Legislature(2015 - 2016)BUTROVICH 205
04/14/2015 03:30 PM Senate EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB37 | |
| SB84 | |
| SB102 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 84 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 102 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 37 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 37-SEXUAL ABUSE/ASSAULT PREVENTION PROGRAMS
3:32:49 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced the consideration of SB 37.
3:33:19 PM
LAUREN RASMUSSEN, Staff, Senator Lesil McGuire, Alaska State
Legislature, reviewed SB 37 on behalf of the sponsor. She
described the Alaska Safe Children's Act. She read from the
following sponsor statement:
Senate Bill 37, known as the Alaska Safe Children's
Act, is an important piece of legislation that will
require school districts to set up a policy and
training program for staff, students, and parents on
the topics of sexual assault and teen dating violence.
ASCA will combat child abuse and teen dating violence;
and add volunteer athletic coaches to the existing
mandatory reporting statute.
This bill will do the following:
• Require school districts to implement age-
appropriate training and curricula on sexual abuse and
sexual assault awareness and prevention for students
in kindergarten through 12th grade.
• Require school districts to implement age-
appropriate training and curricula on dating violence
and abuse policy, awareness, training, and prevention
for students 7th through 12th grade.
• Adds volunteer athletic coaches to the existing
mandatory reporting statute under AS 47.17.020(a)
• Repeals requirement that school districts pay for
physical examinations.
• Repeals requirement that certificated preschool
teachers must be fingerprinted and background checked
a second time after being hired.
Alaska Safe Children's Act will empower children,
parents and teachers by providing a structure for
pulling the stories of abuse out of the shadows and
demonstrating to future generations that every child
has a voice. In a state as resource rich as ours, it
is time we turn our focus on our most precious
resource: our children.
MS. RASMUSSEN addressed questions from the previous meeting. She
responded to questions from Senator Huggins regarding the
possible criminal history of teachers from out of state. She
related that according to the Department of Education and Early
Development (DEED), a person would have to apply for an Alaska
license which requires a fingerprint card and a completed
background check through the Department of Public Safety and the
National Crime Information Center.
In response to the question regarding the backlog of processing
rape kits, Ms. Rasmussen said Senator McGuire plans on working
on this important issue in the interim. She also related that
there are a number of colleges that offer courses on sexual
abuse prevention.
MS. RASMUSSEN turned to the response for Senator Gardner's
question regarding training of volunteer athletic coaches. She
said the statute requires the training be completed within the
first six months of hire, which could be an issue for seasonal
coaches. She said the sponsor believes it is a valid concern and
merits continuing attention.
3:38:02 PM
SENATOR STEVENS said the bill would remove the provision to
fingerprint pre-school teachers a second time. He asked why that
is required twice in the first place.
MS. RASMUSSEN offered to get back to the committee on that.
3:38:44 PM
DR. SUSAN MCCAULEY, Director, Teacher and Learning Support,
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED), provided
information related to SB 37. She related that there are two
separate systems for fingerprinting set up for pre-school
teachers; one, from DEED, is for the purpose of certification
and the second system, established by the Department of Health
and Social Services (DHSS), is required when one obtains a
teaching position.
CHAIR STEVENS asked if she supports the repeal of fingerprinting
contained in the bill.
DR. MCCAULEY said it would reduce the burden on an individual,
but clarified that the systems have two different purposes. The
DHSS database is a 24/7 real-time check for criminal activities;
DEED's system is a check only upon initial teacher
certification. The language in Section 2 of the bill requires
DHSS to develop a procedure for sending over fingerprinting
records for the purpose of satisfying DHSS's requirements, but
is not clear about whether that procedure would result in those
records being entered into a real-time, ongoing check. She
suggested it is worth further inquiry with DHSS as to whether
providing them with fingerprinting cards for certificated
teachers no longer results in the records being in the 24/7
system. She thought the intention of the bill was to reduce
duplicate requirements, when, in fact, they are somewhat
different requirements.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY said it is duplicative for the individual.
DR. MCCAULEY said yes.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY summarized that the bill would reduce
fingerprinting to one time and the departments are trying to
figure out how that could happen.
DR. MCCAULEY agreed.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY thought the results could be shared between
departments.
3:43:01 PM
SENATOR STEVENS asked who pays the cost for fingerprinting.
DR. MCCAULEY said the individual does.
SENATOR GARDNER clarified that this provision applies to only
100 certificated pre-school teachers. She said there does not
seem to be any benefit by the 24/7 scanning of pre-school
teachers. She could not find a single case where it was needed.
She asked why real-time fingerprinting would not be important
for all other teachers.
3:45:00 PM
SENATOR HUGGINS concluded that there may be a greater danger to
students from those who don't have a record.
DR. MCCAULEY did not understand the question.
SENATOR HUGGINS restated the question.
DR. MCCAULEY said if a person's behavior resulted in a criminal
record it would be picked up in the initial certification
process.
3:47:29 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY asked if there is a fiscal note.
MS. RASMUSSEN said she has not seen one for the committee
substitute.
3:47:57 PM
JORDAN MARSHALL, External Affairs Manager, Rasmuson Foundation,
testified in support of SB 37. He stated that the Rasmuson
Foundation has long been a supporter of organizations and
programs that are designed to prevent child abuse and neglect.
He said if SB 37 were to pass, the Rasmuson Foundation would
most certainly entertain a grant application to develop
curriculum and training.
