Legislature(2005 - 2006)CAPITOL 120
04/12/2006 01:00 PM House JUDICIARY
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB482 | |
| HB434 | |
| SB261 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 482 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 261 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 434 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 482 - SCHOOL:BULLYING/HARASSMENT/INTIMIDATION 1:36:21 PM CHAIR McGUIRE announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 482, "An Act relating to harassment, intimidation, and bullying in schools." [Before the committee was CSHB 482(HES).] REPRESENTATIVE ANDERSON, speaking as the sponsor, relayed that his staff would present HB 482. 1:36:35 PM CRYSTAL NOVOTNEY, Staff to Representative Tom Anderson, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor, relayed on behalf of Representative Anderson that HB 482 address a growing problem in Alaska's schools that is often overlooked by teachers and administrators. Bullying has a truly negative effect on the social environment of schools, and on the emotional and mental well being of Alaska's children. Recent studies suggest that bullying creates a climate of fear among students, inhibits their ability to learn, and leads to other anti-social behavior such as vandalism, shoplifting, skipping and dropping out of school, fighting, and using drugs and alcohol. Furthermore, 60 percent of the males studied who were bullies in grades six through nine were convicted of at least one crime as an adult, and 35-40 percent of these former bullies had three or more convictions by the age of 24. Only 15 of the 53 school districts in Alaska have made an attempt to address the bullying issue. With the increase in students in Alaska today, there is a growing need to ensure the safety of Alaska's children in their learning environment. MS. NOVOTNEY said that HB 482 requires school districts, city and borough offices of education, law enforcement agencies, and youth-serving agencies to develop and implement interagency strategies on bullying and harassment. Currently, 21 states have some sort of anti-bullying law, and another 24 states are in the process of adopting similar legislation. Members' packets contain endorsement letters by the National Education Association (NEA), the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault (ANDVSA), and [Allan A. Morotti, Ph.D., University of Fairbanks]. Bullying is a problem everywhere, even in Alaska, and its causes and effects cannot be overlooked. This bill not only gives teachers and administration officials the tools to deal with such a growing issue, but also allows for input from parents, guardians, students, and concerned members of the community during the development of a comprehensive bullying policy. MS. NOVOTNEY relayed that successful programs focusing on recognizing, preventing, and effectively intervening in bullying behavior have improved safety and created a more inclusive learning environment. Some such programs include in-service training and other activities to improve school attendance and reduce school crime and violence. House Bill 482 is targeted at reducing vandalism, drug and alcohol abuse, gang membership and violence, hate crimes, bullying, teen-relationship violence, discrimination, and all harassment, including sexual harassment, in grades K-12. The House Special Committee on Education revised the bill, eliminating the mandate that school districts have an actual bullying policy. However, the House Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee, amended the bill back to the original form so that school districts must implement such a policy, and added sexual orientation as an additional [target] of bullying. MS. NOVOTNEY, in conclusion, said that ultimately, HB 482 will protect Alaska's children, discipline unruly students, and instill in Alaska's schools a message of civility and respect or suffer the consequences. She offered her understanding that CSHB 482(HES) now has a zero fiscal note, and relayed that Representative Anderson urges the committee's support of this important legislation and thanks Representatives McGuire, Kott, and Gruenberg for their co-sponsorship of the bill. 1:41:16 PM BILL BJORK, President, NEA-Alaska (National Education Association, Alaska branch), after relaying that NEA-Alaska has submitted a letter of support and testimony to the House Special Committee on Education, stated that every school in Alaska ought be a sanctuary where all students can learn and teachers can teach and all school employees and the general public can work without the fear of intimidation or harassment. Many schools in Alaska are already engaged in good efforts to address these issues, and [CSHB 482(HES)] guarantees that every school will take the steps necessary to provide a good school climate for learning that is safe for everyone. He thanked the sponsor and co-sponsors of the bill, and the committee for its consideration. CHAIR McGUIRE, after ascertaining that no one else wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 482. 1:42:36 PM REPRESENTATIVE KOTT referred to language on page 2, line 18, and suggested that it ought to stipulate that the information referenced shall be reported to the appropriate committees of the "Alaska House of Representatives and the Alaska Senate". REPRESENTATIVE ANDERSON said he would support such a change. CHAIR McGUIRE, calling the aforementioned suggested change Amendment 1, asked whether there were any objections. There being none, Amendment 1 was adopted. [Following was a brief discussion regarding other legislation pertaining to similar issues.] REPRESENTATIVE GARA indicated that he is supportive of HB 482. 1:46:17 PM REPRESENTATIVE KOTT moved to report CSHB 482(HES), as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal note. There being no objection, CSHB 482(JUD) was reported from the House Judiciary Standing Committee.
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