04/04/2014 01:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES

            HB 301-AUTOPSIES AND DEATH CERTIFICATES                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
1:43:52 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR STEDMAN  announced the consideration  of HB 301,  noting it                                                               
was the  first hearing  of the  bill. He  spoke of  the companion                                                               
bill, SB 161, by Senator Olson,  which moved out of committee. He                                                               
said  the  intent  today  is   to  hear  the  bill,  take  public                                                               
testimony, and move the bill from committee.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  BOB  HERRON,  Alaska State  Legislature,  Juneau,                                                               
Alaska, sponsor of  HB 301, explained that the  bill makes small,                                                               
but  important,   changes  to  statutes.  It   was  requested  by                                                               
constituents  regarding the  release of  the remains  form, which                                                               
looked like the state was encouraging  the use of a funeral home,                                                               
rather than letting  the family decide. He noted  that his office                                                               
worked with the  Department of Health and  Social Services (DHSS)                                                               
to come up with an improved form.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  HERRON   referred  to  a  change   that  was  not                                                               
addressed in the  Senate version of the bill. On  page 2, line 3,                                                               
the language  used to  say "embalming required  by law".  He said                                                               
some airlines  took advantage  of that  wording. The  wording now                                                               
says, "if  embalming is required  by law," otherwise the  bill is                                                               
identical to the Senate version.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STEDMAN noted a fiscal note from DHSS.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:46:27 PM                                                                                                                    
KERRE SHELTON,  Director, Division  of Public  Health, Department                                                               
of  Health   and  Social  Services  (DHSS),   Anchorage,  Alaska,                                                               
provided  information  related  to  HB 301.  She  said  the  only                                                               
difference is  that it clarified  that embalming is  not required                                                               
by law.  The other parts of  the bill relate to  medical examiner                                                               
operations.  The  bill  ensures   that  all  deceased  under  the                                                               
jurisdiction  of  the  state  receive   the  same  treatment  and                                                               
respect. She  concluded that the  bill is legally  defensible and                                                               
scientifically valid.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
1:48:23 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR KELLY said he also heard the bill in Senate Finance.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STEDMAN closed public testimony.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:48:56 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  MICCICHE  moved  to  report  CS  for  HB  301(HSS)  from                                                               
committee  with  individual  recommendations  and  attached  zero                                                               
fiscal note.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STEDMAN announced that without  objection, CSHB 301(HSS) is                                                               
reported  from the  Senate Health  and  Social Services  Standing                                                               
Committee.