Legislature(1997 - 1998)
02/03/1997 09:00 AM Senate HES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE
February 3, 1997
9:00 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Gary Wilken, Chairman
Senator Loren Leman, Vice Chairman
Senator Jerry Ward
Senator Johnny Ellis
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Lyda Green
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 24
"An Act relating to a requirement that a parent, guardian, or
custodian consent before certain minors receive an abortion;
establishing a judicial bypass procedure by which a minor may
petition a court for authorization to consent to an abortion
without consent of a parent, guardian, or custodian; amending the
definition of 'abortion'; and amending Rules 40 and 79, Alaska
Rules of Civil Procedure; Rules 204, 210, 212, 213, 508, and 512.5,
Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure; and Rule 9, Alaska
Administrative Rules."
- MOVED SB 24 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 51
"An Act giving notice of and approving the entry into, and the
issuance of certificates of participation in, a lease-purchase
agreement for a centralized public health laboratory facility."
- MOVED SB 51 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 38
"An Act relating to anatomical gifts, living wills, and do not
resuscitate orders."
- MOVED SSSB 38 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 14
"An Act relating to insurance covering an insured who is a victim
of domestic violence and requiring certain disclosures by an
insurer."
- WAIVED OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION
SB 24 - See Senate Health, Education & Social Services Committee
minutes dated 1/29/96 and 1/31/96.
SB 51 - See Senate Health, Education & Social Services Committee
minutes dated 1/31/97.
SB 38 - See Senate Health, Education & Social Services Committee
minutes dated 1/31/97.
SB 14 - See Labor and Commerce Committee minutes dated 1/28/97 and
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 97-2, SIDE A
Number 001
SB 24 PARENTAL CONSENT BEFORE MINOR'S ABORTION
CHAIRMAN WILKEN called the Senate Health, Education & Social
Services Committee (HES) to order at 9:00 a.m. and introduced SB 24
as the first order of business before the committee. He also noted
that more information about SB 24 had been added to the committee
packet.
SENATOR LEMAN apologized for being absent on Friday, but noted that
he was aware of Dr. Nakamura's testimony. Senator Leman felt that
if ever there would be common ground on the abortion issue, it
would be in the area of parental consent for minors. He expressed
disappointment with Dr. Nakamura's testimony and the approach of
the Administration. With regards to the change in state law, this
bill would provide a judicial bypass thereby making the existing
law enforceable. The U.S. Supreme Court has said that the judicial
bypass procedure is necessary with such a law. Senator Leman
disagreed with those who deny the link between abortion and breast
cancer. In conclusion, Senator Leman emphasized that the prime
reason for this legislation is to ensure a strong family unit and
that counsel is sought from parents on such issues.
SENATOR LEMAN moved to report SB 24 out of committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal notes.
SENATOR ELLIS objected. Senator Ellis did not believe that the
main reason for the bill, protecting the health of women age 18 and
under, had been proven. The alleged connection between breast
cancer and abortion has not been proven with the material before
the committee. The issue of access and factors unique to Alaska
such as high rates of domestic violence, sexual assault,
alcoholism, child abuse, and other things found in dysfunctional
families all argue against the passage of this legislation.
Upon a roll call vote, Senators Wilken, Leman, and Ward voted "Yea"
and Senator Ellis voted "Nay". Therefore, SB 24 was reported out
of committee.
Number 108
SB 51 APPROVE CENTRALIZED PUBLIC HEALTH LAB
CHAIRMAN WILKEN introduced SB 51 as the next order of business
before the committee. He asked if there was any discussion
regarding Friday's presentation. Hearing none, Chairman Wilken
asked for the will of the committee.
SENATOR LEMAN moved to report SB 51 out of committee with
individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal notes. Without
objection, it was so ordered.
SB 38 ANATOMICAL GIFTS,LIVING WILLS & DNR ORDER
CHAIRMAN WILKEN introduced SSSB 38 as the next order of business.
He asked if there was discussion on the legislation.
SENATOR ELLIS thought he supported this legislation, however he was
not completely confident that the matter had been fully discussed.
What are the remaining committees of referral on this bill?
CHAIRMAN WILKEN replied, the next and last committee of referral is
the Senate Judiciary Committee.
SENATOR LEMAN moved to report SSSB 38 out of committee with
individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal notes. Without
objection, it was so ordered.
SB 14 INS:DOMESTIC VIOL. VICTIMS & DISCLOSURES
Number 146
CHAIRMAN WILKEN informed the committee that the committee had been
asked to waive the hearing of SB 14 in HES so that the bill would
be referred to the final committee of referral, the Senate
Judiciary Committee. SB 14 was heard in Senate Labor & Commerce
and was referred with five "Do Pass" signatures. Chairman Wilken
asked if there was any objection to waiving this bill. Hearing no
objection, it was so ordered.
CHAIRMAN WILKEN announced that during Wednesday's meeting the
committee would hear public testimony on the tobacco tax issue.
Today at 9:30 a.m. the Milken Foundation Award Recipients will make
a presentation to the Joint House & Senate HES Committees. There
being no further business before the committee, the meeting was
adjourned at 9:15 a.m.
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