----------------------- Page 1----------------------- 1971-72 HOUSE HEALTH WELFARE AND EDUCATION COMMITTEEJvoL.l TABLE OF CONTENTS 1971 MINUTES: 1/13/1971 - 5/111971 1971-72 HHWE MINLOG vOL.l ----------------------- Page 2----------------------- (, ----------------------- Page 3----------------------- January 13, 1971 Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. with all members present. Chairman Chance stated that the purpose of the meeting was organizational to define how the committee would operate. She pointed out that file folders with copies of bills and notes which the members wanted to keep could be kept in a file cabinet in the conference room. Chairman Chance then brought up the matter of subcommittees- The members had a choice of dividing up in groups of Health, Education, or Welfare, or to choose each bill individually as it came up. Mr. Naughton felt that choosing bill by bill would be more fair as it would even out the load. Chairman Chance merttiorted that if a bill concerns something which costs money it would have to have a fiscal note attached. before it left the committee. What you do is contact the depart- ment that is involved and they will send it down. (That's by statute.) One should also go the sponsor and get background information and then find out the people who are involved with it. Sometimes telephone information is sufficient, other times it may be necessary to get it in writing. The subcommittee is responsible for all problem and come information on the bill. Chairman Chance stated that if the bill required a public hearing, she should be notified, and one would be scheduled . . HB 4 Mr. Specking volunteered to do the research on this bill. He stated that he would contact the Commissioner of Revenue and ask for a fiscal note and an analysis of the bill. HB I Mr. Moore, Mr. Specking, and Mr. Whittaker decided to take this "bill under consideration. Mrs. Chance suggested that they contact the Dept. of Education and also see the lobbyst and the two universities and Sheldon Jackson. HB 35 Mr. Naughton agreed to be the subcommittee on this bill. He stated that he would contact Commissioner Hartman. HB 34 Mr. Whittaker, Mr. Naughton, and Mr. Moore - volunteered to research this bill. The Alaska Nurses Association will be contacted. Chairman Chance adjourned the meeting .at 2:20 p.m. Kirsten Cashen, Secretary ----------------------- Page 4----------------------- January 15, 1971 Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. with all members but Whittaker present. Mrs. Chance pointed out that an agenda for the Alaska Comprehensive Health Advisory Council had been distributed to the members. There was a three day meeting going on which she felt would be profitable to the committee members should they attend. Mrs. Chance went on to give a schedule of things to be taken up at future meetings. On Monday, the Commissioner of the Dept of Education along with key personnel would give a briefing of his department. On Wednesday, the Dept. of Health and Welfare would do the same thing. iB 51 iB 52 As these bills are closely associated with HB 1, Nrs. Chance suggested that they should go under the same subcommittee. Mr. Specking agreed to act as Chairman of the sub-committee. HB 53 Mr. Naughton volunteered to research this bill. Mrs. Chance stated that it would be wise for each member to look closely at the budget document and read the summary at the back of each section so that when the committee starts talking about additional programs to be funded, they will know how to fit them ( in. Mr .Specking stated that he would like to have someone come in to speak to the committee who was familiar with the school foundation act. Mrs. Chance agreed to arrange for the Commissioner of Ed. to speak on the subject. Mrs. Chance told the committee that she had requested the"Alaska Plan on Vocational Education". She said that later on when they got into that they would find that they would also have to call on the Dept. of Labor and the Dept. of Welfare. However, they would start out with the Dept. of Education. Mrs. Chance adjourned the meeting at 2:50 p.m. Kirsten Cashen, Secretary ----------------------- Page 5----------------------- January 18, 1971 Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. with all members present. Mrs. Chance informed the members that the reports and notes in their folders were from the various meetings they had sat in on over the weekend. Later they would receive copies of the final meeting's minutes where recommendations were being made. She then introduced Commissioner Hartman of the Department of Edu- cation who gave the members an organizational chart to help iden- tiry some people and give the departments structure. He stated that there were seven divisions in the department, all of which were shown on the chart. He went on to give a brief overview of what the main functions of the Dept. of Ed. are. He divided them into three major functions: service leadership, and regulatory. He added that there was one additional function which they would have until July 1, 1971--the operation of Borough schools. At that time it would come uner a new board of directors made up of 7 mem- bers, much like any other autonomous school board. The members would be appointed by the governor and the legislature would be asked to approve their budget. The Commissioner informed the committee that service included the development of federal program proposals as well as implementation of programs. The programs include such things as student scholar- ships, teacher instruction, and various types of rese arch dissemi- nation to different schools. 100% of student transportation outside of 1 1/2 miles away is paid for. This is at a cost of $3 million. Service also includes the interpretation of laws, rules, and regula- tions for teachers, principles, and parents ... Under the regulatory functions come the administration of statutes, and reacting to rules and regulations from the department of Adminis- tration, issuing teaching certificates, giving educational program approvals, and establishment of ciriculum for students. Leadership includes developing guidlines which give minimum standards or provide broad latitudes on what the students ought to be taught. An example of cirriculum guides are the new Alaska readers which are being provided through grade 3 in the rural areas. They are culturally relevant books in terms of the words and pictures made especially for the Alaskan Educational Program. Commissioner Hartman then called the committee's attention to two books: "Planning for Human Resources",which gives fiscal information for the next five years, and "Directions 70",which is the more philo- sophical theoretical side of it Dr. Jones, the Director of the Division of Instructional Services, spoke to the committee next. He also passed out copies of an organiza- tional chart for his division. He began speaking by saying that ----------------------- Page 6----------------------- they had very little money with which to entice school districts to do anything. Their main role is one of leadership, that of assisting school districts and other agencies in the state with instructional programs. The end goal is the best constructive system for each child which means that they must approach this in many different ways. Thus, the division is divided into many different sections to make it possible to concentrate on the needs of the child. They have a section for correspondence service with 500-600 children enrolled which is of great benefit to the children who live far from regularly operated schools. There is a special educa- tion section with two consultants one for planning and physical services and the other in field services. Another consultant is authorized and may develop into a specialist for hard of hearing youngsters. There is a section for teacher's education and certifi- cation. They supervise the issuance of teacher's certificates. They have an advisory group to help them For teacher's education they are trying to get the Universites to develop a training program. Consulting service is a larger section of the division They have pecialists in subject matter and guidance programs which includes the whole area of guidance. There are two generalists for elementary and secondary consultants, the others are specialists. His division directs and operates teacher's training programs and in-service training and helps insitutions with pre-training programs. THey would like to see more in-service training workshops within alcolic schools In this way they could use both their own people and outside people to help direct training programs. Dr. Jones went on to speak about some of the programs they are in- volved with now. In order to give service to children in each district they must design a program which fits the needs of the children so they are working on programs with the office of planning and research in the developmertt of students. One such program is developing stan- dards and criteria for approval and presentation of school accredation. There is a program for early childhood education to get youngsters started off on an even keel in the first grade. They are also trying to individualize instruction programs so they are encouraging school districts to work closely with their office in order to develop projects. They are concerned with all phases of intercultural education--using the media of language for instruction and communication; biolingual aids, really bio-lingual education. Sectional' programs are involved. They try to make people available for consultation with school districts. Thus , consultants are in the field as often as possible so that there is a high traveling budget. Mr. Specking asked about plans for environmental education. Dr. Jones answered saying that they had Larry Hill as a consultant. Mr. Hill has been working for the state of Washington for many years and is well qualified. He is now developing a plan for a state program. It is in the preliminary stages now. Once it is worked out they will have state-wide meetings for recommendations. Environmental education involves the total aspect of the child and his growth into adulthood. The urban environment is as important as the natural. The environment can be used as a vehicle for other subjects such as art, math, and composition. it can be a motivational factor. Teachers are taken on ----------------------- Page 7----------------------- workshops showing how it can be done. Mrs. Chance asked if the project at Kenai last year was one of these workshops. Dr. Jones said that the one at Kenai was different from other workshops in that it was federally funded. However, they had assisted there. Mr. Whittaker asked about the number of emergency certificates in the state at this time. Commissioner Hartman answered that out of the 850 teachers in the rural schools last year, there had been 8 emergency certificats, or about 1%. This year it had been cut down to 4. Out of the other 3200 teachers in the state, there are about 6 tD 8 emergency certificates. He said that he would have the actual number sent over to him. Mr. Whittaker asked about the statutory basis for this certificate. Dr. Jones stated that the Alaska Code says that the rules devised through the Teacher's CertifLcate Advisory Board be based upon the principle that the primary area of improving teachers is in teacher's training programs at the universities. Working with this and examin- ing operations at the universities and then approving or not or making recommendations. If the teacher goes through training, he is certified. Up until this time, semester hours in the transcript have been re- quired for certification. Mrs." Chance asked if it has been pushed to have mental health training required before being certified. Dr. Jones stated that at the present time no action on that recommendation has been considered. Mr. Specking asked what they were asking for in early childhood edu- cation. Commissioner Hartman said that they would recommend to Egan that he provide for a phase-in program for handicapped and culturally, socially, economicallly deprived children. It would be 15% the first year, then 45% until phased in over the years. He stated that they have asked for that legislation which means lowering public school- education from 5 to 3. Mrs. Chance asked if that was for segregated groups. Commissioner Hartman answered, "Unfortunately, initially, yes- Mr. Willard Bowman asked about counseling for the elementary grade levels". Commisioner Hartman stated that in the rural areas there was no reason why there couldn't be a rotating counselor. Mr. Bowman said that he found it disturbing that the only time his children saw counselors was when they had done something wrong. He thought that if counselors saw children earlier, before they did something wrong, it would be "much more helpful. Commissioner Hartman said that in terms of adjustment there was no question but that qualified counselors could assist. if this is demonstrated as one of the needs in guidance, an elementary fund would have to be obtained on that basis. ----------------------- Page 8----------------------- Commissioner Hartman said that if they could increase the Pupil- Teacher Ratio, they could employ a counselor with the extra teacher money they would have. If this was done a counselor could be gotten more quickly. Mrs. Chance pointed out that what she thought he meant was to keep the Foundation Act intact, but to have supplemental funds. Mr. Ridle, the Director of the division of Vocational Education spoke next. He stated that there were four areas of concern in his division: 1st, staff organization and what they are responsible for, 2nd, the number of students serviced, 3rd, the budget, 4th vocations. Funds for adult education are not adequate, he said. The different areas for education were what he wanted to speak of. Industrial education included machines, shop, and carpentry. Under Home economics and Health there are two areas of responsibility: useful in the home, and gainful in employment. The second is of primary concern. Business education includes typing and shorthand. Students come in for work experience from the rural areas. 11 schools will be sending students to Ketchikan, Juneau, Anchorage, Fairbanks. The program is designed so that the students come and live in private homes and re- ceive salaries. Arrangements have been arranged for $5 a day and the students will provide for two meals and bus service. They are developing a program for teacher's education with the Univer- sity of Alaska. Fire training is one of the fastest growing areas throughout the state. All of this is by state funds because of the nature of the program All but two fire departments in the state are volunteer. Manpower development training programs are constructed within the state, although they do utilize such programs as in Seattle. They also get-involved in research. Mr. Ridle stated that last year there were about 8,000 students en- rolled. As of January 6, 1971 there were 11,129 people enrolled. The breakdown is: Home Economics--2,155 Business Education--4,892 Industrial Education--l,423 Adult Basic Education--669 Fire Service Training--536 Manpower Development--260 Community College--l,994 Mr. Ridle went on to say that the estimate of the State Director for the Community College was $5 million. Later, they agreed that they didn't have the expertise to use that much -in one year and cut the estimate to $2,079,000. The Governor's Review Committee cut that to $1 million. Mr. Ridile spoke about "Manpower Outlook 1970" which is done by area- through 1970 so that there were actual concrete facts. ----------------------- Page 9----------------------- His division is responsible fOr projection of educational needs throughout the state and for training; also for the design of each level in high school for vocational training. His division designs and establishes career centers. Nathaniel H. Cole, the Director of the Division of Administrative Services, was the next speaker. This is the regulatory end and their services are support services---finance and personnel. Programs under this division are: district school support, scholarship loan programs, vocational rehabilitation, and school food service. Mr. Cole named some people to contact within his division: Mr. Jack Penrod for general fiscal information and Harvey. King for school transportation; Benedict Young for scholarship loan programs and state revenue sharing; Kenneth Grieser for federal programs; Marge Dahl for food service. Mr. Craft, the Director of Vocational Rehabilitation, came before the committee and passed out an organizational chart. He stated that his division was closely allied with the Dept. of Health and Welfare and the Dept. of Labor. He briefly gave the sole function of his division as the wide range of services in order to make physically or behaviorally handicapped people able to become employable. He went, on to say that he hoped to get an increase in federal funds. At this time there is a two year study going on of existing handi- capping conditions. From this study they hope to be able to make objectives and project the needs over a ten year period. They had hoped that by 1975 all persons needing rehabilitation services would be able to be served, now this appears to be impossible. They are working'under a mimimum fund from the federal office of $1 million. Mr. Craft stated that Alaska now leads 10 western states in the number of succesful rehabilitation per capita. Alaska operates a general program and is less limited in what it can legally and procedurally do than any other gency which bring service to people. Each person to be rehabilitated receives individual medical examinations, individual conseling, and an individual plan for him. There are five offices in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Kenai. There is also a branch office in Tacoma, Washington. In order to hold the level of services which, they are now able to pro- vide, they will need $ 1 million plus 2an additional $1,022,000 of state money. Mr. James Harper the Director of the Division of Regional Schools and Boarding Programs. His division hopes to be able to provide secbndary education for all students in Alaska. In the past the Bureau of Indai Affairs has taken the responsibility for rural students and provided educational sources for them. There are 1,000 students outside the state at the present time. They hope to cut this to 250 this year. Thetstate will have 1500 students from the unorganized bureagh By 1974 they hope to have completely phased out the bureau as far as outside educarion goes. ----------------------- Page 10----------------------- They are responsible for the construction of dorms and private home services in local systems. They provide the district with additional academic facilities. Essentially they take care of dorms and provide domestic services. Mrs. Chance appointed Mr. Whittaker as the subcommittee on Drug Abuse legislation. Mrs. Chance adjourned the meeting at 3:30 p.m. Kirsten Cashen, Secretary ----------------------- Page 11----------------------- January 19, 1970 Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. with all members present. Mrs. Chance introducedMrS Gilbert who was to talk on the scope of child service programs in Alaska. She told the committee that he had come to Alaska in 1965. Since that time, he hac, been develop- ing-a treatment program for problem children who have not yet been through the courts, trying to prevent them from having to go to McLaughlin Youth Center. He is also the executive director of the Alaska Children's Service. Mr. Gilbert began by stating that he hoped that the committee would not see him as representing private agencies or programs, but people, children, families, and what is happening to them in this state. He stated that children allover the country are in trouble, but Alaska is further behind than most of the other states. We have highest divorce and suicide rates in the country and a rising delin- quent rate. Anchorage is having a great drug problem. All in all the situation for children and their families in this state is des- parate. As representatives of the state, he said that the committee- had the responsibility to see that these kids be raised in an environ- ment that will help them. He stated that the beginning of this has already taken place. He went on to talk about the kinds of programs that are appropriate for children and their families. He stated that the Alaska Psychiatric Institute was the only mental hospital" in the state. This and the Juvenile Correction Homes as in Wassilla are the most extreme of the treatments available as opposed to being preventive. These two types are also outside of the welfare field. Types that come under the welfare field and speaking in order of less preventive to more preventive, were his next topic for discussion. Residential treatment centers look like orphanages but have high powered programs made for kids with moderate to severe behavior patterns. The kids dome from shifting foster families or from their own families. The programs are to help them return to family life. They are in these residential centers for an average of two years Day treatment is where the children continue to live at home. The family doesn't need to be split up. The kids corne in during the day and get help from skilled people. There are 6 to 10 kids in a group. Group Homes are for when the kids have to be away from their family, but can't be in foster families. Sometimes it is because they don't need or can't hack family life. It is a family substitute program. It is better to be in family life than in a residential center. The kids are from birth to 13 years. ----------------------- Page 12----------------------- Day care is one of the very earliest preventire programs. it is for working mothers or mother who have as rough time being good mothers, or mothers who just want to be away from their kids a few days a week. Day care trys to preserve good nutruring experience for the kids rather than curing them. the kids are enrolled just as in a school. Emergency shelters are for when families blow up suddenly. It is a kids hotel they can go ther'e and stay as long as they need to stay or until worikers are ready to move them. Homemaker service is where someone goes into the home during the day to supplement what mothers are doing for their kids. Social work service is for children in their own homes. It is for when they and theii parents begin to have severe problems and wonder whether they can keep together. The social worker can help to figure out ways to handle theproblem. Mr. Gilbert felt that we need to begin to move service towards the preventive system. Most money goes to the two more extreme treat- ments. He stated that it makes sense to encourage tbe preventive service. He showed the committee a chart which shows what happens to costs per person per month. (Each member has a copy). For example, $25,000 could help 20 kids at McLaughlin in a month while with family counceling 170 kids could be helped. He stated that it makes human sense as well as money sense to use preventive treatment. He felt that it was silly to keep putting money into kids when they ( get to the place where they are down the drain when nothing is being done to keep them from getting there. He had a list of priority things. First he wanted to improve service to families before they fall apart and provide help that they need to maintain family life. This would maintain the quality of life and save us money. Second, he wanted development of community mental health care to keep people mentally healthy. He said that an excellent piece of legis- lation passed five years ago, which provided for 85% federal funding for the first 15 months and then a gradual decline over 9 years. The problem is that communities can't afford to compe up with their share. A relatively small amount of state money could take care of this. He recommended that the committee hear Joe Bloom of Anchorage. The above were priorities from the Alaska Children's Service. He had two personal priorities. The first was to begin to develop ser- vices like day and group care in local communities rather than in Anchorage and Fairbanks. Group homes and emergency shelters especially. Now Anchorage is developing as the center for service and kids are being sucked into that area because they can't get service in their own communities. Alaska Children's Service is developing a program designed especially to serve the Anchorage area. 50% of the children they serve are out of some other area, most from village situations. ( Thus,· they are taken away from not only their families, but also their culture. ----------------------- Page 13----------------------- Second, he stated that the drug problem is growing in Alaska. He said that there was a whole group of children, middle youngsters, and yount adults in Anchorage who live on the streets off of what they can scroung He felt that something had to be done to work' with kids where they are to help them. He also felt that it is important to build social services into local communities where they feel there is a problem and give them the control over the program. He said not to build any more control into statewide dEpartments. He wanted to encourage and provide the local support needed to do the job. The people in the local areas know what the problems are and they should be able to design their own problems. He commented that on February 25th and 26th a statewide Alaskan Con- ference would be held on the rights of children. There will be about 100 people involved. He suggested that the committee attend. Mr. Whittaker asked what was meant by service for families, and Mr. Gilbert said that when a family feels they have a problem they will feel free to go ther'E? for counseling. One counselor should be c1 graduate social worker. The rest of the service can be provided by a large number of people--ministers, nurses, field workers. He felt that some people in the community might be used as manip­ lators, and make contacts with other people. Mr. Specking asked about his views on the drug problem. ( Mr. Gilbert answered that he didn't feel much more could be accom- plished by education. Kids can get drugs in the 4th or 3rd grades. They are free and they use them. In Anchorage, the Open Door Clinic, which is run by kids who have had the problem themselves, might be the answer. They have the backing of the professional community. In ad eli tton they have medical programs free two nights a week and legal counceling also. They have street workers who are out and around helping people get to the clinice In rural Alaska this kind of thing wouldn't be the same requirement. The other thing needed is some kind of group living situation for kids who have been on the street and need sheltered conditions to make their way back. It would be a halfway house 'and the· only rules would be to have no chemicals, in- cluding marijuana and that they have to be in school,training, or working$ Mr. Gilbert added that the Open Door Clinic is getting by on $300 a month and volunteer service to keep it going. They have a $37,000 per year program designed and they can't do any of it because of no funds. Mrs. Chance then asked how his day care program would fit in with the Dept. of Education's recommendation to cut'the public school education from the age of 5 to 3. He answered that day care is not an educational program, it's just giving care that the kids need. Mr. Gilbert also recommended Family Life Education for relatively nOl'mal families . .He also said that it would be better to use money to do something rather than to put ----------------------- Page 14----------------------- rather than to keep put ting it into reseach and tudies . We have plenty of studies. Mrs. Jackensky, President of the Alaska School Board was present and made some comments. She said that they were stressing better counseling and guidance programs' and teaching interpersonal guidance programs. She said that the idea of small groups was also understood. She added that there were children from outside the area who were being taken into schools for high school and living in homes with families and that this was much better than correspondence courses. The meeting adjourned at 3:05 p.m. Kirsten Cashen, Secretary ( ----------------------- Page 15----------------------- January 20, 1971 Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 1: 35 p.m. with all members present. Representatives from the Dopartment of Health and Welfare were present to give a briefing of the department. The first presentation was given by Mr. Stanley Harris, director of Public Welfare. He distributed a book to the members of the committee regarding the Alaska State Department of Health & Welfare. He used the book for his talk. He especially called their attention to Page 7 which had a map showing the offices and the services which they provide. There are 18 district offices in the three regions: southeastern, central, and northern. In his division there is a total staff of 200 people--70-75 of these are saciaty workers, the rest are adrninistrative, eligibility workers and cler'ical. The next page, he stated had a pie chart showing the breakdown of the programs. He added that it didn't Shovl the food stamp program vJhich amounted to nearly $10 million in the state. Mr. Jim McLain, Administrative Officer, stated that they handled 200 cases a month in their assistance program. Mrs. Chance asked what they were going to do with only one central food stamp location in Anchorage now that the neighborhood centers (- were closed down. Mr. Harris told her that they had now contracted to rent the same places with the same people and- the cost Was con- siderably less. He added that they were also opening a new sys- tem developing a program which provides subsidy service in the neighborhood areas. He felt that social services had to be taken into the local areas. Mr. Charles McLean, the Administrative Officer for the Division of Mental Health. He said that they had control of the Anchorage Psychiatric Institute and of the Memorial Hospital in Valdez. They were also contracting services for 65 retarded children in the states. There are. three regional mental health clinics in Juneau, Anchorage, and Fairbanks. There are' 180 patients at API, 65-70 of whom are mentally retarded. Mr. Laurence Sullivan, the Cooridnator, Office of Comprehensive Health Planning, stated that they were an independant division adjoint to the Commissioner's office. Their functions are staffing agencies for CHAC.,as the Alaska Statutes designate, and facility development. This includes hospitals and mental health clinics. They are responsible for building and licensing nursing homes, and for capital improvement for budget homes. They are also coordinators of the civil defense programs. They have 6 package disaster hos- pitals which can take care of 200 people. These could be opened at any time there was an emergency_ They deal with the subject ----------------------- Page 16----------------------- They also test out air craft evacuation facilities. This division hag a memorandum of agreement with the province of Canada in case of nuclear attack. Mr. Henry Harmon, the coordinator for the Office of Aging, stated that office had the responsibility of providing and planning service for income, housing referral information, and any needs older people in Alaska might have. There is a federal program that provides a grant to the community on behalf of the older people in the comrnunity. Presently there are 8 to 9 senior activity cen- ters in the state. He specifically mentioned Ketchikan, Anchorage, Kenai, Kotzebue, Kodiak, Homer, Sitka, and Ft. Yukon. Their big job now is the 1971 White House Conference on Aging. The Governor not yet appointed. the White House Committee, but letters have been sent to 51 mayors in the state asking them to plan for a state- wide convention in May in preparation for the national White House Convention to be held in November. He then gave the committee handouts with descriptions of the program. Mr. Harmon commented that Alaska had the lowest per centage of old people per capita in the U.S. it has 2.2% while the next lowest is Hawaii with 5.3%. Florida has 13.3%. 35% of our total popula­ tion over 65 are receiving some sort of service from the department: of Health and Welfare. In Alaska we are behind in the project for the aged as the office has only been in existence since 1968. Mr. Charles Adams, Director of the Division of Corrections, said that they were responsibility for the custody and treatment of ·c adults and juveniles committed by the courts. They use jails and institutQtutions. There is a state jail in Juneau, and also jails in· Ketchikan, Anchorage, Wassilla, Anchorage, Fairbanks, and they have a contract with the city of Nome. They also have contracts with some of the other jails throughout the state. Probation ser- vice is provided and federal funds are utilized for innotative pro- grams. An example of these innotative programs is the Neighborhood Probation Center in Juneau. Money has already been provided-for a half-way house in Anchorage. They are also in the process of remaking their record service. Mr. Adams passed out a copy of a booklet which gives a brief look at the division and explains the programs. (2 books) Mr. Naughton asked him how federal funds for the halfway house were obtained. Mr. Adams stated that they were gotten through the Criminal Justice Planning Agency which is set up in the Governor's office it is up to the state to draw up a plan and then they can apply for funds. This is also available to communities. The Law Enforcement Assistance Act gives federal funds. Mr. James Anderegg, the Director of Environmental Health, stated that this division was created from the Division of Public Health. They dealt with air pollution, water supply and pollution control, pesticide control, transportation pollution, radiation pollution. They also checked on adequate housing, sanitation of institutions, agencies and business. ----------------------- Page 17----------------------- Mr. Anderegg said that there were proposals afoot to create a new Environmental Department throughout the state which would include 1) a water commodity office, 2) an air pollution control office, 3) a pesticide control office, 4) a radiation control office, and 5) a solid waste office. He said that water control is of primary interest to the state of Alaska. He added that they now were concerned with hiring a staff just to keep up with prerequisites for getting federal grants. now, the state provides 25% grants throughout the state for community water supply and pollution control facilities. Then, the federal government will provide 30 to 50% and the local community has only to pick up the rest. This can still be very expensive and quite a problem for the people who have to find the money. He stated that the reason Anchorage didn't have the same pollution problem as L.A. was because of the large amount of winds'and the lack of sunlight. It seems that the sun is part of what produces a chemical reaction. He referred to the fact that the 1969 legis- lature provided for an air pollution control act. He stressed a strong preventive program. He named some of the different big sources of air pollution in Alaska as being the hot mix asphalt plants throughout the state, the pulp mills in southeastern, and the refinery going into Fair- banks. He stated that the refinery in Fairbanks would be a great problem. Due to the lack of wind and the low temperature the carbon dioxide problem which is already present would be much much increased. He also mentioned that throughout the state we have burning garbage dumps. They are also concerned with log handling practices. Mr. Anderegg said that he really appreciated the ability to work with the Department of Fish and Game and the Dept. of Natural Resources as well as federal interest. Dr. Donald Freedman, the Director of Public Health, stated that they were people oriented and had the responsibility for the pro- tection of all of the people in Alaska. The statutes spell out their responsibility. It specifies they are to have a T.B. control program. He commented that sometimes the specific diseases which they are to control are outdated and new ones that are with us are not mentioned., They provide family planning information, immunize school children and give them advice on health. They are to pro- tect and promote the health of individuals. It is their responsi- bility to look ahead. He mentioned that sometimes immunization was not the way to protect people from disease, as in cholera and leprocy, both of which are not infectuous wheri treated properly. He stated that out of the 200 people in the division, 100 are pro- fessional. In addition to the three regional offices, there are 30 health centers, some of which are full time, but most are in the bush and used perhaps one time a month. ----------------------- Page 18----------------------- The programs for his division come under six headings: 1) Child Health (and maternal) 2) Alcoholism 3) Community Health 4) Control unit on TB 5) Laboratory units 6) Nursing units He then went on to talk of some specific programs. There is a crippled childrens program; a well baby clinic program where parents are supposed to bring well babies in for check-ups; There are maternal programs for prenatal and postnatal care; family planning programs; and communicative disorders programs. There is a nutrition program that was _ funded last year and will start next Monday. There are also the reports that they give to federal agencies. Also last session they received a $300,000 grant to be divided up throughout different communities, which alcoholism problems. In the laboratories they do 10-15,000 tests each year on different samples submitted by physicians, nurses, and others. Public health nurses are responsible for immunizations. They have the broadest amount of knowledge and thus a great load of respon- sibility. Mrs. Chance asked about the bill of Kerttula's for the licensing of physicians assistants and whether there would be a conflict over it. Dr. Freedman stated that he could see no conflict. The only thing would be if someone would interpret it wrongly in that village health aids would be included, but if there was a clause specifically excluding them, that would be avoided. He added that the law doesn't say that a person can't do first aid since he is not practicing medicine as he is not getting paid. There is no controling laws unless one practices medicine without a license. Some of the things which a physician's aid could do would be: all suturing, removal of foreign bodies in eyes and ears, diagnoses by looking in throuat and reporting symptoms to the doctor, pre- scribing for general ills. When an emergency comes about, the aids would be good at first aid and getting persons to centers. Mrs. Chance told Dr. Freedman that he would be invited to a meet- ingthe next day with Dr. Lein of the U. of W. and Dr. Schwartz of the U. of A. They were from WAMI. Dr. Freedman commented that there was a medical student program were students come up and work for two months at a time. Out of the first four students, at least one will be returning to .Ak. to practice. ----------------------- Page 19----------------------- Mr. Vernon Iverson, the Director of Administrative Services, was the last speaker. He stated that their division was in control of administrative services, which includes personnel, supply, accounting...He passed out charts of organization etc. He said that there were two regional offices. 87% of their total budget went for salaries. 