Legislature(2023 - 2024)GRUENBERG 120
05/04/2023 03:00 PM House STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB116 | |
| HB118 | |
| SB12 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 116 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 118 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 12 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SB 12-ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY PROGRAM
3:56:13 PM
CHAIR SHAW announced that the final order of business would be
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 12(JUD), "An Act relating to the duties
of the Department of Administration; creating an address
confidentiality program; and providing for an effective date."
3:57:11 PM
SENATOR JESSE KIEHL, Alaska State Legislature, prime sponsor,
presented CSSB 12(JUD). He paraphrased the sponsor statement
[included in the committee packet], which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
SB 12 creates an address protection program for
victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, peace
officers and correctional officers, and their
families.
Alaska is one of only nine states without any form of
address protection program. They are so widespread
because they are essential. A person needs an address
to vote, drive, work, send children to school, and
much more. When that address shows up in a public
record, an Alaskan seeking safety from a stalker or
abuser faces unnecessary danger. So do Alaska law
enforcement professionals who face threats of
retribution.
An address protection program gives those Alaskans a
tool to stay safe.
Under SB 12, the state would keep a Post Office Box
and confidentially forward mail to Alaskans with a
protective order, public safety professionals, and
their families. Victims and those protecting our state
deserve the chance to live safely.
CHAIR SHAW noted that Representative Armstrong was sponsoring
the companion bill in the House. He invited her to speak on the
proposed legislation.
4:02:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ARMSTRONG highlighted the need for the bill due
to the high rate of domestic violence and sexual assault in the
state. In Alaska, she reported that more women were killed by
men per capita compared to any other state. She further noted
that Alaska was one of nine states without an address protection
program. She described safety as one of the most fundamental
human needs, adding that the bill would provide more of it to
Alaskans and law enforcement officials facing threats of
retribution.
4:04:07 PM
CHAIR SHAW inquired about the fiscal note.
SENATOR KIEHL spoke to the fiscal note from the Department of
Administration (DOA), which included a one-time cost of $50,000
for startup expenses followed by $375,000 for operating expenses
in subsequent years.
CHAIR SHAW opened invited testimony.
4:06:28 PM
KEELEY OLSON, Executive Director, Standing Together Against
Rape, gave invited testimony during the hearing on CSSB 12(JUD).
She read the following prepared remarks [included in the
committee packet]:
Thank you for sponsoring this important piece of
legislation and thank you for the opportunity to
comment in favor of an Alaska Address Confidentiality
Program.
Prior to working at STAR, I was a Victim Advocate with
a Prosecuting Attorney's Office in Washington State.
Washington's Address Confidentiality Program was an
essential tool used by Victim Advocates to assist
someone with high lethality risk to be safer. Combined
with comprehensive safety planning and an emergency
relocation plan, and done in a very particular order,
the Address Confidentiality Program was a lifesaver
for more than a few of my clients.
While the program was accessible and easy to use, I
did not see the program being used in inappropriate
ways, and never heard of it being a burden on State
Administrators. Address Confidentiality Programs are
currently available in up to forty states nationwide,
at no cost to enrollees, which is an important
consideration for those sometimes-fleeing abuse with
little access to funds. I recall there were avenues to
accessing the Washington program without the necessity
of a current civil protective order being in place, so
I do advocate for additional paths being available for
those who feel endangered by seeking such orders -
such as criminal no contact orders, current criminal
charges, criminal history and/or supporting letters
from Crime Victim Advocates.
I also know law enforcement officers and District
Attorneys who use public and private names and put
their owned real and personal property in a spouse or
family member's name to protect their addresses, so I
can appreciate the reason for the inclusion of public
servants serving in law enforcement as well.
I appreciate the opportunity to testify and comment in
support of SB 12. Thank you for all your work to
increase safety for victims of domestic violence,
sexual assault, and stalking.
4:11:48 PM
JODY REAUSAW, Business Agent, Alaska Correctional Officers
Association (ACOA), gave invited testimony during the hearing on
CSSB 12(JUD). She expressed ACOAs support for the bill to
protect survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence across
the state, as well as law enforcement officers. She relayed
correctional officers concerns about keeping their families
safe and their information private; nonetheless, she suspected
that a low percentage of officers would take advantage of the
program. Ultimately, she opined that the bill would provide
peace of mind and another tool for officer safety.
4:14:00 PM
SUZI PEARSON, Executive Director, Abused Women's Aid in Crisis
(AWAIC), gave invited testimony during the hearing on CSSB
12(JUD). She reported that victims often change their address
to AWAICs address, which had become the warehouse for
victims mail. Many high-risk individuals choose to keep their
mailing address at AWAIC even after moving from the shelter to
keep their location private, she added. She pointed out that
the bill would provide access to a safe, long-term resource for
victims; further, it would allow victims access to services
without organizations connecting them to AWAICs services should
they choose to remain confidential. She reiterated AWAICs
support for the bill, as drafted.
CHAIR SHAW opened public testimony. After ascertaining that no
one wished to testify, [he closed public testimony.]
4:16:15 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked whether the bill sponsor had
considered including judges and attorneys in the legislation.
SENATOR KIEHL said he had considered including a number of
groups. He explained that the bill, as drafted, went beyond
similar legislation in other states by including peace officers
and correctional officers. He noted that he had not received a
request from the Alaska Court System or the Department of Law
(DOL) to expand the bill; however, they could be included in the
future if a need arose.
4:17:44 PM
CHAIR SHAW announced that CSSB 12(JUD) would be held over.