Legislature(2009 - 2010)HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/26/2009 05:00 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB35 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 35 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 26, 2009
5:15 p.m.
5:15:31 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Stoltze called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 5:15 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Mike Hawker, Co-Chair
Representative Bill Stoltze, Co-Chair
Representative Allan Austerman
Representative Harry Crawford
Representative Anna Fairclough
Representative Richard Foster
Representative Les Gara
Representative Reggie Joule
Representative Mike Kelly
Representative Woodie Salmon
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Bill Thomas, Jr., Vice-Chair
ALSO PRESENT
Representative John Coghill, Sponsor
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Tyler Preston, Juneau; Jeannette Lacey Dunn, Juneau;
Britteny Cioni, Juneau; Rosanne Curran, Cordova; Jennifer
Grimwood, Cordova; Dr. Jan Whitefiels, Anchorage; Sandy
Barette, Wasilla; Barbara Reilly, Anchorage; Chrissa
Phillips, Anchorage; Steve Bradley, Anchorage; Raymond
Rzeszut, Anchourage; Amanda Metivier, Foster Care Alaska,
Anchorage; Jan DeLand, Self, Anchorage; Christian Rawalt,
Self, Anchorage; Mary Penick, Self, Fairbanks; Katherine
Mowery, Self, Fairbanks; Laura Horning, Self, Mat-Su; Sarah
Case, Fairbanks; Doug McKinnis, Mat-Su; Francesca Ridenour,
Fairbanks; Schaeffer Cox, Fairbanks; Linda Shea, Fairbanks;
Ruth Ewig, Fairbanks; Latanya Semones, Fairbanks; Ken
Thesing, Fairbanks; Janine McCready, Fairbanks; Carol
Wilkinson, Tok; Christine Grangaard, Tok; Sidney Glasscock,
Anchorage; Carol Glasscock, Anchorage; Anmei Goldsmith,
Anchorage; Paige Hodson, Anchorage; Brittany Goodnight,
Anchorage; Molly Beich, Anchorage; Monique Karaganis, MD,
Polar Pediatrics, Anchorage; Tiffany D. McClain, Self
Anchorage; Bob Hawkins, Self, Fairbanks; Trisha Hulse, Self,
Anchorage; Kate Finn, Self, Anchor Point; Judith Moses,
Self, Fairbanks; Stefanie Martin, Self, Anchorage; Stefanie
Latzel, Self, Yakutat; Devon Schroeder, Self, Anchorage;
Bamirse Papraniku, Self, Anchorage; Chris Reynolds,
Anchorage; Megan Malone, Anchorage; Jennifer Johnson,
Fairbanks; Erica Thompson, Kodiak; Joelle Hall, Peters
Creek; Robert Sotherlin, Anchorage; Tanya Pletzer, Reno,
Nevada
GENERAL SUBJECT(S):
HB 35 - NOTICE & CONSENT FOR MINOR'S ABORTION
Public Testimony
The following overview was taken in log note format.
Handouts will be on file with the House Finance Committee
through the 26th Legislative Session, contact 465-6814.
After the 26th Legislative Session they will be available
through the Legislative Library at 465-3808.
5:15:52 PM
TIME SPEAKER DISCUSSION
5:15:56 PM TYLER PRESTON, Expressed opposition to HB 35. He
JUNEAU stressed the importance of
testified via communication within families. He
teleconference suggested spending more money on
prevention.
5:19:39 PM JEANNETTE Spoke against HB 35. She referenced the
LACEY DUNN, 2007 Supreme Court ruling and mentioned
JUNEAU excessive legal costs. She suggested
testified via providing education and funding
teleconference prevention.
5:21:56 PM BRITTENY Spoke in opposition to the bill based
CIONI, JUNEAU on the economic ramifications. She
testified via suggested putting funding toward
teleconference prevention.
Representative Voiced appreciation for the previous
Gara speakers' testimonies.
5:26:37 PM ROSANNE Testified in favor of HB 35. She shared
CURRAN, medical procedures that require
CORDOVA parental consent and stressed parental
testified via rights.
teleconference
5:28:23 PM JENNIFER Spoke in support of HB 35. She listed
GRIMWOOD, ways parents support their children.
