Legislature(2003 - 2004)
05/02/2004 03:50 PM Senate JUD
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
CSHB(L&C) 539-UNIV. STUDENT PRACTICUM LIABILITY/WAGES
MR. HEATH HILYARD, staff to Representative Lesil McGuire,
sponsor of HB 539, quoted Herman Melville, "A whale ship is my
Yale college and my Harvard" and said to a certain extent, that
is what CSHB 539(L&C) addresses: practical learning experiences,
or university practicum. HB 539 does two things. First, it
limits vicarious liability by the student participating in a
practicum, the practicum provider and the University of Alaska
(UA). Second, it clarifies that practicum students are not
employees for the purpose of wage and hour laws, in particular
the minimum wage requirements. HB 539 is very important to UA
for its practicum programs because providers are concerned about
the amount of liability they are exposed to when participating,
particularly in the health and construction fields. He pointed
out that last year, the UA had a great deal of difficulty
securing enough practicum opportunities for graduating students.
CHAIR SEEKINS asked how CSHB 539(L&C) differs from SB 369, which
the committee heard and took action on the prior week.
MR. HILYARD said it is his understanding that the two pieces of
legislation are identical.
MR. PETE KELLY, University of Alaska, verified that SB 369 was
modeled verbatim after CSHB 539(L&C) so the two bills are the
same.
SENATOR OGAN moved CSHB 539(L&C) from committee with individual
recommendations and attached fiscal notes.
The motion carried with Senators Ogan, Therriault and Seekins in
favor.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|