70% of their total fiscal time went in direct support of welfare programs.They were up to 92.5% of their authorized personnel. They had 250 separate job classi- fications that they monitor. Chart # 5 (from his handouts) shows the total number of positions. They are a supporting agency,he stressed,existing only to supportthe program divisions. They serve the Commissioner directly. Commissioner Hall had a last comment to make. He told the legis- lators that at the end of the session, the Dept. always ends up without enough supportive staff for the programs, and he wanted them to keep that in mind. The meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m. Kirsten Cashen, Secretary ( ----------------------- Page 20----------------------- January 21 1971 Chairman Chance called the hearing to order at 1: 30 p.m. with members Colletta and Specking present. By the end of the meet- ing, all members but Moses were present. Kerttula was the first speaker, and he spoke in defense of HE 520 He stated that it has not been the habit of the legislature to authorize and not fund. It was an oversight that Chapter 230 wasn't funded and that is what HE 52 seeks to do. The bill is self-explanatory. It provides for $950,000 which is the approx- imate need of the program. The grants and loans may not exceed $750 many school year, and it is to be used only for books and tuition, and board and room. It also specifies that it is to be only fbr undergraduate work. The student must be a resident and a full time student or associate. The bill doesn't designate the per centage in loans or grants even guidelines. He summarized by saying that the bill just seeks to fulfill an oversight. Mrs. Chance asked about the effective date of July 1, 1971. Mr. Kerttula said that that too, was an oversight. He 1/2 would for the bill to be effective immediately after it is passed. Mrs. Chance stated that the committee would add the amendment when they had a work session. Mr. Colletta asked about the Governor's bill, HB 62, and Mr. Kerttula said that he would recommend a Committee Substitute on one of the ( two bills. All he wanted, he said, was to encourage kids to come back to the state. The next speaker was Mr. Randy Phillip, a student from the Anchorage Methodist University. He stated that last year there was a law. but no funds and so kids who wanted to go to AMU and couldn't afford it, had no choice but to go to Anchorage Community College. He spoke about the differences in tuition between the community college, the University of Alaska, and AMU. He then presented a petition to the committee of students who wanted to see Ch. 230 funded. He stated that there were 375 full time students at AMU, a 15% in- crease over last year. He felt that the fundscould increase the student body and take the load off of the community college and thus give students a better education as the community college could then have smaller classes. Mr. Colletta wondered about giving money to students to go to a private school rather than money to state schools. Mr. Specking also wondered, but he added that he didn't feel that there was any question that we got the full value on what we receive when we pay a student to go to AMU. Prof. Kearnaley, from the Alaska Methodist University was the next speaker. He stated that he was only here to accompany the students and was not an official spokesman for the University. He said that providing money is never enough, and providing education is never enough. He added that no education is better than a medjocre one. He felt that the question was whether you believed in diversity of alternatives or state supported institutions. ----------------------- Page 21----------------------- Mrs Chance asked whether the money should be appriated for schol- arships, loans, and grants or appropriated for contractual agree- ment programs between schools. The Prof. asked if there were restrictions when you put it in contractual programs. It seems that HB 52 is more expansive and lese restrictive and he tended to be more in favor of it, but he was not now : in the position to say. The Prof. asked if one provided for cross-over regulations and the other didn't. Mr. Bradner answered that the cross-over regis- tratibn came under the purvue of the contractual arrangement while the other did not. Mrs. Chance said that the intent had been to help the student to get a course that wasn't available with the school picking up the cost for the student to go to the other school. It was not to make one school compete with the other. Mr. Kerttula stated that his bill was for the money to go to the student, not to the institutions to perform functions Mrs. Chance said that the committee would have to take this up with the higher education board when they met with them. Mr. Bradner briefly went through what happened to the bill for the enlightenment of the students. Mrs. Chance called a short recess until the doctors from the WAMI program-showed up. (Washington, alaska Montana, Idaho) Dr. Lein and Dr. Schwartz from the University of Washington were introduced to the committee. Dr. Lein spoke first. He stated that they were here under WAMI. He wentron, to say that there was only one medlcal student out of the three states, and that was at the University of WaShington. The concept is that students from the other states are discrimin- ated against, primarily because the U. of Wash. has to deal with its own state legislature to get appropriations. Thus, the out- of-state student has to have a relatively higher grade point or score on an aptitude test. The students from the other states are then, naturally better than the Washington kids. They have to have a grade point of 3.5. It takes about 10 years from the start of med school before a student actually begins his own practice. It was these things which led Dr. Roy Schwartz to start this concept. Dr. Schwartz spoke next. He said that they knew that a physician tended to take up practice where he did his internship and residency. Thus, there is a maldistribution of physicians and the idea is to get them where the maldistributlon exists. Also, his wife should be with him. The program envisions that the stUdent could get a ( portion of his training outside of the metropolitan area. 70% stay in Seattle because that is where they get their training. ----------------------- Page 22----------------------- The first opportunity the student has to get outside of the metropolitan area is during his first and second quarter of school . The introductory courses could be taught at a school in his own state . He would then go to the Seattle complex for the next 4 quarters for exposure to anatomy , pharmecology and sys- phase of this cirriculum .At this time when he si picking up clini cal skills , he can learn them in a physician's office as well as in school . He could practice there for 6 to 8 weeks . not only Would the students go, but their wives and families . At the end of this phase, they receive their M.D. Internship follows, and then residency. The program envisions sending them out to com- munity clinic unitys. They and their wives learn about the com- munity and are hopefully attracted back to it. They applied for a grant from the Commonlaw Association in New York and received $3 million for Alaska.They have been up here inter- viewing prospective studebts. They plan to admit 5 to 10 Alaskan residents to this program. He stated that in the last three years a total of 7 Alaskan residents have been admitted to the U. of Wash. So far they have interviewed 29 students and feel sure they will find qualified applicants. They expect to establish three community clinic units in Alaska. Then, they will have 48 students a year, At the end of three years, they will have used the grant money, and the state will have to decide whether they'want to become in- volved in the cost.At that time they will know the answers to questions on how it works and how many they can handle and how much it costs. Further on, it is hoped that Alaska can have its own medical school. Funding,however, will be a problem. He mentioned that the U. of W. spends $50,000 a year just for lightbulbs. The American Association of Medicine has proposed that government become involved in funding medical schools. There are no financially healthy med schools. They must become looked upon as a national resources They suggest paying $6,000 to $10,000 a year per student they edu- cate. If that turns out to be the case, then the state of Alaska could perhaps afford a school. It costs from $15,000 to $25,000 a year to educate a student Dr. Lein stated that this was a radical concept because it has 100% support of the U. of W. facul ty.He slaid that they are taking a gamble because they are now 2nd in the nation and they don't want to lose their rating. He went on to tell of another new program that the U. of W. has been sponsoring. About three years, Dr.ick Smith came to them and noted that each year about 30,000 well-trained medical foremen come out of the service (army ... ). when these men leave the service ( ----------------------- Page 23----------------------- there is no place for them to go. With some training, they could be put to use. They developed a program called medics and with a small federal grant brought 12 men into this. It is very suc- cessful to the point that they are now funded to take care of 200 of these. They are changing the medical practice law, not so that they people are licensed, but so that they are given protection by law so long as they are working arm in arm with a physician. Right now they are protected under the University program. Now there are six states adopting the medics To program. Mr. Whittaker asked whether the goals of the students are changing and Dr. Schwartz stated that 60% of their 1st year class indicated that there primary interest was in family medicine. 10-15% of their last graduating class went into general practice. They have just opened up a department of Family Practice and Dr. Ted Phillips of Sitka heads it. Mr. Specking commented that insurance on the malpractice thing must be looked into. Dr. Schwartz said that they wanted WANI to formalize things that have already been done to spell out goals and evaluations. He also added that there would have to be resources that people can rely on such as libraries and books. When students come tb the community clinic units, they are going to require library facilities. They will be able to receive a copy of any publication by a tele- phone call. Its existence is vital. ( Dr. Lein said that the state of Alaska didn't have a medical library until two years ago. The University of Washington has a Health Science Library which is at the disposal of the three states. It can retreive 95%. The doctors of the state of Alaska are the largest users. Mr. Naughton asked Dr. Spencer, the President of the Alaska Medical Association to furnish the committee with an organization Chart. Mrs. Chance informed the committee that on Monday at 11:00 they would consider the fburc supplemental appropriation bills. ( HB 61, 6 3 , 6 5 , & 66) The meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m. Kirsten Cashen, Secretary ( ----------------------- Page 24----------------------- January 22 1971 Chairman Chance called the meeting to order with all members but Moses present. Dr. Shieer, the Director of the National Information Center on Volunteers in Courts, located in Boulder, Colorado was present at the meeting along with Mr. Adams, the Director of the Division of Corrections for the State of Alaska. Mr. Shieer gave the committee three books: Using Volunteers in Court Settings,a manual for volunteer probation programs; Volunteer Programs in Courts,collected papers on productive progra grams; and Volunteer Courts in America. The books are an over- view statement including resear' of volunteer service. He said that his position is two-fold. He is a voluntter with the court in Colorador He is also the Director of the National In- formation Center on Volunteers in Courts. In his center he has files on 1200 programs. His purpose for being in Alaska is to gather information and learn as well as to provide information to the state. He spoke of the national situation saying that there has been an explosion in involvement of citizens as volunteers. At the pres- ent time 100,000 citizens are donating substantial amounts of time for free. He said that there was a basic change in the con- cept of volunteers. It is no longer the lady in the flowered hat. Some volunteers are doing real honest to goodness work. ( He passed out a green sheet giving information in the form of a synopsis of the first three studies done on volunteers. What they did was take a group of protationers and assign them to a volunteer and then take another group of them and give them to the probation officer. The studies concurred in finding a reduc- tion in anti-hostility to the community. He didn't feel that they would replace the regular probation officer, but rather get them into the community and finding citizens who will help and provide leadership for them. Mr. Whittaker asked him what he got his Phd. in, and was told psychology. Mr. Shieer went on to say that he was invited to look at the Partners Program in Alaska. Basically the strategy here was a good one, he stated that young place first to see how it works. The concept is to assign them on a 1 to I basis. The assumption is that attention is a minimum need which they have. Thus, a citizen of good character is partnered with a child who is in trouble with the law. The pilot project began in Anchorage a year ago. They have now screened and trained 70 partners in Anchorage. In the last couple of months two extensions have been made. One in Fairbanks, December 5, and one in Seward the same day. ----------------------- Page 25----------------------- It is a step by step procedure. He stated that he 110 ped that it would eventually reach institutJons. The second level has just started--that is the adult version of the pilot project. The characterjstic is that trained people lead them. There are now four specialists in the d9partmcnt. There is one college in the country with a course and they are going to graduate five people this year. He went on to explain what the training is for the volunteer. One of these specialists gives them one or two days of brienta­ tion. It is also a form of public education. For example in Fairbanks there were 7 volunteers and 5 people who were just interested in finding out what was going on. The volunteers have to work with the law enforcement agencies. A judge will come in and explain the court system. They might have a film or tapes which the project can use.' One tape is done by Dr. Glaser and is called tlReality Therapy". Thus, they get training before they are assigned and then have follow-up meetings once or twice every two weeks. At this meeting, they talk over problems which they might have and tell their solutions and whether or not they worked. There is also a staff person there to pick up the problems and back-stop them. Alaska, he stated, has a small quality program. He hoped the state would continue to grope and reach out to villages to use volunteers. He complimented Alaska in that it is one of five states that are thinking at a state level and planning ahead. He mentioned that the Juneau program is innovative. Its a store- front where it is hoped to bring younGsters in by having an attractive building. The idea is to bring them in and work with them alone with volunteers in a natural setting and then maybe ,take them out boating. It is being done in cooperation with Model Cities. They are funding it and the Division of Corrections supplied the probation officers. Mr. Whattaker asked about the reaction from the cops, and Mr. Adams stated that on the whole they have been cooperative. Mr. Whattaker asked about the budgeting and was told by Mr. Adams that right now their budget was stretched to the limits. Mr. Colletta asked how many volunteers a specialist could handle. Mr. Shieer said that for the pilot program they have a ratio of 1:5, but they hoped to bring it up to 75 or 80. Mr. Colletta asked Mr. Adams how many new personnel they were go- ing to require, and Mr. Adams said that he didn't have the infor- mation with him presently, but that the research had been done, and at a later date, he could discuss it. . ( ----------------------- Page 26----------------------- Mr. Naughton asked how far into the bush they intended to take this project and was told all the way. Mr. Shieer ctated that he felt a specialist could handle as many volunteers as he might handle probationers. There are now 70 to 100 regular probation officers. Only about 30 to 40% of the probationers can be helped by volunteers. Thus, 700 to 1,000 might eventually be needed. He added that they had found that there actually was a cost to use volunteers although it is slight, it averages out to 10-25¢ per hour to cover things like gas money or cokes for the proba- tioners. The Alaska State' Employees Association, represented by John Carter, made a request for legislation. They wanted the committee to introduce a bill asking for insurance coverage for state employees in three areas: health insurance, dental insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, at a cost of $35 to the state for each person insured. The cost isn't accurate, but the state actuary is working on it, and by the time it gets to Finance, they Should have the accurate figures. Right now, they just want to get some action started. . Mr. Whittaker made a motion that the committee sponsor the bill so that they will have something to work on Mr. Colletta seconded the motion. 4 The meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m. Ktrsten Cashen, Secretary ----------------------- Page 27----------------------- January 25, 1971 Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 10:35 2.m. with members whittaker, Specling, Colletta, and Naughton present. :B 61 Commissioner Hall, Department of Education, advised the committee that this was not the supplemental bill that would be coming from the department. There was one on general relief and generai relief medical being prepared to go before the Governor's final review before submission to the legislature. Commissioner Hall stated that the funding they were asking for was for programs obligated by the legislature last year and not funded entirely. In the past they have always been able to use lapse funds, but this year there will not be any lapse. They have done careful analysis and cantt find any excess funds this year. This relates directly to services they provide for crippled children. They operate under a mandate to meet the needs of the children. Each year they run at the same deficit. $118,700 directly relates to the cost of care. $163,700 goes to that section of child care for which they pay institutions for service. Mrs Chance asked why the department had decided not to use the ser- vices of Hope Center in Fairbanks. Commissioner Hall told her that the dept. has met with them several times to provide a fee schedule ( for them to open up. One of the provisions was for $8300 direct appropriation. The place is not an adult center and not a nursing home--they are somewhere in between and it difficult to contract with them. He stated that they would be glad to do some quick re- search on the subject. The Commissioner went on to add that if the legislature did not support this piece of legislation, by the end of the month· they would be out of funds. They now have about $10,000 left. Mrs. Chance asked about contractual services. Commissioner Hall said that they were for the children outside in Oregon. They weren't able to bring them all back. He stated that $51,000 is money Obli- gated to assist Hope Cottage. The department was not allowed to use these funds anywhere else as they had been directly designated by the legislature as specific funds. It is conceivable that all of the money couldn't be spent because there is not enough time left. Mrs. Chance asked why there was such a tremendous jump in public welfare. She was told that there had been a 50% increase in two years. The procedure was identical to what it nas: been, but there has been an increase in caseload, primarily in Anchorage and Fairbanks. Last month unemployment in Fairbanks was 12% which contributed to a doubl- ing of caseload. Money for general relief was $23,000 in November. and it grew to $50,000 in December. Anchorage gets 200 new cases a month. ----------------------- Page 28----------------------- Commissioner Hall said that their average ost is $24.26 per person per month. A four person family gets $100. $150.01 is given per person per month for medical relief. Funds are limited to shelter, food and fuel. There are no cash grants. For medical relief, the physician must be one of those on contract and the procedure must be approved in advance except in emergencles. The cost for medical care sometimes--even with contract physicians--goes up to $35 an hour. The state pays the same fees that an individual would pay. Sometimes there are situ- ations where the state pays ~ physician $40,000 a year under con- tract. If they were to work directly for the state, they would only get paid $32,000. There are two types of contract One is for the physician to pro- vide regular service. The other one is for people like the psychi- atrist at McLaughlin. They are paid an hourly rate. He added that the legislature directed them to apply for additional . funds in this manner. Thus, he stated that this particular supple- mental was because they were told to do it this way. Mr. Whittaker asked if the committee could be supplied with a list of the doctors and the amount of money paid to each over the last year. The Commissioner said that it would be done. ( Mr. Whittaker then moved that this bill be passed out of the committee with unanimous consent and a recommended "Do Pass". Mr. Specking seconded the motion and it carried. HB 63 Commissioner Hartman, Department of Health and Welfare,stated that for the past two years on the statutes there has been a scholarship loan program for students admitted to institutions in the state. Last year the legislature amended Chapter 230 to include grants as well as loans and also providing for loans to students attending schools outside the state. Their fiscal note requested $250,000 to fund that legislation. During the last few hours of the legislature, they incorporated HB 801 that had been considered and included it as article II. it is for that portion that the supplemental appro- priation is being requested. The figures are based upon the present enrollment in the schools. it covers two major areas: l)the dif- ference between tuition at private institutions and the University of Alaska for full-time students. 2) the $250 per semester for each student in full-time attendence and pro-rated for part-time students. Mrs. Chance asked if the other members had gotten a letter from Dr. McGinnis. They had. Mrs. Chance then asked the Commissioner who the money should be appropriated to, General Administration or the Higher Education Com- mission. I he stated that the Commission was not legally established to appropriate money, but they can administer appropriations. It has the responsibility to establish rules and regulations for grants ----------------------- Page 29----------------------- and loans There is a contractual agreement betweehthe Commission and the Dept. that it would be funded through the Dept. Mrs. Chance reminded everybody that Dr. Straton and Dr. Wood would be here on February 3 to discuss this. She moved that this be held in abeyance until that time. The motion carried. B 65 Commissioner Hartman, Department of Health and Welfare, informed the committee that there were a couple of errors in the bill. On line 10, the amount should be $1,211,300. instead of $1,529,300. and on Line 14, the figure should be $893,300. instead of $1,211,300. Commissioner Hartman went on to say that the reason for the request come as a result of two factors. The first is the same as Commissioner Hall indicated. Sometimes, the administration does not give the full amount of request. They had submitted an estimate of pupil trans- portation at $3,000,008. As it ended up $453,000 was the amount need- ed for state operated schools. The state was short about $150,000 while the district schools were short $100,000. There were added costs due to an extension of routes, an increase in the cost of con- tractual services and an increase in students. For example, the Elmendorf state-operated schools estimated the cost to be $76,000 and it turned out to be $139,000. This was a result of new housing which came in involving 700 youngsters. The second portion deals with debt retirement that as new legislation last year One-half of the debt service that was encountered two years ago for school construction is the subject.The district schools had $822,000 that was not needed in foundation support program, but another 318,000 will be needed to fully erase the debt. Mr. Nat Cole passed out back-up material to the committee. Mr. Whittaker motioned and asked unanimous consent that the follow- ing amendment be adopted: Line 10--delete "1,529,300"and insert "$1,211,300" and in Line l4--delete $1,211,300" and insert "893,300" The motion carried. Mr.Specking then motioned and asked unanimous consent that the bill be passed out with a recommended "Do Pass". There being no objection, the motion carried. HB 66 Commissioner Hartman stated that when they submitted the budget last year they had anticipated that they would be receiving $2 million from the federal government rather than $1 million. However, this money will not be forthcoming. He added that the request has gone in for $2 million for next year and it looks more promising. He went on to say that in order to maintain the present level of service they would require an additional $200,000 appropriation. ----------------------- Page 30----------------------- Mr. Craft, Department of Health and Welfare, stated that this has to do with case services approved. They had the problem of main- taining the present level of service. He told the committee that he had gone to the Congress sub-committee deallng wIth the subject of the appropriation for Alaska and made specific requests favoring_ Alaska's rehabilitation service. They were granted a request for $200, 000 under another section of the act and they have opened an additional office in Kenai with that money. It is for clients out- side of the major urban areas. By restricting the program to the minimum level, there is $660,000 available for direct cash service. Out of that 60,000 is to go to the Dept. of Labor, $200,000 to public assistance. This leaves $400,000 for general 61ients which is unrestricted. This is $200,000 less than they had las t year, even though their case service is more than last year. They have 33% more referrals this month. 17%. more clients receiving service, while the rehabilitation rate is the same as last years. Case service is higher than in neighboring states--in Alaska there are 4 clients per 100,000 population. Thus, they need $200,000 to just serve the clients they have now. Mr. Craft went on to say that they used to get only $438,000 because of the per centage law. Following efforts they have been putting out for 3 and 1/2 years they got an amendment made which says that no state shall receive less than $1 million. He added that it takes at least $2 million to get adequate service in most states. ( It used to be that the federal government had 700 million dollars for services which the states should match with funds totaling $504 million. Now Congress has reduced their contribution to about the same as the state's matching amount. Thus, Alaska got $1 million instead of the requested $2 million. Mr. Colletta moved and asked unanimous consent that the bill be passed out with a recommended "Do Pass". There was no objection and the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 11:35 a.m. Kirsten Cashen, Secretary ----------------------- Page 31----------------------- January 26, 1971 ( Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 1:40 p.m. with members Moses, specking, whittaker, Naughton and Moore present. lad Stamps The following persons were present to present testimony to the committee regarding the Food· Stamp Program:· Mr. Stan Harris, Director of the Division of Welfare; Mr. Dick Selwig, Director of the Food Stamp Program; and Mr. Carl Crafton of Electronic Data Processing. Mr. Selwig began by stating he wished to mention the growth of the program and the impact of that growth. He passed out a chart showing dollar anc client figures from both November 1969 and November 1970 which indicated a substantial growth. The impact of this growth has been good but there are many problems. The number of households benefiting from food stamps has doubled; the number of persons receiving food stamps has doubled;the total money value has tripled; the bonus monies have more than tripled. The growth has been from a small pilot project and has caused many problems administratively during its growth. At present the value of the stamps is about $8-1/2 million. The Bethel district has the largest growth. The program has received criticism in terms of !!hippies. It was Mr. ( Selwig's feeling that most of the use of the stamps is -legitimate. The U.S. Department of Agriculture had in- spectors up here because a lot of rumors had been circu- lating but few specifics were discovered. The COst to the state will be about $300,000 in administra- tive costs for the $7 million in federal funds received. Most of the money will go to feed the poor. They have developed a new program for distribution of stamps. They hope to have more de-centralized sales, Mr. Selwig stated. They have to rely on the mail at the present and that is hard to control. Mrs. Chance asked if the state of Alaska purchases the stamps outright, then re-sells them. Mr. Selwig said that the federal government sends as many stamps as our state requests without regard to price. We act as administrators of the stamps and the stamps are protected by us. Mrs. Chance asked how much the state must pay to protect the stamps. Mr. Selwig said the state contracts with Loomis to protect the stamps at a cost of $15,000 per year. Mrs. Chance asked how many cases have come up with regard to misuse of the stamps. Mr. Selwig answered that there were cases of apparent fraud in Valdez and Kodiak. ----------------------- Page 32----------------------- -2- Mr. Selwing proceeded to explain that the distribution of the stamps was dependent upon income of the client: the gross income less the mandatory deductions, i.e. state and federal taxes, child care costs, housing allowance up to $135 per month, medical expenses up to $125. After all deductions a family of four would have, maximwn, $325. A family of eight would have $550. The price of the food coupons is established: a family of four is entitled to $126 in food coupons for which they have to pay from $3 to $98, depending on income. PeopJe who could qualify for the food stamp program might not be able to qualify for welfare. Only 20% of the case load is composed of families who are entirely on welfare. Most of the families on food stamps do not pay too much for the stamps. Mr. Selwig pointed out that many of the people who work in the bush areas cannot work at this time of the year. There was a substantial change in March 1970 when the benefits increased. The clients have also increased in number. Mr. Crafton began his testimony by again pointing out that the program has grown tremendously and is presently bound up in paper work. He felt that the client suffers by the amount of paper work required for what should be a fairly simple procedure.They have devised an Authorization to Purchase (ATP), which will be mailed to the client after the client has filled out- the application papers and been determined eligible.The client takes the ATP to the clerk specified in his town or village and purchases his food stamps. This cuts down to about one minute what is now a ten or twenty minute operation. The client comes in to the district office, the application is filled out, eligi- bility determination is made, the notice is mailed to the client. A computer in Juneau stores the information the client has given the district office and sends the proper forms to the eligibility worker. The Authorizations will be issued monthly or there can be a manual issuance. When the clien comes to the district office to make the exchange of Arp for food stamps, he is required to show his I.D. card which comes with the ATP.The I.D. card is then validated. At the end of the day the clerk will have less food stamps, more money, and a stack of Authorizations. The Authorizations go to the central office. The whole process will make statistics easier to compile besides increasing the convenience to the client. The ATP will be valid for only a certain amount of time. It will have all the information on it that the client gave the district office in his application. The I.D. card should be shown to the grocer.The new process will go into effect in Juneau in February. By mid-summer the program will be started state-wide. The process will be easy enough for ----------------------- Page 33----------------------- -3- most people to undere tand but will have to be explained to people who do not speak English. Mr. Specking asked if the applicant had to sign something to show that he swears he is telling the truth in his EDsweres. Mr. Selwig answered yes. Mr. Moses asked what the procedure is in villages where there is no regular mail service. Mr. Selwig, answered that the stamps are packaged in large amounts and mailed to the vil- lage at one time. The Division hopes that with the new sY3tem they can keep track of the program better. At pre- sent there are 32 federal reports to be filled out. Nine- teen new personnel have been trained through a program at University of Alaska to handle the program and will be ready soon. Fee agents are used at the present time in many villages. The program is called a categorical program, meaning it is one of several federally matched programs. Mr. Whittaker asked what the person in the village does at this time to get food stamps. Mr. Selwig answered that the person mails the application, gets his eligibility notice, then must send a money order in to the district office and wait for the stamps to return. The return of the stamps is often delayed because of bad weather. ( Mr. Crafton said that there are two different concepts in regard to a client getting aid in the form of welfare and in the form of food stamps. In the food stamp program a person's eligibility is determined for a certain period of time (one month,six months) while on welfare a person is eligible until he is determined ineligible. The Authoriza- tion to Purchase will be mailed to the client the last week of the month so the timing will be better in regards to the welfare and social security checks. Mr. Specking asked what the food stamp program did in the case of a person who has assets but no income. Mr. Selwig answered that a person could have $1500 in liquid assets. They require that a person dispose of any stocks and bonds before be can be eligible for stamps, but he does keep his home and automobile. Mr., Moses asked if it would be possible for a postmaster to handle the food stamp distribution. Mr. Selwig said that the only person who could not handle the stamps would be a food merchant. A federal law prohibits selling of the food stamps in a grocery store. Mr. Moses asked further how many places in Alaska can sell food stamps. Mr. Selwig said there are fifteen centers which are district offices. There are four additional centers in Anchorage through the OEO and ten of the human service aides selling in Fairbanks. ----------------------- Page 34----------------------- -4- Mr. Naughton asked whether any circuit-riding had been done for stamp sales. Mr.Selwig said that some of the districts do this but it cannot be done everywhere due to lack of money and personnel.What travelling is done is irregular. Mr. Moore asked about the chartge problem in remote areas. Mr. Selwig answered that stores in the near future will be able to give change up to 50¢. After that amount they will give the client a credit slip. Mr. Selwig said that soon there would be work requirements -for food stamp recipients. This would requere all able- bodied persons to register for and accept employment. Mrs. Chance pointed out that the bulk of the actual unemployed in the state were those people in the bush who are termed "unemployable. Mr. Selwig further informed the committee that there will be uniform eligibility standards throughout the nation, the benefits will be raised, and a new law will authorize free stamps for those with little or no income.The coupon allotment value will be re-evaluated each year. Mr. Whittaker asked if sales tax was charged to people who pay for their food with food stamps. Mr. Selwig said yes. Mrs. Chance asked for a copy of the proposed budget for c administration of the program. Mr. Harris showed Mrs. Chance his copy of the budget, pointing out that adminis- tration will cost the state $556,100 this year while it cost $408,600 last year. There wasa cut in travel ex- penses. Mrs. Chance asked if programs like Ruralcap and Community Action have contracts to work with these programs. Mr. Selwig said that in the past eligibility workers have been provided by Ruralcap but they are paid by the food stamp program. They have requested some people to fill the slots left by the loss of the Ruralcap people. Mr. Selwig said the program could easily use 10 to 15 more staff workers. They would be at range 8 and 11. Pay for range 8 is $450 to $500; pay for range 11 is $550. The annual salary for a range 8 is $9,000. Mrs. Chance asked if people in the villages could qualify for the job of eligibility workers. Mr. Selwig said, that high school graduation or the equivalancy certificate was a requirement for the job or work experience could be sub- stituted. Mr. Whittaker asked what kind of person is hired for the job ( of eligibility worker. Mr. Selwig said that no federal ----------------------- Page 35----------------------- -5- standards are set, but since the eligibility worker is a state employee he must meet the requirements for state employment. Mr. Whittaker proposed that a volunteer in the village could be the eligibility worker. Then there would be no require- ments for employment and no necessity for budgeted money_ Mr. Naughton mentioned that possibly the social service agent in each village could handle the food stamps. Mr. Harris said that the state is fiscally responsible for the stamps so this would have to be worked out but it is a possibility. Mr. Selwig pointed out that eligibility should not have to be determined every month so this would cut down on the need for a full-time eligibility worker. Mr. Specking said that most of the villages are fairly stable and would present little problem in determining month-. to-month eligibility. This would cut down on the work for the eligibility workers. He said that he felt the real problem would be the floating population; they make a case- load problem when the weather is good. Mrs. Chance asked if, with a 10 to 15 person increase in ( the eligibility workers would there need to be an increase in back-up personnel. Mr. Selwig said there would be no need for back-up personnel but the travel cost would have to be increased Mr. Harris said they have budgeted $53,000 for travel at the moment and this was a decrease from last year. This is for 31 eligibility workers. Mrs. Chance asked Mr. Whittaker to look into the possibility of the eligibility worker not having to be a state employee. Note: Secretary asky the Attorney General's office for a copy of his answer to the Department of Welfare on the above matter: Could persons be agents of the state without being renumerated. Mr. Harris mentioned the state's liability, for example, if the eligibility worker were involved in an auto accident while performing duties of the state but not on the state payroll. The meeting adjotirned at 2:55 p.m . Diana Hubbard, Secretary ----------------------- Page 36----------------------- January 27, 1971 Chairman Chane called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m. with members Moore, Colletta, NauGhton, Specking, Whittaker and Moses present. Mrs. Chance brought two bills for the committee to look over and see if they would want to introduce them as com- mittee bills. The first of these bills Vas titled "An Act relating to children in need of supervision" and was about what the judge could do with a child who needs supervision. Cer- tain children need more supervision than others. Judge Butcher wanted the bill. It places the child's release from custody on the order of the court. This is for chi Idren 'who are not de linquent but may be termed "way- ward. " Mr. Whittaker expressed his disapproval of detention homes iIT general, suggesting that the detention home stay be limited to three days or so as children sometimes get lost in'the paperwork connected with the homes. Mrs. Chance said all the court could do now is to place the children on probation. Mr. Whittaker said the court could ( put the child in jail. Mrs. Chance suggested that this bill be introduced by the committee with a referral back to this committee. There would be a Judiciary referral after HWE referral. Mrs. Chance brought forth the second bill, entitled "An Act/relating to the placement of minors!! and said that it is an attempt to try to correct the fact that before the state can assist a child the parent must sign the child over to the state. If a child and one parent are thrown out of their home (as in one case she knows of) in the middle of the night without any money, to get shelter the parent must sign over the child. This bill would make a temporary assistance agreement available to parents. The release is up to the parent. This bill takes the process out of the court. Mr. Whittaker suggested that words should be inserted to the effect that the voluntary agreement can be voided by the parent or legal guardian and they may resume custody at any time. Mrs. Chance said she would take the bill to Legislative Affairs Agency, have it re-drafted, and it would be intro- duced by the committee tomorrow. She asked if the bill should be introduced with a committee report. Mr. Naughton asked if the committee was sure the above change was the only one they wanted to make. ----------------------- Page 37----------------------- -2- Mr. Moses pointed out that if our committee did not want the bill to go to another committee we should not send a committee report with it. Mr. whittaker agreed, saying that we should have it sent back to this (HWE) committee. Mrs. Chance sajd that with the help of the Legislative Council, perhaps this summer, we want to try to get a complete codification of all child and family laws. She said she would have this particular bill re-drafted and introduced and have both of them introduced tomorrow with referrals back to HWE. 1 Mrs. Chance asked if the subcommittee on House Bill 1 had done anything yet. The subcommittee consists of Moore, Specking and Whittaker. Mr. Specking requested more information as to what grants are available to graduate students. s 51, 52, House Bills 51, 52 and 53 will be considered more after the committee hears from the Commission on Higher Education. Tuesday we will discuss House Bills 1, 35, 51, 52 and 63 with the Commission on Higher Education. use( ill 4 Mr. Specking (subcommittee) explained that basically we are talking about the so-called school tax that has been irritating people since territorial days. It is not a school tax, but simply raises money for the state -- $1,406,000 in revenue this year. This goes in the general fund. It is part of the monies that help schools. He was not prepared to argue violently for or against it. This school tax hits transient workers. Mr. Mbses said we should revoke this and raise the personal income tax because some people get charged school tax twice. Mr. Specking suggested that this bill have another name, pointing out that we would have a hrad time replacing the money. Mr. Naughton said we should not consider repealing the tax until we pick up the revenue elsewhere. He thought we could collect this money cheaper through regular income tax methods. He asked if we wanted to continue grabbing the short-timers and granbing them harder than anyone else. Mr. Specking said that the short-timers and transients take jobs that should go to Alaskans. Mr. Whittaker said he didn't think the transient workers are applying for refunds on their income tax so are giving the state more money than they should anyway. Mr. Specking disagreed. ----------------------- Page 38----------------------- -3- Mr. Naughton suggested that if we want to penalize people who come up to Alaska to work we should institute an airport taX charging everyone who enters Alaska a set fee. Mr. Specking asked if we could amend. the word "school" from the title of the bill. This suggestion was not met with wild enthusiasm. Mrs. Chance suggested that we set up further discussion of this bill for a day when we can have the sponsor and others in to discuss it. She believed Wednesday is free for this meeting. We will inform the press so we can get reactions from many sources. 