2003-03-06                     Senate Journal                      Page 0413
SB 123                                                                                            
SENATE BILL NO. 123 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                   
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                               
                                                                                                    
             "An Act relating to adoptions that include a subsidy                                  
              payment by the state; eliminating annual review of                                   
            the subsidy paid by the state after adoption of a hard-                                
              to-place child has occurred; and providing for an                                    
          effective date."                                                                          
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education and Social                            
Services and Finance Committees.                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal information was published today:                                               
 Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Health and Social Services                                        
                                                                                                    
Governor's transmittal letter dated March 5:                                                        
                                                                                                    
Dear President Therriault:                                                                          
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of art. III, sec 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am                           
transmitting a bill relating to the elimination of annual reviews for                               
adoptive parents or guardians receiving subsidy payments for special                                
needs children.                                                                                     
                                                                                                    

2003-03-06                     Senate Journal                      Page 0414
This bill would repeal AS 25.23.220, which requires the Department                                  
of Health and Social Services to conduct an annual evaluation of the                                
need for continued adoption or guardianship subsidy payments and the                                
amount of those payments.                                                                           
                                                                                                    
Persons who adopt or become legal guardians for a hard-to-place child                               
may receive a monthly subsidy payment for the care and support of                                   
that child. After the court finalizes an adoption or guardianship with                              
subsidy, the family is independent of the Department with the                                       
exception of a statutorily required annual evaluation of the subsidy.                               
                                                                                                    
Adoptive parents and guardians have the right to request a review of                                
their subsidy payments at any time. The repeal of AS 25.23.220 would                                
not affect this right, but would be a cost saving measure for the                                   
Department of Health and Social Services. Eliminating this required                                 
annual review will provide an estimated cost savings in the amount of                               
$185,000 to the budget.                                                                             
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
Sincerely,                                                                                          
/s/                                                                                                 
Frank H. Murkowski                                                                                  
Governor