HB 35-PRISONERS: ELECTRONIC DEVICE ACCESS/USE  1:52:33 PM CHAIR CLAMAN reconvened the meeting and announced the consideration of CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 35(STA) "An Act relating to the use and possession of electronic devices by prisoners." CHAIR CLAMAN said that this is the second hearing of HB 35 in the Senate Judiciary Committee. [SCS CSHB 35, version T, was adopted on May 7, 2025.] The intent is to consider adoption of a new Senate committee substitute (SCS), version O. 1:52:49 PM CHAIR CLAMAN solicited a motion. 1:52:54 PM SENATOR KIEHL moved to adopt the Senate committee substitute (SCS) for CSHB 35, work order 34-LS0355\O, as the working document. 1:53:09 PM CHAIR CLAMAN objected for purposes of discussion. He invited his staff to summarize the changes. 1:53:21 PM BREANNA KAKARUK, Staff, Senator Matt Claman, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented the Explanation of Changes for HB 35 from version T to version O. [Original punctuation provided.] Explanation of Changes  House Bill 35: Version T to Version O  Page 3, lines 16-18: Delete: "or as a substitution for in-person visitation, receiving mail, receiving medical services, or other in-person communication" Page 2, following line 21: Insert new subsection to read: "(f) The commissioner may not replace in-person visitation with the use of a computer or electronic tablet. To the extent practicable, the commissioner may not replace an existing program or service provided to a prisoner for the purpose of rehabilitation with the use of a computer or electronic tablet authorized under (a)(3)(I) of this section. A computer or electronic tablet may be used only to supplement an existing program or service." Page 3, line 24: Conforming changes. 1:54:28 PM CHAIR CLAMAN removed his objection and SCS CSHB 35, version O, was adopted as the working document. CHAIR CLAMAN noted that the superintendent from Hiland Mountain Correctional Facility and the deputy commissioner from the Department of Corrections (DOC) were available to answer questions. He invited committee members to ask questions. 1:55:10 PM SENATOR TOBIN asked about internet literacy and raised concerns about the vulnerability of incarcerated individuals to phishing, identity theft, and other online risks. She asked what training or protections would be in place to safeguard incarcerated individuals using such devices. 1:56:07 PM APRIL WILKERSON, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Corrections, Juneau, Alaska, sought clarification, asking whether the question concerned what DOC will do to prevent phishing and identity theft for incarcerated individuals who will use the tablets. SENATOR TOBIN answered that is correct. MS. WILKERSON responded that a third-party vendor is responsible for the program's system structure and security. She explained that the system operates on a closed network and is not wide open to the Internet. She said security controls are in place to flag and identify potential threats. 1:57:30 PM SENATOR TOBIN asked whether the department has considered digital or internet literacy training for incarcerated individuals, noting that some individuals may not have prior experience with such technology. She asked whether there would be opportunities for individuals to develop those skills while incarcerated. MS. WILKERSON replied that the vendor supplying the tablets will provide some training for DOC's security staff. The security staff will, in turn, train the incarcerated population. She noted that some individuals have declined to use the tablets, but that participation may increase through exposure and training. She deferred to Superintendent Jones for additional information regarding the implementation of training within the pilot program at Hiland Mountain. 1:58:58 PM BRANDON JONES, Superintendent, Hiland Mountain Correctional Facility, Eagle River, Alaska, replied that the department is conducting a pilot program that includes educational programming alongside tablet use within the facility. He explained that approximately 15 incarcerated individuals are participating in educational courses focused on leading to employment. Educational programming includes computer skills literacy, with support from education coordinators, so inmates learn skills and build confidence in using technology both during incarceration and after release. MR. JONES stated that the facility also provides orientation for individuals using tablets for the first time. He explained that inmate workers, including librarians and law librarians, assist in training others, and that orientation includes video instruction, hands-on tutorials, and staff supervision to support learning. 2:00:11 PM CHAIR CLAMAN asked about language in the committee substitute, specifically [Section 2,] subsection (f). The last sentence states that "a computer or electronic tablet may be used only to supplement an existing program or service." He asked how the provision would apply to a new online-only program not previously offered by DOC, and whether that would require legislative action to amend the statute to allow new tablet-only programs. MS. WILKERSON replied that the department would defer to policymakers and the Department of Law for clarification. She expressed her understanding that the intent of the provision is not to limit programming, but to identify efficiencies and expand access to education and services. She noted that some providers are transitioning to online-only platforms, and DOC aims to ensure those opportunities are not lost. She said DOC would work with the legislature to address situations where tablets may be the only option. 2:02:19 PM CHAIR CLAMAN held SCS CSHB 35, version 0, in committee.