35 Mr. Naughton said he had the fiscal note from the depart- ment on this bill. He had written letters asking for reactions on that. He asked Mrs. Crosby to get an opinion from the School Boards. Mrs. Chance asked that we take testimony on that bill on Wednesday also. The Commissioner of Education, a represen- tative from the School Board Association, the sponsor, and the Education Association representative will be with us on that date. Mr. Specking mentioned that he has a statement from the School Board on school tax. 80 House Bill 80 Was assigned to subcommittee: Naughton. 98 House Bill 98 was assigned to subcommittee: Colletta, Moses. 105 House Bill 105 was assigned to subcommittee: Moses. Mr. Moses said he would report on that bill at this time. Last year, according to Mr. Moses, there was quite a change made in the school foundation program. District 12, including Mr. Moses' home district, was put in the same group as the Anchorage area which is unfair because this makes salaries in District 12 the same as in Anchorage when the cost of living in District 12 is much high2r. All this bill does is remove District 12 from the Anchorage area and put it in the Fairbanks area. This would help remedy the situation. It would not be fair to put District l2 in with the Nome and the Northwest district. Mr. Specking moved and asked unanimous consent that the com- mittee pass this bill out with a do-pass recommendation. Mr. Naughton objected. He said the superintendent of the school in Kodiak spoke to him about this matter and Kodiak has always been in the central district. Last year it was removed and they want it put back in the central district. ----------------------- Page 39----------------------- ( Mr. Moses said that the new program was very specific. it goes into longitude and latitude and it goes through part of Kodiak Island. He would prefer to handle Mr. Naughton's difficulty in another bill. Mrs. Chance asked what the pleasure of the committee was. Mr. Whittaker said that there seems to be some difficulty connected with the fact that Kodiak was left out of this bill. He felt that if Kodiak was left out it should be handled at the same time in the same bill. Mr. Moses expressed his opinion that the bill should remain the way it was and Mr. Naughton's problem should be handled in a separate bill. Mr. Whittaker again said that if the mistake was made with both areas it should be corrected at the same time. Mr. Moses said if we consider Kodiak at this time, District 4 9 and others will want to be considered also. Mr. Specking asked what is used as a cost of living index when they establish these criteria. Mr. Moses said most of it is done on a matter of· general knowledge. Mrs. Chance said that Juneau, Ketchikan, Fairbanks and Anchorage are c the ohly ones that the Department of Agriculture conducted a cost of living survey in. Mr. Naughton said he would draft another bill. Mrs. Chance asked if he was withdrawing his objection. Mr. Naughton said yes. Mrs. Chance said we would consider the bill passed out of committee with a unanimous do-pass recom- mendation. The bill had to have a fiscal note attached which has been requested from the Commissioner of Education. Mrs. Chance mentioned that tomorrow, January 28, the topic will be occupational skills with Mr. Craft of Vocational Rehabilitation and Mr. Ridle of Vocational Education. Mr. Naughton will preside mas Mrs. Chance will be out of town. While Mrs. Chance is in Seattle she will contact Dr. Smith to testify on paramedics on Thursday, February 4. The meeting was adjourned at 2:55 p.m. Diana Hubbard, Secretary ----------------------- Page 40----------------------- January 28, 1971 ( Vice-chairman Naughton called the meeting to order at 1:40 p.m. Present were members Moore, Specking and Colletta. In addition to the committee members three primary witnesses were present: Mr. Craft, the Director of Vocational Rehabili- tation; Mr. Ridle Director of Vocational Education; and Mr. Sturrock, Manpower Development Training. Mr. Sturrock said they have various occupational training programs within the department, most of which are using department funds. Within the department they have state money which they use to get federal money. They have a committee composed of repr esentatives from various agencies all the agency representatives get together and co-ordinate so they don't dupl icaile: in their training effort s. The Manpower Development Training Act this year has $2,639,000 for work within the Departments of Administration and Labor. Mr. Specking asked if that was the total budget. Mr. Levy, with Mr. Sturrock said that this was the operating budget. Mr. Specking asked if this included the Department of Educa- tion funds, specifically the Skill Center. Mr. Levy answered that the Skill Center is within the Department of Education and to some degree it is dependent upon these monies because of the way the federal government funds these programs. The year sometimes runs from August to August, for example. Forty percent of the money is earmarked for education while sixty percent goes for training and transportation. Mr. Sturrock said the WIN program (Work Incentive) is operated by the Departments of Labor and Welfare and takes people on ADC (Aid to Dependent Children) and puts them on training programs. This has been a very successful program in Alaska. Mr.Levy said that they have about 30% placement in jobs. They have carry-over money and the current budget is $1.1 million with the carry-over money. Of this amount about $120,000 of the state's money is involved. The budget request is $100,000. There are 360 slots and 340 are filled. They have had difficulty implementing the program in some parts of the state. Kodiak, Bethel and Barrow have expanded programs. The federal government wants them to consider another 140 slots (places for training) which would require an additional state matching of $140,000. Adult basic education is involved in this, as is work experience programs. This last has been very successful. Mr. Naughton asked what the 30% placement rate means. Mr. Levy answered, saying bf the people who have been raised to the employable level they place 30% of them. Last year they had a placement rate of 25% when the national rate was 16%. ----------------------- Page 41----------------------- -2- Mr. Specking asked if there had been a greater demand for ( placement from persons in the minority groups. Mr. Levy answered yes. Many of the people who now work in the department are graduates of the program, he added. Mr. Specking asked if people in the Seward Skill Center are hard-core unemployables. Mr. Levy answered yes. The federal government requires that they have a certain amount of the people who they train from "disadvantaged" groups of people. All applicants are screened and selected for the program on the basis of this screening. They are having -an increasing return in the veteran people who need vocational training. Mr. Sturrock mentioned the New Careers Program which has a budget of $128,000 with sixteen training pOSitions for pre-professional jobs within the state government. Mr. Naughton asked, for example, what a public health aid does. Mr. Sturrock said he assists the public health nurse. This New Careers program is a two-phased program where for five and one half hours a day the people work in an office and for two hours a day they take school courses which lead to an A.A. degree. Project Hire is on-the-job training on the military bases. (~ Currently at the various military sites they have 161 trainees in the program. They are offering counselling to all and 41 are getting education also. Mr. Specking asked" why this was happening on the military sites. Mr. Sturrock answered that the Department of Defense has the funds so Alaska natives can fill jobs on the bases in Alaska. They are coming into the bases for on-the-job training. They are working for the government. Mr. Moses asked if the participation of the Department of Defense was to train these people. Mr. Sturrock answered yes. Mr. Naughton asked if these people were lost when there is a cut-back in budget. Mr. Sturrock answered no. Mr. Sturrock said that the STEP program takes people who cannot find employment after being trained and places the people in an agency so their skills do not become rusty. STEP pays the people $2.10 an hour. Mr. Levy said that the training vacancies did not develop as expected nationally so this program keeps the people they have trained from losing their skills. There more slots for people to be trained than they are able tofill~ Mr. Naughton asked if under this program one could take welders, for instance, out of the training program and place them while STEP would pay their wages. No, Mr. Levy replied, these people are trained for public industry. ----------------------- Page 42----------------------- -3- Mr. Sturrock said that the Job Corps program is where a youth 16 to 21 can go to receive training. They have tried to start job Corps centers in Alaska but they don't have the money. They have 125 people in training outside at present. Mr. SpeckinG asked if we paid their fares outside. Mr. Sturrock answered that the federal government pays it. Mr. Specking asked what the outlook is for getting this program in Alaska. Mr. Sturrock said they hope to get help to start it through Congress. Mr. Sturrock said they also have On-The-Job Trairiing (OJT) program. This program will operate until June as OJT but. its name will be changed at that time. Mr. Ridle then testified. He said he would like to take this from a philosophical point of view rather than from a point of view of numbers. They feel they close boundaries in that they have a direct effect on the economic development of the state, on the labor unions, on revenue sharing. From this we can see that the development of Adult Vocational Education is very important. Employme0t Assistance Program there was a very small number of persons being referred to training programs within the state a very few years ago. They have been able to put programs together that enable ( people to get training within the state. They are pleased with the change in attitude within the people they help. The department about a year and a half ago realized that many of the programs they were havtng might not be helpful. They made a survey of all jobs and job projects, also of the people in the state and how they would be trained. Any new program at the high school level today must be based on th~ results of this survey (Alaska's Manpower Out look 70's). They began to realize that they had beeter evaluate their programs. Mr. Ridle mentioned specialized programs. In the past home economice programs have taught how to cook and feed the family. Now the program includes how to get gainful employment through home economics. Guidance in counselling programs takes a different stand than in other states. They are trying to change their former approach to one of explaining to children about what work is all about. Fire training program--when they started they had $25 to $30 thousand to help rural villages learn to fight fires. Mr. Bill Hagevig, the Fire Service Training Supervisor, said that basically the fire-training program was to work with organized fire departments to teach them how to save lives and fight fires more effectively. This has developed into training fire fighters. They now plan to carry the program into the villages where there are no fire departments at all. ----------------------- Page 43----------------------- ( Mr. Moore asked when the fire protection team is going to Bethel. Iilr. Hagevig answered February 4. Mr. Hagevig continued that early in the fire training they discovered that the conventional fire-training methods were not going to work in Alaska so they have developed their own training tapes and films so they can show the fire-fighters exactly what they were doing wrong. Sears and Roebuck heard about the prospective program and purchased the material needed to make the tapes and films. The fire is set and the firemen fight it, it is filmed, and then the men get to see what they are doing wrong. Mr. Ridle said there was no teacher's education for vocational education but there is a summer program in it. Mr. Fuller has developed an innovative program in business education. Mr. Fuller said there has been an 861 people increase in the last year. They are involved in a pilot program where secretarial students come into Anchorage from the small towns and train for work in offices -- then the people work in a real office for 2 or 4 weeks. Twenty-eight villages are involved in the program. There are 148 students registered for this year. He also mentioned a community-oriented change ( process where people come into the community and evaluate educational and comunity needs to help in planning for the community. Mr. Ridle said Adult Basic Education has expanded fast. By 1974 they will have 4,OOO people in the program. Handi- cap Program -~ they have developed Vocational Education programs. They feel that if they have adequate money avail- able to school districts vocational education would increase on the earlier age level. What they are looking for is the preventative, ahead-of-time solutions. In the past three weeks they have been working with five school districts. Eighty percent of the school population in Alaska is not going to college. Mr. Craft spoke next. They are the single agency which has as its major duty helping handicapped --people. The function of the Vocational Rehabilitation is to provide whatever services are necessary for handicapped to be come productive members of society. Behavioral disabilities which stem from causes other than physical are also considered in voca- tionalrehabilitation. Practically all the people they - serve are poor although the federal government does not place economic standards. over half of the people served do not have any income. Ninety percent of those that do have an income hav~ an income of less than poverti standardso If they were getting enough federal funds they would be getting 80% federal funds but there are not enough federal funds available. They need additional funds at the state ----------------------- Page 44----------------------- -5- level. At the present time their agency has 23 counselling positions. Rehabilitation facilities are a necessary component. Mr. Les James, with Mr. Crafts said they now have three rehabilitation facilities in AlaSka that are not state- operated. They are in Ketchikan, Fairbanks (Hope Center) and Anchorage (Chugach Rehabilitation) of which the most advanced is in Anchorage. They are trying to solve the problems of the alcoholic, at least they are going to attack it. The alcoholics formerly tended to be given up as help- less. This year of the 889 referrals they have received, 6% were alcoholics. Twelve percent of the people they have accepted were alcoholics. Nine percent of the discharges were alcoholics. The cost of the program will rise because of the services they will be getting. Mr. Specking asked how they co-ordinate the $300,000 in Alcoholic Rehabilitation. Mr. James said they do not co-ordinate with them. Mr. Craft described the Vocational Rehabilitation unit at Alaska Psychiatric Institute. They brought into the unit a maximum of 23 of the chronically ill who have had negligible prognoses. The average age is 34-1/2. The average work ( history was 8 months. These. people were costing the state money at a minimum of $41 a day while at Alaska Psychiatric Jnstitute. They developed a plan to get them out of the hospital. The first group of 21 is out of the hospital and living in a home called the Lodge, operating a Service Master franciseo Those people will be virtually self- sustaining during their second year out of the hospital. A second group is in the Vocational Rehabilitation unit at API training to be janitorial labor. The meeting adjourned at 3:20 Diana Hubbard, Secretary ( ----------------------- Page 45----------------------- January 29, 1971 Vice-chairman Naughton called the meeting to order at 1:40 p.m. witft members Whittaker, Specking, Moore, Moses and Colletta present. The topic of discussion was regional and area high schools. Mr. Jim Harper of the Department of Education gave the presentation. Mr. Harper began by saying they attempted to reclassify the state for the purpose of organizing regional centers. They attempted to identify ftreas that could serve as high schools. Mr. Harper passed out a map entitled Proposed regional and area high schools and projected boarding student enrollments by 1974-75." This map, he explained, was designed primarily for the purpose of discussion. This map shows the number of a reas that will need schools. Region 1 --They have requested that sitka become a regional 4 center. One hundred seventy two students will need a resident school in southeastern by 1974075. Presently they are trying to build a resident dorm at Sitka. They hope to start construction this summer and have occupation in the fall of 1972. There may be a high school in Angoon or on Prince of Wales Island in either Klawock or Craig ( because of the increasing students in those towns. Region 4 -- Fairbanks is the regional center. Within this very vast region they have proposed four area high schools. One is proposed for Tok where there is a high school now with 31 students from the local area. They have plans to build a sixty-student dormitory. They hope to get a supple- mental appropriation through Congress for BIA schools. In Fort Yukon they also have a 60-student dormitory projected. In Region 4a, including Wainwright, Barrow and Barter Island it could be that the people from Barter Island will feel L that their service area is Fairbanks. There will be a high school of 238 children in Barrow. Barrow does not want a high school until they can have a comprehensive high school including gymnasium, etc. The other students within Region 4 would go to their area schools or into Fairbanks for boarding school. Mr. Naughton said he had heard that the BIA has not received any money for school construction and how would this effect the state's program. Mr. Harper said he felt optomistic that they could get some money since they have money for other projects. Mr. Harper continued that they are trying to get a better quality dormitory in Fairbanks. They are hopeing to open a 200-student facility in the fall of 1972. They would like to have a dormitory facility in Fairbanks for 350 students. They hope that the high schools will have a strong emphasis on continuing education either through schools in their ----------------------- Page 46----------------------- -2- ( area or in Fairbanks with vocational education. Tanana has boarding students instead of a dormitory. An $11 million school bond issue passed and some is for construction in 1971-72. $1,500,000 is for construction in Fairbanks. Mr.Naughton asked ahout a letter from the Fort Yukon area school board regarding more space. Mr. Harper passed out copies of the letter and said they wanted to know if the students would have to go to Fort Yukon to school. The Commissioner of Education said they could finish a program they had started at another school. Mr. Harper said there are really two reasons why they drew the particular boundaries shown on the map--these boundaries are convenient for transportation and also they felt if election districts were crossed they would get sometimes twice as much representation through the state legislature. Mr.Naughton asked what the set up was on school boards,for instance Beltz. Mr. Harper answered that Beltz is 3-1/2 miles from Nome and it has a dormitory with 160 students. In the meantime they have organized an advisory school board there. Region 6 --They divided this into two areas: the chiefs felt that their children were not as successful as they could be so they wanted a high school. They would have a 60-student dor- mitory located at Holy Cross. They have proposed a 150- student dormitory at St. Mary's.They have written a letter asking the state to increase the size of the dormitory to 30 more students. Mr.Frank Ferguson asked if there has been any study on the schools that were BIA and are now state and who might want to go back to BIA. Mr. Harper said there has been no study made. Mr. Specking said there is a five-year BIA phase-out and we should not be looking back by going back to BIA-operated schools. Mr.Ferguson said that if the system under the state does not work than the BIA should be con- sidered as an alternativeo Mr.Willard Bowman said if there are schools that want to go back to BIA we should look into it. Mr. Ferguson asked if there was a provision for the BIA to be operating schools. Mr. Robert Thomas, Deputy Commissioner of Education, answered that there is no such provision. Mr. Specking mentioned a move to organize thel unorganized boroughs; this seems to be the only answer. There needs to be some deep exploratory work done on the location of the schools, Mr. Specking continued. He asked if there should be some sort of recommendation from this committee to this effect. Mr. Thomas said that it is early yet; the depart- ment is gathering responses from the areas. ----------------------- Page 47----------------------- -3- Mr. Moses asked if they had considered the possibility of some kind of group-type homes in the Unalaska area. Mr.Harper answered yes. There is a dormitory school in Kodiak at the present time. Mr. Moses asked if the dormitory operating expenses were completely absorbed by the state. Mr. Harper answered in the affirmative. Mr. Moses asked, onsidering the $300 per month per student for dormitory living, if it would not be easier and less expensive to have a group­ type home. Mr. Harper answered that they have difficulty getting competent people to operate a group home and the costs just start multiplying. They are open to this type of discussion but they have had problems with this specific area. Mr. Harper said he would like to discuss the Bethel area. They divided this area into two areas at the Nelson Island people want to have their own school and have been working towards that end. These people have different concerns for their children than the people in other areas. They have selected a sixty-student dormitory for this area. The reason for the dormitory being constructed for sixty students is that if a 3D-student dormitory were constructed the cost would almost equal that of the larger dormitory. Most of the bther children will go to Bethel and those who are left ( over will go into Anchorage. Region 2 includes the larger central area. Dillingham has a high school with eight in the dormitory, some boarding students and some students from the village. McGrath has one of the most successful boarding school programs. They would like to have a sixty-student dormitory plus the boarding program. Through this program the department hopes to bring all the children back into the state by 1974-75. Mr. Specking said he understood that they are planning to do away with the present ANS hospital and are building a new facility near the new Providence Hospital in Anchorage. Could the old ANS hospital serve as a dormitory for the Anchorage students? Mr.Thomas said they had tried to purchase the old Providence but the Corps of Engineers vetoed it because it is on an earthquake area They are building a large dormitory across Bragaw from East High School. The students will be spread throughout the Anchorage high schools but will be able to utilize the East High recreational facilities in the evening (swimming pool, gym, etc.) Mr. Bowman asked to what extent the department is involved' in the curriculum, training of the teachers, including cul- tural training. What has been their experience thus far in relation to rural schools versus urban schools. Mr. Naughton ----------------------- Page 48----------------------- -4- ( said that this is worth at least one other meeting. The committee will talk with Mr ..Harper in regards to setting up another meeting. Mr. Harper can be reached on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. Mr. Naughton suggested that the committee might want to submit a resolution asking the Bureau of the Budget and BIA to fund these pro- jects, and asked Mr. Harper to please bring the cost figures to the committee when they are compiled. Mr.Naughton asked if the committee felt this should be done and the consensus was that this was a little premature and the committee needs to gather more facts. The meeting was adjourned at 3:10 p.m. Diana E. Hubbard, Secretary ----------------------- Page 49----------------------- February 1, 1971 Vice-chairman Naughton called the meeting to order at 1:45 p.m. with members Whittaker, Moore, Colletta, and Specking present. Mr. Charles Adams, Director of the Division of Corrections, was present to testify. With him were Mr. Branton, Mr. Gene Miller, and Mr. Walt Jones, also of the Division of Corrections. Mr. Whittaker asked what changes were being made in the Department. Mr. Adams said that they were one of the divisions of the Department of Health and Welfare. They have instituted three new administrative jobs, those of training officer, interstate compact officer, and systems analyst. Alaska has suffered from the division between field services and jail services. This is an integrated system now. The division wants to provide a continuing treatment to the offender to prevent his return to jail while still on probation or parole and during his stay in jail. When Mr. Adams came to Alaska two jobs were unfilled but these have been filled. They are also trying to co-ordinate services in the field as well as in the office. The .systems analyst has simplified the records by microfilm processes. They are gathering a data base for the system as well as determining exactly what is needed ( for the files . In terms of the institutions, Mr. Adams said the legislature passed a furlough bill last year. Up until that time they could only release the offender at certain times. Now they can release a man for any purpose that is consistent with his treatment. This lets them program him with some controls. Also they have started to focus on treatment in the insti- tution. When Mr. Adams came the physical needs only were considered. Now there is a vocational education program at the adult camp, and they have a fairly sizable grant enabling them to start a vocational education program in the jail. McLaughlin youth Center had the responsibility for all jurisdiction in the state when Adams came. They have been taking some of the duties and responsibilities out of McLaughlin. Classification, for example, has been moved closer to the communities (classification is determin- ing where a child should go after it has been determined he should be under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health and Welfare). Interstate movement of both adults and juveniles will be centralized. Personnel at McLaughlin have been changed. They are attempting to re-structure the system. At Alcantra they are making sure that children can profit from their stay. These are the primary changes. One of the major thrusts is to work into preventive service, such as the neighborhood probation officeand the probation aide. ----------------------- Page 50----------------------- -2- Mr. Naughton asked how many villages have they placed village probation aides in. Mrs Adams answered they have placed aides in Nome, Kotzebue and tarrow and they are waiting for others to be trained. Mr. Whittaker asked how these people are trained. Mr. Adams answered that they go to classes at the University of Alaska plus they have on-the-job training with the assistance of experienced probation people. Mr. Whittaker asked how the work of these people is judged since they are in the bush. Mr. Adams answered that they are judged primarily through their reports. Mr. Naughton asked if the division expected to expand this program. Mr. Adams answered that he had requested ten more aides but the Department of Labor cannot provide them. Mr. Specking asked if these people work with all the people in the com- munity. Mr. Adams answered that they work primarily with those people in the charge of the division. They are paid under the New Careers program through the Department of Labor for one year; the next year they are paid half from Labor and half from Corrections; the third year the Division of Cor- rections assumes full responsibility for the payroll of these people. Mr. Adams said the division had never really had a roll in the preventive area. No one has had the responsibility for preventive work. His feeling is that they have got to get into this area. By the operation of the store-front (~ center they get some of the children off the streets and out of the stores where they will only hang around. They have a structured program with trained probation officers. Mr. Whittaker said be felt we need changes in the present system in Alaska. We need correctional institutions and not prisons. Mr. Adams agreed, saying they have such a facility being built in Anchorage. The buildings Mr. Whittaker called prisons were built before Mr. Adams came to Alaska and were geared to punishing the man rather than helping him. Mr. Whittaker asked if the community of Anchorage had been involved in the planning of the new correctional institu- tion there. Mro Adams answered that up to this point they have not been involved. When the programs are outline they will ask for suggestions from the community. They have asked for a supervisor to help gather personnel and get help from the community. Mr. Whittaker said that it has been his experience in Ketchi- kan that the probation officer and the police department do not participate in the community programs. Mr. Adams said they are asking for a person to develop community services they hope to get federal funding for this position. ( ----------------------- Page 51----------------------- -3- At this point Mr. Colletta asked for an at ease so Mr. Adams could read an article about Tom Murton and the Arkansas prison system. ·Mr. Adams commented that since Alaska is a relatively young state it does not have the difficulties the Arkansas prison system has. Mr. Colletta asked what Mr. Adams' opinion was about what Mr. Murton said in the article. Mr. Adams said the man was mainly rights Mr. Colletta said that the state treasury keeps pouring money into the departments and the money is not solving the problems. He asked Mr. Adams what would help solve the problems. Mr. Adams said we have an opportunity to develop a system that will work. They do not have a burden on them like San Quention to operate. They need more personnel to do the work as at present they never have enough time to do any really innovative things. They need 23 additional people to do the work they have now. They will be before the committee next year in regards to staffing of the new building in Anchorage. It would be well for Alaska to look into the group home concept rather than sending children to institutions. One of the reasons that they sometimes have less done in corrections than they would like is that their needs and priorities have to be measured against those of Welfare and Mental Health. Cor- ( rections is not too popular. Mr. Whittaker commented that it seems we are almost working at cross purposes. Mr. Adams responded that he had not had the opportunity to discuss anything with the new commissioner, but they are planning to getthe services better co-ordinated to. help the individual. Mr. Colletta asked if they have a plan so the committee can see what they are aiming at. Mr. Adams said they have made provisions in terms of probable services. Mr. Colletta asked how badly the state needs the jail in Anchorage. Mr. Adams said that right now they have a deten- tion facility in Anchorage that is for short term use only. It was designed for 65 inmates but the average population is 100. In order to provide a treatment facility they need to expand. There is no space there to meet their needs. They have $100,000 to plan this new facility. They desperately need a treatment unit that will operate in conjunction with the detention facility. Mr. Specking asked what the division will do with the man who rieeds to be locked up for his own protection and that of society. Mr. Adams answered that the people who are considered dangerous are incarcerated in prisons outside the state. Mr. Whittaker asked how many people are classified as dangerous. Mr. Adams said 73 people are currently incarcerated outside. Mr. Specking asked what is considered dangerous. Mr. Adams said a man might kill his wife in a moment of passion but not ----------------------- Page 52----------------------- -4- be considered dangerous, but the sociopath would be con- sidered dangerous even if he had not actually killed some- one. Someone who has been convicted of a serious felony is sent outside. They do not look at the sentence alone. Mrs. Banfield asked if Mr. Adams could appear before the Judiciary Committee tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. Mr. Adams answered yes. Mr. Whittaker asked if they need a lot more space to put people in. Mr. Adams answered yes. Fairbanks is a real problem, he said, with the drunk-in-public problem but they do not need a lot of space overall. The Anchorage insititution will be adequate. It will house 80 men in the first stage and can be expanded to a maximum of 160. Mr. Whittaker asked if the furlough system helps with the housing situation. Mr. Adams answered that that, combined with their other programs, seems to help. Mr. Whittaker said that the public opinion of the proba- tion officer has not been too good. Would Mr. Adams care to comment on this. Mr. Adams said that he thought one of the major problems is turnover. Before Mr. Adams came the turnover rate was 45% but last month it was down to ( 5% to 10%. They are only 10 years old and someone who has had two years experience often gets to be a supervisor in that situation. As far as the public image goes, these people are iconstantly on the run because of staff shortage. They have not had the time to get involved in the community. Mr. Whittaker said that in the detention facilities in Ketchi- kan they hire people with high maturity and they seem to have a good rapport with the prisoners. Is it possible to have para-professions with the people from the communities. Mr. Adams answered that it is great to have the services of a volunteer in terms of working with the probationer. The state can attract a high quality of correction officer but .cannot attract good probation officers because of the pay scale. Mr. Colletta asked how the division felt about probation officers being under the jurisdiction of the court. Mr. Adams felt this would fragment the system. They now have a logical separation of services. Mr. Whittaker said that at present the judge must both make the decision of guilt and make the sentence. How does Mr. Adams feel about indeterminate sentences. Mr. Adams said he thought you needed a fairly developed system to have an indeterminate sentence. ----------------------- Page 53----------------------- -5- Mr. Whittaker asked Mr. Adams to explain the change of classification from McLaughlin to the communities. Mr. Adams said a child is found guilty and the probation of- ficer makes a recommendation. Then the child, if he is to be put away, is put before a committee who decides where the child should gp. Jt is taking people who know the child best and letting them make the decision as to where the child should g,o·. Mr. Whittaker said he had to follow the procedure of what is going to happen to a child and he thinks it is probably because no one thinks that McLaughlin is any place to put a child. What about McLaughlin now--what is the division hoping is being done in McLaughlin? Mr. Gene Miller ansvrered this question, saying that one of the things which they have been trying to accomplish is a greater utilization of the treatment staff. Some of their professional treatment people would congregate in one part of the building formerly. During the past six months they have tried to have a programs of psychiatric counselling and group therapy. They have re-organized to get the professional treatment people better involved with the line personnel to close a communication gap. They are dealing with a young and inexperienced staff that has great potential but they need more training. They are well motivated. They want to do well but they need direction. Mr. Whittaker asked if McLaughlin is a holding institution. Mr. Miller answered that they have a detention facility and a treatment facility. Mr. Whittaker said that in Ketchikan they thought that if they had a child who really needed help they could send the child up there and get him evaluated and have suggestions made. Mr. Miller answered that the ideal situation would be to run McLaughlin as a treatment facility. They have no choice but to put children who need to be held in McLaughlin as there is no other place for