SCR 13-FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS
1:36:11 PM
CHAIR STEDMAN announced that the first order of business would
be SCR 13.
HEATHER SHADDUCK, Staff, Senator Pete Kelly, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented SCR 13 on behalf of the
sponsor.
CHAIR STEDMAN noted it is the first hearing on SCR 13. He said
today the committee would hear from the sponsor, take public
testimony, and set the bill aside.
MS. SHADDUCK referred to backup materials in members' packets.
1:39:30 PM
MS. SHADDUCK explained that the resolution was a product of last
year's mental health overview in the Senate Finance Committee.
The focus of that presentation was narrowed down to Fetal
Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) in the form of SCR 13. She
pointed out that FASD is preventable and this resolution would
address prevention.
She provided background information regarding FASD. Each child
born with FASD costs the state between $850,000 and $4.2
million. She noted the numbers were provided by the Department
of Health and Social Services. Currently, there are 112.9
children born with FASD for every 10,000 live births. She
stressed the high cost of those children to the state and the
services they may require.
MS. SHADDUCK related that 90 percent of women do not drink when
they know they are pregnant. The focus of the resolution is on
the other 10 percent. It hopes to raise a conversation. She
showed the cover of the Anchorage Daily News on Sunday,
February, 2014. The topic is raising the public awareness and
the conversation.
1:40:22 PM
MS. SHADDUCK said the resolution hopes to change the hearts and
minds of Alaskans and to eradicate FASD. It calls upon the
Governor to establish and support programs designed to eradicate
the occurrence of FASD and increase rapid screening, the first
tool in a lengthy diagnosis.
She said the final action item in the resolution encourages the
Governor to take action to expand residential substance abuse
treatment services for women who are pregnant and to explore
partnerships to prioritize the admission of pregnant women into
homes operated by Indian Health Services.
CHAIR STEDMAN noted one zero fiscal note from the legislature.
1:42:37 PM
ARLENE BRISCOE, Member, Alaska Nurses Association, Anchorage,
Alaska, testified in support of SCR 13. She related that nurses
daily see the devastation of alcohol and drug abuse to patients,
their families, and to society. She described the unfortunate
effects of alcohol and drugs on infants and children.
CHAIR STEDMAN closed public testimony.
MS. SHADDUCK noted that many people have stories about the human
tragedy of FASD.
1:44:27 PM
CHAIR STEDMAN held SCR 13 in committee.