Legislature(2023 - 2024)SENATE FINANCE 532
02/07/2024 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Administration Response to Prior Meetings: Office of Management and Budget | |
| Admnistration Response to Prior Meetings: Legislative Finance Division | |
| SB141 | |
| SB24 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 141 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 24 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE BILL NO. 24
"An Act relating to mental health education; and
providing for an effective date."
9:54:32 AM
SENATOR ELVI GRAY-JACKSON, SPONSOR, read from the Sponsor
Statement (copy on file):
CSSB 24 amends the existing health education
curriculum statute to include mental health in all K-
12 health classrooms to adequately educate students on
vital information pertaining to mental health
symptoms, resources, and treatment.
The Alaska State Board of Education and Early
Development and the Alaska Department of Education and
Early Development (DEED) will develop guidelines for
instruction in mental health in consultation with
numerous stakeholders. Such organizations include, but
are not limited to, the National Council for
Behavioral Health, Providence Health and Services
Alaska, Southcentral Foundation, Anchorage Community
Mental Health Services, Inc., North Star Behavioral
Health System, and the National Alliance on Mental
Health Illness Alaska. The standards will be developed
in consultation with counselors, educators, students,
administrators, and other mental health organizations
to form effective guidelines for school boards,
teachers, and students.
After standards have been developed, the Alaska State
Board of Education and Early Development and DEED will
be responsible for implementation throughout the
Alaska school system. As with existing health
education curriculum, the DEED, the Department of
Health, and the Council on Domestic Violence and
Sexual Assault will provide technical assistance to
school districts in the development of personal safety
curricula. An existing school health education
specialist position will assist in coordinating the
program statewide.
CSSB 24 aims to decrease the stigma surrounding mental
illnesses and increase students' knowledge of mental
health, encouraging conversation around and
understanding of the issue.
9:57:06 AM
BESSE ODOM, STAFF FOR SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON, JUNEAU,
discussed the Sectional Analysis:
Section 1: The uncodified law of the State of Alaska
is amended by adding a new section to read Legislative
Intent. This section specifies what entities will
develop guidelines for instruction in mental health.
Section 2: This section amends AS 14.03.016(a) which
is the statute that relates to a parent's right to
direct the education of their child, by adding a new
subsection that would allow parents to be notified at
least two weeks before any class or program regarding
mental health is offered.
Section 3: This section amends AS 14.30.360(a) which
addresses health education curriculum and physical
activity guidelines by removing the word "physical"
when referencing instruction for health education and
adding "mental health" and "physical health" to the
list of curriculum items each district includes in
their health education programs.
Section 4: This section amends AS 14.30.360(b) which
addresses health education curriculum and physical
activity guidelines. The section clarifies that
developmentally appropriate instruction in mental
health be developed by the state board in consult with
the Department of Health, Department of Family and
Community Services and other entities. The section
also list the Department of Family and Community
Services as one of many entities that shall provide
technical assistance to school districts in the
development of personal safety curricula upon request.
Section 5: The uncodified law of the State of Alaska
is amended by adding a new section to read Report to
the Legislature. This section clarifies that a report
must be given to the Senate Secretary and Chief Clerk
of the House of Representatives. This report must
include a copy of developmentally appropriate
instruction in mental health developed by the State
Board of Education and Early Development and describe
the process used to develop such guidelines.
Section 6: The uncodified law of the State of Alaska
is amended by adding a new section to read Transition.
Specifically, the section requires that the state
Board of Education and Early Development shall develop
the mental health guidelines within two years after
the effective date of this Act. Section 7: This
section sets an effective date of July 1, 2023
10:00:01 AM
AT EASE
10:01:24 AM
RECONVENED
10:01:39 AM
ANN RINGSTAD, NAMI ALASKA, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
spoke in support of the legislation.
10:05:19 AM
JEN GRIFFIS, VICE PRESIDENT OF POLICY AND ADVOCACY, ALASKA
CHILDREN'S TRUST, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in
support of the bill.
10:07:48 AM
Co-Chair Olson OPENED public testimony.
10:08:11 AM
STEVEN PEARCE, DIRECTOR, CITIZEN'S COMMISSION ON HUMAN
RIGHTS, SEATTLE (via teleconference), spoke against the
legislation.
Ms. Odom replied that the concerns expressed by Mr. Pearce
were best handled by those in the psychiatric field.
Co-Chair Olson CLOSED public testimony.
Co-Chair Olson discussed housekeeping.
SB 24 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.