04/29/2025 03:15 PM House HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB195 | |
| HB52 | |
| HCR4 | |
| HB64 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 195 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HCR 4 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 64 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 52 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
April 29, 2025
3:36 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Genevieve Mina, Chair
Representative Andrew Gray
Representative Zack Fields
Representative Donna Mears
Representative Mike Prax
Representative Justin Ruffridge
Representative Rebecca Schwanke
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 195
"An Act relating to the prescription and administration of drugs
and devices by pharmacists; relating to reciprocity for
pharmacists; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 52
"An Act relating to the rights of minors undergoing evaluation
or inpatient treatment at psychiatric hospitals; relating to the
use of seclusion or restraint of minors at psychiatric
hospitals; relating to a report published by the Department of
Health; relating to inspections by the Department of Health of
certain psychiatric hospitals; and providing for an effective
date."
- MOVED CSHB 52(HSS) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4
Proclaiming May 2025 as Myositis Awareness Month.
- MOVED HCR 4 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 64
"An Act relating to the surrender of infants; and providing for
an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 195
SHORT TITLE: PHARMACIST PRESCRIPTION AUTHORITY
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) MINA
04/15/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/15/25 (H) HSS, FIN
04/29/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
BILL: HB 52
SHORT TITLE: MINORS & PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) DIBERT
01/22/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/25 (H) HSS, L&C
03/25/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
03/25/25 (H) Heard & Held
03/25/25 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
04/03/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
04/03/25 (H) Heard & Held
04/03/25 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
04/22/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
04/22/25 (H) Heard & Held
04/22/25 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
04/24/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
04/24/25 (H) Heard & Held
04/24/25 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
04/29/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
BILL: HCR 4
SHORT TITLE: MYOSITIS AWARENESS MONTH
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) SADDLER
03/24/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/24/25 (H) HSS
04/29/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
BILL: HB 64
SHORT TITLE: SURRENDER OF INFANTS; INF. SAFETY DEVICE
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) TOMASZEWSKI
01/24/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/24/25 (H) HSS, JUD
03/13/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
03/13/25 (H) Heard & Held
03/13/25 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
04/29/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
WITNESS REGISTER
KATY GIORGIO, Staff
Representative Genevieve Mina
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: On behalf of Representative Mina, prime
sponsor, offered the sectional analysis for HB 195.
ASHLEY SCHABER, PharmD, Chair
Alaska Board of Pharmacy
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony during the hearing
on HB 195.
BRANDY SEIGNEMARTIN, PharmD, Executive Director
Alaska Pharmacy Association
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony during the hearing
on HB 195.
JEN ADAMS, PharmD, Associate Dean of Academic Programs
Idaho State University
Boise, Idaho
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony during the hearing
on HB 195.
KIM GUAY, Director
Office of Children's Services
Department of Family and Community Services
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
52.
MATTHEW THOMAS, Nurse Consultant II
Health Facilities Licensing & Certification
Division of Health Care Services
Department of Health
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: On behalf of Representative Dibert, prime
sponsor, answered questions during the hearing on HB 52.
MATTIE HULL, Staff
Representative Maxine Dibert
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
52.
REPRESENTATIVE MAXINE DIBERT
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, answered questions during
the hearing on HB 52.
REPRESENTATIVE DAN SADDLER
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, presented HCR 4.
LAURA BOLDEN, representing self
Chugiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HCR 4.
DOMINIQUE JOHNSON, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HCR 4.
CHRISTINE JOHNSON, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HCR 4.
ADDI JOHNSON, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HCR 4.
DAVID GOFF, Staff
Representative Frank Tomaszewski
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: On behalf of Representative Tomaszewski,
prime sponsor, answered questions during the hearing on HB 64.
REPRESENTATIVE FRANK TOMASZEWSKI
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, answered questions during
the hearing on HB 64.
VALERIE THERRIEN, Member
Fairbanks City Council
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 64.
LONNY MARNEY, Member
Fairbanks City Council
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 64.
FRANCES ROBINSON, Dispatcher
Anchorage Fire Department
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 64.
JULIE CONDELL, Lead Dispatcher
Anchorage Fire Department
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 64.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:36:52 PM
CHAIR GENEVIEVE MINA called the House Health and Social Services
Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:36 p.m.
Representatives Schwanke, Ruffridge, Mears, Gray, Fields, Prax,
and Mina were present at the call to order.
HB 195-PHARMACIST PRESCRIPTION AUTHORITY
3:37:42 PM
CHAIR MINA announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 195, "An Act relating to the prescription and
administration of drugs and devices by pharmacists; relating to
reciprocity for pharmacists; and providing for an effective
date."
3:38:08 PM
CHAIR MINA, as prime sponsor, presented HB 195. She stated that
HB 195 would be a collaborative effort between the Alaska Board
of Pharmacy and the Alaska Pharmacy Association, and would
clarify pharmacists' right to independent prescribing, allowing
them to practice at the top of the training, education, and
experience. She emphasizes the limited access to healthcare in
Alaska, and the fact that pharmacists are prepared to help fill
gaps in access. She described the education and training
required by pharmacists, and the rights that other states have
provided pharmacists to prescribe independently.
3:40:38 PM
KATY GIORGIO, Staff, Representative Genevieve Mina, offered the
sectional analysis for HB 195 [hard copy included in the
committee file].
Section 1. Amends AS 08.80.030(b) Powers and duties of
the board.
to require that a licensed pharmacist who prescribes,
administers, or dispenses a controlled substance under
state law or federal law to a person in the state
register with the controlled substance prescription
database (PDMP).
Section 2. Amends AS 08.80.110 Qualifications for
licensure by examination.
to require that a pharmacist who holds a Drug
Enforcement Agency (DEA) number applying for licensure
(via examination) receive education in pain management
and opioid use and addiction, in alignment with other
practitioners in Alaska who hold DEA numbers.
Section 3. Amends AS 08.80.145 Reciprocity; license
transfer.
to require that a pharmacist who holds a DEA number
applying for licensure (via reciprocity) receive
education in pain management and opioid use and
addiction, in alignment with other practitioners in
Alaska who hold DEA numbers and pay the associated
fees.
Section 4. Amends AS 08.80.165 Continuing education
requirements.
to require a pharmacist who holds a DEA number and
renews licensure in Alaska meet continuing education
requirements including at least two hours of education
in pain management and opioid use and addiction in the
two years preceding license renewal, in alignment with
other practitioners in Alaska who hold DEA numbers. A
pharmacist whose practice does not include pain
management and opioid prescription, or administration
is exempt from this requirement.
Section 5. Amends AS 08.80.337 Other patient care
services.
(a)to clarify that a pharmacist may not provide
patient care services under a collaborative agreement
with another pharmacist.
Section 6. Amends AS 08.80.337 Other patient care
services.
(d) to clarify that "patient care services" mean
medical care services that include the prescription or
administration of a drug or device to a patient for
the purposes of curing or preventing a disease,
reduction of patient symptoms or for slowing the
disease progression.
Section 7. Amends and adds a new subsection to AS
08.80.337 Other patient care services.
(e) requiring that a pharmacist prescribing or
administering a drug or device under this section
recognize the limits of the pharmacist's education,
training, and experience and consult with and refer to
other practitioners as appropriate. This aligns with
standard of care and pharmacy regulation.
Section 8. Amends AS 08.80.480 Definitions.
(30) to clarify that the "practice of pharmacy"
includes providing patient care services in accordance
with AS 08.80.337. This includes patient care services
provided independently or under collaborative
practice.
Section 9. Amends and adds a new paragraph to AS
08.80.480 Definitions.
(40) adds to the definition of opioid to include opium
and opiate substances and opium and opiate derivatives
Section 10. Repeals AS 08.80.337 Other patient care
services (c) to align with clarifications in Section
6.
Section 11. Provides for an effective date of January
1, 2026.
3:43:48 PM
CHAIR MINA announced the committee would hear invited testimony.
3:44:04 PM
ASHLEY SCHABER, PharmD, Chair, Alaska Board of Pharmacy, stated
that HB 195 would align with the Alaska Board of Pharmacy's
strategic plan to promote community health and safety. She said
that HB 195 would be the result of work over several years,
spanning multiple Board of Pharmacy chairs, with its ultimate
goal being to increase access to care. She described House Bill
145, which passed during the Thirty-Second Alaska State
Legislature and expanded the scope of practice of pharmacists.
