Legislature(2021 - 2022)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/22/2022 01:00 PM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB99 | |
| HB111 | |
| HB168 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 99 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 111 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 168 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
April 22, 2022
1:03 p.m.
1:03:50 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Bishop called the Senate Finance Committee meeting
to order at 1:03 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Click Bishop, Co-Chair
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Lyman Hoffman
Senator Donny Olson
Senator David Wilson (via teleconference)
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Natasha von Imhof
Senator Bill Wielechowski
ALSO PRESENT
Representative Matt Claman, Sponsor; Lizzie Kubitz, Staff,
Representative Matt Claman; Chelsea Ward-Waller, Staff,
Representative Ivy Spohnholz; Representative Liz Snyder,
Sponsor; Arielle Wiggin, Staff, Representative Liz Snyder.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Sara Chambers, Director, Division of Corporation, Business
and Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce,
Community and Economic Development; LeeAnne Carrothers,
American Physical Therapy Association, Alaska Chapter,
Wasilla; Representative Ivy Spohnholz, Sponsor, Anchorage;
Royann Royer, Alaska Dental Hygiene Association, Anchorage;
David Nielson, Chair, Alaska Board of Dental Examiners,
Anchorage; John Zasada, Policy Director, Alaska Primary
Care Association, Anchorage; Ron Meehan, Food Bank of
Alaska, Anchorage.
SUMMARY
HB 99 PHYSICAL/OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY BD/PRACTICE
HB 99 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
CSHB 111(FIN)
DENTAL HYGIENIST ADVANCED PRAC PERMIT
CSHB 111(FIN) was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
HB 168 ELECTRONIC APPLICATION FOR STATE BENEFITS
HB 168 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
HOUSE BILL NO. 99
"An Act relating to the State Physical Therapy and
Occupational Therapy Board; relating to the practice
of physical therapy; and relating to the practice of
occupational therapy."
1:05:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MATT CLAMAN, SPONSOR, introduced the
legislation with prepared remarks:
First, I want to thank you for hearing House Bill 99.
We often talk of making Alaska open and ready for
business, House Bill 99 makes sure we're open and
ready for business and specific of the business of
providing physical and occupational therapy. My office
introduced House Bill 99 at the request of the Alaska
Physical and Occupational Therapy Associations.
House Bill 99 amends the governing statutes for
physical therapists, physical therapy assistants,
occupational therapists, and occupational therapy
assistants practicing in Alaska. These changes are
designed to bring Alaska statutes in line with
national standards and terminology and overall make
the administrative experience of these professions and
professionals smoother and up to date.
House Bill 99 is supported by the state Physical
Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board, which believes
House Bill 99 will help the board and its work to
protect the public. The letter stating that support is
in your bill packet. Currently, physical therapists,
physical therapy assistants, occupational therapists,
and occupational therapy assistants are represented by
the state Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy
Board. This board is made up of one physician, three
physical therapists, two occupational therapists, and
one member of the public. House Bill 99 removes the
physician from this board and replaces them with
another occupational therapist, thereby balancing the
representation of the professions on the board. There
is good reason for this. When this statute was
originally written, the work of physical and
occupational therapists required referral by a
physician. This has not been the case in Alaska for
more than 30 years.
House Bill 99 also enables the board to discipline a
therapist who commits infractions under AS 08.84.120
such as conviction of a felony, gross negligence, or
abuse of alcohol. Currently, the board has the ability
to revoke or deny a license based on infractions but
has no ability to discipline.
Additionally, House Bill 99 clarifies the language and
the requirements for those therapists to receive their
training outside of the United States, ensuring that
their training is equivalent to a U.S. professional
physical therapy program and also exempting therapists
trained in an English language program from having to
take an English proficiency test.
