Legislature(2021 - 2022)DAVIS 106
04/21/2021 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| University of Alaska Board of Regents | |
| HB60 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 60 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 164 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
April 21, 2021
8:03 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Harriet Drummond, Co-Chair
Representative Andi Story, Co-Chair
Representative Tiffany Zulkosky
Representative Grier Hopkins
Representative Mike Prax
Representative Mike Cronk
Representative Ronald Gillham
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Representative Ken McCarty
Representative Matt Claman
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
University of Alaska Board of Regents
Scott Jepsen - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
HOUSE BILL NO. 60
"An Act relating to mental health education."
- MOVED CSHB 60(EDC) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 60
SHORT TITLE: PUBLIC SCHOOLS: MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) CLAMAN
02/18/21 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/15/21
02/18/21 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/18/21 (H) EDC, FIN
03/31/21 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
03/31/21 (H) Heard & Held
03/31/21 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
04/16/21 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
04/16/21 (H) Heard & Held
04/16/21 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
04/21/21 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
WITNESS REGISTER
SCOTT JEPSEN, Appointee
University of Alaska Board of Regents
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Spoke as an appointee to the University of
Alaska Board of Regents.
REPRESENTATIVE KEN MCCARTY
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information and answered questions
as co-sponsor of HB 60.
DEBORAH RIDDLE
Division Operations Manager
Innovation and Educational Excellence
Department of Education & Early Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information and answered questions
during the hearing on HB 60.
REPRESENTATIVE MATT CLAMAN
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information and answered questions
as prime sponsor of HB 60.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:03:13 AM
CO-CHAIR HARRIET DRUMMOND called the House Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 8:03 a.m. Representatives Story,
Cronk, Gilham, Hopkins, Prax, Zulkosky, and Drummond were
present at the call to order. Other legislators present were
Representatives Claman and McCarty.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
^University of Alaska Board of Regents
University of Alaska Board of Regents
8:03:54 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND announced that the first order of business
would be the confirmation hearing for consideration of the
governor's appointee to the University of Alaska Board of
Regents.
8:04:12 AM
SCOTT JEPSEN, Appointee, University of Alaska Board of Regents,
noted that the committee had received his resume [hardcopy
included in committee packet] and offered a summary of his
experience. He told the committee that he received a Bachelor
of Science and a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from
the University of Texas at Austin, and subsequently worked in
Denver, Colorado for the Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO). He
transferred to Anchorage in 1982, and he commented that the
1980s were a good time to be involved in North Slope
development. He moved back to Texas in 1991 to manage ARCO's
oil and gas fields in Wyoming, New Mexico, and Colorado. He
returned to Alaska in 1997 to manage the Kuparuk Development for
ARCO, later leading the technical efforts to sell ARCO Alaska, a
condition of BP Amoco p.l.c. acquisition of ARCO. He shared
that he managed ConocoPhillips Alaska's Cook Inlet business, and
its external affairs and pipeline business.
MR. JEPSEN said that he retired in March of 2020 and intends to
stay in Alaska, and that he now has the time to serve on the
University of Alaska Board of Regents. He said he has watched
University of Alaska (UA) graduates evolve to the point that
they now compare favorably with the graduates from other
universities that ConocoPhillips Alaska recruits from, and that
he has been an advocate in recruiting from UA campuses due to
the record of UA graduates understanding the state, and wanting
to stay in Alaska. He said hiring Alaskans was good for the
company and good for UA graduates, so he would like to help give
Alaskans the opportunity to get a good education in their home
state that would qualify them for Alaska jobs.
MS. JEPSEN noted that he served on the University of Alaska
Foundation, which is in charge of managing the UA endowment,
from 2011-2020, both as a board member and chair. As a board
member, he said, he had the opportunity to evaluate the
strengths and weaknesses of the UA system and its ability to
meet the needs of Alaskans. He said UA had strong programs in
teaching, accounting, logistics, engineering, mining, hard rock
geology, arctic research, and indigenous studies, among other
disciplines, and he commented that the drone research program is
among the best in the country. Offering two-year degrees,
certificates, undergraduate, and graduate programs, he said,
means the UA system offers educational opportunities that
Alaskans might not otherwise be able to access. He expressed
that he has the opportunity to help UA become stronger and more
stable, with a strategic vision for the future that recognizes
the fiscal pressures on the state as well as the needs of the
greater Alaskan community.
8:10:13 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked Mr. Jepsen to elaborate what he
learned about the university system during his 9 years with the
University of Alaska Foundation. She also asked him to discuss
the programs he had seen success in and what goals he hoped to
see the regents accomplish.
