SENATE BILL NO. 181 "An Act relating to placement of a child in need of aid; relating to adoption; and providing for an effective date." 9:53:12 AM SENATOR JESSE BJORKMAN, SPONSOR, introduced the legislation. Senator Wilson wondered whether the bill would change current requirements. Senator Bjorkman replied that the diligent family search requirements would improve searches for all children. He noted that the applicable pieces in the legislation that did not affect children, would be any changes to the placement provisions. Senator Kiehl queried which changes would be more or less that the current actions of the department. 9:59:48 AM LAURA ACHEE, STAFF, SENATOR JESSE BJORKMAN, replied that she was familiar with the broad statutory direction, which stated that the department should conduct family searches. She was not familiar with the internal policies or procedures. Senator Kiehl surmised that it would also include an outside chick on the department's efficacy. Ms. Achee replied that the department must report every time there was a hearing on their progress. Co-Chair Olson queried how one year was determined in the legislation. Ms. Achee responded that the impetus was broad by constituents who had worked with experts. Co-Chair Olson recalled that there was a reference of "under the age of six" and asked about that number determination. Senator Bjorkman responded that there was similar research about the impact of adverse childhood experiences was exceeding negative under the age of six. Co-Chair Olson wondered whether the "placement" allowed for foster parents to adopt the children. Senator Bjorkman replied that placement can be either temporary or permanent. Senator Kiehl wondered whether there was a risk to set up a three tier structure for different children. Senator Bjorkman responded that the department and judge would need to consider all factors when determining care for the child. He stressed that there was not a policy that would work for every situation. 10:06:22 AM Senator Kiehl remarked that there were not child welfare experts present, and felt that the children were best off when kept with families. He asked about the strength of the research. Co-Chair Olson agreed with that concern. Senator Bjorkman responded that, generally, there were some testifiers that could speak to the research and data available. He agreed that there should be a goal to keep families together. Ms. Achee furthered that the bill only dealt with people who were not the parents. Senator Kiehl remarked that foster parents played a very crucial role, and asked about the power of the foster parents. He wondered if they were set up with an impossible task. Senator Bjorkman responded that the change clarified current practice. 10:11:35 AM CHARLES ZEANAH, PROFESSOR OF PSYCHIATRY AND PEDIATRICS, TULANE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, LOUISIANA (via teleconference), spoke in support of the bill, and shared his research and experience. 10:16:04 AM Co-Chair Olson wondered how there was justification when a parent was in a dire situation, but receiving treatment for their crisis. Ms. Zeanah replied that the issue was about the movement from one foster placement to another. Senator Kiehl surmised that the bill was about moving out of foster care, and asked about the applicability of Mr. Zeanah's research and how it related to the move out of foster care. Mr. Zeanah responded that "relatives" were also referred to foster care. Senator Kiehl wondered whether the research showed that there was no protective affect with placement with family as compared to placement with unrelated fosters. Mr. Zeanah replied that his research did not deal with that question directly. He remarked that it was important to acknowledge that there needed to be an intensive full service research of relatives for the placement of the child. Senator Kiehl wanted clarity on the research. Ms. Achee agreed with Mr. Zeanah. 10:21:02 AM BOBBI OUTTEN, SOUTHCENTRAL FOUNDATION, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of the legislation. 10:27:57 AM KENDALL SEAL, VICE PRESIDENT OF POLICY, CENTER FOR THE RIGHTS OF ABUSED CHILDREN, ARIZONA (via teleconference), spoke in support of the bill. 10:34:38 AM NANCY MEADE, GENERAL COUNSEL, ALASKA COURT SYSTEM, thanked the sponsor, and felt that the version adequately addressed earlier concerns. Co-Chair Olson recalled that he had a foster child with his family, and wondered whether the policy change was necessary. Ms. Meade replied that it was up to the legislature to make that determination. Co-Chair Olson felt that there were many issues resulting from foster care issues. Ms. Meade responded that children who were a child in need of aid, suffered greatly. 10:38:31 AM KIM GUAY, DIRECTOR, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES (via teleconference), spoke to the fiscal notes. Senator Kiehl wondered which elements of the family search were new or current practices. Ms. Guay responded that there were policies in place to do an adequate family search within the first thirty days. She stated that there was another family search if adoption was occurring. 10:41:01 AM Senator Kiehl wanted to know which items were new, and requested a written response from the department. Ms. Guay agreed to provide that information. Co-Chair Olson wondered whether the department was in favor of the legislation. Ms. Guay replied that the department appreciated the efforts, but had concerns with the bill. She stated that some problems would be exasperated with the passage of the bill. 10:44:09 AM Co-Chair Olson wondered why there was not correction on the existing issues. Ms. Guay responded that the issues were very nuanced, because of several factors involved in those decisions. Co-Chair Olson asked for a comment on the $850,000 fiscal note. Ms. Guay responded that there would be an increased cost to litigation. Senator Merrick appreciated the bill, and stated that she was adopted at birth and felt that it was unthinkable to be taken away from family to be placed with a biological relative. SB 181 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration.