03/16/2023 03:00 PM House STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HJR4 | |
| HB53 | |
| HB15 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HJR 4 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 53 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 15 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
March 16, 2023
3:04 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Laddie Shaw, Chair
Representative Stanley Wright, Vice Chair
Representative Ben Carpenter
Representative Craig Johnson
Representative Jamie Allard
Representative Jennie Armstrong
Representative Andi Story
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 4
Honoring the Alaska-Korea relationship; and celebrating the 70th
anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United
States and the Republic of Korea, the 70th anniversary of the
Korean Armistice Agreement, and the 120th anniversary of the
first Korean immigration to the United States.
- MOVED HJR 4 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 53
"An Act relating to state identifications and driver's licenses
for persons in the custody of the Department of Corrections;
relating to the duties of the commissioner of corrections; and
providing for an effective date."
- HEARD AND HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 15
"An Act relating to peer support counseling programs for law
enforcement agencies, emergency service providers, and the
Department of Corrections."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HJR 4
SHORT TITLE: HONORING THE ALASKA-KOREA RELATIONSHIP
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) MINA
02/08/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/08/23 (H) MLV, STA
02/28/23 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/28/23 (H) Heard & Held
02/28/23 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
03/02/23 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
03/02/23 (H) Moved HJR 4 Out of Committee
03/02/23 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
03/08/23 (H) MLV RPT 5DP
03/08/23 (H) DP: GRAY, SADDLER, SHAW, GROH, WRIGHT
03/16/23 (H) STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
BILL: HB 53
SHORT TITLE: STATE IDENTIFICATION CARD FOR PRISONERS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) GRAY
02/01/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/01/23 (H) STA, FIN
03/16/23 (H) STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
BILL: HB 15
SHORT TITLE: PEER SUPPORT COUNSELING PROGRAM
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) JOSEPHSON
01/19/23 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/9/23
01/19/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/19/23 (H) STA, HSS
03/16/23 (H) STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE GENEVIEVE MINA
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HJR 4, as the prime sponsor.
DAVID SONG, Board Secretary
Korean Cultural Center Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 4.
REPRESENTATIVE ANDREW GRAY
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 53, as the prime sponsor.
NATE GRAHAM, Staff
Representative Andrew Gray
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
53, on behalf of Representative Gray, prime sponsor.
APRIL WILKERSON, Deputy Commissioner
Department of Corrections
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
53.
REPRESENTATIVE ANDY JOSEPHSON
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 15, as the prime sponsor.
ANGELINA SALVATO, Senior Patrol Officer
Anchorage Police Department;
Anchorage Police Department Employees Association
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided invited testimony during the
hearing on HB 15.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:04:06 PM
CHAIR LADDIE SHAW called the House State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:04 p.m. Representatives
Carpenter, Armstrong, Story, and Shaw were present at the call
to order. Representatives C. Johnson, Allard, and Wright
arrived as the meeting was in progress.
HJR 4-HONORING THE ALASKA-KOREA RELATIONSHIP
3:05:26 PM
CHAIR SHAW announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 4, "Honoring the Alaska-Korea
relationship; and celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Mutual
Defense Treaty between the United States and the Republic of
Korea, the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement,
and the 120th anniversary of the first Korean immigration to the
United States."
3:06:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GENEVIEVE MINA, Alaska State Legislature, prime
sponsor, presented HJR 4. She paraphrased the sponsor statement
[included in the committee packet], which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
HJR 4 honors the unique relationship and shared
history between the State of Alaska and the Republic
of Korea. Korean immigrants came to Alaska to work in
the fishing and canning industries, forming tight-knit
communities and social institutions. The Korean-
American community is a vital part of Alaska's
diversity. They serve as Alaska as military personnel,
police officers, fire fighters, nurses and doctors,
teachers, business owners, public servants, and more -
contributing their talents to Alaska's safety,
diversity, and unity.
Additionally, the government of South Korea has served
as an important partner in national security and
trade. The Mutual Defense Treaty of 1953 between the
United States and the Republic of Korea strengthened
the defense of both countries against external
threats, particularly from North Korea. The Ted
Stevens Anchorage International Airport is a growing
hub for air cargo to and from the Republic of Korea,
and Alaska has become an important destination for
thousands of Korean tourists each year. Since 1986,
the Municipality of Anchorage and Incheon Metropolitan
City have been sister cities, leading to economic
opportunities and increased cultural exchange between
the two regions.