them to go. Mr. Adams said McLaughlin was sold as a diagnostic and treat- ment facility_ He thinks this was a goal of the institution but they built one-third of the institution that was diagnostic. The pressure was on to get children back from California and out of jail. The motivation was to solve all the problems at once. They have taken the children out of jail and put them anto McLaughlin. The adult population in the jail has risen so there is no room for the children there. Mr. Specking said he thought that we must look at this thing in the light of th~. fact that the population has expanded. ( Mr. Adams concurred. ----------------------- Page 54----------------------- -6- Mr. Colletta pointed out that House Bill 113 is a direct conflict with what Mr. Adams wants. Mr. Adams said that their feeling was that they were imposing upon the cor- rection system and unless there are some tight restrictions it could open the flood gates. It would tend to over- burden our system. He does know the courts frustration. His feeling is that they should not be afraid to put the title of delinquent on a child if he deserves it. Mr. Whittaker suggested that we draw up a memo on this. Mr. Adams again said that if a child is that upset or that hard to manage we should not be afraid to put the title of delinquent on a child. Mr. Specking said there is currently a bill that would change the age of majority from 19 to 18. Mr.Adams said his feeling is that they should lower the age of majority from 19 to 18. They have had a grey area where the child comes into the court as an adult at age 18 but is not afforded the privileges of an adult. It would not make any difference to the division as the number of people they would have under their care would not change. Mr. Whittaker pointed out that it would not matter what the age was, that the people who are picked up for minor consuming would be picked up for drunk in public anyway. Mr. Adams said that when the age of majority was changed last year from 21 to 19 they had no problems with it. Mr. Whittaker said the detention home in Ketchikan is still a disgrace. This is a place where young people are kept and where adult females, regardless of crime, are also kept and mingle with the young people. There is a very bad atmosphere. Mr. Adams said Mr. Whittaker is right on all counts. In terms of the detention home they agree. The facility is located poorly and the facility would be difficult to work with. They should re-direct their efforts in terms of group homes. The.money last year was fairly limited·but they have hopes of getting some money this year for a group home. Mr. Whittaker said that then the main thrust in Ketchikan is to provide a group home for children before they get into a lot of trouble. Mr. Walt Jones said that if you are really talking about prevention it seems to him the Ketchikan facility should apply for a federal grant with less matching funds provided for prevention. The matching is 75 - 25. The person to see regarding this is Dennis Lund in the Governor's Office. Mr. Whittaker said that it seems to him that they have a difficult situation where Ketchikan wants to go along with the division in regard to change. Mr. Adams pointed out that Corrections is only a division within the Depart- ment of Health and Welfare and dialog has to be through a commissioner so there is only indirect communication. ----------------------- Page 55----------------------- -7- Mr. Whittaker said he wants to know what the plan is. Mr. Adams said that the division has been selected as a model for budget work so they will be able to give the committee the information they need when the budget work is completed. Mr. Walt Jones spoke, saying they have a total of 40 posi- tions of people who work with people. Five of these positions are federally funded and deal with new ways to handle old problems. Their area of concern is in the area of providing more service to the people who need it. If the court does not think we have the resources to supervise a man, he said, .the court puts him in prison. We have done some research and we are also in the process of beefing up our capability but we need more manpower to do this. The five federally funded positions are in the volunteer program and the store-front program. They have established a goal of certain units of work for each person within the department. We know that some people need intensive supervision so that it is going to take a lot of time for one man to take care of these people. At the same time another· man may be able to handle more cases because they are handled mainly on paper. They have established 50 case loads as what can be handled by one probation officer. If they were able to establish the standard they would be able to decrease the commitment to the institutions and reduce the cost. They require a total, for the 1971-72 fiscal year, of 23 line personnel, 3 super- visors, and 7 clerks, plus money to take over the five posi- tions now federally funded. They are requesting only 15 line personnel, 3 supervisors, and 5 clerks because they requested 10 new field positions in 1970 and were only funded for five although authorized for 11. They staggered hiring of the rest of them. They had delays in Personnel. Then the Governor's freeze came on December 7. Mr. Whittaker asked if the division makes recommendations to the Parole Board. Mr. Jones answered yes. Mr. Adams added that in 80% of the cases the recommendations are followed. At present there is only one member on the five-member board. Mr. Jones said that their experience has been that it does not always take an officer to do the job. They would like to up-grade the position of probation aide to Probation Of- ficer I and see how much they can teach them without a four- year degree. They would like to tryout the same thing in the larger cities. Mr. Whittaker said that he felt that they need a lot more information put before the people about what is going on in the division. Mr. Adams said they have a public information officer for the department but this is shared between all the divisions. Mr. Adams expressed his willingness to testify before the committee at any future time. ----------------------- Page 56----------------------- -8- Mrs. Chance said that while she was in Seattle over the weekend she spoke with Dr. Smith regarding the medix program and Dr. William Mitchell, who will be in charge of the Alaska program, and Dr. KarnickMarkarian, who will be the administrator of the program, will come to Juneau on Wednesday and stay over Thursday and Friday and discuss the medix program and a grant for training personnel. The meeting adjourned at 3:35 p.m. Diana E. Hubbard, Secretary ( ----------------------- Page 57----------------------- February 2, 1971 Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m. with members Whittaker, Moore, Specking, Moses, Naughton, and Colletta present. Present were Dr. Straton, President of Sheldon Jackson; Dr. McGinnis, Commissioner of Health and Welfare and former President of Alaska Methodist University; and Dr. Wood, President of University of Alaska. 3s 63 & 52 Mrs. Chance asked Dr. Wood to speak regarding House Bills 63 and 52. Dr. Wood said that this was the first chance he had had to read the bills. He said House Bill 63 refers to AS 14.40.900 and House Bill 52 refers to AS 14.40.750 and asked for clarification of this. Mrs. Chance read the statute book and said that HB 52 refers to scholar- ship loans and grants while HB 63 refers to contractual agreements. Dr. Wood said he had no comment, then, to make on HB 52 other than the bill is three years old and seems to be adequate. Mrs. Chance asked if Dr .. Wood had any information on how many loans and grants have been made. Dr. Wood passed out a list of all the scholarship loans and grants that have been made for the first semester only at the Univer- sity of Alaska. ( Mrs. Chance asked if the 187 students receiving the Alaska $tate Scholarship Loan came under the law. Dr. Wood re- plied that the University gets $455,000 for graduate students from the federal government, $208,500 from the BIA'whish is allocated by the BIA and the University simply handles distribution of the checks. The only thing that has improved, according to Dr. Wood, is the amount of money received from the state and federal sources. They have the full-time equivalent of 4,500 students with 8,500 students enrolledo There are 3,000 full-time students, 2,500 at the main campus, and 1,000 in Anchorage and other community colleges. Mrs. Chance asked who qualifies for a loan, how many people the University has given money to and how many People have been turned down that really need the money. Dr. Wood re- plied that he would gather that information and send it to the committee. Mrs. Chance asked if the University was really short funded for this scholarship loan and grant program. Dr. Wood an- swered yes and said he would send the committee a copy of back-up material on this matter. ----------------------- Page 58----------------------- -2- (- Dr. Wood said he does not believe they have ever entered into a contractual agreement with a private institution. Mrs. Chance said that then House Bill 63 does not affect the University. Dr. Wood felt that it is not in the best interests of the private institutions to have the contrac- tual a:rrangement because it does not aid the schools. To him, the important thing is the basis of the contract the state enters into with the institutions. If this is in the form of a contract then it is all right. If it is an open-ended program he thinks we have a serious problem here. He felt it needs some further study. The method of adminis- tering it is less than desirable from the standpoint of the board of regents. He mentioned that the WICHE funds are handled through the Office of the Governor. Mrs. Chance asked if Dt. Wood felt that the board of regents should be responsible rather than the Department of Education and said she did not understand what Dr. Wood's concern is Dr. Wood said we already have one board -- why set up another one? We need to be very careful, he said, about our wording of the legislation. Dr. McGinnis spoke, mentioning first that the Alaska Higher Education Facilities Act Commission (commonly referred to ( as the Commission for Higher Education) was for administra- tion of federal funds for building. Later, there was as- signed to this Commission the administration of funds for loans and grants. With regards to Article 11, Chapter 230 as it relates to House Bill 52, Dr. McGinnis said it was inconceivab1e to him that anyone could oppose its purposes. He said he w6nders if it really is a supplemental bill at all. Mrs. Chance said the supplemental reference in the bill was a mistake in drafting and would be amended out. Dr. Wood interjected that then it would appear that House Bill 52 may in some manner deal with House Bill 63. Dr. McGinnis chose to speak on House Bill 63 first. He said there were four brief comments in general he wanted to make: (1) We should remember that the legislature did approve Article 11, Chapter 230 last year, dealing with this matter; (2) The Governor, after due consideration and careful study, did sign the bill; (3) Even though there. are some flaws and weaknesses at least it is a beginning and at least it is an improvement over what we have had; (4) The reason we have to consider these problems is that the public has created these problems. Dr. McGinnis, disagreeing considerably with Dr. Wood, said that the ultimate impact of state institutions is to destroy private schools. This does call for a revision of public policy. ----------------------- Page 59----------------------- -3- ( Dr. McGinnis feels that the language on line 12 of HB 63 could be improved. Remove the words It •• • support to private . .. If and insert ft .. . services purchased from privately sponsored .. . fT Dr. McGinnis pointed out that Al is not a private inertttution but a privately sponsored institution in that it accepts students without regard to race or religion, for example. Mrs. Chance asked if the legislature made a blanket appropria- tion to the Commission would this be sufficient. Dr. McGinnis indicated that the need is always there, regardless of the amount of loan money available. Loans and grants are almost open-ended. There is $450,000 in unused loan money because of the policies of the banks of the state who were supposed to make the loans. There are at least 500 students, minimum, that do not know how they are going to pay for the school they are accepted for. Mrs. Chance asked if the legislature should earmark any of these funds that are going to the Commission. Dr. McGinnis responded that last year they had put all the money in scholarships and loans and left unfunded one portion of the program. It is very important, he said, that any am- biguity be removed. Mrs. Chance said that both of these bills stipulate the -things this money can be used for and asked again if the legislature should make a blanket appropriation. Dr. Mc- Ginnis did not indicate this would be necessarily desirable. Mrs. Chance asked what would Dr. McGinnis do with $950,000. He responded that this money would place the students at AMU and Sheldon Jackson on the same financial basis as any other students in Alaska. All the funds would probably go for contractual services. Dr. Straton was asked about Sheldon Jackson. He said 103 students would qualify for loans and grants at Sheldon Jackson. There is $250,000 appropriated and $145,000 already committed for loans and grants. Mrs. Chance asked how much more money will the University need over the $145,000 for loans and grants. Dr. Wood answered that he felt the people at the University had made their arrangements for the second semes- ter. Mr. Whittaker asked Dr.-Hartman who comprises the Commission. Dr. Hartman said there are three lay people, Octavia Hanson, Dora Barnes and the Commissioner of Education, and the three presidents of the universities. ----------------------- Page 60----------------------- -4- ( Mr. Colletta asked what is really meant by contractual agreement. In his mind he is not clear as to what this term means with respect to primary function. Dr. Hart- man answered that this was a program designed to assist the students. Mrs. Chance said the legislature's in- tention was to help the student who was attending a pri- vate school. Dr. Straton said that if we are to maintain a higher edu- cational complex as it is now in the nation, we must have tuition equalization. Mrs. Chance asked for figures on what the costs are at the schools. U. of A.: $1,250 to $1,400 for each student of which the student pays only $100 which goes primarily for administrative costs; A. M. U.: At least $3,000'-of which the student pays $780 plus $750 for board and room; Sheldon Jackson: $1, 500 student pays $750 per year' (@bove-- Gots a plus $600 per year for board and room. Dr. McGinnis said there is $4 million budgeted at ArJIU. $800,000 comes from the student. The rest is raised from private sources. Dr. Wood said that for every dollar the state invests, the University generates another dollar. Dr. Wood indicated that $15,000 would be ( sufficient for another year for the University, provided the ceiling for loans remairis at the present $250 level. Dr.Straton indicated that 53 of the 103 students at Sheldon Jackson are funded by the BIA. Dr. McGinnis said they have 80 native Alaskans in the student body at AMU and the BIA has said they'will help the students with tuition only a small amount and only when all other sources are depleted. Mrs. Chance asked if the Commission on Higher Education would enter into negotiations with BIA concerning scholarships. The consensus of opinion among those present was that the BIA is reluctant to help. Dr. McGinnis said the BIA has said that AMU has the best retention rate for their students. If the state could move forward and release the native from the traditional dependency pattern it would be a step in the right direction. The meeting adjourned at 4 p.m. Diana E. Hubbard, Secretary ----------------------- Page 61----------------------- February 3, 1971 ( Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 8:20 p.m. with members Moses, Moore, Colletta and Whittaker present. 34 The following people were present to testify: Dr. William Mitchell of the University of Washington School of Medicine, Medex program; Mr. Karnek Markarian, accompanying Dr.Mitchell Mr. Bob Ogden of the Alaska State Medical Association Mr. Gerald Ivey of the Public Health Service Village Health Aide program; Mr. John Shivley of Rural CAPUS Dr. Donald Freedman, Director of the Division of Public Health. Mrs. Chance said we have been referring to the Medex pro- gram here as paramedics and paramedical personnel. They are the personnel who are support people for physicians. They are professional personnel. Mrs. Chance passed out brochures and information sheets describing the program. These people who will testify today, Mrs. Chance said, are here to help us if we so desire. Dr. Mitchell said there is a deficit in health manpower in the country while there is an excess of manpower trained for health work coming out of the military. They first discovered there was quite a variation in the qualifications of the corpsmen. Many were quite able to assist physicians. ( These people had from two to twenty years of training and experience with independent duty qualifications where they were put in the position of taking care of personnel and making decisions unsupervised. Dr. Mitchell said they found many areas in the state of Washington that were very understaffed. They asked physicians if they wanted to have medirial corpsmen working with them and they agreed to try the program. The first stage of the program was getting the physicians involved in the program. They first gained the support of the medical school and staff, the state medicalassociation, and the physicians to be involved. They started out with 14 corpsmen. They knew they would not have to train them a great deal but they had to assess their abilities and needs. They had to prepare them for tasks they had not had experience with, such as geriatrics, pediatrics, and learning the con- cept of professional responsibility. They worked very hard to develop the identity of the medex. During the three month course they performed a transition, The physicians from around the state came and they had a mix and match where the physicians and medex both chose who they would like to work with. The" physician would train the medex for twelve months. Medex means an exten- sion of the physician. The physician had to be "willing to train the medex for twelve months, then was willing to hire the medex for work 'in his office. The starting salaries ----------------------- Page 62----------------------- -2- ( were $8,000 to $10,000. During the period of preceptorship they got into another phase of the program --involvement program --putting the medex into the cool community", then working out the problems. They have two psychiatrists who helped promote the program. They can expect a 50 increase in production during the next year with these medex. This was finished in September 1970 and was basically a pilot program. They have been asked to train 225 more people this same exact way during the next three years. There are four other medex programs now going on in the states. They will have medex in 14 states by the middle of this year. Their grant authorizes them to train medex for the state of Alaska if the state so wishes. They did not have legislation in the state of Washington when they started the program. They are con- sidered trainees under the University of Washington and are so protected. They are working on legislation now. Mr. Whittaker asked if anyone working under a doctor's supervision didn't have the doctor's protection. Dr. Mitchell answered no, even a nurse has to be licensed. The medex must do everything under the supervision of a doctor. There is no "good samaritan act" in Washington and they have never had any trouble with malpractice suits. ( The duties of the nurses are fairly well defined. They have insisted upon a one to one relationship between medex -and physician. This trains people only if there is a job for them. The person who trains the medex will take res- ponsibility for the actions of the medex. Mr. Meland asked if the medex might vrant to "play doctor. If Dr. Mitchell said that a medex cannot practice without a physician. if Alaska characterizes their needs well then the U of W can select people who will fill that par- ticular type of need -- they can adapt to the state's re- quirements. Mr. Meland suggested that an advanced corps- man who had served in Alaska would probably be best qualified and happiest here. Dr. Mitchell said that medical schools cannot turn out enough physicians to do the job and keep the quality of work up. Any doctor during the day performs many tasks that a medex could perform without the physician losing the respect of the community or jeopardizing his reputation. Mr. Meland asked what would happen if one of these medex should decide to go to medical school. Dr. Mitchell said that most of these men are upwards of 30 years old and have families and just want to have -a decent salary' to live on and to practice what they can do well and have been trained for in the military. They screen out people who might be college material. ----------------------- Page 63----------------------- -3- ( Mr. Colletta asked if these other 14 states who will have medex people have protective legislation. Dr. Mitchell answered that Montana does not have protective legisla- tion yet but also does not have any medex until after the June class graduates. They plan to do legislation the same way the state of Washington is doing. Idaho has very broad legislation which puts it in the hands of the board of medicine. These are the two states Dr. Mitchell is working with and he did not know what the other states are doing. Mr. Colletta said the possibility of one of these medex setting himself up as a doctor is quite remote but what if the medex and the physician do not get along or want to quit working together. Dr. Mitchell said that they have had a swap between two of the preceptors and they are thinking about what to do when something else comes up. Their philosophy has been to plunge into the program and deal with any problems as they come up, not anticipate them. Mr. Hohman asked what the life of the federal grant is. Dr. Mitchell answered that the grant is for three years. Mr. Hohman asked how many people the program could train for Alaska. Dr. Mitchell answered that right now the physicians are having to be encouraged to take medex. ( This situation may reverse within the next year. He could not really say how many people they could place in Alaska. Mr. Hohman asked what the position of Alaska's doctors has been. Dr. Mitchell answered that the State Medical Association has endorsed the program but they have not contacted private physicians. Mr. Hohman asked if pos- sibly Public Health Service doctors might accept these medex. Mr. Markarian said that there are indications that the PHS would go along with this program. Dr. Mitchell added that they have to get the program accepted in the middle-class communities before the poorer people will accept the medex because they might feel they are getting second class medical care. They do not think of medex as second class but they are concerned about the impression. Mr. Hohman asked what happens when the grant runs out. Dr. Mitchell said that they are working on several dif- ferent ideas for funding. First they need to pare down the cost of training. After one more year they will be able to tell better what they can do for money. Mr. Hohman asked if it was possible for Alaska to have the medex train at the U of W and what would the expenses be for Alaska. Dr. Mitchell answered that the expenses in- volved in medex are cost of training at the University, cost of support by the staff which is primarily transpor- tation, cost of support of themedex student (living al- lowance which amounts to around $600 a month ado for each ----------------------- Page 64----------------------- -4- ( student for the 15 months that he is in the program They can provide the staff support, except transportation to Alaska and the living allowance for the students and the cost of training at the University. The one other major cost is for a liason person for troubleshooting. They find that it is necessary for every 12 to 15 students to have one person available to maintain liason. Some- one has to be constantly looking for preceptors, talking with physicians, resolving conflicts of communication between preceptior and medex. The state will have to pro- vide transportation between Alaska and the states and funds for a liason person. Mr. Markarian said that a small staff of one to three persons would be sufficient for Alaska as far as they can assess our needs at this time. They can estimate that the training hey will do for Alaska would cost about $200,000. Mr. Moore said that they said the medex would be working under the supervision of a professional doctor -- the villages where he comes from are out in the remote areas where there are no doctors. Dr. Mitchell said that this problem would be under the jurisdiction of our legisla- ture in that we have to determine how much supervision a medex needs and how many medex could work under one doctor. ( Mr. Hohman asked if two medex could work closely with one physician. Dr. Mitchell answered that they have this situation in the states and it is just an experiment at the present time and they do not know how this will work in Washington. The medex actually works in the same of- fice with the doctor. Dr. Mitchell said how much better than nothing do you want to shoot for. Having the medex in a village is better than not having anyone in the vil- lage at all who can do medical work. They are really in 'the experimentation and pioneering stage. There are pro- grams in some states that train nurses for emergency medi- cal care. Mr. Hohman said that at present we have village medical aides who have some extensive training and there is some question about what they will do. Mr. Ferguson said that we also should consider the pay that these people will be getting. Dr. Mitchell responded that it might be worth- while to consider that Alaska will be in competition with the other states for medex. If we do not have enough pay the medex will choose another state. Mr. Moses asked if the PHS had approved this type of program. Mr. Markarian said they can now in the federal system hire these people. They pay them at the end of the preceptorship $8,000 to $10,000. Some are full partners with the doctors. The ----------------------- Page 65----------------------- -5- ( salary is negotiated with the doctor as the doctor him- self pays the salary. The average pay is now $11,500 for the first graduated class. The medex has produced sufficiently to pay for his training. Mr. Ferguson asked what the qualifications are to enter the school. Dr. Mitchell answered that the qualifications are not rigid. The medex have to be ex-military corpsmen. They are independent duty qualified (they have served in a remote area without a physician). Community health aides would not be accepted unless they are ex-military corpsmen. Mrs. Chance asked if it would be possible to change the qualification to include community aides. Mr. Markarian answered that it would not be possible at this time. The grant states that they must accept only ex-military corpsmen. They may be able to expand the program in the near future. Dr. Mitchell added that they are in the process of forming more para-medics programs at the U of W. Mr. Whittaker asked what the comparison would be between what a nurse does and what a medex does. Dr. Mitchell answered that this varies from doctor to doctor. They have a very extensive nursing task list in some cases ( and they have some areas where the nurses perform only routine nursing tasks. Mr. Whittaker asked what the state of Washington thinks about the Medex program. Dr. Mitchell said that right now they are working very carefully so that they do collabor- ate with the state medical association. Mr. Markarian said that the state medical association has already ap- proved of this program. Dr. Mitchell added that it is necessary to be concerned about the licensing and what will happen after the preceptorship. They will start working on this in Alaska very soon. They will talk with many of these people who have apprehensions. Senator Merdes asked what protection will be given the patients. Dr. Mitchell said that they are extremely aware of the possibility of malpractice suits During the 15 months of training the medex are covered by the U of W. Mr. Markarian said that the Washington insurance companies have said that possibly ,they will insure the medex for malpractice for half of what the physicians pay. Dr. Mitchell said they now have the first non-medical examiner in the nation. He is a medex and works for Prudential. The bill to the patient is the same if the doctor treats the patient or if the medex treats the patient. L ----------------------- Page 66----------------------- -6- ( Mr. Meland asked if the medex could prescribe drugs. Dr. Mitchell said yes, the modex does suggest drugs to be used, sometimes calls the pharmacy, and even in some cases signs the prescription blanks. This is dependent upon the physician's latitude in dealing with, the responsibilities for the medex. Mr. Markarian said that the pharmacies in the area were contacted and everything was arranged before they began the preceptorship. Mr. Whittaker asked how they handle problems with the Pure Food and Drug Adminis- tration concerning demerol, codeine, etc. Dr. Mitchell said the medex does not prescribe narcotics. He may give some narcotics in an emergency but this must be cleared with the physician. Dr. McGinnis said that the ASMA has strongly suggested that the medex not be licensed or further restricted by a license-type procedure. Mr. Shivley from RuralCAP said that this legislation raises a number of broad issues about the health system in general. The costs are rising and the people who need care most are not able to get it. We need to increase the supply of medical care, he stronly suggested. No matter what we do we are still going to have problems unless we raise the quality of care. He did recommend stronly against the ( legislation as it is now written. Legislation of this type could eliminate health care in the bush. Mrs. Chance said that Dr. Eneboe, Chairman of the Bush Medical Committee of the State Medical Association, called her today and he said much the same, that we must be concerned about the system and construct a flexible system. Mr. Kerttula wanted to get the idea into the committee so we could get into it and find out a lot about the program and work a flexible piece of legisla- tion. Mr. Shivley said that what we are really looking at is we want to have medical care in the bush and we want to have people trained and working there. Mr. Gerald Ivey of the PHS said he would prefer to wait until the hearing tomorrow to speak. Dr. Freedman of the Division of Public Health said in the state we have a variety of needs for personnel. The AMA Journal devoted several articles to this proposed program. The May 11, 1970 issue (vol. 212, no. 6) describes not only the physician assistants but also the child. health associates. They make a number of points, several of which maybe pertinent: (1) Determine duties and responsibilities. There would be some variations from Washington to Alaska ----------------------- Page 67----------------------- -7- ( as to what we need or want. There might be a difference in knowledge requirements. (2) Decide whether physicians assistants are to be elective or directive, i.e. elective would mean that the community elects to have this person serving them; directlve would mean that someone like the PHS places the person in the community. (3) Sources of candidates -- we might wish to have persons from Alaska trained as medex. Assuming we need more than are avail- able, we would have to make changes in the requirements. The more important aspect at this moment is to recognize all of the ignorance that we have so we can ask questions. Everything we do now has an aspect of prematurity in that it seems we do not know how many communities or physicians would like to have a medex. Dr. Freedman felt there are so many questions that we must explore that we should study the program and our problems more. Mrs. Chance asked if we have public health nurses who perform public health duty. Miss Erlie Bruce, Assistant Director of Nursing for the Division of Public Health, answered that they do have some who do. They do them under standing medical orders from a physician. These particular orders are to be used when a nurse is unable to contact a physician by radio or telephone, which is often the case. Dr. Freedman said that the nurse treats many emergencies as they come along. Mrs. Chance asked if then the indepen- dent duty nurses do similar tasks as those that the medex or medical corpsmen do. Mr. Markarian said that he would say that it is very similar .. Mr. Whittaker said, comparing WaShington with Alaska, there is concern that we are going to take a lot of time planning. He asked if we should not just stumble into the program con- sidering the sense of urgency .. Dr. Freedman said that there is a sense of urgency but at the present time we have very few persons who are losing their lives because of lack of a medex in the community although they could be better served if we had a medex in the community. Mr. Markarian said that if we had waited to solve all the problems before starting we would not have yet begun. Mr. Moore said there is only one time that he can make a call to his area. There are at least 50 villages who want to use the phone so the times must be divided. He wanted to hire someone for ADE when he was in Anchorages so, since he knew five people who were capable of handling the job, he tried to call his home area. It took him three days to get communication to the villages. He had told the operator that he needed to contact the village immediately but could only reach them at the one time. They have problems that ----------------------- Page 68----------------------- -8- ( are unique in transportation and communication. One of the people got shot by mistake and the man was brought into Emmonak. He stayed there for at least three hours while the plane came. It took off with him and by that time the man died. This is why Moore asked if a medex would have to work under the supervision of a doctor at all times. He said also that a child had died of appendicitis just while going down to the airplane. They would like to have someone trained and living in the villages who could take care of the medical problems in the village. Mr. Shivley said he too would take major conflict with Dr. Freedman's statements. He agreed with Mr. Whittaker in that we do need action. Mr. Colletta said that the impression he had derived thus far would lead to an immediate solution to the problems of the bush area. One of these people could travel from village to village and 'fill the need. Miss Bruce said that the program Dr. Mitchell had des- cribed was one of private practice. There is a need in the villages but if we were to place medex in the villages, who would pay for their service. Dr. Mitchell said that he would agree that there are some overwhelming problems ( and he would leave this up to the people of Alaska and the program directors to work out. Dr. Freedman said he would agree that if we can plan to have some medex persons in the near future this would give us the time to decide how to use these people. Mrs. Chance pointed out that this would take very close coopera- tion between the departments of the state and the medical association. Mr. Bob Ogden Bof the ASMA said he would prefer to wait until the hearing tomorrow to speak, but mentioned that they do have a test project on the North Slope with medical corpsmen visited by a physician. Dr. Mitchell said that if any medex could come to Alaska and practice medicine without supervision this would only create problems. There must be some responsible party. Dr. Price said that they have a three-month training period and then the man works closely with the doctor. Have they given much though about how the medex will not be in as close contact with the doctor in the bush as he has been during the training period. Dr. Mitchell answered that they had considered this, that the responsibility placed on the ( medex by the doctor should be sufficient for the problem. Also, if a medex was doing circuit work, he and the doctor could take alternate trips. ----------------------- Page 69----------------------- -9- Mr. Ferguson asked if they are going to have a pool of people trained or do these people have to have sponsors before they are trained. Dr. Mitchell said that before a student is accepted there must be a doctor who is willing to take the medex but there is no matching until the training at the U of W is over. During the three months they take the responsibility for getting the students to Alaska to visit the doctors and they meet and visit with each other. Mr. Ogden asked how many applicants for the program there were. Dr. Mitchell answered that they currently had 6,000 applicants for 25 positions. Mr. Meland said that when we recognize all the problems that we have we can then start to help solve the problems. Mr. Ogden asked if other issues would dilute this issue at the joint meeting tomorrow. Mrs. Chance answered that the reason for the meeting tomorrow is for the presentation of the ASMA and we had the meeting today to learn about the Ivledex program. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. (~ Diana E. Hubbard, Secretary ----------------------- Page 70----------------------- A-ONA 2/2/71 STATEHENT OF THE NATIVE AFFAIRS OFFICER AS THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ALASKA AREA NATIVE HEALTH SERVICE RELATING TO THE COMMUNITY HEALTH AIDE PROGRAM AND HOUSE BILL NO. 34 I. BACKGROUND There have been people living in rural Alaska who have functioned as health workers for a good many years. These people, largely unpaid and in some cases, formally untrained, worked with whomever was available by using shortwave radio or other communication which was available. In some cases private practitioners, public health nurses, Native Health Service physicians and others worked with and informally trained these people to provide Some form of health service for the local residents. In September 1968, the Native Health Service instituted a formal training program in ever 150 communities involving approximately 200 health aides throughout the State of Alaska. The training program which was developed thus far is divided into four phases of training and occurs at the community location, at the Service Units, and at the Medical Center in Anchorage. These community health aides are trained to work directly with health professionals in an attempt to provide an improved system of health service which reaches out to each of the communities. After completion of the four planned phases of training, it is antiCipated that the duties of the aides will cover the following. The aides, under the technical supervision of a health professional, will: 1. Provide clinical care such as (a) make observations of clinical symptoms in ill village residents; (b) report ----------------------- Page 71----------------------- A-ONA 2/2/71 these symptoms when necessary via radio or telephone to The hospital serving the goegraphic location; (c) record information and the doctor's orders on a permanent record following the doctor's orders, fot treatment to be completed in the village. 2. Serve as a coordinator in advance, during, and following the visits of health personnel by (a) establishing health clinics in preparation for visits by health professionals; (b) assisting the health professionals in clinics; (c) providing medica- tions prescribed during clinics and following with management programs for individuals in the conununity after the healt professional leaves the village. 3. Serve as a custodian, dispenser and point of accountability for selected medications on orders of the physician or the public health nurse. 