SB 159 MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT DECLARATIONS  SENATOR STEVE RIEGER, sponsor of SB 159, summarized the legislation as follows. SB 159 provides advance directives for mental health treatment. Currently patients are entitled to make an informed consent about the type of treatment used for mental illness however when patients undergo treatment they are often not legally competent to make treatment decisions. SB 159 creates a structure whereby a potential patient may, in advance, appoint an attorney- in-fact to make the decision on the patient's behalf, or to fill out an advanced directive in writing which states the preferred course of treatment when legally incompetent. SENATOR TAYLOR noted his appreciation for the legislation since there are times when people are lucid and capable of making this type of decision yet know the possibility of becoming incompetent in the future exists. SENATOR GREEN announced three of the committee members heard testimony on SB 159 in the Senate HESS committee. DOROTHY PEAVEY, representing Mental Health Consumers of Alaska, testified in support of SB 159. The bill gives more power and authority to mental health consumers in making treatment decisions at a time when they have very little voice or validity. If the choices a patient makes are inappropriate, medical staff can consult with the attorney-in-fact. SB 159 also provides medical staff with a starting point, because often patients arrive with little paperwork or treatment history and people in crisis are not the best historians or in a position to give permission for medication. This measure has been endorsed by the Mental Health Board, the Mental Health Directors' Association, Southcentral Counseling, Alaska Psychologists' Association, Charter North Hospital, Nursing Home and Hospital Association, the Bridges Campaign, and the Department of Health and Social Services. Although SB 159 has a zero fiscal note, it may save money because at present, when a person is admitted to a hospital and refuses medication, the state must go to a forced medication hearing, tying up the time and efforts of a judge, an attorney general, a public defender, and a state psychiatrist. SB 159 will decrease the need for many of these hearings. SENATOR TAYLOR noted he has met with Dr. Abel who voiced the Department of Health and Social Services' support for SB 159. RICHARD RAINERY, Executive Director of the Alaska Mental Health Board, expressed the Board's support for SB 159 and urged the committee's favorable action. There being no further testimony, Senators Ellis and Green jointly moved CSSB 159(HES) to the next committee of referral with individual recommendations. There being no objection, it was so ordered.