Legislature(2021 - 2022)BUTROVICH 205
04/20/2021 01:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB67 | |
| SB78 | |
| SB80 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 67 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 78 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 80 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SB 80-PUBLIC SCHOOLS: MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION
2:14:28 PM
CHAIR WILSON reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration SENATE BILL NO. 80
"An Act relating to mental health education."
An overview of the bill, sectional analysis and public testimony
were heard on April 6.
SENATOR ELVI GRAY-JACKSON, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, read her sponsor statement:
SB 80 amends the existing health education curriculum
statute to include mental health curriculum in all K-
12 health classrooms to adequately educate students on
vital information pertaining to mental health
symptoms, resources, and treatment. Currently, the
health curriculum guidelines include prevention and
treatment of diseases; learning about "good" health
practices including diet, exercise, and personal
hygiene; and "bad" health habits such as substance
abuse, alcoholism, and patterns of physical abuse. But
the guidelines do not address mental health. Following
passage of SB80, 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 the Alaska Department of Health and
Social Services (DHSS) and representatives of
national, state, and tribal mental health
organizations. 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 DHSS, 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. The State has a responsibility to
treat the current mental health crisis in Alaska as a
serious public health issue. By creating mental health
education standards and encouraging schools to teach a
mental health curriculum, SB80 aims to decrease the
stigma surrounding mental illnesses and increase
students' knowledge of mental health, encouraging
conversation around and understanding of the issue.
2:17:31 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON recalled there was an amendment by Senator
Begich that changed the bill.
SENATOR BEGICH replied that language was made more general so
more entities could participate in creating the curriculum. It
was confirmed in the [education] committee that the Department
of Education and Early Development (DEED) would oversee writing
the curriculum.
SENATOR HUGHES mentioned that she was concerned about age
appropriateness of curriculum content and young children being
unduly influenced.
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON responded the amendment was made in the
education committee and that during the meeting several
questions were asked. She stated her office provided follow-up
answers to all questions asked by the education committee.
SENATOR REINBOLD informed members that she did research and
found there are organizations, such as the Alaska Parental
Rights organization, that oppose the bill. She determined that
the bill crosses the domain of family boundaries. She believes
parents should focus on a child's mental capacity, health and
sexuality and let schools focus on education. Content in
education is being increasingly infiltrated by social, sexual
and political agendas that can harm children and undermine
parental rights.
2:22:33 PM
CHAIR WILSON moved Amendment 1.
AMENDMENT 1
32-LS0514\B.4
Klein
4/12/21
OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR WILSON
TO: CSSB 80(EDC)
Page 2, following line 17:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Sec. 4. AS 14.30.360 is amended by adding a new
subsection to read:
(e) A district may not instruct a student in
mental health as part of a program in health education
under (a) of this section without informed consent
from the student's parent or guardian. The district
shall inform the child's parent or guardian, in the
native language of the parent or guardian, of the
time, date, and content of the mental health
instruction, that consent is voluntary, and that
consent may be revoked at any time. Before instructing
a student in mental health, the district shall obtain
written consent from the parent or guardian indicating
that the parent or guardian understands and agrees to
the student's participation in the mental health
instruction."
Renumber the following bill section accordingly.
2:22:42 PM
SENATOR HUGHES objected for purposes of discussion.
CHAIR WILSON stated Amendment 1 would start on page 2 line 17.
He read Amendment 1. He stated he supports mental health
education in the schools, but constituents desired to have
parents be informed of curriculum content and provide permission
to attend.
SENATOR REINBOLD asked if the program would be opt-in elective
only, with parental permission.
CHAIR WILSON replied yes; that is the intent of the amendment.
SENATOR HUGHES stated she heard the same request from parents
and had a similar bill in place. She thanked Chair Wilson for
bringing his amendment forward.
SENATOR COSTELLO commented that she also had been contacted by
parents and had been working on an amendment before realizing
Chair Wilson had an amendment in place.
SENATOR BEGICH commented that Amendment 1 seems like and option
on top of an option. The bill creates the option for each school
district to provide mental health as part of its healthcare
education. Other elements of health education do not require
parental consent. He understands but does not support the opt-in
requirement. He does not see how the bill is a threat to parents
or students. He opposes the idea because students most in need
can be kept from the curriculum. However, he will support the
amendment.
2:27:03 PM
SENATOR HUGHES removed her objection.
CHAIR WILSON asked if there was further objection; finding none,
Amendment 1 was passed.
SENATOR HUGHES stated she appreciates the heart of the sponsor
and students but has concerns about the bill. The bill, not
passing, does not prevent local school boards from developing a
mental health curriculum. She wants mental health destigmatized,
and students informed on mental health resources. The scope of
the bill is too wide. Pinning mental health in adolescent
education narrowly to depression and suicide would be better.
The bill has a de-preparing curriculum that is not required to
be used by districts. Curriculum prepared at the state level
loses local control. She believes mental health education should
be at the district level.
2:29:20 PM
CHAIR WILSON solicited a motion to move the bill from committee.
SENATOR HUGHES moved to report the proposed committee substitute
(CS) for SB 80, work order 32-LS0514\B as amended, from
committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal
notes (s).
SENATOR HUGHES objected.
CHAIR WILSON asked for a roll call vote.
2:29:43 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Senators Costello, Begich, and
Wilson voted in favor of reporting SB 80 as amended from
committee and Senators Hughes and Reinbold voted against it.
Therefore, the motion passed by a 3:2 vote.
CHAIR WILSON stated that with 3 yeas and 2 nays, CSSB 80(HSS)
moved from the Senate Health and Social Services Standing
Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 78 NORD Ltr of Support.pdf |
SHSS 4/20/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 78 |
| SB 80 Public Input 4.20.21 Redacted.pdf |
SHSS 4/20/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 80 |
| SB 78 Adopted Amendments 4.20.21.pdf |
SHSS 4/20/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 78 |
| SB 80 Amendment B.4 Wilson.pdf |
SHSS 4/20/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 80 |