Legislature(2025 - 2026)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/12/2025 03:30 PM Senate EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB41 | |
| SB23 | |
| SB22 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 41 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 22 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 23 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 41-PUBLIC SCHOOLS: MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION
3:33:15 PM
CHAIR TOBIN announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 41
"An Act relating to mental health education."
3:33:33 PM
SENATOR ELVI GRAY-JACKSON, District G, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of SB 41 said she and Senator Claman
have been fighting for a mental health education bill for some
time. She stated that SB 41 ensures mental health education is
included in the K12 curriculum with equal priority as physical
health. She explained that the Board of Education must develop
age-appropriate guidelines in collaboration with state and
national mental health experts, tribal health organizations, and
the Departments of Health and Family Services. She emphasized
that the bill protects parental rights by requiring schools to
notify parents at least two weeks before delivering any mental
health instruction. She urged the committee to support SB 41,
describing it as a necessary and critical measure for student
well-being.
3:35:38 PM
DEIRDRE GOINS, Staff, Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson, Alaska State
Legislature, Offered the sectional analysis on SB 41:
[Original punctuation provided.]
SB 41: Mental Health Education
Sectional Analysis Version A
Section 1- Adds a new section to 14.03.016(a)
Legislative Intent: It is the intent of the
legislature that the board of Education and Early
Development develop guidelines for instruction in
mental health in consultation with the Department of
Health, the Department of Family and community
Services, regional tribal health organizations, and
representatives of national and state mental health
organizations.
Section 2- Adds a new subsection to 14.03.016(a)- A
parent's right to direct the education of the parent's
child.
(7) Provides for notification of parents or guardians
no less than two weeks before a class or program may
provide mental health instruction a child.
Section 3- Amends AS 14.30.360(a) Health education
curriculum; physical activity guidelines.
Amended to add mental health to the K-12 Health
education curriculum, putting mental and physical
health equal weight.
Section 4- Amends AS 14.30.360(b)- Health education
curriculum; physical activity guidelines.
Amended to include board establishment of guidelines
for developmentally appropriate instruction in mental
health. In developing these developmentally
appropriate guidelines the state board shall consult
with the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of
Family and Community Services (DFCS), regional tribal
health organizations, and national and state mental
health organizations.
Section 5- Adds a new section to AS 14.30.360(b),
Report to the Legislature: Two years after the
effective date of this Act, the state Board of
Education and Early Development shall submit a report
to the Senate and House and notify the legislature
that the report is available. The report must
(1) include a copy of the guidelines for
developmentally appropriate instruction in mental
health developed by the Board as required under AS
14.30.360(b), as amended by sec. 4 of this Act; and
(2) describe the process the Board used to develop
the guidelines.
Section 6- Adds a new section to AS 14.30.360(b),
Transition: The state Board of Education and Early
Development shall develop the mental health guidelines
required by AS 14.30.360(b), as amended by sec. 4 of
this Act, within two years after the effective date of
this Act.
3:38:29 PM
CHAIR TOBIN announced invited testimony on SB 41.
3:38:35 PM
ANN RINGSTAD, Executive Director, National Alliance on Mental
Illness (NAMI) Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska, testified by
invitation on SB 41. She stated that NAMI is the nation's
largest grassroots mental health organization, with 48 state
organizations and over 600 affiliates, including those in
Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and Utqiagvik. She explained that
NAMI's mission is to end the stigma of mental illness through
advocacy, education, support, and public awareness to help
individuals and families build better lives.
MS. RINGSTAD expressed appreciation to Senator Gray-Jackson and
the committee for years of support, noting that SB 41 reflects
several years of work by combining elements from prior
legislation. She clarified that SB 41 offers mental health
guidelinesnot curriculumfor public schools to help increase
awareness and early identification of mental health conditions
in students, and it includes a parental notification
requirement. She emphasized the link between physical and mental
health, citing data that 50 percent of mental health conditions
begin by age 14 and 75 percent by age 25.
