Legislature(2003 - 2004)

05/15/2003 09:45 PM House HES

Audio Topic
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
                    ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                                  
          HOUSE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES                                                                         
                       STANDING COMMITTEE                                                                                     
                          May 15, 2003                                                                                          
                           9:45 p.m.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Representative Peggy Wilson, Chair                                                                                              
Representative Carl Gatto, Vice Chair                                                                                           
Representative John Coghill                                                                                                     
Representative Paul Seaton                                                                                                      
Representative Kelly Wolf                                                                                                       
Representative Sharon Cissna                                                                                                    
Representative Mary Kapsner                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
All members present                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
SENATE BILL NO. 192                                                                                                             
"An  Act  relating  to  teachers and  training  programs  in  the                                                               
Department of  Labor and Workforce Development,  to the placement                                                               
in  the exempt  service  of certified  teachers  employed by  the                                                               
Department  of   Labor  and   Workforce  Development,   to  their                                                               
eligibility to participate in the  Teachers' Retirement System of                                                               
Alaska, and to  the functions of the  Alaska Workforce Investment                                                               
Board  regarding the  Kotzebue  Technical Center  and the  Alaska                                                               
Vocational  Technical  Center;  and providing  for  an  effective                                                               
date."                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     - WAIVED FROM COMMITTEE                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 19                                                                                              
Urging implementation  of an Alaska history  curriculum in public                                                               
schools.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     - MOVED HCR 19 OUT OF COMMITTEE                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 292                                                                                                              
"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."                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
     - MOVED CSHB 292(HES) OUT OF COMMITTEE                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 32                                                                                                               
"An Act relating to a health insurance uniform prescription drug                                                                
information card; and providing for an effective date."                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     - SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 278                                                                                                              
"An Act relating to a masonic lodge license plate."                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     - SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 282                                                                                                              
"An Act  relating to contracts  between the University  of Alaska                                                               
and  its employees  involving research  or  other development  of                                                               
intellectual property  and to the  authority of the  president of                                                               
the  University  of  Alaska   regarding  employee  contracts  for                                                               
development of intellectual property."                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     - SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 306                                                                                                              
"An Act relating to the use of pharmaceutical agents by                                                                         
optometrists."                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARING POSTPONED                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
PREVIOUS ACTION                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
BILL: SB 192                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE:DOLWD TEACHERS AND TRAINING PROGRAMS                                                                                
SPONSOR(S): SENATOR(S) STEVENS G                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Jrn-Date   Jrn-Page                     Action                                                                                  
04/22/03     0917       (S)        READ THE FIRST TIME -                                                                        
                                   REFERRALS                                                                                    
04/22/03     0917       (S)        HES, L&C                                                                                     
05/01/03     1087       (S)        HES REFERRAL WAIVED                                                                          
05/06/03                (S)        L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 211                                                                     
05/06/03                (S)        Moved CSSB 192(L&C) Out of                                                                   
                                   Committee                                                                                    
05/06/03                (S)        MINUTE(L&C)                                                                                  
05/07/03     1201       (S)        L&C RPT CS 4DP 1 NR NEW TITLE                                                                
05/07/03     1202       (S)        DP: BUNDE, DAVIS, SEEKINS,                                                                   
                                   STEVENS G;                                                                                   
05/07/03     1202       (S)        NR: FRENCH                                                                                   
05/07/03     1202       (S)        FN1: ZERO(LWF)                                                                               
05/09/03     1282       (S)        RULES TO CALENDAR 5/9/2003                                                                   
05/09/03     1282       (S)        READ THE SECOND TIME                                                                         
05/09/03     1282       (S)        L&C CS ADOPTED UNAN CONSENT                                                                  
05/09/03     1282       (S)        ADVANCED TO THIRD READING                                                                    
                                   5/10 CALENDAR                                                                                
05/10/03     1306       (S)        READ THE THIRD TIME CSSB
                                   192(L&C)                                                                                     
05/10/03     1306       (S)        FN2: (LWF)                                                                                   