4. Provide preventive clinics and health educational services such as: (a) maternal and child health care; (b) nutrition; (c) homemaking; (d) environmental health; (e) personal home hygiene; (f) home nursing; (g) dental hygiene; (h) first 5. Provide administrative assistance to the community in health matters (a) assist the community in establishing health councils; (b) establish means of community involvement; (c) assist community in health programs and evaluation. Although this formal health training program is not yet completed, there have been improvements and change in the general health level ----------------------- Page 72----------------------- ~ . A-ONA 2/2/71 Page 3 of the rural Alaska residents. it is believed that the health aides have been a factor in this change. Marked decreases have been noted in the inpatient census and a lesser number of severely ill people are being seen at the hospitals than was the case before these aides were being utilized. These corranunity health aides are employees of the local community and not a part of the personnel system of the Native Health Service., They are selected, replaced, and to a degree, supervised by the local people of the community. The Native Health Service has instituted contracts with the local communities and in Some cases, with Native organizations whereby the community or Native association provides the manpower and the Native Health Service in turn provides the training for the health aides. More work needs to be done in regard to the selection, further training, improved supervision and evaluation of the services performed by these heroic health aides. Increased effort is being made to work with the councils and Native organizations, to better orient them towards the need to select the most capable people in the communities to provide these services. Private practitioners, public health nurses, the Alaska Department of Health & Welfare, and other interested groups and agencies have contributed valuable knowledge and ideas to the program. it is anticipated that continued refinement the course . content and the system of services which the health aides provide will be effected. These health aides are serving a vital function in rural Alaska and are providing an outreach service which is not available through any other program, resource or agency. ----------------------- Page 73----------------------- A...ONA 2/2/71 II. CONCERNS RELATING TO HOUSE BILL NO. 34 It does appear that House Bill No. 34, if passed as written, could raise a serious question as to the legality of the functioning of the health aides throughout the State of Alaska. A specific concern relative to this issue is the proposed Section 08.64.430 - "HOLDING OUT AS PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT - A person other than one who has been approved by the board who holds himself out as a 'physician assistant or who uses any other term indicating or implying that he is a physician assistant is guilty of a misdemeanor." Several representatives of the various Alaska Native organizations and associations have indicated a concern over the proposed bill. It is their belief that the community health aide program is badly needed and desired by the community residents and is serving a very beneficial cause to the rural residents throughout the State of Alaska. They do not wish to see the health aide program jeopardized by legislation which would not =allow the health aides to continue their vital services in the communities. As mentioned above, the health aides are employed by the various Native organizations and village councils. Physician's assistants, medical corpsmen and other para-professional health programs are coming to the forefront throughout various parts of the United States. It appears that some of these programs are working well and are providing badly needed services in various loca- tions. On the other hand, some of these programs are experiencing various technical, legal, and administrative problems in some states which have adopted similar prog ----------------------- Page 74----------------------- A-ONA 2/2/71 The various proposed sections of HB 34 contained under Article 6 in its totality, seems to raise a question as to the legality of the future operation of the health aide program and would seem to discourage health aides from serving in their communities. As a result of discussions with the several concerned agencies and groups, it appears that there is real question as to the wisdom of enacting legislation involving licensure of physician's assistants which may be too restrictive. This is not to imply that there is not a place in the medical profession for such a category of personnel. It does appear to be prudent and indicated at this time to gather more information, more knowledge, more indication of where the physician's assistant programs are going throughout other parts of the United States. RECOMMENDATION: In the event that legislation is enacted by the State of Alaska to create a category of medical personnel titled, physician's assistants, it is requested that language be incorporated in the bill which would allow the vital and much needed services of the community health aide to continue in their communities throughout the State of Alaska. ----------------------- Page 75----------------------- February 8, 1971 ( Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 1:40 p.m. with members Colletta, Specking and Moses present. Dr. Clifr Hartman, Commissioner of Education, said there is some. inconsistancy between line 20 on page 1 and line 10 on page 2. The four should be changed to three on line 10, page 2. If the committee wants a 4: 1 ratio we should change line 20, page 1. Mrs. Chance said that the intent of the bill was for a 75 - 25 ratio or 3:1 so line 10, page 2 needs to be changed. Dr. Hartman said further that the amount the committee asked for was $40 million in the appropriation and this is a very good amount. In 1970 they would have liked $36 million. In 1971 they want $45 million. In 1972 they propose $41 million. The dollar amount will drop off to $28 million in the years 1973 to 1975. They would suggest that there be some kind of schedule of payments after approval of the project. Unless this is done the state would be losing considerable interest over this period of time. If there is investment of the funds the interest should be deposited in the account. In some boroughs, according to Dr. Hartman, they are using the interest for other things. They need more accountability in this regard. This is certainly a way that the state .( can assist, Dr. Hartman said. Many cities have a very urgent need but no bonding capacity to take care of it. Mr. Bob Issacs, Special Assistant to the Commissioner of Education, said he would suggest a slight revision in section 20 to make the intent that they "shall apply" for the construction monies. We need to look at the total fund proposal, Mr. Issacs said. Dr. Hartman agreed, saying that some application should come in for construction funds. He suggested the words, trshall make application." Mr. Colletta asked Mr. Kerttula if this was not taken care of in paragraph (b) of the bill. Dr. Hartman answered, saying that it is, but he felt the application may serve to establish priorities. We must meet the basic needs first, he said. Mr. Moses said it should be spelled out a little more clearly as to what can be funded. Dr. Hartman said he thought there was some assurance here because at least 25% of the funding must come locally. Mr. Kerttula said that on line 1, page 3 there is a provision that excludes athletic facilities in this bill. Conflict began in the communities, he explained, because of the cost of buildings. Revenue sharing relieved some of this. Mrs. Chance asked for Mrs. Crosby's view. She said that they would want to be sure that the design of the school ----------------------- Page 76----------------------- -2- ( stays with the community. She agreed with Dr. Hartman, saying that since centralized accounting has come into being the money is being invested in local government instead of the interest reverting back to the school districts. Mrs. Chance said this bill should have something put into it that excludes participation of the Division of Buildings and the Department of Public Works. Dr. Hart- man agreed, saying that because of the present laws, the Public Works Department gets the money and seems to feel that it belongs to them. He was not sure as to how much authority they should exercise. Mrs. Chance said that under this bill we will be able to start making grants to the local school districts. The Department of Public Works has to come in and supervise the design and construction. Dr. Hartman said that this can happen under the present laws. Mr. Isaac said that he felt this bill should say something to the effect that the provisions of this act are not subject to such-and- such a section of the Department of Public Works. Mr. van Hout asked how weare going to establish priorities. Mr. Specking asked if it was Mr. Kerttula's intent to get .( the funding into the districts. Mr. Kerttula said that it was his hope that the priority areas would get the funding first. Mr. Specking said that if a district has the funding capability and got the state grant would they stretch the building. Mr. Kerttula said that you have to give to the areas that have in order to reach the areas that have-not. Mr. van Hout suggested that the bill show legislative in- tent. He felt that within a letter or in the bill we should say that we have considered priorities.They need to be care- ful in the definition of local money. Under federal legis- lation the money is made available to the local governments. Mrs. Chance and Mr. Moses expressed doubt whether all com- munities would be able to obtain 25% matching funds. Means of preventing this possibility including permitting col- lected monies from the tobacco tax and from local revenue sharing funds were proposed. Mr. Moses pointed out that one district may be in much greater need than another district. Mr. Van Hout said that some states give consideration to the amount of bonded indebtedness -- if one has exhausted its resources and has a need then it has a higher priority than another community that still has resources. Dr. Hartman suggested removing the 75% sharing and saying "no less than 75%" which would allow for up to 90% sharing for those communities that need it. He volunteered to ----------------------- Page 77----------------------- -3- draw up a form showing how this could work in Alaska. Mrs. Chance said she would appreciate having this information. Mr. Moses said that the federal government might take a different view on funding of the BIA schools when they hear of this proposal. Mr. van Bout said they have heard that the BIA is not going to get any more money than is already planned for. Mrs. Chance mentioned Selawik, saying that the state has taken over the school from the BIA at Selawik and there are reports of the school dumping raw sewage into the stream that is the village water supply. They are allegedly dumping upstream from where the villagers get their water, thereby contaminating the water supply. Mr. Van Hout said that there are two state agencies fighting here -- the State Operated Schools and the Division of Health. Dr. Hartman said they would look into it and see what can be done about the problem. Mr. Specking said he would find it very interesting to talk to the health people about this problem. Mrs. Chance said that State Operated Schools is planning to shut down the school at Gakona and asked for further information on this matter. Dr. Hartman said they are going to be transferring the students to Glennallen. The students will be bussed about 13 miles to reach the school. Mrs. Chance said she had heard from some of the people in Gakoria Who are not in favor of this, saying the schools at both Gakona and Glennallen are crowded. She asked Dr. Hartman to provide the committee with some justifica- tion for this move. Dr. Hartman said that in 1969-70 there were 5,344 students" and a budget of $7 million ($1,368 per student). For this year they estimate 5,460 students with a budget of $9,317,000. There is nearly $4 million for Mt. Edgecumbe alone. Mrs. Chance asked Mr. Moses if he would please go into this matter in depth. s 63 & 52 Mrs. Chance said the committee has a proposed substitute for HBs 63 or 52. The commission itself has established regulations concerning this. They wanted more money to fund all the programs -- $950,000 was the amount they had wanted. What they have left over at this point will take care of the students that had applied for the ,loans the first semester. No more new loans can be made. Mrs. Chance said she asked Legislative Affairs to draft a committee substitute that would not stipulate what the funds are to be used for. This provides for $950,000 plus $15,000. This is an appropriation of $965,000 from the general fund. ----------------------- Page 78----------------------- -4- ( Mr. Colletta said he felt this was just a polite way of getting around the problem -- all the bill does is add $15,000. Mrs. Chance said that if we tie the thing down with specific language they may not be able to shift the funds where they are needed. The money does not go to the institution, she pointed outo The money goes for tuition for the students. Mr. Specking said it was his understanding that the $950,000 would cover the total amount. Mrs. Chance said that the U of A said that another $15,000 was an estimate for new student loans. They have just enough money for the second semester n6w if they make no new loans. Mr. Colletta asked for another explanation of the difference between a grant an a contractual agreement. Dr. Hartman said that grants and loans are for use by independent students and there is a limit of $750 a year. The purpose for the contractual agreement was to further help the students bear the cost of the difference between going to a private school and going to U of A. Mr. Specking asked if the existing loan program could not be changed, so that one program covers all. A student should be able to go to AMU and have the state pay the ( difference. Why can't we do this with one program, he asked. Mr. Colletta said we are setting our groups of young people aside when all should have an equal oppor- tunity. Mrs. Chance said we are trying to appropriate funds to help the students in Alaska. Mr. Moses added that we are limited as to how much we can provide. Mrs. Chance said the private institutions said they would not need money for the school loan and grant program if the contractual agreement was funded. Mr. Colletta asked for Dr. Hartman's opinion. Dr. Hartman said he would prefer to limit himself to the facts and not opinions. He did not know if the Commission would register an opinion. He said it was the intent of the legislature to provide the $250,000 for the loan and grant find. Personally, he concurred that there should be a way that the state can find to support the private institutions, but he did not know how we should do this. Mrs. Chance asked if the committee wanted to submit a committee substitute on this at this time, would they like to amend this or have another committee substitute- drafted. This would be a substitute for Mr. Kerttula's bill that is already in committee. Her point was that both of the bills in the committee specify how all the funds can· be used. If we say it is all for scholarship ----------------------- Page 79----------------------- -5- loans and grants, she said, they cannot use it for contrac- ( tual services if they need it. Mr. Colletta moved to table this matter at this time. Mrs. Chance said that if he would withdraw his motion she would defer the action until later. Mr. Colletta agreed. Mrs. Chance said that Dr.''''ood estimated that this $15,000 would be needed to fund the second semester. Mrs. Chance said we would discuss HJR 15, HBs 80, 157 and 141 tomorrow and she would assign subcommittees first thing. The meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m. Diana E. Hubbard, Secretary . ----------------------- Page 80----------------------- February 9, 1971 Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 1:42 p.m. with members Colletta, Naughton, Whittaker, and Specking present .. 52 Mrs. Chance handed out copies of the proposed committee substitute for House Bill 52 and explained that what this would do would be to combine Mr. Kerttula's bill and the Governor's bill. Both of those bills were re- stricting. She asked how the committee felt about this bill. Mr. Whittaker said he was very concerned about this bill. Mrs. Chance explained that this is a sup- plemental appropriation and is to help the students who are going to school now and for summer school stu- dents. Mrs. Chance again asked if there was any objec- tion to adopting this committee substitute and passing this on to the Finance Committee. Mr. Whittaker felt the committee needs to review this in terms of policy. Mrs. Chance pointed out that we cannot do that in an appropriation bill. Mr. Colletta suggested that if Mrs. Chance were to ex- plain this to the rest of the committee as she had done for him yesterday possibly this would clarify the matter. Mrs. Chance said that this is just to fund those students who are already enrolled. Mr. Whittaker asked to see ( regulations of the Higher Education Commission. Mr. Specking said he was still concerned about the $15,000. He said we are funding a program sort-of unauthorized. Mr. Colletta said he wondered if possibly we are doing the wrong thing. Mrs. Chance explained that Mr. Kerttula had made an error in drafting the bill and he had even changed the bill up to $950,000. The attorneys in Legislative Affairs made a mistake in drafting. The Governor's bill made it look like we were giving the institutions $950,000. If we can get this into the hands of the Finance Com- mittee, she explained, they can figure out how much the universities should have .. Her concern was just getting it down into the Finance Committee. Mr. Specking moved and asked unanimous consent that we amend the $15,000. Mr. Whittaker objected, then removed his objection. Mr. Naughton objected. Mrs. Chance said she had no objection whatsoever to the amount. She will take the bill down and have them erase the amount and put in $950,000. Mr. Naughton withdrew his objection. Mr. Co~letta moved that the committee substitute pass out of committee. The committee members signed the bill. ----------------------- Page 81----------------------- -2- 15\ Mrs. Chance said that Legislative Affairs drafted the bill to amend a law that was repealed by mistake last year. Mr. Van Hout said that we find that in all fairness to Unalaska they should really be in the northwest area rather than in the central area. For foundation pur- poses they feel that they should be in the northwest district which is the same as Nome. If the costs are high in Unalaska they will be comparable to those in Nome. Mr. Naughton said that the bill, as it is now written, puts Unalaska in the northwest district. Mr. Van Hout said that the same problem occurs in Kodiak. Mrs. Chance asked what the pleasure of the committee on the bill is. Mr. Specking said that the discussion on this previously concerned only Mr. Moses' district and not the Kodiak area. Mr. Naughton said that this bill takes care of the change. Mr. Specking asked if, when we start including other districts, shouldn't we look at the whole thing. . Mrs. Chance said that Kodiak used to be in the central district. Mr. Specking asked how much money we are talking about. Mr. Van Hout said he would guess around $130,000 or $140,000. Mr. Naughton said they had always been in that salary category, that this was a legislative oversight. Mrs. Chance said that the Department of Education is present- ly doing this because they considered this a legislative oversight. What we did, she explained, was a complete overhaul of the state foundation act. This bill corrects the oversight and legalizes what they have been doing already. Mr. Colletta asked what Mr. Van Hout felt about this parallelling teachers salaries. Mr. Van Hout answered that if you say you are going to pay teachers salaries a certain amount, then do not give them the support that is corellary to the salary, there is a discrepancy. If a district has to pay "x" salary they should have amount of support, not "y" amount of support. There were two errors committed by putting both Kodiak and Unalaska in the wrong category. Mr. Specking said that it was his understanding that the district· set the teachers· salaries. Mr. Van Hout said this is right but there is a law setting the minimum salary schedule. They cannot pay less than the minimum. ----------------------- Page 82----------------------- -3- ( The minimum salary times whatever the percentage value is is what the teachers will make, Mr. Van Hout continued. They are under the pressure of the policy so they have compensated the districts accordingly. Mr. Specking asked what is the authorization for increasing the amount. Mr. Van Bout said they possibly talked with the Attorney General and they felt that it was the legis- lative intent. Mrs. Chance added that they had an opinion from Legislative Affairs and the Attorney General that this was the intent. They were requiring Kodiak to pay 105% of the minimum salary but they were only putting into the school foundation for them the same amount that they gave Anchorage. Mr. Van Rout said that the cost of living is higher in Kodiak than in Anchorage. it takes a higher percentage to pay the cost of living for the teachers in Kodiak. - Mr. Colletta objected, saying that Kodiak receives many of the benefits that Anchorage receives. Mr. Van Bout said that power costs in Kodiak are higher, food costs are higher. Mr. Naughton said that the freight rates in Anchorage are less than those in Kodiak. You have a lot of things to offer in Anchorage, Mr. Naughton pointed out, that will make people want to go to Anchor- age rather than Kodiak, such as cultural activities. ( If we are going to have the same quality of educators throughout the state we have to equalize all the benefits. Mr. Specking said he was not convinced that Kodiak prices are higher than those in Hope. Mr. Naughton said that kodiak as 'rural schools, urban schools, and on-base schools. They put teachers in the village and they are teachers for 24 hours a day. The village turns to them when they have problems they cannot solve. Whehave got to continue raising the quality of educators, he said. Mr. Specking said he did not really agree with Mr. Naughton's views on quality of education in small villages. These children get a lot of TLC that they do not receive in the urban schools. The teacher market is fairly well flooded with qualified teachers, Mr. Specking said. Last year after the recent pay raise he met in Alaska many teachers who had t~ugbttin Alaska many years ago who had come back to Alaska because of the higher salaries. Mr. Naughton said that if Mr. Specking's views are the true ones, -they are not reflected by the superintendent in Kodiak. The teachers that are hired for work in villages first find that they are married to a light plant and cannot get away. As far as the TLC is concerned, he said, that takes a lot of time and energy. ----------------------- Page 83----------------------- -4- ( Mr. Colletta said that he is quite certain that Anchorage experiences the same problems and certainly 5% is not going to solve the problems. Mr. Naughton pointed out that it helps. Mr. Colletta felt that it does not help to that degree. There are people who are dying to go out in the bush. The money does not find them. If we put Kodiak in the 11J% category would it solve your problems, he asked Mr. Naughton. Mr. Naughton said that Kodiak does not have the costs that Nome and Un- alaska have. Mr. Colletta said even if we give Kodiak 10% more will this solve the problem. Mrs. Chance said that what we have to address ourselves to is an inequity. We are requiring Kodiak to pay 5% more to their, teachers but we are not giving them 5% more assistance. Mr. Whittaker said he would move and ask unanimous consent that we pass the bill out of committee. There being no objections the members signed the bill out. 160 Mr. Whittaker moved and asked unanimous consent that House Bill 160 pass out of committee with a do-pass recommendation. There was no objection and it was so ordered. Mrs. Chance asked if anyone had any item they wanted to set up a date for discussing. House Bill 35 needs work on the language, she said. We will discuss this later in the week. Also House Bill 80 will be discussed later in the week. Mr. Van Rout said he felt there needed to be a change in this bill. Mrs. Chance asked Mr. Naughton to let her know when he would want to discuss the bill. Mrs. Chance said that tomorrow we will work on some bills. We will also have with us Mr. Earl Hawkins from the Department of Labor, WIN program, in Anchorage. The meeting adjourned at 2:33 p.m. DIana E. Rub-Secretary ----------------------- Page 84----------------------- February 9, 1971 ( Senator Lowell Thomas Jr. called the meeting to order at 8:10 p.m. and turned the chair over to Mrs. Chance. Present were Senators Josephson and Polland and Representatives Naughton and Moses. Representative Rose sat with the committee during the hearing. Mrs. Jan Craddick, a Juneau member of the Board of Directors for Alaska Homemaker Service, Inc. moderated the presentation by the Homemakers. She introduced Winifred Ruthroff, secretary-treasurer of the organiza- tion, who would present some background information. Ms. Ruthroff said that three years ago Region 9 met with Glen Wilcox, head of the Division on Aging, and were in- formed that there was money available if a suitable program could be set up for aging. They got underway in August of 1969. By October they had hired a director. Homemakers were recruited, a training program was started, and a training manual was compiled. The first training group found they had no training material so a manual was written. This manual is used in many states and the demand for it has necessitated a second printing. Mr. Hank Harmon from the Office of the Aging spoke next. He became involved with the Homemakers in June 1969 as ( acting coordinator. He found that Homemakers were very popular with the federal representatives (Title III grants). The first year the federal grant is 75-25; the second year it is 60-40 ($68,250 in 1970); the final year is 50-50 ($Ll3,050 in 1971). The grant is in a three-year "seed program." The federal funds for 1971 were cut back by $8,400, which the state consequently funded. The project can be financed beyond the three years but it was initially set up as a three-year program. They are running surveys on the needs of old people in Alaska. They looked at 18 questionaires recently and on all of them, care in or out of the home was ranked as a major concern. This is especially true of the outlying areas. The Homemakers were supposed to be state-wide in their program. A pilot project was started in Juneau and expanded to Fairbanks and Anchorage. "The Fairbanks Homemakers have temporarily suspended opera- tions while the Anchorage Homemakers have provided the greatest service. Mr. Harmon said he felt the project was very worthwhile. They do not know whether there will be federal funds available for the next year. Dorothy Lamshire, Assistant Director from Anchorage, spoke about the role of the Homemaker Home Health Aide. They are a private, non-profit organization to provide help to aged, motherless, handicapped, etc. They have a $6,000 contract with ASHA teaching native people how to live in the modern world with modern appliances and imported foods. This is a change for the people and they need help. They ----------------------- Page 85----------------------- -2- employ the unemployed. They serve private people as well as welfare and BIA recipients. The service is split about 50-50. Rev. John Schaffer read a letter from Mrs. Jan Gustafson who was involved in auto accident and was incapacitated for some time. She had the services of the Homemakers and was quite grateful for them. Mrs. Craddick said that for three years the program has operated under a federal grant. The purpose of such pro- grams is to determine if there is a need, how the need can be met, and how the program can be funded. They feel that the need can be more broadly met by continuing the program as a private agency. They think that the cost of the actual services of the homemakers can be met. The homemakers are paid $3.05 an hour. Including other com- pensations, the actual cost to the program is $4.75 for one hour for one hofuemaker. The major cost, however, is the administrative cost of the program and this is what they want subsidized. The projected cost for fiscal year 1972 is $62,000. The office space is donated. In addition to the above cost, they have two more items pay to the homemakers while they are being trained and the ( difference between what the client is charged and what the actual cost of the homemakers services is ($4.75 . $3.05). They will need $90,000 to finance the program for fiscal year 1972, including these three items (adminis- tration, pay while training, difference between charge and actual cost). They put in 4,000 hours a month delivering service to the people. TheY',receive $228,000 from pur- chasers and agencies; Mrs. Craddick pointed out that if this program is kept private it will be able to serve more people. Ms. Dove Kull, Director of Homemakers, said they are placing the price beyond the reach of many people if they charge $4.75, the actual cost. Some of the private purchasers get reimbursement from insurance companies, but not all. Here in Juneau Model Cities has given them $4,000 to help those who cannot pay for the care they need. They have some who can pay. The homemakers themselves are one-third Eskimo, Indian, and Aleut. They are enlisting more and more native people as trainees. They have asked the Commissioner of Labor to help them start another training program. They have not been able to meet the needs of the state. The home- makers are receiving $490 a month. They should be receiving I $577 a month to make the salaries commensurate with those L of the state. This is not fair for the women because some of them have aptitudes for working in the home and are forced to find other work because they cannot make enough money as a housemaker. They need elasticity in the budget to cover the hours the women are in training. ----------------------- Page 86----------------------- -3- ( Senator Thomas asked if there is anything in the budget of Health and Welfare to take care of this requirement. Mr. Stan Harris of the Division of Public Welfare said they had worked with the Homemakers in the past. They have not put any money into the budget for Homemakers per set They have talked to Ms. Kull about providing the service through contractual arrangement. Mrs. Chance asked, in relation to the above, if the Home- makers had instituted the cost accounting study that would be required by legislation passed last year. The actual total cost (including administration costs) would be paid instead of putting full administration cost on private sector. Ms. Kull said they have requested the study and they were waiting for an opinion from the Attorney General pertaining to this matter. Mrs. Craddick pointed out they had not put the full cost on the private sector. Mr. Harmon said it could be a case of economics in that you could price yourself out of business this way--you could be in competition with nursing homes. The purpose is to keep the person in the home. Mr. Rose said it seemed to him that they could not make a comprehensive cost analysis in that there is no way to put down the dollar benefit. Mrs. Chance pointed out that this program is not only for young people such as children without one parent, but is also for older people who cannot prepare their own meals, etc. Mr. Rose asked Mr. Harris if his department could afford having the program on a contractual agreement. Mr. Harris said they would not have to contract for the entire amount because some of the services are paid for by private people. Ms. Kull said the state is now paing 50% of the service through Head Start, Day Care, ASHA, BIA, and Welfare. Senator Josephson asked if Homemakers is facing some critical point. Mrs. Craddick said that September 30 their federal grant runs out. The state Department of Health and Welfare told them they had two choices: to be private or to be state supported. They have three, she pointed out: they could go under. They could get into local revenue-sharing as conceived in the impending Comprehensive Community Services Act. Senator Josephson said they seem to have a high cost of operating. it was pointed. out that there is a necessity for having people on tap when needed by families in criSiS. Each of the full-time workers get $10,000. Ms. Kull said that in most situations they get into there is a crisis so the whole family is overwhelmed. There are some families that have not been able to get organe ized at all, even though they have no crisis. ----------------------- Page 87----------------------- ( Mrs. Chance asked about the need to keep people on the staff. Ms. Kull said it is very hard to keep homemakers. There are two full-time people who get paid whether they work or not. Mr. Rose asked what type of training is required for a homemaker. Ms. Kull said 200 professional people have aided in the training of the people. They (Ms. Kull and others) sat in on training sessions and took notes. From this the training manual was written. it has units on child care, nutrition, money managing, mental health, and accident prevention. The homemakers go through 225 hours of training then they are certified by Dr. Wood or the University of Alaska or the Dean of the Community College, the Commissioner of Health and Wel- fare, and Ms. Kull. Senator Thomas asked how many of these people are actually unemployed. Ms. Kull said most of these people have 8th grade educations, on up through some who have college education and one who has a college degree. Dr. Wood will accept a grant to train people in mental health. Ms. Lampshire said one of the homemakers is 68 years old yet is very capable. One is crippled. There are no drop-outs in the training program. Senator Thomas asked if the Department of Labor is always involved. Ms. Kull said yes; also, vocational education, the nursing branch of the Division of Health, and the Community Colleges are all involved. Dr. McGinnis said there are very few things that have caught his imagination so much as this program has. The federal grant has demonstrated the government's belief in the usefulness of this program. He is willing to do what he can to help this program survive. He would hope that we can find some way to involve the local borough structure. He sees a real relationship between this pro- gram and the labor problem in Fairbanks and Anchorage. This program needs to be explored beyond metro politan boundaries as to the applicability to all state citizens. They can get $25,000 in their Department (Education) which would bring $75,000 matching from the federal government and they could come up with the rest of the money from other sources, he believes. He would like to see this program accomplished. Ms. Kull said she knew that all of us are aging. We have in Alaska a number of older people who would like to die in /' Alaska rather than somewhere south. They are looking for people who could qualify for training in this program who are over 60. They need people who want to work part-time and these people do not want to work full-time. ----------------------- Page 88----------------------- -5- ( Mr. Charney said the problem comes in the assumption of powers. Most of the boroughs in the state do not have the power to help with this program. Mrs. Chance said that revenue sharing might be a possibility. Mr. Charney said that as long as you stay in the community this will work. Senator Josephson asked if this program trains males. Ms. Kull said yes, but they cannot guarantee a full- time job. Mr. Naughton asked what the cost is to train each person. Ms. Kull said the professional people have donated their time so the Homemakers do not have a training cost. People who are on the poverty level when they are in training are paid a small amount per week so they can live while train- ing. Mr. Naughton asked what FISH is. Father Eddy said it is a voluntary self-help for crisis in the home. It is for an emergency short-term situation. Mr. Naughton asked how many Homemakers there are in Juneau. Ms. Kull said there is one full-time and six others on an hourly basis. Fairbanks has temporarily folded. Mr. Naughton said he was a little sceptical about expecting borough support. Senator Josephson said he thought Mr. Naughton was right, but he felt he was struck over and over again by how little the local governments contribute to the human services. Mr. Rose said he would caution against local participation. The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m. Diana E. Hubbard, Secretary ----------------------- Page 89--------------------------- February 10, 1971 Vice chairman Haughton called the meetinG to order at 1:50 p.m. pending xarrival of Mrs. Chance who was at- tending a chairmens meeting. Present were members Moses, Colletta, Whittaker and Specking. Testimony was presented by Mr. Earl Hawkins of the Department of Labor, WIN program. He said the wIN program was started in July of 1968. Alaska was the first state to sign up for the program. Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau started it at the first of the year (1969). They branched out to Nome, Barrow and Bethel and Kodiak. They have not been able to start the program in Kotzebue. WIN is a joint program between Welfare and Labor. Wel- fare furnishes transportation and day care for the children. Labor provides training and counsellin for the mothers. Women who are on AFDC are referred by Welfare. At the time the referral is· made they start the enrollment pro- cess. An application is taken and the person talks to a counsellor. The counsellor and the enrollee work on an employability program. There is an orientation period --in Anchorage it is for two weeks for three hours a day --when the enrollees hear speakers from various businesses who give talks about working in business, how to dress and take care of hair, budgeting, and safety. The em- ployability plan is presented to a committee composed of people from various organizations. The person is sent to a college program. Most cases are basic adult . education. They pay so much per person going to the basic education class. They arrange interviews with the employers, arrange transportation, and assist the client until she does find a job. Sometimes they work with people for a year, but not every day. There is no time schedule. In Anchorage they have about 140 miles a day to travel. They contract for a bus for the transporta- tion. When they get a person a job the person does not have a car so they help them out for the first month. The transportation situation is a handicap. They have access to almost all on-going. programs so the WIM program can be worked many ways. The started a class in Nome and Bethel this year so they can train the people in the villages. They have a work experience program that can last 13 weeks. It is working for a non-profit organiza- tiona In Anchorage the NYC does their developing of sites for them. If they find a girl is shy they put her into the work experience program so she will learn how to work in an office. Many times they will put a person back in school to make the girl more hirable so that when she does come out she will be able to work permanently. In Nome, Bethel and Barrow the courses are practically basic education because most of the mothers cannot read or write. They are very interested in it once they get started. . Day care is a problem. This is the Welfare's responsi- bility. The children are taken to a day care center ----------------------- Page 91----------------------- -2- .