Legislature(1997 - 1998)
01/27/1998 03:06 PM House HES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SB 117 - INFANT CARE CURRICULUM IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Number 0265 CHAIRMAN BUNDE announced the first order of business was Senate Bill 117, "An Act relating to an infant care curriculum in the public school system." He asked Senator Dave Donley to come forward to present his bill. Number 0274 SENATOR DAVE DONLEY, Sponsor, testified that Senate Bill 117 would add the words "including infant care" to the suggested health care curriculum for public schools in Alaska. He pointed out the list in current statute of suggested courses for curriculum in physical health and personal safety including alcohol and drug abuse education, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), early cancer prevention and detection, dental health, family health, environmental health, the identification and prevention of child abuse, child abduction, neglect, sexual abuse, and domestic violence. Senate Bill 117 would add infant care to the existing statute. Number 0321 SENATOR DONLEY commented that his motivation for adding infant care to the suggested list came while attending a Washington, Alaska, Montana, Idaho (WAMI) conference where it was pointed out that although Alaska has state-of-the-art programs for prenatal care, it ranks the worst among the WAMI states for infant mortality between the ages of 3 months to 12 months. The conclusion was that hopefully, additional education in infant care could reduce the infant mortality rate because the deaths are occurring once the infants go home. Alaska ranks tenth worst in the nation, following the District of Columbia, Illinois, Michigan and many of the Deep South states for infant mortality. It is interesting to note that Alaska is very successful in achieving good birth rates and yet there is a serious problem during the first year of the infant's life. Number 0422 SENATOR DONLEY said as an example, a school district could choose to educate students on the prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). In Alaska, there is a high correlation between children sleeping in an improper position and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. It would be very simple to educate the students on such things as placing the infant on its back rather than on its stomach and the dangers of improper bedding such as down comforters. Number 0515 SENATOR DONLEY pointed out this legislation is not mandatory, but guidelines in the permissive section of the statutes that merely advise school districts that this may be an appropriate program to teach. He believed it would be helpful to get the word out that the legislature would like school districts statewide to consider adding this to their curriculum. He noted that many schools already have infant care instruction as part of their curriculum. For example, the program whereby students carry a doll with them for the entire day to learn how much responsibility is involved in taking care of a baby. REPRESENTATIVE BRIAN PORTER left the meeting at 3:13 p.m. Number 0566 REPRESENTATIVE JOE GREEN asked Senator Donley to explain, based on the findings, what percentage of deaths were caused by anger or mismanagement versus SIDS. SENATOR DONLEY said based on the most recent information - a 1995 report from the Bureau of Vital Statistics - of the approximate 80 deaths, 32 were postnatal, 16 from SIDS, and various other reasons. Number 0632 REPRESENTATIVE GREEN surmised the percentage of infant deaths caused from violent shakings and things of that nature is low and that most of the deaths are due to the lack of knowledge in caring for a baby. SENATOR DONLEY replied the findings indicate that. There is a high correlation between SIDS and the lack of basic information regarding infant care. Number 0700 CHAIRMAN BUNDE asked if fetal alcohol syndrome as well as alcohol and drug related problems would be included. SENATOR DONLEY noted there are provisions in existing statute for alcohol and drug abuse education. Number 0738 CHAIRMAN BUNDE asked if it was a fair characterization that some schools may already have this curriculum in place, and SB 117 is an encouragement for school districts to include infant care in their curriculum? SENATOR DONLEY responded affirmatively. He added that he had met with the health curriculum committee in the Anchorage School District prior to introducing SB 117. That committee had just completed their three-year review of the curriculum and infant care was not included. His intent was to encourage the committee to include an infant care program during the next review process. Number 0794 CHAIRMAN BUNDE said that as teachers, both he and his wife experienced increased frustration as more and more parental duties were placed on public schools; to the extent that at some point in the future teachers will not have the time to teach the kids to read. He asked Senator Donley to address the concern that schools are being asked to get farther away from academics. SENATOR DONLEY explained that he is a strong believer in local control of schools, but when the statistics indicate there is a unique problem, he felt it was reasonable to include infant care with the other suggested programs. These relatively minor programs that could be taught very simply could go a long way toward possibly preventing the death of a child. Number 0865 CHAIRMAN BUNDE remarked the absence of a fiscal note means that something else will have to go. This decision will be left up to the judgment of the local school district. Number 0875 REPRESENTATIVE GREEN recalled that one of the junior high schools in his district has a core program which seems to be very effective