MR. JEPSEN described UA as a system of three relatively
independent universities that need to work together to respond
to the fiscal pressures of the state and find efficiencies while
still delivering quality education. He said UA was struggling
with the compact reductions, but UA Interim President Pat Pitney
has a plan for the next phase of budget reductions and
reorganization. He emphasized a need for long-term stability,
where programs were no longer at risk of being cut, and students
are confident in UA's ability to graduate them in the programs.
He also discussed the need for UA to work with the legislature
on reliable and stable funding, and he suggested that UA also
needs to look at ways to increase revenue outside of the
legislative process. Enrollment dropped by approximately 6,000
full-time equivalent students over the past six years after a
period of increasing enrollment, he said, and the regents need
to understand what happened.
MR. JEPSEN then discussed his hope for a stable funding
mechanism within the next five years, and he said a positive
vision for students and UA needs to be aligned with all the
stakeholders' interests. He said most of the stakeholders
understand the reality of Alaska's fiscal situation, and that
most things can be achieved once interests are aligned. He
expressed that his experience could help UA achieve his vision.
8:16:40 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked how Mr. Jepsen felt UA could better
align with the petroleum industry.
MR. JEPSEN replied that he had many interactions with programs
at UAF and UAA while in his positions in the petroleum industry,
and he expressed that UA was in a good place to support the
industry. He said UA has been good at getting federal grants
for research relating to the North Slope, and that the major
companies were hiring engineers from UA. He characterized the
engineering program as "robust," and he suggested that Alaska
could do more for the petroleum industry.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked about his familiarity with associate
degrees and the Process Technologies program.
MR. JEPSEN replied that he interacted with that program at his
previous job.
8:18:53 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY asked Mr. Jepsen to discuss his
perspective on the roll outlying community campuses play with
respect to UA's efforts to provide quality education to all
Alaskans.
MR. JEPSEN responded that he believed the community colleges
play a very important role in delivering UA's education mission.
He noted that a student can get a PhD from a community campus,
and he expressed that it is critical that Alaskans have access
to higher education. He said the long-term the challenge would
be continuing to deliver education in an efficient and cost-
effective manner.
REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY she asked whether he would be committed
to preventing "downstream impacts" in community campuses.
MR. JEPSEN replied that he would emphasize prevention of such
impacts, and that the programs need to remain viable while costs
are being reduced.
8:21:36 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND asked Mr. Jepsen to discuss his views on the
efforts by the University of Alaska Foundation to contribute to
UA's revenue.
MR. JEPSEN said the current fundraising program is likely the
largest one the foundation has ever taken on, with the
fundraising goal of $200 million. The funds will go into the
endowment, he said, which ideally earns approximately 5 percent
per year. He pointed out that the endowment doesn't provide
funds for operating or capital costs.
8:23:12 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY pointed out that one of the stakeholders in
UA is the primary and secondary education system ("K-12
education"), and she asked Mr. Jepsen to discuss his views on
the teacher training programs with respect to the reading
program.
MR. JEPSEN replied that, while he isn't familiar with the
teacher training programs, he agrees with the importance of K-12
education.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY expressed that she had been surprised to
learn that the Board of Regents had not met with the State Board
of Education and Early Development to discuss alignment of
preparing K-12 students for higher education.
MR. JEPSEN replied that he doesn't know why the two
organizations have not met on that subject, but that he would be
supportive of such a discussion.
8:26:10 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GILLHAM asked Mr. Jepsen for his opinion on
consolidating the three main campuses.
MR. JEPSEN expressed that consolidation should be considered,
but there are impediments. He said he would keep an open mind
in considering options.
8:27:56 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND opened public testimony on the governor's
appointee to the University of Alaska Board of Regents. After
ascertaining that no one wished to testify, she closed public
testimony.
8:28:44 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY stated that the House Education Standing
Committee has reviewed the qualifications of the governor's
appointee and recommends that the name be forwarded to a joint
session for consideration: Scott Jepsen, University of Alaska
Board of Regents. She said that signing the report regarding
appointments to boards and commissions in no way reflects an
individual member's approval or disapproval of the appointee,
and the nomination is merely forwarded to the full legislature
for confirmation or rejection.
8:29:08 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:29 a.m. to 8:33 a.m.
HB 60-PUBLIC SCHOOLS: MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION
8:33:27 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND announced that the final order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 60, "An Act relating to mental health
education."
[The motion to adopt the proposed committee substitute (CS) for
HB 60, Version 32-LS0261\B, Klein, 3/25/21, as a work draft had
been left pending with an objection during the 3/31/21 meeting
of the House Education Standing Committee.]
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND, having objected to the adoption of the
proposed CS for HB 60 as the work draft during the 3/31/21
hearing, removed her objection. There being no further
objection, CSHB 60(EDC) ("Version B") was before the committee.