( and left while the mother is at school. At night Welfare has a very difficult time finding people to babysit while the mother is in evening classes." Mr. Hawkins passed out a chart of the One-Year Program Design by Major Component, showing that Basic Education is required by 30% of the mothers, GED by 40%, Institu- tional training by 80%, Work Experience by 10%, OJT by 5%, and Part-Time Employment by 10%. The national success average was 25% last year while Alaska's average was 30%. This will in all probability rise. They cannot anticipate what is going to happen with the mothers-- whether they are going to be able to work. The WIN pro- gram furnishes transportation, day care and $30 a month. They get their welfare checks. In Alaska the program is voluntary. They expect to expand this year. Some of the places where they will be expanding are Kenai and Eagle River,and possibly Fort Yukon. They try to get 15 as a mlnlmum for the classes. The costs are quite high when there are less than 15. Program Service Aide -WIN program started this during the past year. It takes women out of the WIN program, picked very carefully, and puts them in college where they come out with an AA degree and are qualified to take the ( Manpower Specialist test which will qualify them to start working for the WIN program. Then when a counsellor is gone from the town the Aide will take up the slack. She will not counsel but will help out the mothers.The federal grant financed the program this year. The state pays 20% while the federal government pays 80%. Mr. Whittaker asked why Alaska's program is voluntary when he thought the federal government required the program. Mr. Hawkins said when they started the Welfare Department was sending people over and then suddenly Welfare decided to make the program voluntary. They can refuse to go into the program if there is some reason they cannot leave the home. Welfare makes the program voluntary. Mr. Whittaker asked how much money we are spending on the program. Mr. Hawkins answered around $170,000 last year. About $370,000 for the whole state. Mr. Whittaker asked what the 30% success figure meant. Mr. Hawkins answered that the 30% figure does not mean that there are 70% of the people sitting around. Some get married because of the dramatic change in the appearance and behavior through the orientation program. For every 100 people they have in the program 30 have a job. When the people are trained they sometimes have to wait a month for a job. They probably have 40 in Anchorage right now who are on Welfare because they are not getting quite enough money to get off because of the size of the family. ----------------------- Page 92----------------------- -3- Mr. Whittaker asked what kind of wages these mothers make. Mr. Hawkins said they might not have the experience but they have the training to get good jobs. They try to start out above the guaranteed wage if they can. In one instance they worked a year and a half on one woman. She was 19 years old and they worked on her for six months and could not do a thing with her. She sud- denly made a complete turn around and is now working for an oil company and making $750 a month. . Mr. Whittaker asked how many people the program has trained and are working now. Mr. Hawkins answered that they have trained and placed in jobs about 100 people. About 70 of those people are off of Welfare. Mr. Whittaker asked about WIN's involvement with the GED. Mr. Hawkins said that at one time when MDTA first started out they would get the money to move and they had to move fast. They trained people and they could not qualify for a job no matter how good they were because of the requirements for the job. They have found the Job Corpse GED packet to be very effective. They can get the GED within 7 months. Mr. Whittaker suggested that it would be better to re- design the GED and make it more relevant. Mr. Hawkins ( pointed out that the WIN program does not put the women through GED if they do not need it, for instance if they were going to be a clerk in a store. The Division of Vocational Education is the area that works with this. Mr. Whittaker asked how many women are currently enrolled throughout the state. Mr. Hawkins said that as of yes- terday there were 360. Mr. Moses asked if the women were mainly trained in the community colleges. Mr. Hawkins said yes, because it is cheaper. The other colleges have raised their rates. Administra- tion of the program comes out of the federal portion of the program. Mr. Danny Plotnick of the Department of Labor said that his department's part in this is funded 100% by the federal government, i.e. administration. Mr. Naughton asked if men could be trained in the program. Mr. Hawkins said there are more areas to train for men than there are for women so they do not have much trouble placing them. Mr. Naughton asked if the people in the L field understood that men can be trained in this program. Mr. Hawkins said the man has to be supporting children and there are not many of them. They have five trained in the state. ----------------------- Page 93----------------------- -4- Mr. Naughton asked if the program could use unemployable fathers who have not run off from their families. Mr. Hawkins said there is a program in the works now that will take the whole family that is on Welfare and help them. He thought this is the right tactic. The longer these people are on Welfare the harder it is to train them and get them off of Welfare. Mr. Whittaker asked if WIN increased the size of the program would them have jobs for those they could train. Mr. Hawkins answered that he would hope they could keep up the quality of the training. The team approach in placement is important for success, he also said. They get a bunch of different ideas together and can place the women better. OVR works with them. Mr. Naughton asked how things like glasses and teeth were financed for the women. Mr. Hawkins said the Lions help. with those items. Welfare takes care of the medical aspect. if the woman needs emotional help she goes to OVR. Mr. Whittaker said he did not know much about the program in Ketchikan but from what his own experience has been the WIN program is quite effective. Mr. Hawkins said that Ketchikan does not have enough training facilities for the varied types of jobs available. This is what the family assis- tance program will help with. R 15 Mr. Moses moved and asked unanimous consent that the committee pass out CS for HJR 15 with a do-pass recom- mendation. Mr. Specking objected, requesting time to read the resolution. After reading it, he seconded the motion. Mr. Naughton declared that, without objection the resolution was adopted. 80 Mr. Naughton asked Mr. Specking if he would like to go into HB 80. Mr. Specking asked to have Mr. Tillion, the co-sponsor of the bill, brought in to testify. During the consequent at-ease Mrs. Chance resumed the chair. She said that tomorrow we will discuss HB 1, relating to grants and scholarship loans for graduate students, and HB 51, eliminating tuition for freshmen and sophomore at the University of Alaska. Friday we will discuss HB 98 and HB 116. HB 98 relates to benefits for depen- dent children while HB 116 relates to advisory school boards. Mr. Tillion testified on HB 80: The bill came up due to what turned out to be a technical oversight. Those districts that paid cash for bonding were penalized. It turned out that this was very profitable from one standpoint in that the contractors were pleased and the ----------------------- Page 94----------------------- -5- building got built sooner. They thought of pro-rating it so it would not be such a burden but they felt in view of the amount they could clean it up right now. Mr. Colletta said this is like going downtown and buying a suit and the next day the store puts the suit on salea Mr. Tillion said that except this goes back two years. He felt that in many cases the school districts want to pay cash'and we are really penalizing the many who pay cash if we do not pass this bill. ' Mr. Specking asked Mr. Tillion to explain a language changee Mr. Tillion said that what needed changing was the three on line 16 should be a two Mr. Van Hout added that this does not change anybody' current condition. Mr. Colletta asked, in the event this bill did not pass, how much would it save the state. Mr. Tillion said $1,200,000. Mr. Cole said it should be looked at going backOthreefiscal years from 1972 because it may miss Bristol Bay, which was not the intent of the bill. Mr. Tillion said he did not intend to leave Bristol Bay out. He thought it was adequately covered. Mr. Moses asked what oil-rich Kenai going to do with ( all this money. Mr. Tillion said they are operating 14 schools now. They have 5 mills with a 3% sales tax and a total of 11 mills for schools. That so-called oil-richness is not taxed by the Kenai area. They were unable to tax for a number of years even though they put in 30% of the state budget. They lost about a million and a half of assessed valuation as off-shore wells went into production. Mr. Colletta commented that there were only two places in the state that were able to pay case so the Kenai area must not be too bad off. Mr. Tillion said the reason they paid cash was they could not be bonded. They cannot tax the people any more than they are taxed already. He pointed out they have a school district the size of the state of Oregon. Some schools are overcrowded and others have empty classrooms. Mr. Specking added that there bas been overbuilding and over financing in the area. Mrs. Chance pointed out that the oil industry is high build and low employability. Mrs., Crosby, representati ve from the school boards, added that the School Board Association did pass a resolution which favored action on this bill. Mr. Tillion said the area that bonds has an advantage presently. This bill was intended to cover what they thought they had covered last year. He does not believe in encouraging someone to bond if they can get a better deal for cash. He did not think what ....................... is being asked is unfair. ----------------------- Page 95----------------------- -6- c- Mr. Naughton moved that HB 80 be mended on line 16 with the three on that line changed to two. Mr. Whittaker objected, saying that the committee does not know whether this covers Bristol Bay or not. Mr. Tillion said that this can be covered in the Senate. Mr. Van Hout said that last YBar both the Bristol Bay and the Kenai area thought the legislation would cover them. Both were disappointed because of a technicality. Mr. Whittaker withdrew his objection. Mr. Colletta moved and asked unanimous consent that HB 80 be amended and passed out of committee with a do-pass recommendation. Mrs. Chance, hearlng no ob- jection, so ordered. Mrs. Chance adjourned the meeting at 3:15 p.m. l ----------------------- Page 96----------------------- ----------------------- Page 97----------------------- ( February 11, 1971 Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 1:40 p.m. with members Naughton, Colletta, Specking and Mosespresent. 51 Representative Mike Miller testified on House Bill 51, saying that the state funds 12 years of education and he and Mr. Kerttula (co-sponsors of HE 51) feel that an additional two years is logical. The 12 years of education now offered is no longer adequate. The state has to address itself to the fact that 12 years is no longer all that is needed. We have great opportunities, he said, in the vocational approach for those who are not bent the bill it would be that the bill does not go far enough in that it should be funding tuition costs for four years. This bill provides tuition 'free for two years at the University of Alaska and community colleges. The tuition will be paid by the state. Mr. Colletta asked when you put some initiative on people. For sixteen years, under Mr. Miller's desired plan, the state subsidizes the students and then put them on the labor market. Mr. Miller said he did not feel that this stops initiative. The tuition amount is not very much ( and the student still has to pay money for other things plus has to get through the school on his initiative. We are just helping him a little bit Mr. Miller said. Mr. Specking asked if he felt we are turning students away from college because they do not have the money to go. He said he did not think anyone thing we do like this is going to make that much difference. It will just help. Mr. Naughton had a letter from the Director of the Kodiak Community College saying she thought this bill would help some students and would encourage students to complete courses, possibly for an AA degree. This should be aimed at students who are enrolled for a full-time course and possibly should be amended to show that intent. Mr. Moses asked if we don't have to provide some kind of relief for those students who are attending a private school. Mr. Miller said yes, he thought a similar bill should be made up to cover this. Mrs. Chance said we should take one step at a time. We have a committment to the students to educate them and then they will be in the job force and paying taxes. Mr. Specking said that at present the family of the student has to scrape hard to find the money to send a child to school. This puts the load on the taxpayers and he did not think they would stand for it. He felt we have too many other programs that need money. ----------------------- Page 98----------------------- -2- ( Dr. Wood spoke, saying the University of Alaska has never charged tuition to residents of the state. They have a fee composed of the various laboratory and library charges which is $100 per semester for full-time students. Graduate students must pay more. Part-time students pay $18 per course. That is not tuition but a consoli- dated fee. They have a variety of other fees. The bill would need to make clear that it is not for tuition. Dr. Wood said we need to make a distinction as to whether we want to include part-time. The cost is much more serious for vocational-technical programs. These are non-academic degree programs, administered by the Univer- sity but sponsored by the local school districts. In these programs the students use a great deal of material such as a welding course This has been typically not funded and they have had to charge a fee to cover the cost of the materials. The other area where there is a large amount to pay is in board and room. This cost goes up every year. Mrs. Chance asked how much board and room costs now. Dr. Wood replied that room costs $230 a semester and food costs $3.17 per day for three meals a day. The student must sign up for all meals for each semester. The food cost will rise to $3.48 and the room cost will ( go up $20 a semester next year. Even with the $100 consolidated fee exemption they are going to have many students who are going to have problems financially They never know how many people would come if there was no economic problem. Dr. Wood guessed that this bill would.increase their enrollment on the main campus by 10 to 12%. They had the largest percentage of increased enrollment on the main campus. They antici- pate at least a 10% increase for next year, possibly as much as 15%. There will be an additional 10% increase if this bill passes. The greatest increase will be in the community colleges if this bill passes. Dr. Whitmore, head of Student Financial Aid at the University, spoke. From their point of view, he said, the college level is where the student begins to help assume the cost of the education. The consolidated fee cost is a very small part of the cost. Very few drop out because they cannot pay the consolidated fee. The need is much more pressing for vocational type courses to be aided by a program such as this. There are 2,681 different financial awards to students, ranging from loans and grants to part-time work and the GI bill. $1-1/2 million is available for assistance. Mrs. Chance said she agreed with Dr. Whitmore that we need to put the emphasis on occupational training. She asked if there had been anything put into the budget for state funding for occupational programs. Dr. Wood said most of the funding for occupational programs is made at the state level. The local government pays some ----------------------- Page 99----------------------- - 3-- ( part of the cost. if they did have an exemption from vocational fees he thought that they would have at least three or four times as many people in the vocational education courses. The cost is a special barrier to people when they need to get on the pay- roll somewhere. They ve about 2,500 to 3,000 people in programs such as this. Mrs. Chance asked how to identify the vocational programs. Dr. Wood said these are called certificate courses. Mrs. Chance asked if the term vocational-technical cover this problem. Dr. Whitmore said it could be termed vocational terminal, not a baccalaureate course. Dr. Wood said =the charge for these courses is called a "course fee."He felt that we shou.ld be sure that all who want an education have an opportunity to get it. Mr. Bradner said one one hand he is not sure how much it costs to educate a student at the University of Alaska. The students themselves pay only about $300 a year. Mr. Bradner said we are building a fee struc- ture arbitrarily without regard to how much the students can pay. We need to look at what a student can afford. Dr. Wood said there is an $18 health fee and a $35 ac- ( tivity fee in addition to the $100 consolidated fee. He pointed out that unless we have employment for the stu- dent at the end of the vocational training program you have done nothing except keep the people off the streets. 1 Mrs. Chance said we will go on to House Bill 1. Mr. Bradner, sponsor, said the legislature handled this bill last year. it seeks to establish a program that can benefit students. It provides up to $6,000 in one year and no more than $20,000 total for graduate students. The assistance is in the form of a loan, interest for which is 4% unless the student leaves the state before the loan has expired, in which case the interest is 8%. The bill provides for forgiveness of 40% of the loan wherein it becomes a grant if the person maintains five years residency. The intent, Mr. Bradner said, is that we have graduate students within the state who have careers and family and choose to go back to school at a time when it is very difficult. Students go outside to school for programs that are not available within the state. It is obvious, Mr. Bradner said, that many schools outside the state charge high tuition rates. His intent in the 40% forgiveness was that this would make up the difference for those students who had to leave the state. ----------------------- Page 100----------------------- -4- ( Mr. frank Baxter, a private citizen, gave testimony regarding his own desires to contribute to the state, not just hold down a job. He is planning to sell his rental property, his boat, lease his home, and take his wife and four children with him to the states where he will study intensively for three years to obtain his bachelor's and master's degrees. He pointed out that he now pays about $1,000 in taxes and, at the end of his period of study when he returns to Alaska, he would expect to be paying double that in taxes. A copy of Mr. Baxter's testimony is attached. Mr. Bradner pointed out that many of the students who are involved in this bill are people WhD are already involved in working with the areas they are studying about. He said he did not feel that suffering through school makes the learning any better, quality-wise. Dr. Wood said he felt administering the bill would be difficult, mentioning the impact this bill might have on a fund development of higher education within this state. As Alaska grows he felt that there will be in the best interests of the state of Alaska more pro- fessional programs started (WAMI, an architechtural program, a law school). He would hope that something like this would not work against programs such as those proposed. Mr. Bradner said the arrangement of the selection committee was not intended to be a stumbling block. This bill could be funded by a revolving loan fund. Mrs. Chance said the fiscal note indicated $3,000 administration cost plus $6,000 per loan for 25 loans for a total cost of $153,000. Mr. Specking said he would like to know the total number of dollars available for graduate work. Dr. Whitmore said that the graduate student at the University the graduate student is eligible for a number of programs and it depends upon how much money he qualifies for and how much work he can handle. Right now there is enough work for the people who need it on the graduate level. Dr. Wood pointed out that the federal graduate level programs the student works three-quarters of the time so it takes them much longer to finish up. The meeting was adjourned at 3:25 p.m. Diana E. Hubbard, Secretary ----------------------- Page 101----------------------- House Health, Welfare and Education committee The Honorable Genie Chance, Chairman The Honorable Edward F. Naughton, Vice-Chairman The Honorable Carl E. Hoses, Nartin B. Hoora, Richard Whittaker, Keith Specking, Mike Colletta, Members I feel that the purpose of public hearings on any measure is to gain a cross section of opinion from people with different a attitudes and motivations for testimony. I have tried to examine mine in preparing this testimony on House Bill 1, state Aid to Higher Education. In order to help you feel my position I wish to give you some personal background. I came to Juneau at the age of 9.- I went through the local school system and graduated in 1958. The excellent education I received put me in good shape for college. Unfortunately, I became ill and had to withdraw. I then Honorably served in the Air Force and got back home in Feb. 1968. Now I am 30 years old, married with four children. I own my home(we finally have the house we always hoped to, an older large home in Douglas); I owna 28' Cabin Cruiser ( Just the kind we had always dreamed of owning): I have a small rental uni t in Douglas. My wife and I both \vork for the State, I for $13,500 per year and she for $8,600 per year: I have a little part time job that I make about $3,500 on. In ( other words, we have it made! But, I cannot contribute to the future of Alaska. I can. go along for the....ride and be pretty close to the first class section, but only as a rider. A train with-all riders soon stops cold. It needs people who are willing to throw a hunk of coal into the burner now and again. But it harms the train and all of its' passengers if only one person throws a rock into the fire. Education is the tool for telling the difference between a piece of coal and a rock. By helping the education of one person we have helped all. And so my wife, family and I have decided to leave our friends, our jobs, our home and our cruiser to return to school and get that education. But, frankly, we need HELP. I will receive $269 a rronth from VA. That will help. I will sell our rental,our boat, and lease our house and that will help. But it's not enough. It will take three years of solid study for me to obtain my Masters Degree. It will cost over $8,000 per year to attend classes, feed, house, and clothe my family. I will have $5,000 per year. House Bill I will cost the State nothing. I pay nearly $1,000 a year in State income tax now. I would expect to double that from the year I return home forvard. And I will return, for Alaska is my home. If I received $3,000 a year and 40% was forgiven that would be a cost to the State of $3,600. I would actually pay that back in increased taxes in a little over 3 years. The other $5,400 would be a loan, a small investment in my future, my family's future and the future of Alaska. As any good investment, the return would be suistantial to all. I urge you to give this bill your support. F. Baxter ----------------------- Page 102----------------------- A February 17, 1971 ( Mr. Moore called the meeting to order at 2:15 p.m. pending the arrival of Mr. Naughton and due to the absence of Mrs. Chance. Both Mr. Naughton and Mrs. Chance arrived soon after the meeting began. Mr. Whittaker and Mr ..Specking were also present. Present for testimony were Dr. Deak, Project Director for the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation, and Mr. Wm. Dann, Executive Director for the Norton Sound Health Corporation. Also present was Mr. Dave Webb, City Manager of Bethel. Dr. Deak explained that the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corpora- tion (YKHC) is a private, non-profit corporation which re- ceived a grant from the Office of Economic Opportunity in 1969 as an affiliate of the Alaska Federation of Natives. The board of directors is composed of village people, Associa- tion of Village Council Presidents, representatives from the Kuskokwim Valley Native Association, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Development Corporation, and other organizations. The board began to set up programs of its own to supplement and augment programs in the area. Over the past year they have broaden- ed their goals. They now hope to become a comprehensive health planning agency and meet the representative requirements. The ( most important program that they are involved in is the train- ing of the village health aides. This is a cooperative pro- gram with the Public Health Service CHAP programs (Community Health Aide Programs). This type of program was initiated by the PHS a few years ago. The YKHC was able to come up with the.fundsand the staff to help out the program and train the aides,in the Bethel area. it was felt that the aides were not receiving sufficient training so some of the trainees were selected and trained further. This training program is in progress and includes eight months in the Bethel area and a four-month teaching program in the villages. Dr. Deak explained that the direction of the program is some- what up in the air. They are going to have a meeting in March to decide what direction they should take on this. They are also training community health representatives who act as a link to interpret the language and fears of the people. This program has been highly successful and is a new concept which has not been widely used. Many people do not understand what is happening to them when they come in for treatment, Dr. Deak explained. The YKHC just hired a dentist full time. The USPHS is the major provider of dental care in the bush but they still cannot provide the capability for caring for all the people adequately. ( First, they need to relieve the acute dental pain of the people. 'L This pain is not considered medically serious but the village people keep wanting someone to take care of their pain. Second, they need dental health care to hlep prevent the dental disease ----------------------- Page 103----------------------- -2- that is rampant now. The YKHC believes the second program will be fairly easy to do. They have run up against the state dental laws because they had health aides working on people's teeth. They are hoping that the state dental association will issue a statement that they feel the. YKHC s,hould be able to allow health aides to work on the natives' teeth. They have a need which is not being met. They are not sure how this is going to go and they think the members of the High Commi ttee should be aware of what is happening. The laws need to be more flexible. Dr. Deak said this must be done if they are going to get the services into the bush. They are developing a long-range program which will have the training of these people foremost. Other programs of the YKHC include contribution to a pre- maternal home with the city and the PHS where women can come into the city to wait to have their babies. They fund build- ing of village clinics, with five village clinics in the Bethel area. This is done in conjunction with BIA and other agencies and taking into consideration the needs of the village and wants of the village presidents. In addition they are going to supply these with the necessary equipment. They will be a source of income for the village when they are completed. The Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation is already acting as ( a comprehensive health planning agency. The bond issue passed in November appropriates for health facilities. In view of this, the YKHC, through a series of meetings, compiled ideas from various agencies as to what they want and they have en- gaged a consulting firm to plan an adequate building complex for these purposes. They have talked with Mr. Larry Sullivan of Comprehensive Health Planning about the possibility of co- ordinating facilities. What they are hoping to do is come for- ward with a unified plan for a complex of buildings for which the state will contribute its funds. This will be a complex that will have diagnostic and treatment facilities in the same area -- both in-patient and out-patient facilities to minimize confusion and transportation difficulties for the patients. Dr. Deak said he thought it is very important that the state continue in a flexible way. They feel that if the state puts many restrictions on the building of such a facility they will not serve the people in the most efficient way. Basically, he said, this is an outline of the program and what they are going to do. Mr. Specking asked how much the grant is they are operating on. Dr. Deak said they received $816,000 this year. Mr. Specking asked if they charged anything for these services. Dr. Deak answered that they have some minor income from the staff members. Mr. Specking asked if the YKHC expected to continue on federal grant money. Dr. Deak said none of the other health programs have been refused funds from the federal government. Some have been transferred to HEW. None of them have been abandoned by the federal government. He mentioned the training of eight ----------------------- Page 104----------------------- -3- ( sanitarians which is projected and said they do not really start programs until they feel that someone can fund them. It is not the goal of their organization (the YKHC) to be a static program. They hope to turn over the control of the programs to someone else. Mrs. Chance asked if the YKHC included mental health programs. Dr. Deak said there is another agency in Bethel that has a mental health program. They are starting an alcoholism pro- gram. Mrs. Chance mentioned that the HWE committee is working on a community services act which will allow state funds to go into this type of program. Dr. Deak said people see an organiza- tion such as the YKHC as somewhat threatening to long-range programs. They have run into trouble in the eye-care program. They are training people to help the physician test eyes. This was very well planned but they ran into the optometric associa- tion who wanted to know why the YKHC did not contract for their services. The answer was that the YKHC feels that they are in the business of training village people, not subsidizing professionals. Mrs. Chance asked if the village health aide was protected under the CS for HB 34. Dr. Deak said that yes, this does cover the aide. Mrs. Chance mentioned the committee tried to avoid defining ( physician's assistant." Dr. Deak said that in the case of the difficulties with the dental and eye care programs, the Dental Practice Act states that no one can work on someone's mouth without a dental license, and they really do not know what to do about this. The statutes on this were looked up and the consensus of opinion was that the statutes did not state who could not work on teeth, but stated who could. Dr. Deak said that the major need in the villages is cleaning teeth, putting fluoride on, and currating an infected tooth and these functions are considered dentistry and cannot be done by the village health aides. Mr. Whittaker said that if a doctor can do anything in the mouth, including pulling a tooth then a person working under the supervision of a physician could do this. If the Medical Association is in concurrance with the YKHC on this problem area, the YKHC could ask for an Attorney General's opinion. Mrs. Chance said she would request an opinion from the Legis- lative Affairs attorneys and as a back-up ask for an oplnlon from the Attorney General. This would be concerning 08.36.350 and will be requested immediately. Mrs. Chance, referring to HB 34, said the record of physician's assistants mentioned in the bill is to avoid licensure but keeps a record of the physician's assistants. Dr. Deak felt this was going to be difficult because the PHS is not under the laws of the state. Mrs. Chance said the PHS has already agreed to co- operate. Dr. Deak asked when the committee was going to intro- duce the bill. Mrs. Chance answered that the committee adopted ----------------------- Page 105----------------------- -4- ( the committee substitute and passed it out yesterday and it is presently in the Finance Cornmittee. The only financial considera- tion is the registry so they can put another person in the budget to handle the registry. Mr. Moore asked what the reaction was to aides treating dental problems. Dr. Deak said the reaction was that it was illegal. Mrs. Chance said it is possible that the Finance Committee could put in another section to take care of this problem. Dr. Deak said the dentists were not opposed to it but they are in favor of them doing only certain things. Mrs. Chance said the physician's assistants would still be under the control of an M.D. or a dentist. Mr. Whittaker said the legislature might be able to put in something like they could do this under the supervision of a dentist. He asked if the YKHC utilizes the ser- vices of Legal Services. Dr. Deak answered yes but they wanted to try to work within the dental establishment first but the association was not anxious to take on changing the whole den- tal practice act at this time. Mr. Whittaker said the committee would like to give the YKHC some help on this immediately but it is a little difficult to have to wait for an opinion on this. Dr. Deak said they have been under attack already so they are really anxious to have ( a written legal opinion on this. Mr. Whittaker asked what the staff of the YKHC consists of. Dr. Deak said there are 26 staff members, of which 8 are aides in training, 3 are community health representatives, the adminis- trative staff,and one person who is a liason person who will be joined by two more people in the liason staff. They have 57 villages they are serving and some do not even know about the YKHC. The staff-members work under the license of Dr. Deak and another physician who is in charge of training. They also have two RN's and a medic on the staff. Dr. Deak was trained as a pediatrician with experience in a Childrens Bureau program in Los Angeles. The YKHC is applying for a "0" grant from Comprehensive Health Planning as they have funds for the program and all they are doing is asking for a name change, for the recognition. The problem right now is that they are trying to get a resolution from the city. To do this they had to open seats on the board to the city and other local organizations. If these people feel the YKHC is not doing the right thing they can protest to the state board. They have the support of the major organizations except one, Bethel Social Services, Inc. Mr. Naughton asked what the pay scale is. Dr. Deak said that during training the aides receive $300 a month, food stamps, and housing. Then when they start as aides they will receive $600 a month. These people are trained beyond the la-week PHS program and are receiving a year of training. They assist in the PHS training and work together with the PHS. Mr. Moore ----------------------- Page 106----------------------- -5- ( asked what Dr. Deak felt about the phase 4 PHS health aides receiving less than $400. Dr. Deak said we need a realistic salary to keep people on the job. The PHS has no real say as to who should be selected as the village does this function and decides who should be hired and fired. Some of the people are not very good; but he would not suggest that we put into law how to select the village health aides as this is merely a process of education for the village so they can better decide who is going to do the best job for them. The above is Dr. Deak's total presentation but was just a portion of the testimony heard February 17 House judiciary Education ----------------------- Page 107----------------------- February 16, 1971 ( Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 1:40 p.m. with members Specking, Whittaker, Naughton, Moore and Moses present. Mrs. Chance read a letter from the Commissioner of Labor about sevage dumping into streams near the water supply of villages. She is requesting the Commissioner to send a team up to check on this matter. I Mr. Mechau, Assistant Director of Development for AMU, said the current law does not address anything but the issue of undergraduate educational assistance and does not provide for graduate students. In the case of AMU the greatest part of the funds go to undergraduate stu- dents. Perhaps an appropriate approach would be to amend the existing legislation. The features of HB I are different from those presently in effect. One other note that he would make is on page 2, Sec. 14.42.030(c) --he felt that this is unfortunately restrictive. It seems to him that if public funds are going to assist students the options should be as broad as possible. Students should be able to go to the best school for the subject they are studying. This relates to (c) on page 3 as well. The funds recommended are substantial and are not merely a gesture. Graduate students have very little opportunity to borrow or to get grants. Mrs. Chance said that Chapter 230 which the legislature enacted last year was specific for graduate students. Mr. Whittaker asked Mr. Mechau if he was satisfied with the language of the bill and is it specific enough. Mr. Mechau said that if anything this is too specific. He pointed out that this bill would include anything beyond the BA and BS degree. Mrs. Chance asked if a law student or·a medical student is in law or medical school he is pursuing an advanced degree and shouldn't he be eligible for this aid. Mr. Mechau and the committee members felt that the bill applies only to graduate students but that law or medical students would be eligible for other aid. Mr. Specking asked Mr. Mechau how he felt about the pos- sibility of a loan program instead of a grant or forgiveness program. Mr. Mechau mentioned the PAYE program which is new and is starting at Yale. "Pay as you earn." This is an undertaking that Yale is pioneering with. This program will relate to repayment of funds on a long-term basis. The payment would not be the same for everyone. There is ( a great deal of trepedation on the part of schools to enter into this program. This is privately sponsored. Mrs. Chance asked what the pleasure of the committee was on this bill. Mr. Naughton moved and asked unanimous ----------------------- Page 108----------------------- -2- consent that the committee approve the bill. Both Mr. Specking and Mr. Whittaker objected. Mr. Whittaker said he thought the committee needed to work more on this bill. We should give consideration to the point of letting the students go to whatever school they want to go to. Mrs. Chance said the com- mittee had discussed this at a previous meeting and it was felt that this program would help the schools in Alaska to determine what areas there are demands for and where they should concentrate their efforts. Mr. Whittaker said he felt that the educators should be able to tell now whatever areas of concentration there are. We should not lock students into a program such as this, he said. Mr. Specking said he objects to the bill in its present form. He feels the grant provision should be removed. In the past the graduate student has had to go out and look for work to continue his education, and this is good. He could go along with this bill if it was a repayable loan program. Mr. Whittaker said he felt the grant provision is good and it is another reason for the person receiving the money to return to Alaska. Mr. Specking said he be- lieves that the searching and seeking for money to get a higher education is very enriching. Mrs. Chance asked for all those in favor to raise their hands. Mr. Specking declined. The bill passed out of committee. 98 Representative Eugene Miller spoke on HB 98. He said this bill has passed with an over-whelming majority both houses of the legislature the past three years. Last year it passed and the Governor vetoed it because the language was not correct. Section 4 has been added to the bill. It would not cost the state anything except small administrative charges. Mr. Carlson, lobbyist for the Alaska State Federation of Labor, said they are fairly confident that the language is correct in this bill. Mrs. Chance asked what the pleasure of the committee was on this bill. Mr. Naughton moved and asked unanimous consent that the committee approve the bill. Mrs. Chance said, without objection, so ordered. Mr. Larry Sullivan, of the Office of Comprehensive Planning, said his office agrees with this bill. The changes he would recommend are: page 1, line 17: He felt that de- fining the number of consumers would be a bad thing to do. We need the consumer representatives on the council and ----------------------- Page 109----------------------- -3- ( we should stipulate "at least 12." Page 1, line 23: 1971 should be changed to 1972. Page 2, line 13(c) The council shall include four governmental members. The bill only designates three of the four and Mr. Sullivan questioned who the fourth member would be. Page 3" line 5 through line 3, page 4: They suggest the wording of Senate Bill 48 as anended be used here as it is more specific. Mrs. Chance asked if SB 48 as amended is satisfactory to the Comprehensive Health Planning office. Mr. Sullivan answered in the affirma- tive. Mrs. Chance said the committee will defer action on this bill until we receive Senate Bill 48 am, which has already passed the Senate. 