05/10/03     1307       (S)        PASSED Y19 N- E1                                                                             
05/10/03     1307       (S)        EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS                                                                    
                                   PASSAGE                                                                                      
05/10/03     1311       (S)        TRANSMITTED TO (H)                                                                           
05/10/03     1311       (S)        VERSION: CSSB 192(L&C)                                                                       
05/12/03     1554       (H)        READ THE FIRST TIME -                                                                        
                                   REFERRALS                                                                                    
05/12/03     1554       (H)        HES, FIN                                                                                     
05/13/03                (H)        HES AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106                                                                   
05/13/03                (H)        -- Meeting Canceled --                                                                       
05/15/03                (H)        HES AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HCR 19                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE:ALASKA HISTORY CURRICULUM                                                                                           
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S)KAPSNER                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Jrn-Date   Jrn-Page                     Action                                                                                  
04/24/03     1093       (H)        READ THE FIRST TIME -                                                                        
                                   REFERRALS                                                                                    
04/24/03     1093       (H)        HES, EDU                                                                                     
04/28/03     1171       (H)        COSPONSOR(S): JOULE                                                                          
04/29/03     1186       (H)        HES WAIVED 5-DAY HEARING                                                                     
                                   (RULE 23A)                                                                                   
05/01/03                (H)        HES AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106                                                                   
05/01/03                (H)        Uniform Rule 23(a) Waived --                                                                 
                                   Meeting Canceled --                                                                          
05/15/03                (H)        HES AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB 292                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE:ABORTION: INFORMED CONSENT; INFORMATION                                                                             
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S)DAHLSTROM                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Jrn-Date   Jrn-Page                     Action                                                                                  
04/30/03     1202       (H)        READ THE FIRST TIME -                                                                        
                                   REFERRALS                                                                                    
04/30/03     1202       (H)        HES, JUD                                                                                     
05/06/03                (H)        HES AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106                                                                   
05/06/03                (H)        Heard & Held                                                                                 
                                   MINUTE(HES)                                                                                  
05/08/03                (H)        HES AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106                                                                   
05/08/03                (H)        Heard & Held                                                                                 
                                   MINUTE(HES)                                                                                  
05/13/03                (H)        HES AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106                                                                   
05/13/03                (H)        <Bill Hearing Postponed> --                                                                  
                                   Meeting Canceled --                                                                          
05/15/03                (H)        HES AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
WITNESS REGISTER                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE NANCY DAHLSTROM                                                                                                  
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  As sponsor  of HB 292, explained changes and                                                               
answered questions from the committee.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
REX SHATTUCK, Staff                                                                                                             
to Representative Nancy Dahlstrom                                                                                               
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION  STATEMENT:   Explained  changes to  CSHB 292(HES),  and                                                               
answered questions from the members.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
ACTION NARRATIVE                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
TAPE 03-43, SIDE A                                                                                                            
Number 0001                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR PEGGY WILSON called the  House Health, Education and Social                                                             
Services  Standing  Committee  meeting  to  order  at  9:45  p.m.                                                               
Representatives  Wilson,  Wolf,   Coghill,  Seaton,  Cissna,  and                                                               
Kapsner were present at the  call to order.  Representative Gatto                                                               
arrived as the meeting was in progress.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
SB 192-DOLWD TEACHERS AND TRAINING PROGRAMS                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WILSON  announced for the  record that [SB 192]  was waived                                                               
from  the House  Health, Education  and Social  Services Standing                                                               
Committee.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
HCR 19-ALASKA HISTORY CURRICULUM                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WILSON announced  that the next order of  business would be                                                               
HOUSE CONCURRENT  RESOLUTION NO. 19, Urging  implementation of an                                                               
Alaska history curriculum in public schools.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Number 0249                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  KAPSNER,  as sponsor  of  HCR  19, explained  the                                                               
purpose  of  this  resolution and  answered  questions  from  the                                                               
members.  She  told the committee this legislation  has created a                                                               
bit of consternation  and that fact is a puzzlement  to her.  She                                                               
said this resolution is different  from another resolution before                                                               
