Legislature(2007 - 2008)BUTROVICH 205
02/06/2008 01:30 PM Senate HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SJR17 | |
| HB252 | |
| Alaska Brain Injury Network Presentation | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SCR 17 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 252 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 252-LEAVE FOR ORGAN/BONE MARROW DONATIONS
CHAIR DAVIS announced the consideration of HB 252. [Before the
committee was CSHB 252(STA).]
1:48:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GABRIELLA LEDOUX, sponsor of HB 252, introduced
the Richard Foster, Stanley M. Robbins and Alex Cesar Donor Act,
an act requiring paid leave from employment for organ and bone
marrow donation. She said the bill would only apply to state
workers and would require the employer to provide not less than
40 or more than 80 hours of leave. According to the Life Alaska
Donor Services, approximately 160 patients in Alaska were
waiting for kidney transplants, but fewer than 20 were
transplant recipients each year. Fewer than 100 people in Alaska
were awaiting bone marrow transplants.
She stated that about 30 states now have laws similar to HB 252
and 23 of those apply only to state employees. Congress was
considering a bill that would make living organ or bone marrow
donation part of the Family Medical Leave Act, but the bill
before the committee would not apply to the general workforce.
1:50:37 PM
SONYA HYMER, Staff to Representative LeDoux, explained that
Richard Foster is a Representative from Nome who is waiting for
a kidney transplant. Stanley M. Robins is Representative
Cissna's late husband and was staff to Senator Gruenberg for
many years, and Alex Tasar is the little boy who received a bone
marrow donation last year from a man in New Mexico. This bill
would allow a donor to take paid leave from work to undergo
testing and surgery.
1:52:26 PM
Section 2 and 3 are conforming amendments.
Section 4 is substantive. It allows State of Alaska employees to
take not less than 40 or more than 80 hours of paid
administrative leave for screening, testing and surgery related
to organ donation.
1:53:34 PM
SENATOR COWDERY joined the meeting via teleconference.
SENATOR THOMAS noted that the sponsor statement had statistics
for the number of kidney transplants done in the state each
year, but not for bone marrow transplants. He wondered if Ms.
Hymer could give him a ballpark figure
MS. HYMER said that approximately five people per year donate
bone marrow but she did not know whether the procedures were
done in Alaska.
SENATOR THOMAS asked why the bill was not broadened to encourage
other employers to allow their employees to participate without
loss of income.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX answered that she felt the bill would
stand a better chance of passing if it were limited to state
employees
1:56:10 PM
SENATOR THOMAS said the concern is probably rightly placed. He
felt however, that the matter should be addressed in some
fashion so it would not be so great a financial and medical
burden to potential donors.
1:58:23 PM
CHAIR DAVIS said there were two people online to answer
questions.
SENATOR THOMAS said he would like to get statistics regarding
bone marrow transplants but they could email that information to
him.
1:58:57 PM
SENATOR COWDERY asked whether any other states have passed
similar legislation.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX said 30 other states have laws similar to
this, of which 23 apply only to state employees.
1:59:33 PM
SENATOR ELTON said he was disappointed that the bill was limited
to state employees, but he moved that HB 252 be moved from
committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal
note(s). There being no objection, CSHB 252(STA) moved from
committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|