Legislature(2017 - 2018)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/13/2017 01:30 PM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB83 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 83 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE BILL NO. 83
"An Act relating to the protection of vulnerable
adults and residents of long term care facilities."
1:35:47 PM
Co-Chair MacKinnon announced that there were no amendments
on the bill. She shared that there were two people
available for questions.
Co-Chair MacKinnon looked at page 4, Section 4, line 7,
which changed the word, "shall" to "may." She noted that
the change would allow the department to advance reports to
either the Ombudsman or another appropriate agency.
1:36:48 PM
TERESA HOLT, LONG TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), agreed. She stated that there was
currently a central intake where all the reports were
submitted and were sent to the correct agencies. She
remarked that there were some reports that were not
appropriate to be sent to the Ombudsman.
Co-Chair MacKinnon looked at Section 6, line 19, and asked
for information about the change from "shall" to "may." Ms.
Holt responded that the Ombudsman, under federal statute,
could only share reports of an investigation with consent
of the resident or a representative.
Co-Chair MacKinnon looked at Section 7, and noted the
deletion of "face to face interviews." She wondered whether
that change still allowed video. She queried the purpose of
eliminating "face to face." Ms. Holt replied that the
change referred to Adult Protective Services, and deferred
to Ms. Barstad.
1:38:52 PM
KELDA BARSTAD, MANAGER, ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES, DIVISION
OF SENIOR and DISABILITY SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
SOCIAL SERVICES, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), introduced
herself.
Co-Chair MacKinnon looked at Section 7, and noted the
deletion of "face to face interviews." She queried the
purpose of eliminating "face to face." Ms. Barstad replied
that telehealth was a good substitute for remote areas.
There was an intent to use technology to improve the
connection to the communities and provide a faster response
than may be possible with air travel.
Co-Chair MacKinnon looked at page 6, line 20, and noted the
reference to "volunteers." She wondered whether the
volunteers for the Ombudsman signed confidentiality
requirements, or were trusted individuals who were sent
through a screening process. Ms. Holt responded in the
affirmative. She stated that background checks were
conducted and provided 20 hours of training including 8
hours of supervision. She announced that all the volunteers
signed confidentiality agreements and ethics statements.
Senator Hughes looked at page 4, and wondered whether the
Ombudsman would normally request consent with the intention
of providing the report; or whether it was the Ombudsman's
discretion to choose to pursue the consent with the goal of
providing the report. Ms. Holt responded that the section
did not involve informed consent.
Senator Hughes looked at Section 6, which stated that "the
Ombudsman shall obtain the informed consent." She wondered
whether the Ombudsman would always take the step to obtain
the informed consent in order to provide the report; or
whether the Ombudsman determine whether to request the
informed consent to provide the report. Ms. Holt replied
that the Ombudsman would always receive informed consent
before sharing information or collecting records. She
remarked that there were some occasions when the resident
may not be able to provide informed consent and did not
have a representative. She stated that the situation was
described on page 11 in Section 6.
Senator Hughes stressed that the process should always
involve, when possible, receiving the informed consent.
Vice-Chair Bishop MOVED to REPORT CSSB 83(HSS) out of
committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
CSSB 83(HSS) was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and with two previously published zero
fiscal notes: FN 1(DHS) and FN 3(REV).
1:44:07 PM
AT EASE
1:45:58 PM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair MacKinnon announced the following day's schedule.
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