House Joint Resolution 4 seeks to honor and celebrate
the friendly and beneficial relationship between the
United States and the Republic of Korea, and the
unique role Alaska has in that relationship.
3:10:09 PM
CHAIR SHAW invited questions from members of the committee.
3:10:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY expressed her gratitude for the informative
resolution, adding that she was surprised to learn that Korea
was [America's] largest trade partner. She inquired about the
Korea-Alaska Friendship Festival.
REPRESENTATIVE MINA discussed the Korea-Alaska Friendship
Festival, noting that it was hosted by the Korean American
community of Anchorage (KACA). She stated that KACA hosted a
variety of events, such as multicultural unity conversations,
training for elders, small business nonprofit seminars, senior
academy, scholarship day, and scholarship programs that had paid
out $20,000 annually to many Alaskan students for the past 20
years.
3:12:37 PM
CHAIR SHAW opened public testimony on HJR 4.
3:12:58 PM
DAVID SONG, Board Secretary, Korean Cultural Center Alaska,
testified in support of HJR 4. He paraphrased written remarks
[included in the committee packet], which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
I am writing today as a member of the Korean community
in Alaska to show my support for HJR 4, "Honoring the
Alaska-Korea Relationship.
There has been a long-standing relationship between
our state and the country of South Korea. South Korea
is one of Alaska's top trade partners, Alaskans have
fought for the independence of South Korea during the
Korean War, and Korean-Americans have established
themselves as an integral part of our Alaskan
community.
Korean Americans in Alaska are deeply involved in our
small business community, both in urban and rural
communities across the state. The Korean American
Community of Anchorage (KACA) has donated hundreds of
thousands in scholarship funds to students of all
backgrounds over the years, and are deeply involved in
philanthropic efforts across the state.
For example, SB 203, sponsored by Senator Revak, named
a bridge in your district after Insook Baik, who has
donated thousands of dollars of meals to the Mountain
View community. Last year, our very own Miss Alaska
was chosen to be Miss America in 2022 and is an
involved member of the Korean American community. We
are proud that she represented the Korean community
gracefully on the national stage and used her platform
to advocate for the Special Olympics.
Alaska has already recognized the deep relationship
between our two countries through Korea-Alaska
Friendship Day, which is held on 6/25 of every year.
However, I believe that HJR 4 would be a powerful
reaffirmation of this relationship. To honor the
contributions of Koreans to Alaska and for the
betterment of the relationships between our two
countries, I urge the Legislature to pass HJR 4
posthaste.
CHAIR SHAW closed public testimony on HJR 4.
3:15:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER recounted his experience serving in
Korea for a military exercise, which he described as
inspirational. He noted his surprise at the amount of high
tunnels and greenhouses in addition to the investment in
infrastructure that allowed them to grow crops for a longer
period. He expressed appreciation for the time he spent there
and for the proposed resolution.
CHAIR SHAW shared his experience training with the Korean
frogmen, emphasizing the value of Korea and HJR 4.
3:17:20 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease.
3:17:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT moved to report HJR 4 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal
note. There being no objection, HJR 4 was reported out of the
House State Affairs Standing Committee.
3:18:49 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease.
HB 53-STATE IDENTIFICATION CARD FOR PRISONERS
3:21:34 PM
CHAIR SHAW announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 53, "An Act relating to state identifications and
driver's licenses for persons in the custody of the Department
of Corrections; relating to the duties of the commissioner of
corrections; and providing for an effective date."
3:22:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ANDREW GRAY, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, presented HB 53. He paraphrased the sponsor statement
[included in the committee packet], which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
House Bill 53 provides easier access to identification
cards for reentrants upon release, granting them an
important tool for reintegration. HB 53 will require
the Department of Administration to issue a state ID
to all reentrants who are serving a term of
imprisonment over 120 days who would otherwise be
released without a valid ID.
Individuals are required to present a valid form of ID
in order to gain new employment, apply for housing,
drive a car, open a bank account, travel, purchase a
phone, apply for Medicaid, social security, obtaining
medication, and registering to vote. The lack of a
valid ID could cause a reentrant to reoffend or
violate their conditions of release.
