2021-02-22                     Senate Journal                      Page 0294
SB 91                                                                                                                         
SENATE BILL NO. 91 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                                                
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
          "An Act relating to the duties of the commissioner of                                                                 
          corrections; relating to the detention of minors;                                                                     
          relating to minors subject to adult courts; relating to                                                               
          the placement of minors in adult correctional                                                                         
          facilities; and providing for an effective date."                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Health and Social Services                                                          
and State Affairs Committees.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal information was published today:                                                                           
 Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Public Safety                                                                           
 Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Department of Health and Social Services                                                              
 Fiscal Note No. 3, zero, Department of Corrections                                                                             
                                                                                                                                

2021-02-22                     Senate Journal                      Page 0295
Governor's transmittal letter dated February 18:                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Dear President Micciche:                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska                                                                   
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to amending state law to                                                        
bring the Division of Juvenile Justice into compliance with recent                                                              
changes to federal law.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Specifically, in December 2018, the President signed the Juvenile                                                               
Justice Reform Act (JJRA) that amends and reauthorizes the Juvenile                                                             
Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) which is the                                                                     
principle law governing juvenile justice practices.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
This bill brings state law into compliance with new JJRA requirements                                                           
related to the detention and placement of juveniles under the age of 18                                                         
in adult jails or correctional facilities. These new federal requirements                                                       
go into effect on December 21, 2021. Additionally, the proposal                                                                 
amends AS 47.10 to bring state law into compliance with JJRA                                                                    
provisions related to status offenders (runaways and missing children)                                                          
being held in secure juvenile facilities without requisite court findings.                                                      
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor