Legislature(2023 - 2024)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/03/2024 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB28 | |
| SB181 | |
| SB228 | |
| SB234 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 28 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 181 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 228 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 234 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE BILL NO. 181
"An Act relating to placement of a child in need of
aid; relating to adoption; and providing for an
effective date."
9:53:12 AM
SENATOR JESSE BJORKMAN, SPONSOR, introduced the
legislation.
Senator Wilson wondered whether the bill would change
current requirements.
Senator Bjorkman replied that the diligent family search
requirements would improve searches for all children. He
noted that the applicable pieces in the legislation that
did not affect children, would be any changes to the
placement provisions.
Senator Kiehl queried which changes would be more or less
that the current actions of the department.
9:59:48 AM
LAURA ACHEE, STAFF, SENATOR JESSE BJORKMAN, replied that
she was familiar with the broad statutory direction, which
stated that the department should conduct family searches.
She was not familiar with the internal policies or
procedures.
Senator Kiehl surmised that it would also include an
outside chick on the department's efficacy.
Ms. Achee replied that the department must report every
time there was a hearing on their progress.
Co-Chair Olson queried how one year was determined in the
legislation.
Ms. Achee responded that the impetus was broad by
constituents who had worked with experts.
Co-Chair Olson recalled that there was a reference of
"under the age of six" and asked about that number
determination.
Senator Bjorkman responded that there was similar research
about the impact of adverse childhood experiences was
exceeding negative under the age of six.
Co-Chair Olson wondered whether the "placement" allowed for
foster parents to adopt the children.
Senator Bjorkman replied that placement can be either
temporary or permanent.
Senator Kiehl wondered whether there was a risk to set up a
three tier structure for different children.
Senator Bjorkman responded that the department and judge
would need to consider all factors when determining care
for the child. He stressed that there was not a policy that
would work for every situation.
10:06:22 AM
Senator Kiehl remarked that there were not child welfare
experts present, and felt that the children were best off
when kept with families. He asked about the strength of the
research.
Co-Chair Olson agreed with that concern.
Senator Bjorkman responded that, generally, there were some
testifiers that could speak to the research and data
available. He agreed that there should be a goal to keep
families together.
Ms. Achee furthered that the bill only dealt with people
who were not the parents.
Senator Kiehl remarked that foster parents played a very
crucial role, and asked about the power of the foster
parents. He wondered if they were set up with an impossible
task.
Senator Bjorkman responded that the change clarified
current practice.
10:11:35 AM
CHARLES ZEANAH, PROFESSOR OF PSYCHIATRY AND PEDIATRICS,
TULANE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, LOUISIANA (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the bill, and shared
his research and experience.
10:16:04 AM
Co-Chair Olson wondered how there was justification when a
parent was in a dire situation, but receiving treatment for
their crisis.
Ms. Zeanah replied that the issue was about the movement
from one foster placement to another.
Senator Kiehl surmised that the bill was about moving out
of foster care, and asked about the applicability of Mr.
Zeanah's research and how it related to the move out of
foster care.
Mr. Zeanah responded that "relatives" were also referred to
foster care.
Senator Kiehl wondered whether the research showed that
there was no protective affect with placement with family
as compared to placement with unrelated fosters.
Mr. Zeanah replied that his research did not deal with that
question directly. He remarked that it was important to
acknowledge that there needed to be an intensive full
service research of relatives for the placement of the
child.
Senator Kiehl wanted clarity on the research.
Ms. Achee agreed with Mr. Zeanah.
10:21:02 AM
BOBBI OUTTEN, SOUTHCENTRAL FOUNDATION, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the legislation.
10:27:57 AM
KENDALL SEAL, VICE PRESIDENT OF POLICY, CENTER FOR THE
RIGHTS OF ABUSED CHILDREN, ARIZONA (via teleconference),
spoke in support of the bill.
10:34:38 AM
NANCY MEADE, GENERAL COUNSEL, ALASKA COURT SYSTEM, thanked
the sponsor, and felt that the version adequately addressed
earlier concerns.
Co-Chair Olson recalled that he had a foster child with his
family, and wondered whether the policy change was
necessary.
Ms. Meade replied that it was up to the legislature to make
that determination.
Co-Chair Olson felt that there were many issues resulting
from foster care issues.
Ms. Meade responded that children who were a child in need
of aid, suffered greatly.
10:38:31 AM
KIM GUAY, DIRECTOR, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF CHILDREN'S
SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES (via
teleconference), spoke to the fiscal notes.
Senator Kiehl wondered which elements of the family search
were new or current practices.
Ms. Guay responded that there were policies in place to do
an adequate family search within the first thirty days. She
stated that there was another family search if adoption was
occurring.
10:41:01 AM
Senator Kiehl wanted to know which items were new, and
requested a written response from the department.
Ms. Guay agreed to provide that information.
Co-Chair Olson wondered whether the department was in favor
of the legislation.
Ms. Guay replied that the department appreciated the
efforts, but had concerns with the bill. She stated that
some problems would be exasperated with the passage of the
bill.
10:44:09 AM
Co-Chair Olson wondered why there was not correction on the
existing issues.
Ms. Guay responded that the issues were very nuanced,
because of several factors involved in those decisions.
Co-Chair Olson asked for a comment on the $850,000 fiscal
note.
Ms. Guay responded that there would be an increased cost to
litigation.
Senator Merrick appreciated the bill, and stated that she
was adopted at birth and felt that it was unthinkable to be
taken away from family to be placed with a biological
relative.
SB 181 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.