She added that the board has deemed it necessary to clarify the
expansion of statutory authorities given to pharmacists under HB
145. Dr. Schaber stated that HB 195 would encourage engagement
between pharmacists and other healthcare professionals and would
help maintain patient safety. She asked the committee to
support HB 195.
3:48:02 PM
BRANDY SEIGNEMARTIN, PharmD, Executive Director, Alaska Pharmacy
Association, testified in support of HB 195. She described how
pharmacists are deeply embedded in patient care, especially in
Alaska. She said that HB 195 would allow pharmacists to provide
a limited set of additional patient care services, including
prescribing and services within the bounds of their education,
training, and experience. She said that HB 195 would not be new
to pharmacists but would be following in the footsteps of
federal pharmacists' authorities, who have been allowed to
provide these same patient care services since 1979. She
emphasized that HB 195 would not allow pharmacists to practice
any services outside of their competency levels. She added that
closing the gap between pharmacists' education and their scope
of practice would help fight burnout. Dr. Seignemartin said
that HB 195 would prevent more patients from delaying care or
ending up in emergency rooms. She then listed the patient care
services that pharmacists would be allowed to practice under HB
195. She described the economic value of pharmacist-provided
care, explaining how it saves patients money without sacrificing
quality of care. She urged the committee to support HB 195.
3:55:58 PM
JEN ADAMS, PharmD, Associate Dean of Academic Programs, Idaho
State University, described her role within the Doctor of
Pharmacy program at Idaho State University. She described the
education requirements regarding prescribing practices for
Doctors of Pharmacy. She stated that pharmacy students across
the country are trained and qualified to provide the services
that would be authorized under HB 195. She described the
benefits seen by patients in Idaho, where pharmacists' scope of
practice has been expanded already. She shared an anecdote from
a patient who received care for a substance abuse disorder from
a pharmacist in Idaho. She said that authorizing pharmacists to
provide timely, evidence-based, patient care services would
increase access to healthcare, reduce the burden on emergency
departments, and improve health outcomes across Alaska. She
urged the committee to support HB 195.
4:03:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY asked why it has taken 46 years longer for
Alaska to expand pharmacists' practicing authorities than the
federal government.
CHAIR MINA directed the question to Dr. Schaber.
4:03:44 PM
DR. SCHABER explained that pharmacists within the federal system
are not bound by individual states' statutes. She said that the
goal of HB 195 would be to align Alaskan pharmacists' scope of
practice more closely with those in the federal system.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY asked about what circumstances a pharmacist
would prescribe schedule IA substances.
4:05:07 PM
CHAIR MINA read from page 2, lines 28-30, in Section 1 of HB
195, the section to which Representative Gray had referred.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY stated that in his experience, there is no
circumstance where a pharmacist would prescribe a schedule IA
substance.
DR. SEIGNEMARTIN agreed and presumed that this language was
taken from some other statute.
DR. SCHABER responded that the drugs identified in this section
are controlled substances under state law and that she has not
seen anything scheduled under these circumstances.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY asked about the collaborative practices that
were mentioned in the sectional analysis.
DR. SCHABER responded that collaborative practice refers to the
practice between a pharmacist and another practitioner to
prescribe services.
4:08:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE said that HB 145 was a bill he did a
lot of work on prior to being a legislator. He said that
collaborative practice could still occur under HB 195, in
addition to independent prescribing. He added that if a
pharmacist has prescribing authority, then they cannot be a
collaborating provider for another pharmacist that provides
those services.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY asked why another pharmacist cannot be the
collaborating provider for another pharmacist.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE explained that the collaborative
provider agreement under HB 145 references the pharmacist with
some other kind of provider, to expand their collaborative scope
of practice.
4:10:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked if pharmacists are trained on schedule
IA substances.
4:11:40 PM
DR. ADAMS said that medications classified under schedule IA do
not have a medicinal purpose.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY added that federal and state schedule
classifications are different.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked if HB 195 would need to be amended to
address this.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY [shook his head no].
4:13:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE asked what the scope of required
education would be under HB 195.
DR. SCHABER responded that the required education would be in
alignment with other providers that prescribe opioids so as not
to have any discrepancies there.