the  body.    She  said  the other  resolution  asks  the  school                                                               
districts  to  look at  fourth  grade  Alaska history,  and  this                                                               
resolution asks  the board  of education to  look at  Alaska high                                                               
school students and their Alaska  history requirements.  She said                                                               
she hopes  both resolutions  pass because  she believes  they are                                                               
both worthy of consideration.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Number 0307                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER  explained that HCR  19 asks the  board of                                                               
education by  regulation to implement  a requirement  that Alaska                                                               
seniors  have  a  stand-alone,   one-semester  course  in  Alaska                                                               
history or an  integrated course that school  districts can weave                                                               
into their  already existing curriculum.   This  resolution would                                                               
allow  for a  lot  of  local discretion  on  the  part of  school                                                               
districts.   In 2002, Senator  Ted Stevens furnished a  grant for                                                               
Alaska history.   The  total of  the grant  was $397,400  and was                                                               
awarded to  the Alaska Humanities Forum.   A portion of  it would                                                               
go   to  curriculum   development  and   a  portion   toward  the                                                               
development of  textbooks.   The grant was  approved by  the U.S.                                                               
Department of  Education and signed  by President George  Bush in                                                               
2002,  and the  Alaska Humanities  Forum is  preparing a  project                                                               
team  to develop  the Alaska  history text  and curriculum.   The                                                               
project is  headed by  Marjorie Menzi who  is former  employee of                                                               
the state Department of Education  and a former teacher.  Senator                                                               
Stevens made  it clear to  the legislature that he  believes this                                                               
is  very important  and wants  to  see Alaska  history taught  in                                                               
Alaska's schools.   Most  states have  [a state  history course],                                                               
but Alaska does not.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  KAPSNER mentioned  a partial  list of  supporters                                                               
including:     Commonwealth   North,  Alaska   Humanities  Forum,                                                               
Association   of    School   Boards,   Association    of   School                                                               
Administrators, and  many more.  Representative  Kapsner told the                                                               
committee that she thinks both  her resolution and Representative                                                               
Gatto's resolution are outstanding and  hopes they both will pass                                                               
the  legislature.    She  said she  believes  both  fourth  grade                                                               
students  and high  school students  should have  the benefit  of                                                               
learning about Alaska's history.   These are good resolutions and                                                               
worthy of discussion and consideration.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Number 0372                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  GATTO  asked  Representative  Kapsner  if  Alaska                                                               
history is currently taught in Bethel.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  KAPSNER  responded  that  it is  taught  in  most                                                               
school  districts,  but not  all  districts.    It is  taught  at                                                               
different  levels.    Some  school  districts  teach  it  at  the                                                               
elementary  level, but  this resolution  asks  the Department  of                                                               
Education to  make it a high  school requirement to be  taught in                                                               
either the  junior or  senior year.   She  said she  believes the                                                               
Lower Kuskokwim School District does  require some form of Alaska                                                               
history  in high  school.   It may  be the  Alaska Native  Claims                                                               
Settlement Act or another option.   She told the committee it was                                                               
an elective when she was going through school.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO asked  if Alaska history is  required in all                                                               
of its  elementary schools.   He said he  believes it is  a state                                                               
requirement  to  have  state history,  U.S.  history,  and  world                                                               
history.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER  responded that she  is not sure  what the                                                               
elementary school level  requirements are.  She  said her primary                                                               
focus is  on high school  requirements because, as  a legislator,                                                               
she believes  there are kids  graduating from high school  who do                                                               
not understand some basic things  about Alaska before they get to                                                               
the  ballot box.    For example,  she said  it  is important  for                                                               
students  to  know  about  the  permanent  fund,  permanent  fund                                                               
dividend, subsistence, and other things.   She said she is hoping                                                               
that school districts  and the Department of  Education will look                                                               
at standardizing  high school students'  graduation requirements.                                                               
The Alaska  Municipal League has  said they  would like to  see a                                                               
civics component included in graduation  requirements, as this is                                                               
not a  requirement for Alaska.   Representative Kapsner commented                                                               
that  many people  are unaware  that  this is  not a  requirement                                                               
because they moved here from another state.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Number 0558                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL  told the committee that  the school board                                                               
[board of  education] has already  drafted a two-volume  set that                                                               
could  be  the basis  for  this  curriculum.   These  books  were                                                               
