1996-01-26                     Senate Journal                      Page 2228
SB 246                                                                       
SENATE BILL NO. 246 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                              
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                          
                                                                               
An Act relating to domestic violence; amending                                
Alaska Rule of Civil Procedure 3, Alaska Rule of                               
Civil Procedure 100, Alaska Rule of Evidence 505,                              
and Alaska Rule of Administration 9; and providing                             
for an effective date.                                                         
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance              
Committees.                                                                    
                                                                               
Fiscal notes published today from Department of Corrections,                   
Department of Administration (2), Department of Public Safety (2).             
Zero fiscal notes published today from Department of Education,                
Department of Law, Department of Health and Social Services.                   
                                                                               
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 26:                                
                                                                               
Dear President Pearce:                                                         
                                                                               
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution,          
I am transmitting a bill entitled the "Domestic Violence Prevention            
Act of 1996."  It is a comprehensive revision of Alaska's domestic             
violence statutes and adopts many of the provisions of the Model               
Code on Domestic and Family Violence, developed by the National                
Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.                                   
                                                                               
Domestic violence is a pervasive and frequently lethal problem that            
challenges society at every level.  Violence in families is often              
hidden from view and devastates its victims physically, emotionally,           
and financially.  It threatens the stability of the family and negatively      
affects all family members, especially the children who learn from             
it that violence is an acceptable way to cope with stress or problems          
or to gain control over another person.  It violates our communities'          
safety, health, welfare, and economies, not just by imposing costs on          
the criminal justice system, but also through medical expenses,                
psychological problems, lost productivity, and intergenerational               
violence.                                                                      
                                                                               
                                                                               

1996-01-26                     Senate Journal                      Page 2229
SB 246                                                                       
Domestic violence must be reduced and prevented.  When domestic                
violence occurs, we must intervene effectively.  To do so we must              
have a strong public policy against domestic violence and the policy           
must be implemented with appropriate legislation.  The Domestic                
Violence Prevention Act of 1996 provides effective ways to protect             
victims of domestic violence in a fair, prompt, and comprehensive              
fashion, to prevent future violence in every family in which domestic          
violence has been discovered, and to reduce the increase in violence           
from one generation to the next.                                               
                                                                               
The Domestic Violence Prevention Act of 1996 will protect children             
and adults from domestic violence in many ways.  The bill sets out             
procedures for comprehensive civil protection orders consistent with           
due process.  It treats domestic violence as a crime that requires             
early, effective, and thorough intervention.  The Domestic Violence            
Prevention Act of 1996 assures that the child's safety and well-being          
is of paramount concern when domestic violence exists.  Finally, it            
will provide the training necessary for police, prosecutors, health            
workers, and teachers to respond effectively to domestic violence.             
                                                                               
Domestic violence is a wrong that needs to be righted.  The key is             
community commitment to recognize, address, and prevent domestic               
violence.  The Domestic Violence Act of 1996 is the cornerstone in             
Alaska's efforts to abate the ravages of violence in families.  I urge         
your prompt consideration and passage of this bill.                            
		                                                                             
						Sincerely,                                                               
						/s/                                                                      
						Tony Knowles                                                             
						Governor