Legislature(2005 - 2006)BUTROVICH 205
02/27/2006 01:30 PM Senate HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB251 | |
| SB244 | |
| SJR19 | |
| SB242 | |
| HB357 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 251 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 244 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SJR 19 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 242 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 357 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 357-STATUTORY REFERENCES TO DISABILITIES
3:11:04 PM
CHAIR DYSON announced CSHB 357(FIN) to be up for consideration.
REPRESENTATIVE PEGGY WILSON, Sponsor of HB 357, said the
Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the Governor's
Council on Disabilities requested the bill, which eliminates
demeaning terminology pertaining to disabled persons that exists
in Alaska statute. She read the following from the Southeast
Alaska Independent Group (SAIL):
American culture consistently redefines itself through
language and subcultures also use language to redefine
themselves. Negros became Blacks and then African
Americans. Homosexuals choose the term 'gay' for
themselves, and people with disabilities have done the
same over the years, attempting to fight stereotypes
and negative imagery.
Representative Wilson said that the term 'handicapped'
originated as a slur and a reference to begging and it is time
for Alaska to make this change.
3:13:50 PM
KEVIN GADSEY, SAIL representative, supported SB 242 and HB 357.
He said that SB 357 eliminates the term 'handicapped' from
statute and replaces instances of it with the term 'people with
disabilities' which is the term adopted under the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA).
3:15:49 PM
KELLY DONNELLY, Partners in Policy Project, said that her
organization supports SB 242 and HB 357 with some minor changes.
She said in section 1, under AS.14.36.30B, item 1 should say
"students who have been classified under Individualized
Education Plans (IEPs)". The reason being that the term
"mentally retarded" still appears in federal statute and the
aforementioned change would reflect that while the state
acknowledges the use of the term for classification, it does
accept it as an appropriate term for general reference.
3:19:03 PM
FAITH MYERS, Mental Health Advocate, supported SB 242 and HB
357.
3:20:40 PM
DORRANCE COLLINS, Mental Health Advocate from Anchorage,
testified in support of SB 242 and HB 357.
CHAIR DYSON asked the sponsor about the aforementioned
suggestion.
REPRESENTATIVE WILSON said she didn't have a problem with it.
AARON DANIELSON, Staff to Representative Wilson, said he would
have to consult with Department of Education to determine how
the amendment may impact the bill.
3:22:59 PM
SENATOR WILKEN moved to report CSHB 357(FIN), the letter of
intent, and attached fiscal notes from committee with individual
recommendations. There was no objection, and it was so ordered.
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