34 Mrs. Chance said the people who were here discussing the Medex program all discussed this bill and they came up with a committee substitute for the bill as a result of their discussions. This CS for HB 34 legalizes village aides and physician assistants. They would not be licensed. If we start going into definitions in the statutes, she said, it will end up being restrictive. We will attach a very strongly worded letter to this bill indicating the committee's intent. Supervision of the physician assistants can be done through telephone communication. ( Mr. Moses moved and asked unanimous consent that the committee approve the bill. Mrs. Chance said there was one other thing in that there should be a registry that the physician registers with if he hires a physician assistant. There is one chiropodist in Anchorage and he practices under a business license. He would be the only one that this one chiropodist clause would effect (sec. 4). This bill gives him grandfather rights. Mr. Moses moved and asked unanimous consent that the committee approve the bill again. Mrs. Chance said, without objection, so ordered. The meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m. Diana E. Hubbard, Secretary ----------------------- Page 110----------------------- February 17, 1971 ( Mr. Moore called the meeting to order at 2:15 p.m. pend- ing the arrival of Mr. Naughton and due to the absence of Mrs. Chance. Both Mr. Naughton and Mrs. Chance ar- rived soon after the meeting began. Mr. Whittaker and Mr. Specking were also present. Present for testimony were Dr. Deak, Program Director for the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation, and Mr. Wm. Dann, Executive Director for the Norton Sound Health Corporation. Also present was Mr. Dave Webb, City Manager of Bethel. Dr. Deak explained that the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Cor- poration (YKHC) is a private, non - profit corporation which received a grant from the Office of Economic Op- portunity in 1969 as an affiliate of the Alaska Federa- tion of Natives. The board of directors is composed of village people, representatives from the Kuskokwim Val- ley Native Association, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Develop- ment Corporation, and other organizations. The board began to set up programs of its own to supplement and augment programs in the area. Over the past year they have broadened their goals. They now hope to become a comprehensive health planning agency and meet the repre- sentative requirements. The most important program that they are involved in is the training of the village health aides. This is a cooperative program with the Public Health Service CHAP programs (Community Health Aide Pro- grams). ThiB type of program was carried out by the PHS a few years ago. The YKHC was able to come up with the funds and the staff to help out the program and train the aides. It was felt that the aides were not receiving sufficient training so some of the trainees were selected and trained further. This training program is in progress and includes eight months in the Bethel area and a four- month teaching program outside of the area. Dr. Deak explained that the direction of the program is somewhat up in the air. They are going to have a meeting in March to decide what direction they should take on this. They are also training community health represen- tatives who act as a link to interpret the language and fears of the people. This program has been highly suc- cessful and is a new concept which has not been widely used. Many people do not understand what is happening to them when they come in for treatment, Dr. Deak explained. ----------------------- Page 111----------------------- -2- The YKHC just hired a dentist full time. The USPHS is the major provider of dental care in the bush but they still cannot provide the capability for caring for all the people adequately. First, they need to relieve the acute dental pain of the people. This pain is not con- sidered medically serious but the village people keep wanting someone to take care of their teeth. Second, they need dental health care to help prevent the dental disease that is rampant now. The YKHC believes the second program will be fairly easy to do. They have run up against the state dental laws because they had health aides working on people's teeth. They are hoping that the state dental association will issue a statement that they feel the YKHC should be able to allow health aides to wort on the natives' teeth. They have a need which is not being. met They are not sure how this is going to go and they think the members of the HWE com- mittee should be aware of what is happening. The laws need to be more flexible. Dr. Deak said this must be done if they are going to get the services into the bush. They-are developing a long-range program which will have the training of these people foremost. Other programs of the YKHC include a pre-maternal home where women can come into the city to wait to have their ( babies. They plan to fund building of village clinics, with five village clinics in the Bethel area. This is done in conjunction with BIA and other agencies and taking into consideration the needs of the village and wants of the village chiefs. In addition they are going to supply these with the necessary equipment. They will be a source of income for the village when they are completed. The Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation is already acting as a comprehensive health planning agency. The bond is- sue passed in November appropriates for health facilities. In view of this, the YKHC, through a series of meetings, compiled ideas from various agencies as to what they want .and they have engaged a consulting firm to plan an ade- quate building complex for these purposes. They have talked with Mr. Larry Sullivan of Comprehensive Health Planning about the possibility of coordinating facilities. What they are hoping to do is come forward with a unified plan for a complex of buildings for which the state will contribute its funds. This will be a complex that will have diagnostic and treatment facilities in the same area both in-patient and out-patient facilities to minimize confusion and transportation difficulties for the patients. Dr. Deak said he thought it is very important that the state continue in a flexible way. They feel that if the state puts many restrictions on the building of such a ----------------------- Page 112----------------------- -3- facility they will not serve the people in the most efficient way Basically, he said, this is an out- line of the program and what they are going to do. Mr. Specking asked how much the grant is they are oper- ating on. Dr. Deak said they received $816,000 this year. Mr. Specking asked if they charged anything for these services. Dr. Deak answered that they have some minor income for the staff members Mr. Specking asked if. the YKHC expected to continue on federal grand money. Dr. Deak said none of the other health programs have been refused funds from the federal government. Some have been transferred to the state. None of them have been abandoned by the federal government. He mentioned the training of eight sanitarians which is projected and said they do not really start programs until they feel that someone can fund them. It is not the goal of their organization (the YKHC) to be a static program. They hope to turn over the control of the programs to someone else. Dr. Deaksaid there is maybe a 1% chance that they will be dropped from federal funding but it is not likely_ Mrs. Chance asked if the YKHC included family planning care. Dr. Deak said there is another agency in Bethel ( that has a mental health program. They are starting an alcoholism program. Mrs. Chance mentioned that the HWE committee is working on a community services act which will allow state funds to go into this type of program. Dr. Deak said people see an organization such as the YKHC as somewhat threatening to long-range pro- grams. They have· run into trouble in the eye-care pro- gram. They are training people to help the physician test eyes. This was very well planned but they ran into the optometric association who wanted to know why the YKHC did not contract for their services. The an- swer was that the YKHC feels that they are in the business of training village people, not subsidizing professionals. Mrs. Chance asked if the village health aide was protected under the CS for HB 34. Dr. Deak said that yes, this does cover the aide. Mrs. Chance mentioned the committee tried to avoid defining "physician's assistant." Dr. Deak said that in the case of the difficulties with the dental and eye care programs. The Dental Practice Act states that no one can work on someone's mouth without a dental license, and they really do not know what to do about this. The statutes on this were looked up and it was the consensus of opinion was that the statutes did not state who could not work on teeth, but stated who could. Dr. Deak said that the major need in the villages is cleaning teeth, putting fluoride on, and currating a tooth and these functions are considered dentistry and cannot be done by the village health aides. ----------------------- Page 113----------------------- -4-· ( Mr. Whittaker said that if a doctor can do anything in the mouth, including pulling a tooth then a person working under the supervision of a physician could do this. If the Medical Association is in concurrance with the YKHC on this problem area, the YKHC could ask for an Attorney General's opinion. Mrs. Chance said she Would request an opinion on from the Legislative Affairs attorneys and as a back-up ask for an oplnlon from the Attorney General. This would be concerning 08.36.350 and will be requested immediately. Mrs. Chance, referring to HB 34, said the record of physician's assistants mentioned in the bill is to avoid licensure but keeps a record of the physician's assistants. Dr. Deak felt this was going to be dif- ficult because the PHS is not under the laws of the state. Mrs. Chance said the PHS has already agreed to cooperate. Dr. Deak asked when the committee was going to intr6duce the bill. Mrs. Chance answered that the committee adopted the commitee substitute and passed it out yesterday and it is presently in the Finance Committee. The only financial considera- tion is the registry so they can put another person in ( the budget to handle the registry. Mr. Moore asked what the reaction was to aides treating dental problems. Dr. Deak said the reaction was that it was illegal. Mrs. Chance said it is possible that the Finance Committee could put in another section to take care of this problem. Dr. Deak said the dentists were not opposed to it but they are in favor of them doing only certain things. Mrs. Chance said the physi- cian's assistants would still be under the control of an M.D. or a dentist. Mr. Whittaker said the legislature might be able to put in something like they could do this under the supervision of a dentist. He asked if the YKHC utilizes the services of Legal Services. Dr. Deak answered yes but they wanted to try to work within the dental establishment first but the associa- tion was most anxious to take on changing the whole dental practice act. Mr. Whittaker said the committee would like to give the YKHC some help on this immediately but it is a little difficult to have to wait for an opinion on this. Dr. Deak said they have been under attack already so they are really anxious to have a written legal opinion· on this. . Mr. Whittaker asked what the staff of the YKHC consists of Dr. Deaksaid there are 26 staff members, of which 8 are aides in training; 3 are community health representatives, the administrative staff, one person who is a liason ----------------------- Page 114----------------------- -5- person and they are adding two more people to the lias on staff. They have 57 villages they are serving and some do not even know about the YKHC. The staff members work under the license of Dr. Deak and another physician who is in charge of training. They also have an RN on the staff. Dr. Deak was trained as a pediatrician with his residency in administration. The YKHC is applying for a "0" grant from Comprehensive Health Planning as they have funds for the program and all they are doing is asking for a name change, the recog- nition. The problem right now is that they are trying to get a resolution from the city. To do this they had to open seats on the board to the city and other local organi- zations. If these people feel the YKHC is not doing the right thing they can protest to the state board. They have the support of the major organizations except one other that is a community services facility in Bethel which is very jealous of their territory. Mr. Naughton asked what the pay scale is. Dr. Deak said that during training the aides receive $300 a month, food stamps, and housing. Then when they start as aides they will receive $600 a month. These people are trained beyond the 10-week PHS program and are receiving a year of training. They assist in the PHS training and work together with the PHS. Mr. Moore asked what Dr. Deak felt about the phase 4 PHS health aides receiving not less than $400. Dr. Deaksaid we need a realistic salary to keep people on the job. The PHS has no real say as to who should be selected as the village does this function and decides who should be hired and fired. Some of the people are not very good, but he would not suggest that we put into law how to select the village health aides as this is merely a process of education for the village so they can better decide who is going to do the best job for them. Mr. William Dann, Executive Director of the Norton Sound Health Corporation, spoke next. He said their organiza- tion is in their first year of operation. Since Septem- ber I they have gotten staff and at the present time have 3 staff: Mr. Dann, a liason worker, and a secretary. They will have a staff of four at the end of the year. Their money is going into developing the programs in- stead of staff. The program went into Nome because of the problems the hospital is having. They have no plan for meeting the long-range problems even now. The main- tenance of the hospital is of first priority. This year they will provide $4,500 to help supplement the nurses' salaries. They still have insufficient salaries. They are contributing $5,000 for remodelling of out-patient facilities. They are conducting a utilization study of last year's admissions of the hospital to justify the need ----------------------- Page 115----------------------- -6- for a hospital in Nome. The Nome hospital is the only community controlled institution in the bush. They are going to provide $25,000 for a dental program, and $11,000 to supplement the PHS dental program. They want to start a program to provide dentures as this is a problem in the bush, particularly for high school students. They will be addressing the advancement of the village health aides and training the people who are already in the village. They will be working on the turn-over problem with village health aides and helping fourth class cities to develop sanitation facilites. Mr. Dann said the villages do not understand their powers and there is no work being done to have a village-initiated program for health aides. The role of the health aide is mis-understood in the village so the NSHC will try to establish a foundation for them before they go into the village. They are working on three clinics. They have applied for a grant to develop an alcoholism pro- gram in Nome. This will consume all the first year budget of $157,000. Next year they hope to have a larger budget and plan to establish a community controlled health program. They are seeking a pre-payment program as this is the only way they will be able to finance their programs. They have talked with the Department of Health and Welfare about this and they are pleased about the ( program. They will next year be training villabe health aides but they do not yet know how long their training program will last. They will expand the dental program and get into dental health education. They hope to build additional clinics. They are hoping that the state will show some interest in their program which would ultimately mean financial support. Mr. Dann mentioned the issue of location of state health resources. The PHS nurses are housed six miles away from the NSHC facilities. In the future they are hoping to build a new facility in the hospital and are hoping to incorporate the PHS nurses into that facility. If present plans move forward the idea would be to include all the facilities into one building. Rumon at present has" it that the facility will be located at the airport. This is an issue that can only be addressed by the Governor. Mr. Whittaker asked if they had ever thought of leasing some part of the building to the state. Mr. Dann"replied that what they have indicated is that they are willing to pursue any course. Mrs. Chance asked how far the airport is from town. Mr. Dan said two miles, and added that it is inconvenient. Mrs. Chance asked if the NSHC has made any move to be a comprehensive health planning agency. Mr. Dann said their organization is new and has enough to do just to get started. They have also only been in the community ----------------------- Page 116----------------------- -7-· a very short time. The board they have allows everyone to work on every constderation. Mrs. Chance said at this time they did not need any funds from the state? Mr. Dann said they did not request any funds at the present time. when they have the utiliza- tion study completed they can move ahead on the construc- tion of the facilities. Mrs. Chance asked if the committee should introduce a resolution to the PHS asking them to implement this new program. Mr. Whittaker said that until the NSHC gets to the place where they are getting significant in-put from the village the resolution would be pre-mature. Mr. Dann said the hospital depends on the PHS budget and it is the feeling of the physicians that the economic restrictions are very bad. If they had a free rein they would have more people in the hospital than the presently allowed 6.5 patients but not a substantial amount over that figure. Mr. Whittaker said he would suggest they are moving too fast. Mr. Dann said that his feeling is that the only way they can bring in alternate resources is the pre- ( pay program. When you pay for services after the fact, he pointed out, the hospital is unable to meet maintenance needs. They cannot do any long-range planning. Mr. Dave Webb, City Manager of Bethel, had two points to make. First, of the health facilities money that was passed in a bond issue in November, he found out three weeks ago that only $3.5 million was appropriated of the $5.6 million. Second, he wanted to emphasize the impor- tance of cooperative health facilities in Bethel. The present facilities are spread so far out that people have to take cabs to get services. If they could get someone like the PHS to cooperated in this it would be better. Mr. Whittaker asked who sponsors Bethel's social services. Mr. Webb said the social services are taken care of under a private, non-profit corporation that contracts. Mr. Whittaker said it seems to him that one way of solving this problem would be for contracting with the state to provide these services. He knows the BIA is tending toward these contracts. He said he is very interested in the state being involved in this. ----------------------- Page 117----------------------- " February 18, 1971 , Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 1:45 p.m. with members Whittaker, Specking, Naughton, Moses and Moore present. Mrs. Chance assigned bills to subconunittees and"set hear- ing dates: SB 76 Thursday, March 4. HB 187 assigned for study to Mr. Specking who will contact Marilyn Miller of the Municipal League, Bob Van Haute of the Alaska Education Association, the local superintendent of schools, Mrs. Alice Crosby of the School Board Association, and the Commissioner of Education. HB 188 copies of this bill and the related statute will be distributed during the conference next week in order to get opinions. HB 184 Mr. Specking will write the Medical Association for their oplnlon on the woroing of the bill Friday, March 5. HB 177 Mrs. Chance will do study on this bill Tuesday, March 9. HB 178 Naughton HB 179 Tuesday, March 2. Mrs. Chance said the rate hearings will be held Wednesday, February 24 at 9 a.m. and suggested that those interested attend. The meeting adjourned at 2:35 p.m. Diana E. Hubbard, Secretary ----------------------- Page 118----------------------- February 19, 1971 ( Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m. with members Naughton, Specking, Moore, Colletta, Moses and Whit- taker present. 116 Mr. Robert Thomas, Deputy Commissioner of Education, spoke on House Bill No. 116. According to Mr. Thomas, this bill gives the schools in the rural areas the option of increasing their boards by two members. The Department of Education is highly in favor of this bill because it gives greater repre- sentation from the committee. It does not cost anything. It could also be for on-base schools as it covers all state- operated schools. It does not change the powers of the ad- visory school boards. Mr. Thomas pointed out that when there is a greater number of community people represented there is a greater power inherent in the board. Mr. Specking said he saw no reason why this bill should not pass. He moved and asked unanimous consent that HB 116 pass with a do-pass recommendation. Mrs. Chance, hearing no ob- jection, declared the bill passed out of committee and the members signed it. 141 Mr. Thomas continued testifying, this time on House Bill No. ( 141. He said this is another fairly simple bill in concept. The level of school support was designed to be changed easily. The $19,250 figure was set by the legislature last year. In the early methods of compiling school support there was quite a bit of consideration involved in computing the unit, in- cluding teachers salaries, classroom maintainance, and sup- porting services. The value of this unit amount was set at the $19,250 figure and there has been quite a bit of discus- sion about what the basic level of instruction should cost. As teachers salaries go up and inflation hits the basic costs go up. The Department has sent a fiscal note on this bill. Mrs. Chance passed out copies of the fiscal note, saying that the additional. cost would be over $6 million. The fiscal note breaks the cost down by school district. Mr. Whittaker asked if the administration supports this bill. Mr. Thomas said he was unable to answer that at this time in that they have not been able to study the bill and they will not have an opinion until next week. The Department of Educa- tion is supporting this bill, however. Mr. Specking asked if there has been a 10% increase in operating costs. Mr. Thomas said he suspects not, but that textbooks did go up probably 10%. Mr. Colletta asked Mr. Thomas in his opinion, how critical is this need. Mr. Thomas said they have not yet compiled the figures because the first year under this program lS not completed (with the $19,250 figure) and until they have an audit at the completion of the school year they. cannot tell. Mr. Colletta asked how these new figures ($21,000) were arrived ----------------------- Page 119----------------------- -2- at. Mr. Thomas answered that they came from probably working with the budget for this year. They did a study of the indi- vidual budgets and the amount that would have been requested ranged from $16,000 to $22,000 a year ago at this time. The $19,250 figure isa compromise. Mr. Colletta asked if the instructional unit fee is adminis- tered on a fractional basis. Mr. Thomas said the fee is administered on a regional or geographic differential for one method, or is administered with use of a remote factor for another method. There is a 5% up to a 15% differential, depending on these two factors. Mr. Van Haute said his organization supports the concept of the $21,000 figure. Last year when they studied the costs in the districts the Senate had a figure of $20,000 which was reduced by a compromise between the Senate and the House. The cost in Anchorage was $22,000 for a year ago. It was believed that a realistic figure for 1971 would be $21,000. This would maintain the status quo. They do not have statisti- cal evidence because the year is not completed. The budgets that are now being prepared will show a figure of over $21,000. Mr. Colletta said under the circumstances he believes the ( current appropriation could suffice if there was some atten- tion paid to detail. Some fringe items could be cut. Mr. Van Haute said the area of concern lies in what you consider an adequate education. Costs in the state have gone up 8% but they feel a 5% increase would be adequate. It takes about 5% more to stand still. It is easier to increase 5% each year rather than 25% every 5 years. Mr. Specking said last year there was an aura of having great wealth. Today we are faced with the realization that we might not be able to do many of the things we have set out to do. His feeling is that we are going to have to tighten up and suffer through until the pipeline is built and the revenue starts coming in. Mr. Van Haute said they consider this a moderate admustment and they could bring in a $22,000 figure and sUbstantiate it. They feel this $21,000 figure is a solid figure. They do not feel that this is out of line. Mrs. Chance said the legislature was quite aware that the state would not have money until 1974 or 1975 last year. Mr. Colletta asked if the Foundation Act that created this school support wasn't a model and the figures that were set were idealistic. Mrs. Chance said that last year they start- ed working out their own model and tried to establish the philosophical needs. They are starting a brand new concept. They established a flexible basic unit in the legislature last year. Mr. Colletta said perhaps they had created a model with ----------------------- Page 120----------------------- -3- an ideal figure. Mr. Van Haute said they tried to allow a flexible base unit. They tried to give to the local school districts a certain amount of latitude to develop their pro- grams to best fit their needs. The most efficient operation in the state is Anchorage and their cost figure was $22,000 last year so the $21,000 proposed is not out of line. Mr. Whittaker said it seems to him the job of the HWE commit- tee is to see if the schools need the money and then leave the question to the Finance Committee as to whether they can fit this into the budget. Mr. Specking said that first, the total amount of money is always relevant. Second, the committee needs to see whether this money is actually needed. Mr. Colletta said he has to justify the expenditure of the taxpayers' money. Mr. Whittaker said when we are dealing with this bill in such an isolated setting, our job is to determine what needs are. It is very difficult to talk about the whole financial picture. Mrs. Alice Crosby, representing the State School Boards, spoke on the bill. She maintained that we should say what we need and then take a cut if we have to do so. The school boards did pass a resolution recommending an additional amount but ( did not specify what amount. They want to establish a board to study the public school foundation program. The school boards have recognized that the inflationary rise is around 6%. Mr. Whittaker asked if she felt this new system of financing gives the districts more latitude. Mrs. Crosby said there seems to be general happiness with the program. Mr. Thomas said that the flexibility lies in that before they had to hire a teacher before they could get paid for that teacher. Now they can us team teaching and other innovative programs to better utilize the money. Mrs. Crosby said basically the school boards find the state statutes a help rather than a hinderance and would rather have the state control rather than home rule. Answering Mr. Whit- taker's question about libraries in Juneau, Mrs. Crosby said there are some libraries in the elementary schools. Some of the buildings are old and were not built with central libraries. There are librarians for the junior high and high schools. Mr. Specking said he would recommend that we get more data on this. Mrs. Chance asked when' the school boards will be coming up with 1 their budgets. Mrs. Crosby said the Juneau one has to be in March but the ones for the whole state are due April 1. She has written to the school boards and requested them to tell / her how the money last year fell short. Mr. Thomas said that C the conference beginning March 4 will have information relative to this. ----------------------- Page 121----------------------- -4- ( Mr. Colletta asked for an explanation of the percent of support. Mr. Thomas said this is dependent upon the district's ability to pay. Mr. Whittaker said he agrees that we should make sure that we are not wasting money. We have a long ways to go, however, until we see the districts waste money. He tends to feel that we do not give the districts money they waste. Mr. SpeckiNg said he did not mean to imply that we are wasting money but he would rather have a moderate program until 1974. He did not think that it is unrealistic to be looking ahead. Mr. Moses said that maybe two years from now we might be getting another $900 million and we should not be pessimistic. Mr. Specking said Mr. Moses is a gambler. Mr. Whittaker said in some districts it really is not going to take much money to improve the quality of education. We should give them every bit of help at this time. What we are talking about is creating additional taxpayers. We are so close to being able to change the picture in some of these districts that we should not miss the chance. Mr.Colletta said it is very easy to sit here and agree with these people but none of us can justify this expenditure. ( Mr. Whittaker said the answer to this is that because of our situation we know about a lot of the school districts. Our basic need is an amount of money needed by the districts to operate. Mr. Specking said he agreed with Mr. Colletta that we need to have some facts. Mr. Moses said he moved and asked unanimous consent that HB 141 pass with a do-pass recommendation. Mr. Specking objected. He felt that we do not have enough information. If someone can present facts he will go along with them. Mrs. Chance said this committee really cannot deal too much with the strict budget matters. We only set policy and ask the Finance Committee to work this into the budget. The question is whether we consider this a good policy. Mr. Specking said that when we present him with something that has the figures in it we take it out of the realm of philosophical need. Mr. Whittaker said he stands by his earlier statement. Mr. Naughton said he has watched the local school district in Kodiak operate under both systems and they do have a lot more innovation and enthusiasm under the present system. The superintendent there said they do need more money. ----------------------- Page 122----------------------- -5- Mrs. Chance asked that all those in favor of passing the bill out with a do-pass recommendation raise their hands. Whittaker, Naughton, Chance, Moore, Moses voted do-pass. Colletta and Specking voted do-not-pass. The bill was signed. Mrs. Chance said she wanted to learn more about the Selawik school since she had received a copy of a letter about the school there. Mr. Thomas said the school there is BIA owned and state-operated. The policies in the past have been pre- dicated upon BrA obtaining funds. It is time, however, to reformulate the policy. The state can take title whenever they want to This policy is undergoing revision at this time. It may need a legislative determination at the end. Mrs. Chance asked for any other business. Mr. Whittaker said it really pleased him that the committee has a high level of descent on debates here. It is a good experience, he said. The meeting adjourned at 2:35 p.m. Diana E. Hubbard, Secretary ----------------------- Page 123----------------------- February 23, 1971 ( \ Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 3:25 p.m. with members Colletta, Moses, Moore, Whittaker and Naughton present. Mr. Frank Tupper of Hope Center rehabilitation facility in Fairbanks was present for testimony and slides re- garding Hope Center. Mr. Tupper said Hope Center is similar to Hope Cottage in Anchorage. The scope of the work that is going on right now is very impressive. He thought that rehabilita- tion facilities are indispensible. They provide a place for evaluation and treatment of disabled persons The programs that he is involved in are helping the mentally retarded and physically handicapped. Their program is a little over two years old. They have a fairly adequate facility in Fairbanks. The important ingredient is the program and the type of staff. At present they are oper- ating on three grants. The first one is from the federal Department of Health, Education and Welfare and covers some staffing: the director of the program, a placement and evaluation specialist, and a part-time bookkeeper. The second grant comes from the Office of Economic Oppor- tunity and the third grand comes from the state Division of Vocational Education. ( When they first started the Fairbanks program what they needed was a vocational training program. They are deal- ing with people from the ages of 17 to 65 in their resi- dential program. The Fairbanks community throughout the calendar year 1970 contributed about $29,700 to Hope Cen- ter in food and services. This matched in-kind services by 800%. This was close to $30,000 that the state did not have to pick up. Hope Center has 25 people residentially, nine over the maximum. They deal with mental retardation and found that 3% of the Alaska school children are mentally re- tarded. This is based upon academic criteria. Hope Center did not want these figures; they wanted the names and the people so they could help them. These people must be trained, Mr. Tupper said, to earn the confidence of the people. They faced several difficulties: (1) Lack of public aware- ness of existing facilities within the state; (2) Massive unemployment (12 to 15%) in Fairbanks in addition to the unknown figure of people who are handicapped and unemploy- able; It (3) Little industrial or business jobs; (4) Neces- sary cut-back in funds. There is a nation-wide cut-back on federally funded programs. The idea is that the federal government will come in and get a program started and then the state has to take over the program. There are shelter workshops in Anchorage and Ketchikan in addition to the one ----------------------- Page 124----------------------- -2- in Fairbanks. (5) Geographical and transportation dif- ficulties; (6) Basic medical prosthesis for outlying areas. If they could get more immediate help they would not have to come in for more extensive help; (7) Lack of federal and state funds; (8) Involvement of native people in the program so they do not have to remove the people from their villages; (9) The true picture of the client; (10) No openings in the rural areas. For a trainable mentally retarded person it may take three years at a place such as Hope Center to work with this person in a total and reasonable program--the person has to be trained to live, not just to do a job. Their goals are to have each disabled person reach his level of train- ability. Three years of training in Hope Center costs the state $15,000, after which time the person becomes a.productive taxpayer. To put a person into an institu- tion and to shut the door, the cost for three years would be $ 3,000. The investment is much better spent in putting' them into a training program. Alaska has the resources and the agencies. It just needs continued support. The first Health Caucus in Anchorage on November 30, 1970 estimated 85,000 Alaskans who need some form of rehabilitation by 1975. A priority list for ( facilities is needed. With these training programs some people will be brought through on a transitional basis . Right now the people are involved in a productive work setting. Some of the people in Hope Center are terminal and are not placed out on jobs in the community. Mr. Tupper proceeded to show slides of the facilities in Fairbanks. Hope Center provides residential training, room and board. The way they get people into the program is they are re- ferred by agencies. They go to a caseworker who deter- mines what the need is. A staffing is held and then a hearing is held with the client. During this time they try to develop a level of confidence. They have a living program where they are taught basic required skills such as preparing food, setting table, and social graaes. A voluntary social worker is involved in trying to tie in the agencies working with one person in addition to keeping the family informed as to the person's progress. The shelter workshop was a destroyed basement that the rebuilt for $5,700. This provided training for carpen- ter apprentice program. In the workshop they aim towards developing skills of punctuality, part of the work is in pre-vocational training and involves terminology. They aim for quality and after that, production and speed. The workers earn $2.10 an our outside the area and re- ceive the going rate inside Fairbanks. Much of the work they do is contracts. ----------------------- Page 125----------------------- -3- ( Phase one of the program involves repetitive tasks designed to find out the person's work tolerance. Phase two in- volves work using basic hand tools. Phase three involves use of more sophisticated tools such as work on circuit panels. They plan to work more in the arts and crafts area. They are getting involved in putting out newsletters. At the Arctic Health Research Lab clients are trained to prepare meals and clean up the cafeteria. When a person is ready to move out into the community the counsellor contacts community resources and tries to get the person placed in a job. They are not having much luck now because of the high unemployment rate. $300 per month is what the Department of Health and Welfare is paying for a person staying at Hope Center. The 1970 actual cost for Hope Center clients was $18.99 per day while they were being paid $10 per day. The Department of Health and Welfare is not paying the full cost of care because Hope Center is not licensed. They finance the $8.99 additional cost by grants in aid and donations. The total budget ·was $209,000 for 1970. The residential program. cost $122,463; the cafeteria cost $41,000; the center workshop cost $51,000. The federal funds will run out by the end of the year. There are 16 staff people on the payroll---training qualifications are left fairly open. Hope Center relies on the following agencies for assistance and referrals: Division of Mental Health, North Star School Borough, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Work Experience Program, and the Neighborhood Youth Corps. Mr. Tupper said if there is a cut-back in their program their usefulness will be destroyed and the whole program will eventually fold. Diana E. Hubbard, Secretary ----------------------- Page 126----------------------- February 26, 1971 ( Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. with members Whittaker and Naughton present. Also in at- tendance were Representatives BovMan, McGill, Rose and Hohman. First to testify was Mrs. Jan Lindeman representing the sub-corrunittee on Parent Involvement in the Educational Process, Education Committee of the Conference on Child- ren's Rights taking place in Juneau at the present time. Mrs. Lindeman presented the findings and recommendations of her sub-committee. A copy is attached. Mr. McGill said he had a lot of mixed feelings about bi- lingual training, saying at one time Alaskan bush areas had such a program. Many of the children when they got out of high school still could not speak English. Mrs. Lindeman said teaching English as a second language is difficult but it is very important to remember that a teacher's attitude towards the child's first