CORDOVA
testified via
teleconference
5:30:34 PM DR. JAN Said he was available to answer
WHITEFIELS, questions.
ANCHORAGE
testified via
teleconference
Representative Referred to page 2, lines 23 - 30,
Gara regarding when a doctor would be
allowed to perform an abortion in a
medical emergency. In that case,
parental consent is not required. He
questioned the language in (B), "a
serious risk of medical instability
caused by a substantial and
irreversible impairment of a bodily
function".
Dr. Whitefiels Explained that a physician would not
necessarily know if a condition is
reversible or not. He thought the
problem was the wording "clinical
judgment", which could be challenged in
court and result in a criminal offense.
He thought the words resulted in a
"grey area" and a "chilling nature". He
thought it had potential to harm a
pregnant minor.
Representative Concluded that there would be a risk of
Gara not performing an abortion and
permanently damaging the minor. He
asked under what type of conditions
that might happen.
Dr. Whitefiels Gave some examples of potential
dangerous medical situations such as
toxemia and pre-eclampsia.
Representative Questioned the meaning of line 29.
Gara
Dr. Whitefiels Replied that the language "medical
instability caused by" was not clear to
him and was very subjective.
Representative Suggested on line 27, "can perform an
Gara abortion if necessary to avert the
minor's death or to avert as
substantial risk of serious harm to the
minor."
Dr. Whitefiels Thought it would clarify the language,
but it was still subjective.
Representative Asked Dr. Whitefiels if he had ever
Kelly performed an abortion to save the
mother's life or to avoid substantial
impairment to a bodily function.
Dr. Whitefiels Said he had.
5:39:39 PM Representative Questioned the 48-hour wait. He
Gara wondered if it applied to any other
medical procedure. Dr. Whitefiels did
not know of any others.
5:40:30 PM Representative Asked if Dr. Whitefiels had ever
Kelly performed an elective abortion.
Dr. Whitefiels Reported that he had.
Representative Inquired about Dr. Whitefiels' use of
Kelly the word "chilling".
Dr. Whitefiels Opined that the intent of the bill is
for the betterment of the pregnant
minor. He explained his version of
"chilling nature".
5:41:59 PM Representative Asked if the category "life
Kelly threatening" was rare.
Dr. Whitefiels Related that it was not common.
5:42:36 PM Representative Referenced page 2, lines 28-30. He
Gara wondered if the language was left
unchanged, whether there was a concern
of permanent bodily damage to young
women.
Dr. Whitefiels Commented that it was a legitimate
concern, although uncommon.
5:43:30 PM SANDY BARETTE, Testified in favor of HB 35. She
WASILLA thought parents should have ultimate
testified via authority.
teleconference
5:46:49 PM BARBARA Spoke against HB 35 due to the expense
REILLY, generated by the bill. She opposed
ANCHORAGE legislating morality. She shared a
testified via personal story.
teleconference
5:50:27 PM Representative Noted that he has nine foster children.
Foster
5:50:49 PM CHRISSA Spoke in support of HB 35. She talked
PHILLIPS, about protecting parental rights.
ANCHORAGE
testified via
teleconference
5:53:28 PM STEVE BRADLEY, Testified in opposition to HB 35. He
ANCHORAGE encouraged the committee to make the
testified via best decision based upon fact.
teleconference
5:54:19 PM RAYMOND Spoke in support of HB 35. He spoke of
RZESZUT, the parental right to consent.
ANCHOURAGE
testified via
teleconference
5:57:02 PM AMANDA Testified in opposition to HB 35. She
METIVIER, mentioned the trouble that children in
FOSTER CARE foster care would have in working
ALASKA, within the confines of the bill.
ANCHORAGE
testified via
teleconference
5:58:57 PM Representative Expressed concern with the possibility
Gara that a person who may have no
relationship or knowledge of the minor
could be making this decision for the
minor.
6:00:27 PM Representative Spoke of a letter sent by a testifier.
Foster He wanted to point out that committee
members should be present until the
testimonies are concluded.
6:01:22 PM JAN DELAND, Voiced support for HB 35. She stated
SELF, that statistically breast cancer rates
ANCHORAGE are higher in women who had abortions
testified via at a young age. She also cited birth
teleconference control pills as a cause of breast
cancer in women. She elaborated on the
ills and possible health complications
of abortion. She felt that the act of
abortion was "against nature".
