02/25/2000 01:45 PM House FIN

HOUSE BILL NO. 259                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
"An Act relating to a parent's eligibility to be                                                                                
represented by the public defender before and during                                                                            
the probable cause and temporary placement hearing that                                                                         
is held after the state takes emergency custody of a                                                                            
child."                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Therriault provided members with a proposed                                                                            
committee substitute; work draft 1-LS1099\H dated 2/24/00                                                                       
(copy on file). The committee substitute adds "guardian" to                                                                     
HB 259 and clarifies that the "natural parent, adoptive                                                                         
parent or guardian of a child" who is taken into emergency                                                                      
custody may be represented at public expense and without a                                                                      
court order by an attorney with the Alaska Public Defenders                                                                     
Agency. The committee substitute also defines "guardian" on                                                                     
page 2, line 7; "guardian" means a natural person who is                                                                        
legally appointed guardian of the person of a child.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Representative Austerman MOVED to ADOPT work draft 1-                                                                           
LS1099\H dated 2/24/00. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so                                                                     
ordered.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
RYNNIEVA MOSS, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL provided                                                                           
information relating to HB 259. She clarified that the                                                                          
definition and assertion of guardian is consistent with CINA                                                                    
rules. She noted that the definition is identical to the                                                                        
definition used in CINA rules.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Therriault noted that there is one zero fiscal note                                                                    
from the Department of Administration.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Mulder MOVED to report CSHB (FIN) out of Committee                                                                     
with the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION,                                                                    
it was so ordered.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
CSHB 259 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with "no                                                                           
recommendation" and a zero fiscal note by the Department of                                                                     
Administration dated 1/28/00.