Legislature(2025 - 2026)DAVIS 106
03/13/2025 03:15 PM House HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB27 | |
| HB70 | |
| HB64 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 27 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 70 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 64 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
March 13, 2025
3:18 p.m.
DRAFT
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Genevieve Mina, Chair
Representative Andrew Gray
Representative Zack Fields
Representative Donna Mears
Representative Mike Prax
Representative Justin Ruffridge
Representative Rebecca Schwanke
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
WITNESS REGISTER
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:18:49 PM
CHAIR GENEVIEVE MINA called the House Health and Social Services
Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:18 p.m.
3:19:30 PM
CHAIR MINA announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 27 "An Act relating to medical care for major
emergencies."
3:20:11 PM
CHAIR MINA said two doctors (?) here, experts on the bill's
subject matter to answer questions. (announced invited
testimony?)
3:20:19 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY asked what the stroke burden is?
3:20:46 PM
}DR. MICHAEL LEVY* representing self* City & State* { responded
3:22:25 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY asked how many hospitals in Alaska can
administer THROM... within a few hours of someone having a
stroke.
3:22:57 PM
DR. LEVY responded that he does not have those numbers, but said
he believes most hospitals with a cat scan can administer...
3:23:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY asked about mechanical thrombolitic
intervention... how many centers across Alaska can administer
those drugs? within the necessary time frame? He asked how this
bill...
3:25:04 PM
DR. LEVY responded
3:26:12 PM
}GENE WISEMAN* Section Chief Rural Comm Health System*
Anchorage, Alaska* {
3:26:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY asked about another study comparing
states'...
3:28:04 PM
MR. WISEMAN responded that the vast majority of hospitals
carry...
He emphasized
3:29:16 PM
}BRIAN WEBB* representing self* Anchorage, Alaska* { responded
3:29:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY emphasized that preventing strokes is the
best way to prevent deaths from strokes.
3:30:35 PM
DR. LEVY responded
3:31:29 PM
at-ease...
3:31:56 PM
CHAIR MINA opened public testimony
3:32:20 PM
CHAIR MINA closed public testimony
3:32:27 PM
Ruffridge moved amendment 1
3:32:32 PM
CHAIR MINA objected for purposes of discussion
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE presented amendment
CHAIR MINA asked Mr. Wiseman how amendment 1 would...
3:34:27 PM
MR. WISEMAN responded that the trauma unit within EMS
3:36:54 PM
CHAIR MINA asked
3:37:16 PM
MR. WISEMAN responded
3:38:18 PM
CHAIR MINA removed objection
3:38:29 PM
CHAIR MINA adopted amendment
3:38:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS moved CS hb 27 from committee with...
3:39:04 PM
at ease
3:39:11 PM
CHAIR MINA announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 70 "An Act relating to emergency medical services
for operational canines; relating to the powers, duties, and
liability of emergency medical technicians and mobile intensive
care paramedics; relating to the practice of veterinary
medicine; and providing for an effective date."
3:41:14 PM
}REPRESENTATIVE CALVIN SCHRAGE* Alaska Rep, District 12* City &
State* {
3:42:02 PM
CHAIR MINA announced invited testimony
3:42:11 PM
}BRIAN WEBB* Longtime Paramedic and EMS Educator* Anchorage,
Alaska* {
shared a story...
said we can prevent this from happening again
3:46:26 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked if services that would be
provided by EMS, would need to be approved by the EMS director?
MR. WEBB responded that
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked if that approval is implied as an
EMT, or if
MR. WEBB responded that
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked...
MR. WEBB
3:49:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked about canine and pediatric dosing
comparison
MR. WEBB responded that generally speaking...
when speaking about the limited number of medications
for example, when providing Lorazepam as a sedative, same
concentration for canine and pediatric care
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked about training
MR. WEBB responded that training is all based on X course,
developed by the US military.
already practicing paramedics and EMTs.
3:55:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS asked if there is a requirement for
continuing education in the field...
MR. WEBB responded
3:56:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE raised concerns about
She asked about how many service canines have been injured in
recent years
MR. WEBB responded that the number of operational canines
injured in recent years is 2. He emphasized the low frequency
and high acuity of...
REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE asked
MR. WEBB responded
4:00:45 PM
CHAIR MINA opened public testimony
4:01:12 PM
}RACHEL BERNGNARTT* Veterinary and Attorney* Juneau, Alaska (in
da room)* { said they do not have an official statement on this
bill. She said she believes the board took this bill under
advisement. She explained that "identical" and "nearly
identical" is not the same. What is the "limit" Mr. Webb
referred to?
She said we should consider liability of vets...
She emphasized that there are a number of issues that need to be
addressed
4:05:58 PM
}DR. MCKAYLA DICK* Member at Large, AK Veterinary Medical
Association* North Pole, Alaska* { testified in opposition of
HB 70. She said that veterinarians as a whole
She recommended the formation of a veterinary advisory committee
or task force
Said that pediatric and canine dosing should not be conflated
4:08:36 PM
}DR. KATRINA BACKUS* Medical Director, North Pole Vet. Hospital*
North Pole, Alaska* { testified in opposition of HB 70.
