Legislature(2021 - 2022)SENATE FINANCE 532
02/08/2022 01:00 PM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB72 | |
| SB80 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 72 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 80 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
February 8, 2022
1:04 p.m.
1:04:40 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Bishop called the Senate Finance Committee meeting
to order at 1:04 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Click Bishop, Co-Chair
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Lyman Hoffman
Senator Natasha von Imhof
Senator Donny Olson
Senator Bill Wielechowski
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator David Wilson
ALSO PRESENT
Erin Shine, Staff, Senator Click Bishop; Elvi Gray-Jackson,
Sponsor; Keith Bauguess, Staff, Senator Gray-Jackson.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Jason Lassard, Executive Director, National Alliance on
Mental Illness Anchorage, Anchorage; Justin Pendergrass,
Self, Wasilla; Johon Atkinson, Self, Metlakatla; Kathleen
Wendemeyer, Citizen Commission of Human Rights, Seattle;
Desiree Esuluk, Self, Toksook Bay; Lucas Johnson, Advisor,
National Alliance on Mental Illness Anchorage, Maine.
SUMMARY
SB 72 SEC. SCHOOL CIVICS EDUCATION
CSSB 72(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with
four "do pass" recommendations, and one "no
recommendation" recommendation and with one new
fiscal note from the Department of Education and
Early Development.
SB 80 PUBLIC SCHOOLS: MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION
SB 80 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SENATE BILL NO. 72
"An Act relating to civics education, civics
examinations, and secondary school graduation
requirements; and providing for an effective date."
1:05:44 PM
Co-Chair Stedman MOVED to ADOPT the committee substitute
for SB 72, Work Draft 32-LSo478\D (Marx, 2/3/22).
Co-Chair Bishop OBJECTED for discussion.
1:06:06 PM
ERIN SHINE, STAFF, SENATOR CLICK BISHOP, discussed the
"Explanation of Changes" (copy on file):
Section 1
Page 2, line 12
Amends 14.03.076(e) to require a passing score of 70
percent.
Section 3
Page 2, line 30
Changes the effective date from July 1, 2022 to July
1, 2023.
Co-Chair Bishop REMOVED the OBJECTION. There being NO
OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
Senator Wielechowski discussed the fiscal note from the
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED).
Co-Chair Stedman MOVED to REPORT CSSB 72(FIN) from
committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
CSSB 72(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with four "do
pass" recommendations, and one "no recommendation"
recommendation and with one new fiscal note from the
Department of Education and Early Development.
1:08:09 PM
AT EASE
1:10:09 PM
RECONVENED
SENATE BILL NO. 80
"An Act relating to mental health education."
1:11:09 PM
ELVI GRAY-JACKSON, SPONSOR, introduced the legislation.
1:13:43 PM
KEITH BAUGUESS, STAFF, SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON, discussed the
Sectional Analysis (copy on file):
Section 1: This section is amended by adding a new
section to read LEGISLATIVE INTENT. It is the intent
of the legislature that the Board of Education and
Early Development develop guidelines for instruction
in mental health in consultation with the Department
of Health and Social Services, regional tribal health
organizations, and representatives of national and
state mental health organizations.
Section 2: This section amends AS 14.30.360(a) by
removing the word "physical" when referencing
instruction for health education and adding "mental
health" to the list of curriculum items each district
includes in their health education programs.
Section 3: This section amends AS 14.30.360(b) by
clarifying that health guidelines developed by the
Board of Education and Early Development must provide
standards for instruction in mental health and be
developed in consultation with the Department of
Health and Social Services and representatives of
national and state mental health organizations.
Section 4: This section amends AS 14.30.360 by adding
a new subsection to read: (e) A district may not
instruct a student in mental health as part of a
program in health education under (a) of this section
without informed consent from the student's parent or
guardian. The district shall inform the child's parent
or guardian, in the native language of the parent or
guardian, of the time, date, and content of the mental
health instruction, that consent is voluntary, and
that consent may be revoked at any time. Before
instructing a student in mental health, the district
shall obtain written consent from the parent or
guardian indicating that the parent or guardian
understands and agrees to the student's participation
in the mental health instruction.
Section 5: This section amends the uncodified law of
the State of Alaska by adding a new section to read
"the state Board of Education and Early Development
shall develop the mental health guidelines required by
AS 14.30.360(b), as amended by sec. 3 of this Act,
within two years after the effective day of this Act.