Reentry is an essential part of public safety.
Ensuring reentrants are supported during their
transitional period helps improve community well-being
and public safety. By providing reentrants with a
valid form of identification upon their release we
also provide the individual with an essential tool for
finding housing, employment, and medical care, and
alleviate the risk of reoffending.
In prior legislatures it was determined that HB 53
would add no additional costs to the state. HB 53 may
reduce costs to the state by reducing recidivism
numbers.
Please join me in supporting House Bill 53.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY believed that providing incarcerated
individuals with the means to get started on the right foot was
the least the state could if the purpose of incarceration was to
correct behavior.
3:25:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY said she was fortunate to have experienced
the reentry simulations offered by the Juneau Reentry Coalition,
which highlighted the need for this bill. She inquired about
the language "good faith effort" on page 4, line 15 of HB 53 and
asked how that would work.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY deferred to his staff, Mr. Graham.
3:26:15 PM
NATE GRAHAM, Staff, Representative Andrew Gray, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Gray, prime sponsor of
HB 53, explained that "[making] a good faith effort" to help
prisoners obtain a valid state identification card went a step
beyond the existing statutory language, "assist". He indicated
that a forthcoming committee substitute (CS) might address the
language in question.
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD asked how many incarcerated individuals
were released from custody on an annual basis.
3:27:48 PM
APRIL WILKERSON, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Corrections
(DOC), reported that 12 percent of the individuals released from
custody were released without a valid state identification (ID)
or driver's license.
3:28:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD asked, "Twelve percent of what number?"
MS. WILKERSON answered approximately 30,000.
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD observed that there was no fiscal note
associated with the bill. She asked how the bill would improve
the current system.
MS. WILKERSON acknowledged that there would be no fiscal impact
on the department. She explained that instead of releasing
prisoners with a piece of paper, a recent change to procedure
allowed them to release with a card that could be exchanged for
a valid state ID at the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD asked how the bill would improve those
efforts.
MS. WILKERSON indicated that the bill would allow the DOC issued
card to be recognized as a valid temporary ID.
3:31:00 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT asked whether the proposed legislation
would remove a barrier to individuals being released from
custody.
MS. WILKRESON answered yes, for reentry purposes, the bill would
assist with those efforts.
3:31:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER asked whether the temporary ID was for
people who lacked a state ID prior to incarceration.
MS. WILKERSON said the temporary ID would be offered to anyone
releasing from custody who was not in possession of a state ID.
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER asked why the applicable term of
imprisonment must exceed 120 days.
MS. WILKRESON deferred to the bill sponsor. She noted that the
temporary IDs would be valid for a period of six months to
provide enough time to obtain an official state ID from the DMV.
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER asked whether a photograph of the
individual would appear on the temporary card.
MS. WILKRESON confirmed that an official photo was taken at the
time of release, which was printed on the card itself.
3:33:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE C. JOHNSON sought to verify that the temporary
card would serve as a valid state ID to be used for services,
such as opening a bank account.
MS. WILKERSON shared her understanding that the intent of the
policy was to issue an official temporary ID. She deferred to
the bill sponsor.
REPRESENTATIVE C. JOHNSON pointed out that the Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) required valid state ID to fly.
He asked whether this temporary ID could be used to get on an
airplane.
MR. GRAHAM clarified that the intent was for the temporary ID to
act as a valid state ID not the Real ID.
3:35:43 PM
REPRESENTATIVE C. JOHNSON surmised that the temporary cards
could be used to flee the state due to the delayed deadline for
Real ID compliance.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY confirmed that if Real ID was not yet
required and the temporary card was recognized as a valid state
ID, the card could be utilized to travel out of state.
3:36:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD pointed out that that once the individual
releasing from custody obtained a valid driver's license, he/she
could leave the state.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY answered in the affirmative.
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD asked whether this policy was only
applicable to people who spent over 120 days in custody.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY shared his understanding that the
forthcoming CS would include all people releasing from
incarceration.
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD asked whether the temporary ID had an
expiration date.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY stated that the ID issued by DOC would be
valid only for six months.
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD said, "That's a long time."
3:37:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT asked whether the temporary IDs would be
provided to individuals whose state IDs had expired while in
custody.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY answered yes.
3:38:23 PM
CHAIR SHAW announced that HB 53 would be held over.
