1997-01-30                     Senate Journal                      Page 0173
SB 69                                                                        
Fiscal notes published today from Department of Health and Social              
Services (8), Department of Corrections.  Indeterminate fiscal notes           
published today from Department of Administration (2).  Zero fiscal            
notes published today from Department of Law, Department of                    
Public Safety.                                                                 
                                                                               
Governors transmittal letter dated January 30:                                 
                                                                               
Dear President Miller:                                                         
                                                                               
Alaskans deserve safe, healthy communities where our children and              
families can live, work and learn without fear of violence.  Yet there         
is a growing concern in our communities that violence among our                
youth is on a steady increase.  We must do all we can to curb this             
trend and to turn our youngsters away from a life of crime.  To that           
end, last year I appointed a group of more than 80 people of wide              
expertise to a Conference on Youth and Justice.  Today I am pleased            
to introduce to the legislature four measures that stem from the               
recommendations of that Conference.                                            
                                                                               
This action package was prepared by my Childrens Cabinet after                 
carefully studying the 500-page report of the Conference and its               
more than 100 recommendations.  The package includes legislation               
in the following areas:                                                        
	                                                                              
	 Juvenile Delinquency Proceedings: to address how juveniles                   
are treated within the justice system, including confidentiality rules         
and sentencing options.                                                        
                                                                               
	 Healthy Families: a program providing education and                          
support services to pregnant women and the families of newborn                 
infants.  The aim is to prevent child abuse and neglect because many           
young victims grow up to become offenders.                                     
                                                                               
	 Alcohol Offenses: a program to ensure minors who have                        
lost their drivers licenses for alcohol-related offenses are complying         
with education and treatment programs before getting their licenses            
reinstated.