Furthermore, this bill updates language in Alaska
statute that referenced an accrediting entity that no
longer exists and makes the language more general,
allowing the state board to designate the appropriate
accrediting entity as needed. Several other updates to
terminology are made to update the language. House
Bill 99 does not constitute a restructuring of the
relevant statute, but it contains several long-awaited
changes that will make it easier for professionals to
do business in Alaska.
1:07:58 PM
LIZZIE KUBITZ, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE MATT CLAMAN, discussed
the Sectional Analysis (copy on file):
Section 1
AS 08.84.010. Creation and membership of the board.
Removes the seat for a physician and balances out the
board with 3 physical therapists or physical therapy
assistants and 3 occupational therapists or
occupational therapy assistants along with one public
member, to make up the 7-member board. It also changes
the term "physical therapy assistant" to "physical
therapist assistant" in this section and throughout
the entire statute. This change is to conform to the
industry title used nationally.
Section 2
AS 08.84.030. Qualifications for licensing.
Allows the board to have broader authority over what
entities will have accreditation oversight over
physical therapy & occupational therapy education
programs. Some of the accrediting entities listed in
statute are now either renamed or no longer exist,
making that statute obsolete.
Section 2 removes language from the statute relating
to additional supervised field work that occupational
therapists must complete as these requirements are
covered by the accrediting bodies.
Section 3
AS 08.84.032. Foreign-educated applicants.
Changes the section headline from "trained" to
"educated." New language is added that requires
foreign-educated physical therapist or physical
therapy assistant students to have attended a
"substantially" equivalent educational program that is
accredited by a U.S. accreditation entity that has
been approved by the board. Outdated and obsolete
language is removed that can be found on page 4, lines
3 -9 of this bill.
Added to subsection (3) of this section is language
that would require that a physical therapist or
physical therapist assistant pass a test demonstrating
competency of the English language only if their
program was taught in a foreign language. Subsection
(4) requires that a foreign-educated applicant is a
legal alien or a U.S citizen. Subsection (7) requires
them to pay the required fee and meet any other
qualifications for licensure set by the board under
08.84.010(b).
All the above changes in Section 3 are replicated for
occupational therapists or occupational therapy
assistants on page 4, lines 27-31 and over to page 5,
lines 1-22.
Section 4
AS 08.84.060. Licensure by acceptance of credentials.
Makes conforming terminology changes.
Section 5
AS 08.84.065(c). Temporary changes.
Makes conforming terminology changes.
Section 6
AS 08.84.075(b). Limited permit.
Makes conforming terminology changes.
Section 7
AS 08.84.075(c). Limited permit.
Changes language that would now require that a limited
permit is valid for 120 consecutive days.
Section 8
AS 08.84.075(d). Limited permit.
Allows only one limited permit per 12-month period.
Section 9
AS 08.84.090. Licensure.
Updates licensure terminology.
Section 10
AS 08.84.120(a). Refusal, revocation, and suspension
of license.
Adds disciplinary action as a possibility to actions a
board might consider for an infraction of their
licensure and updates terminology in item (7) and
states in (9) that failure to comply with the law or
regulations or order of the board might result in
disciplinary action or suspension of a license.
Section 11
AS 08.04.130(a). False claim of license prohibited.
Adds updated credentialing and terminology.
Section 12
AS 08.84.130(b). False claim of license prohibited.
Updates terminology.
Section 13
AS 08.84.190. Definitions.
Adds a new paragraph defining the updated term
"physical therapist assistant."
Section 14
AS 11.41.470(1). Definitions.
Updates definitions in criminal law/sexual assault
statute.
Section 15
AS 47.17.290(14). Definitions.
Updates terminology under definitions in child
protection statute.
Section 16
AS 08.84.190(7). Definitions.
Repeals subsection (7), which is the definition using
outdated term of physical therapy assistant; according
to Leg. Legal, when the actual "term" used for the
definition is being changed, the entire citing must be
repealed. The new definition is set out on page 8,
Section 13, lines 11-14.
