Legislature(2007 - 2008)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/11/2008 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 366 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 160 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 65 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 50 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 332 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 2 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 226 | TELECONFERENCED | |
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 50(JUD)
"An Act relating to the Interstate Compact for the
Placement of Children; establishing an interstate
commission for the placement of children; amending
Rules 4 and 24(b), Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure; and
providing for an effective date."
RYNNIEVA MOSS, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE JOHN COGHILL, explained
that the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children
has several problems. States have been joining forces to
compose a new compact that has accountability and allows the
states to agree on regulations of conformity that will
result in children being placed in foster care a shorter
length of time before being placed with relatives and
friends in other states. She shared Representative
Coghill's story behind deciding to come forth with the
legislation in order to help children.
Ms. Moss reported that under this legislation, work studies
would be completed in sixty days, rather than three months
to a year, as happens now.
10:18:23 AM
MARCIA PICKERING, DEPUTY COMPACT ADMINISTRATOR, SOCIAL
SERVICES PROGRAM COORDINATOR, OFFICE OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES
(OCS), DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, explained
the requirements of the new Compact, which are intended to
return uniformity to the process, establish accountability,
and ensure safe and timely placements of children in foster
care to homes in other states. The Compact should shorten
the time spent in foster care to two months because there
will be an opportunity to request an assessment vs. a full-
blown home study. The assessment will allow for provisional
approval from another state more quickly.
Ms. Pickering explained that the provisions in the new
Compact will help address the frustrations the state,
judges, and others have had. It will provide for
administrative rule-making and enforcement. In the past
there has not been any accountability in enforcement. It
will also provide for supervision services for children
already placed. It will provide for uniform data collection
and information sharing and require oversight by an in-state
advisory committee made up of administration, judiciary, and
legislative participants.
10:20:31 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman asked how the bill relates to the Indian
Child Welfare Act. Ms. Pickering shared her understanding
of the purpose of the placement responsibilities of the Act.
The Compact will help facilitate the placements recommended
by the Act. Co-Chair Hoffman asked if it conflicted with
the Indian Child Welfare Act's intention to place children
with a native family. Ms. Pickering said it did not.
10:22:09 AM
Senator Elton referred to page 27, Section 6, where the
Governor is replaced with the Commissioner of the Department
of Health and Social Services. He questioned the
constitutionality of that change. Ms. Moss said that the
Department of Law was involved in drafting the language.
She related the history of analyzing the language in the old
Compact. The Governor's office, Attorney General's office,
as well as private attorneys, have been involved in drafting
this legislation.
Senator Elton wondered if "the Governor may delegate" would
be better. Ms. Moss referred to statutes that transfer
authority to the commissioner to be on the commission and to
be involved in promulgating regulations for states to use as
guidelines for placement of children. She predicted it
would be labor intensive for the first several years. It
would be consistent with other laws.
Senator Elton assumed it would not restrict an acting
commissioner. Ms. Moss thought an acting commissioner was
considered to be the commissioner. Senator Elton requested
the bill be set aside to answer that question.
10:25:51 AM
Senator Thomas stated support for the bill. He asked how
many children the bill would affect. Ms. Pickering said
there were about 150 children placed outside the state.
About 38 of those are in relative foster care, about 50 are
in residential programs, and the rest are with parents,
relatives, and adoption placement.
CSHB 50 (JUD) was heard and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
AT-EASE: 10:28:01 AM
RECONVENED: 10:32:30 AM
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 50(JUD)
"An Act relating to the Interstate Compact for the
Placement of Children; establishing an interstate
commission for the placement of children; amending
Rules 4 and 24(b), Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure; and
providing for an effective date."
Co-Chair Stedman remarked that the bill was held because of
Senator Elton's concerns. He referred to a legal memo that
addresses those concerns (copy on file.)
Senator Elton agreed that his questions were answered.
Senator Thomas MOVED to REPORT CSHB 50(JUD) from Committee
with individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal
notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
CSHB 50(JUD) was REPORTED from Committee with "no
recommendation" and with previously published zero fiscal
note #1 by the Department of Administration and fiscal note
#2 by the Department of Health and Social Services.
AT EASE: 3:48:49 PM
RECONVENED: 3:55:58 PM
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