DR. ADAMS added that a Doctor of Pharmacy education would
include the training necessary to prescribe independently and
would be consistent with federal law standards.
REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE asked if a Doctor of Pharmacy degree
would meet the education requirement under HB 195.
DR. ADAMS said that that is correct.
4:16:31 PM
CHAIR MINA announced that HB 195 was held over.
HB 52-MINORS & PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS
4:16:37 PM
CHAIR MINA announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 52, "An Act relating to the rights of minors
undergoing evaluation or inpatient treatment at psychiatric
hospitals; relating to the use of seclusion or restraint of
minors at psychiatric hospitals; relating to a report published
by the Department of Health; relating to inspections by the
Department of Health of certain psychiatric hospitals; and
providing for an effective date." [Before the committee was the
proposed committee substitute (CS) for HB 52, Version 34-LS0399\
I, A. Radford, 4/12/25, adopted as a working draft on 4/22/25;
left pending on 4/24/25 was a motion by Representative Fields to
adopt Amendment 1, with a pending objection for discussion by
Representative Schwanke.]
4:17:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS provided a brief recap of Amendment 1,
which would increase the floor of required communication per
week from one to two hours.
4:18:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE withdrew her objection. There being no
further objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
4:18:51 PM
EPRESENTATIVE FIELDS stated that after receiving additional
information, he would not be offering Amendment 2.
4:19:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE moved to adopt Amendment 3 to HB 52,
Version I, as amended, labeled 34-LS0399\I.3, A. Radford,
4/23/25, which read as follows:
Page 2, lines 7 - 8:
Delete "publish the report on the department's
Internet website,"
Page 2, line 9:
Delete ","
CHAIR MINA objected for the purpose of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE explained Amendment 3. She expressed
concern regarding the mandatory report under HB 52 being
published on the Department of Health (DOH) website.
CHAIR MINA expressed concern with Amendment 3, explaining that
the published report under HB 52 would increase transparency by
psychiatric facilities. She maintained her objection.
4:20:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked if publishing the report would assist
the public or provide unnecessary, inappropriate information.
4:21:23 PM
KIM GUAY, Director, Office of Children's Services, Department of
Family and Community Services, deferred to DOH.
4:21:49 PM
MATTHEW THOMAS, Nurse Consultant II, Health Facilities Licensing
& Certification, Division of Health Care Services, Department of
Health, deferred to the bill sponsor, regarding intent.
4:22:24 PM
MATTIE HULL, Staff, Representative Maxine Dibert, stated that
the intent of publishing the report on DOH website would be to
make it more accessible to the public, including different
advocacy groups. He added that the goal of this information to
for these groups to ensure that the rates of chemical restraint
usage is not rising.
4:23:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY stated that public transparency is good
because DOH will not highlight issues it does not want to
highlight when giving a presentation to the legislature. He
emphasized that this is information that everyone needs to know.
4:25:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE stated that he struggles with Amendment
3, expressing concern regarding unintentional consequences of
publishing this report publicly, especially when this report
would include usage of restraints even as medication. He agreed
with Representative Gray that "if it was my child," he would
want the history of a facility's abusive practices to be made
public.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE [objected] to Amendment 3.
4:27:32 PM
CHAIR MINA discussed the Crisis Now framework on psychiatric
rights, including the cases of involuntary medications,
seclusion, and restraint.
CHAIR MINA maintained her objection to Amendment 3.
4:29:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE said that using "exponential" to
describe the increase in use of restraints, seclusion, and
psychotropic drugs on minors, is a very significant comment, and
that she has not seen data that shows an exponential increase.
She added that publishing this data for the public may have
unintended consequences, and people will make assumptions.
4:31:38 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representative Schwanke voted in
favor of Amendment 3. Representatives Prax, Ruffridge, Mears,
Fields, Gray, and Chair Mina voted against it. Therefore,
Amendment 3 failed by a vote of 1-6.
