01/19/1994 01:34 PM Senate HES

 CHAIRMAN RIEGER introduced  SB 221  (ARREST OF MINORS FOR CONSUMING           
 ALCOHOL) as the first order of business.                                      
                                                                               
 Number 020                                                                    
                                                                               
 JOE AMBROSE, staff to Senator Taylor, gave an overview of the                 
 history of SB 221.  He stated that the bill is more about                     
 protecting minors rather than prosecuting them.  SB 221 as drafted            
 amends the list of crimes for which police can make warrantless               
 arrests to include minors consuming.                                          
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN RIEGER asked what was the difference between a warrantless           
 and a non-warrantless arrest.  Mr. Ambrose said that SB 221 allows            
 for immediate arrest, a non-warrantless arrest.                               
                                                                               
 Number 088                                                                    
                                                                               
 DAN ANSLINGER, Chief of the Ketchikan Police Department testifying            
 from Ketchikan, cited statistics on juvenile alcohol consumption.             
 He described the present procedures followed by the Ketchikan                 
 Police Department.  SB 221 will provide consistent treatment                  
 throughout the state.  In general, the standard for arrest without            
 a warrant is based on probable cause.  He supported SB 221.                   
                                                                               
 JUANITA HENSLEY, Department of Public Safety, was present to answer           
 questions.                                                                    
                                                                               
 Number 165                                                                    
                                                                               
 SENATOR SALO asked what is a citation versus taking a minor into              
 custody.  She also asked what is the standard procedure when a                
 minor is taken into custody for consuming.                                    
                                                                               
 SERGEANT RANDY CRAWFORD, Division of State Troopers, Department of            
 Public Safety testifying from Anchorage, said that a citation is a            
 uniform summons for a judicial appearance.  Sergeant Crawford cited           
 that a citation is most typically given in a drinking episode that            
 has not gotten out of control or does not result in criminal                  
 activity.  He stated the  Anchorage Department's support of SB 221.           
                                                                               
 Number 215                                                                    
                                                                               
 SENATOR ELLIS asked what is the existing law and current practice             
 when dealing with an illegal drug other than alcohol.  Public                 
 Safety stated that when minors are under the influence they are               
 basically treated the same.  Senator Ellis requested the presence             
 of the Department of Law to discuss the Superior Court decisions.             
                                                                               
 Number 263                                                                    
                                                                               
 JEANNEANE HENRY,a twenty year Alaskan resident testifying from                
 Ketchikan,  noted that in the summer, 98 percent of Ketchikan youth           
 consume alcohol.  She said that the current law is enabling youths            
 to consume alcohol. She supported SB 221.                                     
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN RIEGER moved SB 221 to the bottom of the calendar.