Section 17
Applicability
Sets out the applicability clauses for licensure for
sections 2 and 3 of this Act and for sections 7 and 8.
Section 18
Uncodified law
Transition language for the board vacancy and
appointments for the PT/OT board, and states that the
changes do not apply to current licensees until it is
time for their licensure renewal and then all changes
to the law will apply.
Ms. Kubitz listed individuals available for questions.
1:12:27 PM
Senator Olson asked if state medical associations and/or
the Medical Board supported the legislation. He highlighted
the bill's proposal to remove a physician [from the
Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board].
Representative Claman replied that he had spoken with
individual physicians.
Senator Olson interjected that there were letters of
support in the bill packets.
Representative Claman replied that the physicians he had
spoken to did not have a problem with the bill.
Senator Olson asked if there was anything from the boards.
Representative Claman replied in the negative.
Senator Olson asked for the percentage of foreign medical
applicants applying for physical and occupational therapy
positions.
1:13:15 PM
AT EASE
1:13:35 PM
RECONVENED
Senator Olson reiterated his previous question.
Representative Claman deferred to Ms. Chambers.
SARA CHAMBERS, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF CORPORATION, BUSINESS
AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSING, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE,
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (via teleconference),
replied that she would follow up with the answer.
Co-Chair Bishop asked Ms. Chambers to provide the answer to
his office for distribution to committee members.
Co-Chair Bishop moved to invited testimony.
LEEANNE CARROTHERS, AMERICAN PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION,
ALASKA CHAPTER, WASILLA (via teleconference), spoke in
support of the legislation. The association represented
approximately 450 licensed physical therapists and physical
therapist assistants in Alaska. She stated that the bill
provided many needed language changes and terminology
changes to the existing statute, which would bring Alaska
in line with current national standards, terminology, and
practice. She elaborated that the bill provided balanced
representation by physical and occupational therapy.
Additionally, the bill removed a position from the board,
which was a relic of a time when physical and occupational
therapists required physician supervision and were
accredited by the American Medical Association. The bill
reduced administrative burden and costs for individuals who
graduated from schools taught in English outside of the
United States and provided disciplinary capability to the
board. She summarized that the bill provided necessary
updates, was noncontroversial, and long overdue.
1:16:23 PM
Co-Chair Bishop OPENED public testimony.
1:16:37 PM
AT EASE
1:17:03 PM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Stedman wondered if there was an error in the
printing of the bill. He observed the version before the
committee was version A. He was being facetious.
Co-Chair Bishop CLOSED public testimony.
Representative Claman stressed that the bill had received
no amendments in the House and there was no committee
substitute.
SB 99 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 111(FIN)
"An Act relating to the practice of dental hygiene;
relating to advanced practice permits for dental
hygienists; relating to dental assistants; prohibiting
unfair discrimination under group health insurance
against a dental hygienist who holds an advanced
practice permit; relating to medical assistance for
dental hygiene services; and providing for an
effective date."
1:19:01 PM
CHELSEA WARD-WALLER, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE IVY SPOHNHOLZ,
introduced herself. She believed Representative Spohnholz
was available online to introduce the legislation.
REPRESENTATIVE IVY SPOHNHOLZ, SPONSOR, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), introduced the legislation with prepared
remarks:
House Bill 111 creates an advanced practice permit,
which would allow experienced and licensed dental
hygienists to provide preventative oral healthcare to
underserved populations at senior centers, healthcare
facilities, daycares, and schools for Alaskans who are
eligible for public assistance, are homebound, or who
live in a rural underserved community. We know that
oral health plays a really critical role in the
overall health and well-being of Alaskans and poor
oral health contributes to poor health. In fact, bad
oral health is linked to cardiovascular disease,
Alzheimer's, osteoporosis, as well as poor nutrition
and other serious health issues and this is more acute
for low income individuals and those who are
physically immobile.
Currently, dental hygienists can practice in a dentist
office or they can practice semi-independently if they
have a collaborative agreement with a dentist, which
is similar to what physician's assistants do already.