without having to give up any of the educational curricula. The program involves young girls carrying a doll from classroom to classroom and dealing with the associated responsibilities. Number 0942 CHAIRMAN BUNDE commented that he would like to hear testimony from some of the students. Elizabeth Schneiderheinze from McGrath came forward to testify. Number 0969 ELIZABETH SCHNEIDERHEINZE, student from McGrath, explained the Practical Living Skills class available to juniors and seniors in McGrath whereby students have a doll in their possession for several days that is programmed by the teacher to cry and can only be turned off with a key. CHAIRMAN BUNDE inquired of Senator Donley if there was any direction as to what age level the infant care program would be offered. SENATOR DONLEY responded that SB 117 was intended to be a suggestion to schools districts to include this type of education in their health curriculum. The appropriate age level and length of the course would be left up to the local school districts. Number 1035 CHAIRMAN BUNDE acknowledged that Ms. Schneiderheinze had not taken the class, but asked if she thought it was a valuable use of school time. MS. SCHNEIDERHEINZE considered it to be valuable in that many of the students who had taken the class had indicated they would wait a long time to have children. In her opinion, the program taught responsibility. CHAIRMAN BUNDE said it was his understanding that the purpose of the legislation was to not just discourage students from starting families at a young age, but also to have more knowledge and information at the time they do choose to start a family or in some cases where they are caring for an infant in the immediate family. He asked Ms. Schneiderheinze if the Practical Living Skills class took an undue amount of time away from math, reading, et cetera. MS. SCHNEIDERHEINZE explained that most of the seniors have completed their classes; their schedules are generally filled with college courses through the rural education center. The Practical Living Skills class was scheduled during the time when electives were available, even though it's a required class. CHAIRMAN BUNDE thanked Ms. Schneiderheinze for her comments and asked Matthew See to come forward. Number 1127 MATTHEW SEE, Student, indicated there was no similar class available in the Angoon school. It was his opinion that a class such as the Practical Living Skills was needed in their school system. He noted that many of the high school girls in Angoon already have babies and he surmised the girls may have waited to have babies if they had experienced the responsibility of caring for a baby in a class similar to the Practical Living Skills. CHAIRMAN BUNDE thanked Matthew for his comments and asked if there were other students who wished to testify. Number 1211 RACHEL DALLIN, Student from McGrath School, shared the story of a 20-year-old woman with three children who had been in court that morning. She had been charged with some type of drinking violation, and as part of her sentencing, she had to attend parenting classes, alcohol treatment and family counseling. In response to Chairman Bunde's question, she affirmed that she would be taking the Practical Living Skills course next year. CHAIRMAN BUNDE asked if students at McGrath had been taught about the effects of alcohol on unborn children and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. MS. DALLIN said they have occasional speakers on drugs and alcohol, but there are no formal classes available. She added that her mother teaches a number of students who were born with the effects of drugs and alcohol and she frequently speaks of the additional help that is needed for these children. CHAIRMAN BUNDE thanked Ms. Dallin and asked Mischa Burnett to come forward. Number 1332 MISCHA BURNETT, Teacher, Kwigillingok School, stated he couldn't add much to what had already been said because it was his first year in the state and in his current job. However, he described the computer-baby program at the last high school he attended. The concept was similar in that students were responsible for the baby for a number of days but it actually kept track of and tallied points if the computer-baby was neglected. Boys and girls alike were a part of the program and he concluded that it was successful because prior to the project, most students hadn't given much thought to the real experiences of having a child. He suggested that part of the answer might be to enhance the current computer-babies in the CHAIRMAN BUNDE asked Mr. Burnett's thoughts on this being another mandate which would be included in his duties as a teacher. MR. BURNETT theorized that wording it as a suggestion rather than a mandate could be helpful. If it was worded as a mandate, it could very possibly be viewed as a burden. CHAIRMAN BUNDE noted that it is permissive rather than mandatory. Number 1489 REPRESENTATIVE GREEN asked if Mr. Burnett could provide some specific information on the type of computer baby he had described. MR. BURNETT indicated that he didn't know the brand name or model of the computer baby used in his school 10 or 12 years ago. Number 1541 MS. SCHNEIDERHEINZE pointed out the computer baby at their school, which is called "Baby think it over" also keeps track of certain motions. For example, if the baby is tipped on its side, a light will start flashing and there are ways of tracking it if the baby cries too long. She surmised that the high cost of these computer babies prohibits most schools from having such a program available. CHAIRMAN BUNDE thanked the students for their comments and noted that Leland Dishman was available to testify via teleconference. Number 1595 LELAND DISHMAN, Superintendent of Schools, North