2005-01-26                     House Journal                      Page 0168
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
                                Sincerely yours,                                                    
                                /s/                                                                 
                                Frank H. Murkowski                                                  
                                 Governor"                                                         
                                                                                                    
HB 113                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 113 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to the confidentiality of investigations, court                               
     hearings, and public agency records and information in child-in-                               
     need-of-aid matters and certain child protection matters; relating                             
     to immunity regarding disclosure of information in child-in-need-                              
     of-aid matters and certain child protection matters; amending                                  
     Rules 3 and 22, Alaska Child in Need of Aid Rules of Procedure;                                
     and providing for an effective date."                                                          
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education & Social                              
Services, Judiciary, and Finance Committees.                                                        
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
1.  Fiscal, Dept. of Health & Social Services                                                       
2.  Fiscal, Dept. of Law                                                                            
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 25, 2005, follows:                                  
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Harris:                                                                               
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am                          
transmitting a bill that will provide greater public access to child-in-                            
need-of-aid (CINA) hearings and records and other information that                                  
has been historically closed to the public.                                                         
                                                                                                    
The issues surrounding public disclosure in CINA matters can quickly                                
become complicated, but the goal of this bill is simple: shed more light                            
on the child protection system and the system will improve.  I believe                              
that public support of the approach taken in the bill will grow when