SENATE BILL NO. 216 "An Act relating to sexual abuse and sexual assault awareness and prevention efforts in public schools; establishing a task force in the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault; and providing for an effective date." 9:08:28 AM Vice-Chair Fairclough MOVED to ADOPT the committee substitute for CSSB 216(FIN), Work Draft 28-LS1617\R (Mischel, 4/10/14). There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. AMY SALTZMAN, STAFF, SENATOR LESIL MCGUIRE, announced that the only change in the CS was on page 1, lines 10 and 11, and added in consultation with the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. The new section would read, "The governing body of each school district, shall, in consultation with the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault adopt and implement a policy; establish a mandatory training program for employees and students enrolled in kindergarten and provide publications related to sexual assault and sexual assault awareness and prevention to parents, students, and staff. She stated that the additions followed through to all the requirements listed in subsection B. PATTY OWEN, EDUCATION SPECIALIST, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT, introduced herself. LAUREE MORTON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COUNCIL ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, introduced herself. Vice-Chair Fairclough stated that there were more than 120 school districts in Alaska and over 120 different policies. She stated that there were some discussions regarding prevention. An education specialist was hired to work with the students, and she wondered how the collaboration with the council was operating. Ms. Owen replied that she had stepped into her position three years prior to address health and safety issues in the schools, particularly domestic violence and sexual assault prevention. She stated that she represented Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) on the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. She shared that the focus had been on the Four R Healthy Relationships Curriculum, which was voluntary curriculum that had broad support in the state to develop healthy relationships among students. She stated that she was currently expecting the results from a three- year formal evaluation of the implementation of the curriculum. She explained that the Four R Curriculum addressed grades 7 through 9, and stated that there were some efforts to add curriculum for the elementary grades. She stressed that the curriculum did not address personal safety education curriculum. She stated that legislation would be the first type of health curricula in schools. The education was encouraged, but not required. 9:15:37 AM Vice-Chair Fairclough wondered if the adoption of the law would be focused on K-12. Ms. Owen replied in the affirmative. Vice-Chair Fairclough stressed that there must be support for the child, once the child admits their situation. She wondered how the children would be supported. Ms. Morton responded that there was an intention to reach out to the smaller communities' available resources that were identified as respectful and safe adults. The department would work to incorporate the curricula in the communities. Vice-Chair Fairclough stressed that the school districts would not be immediately effective upon adoption of the curriculum. She wondered if there would be a schedule for implementation, to ensure that the safety network was in place. Ms. Morton replied in the affirmative. She stated that there was some prevention work that was already in place, and the legislation would support and supplement the existing programs. Vice-Chair Fairclough stressed that the children must be protected. Senator Dunleavy wondered if the Department of Law had weighed in on the legislation. Ms. Morton deferred to the sponsor. Senator Dunleavy wondered if the training had evolved since an incident that took place at a preschool many years prior. Ms. Owen replied that she was unfamiliar with the case. Co-Chair Meyer asked what case Senator Dunleavy was referencing. Senator Dunleavy responded that the McMartin Preschool case in California, which had unexpected results. Co-Chair Meyer wondered if the Department of Law had expressed an opinion on the bill. Ms. Saltzman replied that the Department of Law had not weighed in on the legislation. Vice-Chair Fairclough MOVED to REPORT CSSB 216(FIN) out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CSSB 216(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with previously published fiscal impact note: FN1 (EED). 9:23:16 AM AT EASE 9:25:27 AM RECONVENED