8:34:39 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK moved to adopt Amendment 1 to CSHB 60(EDC),
labeled 32-LX0261\B.1, Klein, 3/31/21, which read as follows:
Page 1, line 1, following "education":
Insert "; and relating to duties of school
districts"
Page 2, line 2, following "services.":
Insert "A public school shall post in a public area of
the school a list of counseling agencies offering
services within the district."
8:34:55 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY objected for the purpose of discussion.
8:35:04 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK deferred to Representative McCarty.
8:35:44 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KEN MCCARTY, Alaska State Legislature, as co-
sponsor of HB 60, addressed Amendment 1. He explained that the
intent of Amendment 1 is to require public schools to post in a
public area a list of counseling agencies offering services
within the district. He suggested that schools have been
resistant to posting such information.
8:36:54 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY discussed the importance of making it clear
that the school or school district isn't recommending any
specific counselor or service, as well as keeping the list
updated. She also expressed the concern that the committee may
be "getting ahead" of what would be appropriate for school
districts.
8:38:34 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY asked whether there exists a public
process for notice and deliberation so interested parties can
have input on such recommendations.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY expressed that she believes there is a
public process.
8:39:37 AM}
DEBORAH RIDDLE, Division Operations Manager, Innovation and
Educational Excellence, Department of Education & Early
Development (DEED), explained that there is significant
stakeholder input into standards and processes, including
committees to follow guidelines based on legislation. She said
revisions in standards undergo public comment periods of 30 to
60 days.
REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY expressed her appreciation of the intent
of Amendment 1, and she said she agreed with Representative
Story with respect to "getting ahead" of school districts and
local control.
8:41:46 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS asked how a definition of "counseling
agencies" would be developed.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY replied that all counseling agencies are
recognized through professional licensing. He said the
amendment would not be "selective" to any counseling agency.
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS asked whether it would be the
responsibility of the school district to research licensed
counseling agencies for inclusion on the list.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY responded that he doesn't see it as a
burden for schools to identify such agencies and resources.
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS asked whether there is any type of
counseling or agency currently not allowed in school districts.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY stated that he is unaware of any such
situation.
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS commented that he wouldn't want to
exclude agencies that aren't able to advertise.
8:44:45 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND pointed out that communities in remote areas
often do not have counseling services. She said she expects to
hear from communities with a lack of resources in mental health
care.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY commented on the increased availability
of teletherapy. He then shared an anecdote highlighting the
technical difficulties of accessing the internet in remote
villages.
8:47:52 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX stated his support for Amendment 1.
8:49:20 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MATT CLAMAN, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor of HB 60, stated that while he appreciates the intent of
Amendment 1, he does not support it. He voiced concerns with
making an unfunded mandate that would affect every district, and
he said that every time a counseling agency opened, the list
would need to be updated. While such a mandate may not be a
problem in a community like Unalaska, he said, the Anchorage
School District would shoulder considerable obligations and
expenses.
8:51:42 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND noted that even Girdwood is included in the
Anchorage School District.
8:52:04 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY maintained her objection to Amendment 1.
8:52:12 AM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Prax, Cronk, and
Gillham voted in favor of adopting Amendment 1 to CSHB 60(EDC).
Representatives Zulkosky, Hopkins, Drummond, and Story voted
against it. Therefore, Amendment 1 to CSHB 60(EDC) failed by a
vote of 4-3.
8:53:25 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK moved to adopt Amendment 3 to CSHB 60(EDC),
labeled 32-LS0261\B.3, Klein, 4/5/21, which read as follows:
Page 1, line 1, following "education":
Insert "; and relating to licensed professional
counselors, marital and family therapists,
psychologists and psychological associates, and social
workers"
Page 1, following line 8:
Insert new bill sections to read:
"* Sec. 2. AS 08.29.230 is amended by adding a new
subsection to read:
(b) A person licensed under this chapter may not
engage in the practice of professional counseling
while facilitating mental health instruction as part
of a school district mental health education program
under AS 14.30.360.
* Sec. 3. AS 08.63.240 is amended by adding a new
subsection to read:
(b) A person licensed under this chapter may not
engage in the practice of marital and family therapy
while facilitating mental health instruction as part
of a school district mental health education program
under AS 14.30.360.
* Sec. 4. AS 08.86.180 is amended by adding a new
subsection to read:
(e) A person licensed under this chapter may not
engage in the practice of psychology or practice as a
psychological associate while facilitating mental
health instruction as part of a school district mental
health education program under AS 14.30.360.
* Sec. 5. AS 08.95 is amended by adding a new
section to article 2 to read:
Sec. 08.95.135. Limitation of practice. A person
licensed under this chapter may not engage in the
practice of social work while facilitating mental
health instruction as part of a school district mental
health education program under AS 14.30.360."
Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.
Page 2, following line 17:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Sec. 8. AS 14.30.360 is amended by adding a new
subsection to read:
(e) A district conducting a mental health
education program shall require a teacher, other
district employee, or instructor who facilitates
mental health instruction to inform students that the
teacher, employee, or instructor is not acting as a
licensed professional counselor, a licensed marital
and family therapist, a psychologist or a
psychological associate, or a social worker and cannot
provide counseling or mental health services as part
of the mental health education program."
Renumber the following bill section accordingly.
Page 2, line 21:
Delete "sec. 3"
Insert "sec. 7"
8:53:33 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY objected for the purpose of discussion.
8:53:43 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK deferred to Representative McCarty.
8:53:46 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY explained that Amendment 3 would prohibit
counselors invited to a school to engage in mental health
education from engaging in either individual or group therapy.
8:56:31 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:56 a.m. to 8:59 a.m.
8:59:05 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND said Amendment 3 would be set aside for later
consideration.
8:59:26 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX moved to adopt Amendment 6 to CSHB 60(EDC),
labeled 32-LS0261\B.6, Klein, 4/20/21, which read as follows:
Page 1, lines 7 - 8:
Delete "Department of Health and Social Services,
regional tribal health organizations, and
representatives of national and state mental health
organizations"
Insert "Statewide Suicide Prevention Council"
Page 2, lines 6 - 8:
Delete "Department of Health and Social Services,
regional tribal health organizations, and
representatives of national and state mental health
organizations"
Insert "Statewide Suicide Prevention Council"
9:00:36 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY objected for the purpose of discussion.
9:00:45 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX explained that there is a Statewide Suicide
Prevention Council, and he opined that it's appropriate to
involve such a group in mental health education instead of
involving the organizations currently listed in the proposed
legislation.
9:02:30 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY pointed out that the Statewide Suicide
Prevention Council would likely be included as a state
organization in the context of consultation for the
establishment of the guidelines in the proposed legislation.
She expressed that the exclusion of the state and tribal
organizations, as well as the representatives of national and
state mental health organizations, would hamper the ability of
the State Board of Education to develop appropriate guidelines
for mental health education. She pointed out that suicide is
not the only mental health issue experienced by youth in Alaska.
9:03:41 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN stated his agreement with Representative
Zulkosky's observations, and he added that the goal of the
proposed legislation is to create health curriculum guidelines
that include mental health with the other health topics.
9:04:29 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS stated his agreement with the comments by
Representatives Zulkosky and Claman.
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND asked Representative Zulkosky whether the
Statewide Suicide Prevention Council is within the Department of
Health and Social Services (DHSS).
REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY replied that she doesn't recall the
council existing within DHSS, but that it is a statewide
council.
9:06:10 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX noted that the Statewide Suicide Prevention
Council appears within the DHSS website.
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND recalled that until recently, DHSS and DEED
were one department. She then objected to Amendment 6.
9:07:11 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY maintained her objection.
9:07:23 AM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Gillham and Prax
voted in favor of adopting Amendment 6 to CSHB 60(EDC).
Representatives Zulkosky, Hopkins, Cronk, Drummond, and Story
voted against it. Therefore, Amendment 6 failed by a vote of 5-
2.
9:08:29 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 9:08 a.m. to 9:09 a.m.
9:09:23 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND announced that the committee would now
consider Amendment 3 to CSHB 60(EDC), which had been moved
earlier in the meeting.
9:10:00 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY said the intent of Amendment 3 is to
address a person's scope of ability to provide mental health
education by requiring that facilitator of a discussion to
disclose that he or she is not a mental health counselor and may
not provide individual or group therapy.
9:11:16 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY referred to assertions that the proposed
legislation would seek to diagnose, screen, treat, and medicate
youth in a school environment. She clarified that the proposed
legislation would instruct the State Board of Education to
establish guidelines to incorporate mental health as a component
of health education. She referred to information by the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [included in the
committee packet] that provides a "framework for teachers,
administrators, and policymakers in designing or selecting
curricula." She stressed that the intention of the proposed
legislation is to include mental health in the consideration of
"whole person health." She stated that she could not support
the amendment.
9:13:16 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS stated his agreement with Representative
Zulkosky's comments. He pointed out that school districts often
have employees who fill multiple roles; for instance, he said, a
social worker may also be licensed as an educator to teach
health, and may be prohibited from doing half of their job. He
also expressed concerns regarding the ethics of prohibiting a
licensed professional from engaging in their area of expertise
for simply having a discussion with students.
9:15:49 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY discussed counselors being invited into
schools as guest speakers.
