04/28/1997 01:50 PM Senate JUD

                                                                               
  SENATOR ELLIS , sponsor of SB 25, explained the measure would                
 provide for a state-of-the-art computer and phone message system              
 within the Department of Corrections to update the victim                     
 notification system.  SB 25 will fulfill some of the promise of the           
 constitutional amendment for victims' rights.  The proper and                 
 timely notification of victims of violent crime is a problem in               
 Alaska.  About 600 Alaskans call corrections institutions daily               
 asking for information about the status of inmates.  SB 25 will               
 provide a system that will notify a victim within 10 minutes of a             
 change of status of an inmate, and will allow for a two-way                   
 confidential exchange of information.  Ethel Barenz, prosecutors,             
 and others have testified in support of this legislation during               
 previous committee hearings.  Other statewide support exists, from            
 organizations such as the Peace Officers' Association and Victims             
 for Justice.  The Department of Corrections has whittled down the             
 fiscal note from $250,000 to $150,000.                                        
                                                                               
  SENATOR PARNELL  suggested changing the word "may" to "shall" on             
 page 1, line 6, to ensure that the money is spent on this system.             
  SENATOR ELLIS  said he was not opposed to that change but asked a            
 representative from the Department of Corrections to address the              
 question.                                                                     
                                                                               
 Number 152                                                                    
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN TAYLOR  noted the change would also be necessary on page 2,         
 line 10.                                                                      
                                                                               
  BRUCE RICHARDS , Special Assistant to the Commissioner of the                
 Department of Corrections, testified that he did not believe DOC              
 would be opposed to that change.                                              
                                                                               
  SENATOR PARNELL  noted an additional change could be made on page 1,         
 line 8, and he commented those changes might define the scope of              
 the system and impact the fiscal note.                                        
                                                                               
  MR. RICHARDS  thought the change on page 1, line 8 would firm up the         
 fiscal note because the project consists of two parts: the first is           
 the actual notification call that is generated by the computer; the           
 other will enable a person to call to check on the status of an               
 inmate.  The second part will actually generate revenue because it            
 works similar to a 900 number.  The suggested language changes on             
 page 1, line 8 and page 2, line 10 would require the installation             
 of that part of the system which the Department would favor.                  
                                                                               
  SENATOR PARNELL  moved the change the word "may" to "shall" on page          
 1, line 8, and page 2, line 10. There being no objection, the                 
 amendment was adopted.                                                        
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN TAYLOR  noted for the record that Ms. Ethel Barenz paid him         
 a visit to express support for SB 25.                                         
                                                                               
  SENATOR ELLIS  moved SB 25 out of committee with individual                  
 recommendations.  There being no objection, the motion carried.