SB 243-POSTSECONDARY STUDENT IMMUNIZATION    The committee took up SB 243. CHAIR DYSON noted that Senator Davis had joined the meeting approximately 10 minutes ago. SENATOR KIM ELTON, sponsor of the bill, provided the sponsor statement, saying SB 243 addresses postsecondary educational institutions in Alaska notifying students of the dangers of this type of meningitis. This is a potentially fatal bacterial infection that most commonly attacks the brain and spinal cord or presents as a bacteria in the blood. It can result in permanent brain damage, hearing loss, learning disability, organ failure, loss of limbs, and sometimes death. Twenty-six hundred people contract this disease each year, and about 10 to 15 percent die from the disease. College students, especially freshmen living in dormitories, have been found to be at-risk and are six times more likely to contract this type of meningitis. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all college students, particularly freshmen living in dormitories, learn more about the disease and consider vaccination. SENATOR ELTON continued that SB 243 doesn't mandate vaccination but provides that Alaskan postsecondary institutions notify students planning to reside on campus housing, of the risk. Students would be required to sign a document provided by the institution, indicating they have received an immunization or have received a notice of the information regarding immunization. The bill is not unusual; it is the same bill that's been presented in 23 other states that either have pending or adopted the legislation. CHAIR DYSON asked if there was a fiscal note. SENATOR ELTON replied postsecondary education had a zero fiscal note. He explained this would be additional information attached to already existing information - probably on the same page - requiring a potential student to notify the institution that he/she has been immunized or had received the information. CHAIR DYSON said before acting on the bill, he wanted to hear from the administration. SENATOR GREEN asked if there were additional diseases - other than meningitis - on campus environments that have caused this level of concern. SENATOR ELTON said he would check on this but meningitis was the one that the CDC brought to the attention of states and higher education institutions. SENATOR GREEN asked if this issue required legislation. SENATOR ELTON said probably not. If postsecondary education wanted to proceed, nothing would restrict that; this bill is based on model legislation adopted in other states. CHAIR DYSON asked if there was information from Alaska's university system in the packet. SENATOR ELTON said the information was from CDC and other sources. CHAIR DYSON said he would appreciate information from the university administration and also from the state's public health or disease control office. SENATOR ELTON mentioned that conversations had already been held with university lobbyists. CHAIR DYSON said he would like knowing that the university supports, or at least does not have a problem with SB 243. He announced the bill would be held until that additional information was obtained.