Legislature(2025 - 2026)ADAMS 519
05/07/2025 09:00 AM House FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB62 | |
| HB123 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 57 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 123 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 62 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE BILL NO. 62
"An Act relating to sexual assault examination kits;
establishing the sexual assault examination kit
tracking system; and providing for an effective date."
9:16:38 AM
JAMES COCKRELL, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY,
relayed that seven to eight years earlier, Alaska had faced
serious challenges in responding to sexual assaults. With
the support of the legislature, the state had made
significant progress in how law enforcement, nurse
practitioners, and the state's crime lab responded to
sexual assaults and processed sexual assault kits. He
shared that the backlog of sexual assault kits had been
cleaned up and all current kits remained preserved at the
state crime lab indefinitely. He explained that the intent
of HB 62 was to ensure that the progress could not be
undone by future administrations or commissioners. He
remarked that Alaska had set a national standard and was
ranked highly among other states. He noted that Alaska
would be ahead of many other states if the bill were to
pass.
Commissioner Cockrell explained that victims of sexual
assault typically lacked control in the aftermath of a
sexual assault. The victims had little control during
interviews with law enforcement or when undergoing
examinations by health care providers. The bill would allow
victims confidential access to track their sexual assault
kits from collection to final processing, restoring a
measure of control. He stated that the goal of the
Department of Public Safety (DPS) was to ensure that
victims became survivors.
Commissioner Cockrell added that the bill been a priority
for both the department and the administration. He noted
that forensic scientists had begun to work in the crime lab
to speed up processing timelines. He described the bill as
critical to continuing the progress made over the past
decade.
9:21:28 AM
Representative Hannan thanked the commissioner for his
passionate testimony. She asked for more information about
the role of Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) in supporting the
prosecution of sexual abuse and neglect cases involving
children. She asked if CACs had a role in tracking the
sexual assault kit and assisting the child through the
process.
Commissioner Cockrell responded that if a sexual assault
examination kit was collected, it would be entered into the
system. He explained that either the advocacy center or a
parent could follow the kit through the confidential
software system. He noted that each kit carried a barcode
that was scanned at each stage of the process. He stated
that the department's intent was to ensure child victims
received the necessary support to live productive lives.
Representative Hannan noted that the Juneau Police
Department had stressed the importance of CACs in the
successful prosecution of child sex crimes. She asked if
the commissioner could provide additional information.
Commissioner Cockrell responded that CACs were critical
because the centers provided essential evidence to take to
court. He stated that the centers effectively served as an
arm of law enforcement, since the cases ultimately returned
to law enforcement for investigation. He emphasized that
the multidisciplinary approach helped protect children,
which was the primary goal. He explained that the aim was
to ensure that children did not remain victims for the rest
of their lives but instead had the opportunity to heal and
move forward.
9:24:21 AM
DAVID KANARIS, CHIEF, FORENSIC LABORATORY, DEPARTMENT OF
PUBLIC SAFETY, introduced the PowerPoint presentation
"House Bill (HB) 62: Sexual Assault Examination Kit
Tracking System" dated May 7, 2025 (copy on file). He moved
to slide 2 and explained that the bill sought to accomplish
three main objectives: first, it would establish timelines
for the transmittal and testing of the kits; second, it
would codify the sexual assault kit tracking system; third,
it would create provisions for survivor rights and
transparency.
Mr. Kanaris advanced to slide 3 and explained that under
current law, there were no established timelines for
medical providers to transfer sexual assault kits to law
enforcement. He stated that HB 62 would require medical
providers to notify law enforcement and turn over kits
within 14 days. Law enforcement would then have 20 days,
reduced from 30, to submit the kits to the crime lab. Once
received, the lab's processing timeline would be reduced
from 180 days to 120 days.
Representative Galvin understood that biological DNA
samples had a specific period of viability and asked
whether the bill's proposed timelines accounted for the
viability of samples.
Mr. Kanaris responded that the most critical timeline was
the period between the assault and the collection of
samples from the victim. Once samples had been collected,
the samples remained relatively stable, even at room
temperature. He stated that the bill did not address the
period before collection as it focused only on the handling
and processing after collection.
Representative Galvin asked if the bill would apply to
child victims examined at CACs. She asked if the timeline
of the kits for child victims would be the same as for
adults.
Mr. Kanaris confirmed that the timelines and provisions
applied regardless of the age of the victim.
9:27:09 AM
Mr. Kanaris continued on slide 4 and explained that the
second major element of the bill concerned survivor rights
and transparency. He stated that victims would be able to
opt into the tracking system and monitor the progress of
the kits through notifications or by logging in to the
system online. He emphasized that the approach had been
shaped by input from survivor and advocacy groups that
stressed the importance of being able to engage with the
criminal justice system on their own terms and at their own
pace, without having to reengage directly with law
enforcement.
Mr. Kanaris continued to slide 5 and explained that the
bill would codify the sexual assault kit tracking system.
The system was already operating with strong support from
the legislature and the administration, but there was no
guarantee it would remain in place under future leadership.
He asserted that codifying the system in statute would
ensure its continuation. He stressed that the system was
too important to fail. He explained that codification would
also guarantee confidentiality of survivor data. The system
did not contain personal identifying information and each
kit was tracked only by barcode. The system ensured
anonymity while allowing the kits to be monitored
throughout the process.
Mr. Kanaris advanced to slide 6 which included photos of
long-term sexual assault kit storage at the state crime
lab. He described the image as sobering, noting that there
were approximately 14,000 kits that had been processed over
time and would remain in permanent storage. He stated that
the photos illustrated the magnitude of the issue.
Co-Chair Foster asked whether the 14,000 kits represented
the backlog that had previously existed.
Mr. Kanaris responded that the number reflected total
processed kits currently stored at the lab. He explained
that between 2015 and 2018, DPS had used a federal grant to
audit unsubmitted kits in its possession. The department
had identified approximately 500 to 600 unsubmitted kits,
all of which had since been tested. In 2017 to 2018, the
legislature appropriated funding for other agencies
statewide to audit and submit their inventories, which
revealed approximately 2,500 additional untested kits. The
additional kits had also since been tested. He explained
that the crime lab currently received approximately 1,100
to 1,200 DNA requests per year and more than half of which
involved sexual assault kits. While evidence from other
cases was eventually returned to the investigating agencies
for storage, sexual assault kits remained permanently at
the crime lab because of past concerns about untested
inventories.
9:31:10 AM
BRODIE ANDERSON, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE NEAL FOSTER,
reviewed the fiscal impact note from DPS with OMB component
527 and control code xRnIN. He explained that the note
reflected a request of $197,500 beginning in FY 26. The
total included $123,000 for one program coordinator
position. He noted that the department currently had two
coordinators funded by a federal grant, but once the grant
expired only one position would be needed for long-term
program management. The fiscal note also requested $8,500
for five annual trips, one of which would be out of state.
The services line totaled $65,000, consisting of $49,000
for InVita Healthcare Technology (IHT) software and $16,000
in core service costs for program implementation. He stated
that commodities were listed at $1,000 for training
materials and supplies.
9:33:27 AM
SUSIE FRENZEL, DIRECTOR, VICTIM SERVICES AND FORENSIC
SCIENCE DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, relayed that
she had prepared the fiscal note. She explained that the
department had conducted a thorough review of its civilian
positions to determine if any other vacancies could be
filled. She emphasized that no such positions were
available, which created the need for the fiscal note.
Representative Tomaszewski asked if IHT had been selected
through a competitive process that led to the awarding of
the contract.
Ms. Frenzel confirmed that IHT had been selected through a
competitive bid process.
Commissioner Cockrell reiterated that the tracking system
was vital in addressing sexual assaults across the state.
He hoped that the committee understood the value of the
bill and the department's desire to see it succeed. He
stressed that significant progress had been made in recent
years and he did not want to lose momentum. He recalled
that similar legislation had nearly passed in the previous
year under challenging fiscal circumstances. He stressed
that sexual assault affected everyone. The legislation
would provide survivors with control over the process
within the criminal justice system, which was often
misunderstood, particularly in rural areas. He explained
that the bill would allow advocates to help survivors
remain engaged in the justice process so that perpetrators
could be held accountable.
9:36:21 AM
AT EASE
9:37:21 AM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Josephson commented that former State of Alaska
Representative Geran Tarr had collaborated closely with Mr.
Kanaris years earlier. He remarked that Representative
Tarr's work was relentless, and she had played an important
role in crafting the legislation and moving it forward.
9:38:02 AM
AT EASE
9:46:19 AM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Foster relayed that there was interest in moving
the bill forward. He noted that it had been working its way
through the process and there had already been public
testimony on it.
Representative Allard appreciated the committee coming
together on the bill. She thought it was important for the
committee to take action on the bill to help Alaska's
children and communities.
Co-Chair Schrage MOVED to REPORT HB 62 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
HB 62 was REPORTED out of committee with ten "do pass"
recommendations and with one previously published fiscal
impact note: FN2 (DPS).
[Representative Stapp was absent from the motion.]
9:48:22 AM
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 62 2025 DPS HFIN Presentation.pdf |
HFIN 5/7/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 62 |
| HB 62 Transmittal Letter.pdf |
HFIN 5/7/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 62 |
| HB 62 Sectional Analysis Version 34-GH1317 A.pdf |
HFIN 5/7/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 62 |
| HFIN HB 62 Sexual Assault Examination Kit Tracking Hearing Request.pdf |
HFIN 5/7/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 62 |
| HB 123 Amendment #1 Bynum 050225.pdf |
HFIN 5/7/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 123 |
| HB 123 Legal Memo 031325.pdf |
HFIN 5/7/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 123 |
| HB 62 Public Testimony Rec'd by 050625.pdf |
HFIN 5/7/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 62 |