commissioned in  1989 or 1990  and even  though they will  not be                                                               
sufficient  for what  this resolution  is requiring,  he said  he                                                               
does not believe this is going to  be a huge cost.  He noted that                                                               
there are  two questions  that need  to be  answered.   The first                                                               
question is  how this material  will be covered in  one semester.                                                               
It will  be very intensive.   The other  question is the  cost of                                                               
putting a book  together.  The problem here, he  said, is that it                                                               
is  an unfunded  mandate.   Since much  of the  work is  [already                                                               
completed], some  of the costs could  be saved.  He  asked if the                                                               
sponsor  would see  to it  that the  prior work  was not  done in                                                               
vain.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Number 0670                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER  responded that  Senator Stevens  has made                                                               
an  appropriation that  would cover  a majority  of those  costs.                                                               
Last  year,  before that  appropriation  was  made, a  number  of                                                               
different  state organizations  felt so  committed to  getting an                                                               
Alaska curriculum  in high  school that they  offered to  pay for                                                               
it.  The  complication came when trying to show  it in the fiscal                                                               
note.   It  so rarely  happens  that people  are so  enthusiastic                                                               
about getting something done that  they are willing to contribute                                                               
to  it.    That  offer  still stands.    Many  school  districts,                                                               
including the  Anchorage School District, recently  mandated that                                                               
their  high  school students  have  a  one semester,  stand-alone                                                               
course.   They  are in  the process  of developing  a curriculum.                                                               
Carol Comeau  [Superintendent of  the Anchorage  School District]                                                               
has offered that curriculum to the state.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WILSON asked if there is  an estimate in what it would cost                                                               
to produce a book.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER replied that she  does not know, but there                                                               
is  also  the  consideration  that  the  school  districts  might                                                               
integrate  components  of  the  curriculum  into  other  classes.                                                               
Commissioner of  Education, Shirley  Holloway, envisioned  that a                                                               
CD ROM  could be made  available to  teachers so they  could pull                                                               
lesson plans  out of the curriculum  to include in U.S.  or world                                                               
history  classes.   For  example, if  there  is discussion  about                                                               
exploration,  then the  section about  Russians exploring  Alaska                                                               
could  be integrated  into world  history.   She reiterated  that                                                               
there are about  20 organizations on a partial list  she has that                                                               
have offered to help pay for this class.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Number 0807                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE WOLF  commented that  he finds it  surprising that                                                               
Alaska  history is  not a  requirement.   In 1978,  Kenai Central                                                               
High School taught  Alaska history from textbooks, so  he said he                                                               
knows the literature is there to be used.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Number 0871                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER  responded that  there are  numerous books                                                               
available.   There  are some  recent  publications including  Dr.                                                               
Steve Haycock's book;  however, it was written  for college level                                                               
classes.  She said that she  believes the sooner this book is put                                                               
together   the  better,   because  there   are  members   of  the                                                               
constitutional  convention who  are still  alive -  such as  John                                                               
Coghill and  Vic Fischer - who  would be a wonderful  resource in                                                               
putting this book together.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Number 0912                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO  commented that books on  Alaska history are                                                               
available everywhere.   The problem he  has is that it  will be a                                                               
requirement.  If required at a  high school level it means giving                                                               
up  something.    Representative  Gatto said  that  in  the  high                                                               
schools where  he has  been there are  no times  available during                                                               
the  day  when there  is  an  empty  classroom and  an  available                                                               
teacher.   This  class would  have to  replace an  elective.   He                                                               
pointed out  that some kids  are intent  on going to  college and                                                               
when  they produce  their transcripts  for the  college it  could                                                               
mean that  the student has 21  credits plus Alaska history  or 21                                                               
credits and  physics.   That extra science  or math  course could                                                               
give these students an edge over  someone else.  By requiring the                                                               
course,  according to  No Child  Left Behind  Act (NCLB)  then it                                                               
will be necessary to have highly qualified teachers.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO indicated  that it is a  difficult time [for                                                               
school districts].  For instance,  at Colony High School they are                                                               
giving up sports  and, in fact, just discharged  two coaches from                                                               
the middle school.  They  have also eliminated the music program.                                                               
Representative  Gatto questioned  if  asking schools  to take  on                                                               
another subject at a time when  they are being asked to eliminate                                                               
programs they  have previously had  is something  the legislature                                                               
wants to  do.   He asked  if it  makes sense  to simply  make the                                                               
subject available rather than mandatory.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Number 1044                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE   KAPSNER  agreed   with  Representative   Gatto's                                                               
points.   She said she  spent a lot  of time worrying  about that                                                               
issue, especially  in small  schools where  there is  one teacher                                                               
instructing  in every  subject.   That is  why the  provision was                                                               
added that  this does  not have  to be a  stand-alone class.   It                                                               
could be integrated into U.S. or world history.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Number 1070                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  CISSNA asked  Representative  Kapsner to  clarify                                                               
that the resolution encourages the  use of modules to insert into                                                               
existing  programs.   For  example, a  history  course or  civics                                                               
course taught by  a certified teacher could have  a portion added                                                               
that would merely  bring in additional material  to compliment an                                                               
existing class.  She asked if that is correct.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER  responded that  that is exactly  what she                                                               
envisions;  however,  she  pointed  out   that  this  is  just  a                                                               
resolution,  so  it  would  be   entirely  up  to  the  board  of                                                               
education.   She said her hope  is that it could  be an either/or                                                               
situation and  the modules  could be inserted.   She  pointed out                                                               
that  the language  in the  resolution does  not specify  that it                                                               
funds  a standards  based curriculum  for Alaska  history through                                                               
the  efforts  of  the  Alaska  Humanities  Forum.    However,  it                                                               
requests  the board  of education  to require  by regulation  the                                                               
equivalent of  at least one semester  of Alaska history.   So, it                                                               
could be  a stand-alone  class or woven  into an  existing class.                                                               
She reiterated that the resolution says  on page 2, line 21, "the                                                               
equivalent of at least one semester".                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Number 1172                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  SEATON told  the committee  he is  also concerned                                                               
about the  displacement of other  classes.  The students  do have                                                               
full schedules  and it is  hard to add anything  to the day.   He                                                               
said he  believes that the  board of education and  the districts                                                               
will be able to sort this  out.  Representative Seaton said he is                                                               
willing to see the bill move out of committee.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE WOLF  said he agrees with  Representative Seaton's                                                               
comments.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Number 1201                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  GATTO commented  that if  the board  of education                                                               
requires this by regulation, the  districts have no choice but to                                                               
find time during the day to  make the equivalent of one semester,                                                               
either  in one  stand-alone class  for that  semester, which  the                                                               
schools  may not  have  available, or  by  incorporating it  into                                                               
another class in two half  semesters and giving up something else                                                               
for  two half  semesters.   Representative  Gatto  said it  would                                                               
really  make him  feel better  about this  resolution if  he knew                                                               
what [would be given] up.  He  said he does not believe the board                                                               
of education or the school districts know what that would be.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Number 1240                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER  responded that  she does  not know.   She                                                               
asked  Representative Gatto  from  what state  he graduated  high                                                               
school.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO responded that he  graduated from a New York                                                               
high school.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER  asked him  if his  school required  a New                                                               
York history class.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO  said he has  no idea.   It was in  the last                                                               
millennium.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WILSON  told the  committee that  these questions  could be                                                               
further explored in the House Special Committee on Education.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON  moved to  report HCR  19 out  of committee                                                               
with  individual  recommendations  and  the  accompanying  fiscal                                                               
notes.  There being no objection,  HCR 19 was reported out of the                                                               
House Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
HB 292-ABORTION: INFORMED CONSENT; INFORMATION                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WILSON announced that the  final order of business would be                                                               
HOUSE BILL NO. 292, "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 1389                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  NANCY  DAHLSTROM,  Alaska State  Legislature,  as                                                               
sponsor of HB 292, answered questions from the committee.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Number 1400                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  COGHILL moved  to  adopt  the proposed  committee                                                               
substitute  (CS) for  HB  292,  Version 23-LS0867\I,  Lauterbach,                                                               
5/15/03, as  a work draft.   Hearing no objection, Version  I was                                                               
before the committee.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WILSON  told the  committee that  there are  two amendments                                                               
