planned Parenthood is not encouraging promiscuity; it
teaches options.
5:11:20 PM
CAROLINE AHREBS, representing herself, testified in opposition
to SB 191. She said she subs and volunteers in the school. She
said the bill is fiscally irresponsible, pushes a personal
agenda vendetta, and is hyped by personal propaganda. She
suggested that "if you have sat in a class taught by Planned
Parenthood, as I have" you would know what is being taught. She
said Planned Parenthood is professional and competent and the
school always has an employee in the class and there is no free
reign. They do not teach students to have sex so they can have
abortion clientele; they do teach fact-based education.
5:14:50 PM
KYLIE CLARK, representing herself, testified in opposition to SB
191. She suggested members educate themselves on what Planned
Parenthood offers. She opined that the bill is an inefficient
way to legislate what goes on in schools.
5:16:03 PM
KENNI LINDEN, representing herself, testified in opposition to
SB 191. She said as a student she sat on the Mat-Su School Board
and on the curriculum council. She then worked as a substitute
teacher. She said SB 191 creates harmful and unnecessary
boundaries to accessing essential, comprehensive, and
scientifically accurate reproductive health education.
Curriculum standards already prevent abortion from being
addressed within the classroom. The bill is misguided, likely
unconstitutional, and actively undermines the purview of
teachers and local educators to have local control.
She spoke as a victim of sexual assault and wished she had been
able to have health education with lessons in healthy
relationships and consent. She concluded that parents have the
ability to opt out of any education that does not align with
their values. She requested the committee oppose SB 191.
5:18:06 PM
JOANIE WILM, representing herself, testified in opposition to SB
191. She described the bill in unflattering terms. She said it
is a waste of time when the state is in an economic crisis, and
legislators will answer to the public for it. She said the
Education Committee has a responsibility to students in Alaska
to provide an adequate education, of which sex education is a
part. She maintained that Planned Parenthood provides a service,
especially to girls who are more at risk from STD's. The bill
endangers the lives of youth. She opined that, "You don't get to
impose your religious beliefs on the rest of Alaskans."
CHAIR DUNLEAVY said he, nor other members of the committee, have
mentioned religious beliefs.
5:20:51 PM
ENZINA MARARI, representing herself, testified in opposition to
SB 191. She shared that she was a sexual health educator for
Planned Parenthood for five years. She related there is no
sexual health education regulation in Alaska. Only eighth-grade
health is required and it contains a chapter on reproduction. It
is entirely up to teachers to decide how much sexual education
to provide and from whom. She said that teachers are not
providing sex education because they are not trained to. She
reported that she was thanked year after year by teachers
because they did not feel qualified to teach sex education.
She said in Anchorage schools, parents already have the ability
to opt out of any class; only one parent took that option during
her five years of teaching. She stated abortion is not included
or allowed in the education curriculum. The education provided
by Planned Parenthood is peer reviewed and fact-based. She
listed the resources they use and the topics covered. She
dispelled myths surrounding Planned Parenthood.
5:24:50 PM
CAROLYN CLIFT, representing herself, testified in opposition to
SB 191.
5:25:25 PM
MARCI HAWKINS, representing herself, testified in opposition to
SB 191. She said she has five children. She predicted there
would be a lawsuit and the bill is a waste of time - the focus
should be on funding schools instead. The bill discriminates
against teachers, school districts, and affiliates, like herself
who plans to get a degree in Early Childhood.
SENATOR GARDNER asked why she would not be able to be employed
due to affiliation clauses in the bill.
MS. HAWKINS said there is no definition of "affiliate."
SENATOR GARDNER asked her to send an email to her office.
5:28:37 PM
KIM SMITH, representing herself, testified in opposition to SB
191. She described her experience as a sex education teacher in
the 90's. She said Homer had a very high rate of teen
pregnancies at the time. Homer has had a rigorous health
education program in schools for over 20 years. Teen pregnancy
rates have dropped tremendously. Youth have had the privilege of
peer educators for fact-base health education for years. Parents
have always had the opt-out choice. This semester peer educators
taught 100 students with only one opt out. Their work focuses on
facts, healthy relationships, STD prevention, and pregnancy
prevention; it is comprehensive and medically accurate. SB 191
is an affront to teachers and professionals who want to ensure
the health and safety of students. She termed it government
intrusion and overreach.
5:31:13 PM
CAROLYN CLIFT, representing herself, testified in opposition to
SB 191. She said she is a parent and educator and her goal is to
prepare young adults to take individual responsibility for their
own lives and finances and not depend on the state. She said
there are too many teen pregnancies. The bill is a huge problem
in that it can take away teacher and medical provider licenses.