1:16:52 PM
A video was played for the committee that highlighted the
legislation.
1:21:10 PM
Co-Chair Bishop OPENED invited testimony.
1:21:37 PM
JASON LASSARD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON
MENTAL ILLNESS ANCHORAGE, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified in support of the legislation. He pointed out
that 50 percent of all lifetime mental illnesses begin at
age 14. He stated that 75 percent of lifetime mental
illnesses show up at age 24. He stressed the importance of
discussing mental health and mental illness with teenagers.
He pointed out that many teenagers use internet search
engines to figure out their mental health issues.
1:26:18 PM
Senator von Imhof remarked that the video suggested it was
a mandate.
Senator Grey Jackson replied that the current bill only
encouraged mental health education in K-12 schools, and did
not mandate mental health education.
1:27:13 PM
JUSTIN PENDERGRASS, SELF, WASILLA (via teleconference),
testified in support of the legislation. He shared that he
had a long history of struggling with mental health. He
relayed his mental health history. He believed that
building connection was a meaningful way to support people
struggling with mental health. He felt that there was a
lack of understanding and knowledge surrounding mental
health and young people. He believed that the bill provided
opportunity for mental health education for those who may
currently lack the resources. He thought the current
pandemic would have a ripple effect on young people.
Senator von Imhof appreciated Mr. Pendergrass's testimony
and the work he did in his community.
1:32:42 PM
JOHON ATKINSON, SELF, METLAKATLA (via teleconference),
testified in support of the bill.
1:37:40 PM
KATHLEEN WENDEMEYER, CITIZEN COMMISSION OF HUMAN RIGHTS,
SEATTLE (via teleconference), spoke in support of amending
the legislation.
1:40:36 PM
DESIREE ESULUK, SELF, TOKSOOK BAY (via teleconference),
spoke in support of the bill.
1:41:57 PM
LUCAS JOHNSON, ADVISOR, NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS
ANCHORAGE, MAINE (via teleconference), testified in support
of the bill.
1:43:28 PM
Co-Chair Bishop CLOSED public testimony.
1:43:41 PM
Senator Gray-Jackson thanked the committee.
Co-Chair Bishop discussed the following day's agenda.
SB 80 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
1:44:08 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 1:44 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB80 Sponsor Statment.pdf |
SEDC 3/10/2021 9:00:00 AM SFIN 2/8/2022 1:00:00 PM SFIN 3/14/2022 9:00:00 AM |
SB 80 |
| SB 80 Supporting Documents.pdf |
SFIN 2/8/2022 1:00:00 PM SHSS 4/6/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 80 |
| SB 80 HSS explanation of changes B to I.pdf |
SFIN 2/8/2022 1:00:00 PM SFIN 3/14/2022 9:00:00 AM |
SB 80 |
| SB 80(HSS) Sectional Analysis Version I 1.26.22 (002).pdf |
SFIN 2/8/2022 1:00:00 PM SFIN 3/14/2022 9:00:00 AM |
SB 80 |
| SB 80 Supporting docs and written testimony 1.26.22.pdf |
SFIN 2/8/2022 1:00:00 PM SFIN 3/14/2022 9:00:00 AM |
SB 80 |
| SB 72 2.1.2022 (S) FIN Hearing DEED Follow-Up.pdf |
SFIN 2/1/2022 1:00:00 PM SFIN 2/8/2022 1:00:00 PM |
SB 72 |
| SB 80 Coalition Letter of Support.pdf |
SFIN 2/8/2022 1:00:00 PM SFIN 3/14/2022 9:00:00 AM |
SB 80 |
| SB 80 Testimony SB 80 2-8-22 CCHR Vers 2.pdf |
SFIN 2/8/2022 1:00:00 PM SFIN 3/14/2022 9:00:00 AM |
SB 80 |
| SB 72 Explanation of Changes ver N to D 02.03.2022.pdf |
SFIN 2/8/2022 1:00:00 PM |
SB 72 |
| SB 72 S FIN Work Draft ver. D 02.03.2022.pdf |
SFIN 2/8/2022 1:00:00 PM |
SB 72 |
| SB 80 Providence Supports SB 80 SFIN 02.22.pdf |
SFIN 2/8/2022 1:00:00 PM SFIN 3/14/2022 9:00:00 AM |
SB 80 |