3:41:14 PM
MS. RINGSTAD noted that since children spend significant time in
schoolespecially in the post-COVID eraschools need state
guidance to recognize and respond to mental health concerns. She
highlighted the critical role of teachers and school staff in
observing early warning signs and stressed that early
identification can change the course of a child's life. She
urged the committee to pass SB 41 this session to support youth
mental health.
3:42:25 PM
JEN GRIFFIS, Vice President, Policy and Advocacy, Alaska
Children's Trust, Anchorage, Alaska, testified by invitation on
SB 41. She testified in support of SB 41 on behalf of Alaska
Children's Trust stating that the bill promotes the health and
well-being of Alaska's children and families. She explained that
SB 41 allows communities to choose to include mental wellness in
their health curriculum, giving students the opportunity to
learn how to care for their mental health alongside their
physical health.
3:43:29 PM
MS. GRIFFIS highlighted alarming data: a 59 percent increase
over the past decade in students feeling sad or hopeless,
suicide as the leading cause of death for Alaskans aged 15 to 24
in 2019, and 21 percent of high school students in 2023
reporting they had planned a suicide attempt in the last year.
She cited a Spirit of Youth survey showing that 95 percent of
Alaskans believe youth experience mental health issues, 87
percent are concerned, and nearly 90 percent support mental
health education in schools.
MS. GRIFFIS concluded that SB 41 would reduce stigma, support
families and educators, and improve access to developmentally
appropriate mental health knowledge, while preserving local
control. She emphasized that supporting students today
strengthens future generations.
3:45:14 PM
SENATOR CRONK asked if SB 41 had a fiscal note.
3:45:22 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON replied yes.
3:45:38 PM
At ease.
3:46:13 PM
CHAIR TOBIN reconvened the meeting.
3:46:40 PM
KELLY MANNING, Deputy Director, Division of Innovation and
Education Excellence, Department of Education and Early Child
Development, Juneau, Alaska, reviewed and answered questions on
the fiscal note for SB 41. She explained that the process in
SB 41 centers on convening a work group made up of required
members identified in the bill to review existing standards and
make adjustments aligned with the bill's provisions. She stated
that the plan includes two in-person convenings for 30 committee
members from various sectors to collaborate, define their tasks,
and later reconvene to finalize the guidelines. She noted that
stipends would be provided to compensate members for their time
and that a facilitator would be hired to manage the group's work
and coordination.
3:48:18 PM
MS. MANNING added that $36,000 is allocated for professional
services, which includes facilitation and legal costs for
regulation adjustments. After the work is completed, the
finalized guidelines would be submitted to the State Board for
review.
3:48:45 PM
SENATOR STEVENS acknowledged the state's fiscal challenges and
noted the presence of a finance committee member. He stated that
any proposal reaching the finance committee will be closely
examined for affordability. He questioned whether the associated
costs could be reduced, asking if more online meetings could be
used or stipends eliminated. MR. S asked whether all the
proposed expenses were absolutely necessary.
3:49:12 PM
MS. MANNING explained that developing K12 mental health
education guidelines requires reviewing existing standards and
identifying necessary additions. She emphasized the importance
of convening multiple stakeholder groups who may not typically
work together and need time to align on the goals of the work.
She stated that starting with in-person meetings is critical to
grounding participants before transitioning to remote
collaboration. She clarified that significant time and effort
will be required beyond the two convenings, which justifies the
stipends. She concluded that offering compensation helps ensure
participation and acknowledges the value of the work involved in
developing the guidelines.
SENATOR STEVENS expressed concern about the additional costs
associated with implementing SB 41. He suggested looking for
ways to reduce costs before the bill reaches the Finance
Committee.
3:50:47 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON thanked the committee for hearing SB 41 and
expressed hope that the bill would be heard again. She
specifically thanked Senator Stevens for his question regarding
costs, noting that it mirrored a recent question from her chief
of staff. She appreciated the question being put on the record.
3:51:14 PM
CHAIR TOBIN held SB 41 in committee.