SB 80-PUBLIC SCHOOLS: MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION  2:14:28 PM CHAIR WILSON reconvened the meeting and announced the consideration SENATE BILL NO. 80 "An Act relating to mental health education." An overview of the bill, sectional analysis and public testimony were heard on April 6. SENATOR ELVI GRAY-JACKSON, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, read her sponsor statement: SB 80 amends the existing health education curriculum statute to include mental health curriculum in all K- 12 health classrooms to adequately educate students on vital information pertaining to mental health symptoms, resources, and treatment. Currently, the health curriculum guidelines include prevention and treatment of diseases; learning about "good" health practices including diet, exercise, and personal hygiene; and "bad" health habits such as substance abuse, alcoholism, and patterns of physical abuse. But the guidelines do not address mental health. Following passage of SB80, the Alaska State Board of Education and Early Development and the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) will develop guidelines for instruction in mental health in consultation with the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) and representatives of national, state, and tribal mental health organizations. Such organizations include, but are not limited to, the National Council for Behavioral Health, Providence Health and Services Alaska, Southcentral Foundation, Anchorage Community Mental Health Services, Inc., North Star Behavioral Health System, and the National Alliance on Mental Health Illness Alaska. The standards will be developed in consultation with counselors, educators, students, administrators, and other mental health organizations to form effective guidelines for school boards, teachers, and students. After standards have been developed, the Alaska State Board of Education and Early Development and DEED will be responsible for implementation throughout the Alaska school system. As with existing health education curriculum, the DEED, the DHSS, and the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault will provide technical assistance to school districts in the development of personal safety curricula. An existing school health education specialist position will assist in coordinating the program statewide. The State has a responsibility to treat the current mental health crisis in Alaska as a serious public health issue. By creating mental health education standards and encouraging schools to teach a mental health curriculum, SB80 aims to decrease the stigma surrounding mental illnesses and increase students' knowledge of mental health, encouraging conversation around and understanding of the issue. 2:17:31 PM SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON recalled there was an amendment by Senator Begich that changed the bill. SENATOR BEGICH replied that language was made more general so more entities could participate in creating the curriculum. It was confirmed in the [education] committee that the Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) would oversee writing the curriculum. SENATOR HUGHES mentioned that she was concerned about age appropriateness of curriculum content and young children being unduly influenced. SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON responded the amendment was made in the education committee and that during the meeting several questions were asked. She stated her office provided follow-up answers to all questions asked by the education committee. SENATOR REINBOLD informed members that she did research and found there are organizations, such as the Alaska Parental Rights organization, that oppose the bill. She determined that the bill crosses the domain of family boundaries. She believes parents should focus on a child's mental capacity, health and sexuality and let schools focus on education. Content in education is being increasingly infiltrated by social, sexual and political agendas that can harm children and undermine parental rights. 2:22:33 PM CHAIR WILSON moved Amendment 1. AMENDMENT 1  32-LS0514\B.4 Klein 4/12/21 OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR WILSON TO: CSSB 80(EDC) Page 2, following line 17: Insert a new bill section to read:   "* Sec. 4. AS 14.30.360 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (e) A district may not instruct a student in mental health as part of a program in health education under (a) of this section without informed consent from the student's parent or guardian. The district shall inform the child's parent or guardian, in the native language of the parent or guardian, of the time, date, and content of the mental health instruction, that consent is voluntary, and that consent may be revoked at any time. Before instructing a student in mental health, the district shall obtain written consent from the parent or guardian indicating that the parent or guardian understands and agrees to the student's participation in the mental health instruction." Renumber the following bill section accordingly. 2:22:42 PM SENATOR HUGHES objected for purposes of discussion. CHAIR WILSON stated Amendment 1 would start on page 2 line 17. He read Amendment 1. He stated he supports mental health education in the schools, but constituents desired to have parents be informed of curriculum content and provide permission to attend. SENATOR REINBOLD asked if the program would be opt-in elective only, with parental permission. CHAIR WILSON replied yes; that is the intent of the amendment. SENATOR HUGHES stated she heard the same request from parents and had a similar bill in place. She thanked Chair Wilson for bringing his amendment forward. SENATOR COSTELLO commented that she also had been contacted by parents and had been working on an amendment before realizing Chair Wilson had an amendment in place. SENATOR BEGICH commented that Amendment 1 seems like and option on top of an option. The bill creates the option for each school district to provide mental health as part of its healthcare education. Other elements of health education do not require parental consent. He understands but does not support the opt-in requirement. He does not see how the bill is a threat to parents or students. He opposes the idea because students most in need can be kept from the curriculum. However, he will support the amendment. 2:27:03 PM SENATOR HUGHES removed her objection. CHAIR WILSON asked if there was further objection; finding none, Amendment 1 was passed. SENATOR HUGHES stated she appreciates the heart of the sponsor and students but has concerns about the bill. The bill, not passing, does not prevent local school boards from developing a mental health curriculum. She wants mental health destigmatized, and students informed on mental health resources. The scope of the bill is too wide. Pinning mental health in adolescent education narrowly to depression and suicide would be better. The bill has a de-preparing curriculum that is not required to be used by districts. Curriculum prepared at the state level loses local control. She believes mental health education should be at the district level. 2:29:20 PM CHAIR WILSON solicited a motion to move the bill from committee. SENATOR HUGHES moved to report the proposed committee substitute (CS) for SB 80, work order 32-LS0514\B as amended, from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal notes (s). SENATOR HUGHES objected. CHAIR WILSON asked for a roll call vote. 2:29:43 PM A roll call vote was taken. Senators Costello, Begich, and Wilson voted in favor of reporting SB 80 as amended from committee and Senators Hughes and Reinbold voted against it. Therefore, the motion passed by a 3:2 vote. CHAIR WILSON stated that with 3 yeas and 2 nays, CSSB 80(HSS) moved from the Senate Health and Social Services Standing Committee.