Legislature(2011 - 2012)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/02/2012 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB100 | |
| SB159 | |
| SB151 | |
| SB226 | |
| SB179 | |
| SB210 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 100 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 159 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 151 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 226 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 179 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 210 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | SB 221 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SCR 24 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 192 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE BILL NO. 179
"An Act relating to missing vulnerable adult prompt
response and notification plans."
SENATOR BETTY DAVIS, introduced herself.
10:10:23 AM
CELESTE HODGE, STAFF, SENATOR BETTY DAVIS, introduced SB
179. She explained the SB 179 created a new statewide alert
system to help find vulnerable, missing adults. The system,
which was similar to the nationwide Amber Alert program,
would help local law enforcement notify the public when a
mentally or physically impaired Alaskan goes missing.
Alaska had the fastest growing senior population in the
nation, and could not afford to ignore the problem.
According to the Alaska Commission on Aging, there were
approximately 7,785 Alaskans suffering from Alzheimer's
disease and related dementia in 2010. That number was
expected to grow to more than 17,000 by 2030. In Fairbanks,
a 63-year-old woman who was suffering from Alzheimer's
disease froze to death after she became disoriented while
driving. She ran out of gas, and tried walking several
miles to seek help. This incident, and several others like
it, demonstrated the need for an alert system to assist in
the search for missing vulnerable adults. When a vulnerable
adult goes missing, his or her best chance of survival is
if someone finds them within 24 to 48 hours. The bill
called for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
(DMVA) to coordinate with the Department of Public Safety
(DPS) to create, and implement a prompt response and
notification plan that would use a voluntary network of
statewide and local news organizations to rapidly alert the
public that a vulnerable adult was missing. The bill also
called for both departments to establish standards on what
triggered an alert, and when a vulnerable adult was
officially considered missing. This legislation would
ensure the search for Alaska's most vulnerable citizens
happen promptly. Currently, there were 28 states that have
implemented or will implement a "silver alert" program,
which was an increase of 10 states since the last report.
Co-Chair Stedman noted the two zero fiscal notes from DPS
and DMVA.
DENISE DONIELLO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA COMMISSION ON
AGING, JUNEAU, testified in support of SB 179. She focused
her statement on the benefits of older Alaskans,
particularly those with Alzheimer's disease and related
dementia. Wandering was a significant personal and safety
problem for older Alaskans with dementia. According to the
Alzheimer's Association, approximately 60 percent of people
with dementia may wander at some point during the course of
their disease. Nearly one-half of those who wander, if they
are not found within 24 hours, can suffer great personal
injury. For an older person, who lives in an urbanized
area, with heavy motorized traffic conditions, getting lost
can have significant life and death consequences.
10:15:19 AM
MARIE DARLIN, AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED PERSONS,
JUNEAU, spoke in support of SB 179. She agreed with
previous testimony. With more people living longer, the
proposed alert system would prove helpful in many ways. She
felt it was reasonable public policy.
PATRICK CUNNINGHAM, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, SOCIAL WORK,
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified in support of SB 179. He felt that the proposed
system would add to the growing list of services for
vulnerable adults and their families.
HEIDI WILLIAMSON, ASSOCIATE STATE AFFAIRS DIRECTOR,
ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION, WASHINGTON, D.C. (via
teleconference), testified in support of SB 179.
MIKE O'HARE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, HOMELAND SECURITY AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS
AFFAIRS, FORT RICHARDSON (via teleconference), testified in
support of SB 179. She stressed that the first 24 hours
that a vulnerable adult goes missing was highly critical.
She stressed that it was not the disease that threatened
the individuals in the first 24 hours, but the
environmental factors and dangers within the community.
Most people who wander were found within a 1.5 miles of
their home, so she recognized the need for a comprehensive
support system.
SB 179 was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.