ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE  HOUSE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES  STANDING COMMITTEE  January 22, 2004 3:26 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Peggy Wilson, Chair Representative Carl Gatto, Vice Chair Representative Paul Seaton Representative Sharon Cissna Representative Mary Kapsner MEMBERS ABSENT  Representative John Coghill Representative Kelly Wolf COMMITTEE CALENDAR ^PRESENTATION BY THE GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL ON DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL EDUCATION   [For the regular meeting minutes, see the 3:03 p.m. minutes for this date.]   TAPES  04-5, SIDE(S) A CHAIR PEGGY WILSON reconvened the meeting of the House Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee at 3:26 p.m. Representatives Wilson, Gatto, Seaton, Cissna, and Kapsner were present at the call to order. SUMMARY OF INFORMATION    KATHLEEN FITZGERALD, Vice-Chair, Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education, presented the main part of the overview. She spoke of the history and work of the council and also spoke about some of the council's policy objectives. GAYLA VALLE, Member, Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education, spoke of her son, and the valuable services granted to him through the work of the council. She also presented other useful information about the council specifically. JODI RUMPF, Legislative Chair, Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education, spoke of the importance of a redesigned infant program, as well as the importance for a newborn hearing-screening test to diagnose children with hearing disabilities. She said that such screenings could save the state money by allowing children with hearing disabilities to learn language skills faster, and then they would need less assistance later in their educational career.   MILLIE RYAN, Executive Director, Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education, spoke of how cost analyses are underway to establish the long-term cost/benefits of many related programs. Ms. Ryan also spoke of using Medicaid funding to assist schools in providing covered mental and physical assistance to disabled students.   ANNOUNCEMENTS  There were no announcements. COMMITTEE ACTION  The committee took no action. ADJOURNMENT  There being no further business before the committee, the House Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 3:48 p.m. NOTE: The meeting was recorded and handwritten log notes were taken. A copy of the tape(s) and log notes may be obtained by contacting the House Records Office at State Capitol, Room 3, Juneau, Alaska 99801 (mailing address), (907) 465-2214, and after adjournment of the second session of the Twenty-Third Alaska State Legislature this information may be obtained by contacting the Legislative Reference Library at (907) 465-3808.