Legislature(2013 - 2014)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/11/2014 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB216 | |
| HB268 | |
| SB209 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 216 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 209 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 268 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 32 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HCR 15 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE BILL NO. 216
"An Act relating to sexual abuse and sexual assault
awareness and prevention efforts in public schools;
establishing a task force in the Council on Domestic
Violence and Sexual Assault; and providing for an
effective date."
9:08:28 AM
Vice-Chair Fairclough MOVED to ADOPT the committee
substitute for CSSB 216(FIN), Work Draft 28-LS1617\R
(Mischel, 4/10/14). There being NO OBJECTION, it was so
ordered.
AMY SALTZMAN, STAFF, SENATOR LESIL MCGUIRE, announced that
the only change in the CS was on page 1, lines 10 and 11,
and added in consultation with the Council on Domestic
Violence and Sexual Assault. The new section would read,
"The governing body of each school district, shall, in
consultation with the Council on Domestic Violence and
Sexual Assault adopt and implement a policy; establish a
mandatory training program for employees and students
enrolled in kindergarten and provide publications related
to sexual assault and sexual assault awareness and
prevention to parents, students, and staff. She stated that
the additions followed through to all the requirements
listed in subsection B.
PATTY OWEN, EDUCATION SPECIALIST, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT, introduced herself.
LAUREE MORTON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COUNCIL ON DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY,
introduced herself.
Vice-Chair Fairclough stated that there were more than 120
school districts in Alaska and over 120 different policies.
She stated that there were some discussions regarding
prevention. An education specialist was hired to work with
the students, and she wondered how the collaboration with
the council was operating. Ms. Owen replied that she had
stepped into her position three years prior to address
health and safety issues in the schools, particularly
domestic violence and sexual assault prevention. She stated
that she represented Department of Education and Early
Development (DEED) on the Council on Domestic Violence and
Sexual Assault. She shared that the focus had been on the
Four R Healthy Relationships Curriculum, which was
voluntary curriculum that had broad support in the state to
develop healthy relationships among students. She stated
that she was currently expecting the results from a three-
year formal evaluation of the implementation of the
curriculum. She explained that the Four R Curriculum
addressed grades 7 through 9, and stated that there were
some efforts to add curriculum for the elementary grades.
She stressed that the curriculum did not address personal
safety education curriculum. She stated that legislation
would be the first type of health curricula in schools. The
education was encouraged, but not required.
9:15:37 AM
Vice-Chair Fairclough wondered if the adoption of the law
would be focused on K-12. Ms. Owen replied in the
affirmative.
Vice-Chair Fairclough stressed that there must be support
for the child, once the child admits their situation. She
wondered how the children would be supported. Ms. Morton
responded that there was an intention to reach out to the
smaller communities' available resources that were
identified as respectful and safe adults. The department
would work to incorporate the curricula in the communities.
Vice-Chair Fairclough stressed that the school districts
would not be immediately effective upon adoption of the
curriculum. She wondered if there would be a schedule for
implementation, to ensure that the safety network was in
place. Ms. Morton replied in the affirmative. She stated
that there was some prevention work that was already in
place, and the legislation would support and supplement the
existing programs.
Vice-Chair Fairclough stressed that the children must be
protected.
Senator Dunleavy wondered if the Department of Law had
weighed in on the legislation. Ms. Morton deferred to the
sponsor.
Senator Dunleavy wondered if the training had evolved since
an incident that took place at a preschool many years
prior. Ms. Owen replied that she was unfamiliar with the
case.
Co-Chair Meyer asked what case Senator Dunleavy was
referencing. Senator Dunleavy responded that the McMartin
Preschool case in California, which had unexpected results.
Co-Chair Meyer wondered if the Department of Law had
expressed an opinion on the bill. Ms. Saltzman replied that
the Department of Law had not weighed in on the
legislation.
Vice-Chair Fairclough MOVED to REPORT CSSB 216(FIN) out of
committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
CSSB 216(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with previously published fiscal
impact note: FN1 (EED).
9:23:16 AM
AT EASE
9:25:27 AM
RECONVENED