3:38:47 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease.
HB 15-PEER SUPPORT COUNSELING PROGRAM
3:40:06 PM
CHAIR SHAW announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 15, "An Act relating to peer support counseling
programs for law enforcement agencies, emergency service
providers, and the Department of Corrections."
3:40:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ANDY JOSEPHSON, Alaska State Legislature, as
prime sponsor, introduced HB 15. He paraphrased the sponsor
statement [included in the committee packet], which read as
follows [original punctuation provided]:
HB 15 establishes the ability for law enforcement
officers and first responders to seek mental health
counseling regarding classified information without
jeopardizing ongoing investigations. Under current
law, public safety officers are extremely limited in
their options to discuss stressful and traumatic
events that occur in their workplace because they are
often, by their nature, related to criminal
investigations. HB 15 addresses the critical need to
de-stigmatize mental health issues that affect many
public safety officers by providing a safe and
confidential way for them to talk about emotionally
intense aspects of their work.
HB 15 does not mandate changes to existing agencies,
but merely allows them to establish a peer support
counseling program. A law enforcement agency,
emergency service provider, or the Department of
Corrections will have the opportunity to designate an
existing employee as a peer counselor if they have
prior counseling training. Any participant who seeks
counseling from their designated peer is guaranteed
confidentiality in those communications. Confidential
space for participants to discuss emotionally
traumatic events is key for creating effective
Critical Incident Stress Management debriefs, which
the United States Occupational Safety and Health
Administration recognizes as crucial for preventing
and mitigating the effects of trauma. The
confidentiality created by the peer counseling program
does not apply to any threats that the participant
makes, and it does not apply to any admission of
criminal conduct.
HB 15 will ultimately provide emotional relief and a
path to healing for the Alaskans who bear the burden
of protecting the public on a daily basis. I urge you
to support HB 15.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON listed several questions that the
committee may want to discuss to improve the bill, such as, the
penalty for a counselor who disclosed something in violation of
the act. He reiterated that the intent of the bill was to
provide police officers an opportunity to begin to heal from
trauma.
CHAIR SHAW invited questions from members of the committee.
3:44:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT asked whether a pilot program had been
implemented.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON recalled that DPS had referenced a
pilot program in the fiscal note. He opined that Alaska needed
to "get on board" with other states who had implemented similar
programs.
3:45:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER inquired about the mandatory reporting
requirements and questioned whether the communications offered
by participants would be confidential.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON directed attention to Section 1,
subsection (c), indicating that the confidentiality would not
apply to the following:
(1) a threat of suicide or homicide made by a
participant in a peer support counseling session or
any information relating to a threat of suicide or
homicide;
(2) information that is required by law to be
reported;
(3) information relating to the abuse of a child or a
vulnerable adult;
(4) any admission of criminal conduct.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON indicated that the service was designed
to be like a "sacred space" for first responders to talk through
and process their day-to-day experiences.
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER asked why that wasn't being done now.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON discussed the cultural and employment
elements that may deter "men in blue" from seeking help. He
reiterated that the policy was designed to be a legal shield to
provide assurances around disclosing information.
3:48:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER sought to verify that this program
could offer a space for police officers to discuss taboo topics
and things that could otherwise have job performance
implications.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON agreed. Further, he confirmed that
there was a pilot program within the Anchorage Police Department
(APD).
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER shared his understanding that the bill
was being presented as having zero fiscal impact. He asked
whether costs would increase in the future as the program was
being implemented across the state.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON offered to inquire about the costs
associated with the APD pilot program. He shared his
understanding that the program was currently facing funding
issues. He reiterated that the bill would provide the basic
framework for a peer support counseling program.
3:51:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER said he was unfamiliar with the
relationship between police bargaining units and administration.
He asked whether the bill was intended to solve an existing
dispute between those two entities.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON said he did not know the answer. He
surmised that the department, in addition to the officers, would
benefit from this type of service, as it would accommodate
psychological trauma and provide an opportunity to heal.
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER maintained his confusion as to why the
police departments had not implemented this policy on their own
determination.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON suggested that the traumatized officer
would be more reluctant to participate without the protections
provided in HB 15. He acknowledged police departments could do
it administratively; however, the legislation would be the
enabling act to make the program official and viable while
offering a legal shield.