9:17:35 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN stated that he does not support Amendment
3, and he pointed out several statutes that prohibit licensed
professional counselors from engaging in practice with a person
they do not have a client relationship with. He then said that
schools should not be taking the place of medical boards in
evaluating and regulating counseling professionals. He said
that a cardiologist who is invited to speak to students about
heart health knows to not diagnose students in the school
setting, so the inclusion of such language regarding mental
health professionals is unnecessary.
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND pointed out that Amendment 3 would amend Title
8, Business and Professions, which is outside the scope of the
proposed legislation.
9:20:36 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX pointed out his lack of knowledge of the
subject under discussion, and he opined that adding the
restriction as described in Amendment 3 is "worth doing."
9:21:20 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY maintained her objection.
9:21:30 AM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Cronk, Gillham, and
Prax voted in favor of adopting Amendment 3 to CSHB 60(EDC).
Representatives Zulkosky, Hopkins, Drummond, and Story voted
against it. Therefore, Amendment 3 failed by a vote of 4-3.
9:22:39 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX moved to adopt Amendment 4 to CSHB 60(EDC),
labeled 32-LS0261\B.4, Klein, 4/19/21, which read as follows:
Page 2, line 8, following "organizations.":
Insert "The state board may not implement health
instruction guidelines without first obtaining
legislative approval by law. The state board may
recommend legislation including the guidelines for
developmentally appropriate instruction in mental
health developed under this subsection."
9:22:47 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY objected for the purpose of discussion.
9:22:50 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX characterized the subject [of mental health
education] as "controversial," and he suggested that the
legislature should be involved in the process of approving the
educational guidelines, so they get "sufficient attention."
REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY pointed out that Amendment 4 would
require, by law, legislative approval of health instruction
guidelines. She expressed the opinion that such mandates would
be government overreach, and that government-approved guidelines
are adopted at the local level in the school districts. She
stated that she does not support Amendment 4.
9:24:32 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN noted that the Alaska Board of Education
and Early Development has many standards and guidelines to enact
which don't require legislative approval. He expressed
agreement with Representative Zulkosky's comments, and he said
he does not support Amendment 4.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX said, "I appreciate that the intention of
this is for these to be just guidelines, but in practice it
doesn't work that way. We've heard with this 'COVID business'
that ... many of the local jurisdictions were looking towards
the state to do something, or they were adopting their policy
based on the state guidelines." He said the elected local
representatives on the school board would be adopting the
guidelines, but state guidelines should be approved by state-
level representatives.
9:26:22 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY maintained her objection.
9:26:26 AM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Prax, Cronk, and
Gillham voted in favor of adopting Amendment 4 to CSHB 60(EDC).
Representatives Zulkosky, Hopkins, Drummond, and Story voted
against it. Therefore, Amendment 4 failed by a vote of 4-3.
9:27:28 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX moved to adopt Amendment 5 to CSHB 60(EDC),
labeled 32-LX0261\B.5, Klein, 4/19/21, which read as follows:
Page 2, following line 17:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Sec. 4. AS 14.30.360 is amended by adding a new
subsection to read:
(e) A district shall, before instructing
students in mental health as part of a program in
health education under (a) of this section, provide
notice to parents and guardians of students
participating in the program that
(1) describes the mental health components
of the program;
(2) identifies the time and place of the
mental health instruction; and
(3) informs parents or guardians how to,
under AS 14.03.016, object to and withdraw the student
from the program."
Renumber the following bill section accordingly.
9:27:28 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY objected for the purpose of discussion.
9:27:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX said Amendment 5 would require parental
notification of the mental health curriculum, and that parents
would have the option of removing their children from that
section of their health education.
9:28:14 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN pointed out that parents' rights are
already protected under AS 14.03.016, which provides the right
of a parent to remove a child from certain components of
education.
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK expressed concerns about having mental
health education without parental input. He said that he
doesn't think it would be a burden to specify that parents could
withdraw their children from mental health education.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY opined that it would not be a burden, and
he mentioned informed consent.
9:31:51 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY referred to the fiscal note for 20 parents
and qualified stakeholders to participate in developing the
mental health education guidelines. She then stated that she
maintained her objection.
9:32:47 AM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Prax, Cronk, and
Gillham voted in favor of adopting Amendment 5 to CSHB 60(EDC).
Representatives Hopkins, Zulkosky, Drummond, and Story voted
against it. Therefore, Amendment 5 failed by a vote of 4-3.