that will be considered.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Number 1445                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved to adopt Amendment 1.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL objected for purposes of discussion.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Number 1649                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REX  SHATTUCK, Staff  to Representative  Nancy Dahlstrom,  Alaska                                                               
State Legislature,  explained changes to CSHB  292(HES), proposed                                                               
amendments, and  answered questions from the  members.  Amendment                                                               
1 read as follows:                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
     Page 4, line 28, following "woman":                                                                                        
       Insert "and the pregnant woman's estate, and only                                                                        
         to the pregnant woman and the pregnant woman's                                                                         
     estate,"                                                                                                                   
          Following "damages":                                                                                                  
               Insert "caused by the violation"                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MR.  SHATTUCK told  the committee  that the  language on  page 4,                                                               
line 28,  is to ensure  that a lawsuit  could only be  brought by                                                               
the pregnant  woman or  her estate.   On  line 29,  following the                                                               
word  "damages",  the  insertion  of the  words  "caused  by  the                                                               
violation" is speaking to a lawsuit that may be brought forward.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Number 1649                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL removed his objection.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  WILSON announced  that without  objection Amendment  1 has                                                               
been adopted by  the House Health, Education  and Social Services                                                               
Standing Committee.   Chair Wilson  announced that  the committee                                                               
would now take up Amendment 2.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Number 1584                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL objected for the purpose of discussion.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
MR. SHATTUCK  briefly reviewed Amendment 2,  which read [original                                                               
punctuation provided]:                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line 13,                                                                                                           
     After "on the Internet" insert the words                                                                                   
          that is reviewed and approved for medical                                                                           
     accuracy    and     appropriateness    by    recognized                                                                  
     Obstetric/Gynecological  specialists designated  by the                                                                  
     State Medical Board and                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     Page 2, line 2,                                                                                                            
     After "on the Internet" insert the words                                                                                   
          that is reviewed and approved for medical                                                                           
     accuracy    and     appropriateness    by    recognized                                                                  
     Obstetric/Gynecological  specialists designated  by the                                                                  
     State Medical Board                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     Page 2, lines 7 through 9,                                                                                                 
     Delete all material                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     Page 2, line 22,                                                                                                           
     After "and services;" insert                                                                                               
          and                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
     Page 2, 23,                                                                                                                
     Create a new sub-section that shall read                                                                                   
          {C} agencies, services, clinics and facilities                                                                    
     designed  to assist  or  provide contraceptive  options                                                                  
     and   counseling  to   help  prevent   future  unwanted                                                                  
     pregnancies;                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     Page 2, line 30,                                                                                                           
     After "abortions services;" insert                                                                                         
          and   the   circumstantial    criteria   for   the                                                                  
     availability   of  medical   assistance  benefits   for                                                                  
     contraception;                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     Page 3, line 12,                                                                                                           
     After "objective, nonjudgmental, and" insert                                                                               
          that is reviewed and approved for medical                                                                           
     accuracy    and     appropriateness    by    recognized                                                                  
     Obstetric/Gynecological  specialists designated  by the                                                                  
     State Medical Board and                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     Page 3, line 15,                                                                                                           
     After "information that" insert                                                                                            
          is reviewed and approved for medical accuracy and                                                                   
     appropriateness  by recognized  Obstetric/Gynecological                                                                  
     specialists designated by the State medical Board and                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     Page 3, line 20,                                                                                                           
     After "unbiased information" insert                                                                                        
          that is reviewed and approved for medical                                                                           
     accuracy    and     appropriateness    by    recognized                                                                  
     Obstetric/Gynecological  specialists designated  by the                                                                  
     State Medical Board                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     Page 3, line 24,                                                                                                           