4:32:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY moved to adopt Amendment 4 to HB 52, Version
I, as amended, labeled 34-LS0399\I.4, A. Radford, 4/23/25, which
read as follows:
Page 3, line 25, following "that":
Insert "(A)"
Page 3, line 26, following "symptom":
Insert "; or
(B) is used to treat a patient's medical
symptom, but is given to the patient in a higher dose
than is needed to treat the patient's medical symptom"
CHAIR MINA objected for the purpose of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY explained Amendment 4. He said that
Amendment 4 would amend the definition of restraint under HB 52,
to address the case where physicians might administer a higher
dosage of a patient's prescribed medication to create a
restraint. He said that Amendment 4 would avoid the creation of
a loophole for physicians to not report under this scenario.
CHAIR MINA removed her objection.
4:33:51 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE objected for the purpose of discussion.
Referring to the case where a patient might need medication as
they experience a psychotic episode, he asked how Representative
Gray would define "medical symptom".
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY said that he thinks the intent of Amendment
4 is clear.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE said that the goal of HB 52 would not
be to avoid using medication, but to avoid using medication as
discipline. He said that sometimes patients do require
restraint, whether it be physical or chemical restraint. He
expressed concern in defining all restraint as bad.
4:37:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MAXINE DIBERT, Alaska State Legislature, deferred
to the committee to decide on Amendment 4.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY said that the purpose of HB 52 would be to
increase transparency and Amendment 4 would increase that
transparency.
4:38:44 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 4:38 p.m. to 4:41 p.m.
4:41:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE referred to AS 47.30.838, which
provides guidelines for using psychotropic drugs in crisis
scenarios already.
4:43:10 PM
CHAIR MINA invited Mr. Thomas to comment on AS 47.30.838.
4:44:53 PM
MR. THOMAS responded that he would like to follow up with the
committee.
4:45:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY said that he thinks HB 52 would be adding a
definition of chemical restraint, and Amendment 4 would help to
clarify that definition.
MR. THOMAS said that he thinks there is some confusion about
what is in statute and what would be amended in Amendment 4.
CHAIR MINA thanked Mr. Thomas for the clarification.
4:47:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE maintained his objection.
4:47:43 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Gray, Schwanke,
Mears, Fields, and Mina voted in favor of Amendment 4.
Representatives Prax and Ruffridge voted against it. Therefore,
Amendment 4 passed by a vote of 5-2.
4:48:56 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DIBERT thanked committee members for their hard
work to improve HB 52.
4:49:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS moved to report CSHB 52, Version 34-
LS0399\I, A. Radford, 4/12/25, as amended, out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
There being no objection, CSHB 52 (HSS) was reported out of the
House Health and Social Services Standing Committee.
4:49:43 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 4:49 p.m. to 4:52 p.m.
HCR 4-MYOSITIS AWARENESS MONTH
4:52:25 PM
CHAIR MINA announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4, Proclaiming May 2025 as
Myositis Awareness Month.
4:52:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DAN SADDLER, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, presented HCR 4. He described the opportunity that
legislators have to raise public awareness and bend the arc of
public health toward good. He said that HCR 4 would establish
May 2025 as Myositis Awareness Month. He added that HCR 4 would
increase public awareness of the disease, encourage more
knowledge in medical professions, encourage people to receive
treatment sooner, and bring hope to many patients.
4:54:49 PM
CHAIR MINA announced invited testimony on HCR 4.
4:55:16 PM
LAURA BOLDEN, representing self, testified in support of HCR 4.
She described her personal experience with Myositis, as well as
the variety of ways this disease can affect different people.
She listed some of the early symptoms of Myositis, many of which
are mistaken for aging. She emphasized that diagnosing Myositis
is difficult because it is rare and doctors do not have much
knowledge or experience of the disease. She added that her
diagnosis resulted after 3 years of initial appointments. She
stated that there is no cure but there are ways to make her life
easier. She urged the committee to support HCR 4.
4:59:04 PM
CHAIR MINA opened public testimony on HCR 4.
4:59:12 PM
DOMINIQUE JOHNSON, representing self, testified in support of
HCR 4. He began by describing his family's experience with
Myositis, as their daughter was diagnosed with the disease at
four years old. He said that Juvenile Myositis (JM) is a rare
autoimmune disease which affects about 1 in 5,000 children.
5:00:09 PM
CHRISTINE JOHNSON, representing self, testified in support of
HCR 4. She described the extensive medical tests and treatments
that her daughter has received since her diagnosis. She said
that her daughter has experienced more days of fatigue and
discomfort than any child should. She emphasized that education
and awareness are essential.
