HB 164-PROTECT: VULNERABLE ADULTS/LONG TERM CARE  3:44:20 PM CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 164, "An Act relating to the protection of vulnerable adults and residents of long term care facilities." 3:44:47 PM TERESA HOLT, Long Term Care Ombudsman, Office of the Long Term Care Ombudsman, Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, Department of Revenue, paraphrased from a statement explaining the proposed committee substitute [Included in members' packets], which read [original punctuation provided]: The CSHB 164 makes simple changes to the original version. • In section 4, it corrects drafting error on page 4 line 5 to reflect the accurate statute citation of AS 47.62.015 (instead of AS 42.62.015). • In section 3, aligns additional paragraphs under AS 47.24.011 with proposed amendment language requested elsewhere in the bill that changes references from "central information and referral service for vulnerable adults" to "vulnerable adult centralized intake office". • In sections 10 and 11 clarifies that resident means resident of a long term care facility. • In section 14 retains the definition for senior citizen housing. 3:47:24 PM REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON moved to adopt the proposed committee substitute (CS) for HB 164, labeled 30-GH1815\D, Glover, 4/3/17, as the working document. 3:47:49 PM CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ objected for discussion. 3:48:13 PM CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ removed her objection. There being no further objection, the proposed committee substitute (CS) for HB 164, labeled 30-GH1815\D, Glover, 4/3/17, was adopted as the working document. CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ opened public testimony. 3:48:38 PM WILLIAM HARRINGTON stated that this was "an important bill." He stated that the "boomer tsunami has yet to fully unleash millions of people at the last, most difficult stage of life." He opined that when the physical or mental selves alleviate each other, "life as a person of competence is gone, but the motor is still running." He said that long term care was such a frightening issue on so many levels, that a person should have the right to self-termination. 3:50:05 PM DENISE DANIELLO, Executive Director, Alaska Commission on Aging, Division of Senior and Disabilities Services, Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), said that the Commission had submitted a letter of support for the changes in the proposed committee substitute. She stated that her office worked collaboratively with the Office of the Long Term Care Ombudsman regarding planning and advocacy activities. She declared support for the proposed bill. 3:50:59 PM CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ closed public testimony. 3:51:17 PM REPRESENTATIVE SULLIVAN-LEONARD, noting that Ms. Holt had responded quickly to her concerns, stated her support for the proposed bill. 3:51:40 PM REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON moved to report CSHB 164, labeled 30- GH1815\D, Glover, 4/3/17, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 164(HSS) was reported from the House Health and Social Services Standing Committee.