Legislature(2013 - 2014)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/25/2014 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB211 | |
| HB269 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 211 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 269 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 211-EMPLOYMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
1:33:58 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced the consideration of HB 211. "An Act
relating to the education and employment of individuals with
disabilities." He noted that this was the first hearing but the
committee previously heard the companion bill sponsored by
Senator McGuire. [CSHB 211(FIN) was before the committee.]
1:34:13 PM
SENATOR STEDMAN moved conceptual Amendment 1.
AMENEMENT 1
OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR STEDMAN
TO: CSHB 211(FIN), Version "P"
Page 1, line 8:
Delete: "State"
Insert: "Education"
CHAIR DUNLEAVY objected for an explanation.
SENATOR STEDMAN explained that it's a technical amendment to
correctly recognize the Secretary of Education.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY removed his objection. Finding no further
objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
1:35:04 PM
VASILIOS GIALOPSOS, Staff, Representative Charisse Millett,
introduced HB 211 on behalf of the sponsor. He highlighted that
the bill was the companion to SB 163 that the committee heard
several weeks ago. He explained that the intent of HB 211 is to
make Alaska an employment first state, which is a national
movement for all state agencies to work toward gainful,
integrated employment for persons with disabilities. Studies
show that this lowers public health costs while helping a
vulnerable population to self-actualize.
He noted the differences between HB 211 and SB 163. On page 1,
line 15, language was added to clarify that in addition to
gainful employment, a school district's primary objective and
preferred outcome also includes enrollment in postsecondary
education. Subsection (c) in Section 2 was also amended to
eliminate the provision that required the Department of
Education and Early Development (DEED), to collect data that was
already being collected by the Department of Labor and Workforce
Development (DOLWD). Eliminating this redundancy did away with
the fiscal impact to DEED so all the fiscal notes are zero.
SENATOR OLSON asked if there was any opposition to the bill.
MR. GAIALOPSOS said there was one individual who expressed
concern but other than that, there has been overwhelming support
for the bill.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY opened public testimony.
1:38:53 PM
RICH SANDERS, Staff, Governor's Council on Disabilities and
Special Education and Program Coordinator, Division of Senior
and Disabilities Services, Department of Health and Social
Services (DHSS), said he was available for questions.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY closed public testimony and solicited a motion.
1:39:31 PM
SENATOR STEDMAN moved to report CS for HB 211, as amended, from
committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal
note(s).
CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced that without objection, SCS CSHB
211(L&C) moved from the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee.