04/13/2016 09:00 AM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES

         HB 27-DHSS DUTIES; CINA; FOSTER CARE; ADOPTION                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
9:05:25 AM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  STEDMAN  announced the  consideration  of  CS FOR  SPONSOR                                                               
SUBSTITUTE FOR  HOUSE BILL  NO. 27(JUD) am.  "An Act  relating to                                                               
the  duties of  the  Department of  Health  and Social  Services;                                                               
relating to  hearings on and  plans for permanent placement  of a                                                               
child  in  need   of  aid;  relating  to   school  placement  and                                                               
transportation for  children in  foster care; relating  to foster                                                               
care  transition programs;  relating to  emergency and  temporary                                                               
placement of  a child  in need of  aid; relating  to transitional                                                               
living  arrangements for  children in  foster care;  and amending                                                               
Rule 17.2, Alaska Child in Need  of Aid Rules of Procedure." [SCS                                                               
CSSSHB27  (HSS)  was  before  the committee.]  It  was  heard  on                                                               
4/11/16 and version S is  before the committee. He recognized the                                                               
sponsor and asked him to provide a brief overview.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
9:06:42 AM                                                                                                                    
REPRESENTATIVE LES GARA, Alaska  State Legislature, sponsor of HB
, said  the focus of the  bill is to ensure  that past mistakes                                                               
don't happen again.  The idea is to get youth  out of foster care                                                               
and into a  loving home and also ensure that  youth aren't forced                                                               
to exit  foster care  at age  18 if  they aren't  ready to  be on                                                               
their own.  The standard for exiting  youth at age 18  is when it                                                               
is in  their best interest and  that should also be  the standard                                                               
for youth up to 21 years of age.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR STOLTZE  expressed appreciation for the  work the sponsor                                                               
has done in this area. He  related a personal story to illustrate                                                               
he knows about being pushed out early.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
9:08:46 AM                                                                                                                    
ENATOR GIESSEL moved to report the  Senate CS for CS for SSHB 27,                                                               
labeled    29-LS0176\S,    from   committee    with    individual                                                               
recommendations and attached zero fiscal note.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  STEDMAN  announced  that  without  objection,  SCS  CSSSHB
(HSS) is reported from the committee                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE GARA noted the fiscal note is zero.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR GIESSEL confirmed the zero fiscal note.