CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 50(JUD) "An Act relating to the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children; establishing an interstate commission for the placement of children; amending Rules 4 and 24(b), Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure; and providing for an effective date." RYNNIEVA MOSS, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE JOHN COGHILL, explained that the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children has several problems. States have been joining forces to compose a new compact that has accountability and allows the states to agree on regulations of conformity that will result in children being placed in foster care a shorter length of time before being placed with relatives and friends in other states. She shared Representative Coghill's story behind deciding to come forth with the legislation in order to help children. Ms. Moss reported that under this legislation, work studies would be completed in sixty days, rather than three months to a year, as happens now. 10:18:23 AM MARCIA PICKERING, DEPUTY COMPACT ADMINISTRATOR, SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAM COORDINATOR, OFFICE OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES (OCS), DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, explained the requirements of the new Compact, which are intended to return uniformity to the process, establish accountability, and ensure safe and timely placements of children in foster care to homes in other states. The Compact should shorten the time spent in foster care to two months because there will be an opportunity to request an assessment vs. a full- blown home study. The assessment will allow for provisional approval from another state more quickly. Ms. Pickering explained that the provisions in the new Compact will help address the frustrations the state, judges, and others have had. It will provide for administrative rule-making and enforcement. In the past there has not been any accountability in enforcement. It will also provide for supervision services for children already placed. It will provide for uniform data collection and information sharing and require oversight by an in-state advisory committee made up of administration, judiciary, and legislative participants. 10:20:31 AM Co-Chair Hoffman asked how the bill relates to the Indian Child Welfare Act. Ms. Pickering shared her understanding of the purpose of the placement responsibilities of the Act. The Compact will help facilitate the placements recommended by the Act. Co-Chair Hoffman asked if it conflicted with the Indian Child Welfare Act's intention to place children with a native family. Ms. Pickering said it did not. 10:22:09 AM Senator Elton referred to page 27, Section 6, where the Governor is replaced with the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Social Services. He questioned the constitutionality of that change. Ms. Moss said that the Department of Law was involved in drafting the language. She related the history of analyzing the language in the old Compact. The Governor's office, Attorney General's office, as well as private attorneys, have been involved in drafting this legislation. Senator Elton wondered if "the Governor may delegate" would be better. Ms. Moss referred to statutes that transfer authority to the commissioner to be on the commission and to be involved in promulgating regulations for states to use as guidelines for placement of children. She predicted it would be labor intensive for the first several years. It would be consistent with other laws. Senator Elton assumed it would not restrict an acting commissioner. Ms. Moss thought an acting commissioner was considered to be the commissioner. Senator Elton requested the bill be set aside to answer that question. 10:25:51 AM Senator Thomas stated support for the bill. He asked how many children the bill would affect. Ms. Pickering said there were about 150 children placed outside the state. About 38 of those are in relative foster care, about 50 are in residential programs, and the rest are with parents, relatives, and adoption placement. CSHB 50 (JUD) was heard and HELD in Committee for further consideration. AT-EASE: 10:28:01 AM RECONVENED: 10:32:30 AM CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 50(JUD) "An Act relating to the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children; establishing an interstate commission for the placement of children; amending Rules 4 and 24(b), Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure; and providing for an effective date." Co-Chair Stedman remarked that the bill was held because of Senator Elton's concerns. He referred to a legal memo that addresses those concerns (copy on file.) Senator Elton agreed that his questions were answered. Senator Thomas MOVED to REPORT CSHB 50(JUD) from Committee with individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CSHB 50(JUD) was REPORTED from Committee with "no recommendation" and with previously published zero fiscal note #1 by the Department of Administration and fiscal note #2 by the Department of Health and Social Services. AT EASE: 3:48:49 PM RECONVENED: 3:55:58 PM