SB 9-SURRENDER OF INFANTS; INF. SAFETY DEVICE  3:46:33 PM CHAIR DUNBAR reconvened the meeting announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 9 "An Act relating to the surrender of infants; and providing for an effective date." 3:47:03 PM CHAIR DUNBAR solicited a motion. 3:47:05 PM SENATOR GIESSEL moved to adopt the committee substitute (CS) for SB 9, work order 34-LS0085\G, as the working document. 3:47:15 PM CHAIR DUNBAR objected for purposes of discussion 3:47:39 PM ARIELLE WIGGIN, Staff, Senator Forrest Dunbar, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, offered a summary of changes for SB 9 version I to version G and read the following: [Original punctuation provided.] SUMMARY OF CHANGES  CSSB 9: SURRENDER OF INFANTS; INF. SAFETY DEVICE  Version I to Version G   Page 2 Lines 10-12  Inserts "health facility as defined in AS 47.07.900 that is owned or managed by a tribal health organization as defined in AS 17.30.200(d)," Page 3 Lines 17-24 Amends AS 47.10.013  Deletes "as determined by the department; and" at line 17 and replaces the phrase with: "(3) Clearly marked with appropriate signage that includes A) the phone number for a service that provides support for parents in crisis; B) a list of alternatives to using the infant safety device; C) a statement that placing an infant in the device constitutes abandonment and may lead to involuntary termination of the parent's rights to the child and release of the child for adoption or other permanent placement;" 3:49:02 PM MS. WIGGINS read the rationale prepared by Senator Tobin regarding the changes made to SB 9, version G: For the first change on page three, lines 17-24, to provide this surrendering, parent with information on alternatives to surrender. For example, Washington State has a safety of newborn children law that allows parents to anonymously leave newborns with qualified individuals at hospitals, fire stations, or federally designated rural health clinics with 72 hours after birth without fear of prosecution for abandonment. As in other states with safe surrender laws, we want to ensure that surrendering parent is aware of a crisis hotline that they can call the clear signage on the safe surrender box. As there are likely in crisis, if they are abandoning an infant, we also want to make it explicit to the surrendering parent through clear signage on the safe surrender box that putting this surrendering their infant may lead to the termination of their parental rights. As there are in crisis, they may be influenced by drugs or alcohol, or may be a mental health event. This simply would provide a clear statement to the legal issues of surrender. 3:50:05 PM MS. WIGGINS returned to summary of changes and read: [Original punctuation provided.] Page 4 Lines 4-8 Amends AS 47.10.013  Inserts "(5) approved by the department; in determining whether to approve a proposed infant safety device, the department shall consider A) Whether the device is an appropriate size; B) The safety of the device; and C) Ways to minimize unauthorized use of the device." 3:50:26 PM MS. WIGGINS continued with the rationale for the summary of changes; version G: "To ensure that the safe surrender box is sized for its intended use for newborn infants and would not be large enough for misuse. I.e. older infants are toddlers. They worked with Senator Myers office on drafts of this amendment and arrived on a compromise with the proposal. With the proposed language in a work draft, which gives the Department of Health, discretion and determining appropriate size for the safe surrender box." 3:50:55 PM MS. WIGGINS returned to the summary of changes; version G: [Original punctuation provided.] Page 4, Line 13 Amends AS 47.10.013  Inserts "(j) If the department determines that an infant abandoned under (C)(1)(B) of this section is an Indian child, the department shall immediately contact the Indian child's tribe." 3:51:11 PM MS WIGGINS continued with the rational for the summary of changes; version G: "This is a reiteration of the Indian child welfare, welfare act requirements specific to the new statute on the surrender of newborns via safe surrender boxes." 3:51:26 PM SENATOR DUNBAR asked if there were any questions from the committee. 3:51:45 PM CHAIR DUNBAR removed his objection. He found no further objection and CSSB 9 was adopted as the working document. 3:52:09 PM SENATOR ROBERT MYERS, District Q, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, speaking as sponsor of SB 9 explained that the bill aims to save lives by adding another option to the 2008 safe-surrender law, especially in light of recent infant abandonment cases. He supported the intent of the proposed amendments but needs further discussion with the Division of Family and Community Services regarding practical impacts. He said with another committee of referral ahead, he plans to continue working with the department. He stated he is satisfied with SB 9 in its current form. 3:53:33 PM SENATOR HUGHES suggested that the next committee of referral review language on page three to determine whether placing an infant in the device could constitute abandonment and potentially lead to involuntary termination of parental rights. She cautioned that such wording might make a frightened parent believe they are breaking the law and recommended clarifying the language to ensure parents understand that using the device is legal. 3:54:45 PM SENATOR MYERS acknowledged that "abandonment" is a loaded term. He explained that the wording was intended to mirror the existing safe-surrender law, where a person receiving the infant informs the parent about the implications, including potential termination of parental rights. Since the device involves no in- person interaction, the amendment sought to provide that information through signage. He agreed the concern is valid and would review the language as the bill moves forward. 3:55:47 PM At ease. 3:56:21 PM CHAIR DUNBAR reconvened the meeting. 3:56:25 PM CHAIR DUNBAR questioned whether public testimony was left open from the last hearing on SB 9; finding no further testifiers, he closed public testimony. 3:56:40 PM CHAIR DUNBAR solicited the will of the committee. 3:56:41 PM SENATOR GIESSEL moved to report CSSB 9, work order 34-LS0085\G, from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). 3:57:00 PM CHAIR DUNBAR found no objection and CSSB 9(HSS) was reported from the Senate Health and Social Services Standing Committee.