3:53:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE C. JOHNSON inquired about the enabling policy
that allowed APD and the Alaska State Troopers (AST) to stand up
their existing pilot programs.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON offered to follow up with the requested
information.
3:55:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD asked whether the union brought the
legislation forward.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON answered, "Yes, that's fair."
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD remarked:
I was told that the legislators who brought this
forward that they said there was a misunderstanding
of the difference between what the union wants and
what the administration wants. They said that they
already do this and that they didn't realize that they
now need permission to continue to do it, and they
were actually taken aback by this bill.
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD asked whether the sponsor had spoken with
the administration.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON answered no. Nonetheless, he pointed
out that if the administration [had already implemented a
similar policy] they shouldn't be opposed to the bill. He
offered to follow up after speaking with the chief of police at
APD.
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD said she was puzzled at why this bill
being brought forward if the program was already being utilized.
She suggested that the bill would pit the administration against
the unions.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON directed attention to Section 1,
subsection (b), noting that the program was optional. He
indicated that it would require administration "buy in."
3:58:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD asked, "forced buy-in?"
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON answered no, due to the "may" language
on page 1, line 11 of the bill.
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD expressed concern that HB 15 would
politicize the issue and put pressure on organizational
leadership to opt in. She asked whether the bill sponsor
agreed.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON said he would be dishonest to say
there's no merit in that statement; however, he opined that
cajoling and pressure was part of life.
3:59:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE C. JOHNSON asked whether the peer support
counselors within the police department would be insured or
protected against financial harm for giving an officer bad
advice.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON shared his understanding that good
counselors would act as empathetic sounding boards. He offered
to ask stakeholders whether immunity should be included in the
bill.
REPRESENTATIVE C. JOHNSON pointed out that Representative
Josephson had referenced "good counselors." He pondered the
type of training and qualifications required of a peer
counselor.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON said as drafted, the bill clarified
that peer counselors must receive training and counseling on
providing emotional support to peace officers and emergency
service personnel who experienced trauma during the course of
employment. He welcomed a friendly amendment to expound on
that; however, he noted that master's level clinicians were not
required.
4:04:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY shared her understanding that public safety
work was traumatic. She imagined that having a mental health
clinician on staff would be standard practice; however, she
discussed the merits of having a peer counselor who had walked
in the same shoes as the officers.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON agreed. He elaborated on instances of
counselors being court ordered to testify.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked whether police departments had their
own mental health clinicians on staff.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON said he did not know.
4:07:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE C. JOHNSON declared a conflict of interest,
noting that his daughter was a clinical psychologist. He
pointed out that families suffer just as much as the traumatized
officers. He suggested the inclusion of peer counseling support
for the families.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON acknowledged the damage to marriages
and relationships across the board for law enforcement.
4:10:14 PM
CHAIR SHAW inquired about the two zero fiscal notes and invited
the bill sponsor to speak to them.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON said there was nothing notable to add.
4:10:41 PM
CHAIR SHAW proceeded to invited testimony.
4:11:01 PM
ANGELINA SALVATO, Senior Patrol Officer, Anchorage Police
Department; Anchorage Police Department Employees Association
(APDEA), highlighted her twenty-year career in law enforcement.
She recounted an incident in which she had to use deadly force
during a traffic stop and the associated trauma she experienced.
She discussed the cultural perception that talking about one's
problems was weak. She emphasized that the bill would allow
officers to participate in critical incident stress management
with a peer counselor someone who had walked in their shoes.
She conveyed that the pilot program was currently supported by
the federal government, adding that the grants from the U.S.
Department of Justice (DOJ) provided for internal clinical
support. She emphasized that the bill would provide legal
protections that were lacking in existing practice, indicating
that the added protection would encourage officers to
participate.
4:17:00 PM
CHAIR SHAW opened public testimony on HB 15. After ascertaining
that no one online or in person wished to testify, he closed
public testimony.
4:17:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON proceeded to summarize a PowerPoint
presentation on HB 15 [hard copy included in the committee
packet]. He began on slide 4, titled "Other States with Peer
Support Programs for EMS and Law Enforcement," which read as
follows [original punctuation provided]:
1. Illinois Establishes a peer support program,
provides for confidentiality.