She provided examples of lack of medical providers. She
concluded it is a lawsuit waiting to happen and it is an
expensive bill.
5:33:37 PM
CATRIONA REYNOLDS, Director, Kachemak Bay Family Planning
Clinic, testified in opposition to SB 191. She shared statistics
regarding a drop in teen pregnancies and how her clients were
helped by Planned Parenthood services. She maintained that
Planned Parenthood lessons did not cause STD's, but help treat
and prevent them. She shared that teachers have expressed that
they are not well-versed in sex education and embarrassed to
teach reproductive health information. She shared how Planned
Parenthood supported her own children.
5:36:25 PM
MARY LOU KELSEY, Nurse Practitioner, Homer Medical Center,
testified in opposition to SB 191. She said the bill is a
misdirected attempt to restrict access to quality sex education
in schools. She shared that she has practiced in the Kenai
Peninsula for 35 years. She said she has also volunteered and
taught reproductive health in the middle school and high school
for many years and used Planned Parenthood educational materials
that are factual and unbiased. She concluded that students
deserve accurate information. She requested that the sponsor not
threaten teachers and consider the potential harm the bill would
have.
5:38:07 PM
HEATHER O'CONNOR, Director, Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic,
testified in opposition to SB 191. She said the clinic has been
providing health education in schools for over 20 years using an
evidence-based curriculum. She pointed out that teachers are not
comfortable talking to their students about sex education. She
shared statistics on STI's. She highlighted the need to open
doors to more health care providers. She claimed the bill is
politically motivated and an example of government overreach.
5:40:15 PM
SAMANTHA SAVAGE, representing herself, testified in opposition
to SB 191. She said she would have benefitted by the
comprehensive and medically accurate sex education services
offered by Planned Parenthood. Schools should be working with
the most highly qualified individuals to provide sex education,
rather than threatening doctors and teachers. She concluded that
the bill is harmful.
5:41:46 PM
TAMARA ROSELIUS, representing herself, testified in opposition
to SB 191. She detailed four main problems with the bill. The
penalties are too big and it is unwieldy for schools to question
all teachers and volunteers about their associations. It is a
violation of freedom of association. Secondly, there is no
evidence or data of Planned Parenthood indoctrination. Thirdly,
teachers should focus on their jobs and the legislature should
focus on their jobs. This issue should be left up to school
boards. Finally, she said she has researched some of Planned
Parenthood's programs, such as the Get Real Program for middle
school, and found them to be an evidence-based program. She
listed its curriculum. She concluded that schools want the best
resources for the least amount of money for students.
5:44:15 PM
ED GRAY, representing himself, testified in support of SB 191.
He shared his experience as a parent with Planned Parenthood in
the Sitka School District. He said he is opposed to Planned
Parenthood's values and called them abortionists who promote sex
and abortion. He said parents and certified teachers should
teach human sexuality. This is the law in six states and there
will be no lawsuits.
5:46:42 PM
JULIE STROEMER, representing herself, testified in support of SB
191. She maintained that other teachers can teach sex education.
She said Planned Parenthood is the number one provider of
abortion and their origin was in eugenics and genocide.
5:48:34 PM
JAYSON CHRISTNER, representing herself, testified in support of
SB 191. He did not approve of Planned Parenthood as partners in
schools, but did support medically accurate and unbiased sex
education for youth. He concluded that SB 191 will not ban sex
education in schools.
5:50:04 PM
JOSHUA DECKER, Executive Director, American Civil Liberties
Union of Alaska, testified in opposition to SB 191. He said he
submitted written testimony to the committee on March 3. He
maintained that the bill is unconstitutional. It seeks to
prevent anyone who works or volunteers in any capacity at any
hospital, clinic, or health centers where abortions are
performed from discussing any topic in public schools. Not only
would the bill prevent a math teacher from volunteering on
Saturdays at a women's health center, it would prevent a student
from volunteering at all at hospitals. If a history teacher had
that student give an in-class presentation on President Lincoln,
the hospital would be fined $5,000 per student and the history
teacher would lose their job.
MR. DECKER explained that the core constitutional deficiency in
the bill is that under the First Amendment, the government
cannot punish teachers, students, health care professionals or
hospitals based on what they say outside of school or how they
spend their private lives. The constitution guarantee is that
the government cannot play favorites. Also, bills that restrict
access to abortion, which is legal, are unconstitutional and
expensive. He noted that Alaska has already spent nearly $1
million of taxpayer money defending unconstitutional laws like
SB 191.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY said he replied to Mr. Decker's email and asked
him if he had any ideas for improvements to the bill. He did not
know if he received a response.