An advance practice permit that's proposed by House
Bill 111 would allow dental hygienists to care for
these underserved populations at senior centers,
healthcare facilities, daycare, schools, and those
that are eligible for public assistance, are
homebound, or live in underserved communities if they
have a minimum of 4,000 hours of clinical experience
and are approved by the board of dental examiners,
which includes both dentists and dental hygienists.
The bill lays out specific services allowed under the
permit and specific populations that a licensed dental
hygienist can provide those services to without the
supervision and physical presence of a licensed
dentist. Unlike some licensing bills in the past where
there was competing license types that had different
perspectives, this bill has been developed in
consultation with the Alaska Dental Society, the Board
of Dental Examiners, and the Alaska Dental Hygienists
Association. The advanced practice permit holder will
have to maintain malpractice insurance, provide
written notice of their service limitations, and make
a referral to a licensed dentist if further treatment
is necessary.
This bill would allow dental hygienists who are
experienced to practice to the full scope of their
training credentials and professional experience.
Importantly, Alaska won't be the first state to make
these changes. Dental hygienists are able to practice
under advance practice permits or similar permits in
six other states and 40 other states are considered
direct access states for dental hygienists, which
means that dental hygienists can initiate treatment
based on their assessment of a patient's needs without
the authorization or presence of a dentist.
Finally, I will note that we have made important
changes to this bill at the recommendation of the
Board of Dental Examiners and the Alaska Dental
Society including requiring permit holders to maintain
patient records for at least seven years, making sure
that the Board of Dental Examiners has a separately
certified hygienist to administer local anesthesia,
and then empowering the Department of Health and
Social Services (DHSS) to make regulations related to
this bill. We may need to update the DHSS language to
confirm with the recent split of the Department of
Health and Social Services.
Representative Spohnholz listed individuals available to
speak to the bill.
1:23:31 PM
Senator Olson asked if the bill allowed prescriptive
authority to the advanced dental hygienists.
Representative Spohnholz replied there was very narrow
prescriptive authority regarding topical, preventative, and
prophylactic agents that dental hygienists were already
allowed to provide. She deferred the question to Royann
Royer [with the Alaska Dental Hygiene Association] for
further detail.
Senator Olson asked if advanced dental hygienists had to
participate in the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
(PDMP) that other prescriptive practitioners were required
to abide by.
Representative Sponholz answered that dental hygienists did
not prescribe controlled substances and therefore, did not
have DEA [Drug Enforcement Administration] certification
and did not have to participate in the PDMP.
Senator Olson asked if the permit enabled advanced dental
hygienists to perform advanced dental procedures.
Representative Sponholz responded that the bill did not
allow dental hygienists to practice beyond the scope of
their current practice in any way. The bill simply enabled
dental hygienists to do what they had already been doing
safely for a very long time and without the supervision of
a dentist if they had 4,000 hours of experience in addition
to a previous dental hygienist license and were approved by
the Board of Dental Examiners.
1:25:27 PM
Ms. Ward-Waller discussed the Sectional Analysis (copy on
file):
Section 1
Ability of practice of dental hygienists.
(e) Amends AS 08.32.110. to allow a licensed dental
hygienist who holds an advanced practice permit issued
by the board to perform duties allowed by the permit.
Section 2
Advanced practice permits.
Adds a new section under AS 08.32.125 creating the
advanced practice permit and providing requirements as
follows:
(a) The Board of Dental Examiners may issue an
advanced practice permit to a licensed dental
hygienist with a minimum 4,000 documented hours of
clinical experience. This subsection lists what duties
fall under advanced practice permits: general oral
health & cleaning, providing treatment plans,
screenings, taking radiographs, and/or delegating to
dental assistants.
(b) A licensed dental hygienist holding an advanced
practice permit may provide services to a patient who
is not able to receive dental treatment because of
age, infirmity, or disability. The patient may be a
resident of a senior center, residential health
facility, or held in a local correctional facility.
