SB 127-FETAL ALCOHOL DISORDERS AWARENESS DAY  3:06:41 PM CHAIR KELLER announced that the first order of business would be SENATE BILL NO. 127 "An Act establishing September 9 each year as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day." 3:07:09 PM SENATOR KEVIN MEYER, Alaska State Legislature, introduced SB 127, which proclaimed September 9 each year as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Awareness Day. He shared that the ninth day of the ninth month, was in recognition for the nine months of pregnancy during which a woman needed to abstain from partaking any alcohol. He noted that the intent of SB 127 was to make this a permanent recognition, with no need to reintroduce it each year. He paraphrased from the sponsor statement, which read: Alaska has the highest known incidence of FASD in the United States. This is a condition caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol, which can result in permanent brain damage, birth defects, learning disabilities, behavioral problems and most tragically, the loss of individual potential. He declared his frustration that, although FASD was a totally preventable condition, it cost society millions of dollars and the child had to live with this condition. He mused that the proposed bill would increase awareness and educate the public, both men and women, for the issues and consequences of drinking while pregnant. He pointed out that it was also necessary to help the kids impacted by FASD, noting that many FASD kids were in special education programs and in correctional facilities. He observed that, although FASD kids looked healthy, their brains did not process in a normal way because of the effects of alcohol during pregnancy. 3:11:27 PM CHAIR KELLER, stating that he had agreed to introduce a corresponding FASD bill in the House, asked the sponsor if there would be a reminder about FASD each year. 3:12:05 PM REPRESENTATIVE HERRON, directing attention to the sponsor statement, announced that the man should also abstain from alcohol during the pregnancy, in support of the woman. 3:12:53 PM SENATOR MEYER expressed his agreement that it was the responsibility of both parents to abstain, even if only the woman's drinking impacted the child. 3:13:37 PM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON noted that the proposed bill dovetailed with House Concurrent Resolution 5, passed in 2011, which promoted the prevention of disease and illness. 3:14:14 PM CHAIR KELLER opened public testimony. 3:14:45 PM DEBRA EVENSEN, Coordinator, FAS Alaska Program, shared that she had worked with FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders) programs since 1986 in Alaska. She expressed her support for the proposed bill. She pointed out that the medical profession had been aware of FASD since 1973, yet many young people still did not realize the damage done with alcohol during pregnancy. She told a story about a young pregnant woman who professed an understanding of FASD, yet declared that a little bit of alcohol did not affect a fetus. She pronounced that a day proclaiming FASD Awareness would educate many more people. 3:17:26 PM MONICA CHARLES-LEINBERGER, FASD Behavior Specialist, Lower Kuskokwim School District, said that she also served on the FAS diagnostic team and steering committee for Alaska. She expressed her agreement with the importance of addressing the damage from alcohol to an unborn child. She declared that although this particular disability was not outwardly visible, the inside of the brain was different. She pointed out that progressions in learning, self-expression, and behavior were areas of recognizable differences. As most of the public did not understand the brain differences and the learning differences with FASD children, the child was often viewed as disrespectful, non-compliant, and defiant. She declared that, as Alaska lead the nation in the use of alcohol, a proclamation about FASD, with open discussion, would send a statewide message to all the people thinking about having children. 3:21:03 PM KATE BURKHART, Executive Director, Advisory Board on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse, Alaska Mental Health Board, Division of Behavioral Health, Department of Health and Social Services, clarified that her comments were on behalf of the Advisory Board and the Mental Health Board, but not on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Services. She explained that her organizations were members of the Alaska Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders partnership, a statewide coalition which fully supported proposed SB 127. She highlighted that continuing education was still necessary, and although the alcohol industry was supportive, an annual survey indicated that over half the pregnant mothers drank in the three months prior to pregnancy, which was also a contributor to the incidences of FASD. She reported that 20 - 25 percent of pregnant women did not have a patient consultation about the effects of alcohol exposure on a fetus. She pointed out that, although a great deal of progress had been made, it was still necessary to educate the health care community. 3:23:49 PM REPRESENTATIVE MILLETT asked about the lack of FASD counseling for women during prenatal care. MS. BURKHART explained that about 20 - 25 percent of the women surveyed by PRAMS, Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, reported no counseling for FASD during prenatal care. She stated that some practitioners did not aggressively educate their patients on the importance of alcohol abstinence during pregnancy. She emphatically stated that research had indicated that even minor or moderate alcoholic consumption during pregnancy could be harmful. REPRESENTATIVE MILLETT shared that her daughter's pregnancy counseling had recommended no consumption of drugs or alcohol during pregnancy. MS. BURKHART relayed that although there were excellent patient educational services, the PRAMS survey indicated the need for improvement. 3:25:21 PM REPRESENTATIVE HERRON expressed his incredulity and reflected on prior legislation from the late 1980s which required postings that alcohol during pregnancy was dangerous to the baby. He asked if it was required for this to be posted in medical offices. MS. BURKHART, in response, said that it was addressed in the standards of care that applied to the various health practitioners. She pointed out that almost 75 percent did receive the patient education. 3:26:39 PM CHAIR KELLER stressed that the role of the father during pregnancy should be emphasized. MS. BURKHART shared that the coordination with restaurants on FASD Awareness Day resulted in many restaurants offering free non-alcoholic beverages to pregnant women, as well as to their partners. 3:27:58 PM CHAIR KELLER closed public testimony. 3:28:14 PM REPRESENTATIVE MILLETT pronounced that information about FASD should be posted in all the doctor offices in Alaska. REPRESENTATIVE MILLETT moved to report SB 127 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal note. There being no objection, SB 127 was reported from the House Health and Social Services Standing Committee.