     Create a new sub-section that shall read                                                                                   
          (9)     contains    objective,     unbiased    and                                                                  
     comprehensive   information   that  is   reviewed   and                                                                  
     approved  for medical  accuracy and  appropriateness by                                                                  
     recognized      Obstetric/Gynecological     specialists                                                                  
     designated  by the  State  Medical  Board on  different                                                                  
     types  of  available   contraceptive  choices  and  the                                                                  
     medical  risk   and  possible   complications  commonly                                                                  
     associated  with each  method as  well as  the possible                                                                  
     psychological  effects that  have been  associated with                                                                  
     using contraceptives;                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     Page 3, line 24,                                                                                                           
     Delete                                                                                                                     
          (9)                                                                                                                 
     Insert                                                                                                                     
          (10)                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Page 4, line 30,                                                                                                           
     After "AS 18.16.060(b)(1){C} insert                                                                                        
          and (D)                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     Page 4, line 31,                                                                                                           
     After "evidence that" delete                                                                                               
          the person gave to the woman a written                                                                              
     And insert                                                                                                                 
          the woman received or reviewed a                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     Page 5, line 1,                                                                                                            
     After "AS 18.05.032" insert                                                                                                
          at least 24 hours                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     Page 5, line 21,                                                                                                           
     After "the abortion" insert                                                                                                
          , a member of the physician's staff who is a                                                                        
     licensed healthcare provider                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     Page 5, line 21,                                                                                                           
     After "physician has" delete                                                                                               
          orally                                                                                                              
     And insert                                                                                                                 
          verbally                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                              
     Page 6, line 1,                                                                                                            
     After "shall provide it;" insert                                                                                           
          the requirements of this subparagraph may be                                                                        
     satisfied by a  member of the physician's  staff who is                                                                  
     a licensed healthcare  provider performing the required                                                                  
     activities if they offer the  person the opportunity to                                                                  
     consult   a  physician;   the   requirements  of   this                                                                  
     paragraph may also  be satisfied if the  physician or a                                                                  
     member  of  the  physician's staff  receives  from  the                                                                  
     person an appropriately dated and  signed from [sic] of                                                                
     the type  described in AS.18.05.032(a)(10)  and retains                                                                  
     the form in the patient's file;                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     Page 6, line 12,                                                                                                           
     After "required in (b)(1)" insert                                                                                          
          {A}-{C}                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     Page 6, line 15,                                                                                                           
     After "ask questions." insert                                                                                              
          Provision of the information telephonically or by                                                                   
     electronic  mail  or regular  mail  at  least 24  hours                                                                  
     prior  to   the  person's  appointment   satisfies  the                                                                  
     requirements  of this  section  as long  as the  person                                                                  
     whose  consent is  required under  (a) of  this section                                                                  
     has  an opportunity  to ask  questions after  receiving                                                                  
     the information.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MR. SHATTUCK  told the committee  that the change in  language on                                                               
page 1, line 13 is agreed  upon language provided so that someone                                                               
is  designated as  an appropriate  medical person  to review  the                                                               
material for accuracy and appropriateness.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL commented that  it appears that the entire                                                               
first page  of the  amendment deals  with conforming  language to                                                               
the Medical  Board having purview  on this information.   He told                                                               
the members  that that had been  his objection when the  bill was                                                               
heard  the first  time.   He said  he reviewed  the statutes  and                                                               
found  that this  is an  appropriate role  for the  state Medical                                                               
Board; therefore,  he will remove  his objection to  this portion                                                               
of the amendment.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
MR. SHATTUCK agreed with  Representative Coghill's statement that                                                               