6:06:15 PM CHRISTIAN Spoke in support of HB 35. He felt that
RAWALT, SELF, the Supreme Court had overstepped
ANCHORAGE proper legislative channels in its
testified via previous ruling. He mentioned the
teleconference health risks associated with abortion.
6:09:32 PM MARY PENICK, Spoke in support of HB 35. She felt
SELF, that the decision to have an abortion
FAIRBANKS should be shared with the parents of
testified via the teen. She felt that adoption was a
teleconference viable option.
6:12:10 PM KATHERINE Spoke in support of HB 35. She shared
MOWERY, SELF, that she had been told to abort her
FAIRBANKS son. She felt that parents know what is
testified via best for their children.
teleconference
6:13:39 PM LAURA HORNING, Testified in support of HB 35. She
SELF, MAT-SU spoke of parental responsibilities.
testified via
teleconference
6:15:56 PM SARAH CASE, Testified in favor of HB 35. She
FAIRBANKS shared a personal story. She did not
testified via want abusers to get away with their
teleconference crimes.
6:18:30 PM DOUG MCKINNIS, Urged support for HB 35. He maintained
MAT-SU that parents should have consent.
testified via
teleconference
6:22:34 PM FRANCESCA Shared a personal story. She testified
RIDENOUR, in favor of HB 35. She spoke of
FAIRBANKS parental duties.
testified via
teleconference
6:25:20 PM SCHAEFFER COX, Testified in favor of HB 35. He thought
FAIRBANKS the issues related to the pregnancy
testified via should be examined. He was not in
teleconference favor of education as a means of
prevention.
6:29:23 PM LINDA SHEA, Spoke of loss of parental rights. She
FAIRBANKS testified in favor of the bill. She
testified via shared a personal story.
teleconference
6:31:44 PM RUTH EWIG, Noted she was pro-family. She testified
FAIRBANKS in favor of HB 35.
testified via
teleconference
6:34:54 PM LATANYA Spoke from a rural Native perspective.
SEMONES, She urged opposition to the bill. She
FAIRBANKS emphasized the value of prevention
testified via education.
teleconference
6:36:35 PM KEN THESING, Testified in support of HB 35. He
FAIRBANKS termed the family "the sovereign
testified via nation".
teleconference
6:40:47 PM JANINE Urged support for HB 35. She spoke of
MCCREADY, the emotional complexities of abortion.
FAIRBANKS
testified via
teleconference
6:43:50 PM CAROL Testified in support of HB 35. She
WILKINSON, TOK discussed the emotional trauma
testified via associated with abortions. She thought
teleconference that the minor would benefit from the
support of her parents.
6:44:20 PM CHRISTINE Spoke in support of HB 35. She stated
GRANGAARD, TOK that she found the language in the bill
testified via generous and accommodating toward
teleconference minors.
6:46:15 PM SIDNEY Expressed support for HB 35. He
GLASSCOCK, stressed parental rights.
ANCHORAGE
testified via
teleconference
6:48:33 PM CAROL Voiced support for HB 35. She believed
GLASSCOCK, that a minor is not a woman and should
ANCHORAGE have parental consent to have an
testified via abortion.
teleconference
6:50:25 PM ANMEI Testified in opposition to HB 35. She
GOLDSMITH, maintained that if the bill passes, it
ANCHORAGE would be overruled. She wondered how to
testified via involve the fathers of the unborn.
teleconference
Co-Chair Pointed out that the sponsor suggested
Stoltze involving the fathers.
6:53:01 PM PAIGE HODSON, Spoke in opposition to HB 35. She
ANCHORAGE talked of the expense involved with
testified via this legislation. She spoke of the
teleconference burden to the courts and to foster
care. She emphasized the need for
prevention.
6:57:51 PM BRITTANY Testified against HB 35. She spoke of
GOODNIGHT, the expenses related to the bill. She
ANCHORAGE voiced concern with the judicial
testified via bypass.
teleconference
7:00:59 PM MOLLY BEICH, Spoke in support of HB 35. She shared a
ANCHORAGE personal story.
testified via
teleconference
7:03:40 PM MONIQUE Spoke in opposition to HB 35. She felt
KARAGANIS, MD, that teens who could not get an
POLAR abortion in-state would seek out second
PEDIATRICS, trimester abortions out-of-state.
