00SENATE CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 88(RLS) am S                                                                               
01 "An Act establishing May 1 as Family Day and the month of May as                                                        
02 Preservation of the Family Month; and relating to the prevention of child abuse                                         
03 and neglect in the family."                                                                                             
04 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                                
05    * Section 1.  FINDINGS.  The legislature makes the following findings:                                               
06   (1)  the term "Mayday" is a call for help, alerting others to distress and danger;                                    
07   (2)  the institution of the family has been in great danger of a gradual                                              
08 disintegration for a long time, and people need to pay immediate attention to preserving the                            
09 family;                                                                                                                 
10   (3)  in the month of May, people celebrate Mother's Day, which should remind                                          
11 people of the famous quotation, "the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the                              
12 world";                                                                                                                 
13   (4)  everyone agrees that the parental role is important in a society and that a                                      
14 loving and caring family creates the best environment for the healthy growth of children;                               

01   (5)  May 1 follows a month, April, that is dedicated to the prevention of child                                       
02 abuse;                                                                                                                  
03   (6)  May also represents spring, the growth of flowers, and the rejuvenation of                                       
04 plants, life, and activity in nature.                                                                                   
05    * Sec. 2.  AS 44.12 is amended by adding a new section to read:                                                      
06  Sec. 44.12.075.  FAMILY DAY AND FAMILY PRESERVATION MONTH.                                                            
07 Family Day is established on May 1 of each year to celebrate the institution of the                                     
08 family.  The month of May each year is established as Preservation of the Family                                        
09 Month to encourage the preservation of the institution of the family.  Family Day and                                   
10 Preservation of the Family Month may be observed by suitable observances by                                             
11 families, such as a family discussion of the role of families, the rights and                                           
12 responsibilities of children and parents, and appropriate methods for the resolution of                                 
13 violent feelings in family conflict, and by exercises by civic groups and the public.                                   
14 In observance of Family Preservation Month, the Department of Health and Social                                         
15 Services shall encourage the prevention of child abuse and neglect in Alaska families.