Legislature(2009 - 2010)BELTZ 211
03/18/2009 08:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB140 | |
| SB101 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| * | SB 140 | ||
| += | SB 101 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 101-STUDENT QUESTIONNAIRES AND SURVEYS
8:30:29 AM
VICE CHAIR DAVIS announced the consideration of SB 101.
8:31:14 AM
TOM OBERMEYER, staff to Senator Davis, sponsor of SB 101, said
this bill will permit students and their parents to opt out from
participating in surveys and questionnaires by writing a letter.
It also says that they can still participate in the anonymous
youth risk behavior survey without parental consent. The reason
this issue has come forward is because the youth risk assessment
didn't have the required 60 percent participation for
validation. It is considered very important in measuring the
issues that come before youth, and it is administered every
couple of years.
8:35:01 AM
SENATOR HUGGINS commented that students have two avenues to opt
out of the survey or to not answer a question even if the
parents say yes.
8:35:29 AM
SENATOR OLSON asked what kind of questions this survey asks.
MR. OBERMEYER answered that they are very personal and specific
questions regarding sexual activity and drug use that some
students or parents may take issue with.
8:36:57 AM
SENATOR OLSON asked at what age students are taking this survey.
MR. OBERMEYER replied high school age.
8:37:14 AM
SENATOR OLSON asked if this survey had been given in rural
Alaska.
VICE CHAIR DAVIS replied yes.
8:37:30 AM
SENATOR OLSON asked how many other states are not participating
because they don't meet the 60 percent level.
VICE CHAIR DAVIS answered that Alaska participates, but it
didn't reach 60 percent mark.
MR. OBERMEYER clarified that he said Alaska didn't reach a 60
percent participation level for validation by the CDC. All
states participate, and he said federal funding is involved.
SENATOR OLSON asked if there is a question of parental rights.
MR. OBERMEYER answered yes; that is one of the main issues in
this bill. It provides due process rights by giving adequate
written notification two weeks in advance to parents that the
survey will be given. If they don't consent, the survey may go
forward. The students are told the survey is coming, but they
don't have to answer specific questions or participate.
SENATOR OLSON asked if there are repercussions if a student
doesn't answer the questions.
MR. OBERMEYER answered, "None at all."
8:39:02 AM
SENATOR OLSON asked who is opposing the bill.
VICE CHAIR DAVIS replied that she hasn't heard of any
opposition.
8:39:43 AM
SENATOR HUGGINS moved to report SB 101 from committee with
individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal notes. There
being no objection, the motion carried.
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