ANCHORAGE
testified via
teleconference
7:06:29 PM TIFFANY D. Expressed opposition for HB 35. She
MCCLAIN, SELF stressed that the bill endangered the
ANCHORAGE well being of teenage girls in Alaska.
testified via She spoke in support of comprehensive
teleconference sexual education throughout the state.
7:08:48 PM BOB HAWKINS, Voiced support for HB 35. He mentioned
SELF, that some of these pregnancies may be
FAIRBANKS as a result of statutory rape. He felt
testified via that the bill upheld family values. He
teleconference expressed concern that older men were
preying on underage minors. He voiced
that the issue was one of common sense.
7:12:38 PM TRISHA HULSE, Expressed opposition to HB 35. She
SELF, stresses that not all minors have
ANCHORAGE caring adults to help then navigate
testified via through the choices abortion presents.
teleconference She felt that children in the system
would suffer most.
7:14:22 PM KATE FINN, Testified in opposition to HB 35. She
SELF, ANCHOR shared stories of supportive families.
POINT She countered that sometimes the family
testified via members of the minor are more harmful
teleconference than helpful. She stressed that
sometimes the support the child needs
cannot be found within the family
alone.
7:19:21 PM JUDITH MOSES, Spoke in opposition to HB 35. She felt
SELF, that families with an open dialogue do
FAIRBANKS not need this bill. She felt that the
testified via court process the bill presents could
teleconference be intimidating to minors.
7:20:47 PM STEFANIE Testified in opposition to HB 35. She
MARTIN, SELF, expressed concern with the time limits
ANCHORAGE presented in the bill.
testified via
teleconference
7:22:24 PM STEFANIE Expressed opposition to HB 35. She
LATZEL, SELF, stressed that parents are not always
YAKUTAT available to help with decision making
testified via and that not all families are
teleconference traditional families.
7:23:32 PM DEVON Spoke in opposition of HB 35. Stressed
SCHROEDER, that Planned Parenthood was not
SELF, availably primarily for abortions but
ANCHORAGE helped in providing affordable health
testified via care. She felt that choices should
teleconference start at home, but that young women
should be allowed to make their own
choices.
7:26:35 PM BAMIRSE Expressed opposition for HB 35. She
PAPRANIKU, expressed concern for minors without
SELF, strong family support to begin with.
ANCHORAGE She advocated for sex education.
testified via
teleconference
7:29:42 PM CHRIS Spoke of his work as a mental health
REYNOLDS, therapist. He testified in opposition
ANCHORAGE to HB 35. He discussed the difference
testified via between parental notification and
teleconference parental consent. He spoke of his
experience as a foster parent of at-
risk children.
7:33:16 PM MEGAN MALONE, Testified against HB 35. She spoke of
ANCHORAGE the costs involved when a teen is
testified via forced to have a child.
teleconference
7:35:45 PM JENNIFER Spoke in favor of HB 35. She pointed
JOHNSON, out that teen pregnancy is on the rise
FAIRBANKS in spite of sex education.
testified via
teleconference
7:37:36 PM ERICA Voiced opposition to HB 35. She shared
THOMPSON, a personal experience. She listed the
KODIAK difficulties of being a teen parent.
testified via
teleconference
7:41:24 PM JOELLE HALL, Testified in opposition to HB 35. She
PETERS CREEK detailed her role as a parent and
testified via emphasized the right of her daughter to
teleconference make her own choices about
reproduction. She argued that there is
no correlation between abortion and any
other medical procedure.
7:45:21 PM ROBERT Spoke in opposition to HB 35. The bill
SOTHERLIN, is not needed in healthy homes. He
ANCHORAGE supported sex education.
testified via
teleconference
7:47:22 PM TANYA PLETZER, Testified in support of HB 35. She
RENO, NEVADA shared a personal story.
testified via
teleconference
7:56:44 PM Representative Noted a memo from March 26, 2009, in
Gara the members' packets.
#
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting
was
adjourned
at 7:56 PM
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
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