The patient may also be enrolled in certain schools,
receiving benefits under the Special Supplemental Food
Program (WIC), homebound, or a resident of a community
that has a shortage of dental health professionals.
(c) A licensed dental hygienist holding an advanced
practice permit can provide appropriate services to a
patient without the presence, authorization, and
supervision of a licensed dentist and without an
examination from a licensed dentist.
(d) A licensed dental hygienist with an advanced
practice permit must maintain professional liability
insurance. They must also give the patient, parent, or
legal guardian written notice that the treatment
provided will be limited to those allowed by the
permit, a written recommendation that the patient be
examined by a licensed dentist for comprehensive oral
care, and assistance in receiving a referral to a
licensed dentist for further oral treatment.
(e) An advanced practice permit is valid until the
license of the dental hygienist expires. A licensed
dental hygienist can renew their advanced practice
permit at the same time they renew their license.
1:29:31 PM
ROYANN ROYER, ALASKA DENTAL HYGIENE ASSOCIATION, ANCHORAGE
(via teleconference), spoke in support of the legislation.
She shared information about her work in dentistry for many
years in Alaska. She shared that approximately six years
back she had seen a significant need that was not being
addressed in Alaska. She had started a nonprofit
organization that served residents in long-term care
facilities. She spoke to the importance of the legislation.
She currently practiced under a collaborative practice
agreement, which allowed dental hygienists to provide
treatment under the general supervision of a dentist. She
was able to see a patient prior to the dentist. She was
lucky to have several dentists to collaborate with on the
project and would continue as long as possible. However, if
the bill went through, it would provide another option to
continue the program if needed. For example, if she did not
have a dentist to work with, she would be able to continue
seeing the long-term residents and provide assessments,
radiographs, preventative services, and oral health
education. The patients could then see a dentist either in
or outside the facility as needed.
Ms. Royer relayed that many hygienists wanted to work in
underserved areas, but they could not find a dentist who
would work in a collaborative agreement. The legislation
had been brought forward by a hygienist in Fairbanks who
wanted to find a way to provide services. She shared that
assessment and treatment done routinely were less expensive
than waiting for a person to notice problems, which
necessitated more extensive and expensive procedures. She
highlighted that preventative treatment helped to prevent
systemic conditions such as pneumonia, diabetes
complications, and heart disease. She stated that Alaska
needed more providers in underserved areas and the
registered dental hygienist advanced practitioner would
help decrease the disparity.
1:32:54 PM
DAVID NIELSON, CHAIR, ALASKA BOARD OF DENTAL EXAMINERS,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), shared that discussion
about the advanced dental hygiene permit had come up
several times over the past couple of years and the support
had always been good. He shared that the bill sponsor had
been receptive to board comments and had made a couple of
changes to the original bill. He relayed that the board
supported the bill in its current form. He highlighted that
Section 4 specified that the dental board would draft
regulations to clarify what additional tasks, if any, would
be delegated dental assistants by the advanced hygiene
permit holder and under what level of supervision.
Co-Chair Bishop looked at Section 2 (a) and wondered how
the 4,000 hours was documented. He asked if students or
individuals had a logbook.
Mr. Nielson replied that there was typically an affidavit
where someone attested to the fact that a person had 4,000
hours of practice. He stated that it would likely be a
person's employer.
1:35:24 PM
JOHN ZASADA, POLICY DIRECTOR, ALASKA PRIMARY CARE
ASSOCIATION, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in
support of the legislation. He detailed that the
association supported the operations and development of
Alaska's 29 non-tribal and tribal federally qualified
health centers. He provided detail about the association.
He stressed that dental services and oral health were vital
components of the whole person care that community health
centers provided patients. He detailed that many health
centers offered on-site dental services provided by staff
or contracts with other dental health professionals.
