HB 307-EXPANDING PRISONER ACCESS TO COMPUTERS  [Contains discussion of SB 209.]   3:01:26 PM CO-CHAIR FIELDS announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 307, "An Act relating to living conditions for prisoners." 3:02:01 PM CO-CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS moved to adopt Amendment 1, Version 31- LS1663\A.2, Radford, 3/12/20, which read: Page 3, lines 8 - 9: Delete "and reintegration into society" Insert "or the prisoner's compliance with a  reentry plan or case plan developed under  AS 33.30.011" Page 3, lines 11 - 12: Delete "as part of a reentry plan or case plan  developed under AS 33.30.011" Insert "health care" REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON objected for discussion purposes. CO-CHAIR FIELDS relayed that it is important for people reentering society to use a computer to access "health care" to maintain health coverage, for addiction treatment, and to sign up for Medicaid [health care insurance]. CO-CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS asked for the position of the Department of Corrections (DOC) on the proposed amendment. 3:03:03 PM KELLY HOWELL, Special Assistant to the Commissioner, Department of Corrections (DOC), responded that it was DOC's intent that HB 307 include situations such as application for health benefits. REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS asked whether subparagraph (I) [page 3, lines 6-13, of HB 307] would apply to obtaining an identification (ID). MS. HOWELL replied that obtaining an ID is not addressed in the proposed legislation; however, there are other sections in statute allowing for DOC to assist reentering offenders with obtaining a state ID. She mentioned a Senate bill [SB 209] that proposes requiring collaboration between the Department of Administration (DOA) and DOC. REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON offered his understanding that Medicaid does not cover inmates in a prison facility but does if they are hospitalized. 3:05:09 PM LAURA BROOKS, Health Care Administrator, Division of Health and Rehabilitation, Department of Corrections (DOC), answered that he is correct that federal regulation does not allow DOC to charge for inmate health care unless the inmate is admitted to a hospital for 24 hours or more. She stated that under Amendment 1, DOC could assist inmates with applying for Medicaid as part of their reentry plans. Currently offenders fill out paper applications 30 days prior to release; this causes a backlog for the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), since Medicaid applications are typically now electronic. Amendment 1 would allow offenders to submit an electronic application for Medicaid while they are incarcerated, alleviating the DHSS backlog. REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON removed his objection to Amendment 1. There being no further objection, it was so ordered. MS. HOWELL, in response to Representative Kreiss-Tomkins, confirmed that SB 207 is the bill before the Senate that would foster greater collaboration between DOC and DOA for securing IDs for inmates upon release. CO-CHAIR FIELDS asked how extensive the bill language is regarding coordination with DOA. MS. HOWELL explained that SB 207 would require DOA to mail to a DOC facility - at the applicant's request - an ID or driver's license; it would require the two departments to collaborate in good faith to ensure that an inmate, who is sentenced to an active term of imprisonment of 120 days or more, is provided with a state ID card prior to release. She maintained that DOA and DOC have been working towards this collaboration and will continue to support it. CO-CHAIR FIELDS asked whether corresponding language should be added to HB 307. MS. HOWELL opined that the department would not be opposed to inserting such language. 3:09:14 PM CO-CHAIR FIELDS opened public testimony on HB 307. After ascertaining that there was no one who wished to testify, he closed public testimony. REPRESENTATIVE VANCE expressed her appreciation to the department for addressing her concerns. REPRESENTATIVE STORY offered her support for HB 307. 3:10:21 PM CO-CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS moved to report HB 307, as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal note. There being no objection, CSHB 307(STA) was reported from the House State Affairs Standing Committee.