HOUSE BILL 127 "An Act relating to the citizen review board and panels for permanency planning for certain children in state custody; renaming the Citizens' Review Panel For Permanency Planning as the Citizens' Foster Care Review Board; extending the termination date of the Citizens' Foster Care Review Board; and providing for an effective date." PATTI SWENSON, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE CON BUNDE, spoke to the changes between CS HB 127 (HES) and the proposed House Finance version of the legislation, 0-LS0496\L, Lauterbach, 5/2/97. Referencing Page 4, Line 25, she asked if the new language referring to when the board meets "telephonically" would also include video. Representative G. Davis understood that it would. Representative J. Davies suggested clarifying that language on Page 4, Line 26, inserting: "And may meet by video conference". MIKE TIBBLES, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE GENE THERRIAULT, recommended that the enclosed amendment, [Amendment #1-Copy on file], which was included in the members packets would be the appropriate place to incorporate that language. Representative Foster MOVED that 0-LS0496\L, Lauterbach, 5/2/97, be the version before the Committee. There being NO OBJECTION, it was adopted. Representative Foster MOVED to adopt Amendment #1. Representative G. Davis OBJECTED for the purpose of 3 discussion, while suggesting to change the wording. Representative J. Davies MOVED to add the language: "And may meet by video conference", to Amendment #1. There being NO OBJECTION to the addition of the new language, the amended Amendment #1 was incorporated. There being NO further OBJECTION to the amended Amendment #1, it was adopted. Ms. Swenson spoke to the change from executive director to program coordinator. Representative J. Davies voiced concern with that change. He felt that an executive director implied a higher level of expertise. He asked if those terms were defined in the Administrative Code. Mr. Tibbles explained that the fiscal note spoke to the change of that position. The social service program coordinator would be a range 20. A program coordinator, the previous title, was used before the funding was reduced and that position was phased out. Ms. Swenson agreed, she thought that there would be a difference between what a program coordinator and an executive director. She advised that a program coordinator is a classified position within the State, whereas, an executive director is not and could serve at the pleasure of the board; a program coordinator would be a State directed position. DIANE WORLEY, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF FAMILY AND YOUTH SERVICE (DFYS), DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, clarified that when a department is referenced in the proposed legislation, that reference is to the Department of Administration (DOA). Currently, there exists within the State, a social service project coordinator job class for upper level and senior management positions. Some boards are run by a classified executive director position. She understood that also was a State job classification. Ms. Swenson noted that when the panel was first appointed, it was run by a program coordinator with no problems. Representative J. Davies pointed out that initially, the program was a pilot project in a portion of Anchorage, whereas, the current proposal is a statewide program with a much broader scope. Ms. Swenson pointed out that the functions would basically continue to be the same. She continued, the change to Page 6, Lines 10-11, would address the State board making recommendations to the Department regarding regulations for out-of-home placement of children. She understood that the State board would be allowed to continue that procedure which would make a difference for DFYS. The new language would further clarify the legislation. 4 Mr. Tibbles spoke to the deletion of transitional language at the end of the bill. Ms. Swenson commented that the Department has indicated support for that change. Representative G. Davis referenced Page 6, Line 26, with regard to the report being sent to the Governor and Legislature. He suggested that these bodies should be "notified" of the availability of the report. Ms. Swenson noted that Representative Bunde would support that change in wording as it would save printing and mailing costs. Representative G. Davis MOVED to change the language on Page 6, Line 26 to: "Shall notify the governor and the legislature that the report is available". There being NO OBJECTION, it was adopted. Mr. Tibbles explained the revised fiscal note. The personal service line was changed to $45 thousand dollars, funding the program coordinator for a nine month period, in addition, it would bring the social worker II position from 10.5 month funding to 12 month funding. The social worker IV position would be eliminated and an additional administrative clerk would be added. Representative J. Davies questioned if additional funding exists as the quoted numbers amount to more than $45 thousand dollars allocated. Ms. Swenson replied, currently, there is staff functioning in the Anchorage panel office with funding through FY98. Representative J. Davies asked if it was the Chair's intent that the program coordinator position work only nine months a year. Ms. Swenson stated that the program coordinator position would be a full twelve month position. Representative J. Davies asked why the amount had not been increased in the personal service line following FY98. Mr. Tibbles interjected that was an oversight and that the personal service line had been copied without changing the numbers. The difference would be an additional $17 thousand dollars for a full year funding of an executive director position, and an additional $6 thousand dollars for full year funding of the clerk position. He recommended changing the FY99 through FY03 by increasing personal services for an additional $23 thousand dollars. Representative J. Davies MOVED that the personal services line through FY03 be changed to reflect $68 thousand dollars. There being NO OBJECTION, it was adopted. Representative Foster MOVED to report CS HB 127 (FIN) out of Committee with individual recommendations and with the accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was 5 so ordered. CS HB 127 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with fiscal notes by the House Finance Committee, the Department of Administration dated 4/23/97 and a zero note by the Department of Health and Social Services dated 4/23/97.