SB 31-SEXUAL ABUSE/ASSAULT PREVENTION PROGRAMS  3:45:45 PM CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced the consideration of SB 31. He said it was the second hearing. T.J. PRESLEY, Staff, Senator Berta Gardner, Alaska State Legislature, presented changes in version H of SB 31. He said the changes address some of the concerns of superintendents and clarify language. He noted other changes are forthcoming after discussion with the Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) and superintendents. MR. PRESLEY presented the sectional analysis: Section 1: No changes The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to read: SHORT TITLE. Section 4 of this Act may be known as Erin's Law. Section 2: Conforming  AS 14.30.070(b) amended to read: (b) The Department of Health and Social Services may require the district to conduct [ADDITIONAL] physical examinations that it considers necessary, and may reimburse the district for the [ADDITIONAL] examinations on the basis and to the extent the commissioner of health and social services prescribes by regulation. Explanation: Conforms to AS 14.30.070(a) repeal in Section 7 Section 3: Substantive  AS 14.30.075 Repeal requirement that school districts pay for physical examinations for teachers. Section 4: Substantive  AS 14.30.355 Substance of Erin's Law Clarifies that notices are sent to parents instead of "student, parent teacher notification" Clarifies that training is required for mandated reporters Clarifies frequency of training to comport with mandated reporter training (c) Initially, within six months of employment for a new teacher or administrative staff member, including an athletic coach; and (2) thereafter, at least once every five years. Section 5: Conforming  Conforms to repeal of AS 14.30.070(a) in section 7 Section 6: Substantive  Repeals requirement that certificated preschool teachers must be fingerprinted and background checked a second time after being hired. Section 7: Substantive  Repeals: AS 14.30.070. Physical examination required (a) the governing body of each school district shall provide for and require a physical examination of every child attending school in the district. The examination shall be made when the child enters school or, in areas where no physician resides, as soon thereafter as is practicable, and thereafter at regular intervals considered advisable by the governing body of the district. For purposes of this subsection, physical examinations, within the scope of chiropractic practice, may be conducted by a chiropractor AS 14.30.120. Certificate of physical examination the school board, when physical examinations are made, shall deliver to the parent, guardian, or other person having the responsibility for or control of the child a report signed by the physician or nurse making the examination, specifying the findings with respect to the health and physical well-being of the child. For purposes of this subsection, physician examinations, within the scope of chiropractic practice, may be conducted by a chiropractor. 3:47:47 PM At ease 3:48:04 PM SENATOR HUGGINS moved to adopt the CS for SB 31, labeled 29- LS0420\H, as the working document. CHAIR DUNLEAVY objected for discussion. MR. PRESLEY continued to describe the changes in version H. 3:53:00 PM CHAIR DUNLEAVY opened public testimony. 3:53:32 PM ROSEMARY WEBB, Co-President Child Lures Prevention, testified in support of SB 31. JENNIFER MITCHELL, Co-President, Child Lures Prevention, testified in support of SB 31. She asked if Alaska is looking for pre-K through 12 education for sex abuse prevention. CHAIR DUNLEAVY said yes. MS. MITCHELL related that Child Lures Prevention provides developmentally appropriate and research-based educational programming for pre-K through sixth grade and for grades 7 - 12. They both align with national health education standards. She stressed the importance of teaching this curriculum in schools. She said 50 percent of sexually abused children experience the abuse in the home. The use of mandated reporters working in schools presents a good opportunity to teach children. She shared statistics about sexual abuse of children. She said prevention education does improve children's knowledge and skills related to abuse prevention. She said Child Lures Prevention would be honored to work with school districts in Alaska. CHAIR DUNLEAVY asked the sponsor if the presenters will discuss their curriculum and how it is delivered. MR. PRESLEY suggested also learning how the curriculum was developed. MS. WEBB described the program and its availability on CD, DVD, USB flash drive, and, soon, on a web site. 3:57:10 PM CHAIR DUNLEAVY pointed out that state law mandates that curriculum is adopted at the local level. The committee is simply hearing curriculum options. SENATOR GARDNER named the programs available as found in members' packets. She asked if "Affection Lures - Safe and Healthy Boundaries" is one of Child Lures Prevention's programs. MS. WEBB said yes. SENATOR GARDNER asked about the cost of the program. MS. WEBB explained that the programs are turnkey and provide a 45 minute training video, scripted lesson plans for all grade levels, and student videos. If one school ordered a program kit it would cost $489, plus shipping; there is a bulk rate of $439 each for six. 3:59:14 PM KATE TOVIAS, Employee, Committee for Children, spoke of curriculum developed for child protection. She said the non- profit organization has created a social/emotional learning program for children called "Second Step," as well as a child protection unit. She said the vision statement for the Committee for Children is "Safe Children Thriving in a Peaceful World." She stressed that "safe" is the key word. She said training for all programs is online. She listed several types of programs. She referred to an article titled "Safe, Supported, and Ready to Learn" in members packets. She noted they have done research with the Adverse Child Effect Study (ACES.) She said the scope and sequence of the Child Protection Unit is also in members' packets. Mandatory training is required and the program focuses on safety and is developmentally appropriate. She described examples of lessons. She described the training involved for the three modules and said that all information is available online. 4:06:40 PM CHAIR DUNLEAVY recognized testifiers available for questions. CHAIR DUNLEAVY removed his objection. There being no further objection, the CS for SB 31, version H, was adopted. He noted the sponsor is still working on the bill. He thanked Senator Gardner for her work with various organizations to fine- tune the bill. CHAIR DUNLEAVY held SB 31 in committee.