Legislature(1995 - 1996)
1995-03-22 Senate Journal
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Full Journal pdf1995-03-22 Senate Journal Page 0748 SB 138 "An Act relating to the state's tuberculosis control program, including provisions for certain penalties; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education and Social Services and Finance Committees. Zero fiscal notes published today from Department of Law, Department of Administration (2), Department of Health and Social Services. Governor's transmittal letter dated March 21: Dear President Pearce: Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill to update the state's tuberculosis control program to ensure that our statutes expressly recognize constitutional requirements when the state must order a person involuntarily detained or confined for essential medical testing or treatment or to protect the public health. The bill also makes miscellaneous amendments to recognize new developments in the field and to improve the reporting requirements for a case involving a person with tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is still a serious public health problem in Alaska. Tuberculosis is a disease that can be spread through fairly routine contact such as coughing in a confined, crowded area. In 1994, tuberculosis was diagnosed in several outbreaks in rural villages in Alaska. Tuberculosis can be successfully treated, but the treatment requires a patient to take medication for six months to 24 months. Since some patients face lifestyle problems that make it difficult for that patient to voluntarily successfully complete the entire course of treatment or to isolate themselves from the public to protect the public health, it is sometimes necessary for orders to be issued and enforced to ensure that the patient is following the treatment plan or is isolated from the public. If treatment is prematurely abandoned, a patient's tuberculosis can become more resistant to treatment and place the public at risk of catching an even more difficult form of this disease in the future.