9:33:35 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GILLHAM moved to adopt Amendment 7 to CSHB
60(EDC), labeled 32-LX0261\B.7, Klein, 4/20/21, which read as
follows:
Page 1, lines 5 - 8:
Delete all material and insert:
"LEGISLATIVE INTENT. It is the intent of the
legislature that the Board of Education and Early
Development develop guidelines for instruction in
mental health within the framework of overall wellness
to promote physical, emotional, and mental wellness
and to strengthen personal and community resilience in
coordination with parents, spiritual advisers or
leaders, business leaders, complementary and
alternative health care providers, and representatives
of mental health organizations and regional tribal
health organizations, including the Statewide Suicide
Prevention Council, the National Council for
Behavioral Health, Providence Health & Services
Alaska, Southcentral Foundation, Anchorage Community
Mental Health Services, Inc., North Star Behavioral
Health System, and the National Alliance on Mental
Illness Alaska."
9:33:52 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY objected for the purpose of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE GILLHAM opined that the language of Amendment 7
would bring the text of the proposed legislation in line with
the State of Alaska's suicide prevention plan, which promotes
"exposure to respected adults and role models in our
communities." He said, "Some of the smaller villages do not
have licensed social workers, but every village has elders that
the young people can go to, that are respected." He then stated
that he does not support teaching mental health in schools.
9:35:13 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY discussed evidence-based health
recommendations that utilize health experts from DHSS, tribal
health organizations, and mental health organizations. She
referred to the considerations within the fiscal note regarding
bring stakeholders together to develop the guidelines, and she
pointed out that village elders are already actively involved in
schools, and that such activities don't need to be enshrined in
state law. Pulling in business leaders or alternative health
care providers, she said, would broaden the scope beyond
evidence-based education.
9:36:49 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN stated that he agrees with Representative
Zulkosky's comments, and that he does not support Amendment 7.
9:37:13 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY maintained
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Prax, Cronk, and
Gillham voted in favor of Amendment 7 to CSHB 60(EDC).
Representatives Zulkosky, Story, Hopkins, and Drummond voted
against it. Therefore, Amendment 7 failed by a vote of 4-3.
9:38:00 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GILLHAM moved to adopt Amendment 8 to CSHB
60(EDC), labeled 32-LX0261\B.8, Klein, 4/20/21, which read as
follows:
Page 2, line 2, following "services.":
Insert "The mental health curriculum must
emphasize drugless approaches and include a broad
range of material addressing informed consent,
psychiatric drug withdrawal symptoms, and
complementary and alternative approaches to mental
health."
9:38:06 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY objected for the purpose of discussion.
9:38:15 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GILLHAM talked about his son's childhood mental
health issues, and he said, "I think we should emphasize that
pharmaceutical intervention is not the goal of mental wellness
instruction."
9:39:23 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY pointed out sections of the guidelines
that relate to well-being, differentiating emotions,
communication skills, conflict resolution, and relationship
dynamics. She said a social worker in a school in her district
said that her duties included consultation with staff and
families, referrals, and community outreach. She said that
Amendment 8 seems to suggest that pharmaceutical recommendations
would be made within the curriculum. She then stated that she
does not support Amendment 8.
9:40:54 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS agreed with Representative Zulkosky's
comments, and he pointed out that teachers would not be
diagnosing students but would be teaching them to identify when
they have concerns, so students could ask for help. He stated
that he does not support Amendment 8.
9:42:12 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX mentioned schools being open to all
children, and he talked about "giving the committee very
specific instructions."
9:43:29 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN shared his agreement with Representatives
Zulkosky and Hopkins, and he said that he does not support
Amendment 8.
9:43:50 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY maintained
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Gillham, Cronk, and
Prax voted in favor of Amendment 8 to CSHB 60(EDC).
Representatives Story, Drummond, Hopkins, and Zulkosky voted
against it. Therefore, Amendment 8 failed by a vote of 4-3.
9:44:36 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GILLHAM moved to adopt Amendment 9 to CSHB
60(EDC), labeled 32-LS0261\B.9, Klein, 4/20/21, which read as
follows:
Page 2, lines 4 - 17:
Delete all material and insert:
"(b) The state board shall establish guidelines for a
health and personal safety education program.
Guidelines for the health education program must
establish standards for instruction in mental health.
Guidelines for the health education program must be
developed in consultation with the Department of
Health and Social Services and representatives of
national and state mental health organizations, with
the active participation of parents, spiritual
advisers or leaders, business leaders, and
complementary and alternative health care providers.
Personal safety guidelines shall be developed in
consultation with the Council on Domestic Violence and
Sexual Assault. Upon request, the Department of
Education and Early Development, the Department of
Health and Social Services, and the Council on
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault shall provide
technical assistance to school districts in the
development of personal safety curricula. A school
health education specialist position shall be
established and funded in the department to coordinate
the program statewide. Adequate funds to enable
curriculum and resource development, adequate
consultation to school districts, and a program of
teacher training in health and personal safety
education shall be provided."