2. Idaho Establishes a guarantee of confidentiality
for peer support programs in EMS/Law enforcement.
Relates to evidence, defines terms, to prohibit
disclosure of certain communications, to provide
exceptions, to provide that certain disclosures are
subject to the rules of the Idaho Supreme Court.
3. Indiana Relates to peer support services and
critical incident stress management services (CISM),
provides for confidentiality.
4. Louisiana Provides for the Peace Officer and
Public Safety Personnel Peer Support and Mental Health
Wellness Act
5. South Dakota - Makes an appropriation for and the
establishment of peer support and critical incident
stress management training for first responder
organizations, declares an emergency.
6. Texas Relates to a mental health program that
includes peer-to-peer counseling for certain law
enforcement personnel, allows for contracting with an
institution of higher education that has appropriate
expertise in mental health or law enforcement to
develop the peer support network.
4:18:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON continued to slide 5, titled "Sobering
Statistics," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
69% of EMS providers report not having time to recover
after stressful event
30% of first responders develop depression and PTSD,
among other things, compared to 20% in the general
population
Two studies illustrated that suicidal ideation is
experienced by EMS at alarming rates. 28% feel that
life is not worth living. 10.4% percent have
experienced a serious suicidal ideation.
In another, it was found that having both EMS and
firefighting duties was associated with a sixfold
increase in the likelihood of reporting a suicide
attempt as compared to firefighting alone.
4:18:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON concluded on slide 6, titled "Why this
bill?" Slide 6 read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
• This bill is an important step in addressing the
stigma around the mental health of public safety
professionals, by providing them a safe space to talk
about their mental health.
• The confidentiality aspect is crucial, as it allows
employees to come forward and be open about their
experiences.
• Incidentally, this bill will contribute to workforce
retention. As these individuals are expected to do
more with less, they will often be placed in
dangerous, unpredictable situations. The need for peer
support systems will be crucial in ensuring that law
enforcement and EMS will have long, healthy careers.
4:19:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER considered a scenario in which an
officer was sent to a non-affiliated counselor to talk through
an issue. He asked whether that would solve the problem.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON responded that that would be halfway
there; however, it was missing the shared experience that a peer
support counselor would otherwise provide.
4:21:01 PM
CHAIR SHAW announced that HB 15 would be held over.
4:21:55 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
State Affairs Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at [4:21]
p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 15 IACP Peer Support Guidelines.pdf |
HSTA 3/16/2023 3:00:00 PM |
HB 15 |
| HB 15 Letter of Support from APOA.pdf |
HSTA 3/16/2023 3:00:00 PM |
HB 15 |
| HB 15 SAMHSA First Responders Behavioral Health Study - May 2018.pdf |
HSTA 3/16/2023 3:00:00 PM |
HB 15 |
| HB 15 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
HSTA 3/16/2023 3:00:00 PM |
HB 15 |
| HB 15 IACP Study on Preventing Law Enforcement Suicide.pdf |
HSTA 3/16/2023 3:00:00 PM |
HB 15 |
| HB 15 Ver. A.PDF |
HSTA 3/16/2023 3:00:00 PM |
HB 15 |
| HB 15 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HSTA 3/16/2023 3:00:00 PM |
HB 15 |
| HJR 4 Letters of Support 3.8.23.pdf |
HSTA 3/16/2023 3:00:00 PM |
HJR 4 |
| HJR004A 3.8.23.PDF |
HSTA 3/16/2023 3:00:00 PM |
HJR 4 |
| HJR 4 Sponsor Statement 3.8.23.pdf |
HSTA 3/16/2023 3:00:00 PM |
HJR 4 |
| HB 53 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HSTA 3/16/2023 3:00:00 PM |
HB 53 |
| HB 53 Sectional.pdf |
HSTA 3/16/2023 3:00:00 PM |
HB 53 |
| HB 53 Ver.a.PDF |
HSTA 3/16/2023 3:00:00 PM |
HB 53 |
| HB15 Letter of Support from APDEA.pdf |
HSTA 3/16/2023 3:00:00 PM |
HB 15 |
| HB 15 Letter of Support PSEA.pdf |
HSTA 3/16/2023 3:00:00 PM |
HB 15 |
| HB 15 Peer Counseling.pdf |
HSTA 3/16/2023 3:00:00 PM |
HB 15 |