SB 101-STUDENT QUESTIONNAIRES AND SURVEYS  8:30:29 AM VICE CHAIR DAVIS announced the consideration of SB 101. 8:31:14 AM TOM OBERMEYER, staff to Senator Davis, sponsor of SB 101, said this bill will permit students and their parents to opt out from participating in surveys and questionnaires by writing a letter. It also says that they can still participate in the anonymous youth risk behavior survey without parental consent. The reason this issue has come forward is because the youth risk assessment didn't have the required 60 percent participation for validation. It is considered very important in measuring the issues that come before youth, and it is administered every couple of years. 8:35:01 AM SENATOR HUGGINS commented that students have two avenues to opt out of the survey or to not answer a question even if the parents say yes. 8:35:29 AM SENATOR OLSON asked what kind of questions this survey asks. MR. OBERMEYER answered that they are very personal and specific questions regarding sexual activity and drug use that some students or parents may take issue with. 8:36:57 AM SENATOR OLSON asked at what age students are taking this survey. MR. OBERMEYER replied high school age. 8:37:14 AM SENATOR OLSON asked if this survey had been given in rural Alaska. VICE CHAIR DAVIS replied yes. 8:37:30 AM SENATOR OLSON asked how many other states are not participating because they don't meet the 60 percent level. VICE CHAIR DAVIS answered that Alaska participates, but it didn't reach 60 percent mark. MR. OBERMEYER clarified that he said Alaska didn't reach a 60 percent participation level for validation by the CDC. All states participate, and he said federal funding is involved. SENATOR OLSON asked if there is a question of parental rights. MR. OBERMEYER answered yes; that is one of the main issues in this bill. It provides due process rights by giving adequate written notification two weeks in advance to parents that the survey will be given. If they don't consent, the survey may go forward. The students are told the survey is coming, but they don't have to answer specific questions or participate. SENATOR OLSON asked if there are repercussions if a student doesn't answer the questions. MR. OBERMEYER answered, "None at all." 8:39:02 AM SENATOR OLSON asked who is opposing the bill. VICE CHAIR DAVIS replied that she hasn't heard of any opposition. 8:39:43 AM SENATOR HUGGINS moved to report SB 101 from committee with individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, the motion carried.