9:44:45 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY objected for discussion.
9:44:49 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GILLHAM expressed that Amendment 9 "is in line
with being inclusive of respected individuals in our communities
for the general well-being of our children."
9:45:17 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY pointed out the similarity between the
amendment under consideration and Amendment 7, which failed to
be adopted earlier in the meeting. She reiterated her concerns
with ensuring evidence-based, developmentally-appropriate
recommendations from experts in the mental health field, which
she expressed is already inclusive, and she stated that she does
not support Amendment 9.
9:45:38 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS pointed out that the guidelines would be
created and crafted at the local level, and he said that
Fairbanks [North Star Borough School District] already includes
parents and other stakeholders on the curriculum committees. He
said that he does not believe that spiritual advisors or
business leaders should not be considered unless at the local
level.
9:46:23 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN stated that he does not support Amendment
9 for the reasons already stated by Representatives Hopkins and
Zulkosky.
9:46:41 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY maintained her objection.
9:46:46 AM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Cronk, Prax, and
Gillham voted in favor of Amendment 9 to CSHB 60(EDC).
Representatives Hopkins, Zulkosky, Story, and Drummond voted
against it. Therefore, Amendment 9 failed by a vote of 4-3.
9:47:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GILLHAM moved to adopt Amendment 10 to CSHB
60(EDC), labeled 32-LS0261\B.10, Klein, 4/20/21, which read as
follows:
Page 2, following line 17:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Sec. 4. AS 14.30.360 is amended by adding a new
subsection to read:
(e) A district conducting a health education
program under (a) of this section that includes mental
health shall use the 2018-2022 State of Alaska Suicide
Prevention Plan when developing the district's health
education curriculum."
Renumber the following bill section accordingly.
9:47:42 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY objected for the purpose of discussion.
9:47:47 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GILLHAM opined that, since resources went into
developing the State of Alaska Suicide Prevention Plan, the
findings should be used in the mental health education
curriculum.
9:49:00 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY commented that, while the Suicide
Prevention Plan provides recommendations to the state, the
mental health education should be well-rounded instead of
focusing on suicide. She said that she does not support
Amendment 10.
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS stated his support for the Suicide
Prevention Plan and its uses in the home, but he said that he
does not support Amendment 10. He pointed out that the Alaska
Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) covers far more than suicide
prevention, and he opined that it's important to cover the "wide
expanse of understanding of what mental health really is"
instead of concentrating on a single topic.
9:50:49 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX said that he doesn't believe Amendment 10
would limit the mental health guidelines to the Suicide
Prevention Plan, and that it makes sense to include the plan in
the curriculum.
9:51:55 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN agreed with the comments of
Representatives Hopkins and Zulkosky, and he stated his
opposition to Amendment 10. He pointed out that adopting the
amendment would enshrine in statute a specific version of the
Alaska Suicide Prevention Plan.
9:52:53 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK expressed that he would "probably" oppose
Amendment 10.
9:53:19 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY shared her belief that the stakeholders who
create the guidelines would include suicide prevention, so the
inclusion in statute of the specific plan is not necessary.
9:53:48 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY maintained her objection.
9:53:55 AM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Prax and Gillham
voted in favor of CSHB 60(EDC). Representatives Cronk,
Zulkosky, Hopkins, Drummond, and Story voted against it.
Therefore, Amendment 10 failed by a vote of 5-2.
9:54:38 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 9:54 a.m. to 9:55 a.m.
9:55:31 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND pointed out that Amendment 11 appears to be
identical to Amendment 5, which failed to be adopted.
REPRESENTATIVE GILLHAM said that he withdrew Amendment 11.
9:56:15 AM
REPRESENTATIVE Story moved to report CSHB 60, Version 32-
LS0261\B, Klein, 3/25/21, out of committee with individual
recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
9:56:35 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX objected. He opined that the proposed
legislation is "fundamentally flawed," and he expressed concern
at the prospect of state involvement in mental health education.
He said, "There just so many ideas, and so many world views out
there, and we're going to be eliminating all those ideas in
order to arrive at something."
9:57:33 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK expressed agreement with Representative
Prax. He said the public is losing trust in the school system,
and this legislation, which would allow education he
characterized as "controversial," would increase mistrust.
9:58:08 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY, recalling testimony provided during the
April 16, 2021, meeting of the House Education Standing
Committee and said:
The internet does not provide a safe environment for a
young person to identify what they may be internally
experiencing ... By providing school districts with
the opportunity to utilize evidence-based, place-based
curriculum, that has been highly vetted through the
public deliberative process through the State Board of
Education, is a much safer way for Alaska young people
to be able to articulate what they're going through.
REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY noted that the fiscal note would ensure
a high level of stakeholder engagement to include community
leaders, parents, educators, and health, social services, and
mental health experts.
9:59:54 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GILLHAM shared that his constituents have written
in opposition to the proposed legislation at, by his estimate, a
15 to 1 ratio.
10:00:28 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS stated that the proposed legislation does
not mandate any action be taken by a school district, or that
students learn about the physical or chemical processes that may
be happening in their bodies and brains. He emphasized that the
proposed legislation would give school districts guidelines to
implement mental health education, and he pointed out that there
are many stakeholders in Fairbanks that serve on the curriculum
development committee for the school district. He stated that
he would "proudly" support the proposed legislation, and he
thanked Representative Claman for introducing it.
10:01:55 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX maintained his objection.
10:02:04 AM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Drummond, Story,
Zulkosky, and Hopkins voted in favor of the motion to report
CSHB 60, Version 32-LS0261\B, Klein, 3/25/21, out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes. Representatives Prax, Cronk, and Gillham voted against
it. Therefore, CSHB 60(EDC) was reported out of the House
Education Standing Committee by a vote of 4-3.
10:03:15 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Education Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 10:03 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 164 Complete Committee Packet 4.21.2021.pdf |
HEDC 4/21/2021 8:00:00 AM |
HB 164 |
| HB 164 Research DEED AK Pre Elementary Research Compilation Summary 4.8.2021.pdf |
HEDC 4/21/2021 8:00:00 AM |
HB 164 |
| HB 164 Research NBER The Effects of Two Influential Early Childhood Interventions 4.8.2021.pdf |
HEDC 4/21/2021 8:00:00 AM |
HB 164 |
| HB 164 Research Perry Preschool 4.8.2021.pdf |
HEDC 4/21/2021 8:00:00 AM |
HB 164 |
| HB 164 Sponsor Statement 4.7.2021.pdf |
HEDC 4/21/2021 8:00:00 AM |
HB 164 |
| HB 164 Supporting Document DEED Early Childhood Programs 2021 Report 4.8.2021.pdf |
HEDC 4/21/2021 8:00:00 AM |
HB 164 |
| HB 164 version B 4.7.2021.PDF |
HEDC 4/21/2021 8:00:00 AM |
HB 164 |
| HB164 FN-EED-ELC-4-15-21.pdf |
HEDC 4/21/2021 8:00:00 AM |
HB 164 |
| HB164 FN-EED-PEF-4-15-21.pdf |
HEDC 4/21/2021 8:00:00 AM |
HB 164 |
| HB164 FN-EED-FP-4-15-21.pdf |
HEDC 4/21/2021 8:00:00 AM |
HB 164 |
| HB164 FN-EED-SSA-4-15-21.pdf |
HEDC 4/21/2021 8:00:00 AM |
HB 164 |
| HB164 FN-EED-PK-4-15-21.pdf |
HEDC 4/21/2021 8:00:00 AM |
HB 164 |
| HB 164 Sectional Analysis 4.7.2021.pdf |
HEDC 4/21/2021 8:00:00 AM |
HB 164 |
| Scott Jepsen Resume _Redacted.pdf |
HEDC 4/21/2021 8:00:00 AM |
|
| Scott Jepsen Board Application_Redacted.pdf |
HEDC 4/21/2021 8:00:00 AM |
|
| HB 60 B.1.pdf |
HEDC 4/21/2021 8:00:00 AM |
HB 60 |
| HB 60 B.2.pdf |
HEDC 4/21/2021 8:00:00 AM |
HB 60 |
| HB 60 B.3.pdf |
HEDC 4/21/2021 8:00:00 AM |
HB 60 |
| HB 60 B.4.pdf |
HEDC 4/21/2021 8:00:00 AM |
HB 60 |
| HB 60 B.5.pdf |
HEDC 4/21/2021 8:00:00 AM |
HB 60 |
| HB 60 B.6.pdf |
HEDC 4/21/2021 8:00:00 AM |
HB 60 |
| HB 60 B.7.pdf |
HEDC 4/21/2021 8:00:00 AM |
HB 60 |
| HB 60 B.8.pdf |
HEDC 4/21/2021 8:00:00 AM |
HB 60 |
| HB 60 B.9.pdf |
HEDC 4/21/2021 8:00:00 AM |
HB 60 |
| HB 60 B.10.pdf |
HEDC 4/21/2021 8:00:00 AM |
HB 60 |
| HB 60 B.11.pdf |
HEDC 4/21/2021 8:00:00 AM |
HB 60 |
| HB 60 Complete Amendment Packet EDC 4.21.21.pdf |
HEDC 4/21/2021 8:00:00 AM |
HB 60 |