Smaller sites relied on sending patients to larger hub
facilities or neighboring urban health centers for dental
care. One frequently cited reason for the shortage of
dental services was the lack of providers. He stated that
persistent provider shortages at all levels in the
community healthcare dental system resulted in providers
not working at their highest level of licensure, which
created inefficiencies, decreased provider satisfaction,
and barriers to patient care. The bill would add a valuable
layer of staffing between dentists and other hygienists to
provide comprehensive services. He spoke to further
attributes of the program. The new provider type would lead
to an adjustment of the overall health spend, potentially
lessening the reliance on higher cost dentists to lower
cost hygiene. He urged the passage of the bill.
1:37:44 PM
Co-Chair Bishop OPENED and CLOSED public testimony.
1:38:03 PM
AT EASE
1:38:43 PM
RECONVENED
CSHB 111(FIN) was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
HOUSE BILL NO. 168
"An Act requiring the Department of Health and Social
Services to provide and allow submission of an
electronic application for certain state benefits; and
providing for an effective date."
1:39:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LIZ SNYDER, SPONSOR, introduced the
legislation. She detailed that the legislation required the
Department of Health and Social Services or soon to be
Department of Health to make applications for public
assistance available for completion and submission online.
The bill would keep all other existing paper-based and
email options available as well. The required deadline for
the action to occur was July 1, 2022. She stated that
online forms could increase accessibility and efficiency,
which would be beneficial to Alaskans and the Division of
Public Assistance. Online applications had been supported
by past and current administrations, as evidenced by the
stated goal to do such and by ongoing efforts; however,
efforts had not been consistent and had not been finalized.
She relayed that requiring online availability in statute
protected the department's current work to get the forms
online and ensures the effort would cross the finish line
after more than a decade of false starts.
1:40:40 PM
ARIELLE WIGGIN, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE LIZ SNYDER, reviewed
the Sectional Analysis (copy on file):
Sec. 1: Adds a new subsection (19) to AS 47.05.010
Duties of Department requiring the Department of
Health and Social Services to create and provide an
entirely online application process for individuals
applying for public assistance and defines an online
application. Adds language requiring the department
inform applicants that making false statements on the
application is a punishable act. It does not mandate
applicants apply online or remove the written option.
Sec. 2: Amends AS 47.08.150(b) Assistance For Chronic
or Acute Medical Conditions by adding language
requiring the Department of Health and Social Services
to establish an entirely online application process
for individuals applying for the Chronic and Acute
Medical Assistance program. Adds language requiring
the department inform applicants that making false
statements on the application is a punishable act.
Sec. 3: Adds a new subsection (6) to AS 47.25.001(a)
Powers and Duties that requires the department
establish an entirely online application process and
allows applicants to apply in any form required by
state and federal law. Adds language requiring the
department inform applicants that making false
statements on the application is a punishable act.
Sec. 4: Adds a new section (7) to AS 47.25.071(e)
Child Care Grant Program that requires the department
establish an entirely online application process for
assistance under the Child Care Grant Program. Adds
language requiring the department inform applicants
that making false statements on the application is a
punishable act.
Sec. 5: Amends AS 47.25.095 Definitions For Day Care
Assistance and Child Care Grant Programs to define
electronic application.
Sec. 6: Amends AS 47.25.150 Application For Assistance
by adding language requiring the Division of Public
Assistance to establish an entirely online application
process for individuals applying for assistance from
the department and defines an online application. Adds
language requiring the department inform applicants
that making false statements on the application is a
punishable act.
Sec. 7: Amends AS 47.25.440 Application For Assistance
by adding language requiring the Department of Health
and Social Services to establish an entirely online
application process for individuals applying to
receive Adult Public Assistance and defines an online
application. Adds language requiring the department
inform applicants that making false statements on the
application is a punishable act.