Slope Borough, testified in support of SB 117 via teleconference from Barrow. He stated the North Slope Borough has one of the highest rates of teen pregnancy, and is currently implementing the "Baby think it over" program across the borough. The health department has a number of the mechanical babies, which in his opinion are phenomenal. They behave like real babies, squalling, crying, et cetera, and any type of abuse is recorded. Number 1652 MR. DISHMAN advised they previously had used a vest that assimilates a pregnancy. Hopefully, the discomfort along with the responsibility is enough to discourage teens from getting pregnant. He reiterated his support for SB 117. Number 1692 CHAIRMAN BUNDE asked if Mr. Dishman knew the cost of the computerized babies. MR. DISHMAN said he would find out and fax the information to Senator Donley's office. Number 1737 SENATOR DONLEY pointed out that one in five infant deaths in Alaska is the baby of a teen mother. While this legislation would provide some training to new parents, it could also be valuable for anyone who is entrusted with the care of a baby. That's why he believes that high school is a good place to teach this rather than waiting until they become a parent. CHAIRMAN BUNDE thanked Mr. Dishman for his comments and asked Donna Best to come forward and testify. Number 1775 DONNA BEST, Employee, Lower Yukon School District, asked if there was any money associated with this legislation. SENATOR DONLEY explained that infant care would be added to the existing statute that lays out the curriculum for suggested health care for schools in Alaska. MS. BEST speculated this would be a "pretty involved" program. She asked if any training for teachers or money to buy the computer baby would be available or would it be a mandate without having any money to fund it. CHAIRMAN BUNDE responded this is not a mandate; it is a suggestion to schools and no money has been appropriated. Number 1826 MS. BEST observed that in the past, other suggested programs have been implemented, but they've not been very effective because funds were not provided. SENATOR DONLEY pointed out to Ms. Best that existing law lists a number of recommendations to school districts that a health curricula might include; i.e., cardiopulmonary resuscitation, early cancer prevention and detection, dental health, family health, environmental health and others. This legislation simply adds infant care to the recommended list. There is no specific funding for any of the programs on list as an individual item, but funds are provided through the foundation formula and then it's up to the individual school districts to prioritize and develop curriculum based on the recommendations. Number 1875 CHAIRMAN BUNDE thanked Ms. Best for expressing her concern. He noted that generally there is no action taken the first time a bill is heard in the Health, Education and Social Services Committee to allow sufficient time for individuals to comment. However, it has been suggested by Representative Tom Brice that since this legislation is straightforward and doesn't involve any funds, the committee could vote on SB 117 today and give the students an opportunity to see how the committee process works. Number 1902 REPRESENTATIVE TOM BRICE made a motion to move SB 117 from committee with individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal note. Number 1918 REPRESENTATIVE GREEN objected for the purpose of discussion and education. He stated, "This is fictitious. What we're doing now is part of the educational process. Not all bills will go through like this one will undoubtedly go through unanimously. But I'm now going to object to it and give my objection because it seems to me that this will be interpreted as an undue burden as was heard in the testimony that this could be perceived by some school districts as a mandate without the accompanying economic benefits and therefore, could be a burden that would be mistreated and would not be as beneficial as some people might think it might be." CHAIRMAN BUNDE asked if there was further discussion or debate. REPRESENTATIVE BRICE said this was a section of law that was clearly not a mandate and the school districts that receive state money are very clear on what these statutes involve. He was certain the school districts, when reading this section, realize this is not a mandate, but rather a gentle suggestion. Number 1972 CHAIRMAN BUNDE pointed out there is nothing in the legislation that would prevent a school district or community from pursuing a grant or funding this on their own, if they deemed it beneficial. Number 1984 SENATOR DONLEY noted that currently many of the school districts have a committee that deals with a specific type of curriculum which is reviewed and updated. By adding infant care to the list, it will be there to undergo review every few years. On the other hand, if it's not on the list, it won't even be considered for that curriculum. REPRESENTATIVE GREEN said, "It's not debate again, it was just by way of education that now probably the committee chairman would ask if the objection is maintained and if I were really opposed to what -- if I'm really talking -- I would say 'yes' and there would be a roll call vote. But so the record won't be confused, I'll withdraw the objection." CHAIRMAN BUNDE responded, "Well, I think we'll vote anyway just so we can go through it." A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Brice, Dyson, Kemplen, Green and Bunde voted in favor of moving SB 117 from committee. Representatives Vezey and Porter were absent. There being no objection, SB 117 moved from the House Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee.
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