SENATOR GARDNER mentioned that there is a lot of curriculum
available, but the biggest training potential for school
districts is a webinar. At one point the department suggested
they might be able to provide that. She asked if the Rasmuson
Foundation might be able to help produce a webinar.
MR. MARSHALL responded that they would entertain a grant
application to develop curriculum and training, including in the
form of a webinar.
3:50:04 PM
MAY BOLLENBACH, representing herself, questioned some of the
provisions in SB 37. She said she agreed with the earlier
version of Erin's Law, but this one is more complicated and
relates more to teachers. She said it is important to educate
children about sexual predators, sexual assault, and other
dangers.
3:50:41 PM
KATE FINN, representing herself, testified in support of SB 37.
She shared her history as a sexual assault nurse examiner who
dealt with sexually abused children. She applauded many items in
the bill. She spoke in favor of the opt-out provision in the
bill.
3:52:55 PM
SANDRA GARITY, representing herself, testified in support of SB
37. She shared her history as a nurse who dealt with sexually
abused children. She recalled the abuse within her own family
and suggested that the bill be made mandatory every year due to
the high rate of sexually abused victims.
3:54:39 PM
MIKE COONS, representing himself, testified in support of SB 37.
He shared his experience as a paramedic who had to deal with
abuse victims. He voiced concern about whether the Office of
Children's Service will do their job as it relates to sexual
abuse. He commented on domestic violence and the problems when
victims do not tell.
3:57:10 PM
TANYA ZOMORA-BEY, Advocate, Standing Together Against Rape
(STAR), testified in support of SB 37. She shared statistics
about sexual abuse in Alaska. She agreed with including programs
in schools to educate children. She shared a story about a boy
who learned about personal safety.
3:59:21 PM
LYNN STUHR, representing herself, testified in support of SB 37.
She shared statistics about child sexual abuse, domestic
violence, and teen dating violence. She agreed that the training
should be conducted yearly. She said it is time to educate the
community, parents, schools, and youth. Twenty states have
adopted similar policies. Preventions is the cheapest way to
deal with child sexual abuse.
4:02:27 PM
ROBIN SMITH, representing herself, testified in support of SB
37. She noted Alaska has a big problem with sexual assault and
violence. She said children who have been abused are more likely
to commit crimes than other children. It increases the risks of
problems in a child's life and can lead to a myriad of problems
that tax many state systems. She shared statistics about abuse
in Alaska. She stressed the importance of education.
4:05:11 PM
CHELSIE MORRISON HEATH, Community Advocate, Standing Together
Against Rape (STAR), testified in support of SB 37. She shared
statistics about child sexual abuse and teen dating violence in
Alaska and suggested increasing the number of supportive adults
in children's lives and having educational programs for youth in
schools.
CINDY MOORE, representing herself, testified in support of SB
37. She said she is the mother of a daughter who was murdered by
her boyfriend. She recommended the National Conference of State
Legislators as a resource for information on teen sexual dating
violence. She said mental and physical health consequences can
extend into adulthood. Prevention should include early
intervention. She concluded that the number one option for
policymakers is to support evidence-based programs in schools
and communities, such as Safe Dates and Fourth R that are proven
to prevent and intervene in violent teen dating relationships.
4:10:23 PM
BUTCH MOORE, representing himself, testified in support of SB
37. He shared his family's personal story about his daughter's
death. He said his daughter's friends did not tell anyone, even
though they knew about the violence. He suggested the education
about teen violence be mandatory. He quoted Senator Gary Stevens
who said, "Who would not want their child to receive this
education." He urged passage of the bill.
4:13:13 PM
KEN LANDFIELD, representing himself, testified in support of SB
37. He said if we can agree that child sexual abuse is a real
problem in Alaska, then it should be clear that education and
training on awareness and prevention are, at the very least,
cost effective and something we should all take very seriously.
4:13:58 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY held SB 37 in committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 1. SB 37 Legislation.pdf |
SEDC 4/14/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 37 |
| 2. SB 37 Fiscal Note.pdf |
SEDC 4/14/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 37 |
| 3. CS for SB 37 - Legislation.pdf |
SEDC 4/14/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 37 |
| 4. CS for SB 37 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SEDC 4/14/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 37 |
| 5. CS for SB 37 - Explanation of Changes.pdf |
SEDC 4/14/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 37 |
| 6. CS for SB 37 - Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SEDC 4/14/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 37 |
| 1. SB 84 Legislation.pdf |
SEDC 4/14/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 84 |
| 2. SB 84 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SEDC 4/14/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 84 |
| 3. SB 84 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SEDC 4/14/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 84 |
| 4. SB 84 Fiscal Note.pdf |
SEDC 4/14/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 84 |
| 5. SB 84 Support Letter.pdf |
SEDC 4/14/2015 3:30:00 PM |
|
| 6. SB 84 Research.pdf |
SEDC 4/14/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 84 |
| 7. SB 84 supporting documents- Navajo Nation.pdf |
SEDC 4/14/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 84 |
| 8. SB 84 Utah Immersion Prog.pdf |
SEDC 4/14/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 84 |
| SB 102 Legislation.pdf |
SEDC 4/14/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 102 |
| SB 102 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SEDC 4/14/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 102 |
| SB 102 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SEDC 4/14/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 102 |
| SB 102 Fiscal Note School Finance.pdf |
SEDC 4/14/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 102 |
| SB 102 Fiscal Note Teaching Learning.pdf |
SEDC 4/14/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 102 |