MR. DECKER said he did reply to the email and there is no way to
rehabilitate the bill. The state cannot prohibit people from
freely speaking or associating in their private lives outside of
school.
5:52:53 PM
HELEN CRAIG, representing herself, testified in support of SB
191. She said her family believes in the bible and in values.
She said she believes sex education should be taught in the
home. She said Planned Parenthood was teaching the kids to have
oral sex. She said doctors should not teach abortion in schools.
5:55:41 PM
CINDY MOORE, representing herself, testified in opposition to SB
91. She recalled that she and her husband worked extremely hard
last year to get the Alaska Safe Children's Act passed in order
to protect all kids. She stated that SB 191 threatens crucial
education for all Alaska's children. It is being presented as a
bill to keep abortion providers out of schools because, as the
sponsor states, "this education is indoctrinating our students
and is coming into our schools and recruiting future clients."
She said this is an extremely offensive statement and flat-out
false.
MS. MOORE related that current sex education curriculum has
nothing to do with abortion. It is about protecting kids and
keeping them safe from getting pregnant, contacting STD's and
STI's, and learning about healthy relationships. She emphasized
that Planned Parenthood does not teach abortion in our schools.
She said the provision for parents to "opt in instead of opt
out" is going to drastically reduce the number of teens
receiving this education. She said, "We cannot afford this."
Alaska leads the nation in STD's and ranks near the top for teen
pregnancies.
She said she does not understand the purpose of the bill. She
stated that abortion is illegal in Alaska for minors under 17
without parental consent or a court order. State law already
allows parents to opt out of any curriculum being taught in
public schools. Parents have 100 percent control over their
child's education. She pointed out that SB 191 does have a
fiscal impact. It has a cost to hire teachers to teach sex
education instead of Planned Parenthood trainers, who are free.
She asked the committed to consider the rights of teens to stay
safe and healthy.
5:58:17 PM
BUTCH MOORE, representing himself, testified in opposition to SB
191. He said the sponsor has grossly misrepresented Planned
Parenthood in saying abortion providers are educating Alaska's
children. He stated that Planned Parenthood educated his
daughters in Anchorage and they never mentioned abortion. He
said DOE says school districts can determine and control their
curriculum and the department is not aware of any school
district that mentions abortion anywhere in the state. He
likened the bill to liquor being sold in a grocery store. He
reiterated that Planned Parenthood has a small portion of their
business that provides abortions and they do not discuss
abortion in schools. He saw a bigger problem related to the
state's budget crisis and no need to address abortion bills
right now. He concluded that the bill is a personal vendetta and
it is unconstitutional. He requested that the sponsor should
represent the people.
6:01:35 PM
PAMELA SAMASH, Member, Right to Life, testified in support of SB
191. She maintained that Planned Parenthood promotes sex and
spreads diseases and she does not want it in schools. Sex
outside of marriage always has consequences. She said that
people should promote the bible, not Planned Parenthood. She
shared a story about an abortion and horror stories.
6:04:28 PM
DEBORAH POTTER, representing herself, testified in opposition to
SB 191. She said legislation should focus on facts. The bill is
very likely unconstitutional and will likely result in an
expensive legal battle that the state cannot afford. The
legislature should focus on the budget. She opposed guilt by
association found in the bill. She shared statistics about
STD's, teen pregnancy, and sexual assault.
DOROTHY MCGILVARY, representing herself, testified in support of
SB 191. She supports the blockage of Planned Parenthood in
schools. She shared horror stories about Planned Parenthood. She
suggested a nurse, parent, or teacher can discuss sex education
with youth. She said Planned Parenthood supports sexual activity
and abortion. She thought traditional values should be taught.
She advised to save sex for marriage, "Keep your legs crossed
until you get married," and just say no.
6:10:45 PM
EMILY KOSTINA, representing herself, testified in opposition to
SB 191. She said she agrees with much of the opposition to SB
191. She said the bill would ban her work as a member of Teen
Council. She concluded that she supports Planned Parenthood's
comprehensive education in schools.
6:12:36 PM
STAN BLUETTE, representing himself, testified in opposition to
SB 191. He spoke of his personal experience in a Planned
Parenthood classes which began in fifth grade. He stated that
the classes were wholesome and educational and he and many other
Alaskans need this education.
6:14:16 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY voiced appreciation for all the testimonies. He
held SB 191 in committee.
SENATOR GARDNER said she was impressed by the students'
preparation, demeanor, and courtesy during their testimonies.
[SB 191 was held in committee.]