MR. JOHNSON continued reading testimony. He said that his
family found hope with the JM Foundation, which has brought
together people affected by the disease. He said that with more
awareness, there can be more understanding and help for families
like his. He emphasized the good that establishing a Myositis
Awareness Month would do, including sending the message to
children and families that they are not alone with this disease.
5:03:07 PM
ADDI JOHNSON, representing self, testified in support of HCR 4.
She described the physical symptoms of her JM and the treatment
she receives. She asked the committee to support HCR 4.
5:03:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked the Johnson family to share
information regarding their experience with insurance coverage
and Myositis.
5:04:48 PM
CHAIR MINA, after ascertaining there was no one else who wished
to testify, closed public testimony on HCR 4.
5:04:52 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 5:04 p.m. to 5:05 p.m.
5:05:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX said that he wants to ensure that this
information gets out to those in medical communities.
5:06:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS moved to report HCR 4 out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal
note. There being no objection, HCR 4 was reported out of the
House Health and Social Services Standing Committee.
HB 64-SURRENDER OF INFANTS; INF. SAFETY DEVICE
5:07:11 PM
CHAIR MINA announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 64, "An Act relating to the surrender of infants;
and providing for an effective date."
5:08:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY asked what HB 64 would do.
DAVID GOFF, Staff, Representative Frank Tomaszewski, Alaska
State Legislature, on behalf of Representative Tomaszewski,
prime sponsor, responded that HB 64 would provide a means for
safe surrendering of infants through a device installed at fire
departments, emergency rooms, and police stations. He said that
the devices would be monitored by those facilities.
5:09:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FRANK TOMASZEWSKI, Alaska State Legislature, as
prime sponsor, thanked the committee for the opportunity to have
HB 64 heard again.
5:09:26 PM
CHAIR MINA opened public testimony on HB 64.
5:09:38 PM
VALERIE THERRIEN, Member, Fairbanks City Council, testified in
support of HB 64. She said that the mayor sent a letter of
support for HB 64 to the committee. She stated that the City
Council had been worried about who would monitor the baby boxes,
but now believes Fairbanks has enough paramedics and other
medical personnel who could monitor those boxes. She added that
less than 10 babies in the last 15 years have been in situations
like this and described the Office of Children's Services (OCS)
response in the past. She emphasized that the entire city
council supports HB 64 and that a fiscal note would not be
necessary.
5:13:17 PM
LONNY MARNEY, Member, Fairbanks City Council, testified in
support of HB 64. He stated that the purpose of the infant
safety device is to reach the parent that needs it, to prevent
harm to the baby. He said that mothers and their infants
deserves this opportunity when in crisis.
5:14:21 PM
FRANCES ROBINSON, Dispatcher, Anchorage Fire Department,
testified in support of HB 64. He described her response to a
911 in 2013 call for a baby who had been abandoned in a park.
She said that HB 64 would have been able to save that baby, as
well as other babies that have been left behind by their
mothers. She added that HB 64 would help mothers safely
surrender their babies because it would offer anonymity. She
emphasized that infant safety devices are voluntary, cost
nothing to the state, and save infants' lives.
5:16:44 PM
JULIE CONDELL, Lead Dispatcher, Anchorage Fire Department,
testified in support of HB 64. She said that finding a dead
baby is the most traumatic experience that the fire department
has seen. She said that HB 64 would expand the Safe Haven Law
by offering anonymity, in addition to confidentiality, which has
proven to not be enough for some mothers. She emphasized that
these devices would have saved many lives already. She stated
that these devices have proven successful in other states and
encouraged the committee to support HB 64.
5:19:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY asked about the possibility of some women
who not only want to surrender their child anonymously but also
want to deliver them anonymously under "Jane Doe" at a hospital.
5:20:45 PM
CHAIR MINA, after ascertaining there was no one else who wished
to testify, closed public testimony on HB 64.
5:20:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TOMASZEWSKI responded that he had not heard about
this situation before, but believes it is a completely
reasonable idea.
5:21:44 PM
CHAIR MINA announced that HB 64 was held over.
5:22:29 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Health and Social Services Standing Committee meeting was
adjourned at 5:22 p.m.