She said that her concern over HB 70 is...
She emphasized that veterinary treatment is not just about good
intentions, but...
Strengthening collaboration between vets and first responders
4:11:02 PM
CHAIR MINA announced invited testimony again (Sean the only
other one)
4:11:09 PM
}DR. SEAN MCPECK* Owner, Veterinary Hospital* Palmer, Alaska*
testified in support of HB 70{
he said that
4:15:50 PM
CHAIR MINA continued with public testimony
4:16:00 PM
}DR. MARY ANN HOLLICK* representing self* Eagle River, Alaska*
testified in opposition to HB 70{ said we must be guided by
the principle of "first do no harm"
Any service beyond first aide, must occur under the advisory of
a trained veterinarian
She said HB 70 would need to include a waiver of liability for
the veterinarian taking over care of an animal
4:18:59 PM
}MARK STIGAR* President, Alaska Search and Rescue Association*
Palmer, Alaska* testified in support of HB 70{
between 20 and 25 canines with Alaska Search and Rescue
Association
4:21:48 PM
}DR. MICHAEL LEVY* representing self* Eagle River, Alaska*
testified {
4:23:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked
DR. LEVY responded
4:26:10 PM
}BRITTANY TURNER* representing self* North Pole, Alaska*
testified in opposition to HB 70{
4:26:55 PM
}SCOTT LUNA* representing self* Anchorage, Alaska* testified in
support of HB 70{
4:29:27 PM
}PAMELA SAMASH* representing self* Nenana, Alaska* testified in
support of HB 70{
4:31:41 PM
CHAIR MINA closed public testimony
4:31:54 PM
CHAIR MINA announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 64 "An Act relating to the surrender of infants;
and providing for an effective date."
4:32:10 PM
}DAVID GOFF* Staff for Rep. Tomaszewski* City & State* {
He presented HB 64 (sponsor statement?)
He read sectional analysis...
4:35:52 PM
CHAIR MINA announced invited testimony
4:36:05 PM
}DOUGLAS SCHRAGE* Fire Chief, Anchorage Fire Department*
Anchorage, Alaska* testified in support of HB 64{ he said that
the face-to-face requirement of the safe haven statute is an
impediment to people... because lack of anonymity.
(do I need to refer to proper name of that statute?)
Child safety devices would not be compulsory and would not
require public funds.
4:39:34 PM
CHAIR MINA asked how often the Anchorage Fire Department deals
with the surrendering of infants.
MR. SCHRAGE responded
4:40:59 PM
}JULIE LYNETTE CONDELL* Lead 911 Dispatcher, Anchorage Fire
Department* Anchorage, Alaska* testified in support of HB 64{
said that these devices are located in 22 states now and have
saved lives
complete anonymity, as opposed to confidentiality
materials in the box that offer resources to the mother placing
infant in device
4:44:06 PM
CHAIR MINA asked how often Ms. Condell receives calls regarding
the surrender of an infant.
MS. CONDELL responded
4:45:35 PM
}LONNY MARNEY* Council Member, City of Fairbanks* Fairbanks,
Alaska* testified in support of HB 64{
the boxes run about $22,000 with a maintenance fee
rotary club, kiwanis, elks club
these boxes are weather tested
Pamela Samash, April Smith and Rep. Tomas' wife
4:49:30 PM
CHAIR MINA asked
MR. GOFF responded
}MATTHEW THOMAS* Nurse Consultant II, Health Facilities
Licensing* City & State* { (subject matter expert) responded
4:51:48 PM
CHAIR MINA asked about the education provided by the state on
the Safe Surrender Law
MR. GOFF responded
4:52:25 PM
}CARLA ERICKSON* Chief Asst. Attorney General, Child Protection
Dept. of Law* City & State* { responded
4:52:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked how the department assesses which
moms are at risk of child neglect and what kind of pre-natal
services DOCS offers...How does the state identify or fail to
identify people who are unable to care for a child...?
MR. MATTHEW THOMAS responded that
4:54:45 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked about the unintended consequences
of HB 64. He asked about the safety element ?
ensuring that the person surrendering an infant knows what they
are doing?
How do we prevent the ability for anybody to put the baby in the
box
MR. GOFF responded that he did not look into this question in
his research
"coerced surrender"
4:58:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked about the maintenance or
monitoring
MR. GOFF responded
an annual check on these devices.
5:01:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE asked HB 64 solely to provide
it is a liability opportunity
MR. GOFF responded that currently under the law, it is required
that an infant is surrendered to a live person
REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE responded
MR. GOFF responded
5:03:59 PM
CHAIR MINA asked about the unintended consequence of coercion...
She referred to a similar law in New Mexico ... and asked
5:05:43 PM
MS. ERICKSON (I think this person?)
5:07:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX ask about DNA testing that would give away
anonymity
(question "for the lady from child services")
MS. ERICKSON
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked for history
5:09:38 PM
MR. GOFF responded
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked
MR. GOFF responded that there are 22 states
Indiana has 13 deployed in the state
28 deployed in total throughout the country
2 children surrendered in the last 2 years
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX
MR. GOFF
5:12:10 PM
MS. CONDELL
5:15:11 PM
5:15:25 PM
adjourned