the  first  page is  conforming  language  inserted all  the  way                                                               
through the bill.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
MR.  SHATTUCK   referred  the  committee  to   the  next  change,                                                               
beginning on  page 3,  line 24, which  creates a  new subsection.                                                               
He said this change again  uses the agreed upon language "medical                                                               
accuracy       and       appropriateness      by       recognized                                                               
Obstetric/Gynecological  specialist",  but  in this  case  it  is                                                               
directed toward  contraceptive use.   On the  same page  and line                                                               
there  is  a  renumbering  of the  sub-sections  to  reflect  the                                                               
insertion  of the  new  sub-section.   On  page  4,  line 30,  it                                                               
inserts "and (D)",  which includes an earlier section.   He said,                                                               
"Page 4, line 31, changes the language, so..."                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON  asked if  the change on  page 4,  line 31,                                                               
was made to allow for a  woman to download the information off of                                                               
the Internet.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MR. SHATTUCK responded that is correct.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MR. SHATTUCK  said that  on page  5, line  [21], the  agreed upon                                                               
language  was inserted  after looking  into the  definition of  a                                                               
licensed healthcare  provider.   It does  reach the  threshold of                                                               
ensuring that it  is a licensed nurse,  physician's assistant, or                                                               
someone with a medical background.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MR. SHATTUCK  pointed out  that on  page 5, line  21, there  is a                                                               
change  recommended by  Legislative Legal  and Research  Services                                                               
that deletes the word "orally" and inserts "verbally".                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MR. SHATTUCK  said that on page  6, line 1, the  amendment poorly                                                               
reflects the  transaction that  should actually  take place.   He                                                               
told the committee  the inserted language is a  rewording of that                                                               
section.    In  response  to a  request  for  clarification  from                                                               
Representative Coghill,  he explained  that the  change beginning                                                               
on page 6, line 1, would read as follows:                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     After the words "physician shall provide it;" delete                                                                       
     the  requirement  of  this  subparagraph  may  also  be                                                                  
     satisfied  if   a  nurse  who   is  a  member   of  the                                                                  
     physician's   staff   informs   the   person   of   the                                                                  
     availability of  the Internet  information, distributes                                                                  
     a copy  of the Internet  information to the  person, if                                                                  
     requested,  and offers  the  person  an opportunity  to                                                                  
     consult with the physician                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     and insert                                                                                                                 
          the requirements of this subparagraph may be                                                                        
     satisfied by a  member of the physician's  staff who is                                                                  
     a licensed healthcare  provider performing the required                                                                  
     activities if they offer the  person the opportunity to                                                                  
     consult   a  physician;   the   requirements  of   this                                                                  
     paragraph may also  be satisfied if the  physician or a                                                                  
     member  of  the  physician's staff  receives  from  the                                                                  
     person an  appropriately dated and  signed from  of the                                                                  
     type described  in AS.18.05.032(a)(10) and  retains the                                                                  
     form in the patient's file;                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MR. SHATTUCK  responded to a  question by  Representative Coghill                                                               
regarding  the  changes on  page  6,  by  saying they  relate  to                                                               
electronic communication.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WILSON  commented that this language  provides for patients                                                               
to  get  information [ahead  of  their  visit]  by means  of  the                                                               
Internet.   [By  doing  this  first, before  traveling  to see  a                                                               
doctor, the 24-hour  period they currently have to  wait would be                                                               
met already].   Then patients could just go for  a doctor's visit                                                               
and  leave.   She said  that she  believes this  change is  a big                                                               
improvement.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL removed his objection to Amendment 2.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Number 1889                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WILSON  announced that, without objection,  Amendment 2 has                                                               
passed the  House Health, Education and  Social Services Standing                                                               
Committee.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Number 1908                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  COGHILL moved  to  report CSHB  292 [Version  23-                                                               
LS0862\I, Lauterbach, 5/15/03, as  amended] out of committee with                                                               
individual  recommendations and  the  accompanying fiscal  notes.                                                               
There being no  objection, CSHB 292(HES) was reported  out of the                                                               
House Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
ADJOURNMENT                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
There being no  further business before the  committee, the House                                                               
Health, Education and Social  Services Standing Committee meeting                                                               
was adjourned at 10:20 p.m.                                                                                                     

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