Sec. 8: Adds a new subsection (4) to AS 47.25.622
Alaska Affordable Heating Program requiring the
Department of Health and Social Services to create and
provide an entirely online 4.9.2021 application
process for individuals applying for the Alaska
Affordable Heating Program and defines an online
application. Adds language requiring the department
inform applicants that making false statements on the
application is a punishable act.
Sec. 9: Adds a new subsection (4) to AS 47.25.980(a)
Duties of Department requiring the Division of Public
Assistance to create and provide an entirely online
application process for individuals applying for the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and defines
an online application. Adds language requiring the
department inform applicants that making false
statements on the application is a punishable act.
Sec. 10: Amends AS 47.27.020(a) Application
Requirements by adding language requiring the Division
of Public Assistance to establish an entirely online
application process for individuals applying for the
Alaska Temporary Assistance Program. Defines online
application. Adds language requiring the department
inform applicants that making false statements on the
application is a punishable act.
Sec. 11: Amends AS 47.45.302(a) Cash Assistance
Benefits by adding language requiring the Department
of Health and Social Services to establish an entirely
online application process for individuals applying
for the cash assistance program. Defines online
application. Adds language requiring the department
inform applicants that making false statements on the
application is a punishable act.
Sec. 12: Adds a new section to the uncodified law of
the State of Alaska allowing the Department of Health
and Social Services to adopt regulations needed to
create and implement online applications.
Sec. 13: Requires Section 12 to take effect
immediately under AS 01.10.070(c).
Sec. 14: Provides an effective date of July 1, 2022.
1:42:04 PM
Senator Olson asked how the bill would help rural
applicants with poor internet connections.
Representative Snyder replied that in areas where
connectivity was not an issue, the demand for paper
services and associate assistance should go down, which
would free up additional time for the division to meet the
needs of rural Alaskans.
Senator Olson asked how the bill would help people in areas
of his district like Diomede or St. Lawrence Island.
Representative Snyder responded that the bill was not
necessarily designed to be particularly beneficial for
individuals without online access. She pointed out that the
division had a functional phoneline where it could walk
applicants through the forms. She relayed the demand for
the phone line had been very high. The bill aimed to free
up time for the division and make it faster to receive
service.
Co-Chair Bishop hoped it would be the case. He highlighted
that some people were waiting 45 minutes trying to get
services.
Representative Snyder agreed. She shared it was the
motivation of the legislation. Stakeholders reported
repeatedly on the challenging wait time. She stated that
the longer the delay, the odds of an eligible applicant
completing the form diminished. She had heard about the
issue for quite some time, and she had advocated in
subcommittees for additional positions to meet the gap
until applications were online. She hoped the bill would be
part of the solution to a persistent problem.
1:44:47 PM
Co-Chair Bishop moved to invited testimony.
RON MEEHAN, FOOD BANK OF ALASKA, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the bill. He shared
that the Food Bank of Alaska had a robust staff outreach
team that was federally funded in partnership with the
state. He provided detail about the work provided by the
Food Bank. He shared that almost one-quarter of the people
eligible in Alaska for SNAP [Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program] benefits were not accessing the
program. He stated that Alaskans faced unique challenges in
accessing benefits. One of the major barriers was the lack
of options for how to apply. He stated the creation and
addition of an online program would reduce the problem. He
elaborated that Alaska currently used a paper application.
The current online option required someone to provide a
finger or stylus signature, which many people were unable
to do. He relayed that not all communities had a public
assistance office, and many offices were still currently
closed. He provided further detail about the difficulties
associated with the current system. He stated that the
current process could take weeks for individuals in rural
communities. He highlighted high wait times on the phone.
The bill would streamline the process and the application
could be simplified. He reviewed benefits of the bill. He
enthusiastically supported the legislation.
1:48:25 PM
Co-Chair Bishop OPENED and CLOSED public testimony.
HB 168 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
Co-Chair Bishop discussed the schedule for the following
Monday.
ADJOURNMENT
1:49:17 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 1:49 p.m.
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