language is very important. Our methods are not the best now and we should be more up-dated, she said. Mr. Bowman said he was interested in the suggestion of group homes rather than large dorms. What could the group do to stop the building of a dorm housing 300 students now under planning for the Anchorage area. Mrs. Lindeman said she hoped it was not too late to stop the building of these dorms. There are some under construction at the present time in Bethel. Mrs. Chance said that since they mentioned that they support HJR 15 they now need to follow up on this with letters and telegrams to the BIA. In this way we can influence the BIA to use their construction money as grant money for the villages. Mr. Daniel Meddleton, Vice President of the Alaska State Hospital Association and Associate Administrator of Provi- dence Hospital, was the next to testify. He said the State Hospital Association is very interested in legislation that is being presented at the present time. The Hospital Revolving Loan Fund (HB 132 and SB 42)--the Association has some reservations regarding this, in par- ticular the identification of it as a loan/grant fund. If any part of it becomes a grant it is no longer available for loans. They suggest that the word "grant" be stricken from the narrative. He asked how much of this money should be designated "grant" when $20 million will not cover the cost of what is needed in the state. If you use all the money for grants you will not have any money left in the loan fund. They would propose drafting separate grant legisla- tion ----------------------- Page 127----------------------- -2- ( Mr. Naughton said he thought it would be nice to have something in this bill covering forgiveness of loan funds. Mr. Meddleton said there has been some real concern regarding review mechanisms as covered in AS 18.05. The state comprehensive health planning program is supported. Mrs. Chance asked if the Association prefers the review mechanism that is in the bill. Mr. Meddleton agreed. He said there may be some organization or independent who could take advantage of this legislation. They would recommend the statement of trying to insure proper utilization of funds. (See attachment B) HB 34 (physician's assistants)--The Association does endorse this concept and specifically recommends against licensure. Mrs. Chance gave the background of what the committee has done on HB 34. The Association endorses the position paper of the ASMA on the drug bill, labelling of prescriptions. They sug- gest that the word "pharmacist" be stricken from that bill, as some of the institutions do not have "pharmacists" as such. Sister Monica of the Ketchikan General Hospital 'said they are concerned about the wording of the bill where it says there would be not substitutions allowed but this seems to have been amended out. Mr. Rose asked if there was an Association position on this. Mr. Meddleton said there was quite a bit of discussion on this and they have come up with the above suggestion regarding the word pharmacist. He pointed out that there should be a professional relationship between the pharmacist and the physician and the pharmacist has a distinct professional responsibility to check with the physician if it is necessary to change a drug. The Associa- tion did not feel that this communication should be regulated by statute. Mr. Meddleton affirmed that there is a difference between brand names of drugs. Mr. Bowman said this was brought up by the doctors at their hearing and their concern was not so much in the hospital. situation but in the drug store. He said we did receive a letter spelling out the ASMA's position on this where they said that the pharmacist should substitute the drugs with discretion. Mr. Meddleton said that perhaps this could be legislated so that the relates only to drug stores. Mr. Bowman said the doctor is the one doing the prescribing and is the one who knows what he is after so Mr. Bowman was questioning whether the pharmacist is the one to make a decision on the substitution. SB 92 (Disciplinary procedures of state medical board) -- The Hospital Association endorses this. They have very serious problems letting the medical staff do what they want to do by being afraid of all their work becoming public. ----------------------- Page 128----------------------- -3- (' If these records are made public they will impede programs. These meetings explore mistakes that have been made so they can discover how not to do the same thing over again. This information is brought into court in mal-practice suits. They are not referring to the personal history of the patients. They are talking about the minutes of meetings of the medical staff. Sister Monica explained the doctors every month go over all their cases together in order to share what they have done and see what can be benefited by sharing their problems. Mr. Rose said there is a need for openness when there is a mal-practice suit. Mr. Meddleton said that within the country today there has been a shift of responsibility in some other states where the members of the boards of trustees are individually liable for the care of the patients within the hospitals. He said if we are going to maintain quality care we are going to have to insure privacy of medical records. Mr. Meddleton mentioned the statute of limitations for health professionals. The ASMA has proposed legislation on this which has not been introduced. (see attachment C) HB 140 and possibly SB 98 -- Comprehensive Health Planning is endorsed. They feel that there is a need to have a large number of people on the board in order to conduct business. ( Venereal disease--the Association supports the positio n of the ASMA on this. Mrs. Chance asked if they have an alter- native suggestion to fight the VD problem. The opinion expressed was that VD is most prevalent among the unmarrieds. Mrs. Chance asked what they felt about having the VD test as a requirement in junior high and high schools. The opinion was that this might be a solution. Mrs. Chance said the ASMA's opposition was to the language of the bill. They had to say that the person did not have VD and this is some- times hard to detect. Mr. Meddleton asked for budgetary support for the Health Science Library. This is a unique institution in the country. Most of the health related publications are re- ceived by the Health Science Library. All health person- nel have access to these materials. People in the bush can keep current in their field. Mrs. Chance pointed out that 90% of the health professionals in the state of Alaska use this library. Mrs. Chance asked if the Association has taken a position on mandatory health care plans. The response was that they have endorsed the national health care plan--Ameriplan ... Mr. Bowman asked if the Association has discussed the Comprehensive Medical Health Board. Mr. Meddleton said he was not familiar with this. Mr. Bowman said this would be a "super board:" most licensing boards do not go into ----------------------- Page 129----------------------- I, -Lf- ( what quality of care people are getting. They do not go into comprehensive health plans. This super board is a new idea and sounds intriguing, Mr. Bowman said. The board would not pass on whether a dentist is doing the right kind of work but would say that each area is getting enough care and adequate care. The state has more responsibility than just licensing people. Mrs. Chance said that HB 224 would provide a vehicle for such a board. She also suggested that the Association look into HB 223 which takes child abuse out of the criminal statutes. There still can be criminal action taken under assault and battery if the abuse is very bad. The meeting adjourned at 3:l0 p.m. Diana E. Hubbard, Secretary ( ----------------------- Page 130----------------------- Sub-Committee on Parent Involvement in the Educational Process Committee members: Laurlta Hefner, Chinook Elementary School, A.nchorage & Delegate to white House Conf. -Children CArol Lindbland, Alaska Childrens Service, Anchorage Leslie Griggs, Juneau-Douglas High School student Jan Lindeman, Chugiak-Eagle River Head Start Program Outline of findings: I. Major Assumptions A. Presently parents are estranged from the public school system. We too often see the teacher's client to be only the child, while it should be the whole family. B. Schools have become depersonalized because of over-centralization of sbhool programs and over-departmentalization and over-specialization of school staffs. C. Counseling presently In most schools over emphasizes diagnosis, placement and scheduling while the focus should be on providing servicds to the total family. II. Recommendations to bridge the gap between parents and the public schools A. Emphasise faluily -'servrces- cspecially on the eib.ementary level 1. Have Home-School coordinators who work with parents, childrent and teachers 2 Incorporate family services into teacher training & education. 3. Schedule time for teacher home visitation and private conferences 4. Have Parent-Teacher-Student conferences where in all to agreement on commitment and goals for student. B. Open school resources and facilities more to parents and community 1. Encourage parents to attend classes and participate as volunteers in classes and other activities. 2. Macke school facilities available all year at extended hours for community activities. C. Provide for representation of parents and students in determining curriculum .. D. Individualize teaching methods in order (not only to better educate the students) but also to allow for parent and adult volunteers and assistants in learning experiences in the classroom" E. Promote educational TV - with a maximum of local programming and community participation. F. Especially in rural areas, include Native language and culture into the curriculum. (He suppport the univ of Alaska its Rural Alaska Bilingual Education project and the rall Head Start program's hiring of Native para-professionals and inclusion of the Native language into the classroom.) III. Recommendations for educational services other than public schools A. Parent-Child Centers: vIe recommend that this educational model be extended by increasing the number and services of such centers, and also that this model be used to reshape the public school program vis-a-vis parent involvement in education. B. Group homes ror students In rural areas are far preferable to establishing large dormitory facilities. (The Nunapichuk group home in Bethel is a model we would like to recoltilend.) • Family Service Centers: We support the concept and constunction of community centers wherein family counseling, health, homemaker, day care and recreational services can be made available to families. ----------------------- Page 131----------------------- -2- Outline of findings of sub-committee on Parent Involvement in Education cont. IV. Discussion and A commendations on pending legislation 1. We discussed and wholeheartedly support the intenfi of House Bill 224, the Community Service Bill introduced Feb. 26th. 2. ve affirme and support the intent of the House Joint Resolution 15 on BIA group homes. 3. While we are in favor of the intent of expanding pre-school opportunities to more children which seems to be indicated in SB 54 and SB 32, we vould recommend the principal of the outward expandion of the Parent-Child Center model (which includes parent and family education) and not the downvrard expansion of the elementary & kindergarten school model into pre-school education. ----------------------- Page 132----------------------- LEGISLATIVE CONTENT AND HEALTH FACILITIESON SUPERVISON OF LEGISLATION TO ENCOURAGE NEEDED DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION OF HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAMS IN THE STATE OF ALASKA WHISH ARE SPONSORED AND PROVIDED BY LOCAL GOVERMENTS, NON PROFIT CORPORATIONS AND OTHER NON PROFIT ENTITIES. "NON PROFIT" IN THE CONTEXT OF THIS LEGISLATION REFERS SPECIFICALLY TO THOSE INSTITUTIONS IN WHICH ANY ACCESS OF REVENUES OVER EXPENSES ARE UTILIZED SOLELY BY THE "NON PROFIT" ENTITY FOR REDUCTIONS IN COST INCURRED BY IT OR FUNDING OF PROGRAMS PROVIDED BY IT IN CARRYING OUT THE MISSION FOR WHICH IT IS AUTHORIZED, INCOPRORATED, OR OTHERWISE VESTED TO CARRY OUT. IN NOW WAY DOES THIS LEGISLATION SUPPORT GOVERMENTAL FUNDING OF ANY PROGRAMS SPONSORED OR PROVIDED BY ENTITIES WHICH COULD DIVERT OPFRATIONAL FINANCIAL ACCESSES INTO ACCOUNTS, HOLDINGS, DTC, OF PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS OR ENTRERPRISES. ----------------------- Page 133----------------------- A STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS IN ACTIONS FOR MALPRACTICE AGAINST HEALTH PROFESSIONALS PROPOSED BILL In an action against a physician, osteopathic physician, dentist, dental hygenist, clinical psychologist, podiatrist, nurse, nurse's aide, village health aide, special clinical therapist such as physical therapist, inhalation therapist, speech therapist, and the like, clinical laboratory bioanalyst, clinical laboratorY, technologist, clinical radiology technologist, clinical dietician, optician, optometrist, or a licensed hospital, as the employer of any such person, based UpO'1 such person's alleged professional negligence, or for rendering professional services without consent, or for error or omission in such person's practice, liability shall be limited to four years after the date of injury or one year after the plaintiff discovers, or through the use of reasonable diligence should have discovered, the injury, whichever first occurs. This time limitation shall be tolled for any period during which such person has failed to disclose any act, error, or omission upon which such action is based and which is known or through the use of reasonable diligence should have been known to hfm. In an action against a physician, osteopathic physician, dentist, clinical psychologist, podiatrist, nurse, nursers aide, village health aide, special Clinical) therapist such as physicial therapist, inhalation therapist, speech therapist, and the like, clinical laboratory bioanalyst, clinical laboratory technologist, clinical radiology technologist, clinical dietician, optician, optometrist, or a licensed hospital as the employer of any such person, based upon such person's alleged professional negligence, or for rendering professional services without consent, or for error or omission in such person's practice, if the answer pleads that the tion is barred by the statute of limitation, and if either party so moves, the lssue raised thereby must be tried separately and before any other issues in the; case are tried. If the issue raised by the statute of limitations is finally determined in favor of the plaintiff, the remaining issues shall then be tried. ----------------------- Page 134----------------------- March 1, 1971 Chairman Chance called the meeting to order with all members present. 123 First to testify on HB 123 was Mr. Pat Wellington, Deputy Com- missioner of Public Safety. A copy of his testimony is attached (Attachment A) .. Next to testify was Mr. Tom Wardel, Deputy Attorney General. The Department of Law would indicate that under proposed repeal of the unnatural crimes statute it would appear that what would otherwise be an unnatural crime committed upon a juvenile or upon an adult who would be otherwise unable to consent, i.e. an imbecile, this repeal would leave what could be considered a loophole in the law. It would appear there is very little prosecution under any of the other sections. The new attorney general does plan do review the criminal code this summer and possibly submit a revision of same. Mr. Whittaker asked what is left of the statute relating to unnatural crimes after the Supreme Court tore a big chunck out of it. Mr. Wardel said that an indictment for a crime against nature will not hold up. A crime of sodomy would. Mr. Whit- taker asked if the Department of Law has any statistics regard- ing how many prosecutions took place in the last five or six years. Mr. Wardel said no, but they have started a new report- ing system five months ago which will indicate every crime charged and the disposition of same, including the sentence. Mr. Specking asked if Mr. Wardel knew whether or not any reason- able number of the offenses were reported; could the shame of the people involved be a factor in the low number of these cases prosecuted. Mr. Wardel said he did not know. Mr. Whit- taker said there are a number of cases of statutory rape which are prosecuted regularly around the state. Mrs. Chance asked what the rights of a child are who is the product of two cohabitating people. Mr. Wardel said he would suspect that the child would have the same rights as any other child. Mrs. Chance asked if the child would be consider- ed illegitimate. Mr. Wardel said yes. Mr. Whittaker mentioned the section relating to comic books, and asked if this section had not been fairly well wiped out by the decision of the Supreme Court. Mr. Wardel said he would substan- tially agree with this statement, but that he was not aware of any Supreme Court decision specifically relating to comic books. A court opinion was handed down on the Harris case stating that there should not be prohibition of any sexual practices except as it related to juveniles and children or acts in public. An obscenity law could be passed to protect juveniles. Lisa Rudd, representing the Communications Committee of the Anchor- age Women's Liberation, had a statement from that committee which she read (Attachment B). She said that the group recognizes the ----------------------- Page 135----------------------- -2- ( fact that they are unenforced or selectivly enforced. Sexual mores in the nation and the world are changing and this cannot be stopped. They could not see that these crimes are a threat to society. She said that children and adults are subjected to much more scenes of horror or indecency on tv than they get from comic books. For herself, Lisa Rudd said she wished to speak on sec. 11.40.090 concealment of the death of a child. She said this section discriminates because it specifically prohibits women from con- cealing the death of a child, thereby indicating that a woman is more apt to do so than a man. Sec. 11.40.100--killing of a bastard child---was also of concern. She said this subject is covered elsewhere in the criminal code and this law is dis- criminatory towards women. Next to speak was Mr. Don Craddick, Assistant Public Defender for the state of Alaska. He said he had been in the Public Defender's office for 8 months, before which he was in private practice for 10 years in Juneau. He pointed out that it was his job to defend people accused of crimes, not to defend crimes. He said the question to be determined by the committee is are these acts which are presently prohibited by statute crimes against morality and decency and if they are not the statutes should be done away with. He said these laws are not prosecuted and cannot be prosecuted. He said he saw nothing constructive gained by having these laws on the books. He said there would be no detriment, as far as he could tell, to the public health, welfare and morals if these laws were deleted. He concluded that they should not be prosecuted and any law on the books that should not be prosecuted should not be on the books. Respect for the law, he said, means respect for a law which people are willing to abide by and want to have others abide by. Mr. Craddick said that the proposed criminal code revision could take care of laws such as this one. He said it would take a lot of guts to vote to repeal these statutes. Mr. Craddick said a child who is born illegitimate does not have his rights taken away from him. The child's rights are the rights of support and of inheritance. In both areas the child's rights are protected by law. The parent must support the child. The child has the right of inheritance. These laws do not affect the rights one way or the other. This was in response to Mrs. Chance's previous question to Mr. Wardel (page 1, para. 6). Mrs. Chance said that in the Conference on Children's Rights it was brought to the attention of the Conference that allowing common law marriages was deleted from the books. Therefore, ( the child born of a common law marriage has only the right to inherit from the mother, not even from her parents. She said she wondered about the rights of the child issued from a com- mon law marriage and if it had any bearing on the current dis- eussion. Mr. Craddick said he did not feel it had any effect ----------------------- Page 136----------------------- -3- ( whatsoever. He said it is not required that the child have an inheritance right--it can be taken away by the parent. He said he had never seen a case where the legitimacy of a child was a factor in the case of inheritance. Mr. Craddick said he was advocating that this bill either be passed or incorporated into a criminal code revision. He said he felt there would be no detriment to the public morals. When he took the present job there were 42 felony cases pending in the Juneau office. Of those 42 cases 6 were incest cases. Statutory rape cases are being prosecuted. Contributing to the delinquency of a minor is being prosecuted on the felony and misdemeanor levels. He said the District Attorney's office has not been derelict in prosecuting cases. Also, he felt that he had not seen a case where his client was being done an in- justice by being charged with one or these crimes, i.e. when the police receive a complaint they have to act on it. There are laws that have a useful excellent-purpose that are being well used and by deleting the laws under HB 123 we are not af- fecting in any way the good laws. Mr. Whittaker asked if Mr. Craddick felt that the repeal of the unnatural crimes section would have any effect on the section dealing with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Mr. Craddick said no, he did not think it would. ( Mr. Wardel responded to a question regarding contributing to the delinquency of a child asked by Mrs. Chance. First, he said the question was well taken about whether a child had to be judged a delinquent before someone could be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a child. He also pointed out that the contributing statute only goes to the age of 18 and the legislature might have intended to protect the child to the age of 19, which is not the case. Mr. Craddick said that many defense counsels have sought to raise as a defense when their client was charged with contri- buting to the delinquency of a minor that this was the first time the minor had been involved in anything like this and therefore how could they possibly prove that the minor was delinquent. The courts have had no trouble with throwing this out. The courts universally hold that there is always a first time for everything, including delinquency and that it is absolutely no defense to say that this was the first time the child was involved in a delinquent "act. It still doesn't give a legal answer to what constitutes delinquency. There are three classifications of juveniles possible under our laws, Mr. Craddick said: A child in need of supervision, ( a dependent child, or a juvenile delinquent. he legislature ~" passed a law a few years ago seeking to protect the rights of the juveniles in which they made clear that the juvenile was not to be sent to an institution unless there had been a finding of juvenile delinquency. This has backfired on us. ----------------------- Page 137----------------------- -4- What happened is that when that law was passed either inadvertantly or purposely we are now in a situation where a dependent child and a child in need of supervision cannot be sent to an institution or an institutional school. They can only be sent to a group home or a foster home. As a result whenever there is a delinquent child where they cannot prove the crime they are hamstrung. You must also start considering what the Department of Welfare and what the Division of Corrections must do themselves and what the court must do because until a child has been declared to be a juvenile delinquent sometimes they must remain in a jail because there is no foster home for them and under the law they cannot be sent to McLaughlin or a California school As socially responsible people we must bear in mind that the title of juvenile delinquent has more aspects to it than just the embarassment of the child or parent. It can also be crucial to the child's future. Commissioner of Health and Welfare Dr. Fred McGinnis spoke next. Dr. McGinnis said he had been requested by the committee to ap- pear. He said it has been indicated that one of the reasons fort this bill is the difficulty in enforcement and he would agree wholeheartedly that there is a problem in e nforcement. Apparently, he said, some enforcement has been possible so if one were talking about the absolute impossiblity of enforcement therefore anything that cannot be enforced at all should be eliminated. The question is then raised as to the degree of enforcability rather than the doctrine of enforcability with the absence of it. If these laws are to some degree enforced then, he said, the argument that they are unenforcable cannot stand except in a relative degree. Dr. McGinnis asked the committee to consider whether or not one of the purposes of laws is to serve as a deterant. Further, Dr. McGinnis asked the committee to determine if there is value enough to maintain such laws based on the deterant value and the protection value. Dr. McGinnis said there were about 25 people in Alaskan institutions because of the crimes concerned in HB 123. He said he would urge the committee to consider the possibility of seeking data from first-rate sociologists and experts. He said that this is an important step and if the law is totally ineffectual it should be taken off the books, but this should be established through hard data. He suggested that the committee move with some care and secure as much data as possible. Mr. Whittaker asked for a breakdown on the 25 people in the state who were convicted of crimes against morality and decency. Dr. McGinnis said the Department would submit a report. (-- Mrs. Chance read statements from the Alaska State Mental Health Association (Attachment C), the Alaska State Medical Association (Attachment D), and the Anchorage Bar Association (Attachment E). ----------------------- Page 138----------------------- ( -5- Mr. Burton Joseph, Executive Director of the Playboy Foundation, gave testimony next. A copy of his testimony is attached (Attach- ment F). Rev. John Shaffer presented his testimony next. He showed the committee some of the material which could be purchased in down- town Juneau (magazines and newspapers) He said it is a fallacy to assume that a vote for the repeal of these statutes is a vote for these activities. Further, he said the legislature is in a dangerous area when they make religious and moral standards against the law. Lastly, he said there is a tremendous hypocrisy in the state when you allow laws on the books when you are not going to give money to the police departments to enforce these laws. He said unless you provide the type of police state that would be necessary for enforcement you are guilty of contributing to the kind of hypocrisy that many of us are being accused of today. Next to testify was Mrs. Irma Finn, a mother and a member of the· press in Anchorage. She said she had just finished a series of articles about the drug situation in Anchorage and, during the time of researching her articles, talked with various social agencies and private individuals and while there was never one thing that they pinpointed as the cause of using drugs, there was a feeling that ran through all the interviews. This was the youth rebellion against what they call hypocrisy. Mrs. Finn said she thought this is a very good example of what young people are rebelling against----the fact that we have laws that are not enforced and are not enforcable. She added that the fact you want these laws repealed does not mean you condone the action. It means that you want to have laws that People have respect for and are enforcable. Mrs. Chance said that the state of Alaska did not pay for the expenses for any witness to appear before the committee. Also, when she invited the witnesses to attend the meeting she did not know what their positions would be except one and had ex- pected that there would be more testimony from various view- points. Diana E. Hubbard, Secretary E " ----------------------- Page 139----------------------- FORMSA·IB MEMORANDUM State of Alaska Comrnissioner Ell W. Chapple, Jr. DATE : March 4, 1971 FROM: James P. Wel1:ingtoll SUBJECT : HB 123 Deputy Commissione This memorandum contains the remarks I made to the House Health, Welfare and Education Committee on Monday, March 1, concerning HB 123. Madam Chairman, members, I have taken the liberty of reviewing the records of the Department of Public Safety for the years, 1968, 1969 and 1970 concerning arrest rate on the offenses listed in HB 123. Section 11.40.010 Adultery - one arrests Section 11.40.040 - Cohabitation - one arrest, no conviction Section 11.40.070 - Seduction - no arrests Section 11.40.120 - Unnatural crimes - 16 arrests broken down as follows: 14 arrests where minors were victims 1 arrest - adult with an adult 1 arrest where an adult was the victim and a juvenile was the ( perpetrator Section 40.160 - Objectionable comic books - no arrests As far Section 11.40.120 is concerned, we feel that a provision should be left in the statutes whereby it would be against the law to perform an unnatural sex act on a juvenile or an unconsenting adult. Also, as far as this section is concerned, the Department of Public Safety would still want to exercise their privilege of taking disciplinary action against their employees who were involved in conduct as described in the above sections even if the sections were repealed from the criminal statutes of Alaska. We base this on the fact that we do not feel that the public is morally or mentally ready to accept for instance homosexuality as a normal course of conduct, and as a result of this the reputation of the Department would suffer if we had employees who were knowingly engaged in the above type of activity. As far as the objectionable comic book section is concerned, although we have had no arrests for this during the past three years, it is quite possible that it is acting as a deterrento From reviewing the statute, it would seem to me that probably a majority of the items listed in the statute are probably already on the newstands, but we feel the portion of the statute which covers sexually indecent comic books should probably remain intact., ----------------------- Page 140----------------------- february 19, 1971 Genie Chance Chairman, Health, Welfare & Education State House of Represantatives Dear reprensatative Chance: The communications committee of Anchorage Woman's Liberation wishes to express its support for the HWE committee's legislation to repeal several statutues relating to crimes agaist morelity and decency. we will try to send a representative for the hearing on march 1. if that is not possible, would you read the following statement into the record: We support the repeal of these allegad "crimes agaist morality and decency." as woman interested in basic human rights, we believe it is an invasion of privacy to regulate by lew, sexual activities between consenting should. we believe that men and woman should have full freedom of choice in their personal lives as long as they are not forceably harming others. ----------------------- Page 141----------------------- SUITE 400 101 (5 W. SIXTH AVENUE: ANCHORAGE 9950.1 ( February 19, 1971 Representative Genie Chance Alaska State Legislature Pouch V - State Capitol Juneau, Alaska 99801 Dear Mrs. Chance: On behalf of the Alaska State Mental Health Association, I want to respond to your kind invitation of February 12 to testify on Mr. Rose's bill to delete several crimes from the State Criminal Code. I do not believe that we will have any member of the Association in Juneau on March 1. However, should someone be down there, I would certainly have him or her attend the hearings. ( As for the position of the Alaska State Mental Health Association with respect to the proposed legislation, I think that the Association feels that there is in all probability an immeasurable and therefore unknown mental health impact on lives of Alaska citizens as a result of there being on the statute books a number of unenforced or unenforceable crimes. We would urge your committee to hold hearings and perhapscommission a study to determine the precise nature of this impact. Presumably such a study would range over the entire enactments in the Alaska Statutes ferreting out no longer needed provisions of law. Such a complete survey would, no doubt, come up with many other needed revisions and deletions. With the entire package presented as one bill it might very well be that the controversial nature of the present proposed deletions could be eliminated or reduced thereby promoting the mental health of the State of Alaska - to the extent that the existance on the Statute books at the present time of the indi- cated crimes presented impairs that health. But of ----------------------- Page 142----------------------- 2. ( course this is really getting into the area of the Legislature and its strategy rather than staying within the jurisdiction of the Alaska Mental Health Association. So I will leave my comments at that. With every good wish in your deliberations and particularly with respect to the proposed legis- lation for funding for community mental health centers which I hope will be before you shortly, I am, Yours sincerely, Robert C. Ely RCE:sam cc: Mrs. Lois Pillifant ( ----------------------- Page 143----------------------- - February 23, 1971 519 WEST EIGHTH AVENUE ANCHORAGE. ALASKA 99501 TELEPHONE 277-6891 POSITION PAPER ASMA supports passage of HB 123 relating to the repeal of various statutes relating to sexual morality. Three of these, namely adultery, cohabitation, and seduction, are obviously not regarded as crimes by the general public nor by law enforcement authorities. It is recognized that individual persons will act according to their own consciences in these matters. The formation of conscience is carried out by parental teaching and example, backed up by various religious organizations for some. There is no intent to deny these teaching functions, but it is not the duty of the State to. legislate or to attempt to enforce morality in this area. We agree that it is appropriate to retain statutes concerning child molestation, indecent display, and incest. "Unnatural crimes" refers to homosexuality and to certain sexual acts wnich are commonly regarded as acceptable by married couples. Homosexuality between con- esenting adults in no vlay disturbs the peace and dignity of the State. It is manifestly irrational as well as discriminatory to attempt to legislate against a condition which fundamentally is an emotional abnormality. Display, sale, etc., of objectionable comic books presumably refers to pornography although other types of comic books are presently banned, "including crime, horror, etc. The Commission on Obscenity and Pornography concluded after painstaking study that pornographic and other erotic materials had no deleterious effect on public morals and seemed particularly non-injurious to youth, especially to those adequately informed about sex. Repeal of these statutes will remove much hypocrisy from our laws and may encourage respect for more reasonable laws. Repealing the law against homosexuality would be a step toward adequate civil rights for a group now treated unjustly. LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ( ----------------------- Page 144----------------------- LAW OFFICES JENSEN & HARRIS KENNETH O. JENSEN SUITE 460. FIRST NATIONAL BLDG. TELEPHONE: R. EVERETT HARRIS 425 "G" STREET 277.3533 ANCHORAGE. ALASKA 99501 ( February 24, ,1971 Honorable Genie Chance Alaska House of Representatives Pouch V Juneau, Alaska 99801 Dear Genie: As successor to Pete LaBate as president of the Anchorage Bar Association, I have received your letter of February 12, 1971, regarding the public hearing on March 1, 1971, elective to proposed legislation relating to crimes against morality and decency. At the February 15 meeting of the Anchorage Bar Association, I brought to the attention of the members a ( newspaper article which indicated you would be inviting our comments on this legislation. It was the consensus of the members that since a total revision of the criminal code is being seriously considered by this legislature, and since this association is making great effort to look carefully at that proposed revision in order to make comments upon it, our comments on this subject generally would be more meaningful if made in context with the proposed criminal code revision. Accordingly, at the present time at least, I would not expect the association as such will send a repre- sentative. We do, however, appreciate very much your invi tation. Yours very truly, ANCHORAGE /BAR ASSOCIATION R. Everett Harris, President l REH: ckb ----------------------- Page 145----------------------- REHARKS OF BURTON JOSEPH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PLAYBOY FOUNDATION BEFORE THE HEALTH, TELFARE AND EDUCATIOH COMMITTEE OF THE ALASKA STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RE: PROPOSED LEGISLATION MARCH 1, 1971 These hearings concern themselves with those sections of the statutes of the State of Alaska which deal with conduct considered by the law to be criminal, but which can be described as sumptuary laws that is, law designed to regulate personal thoughts and conduct on moral or religlous grounds. ( The fact that this committee is holding these hearings is evidence itself of the progressive and enlightened view of this legislature. Consideration of repeal statutes regarding morality and decency, in itself, would have not been seriously considered a decade ago. The regulation of private morality by imposing criminal penalties is facing a rising tide of "an idea who's time has come." Since this legislature has been among the leaders in other areas of reform, other states Will undoubtedly look to your effort and to the legislation which results from these hearings. The laws under consideration vary in terms of the conduct proscribed and the penalties imposed from state to state however they generally attempt to control conduct which to society is morally or religiously offensive, ----------------------- Page 146----------------------- and inclunde such things as adultery, fornication, seduction, sodomy, prostitution, censorship, and the like. I will attempt to review you briefly why I feel such laws are unnecessary, futile, self-defeating and indonsistent with the primary purpose of the criminal law. I wish to offer this testimony, thought, with this important caveat. Because I advocate the decriminalization of conduct which is morally or religiously offensive that should not be considered as encouragement or condonation of such conduct. It is necessary to keep in mind that because certain conduct is not criminal does not mean it is socially sanctioned or that other social or civil controls may not be appropriate to discourage it. There are many areas of activity which are kept within limits by social dynamics rather than by criminal prohibition. For convenience I will delineate my objection to sumptuary laws as follows: A. Philosophical Objections B. Constitutional and Legal Objections c. Pragmatic Objections A. John Stuart Mill, in his essay On Liberty, best stated the fundamental philosophical objection to sumptuary laws, as follows: "The principle is, that the sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their members is self-protection. That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His Own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant, he cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it would be better for him to do so because it will make him happier, because, in the opinion of others, to do so would be wise or even right." ----------------------- Page 147----------------------- The function of the criminal law is essentially to protect a citizen's person or property and to prevbnt the exploitation or ( corruption of people who may need special care or protection, such as minors and incompetents . Not every standard of conduct that is fit to be condemned is a fit subject for criminalization. It is nonsense to think that the criminal law has the power to influence men in terms of moral belief or sexual behavior. Such laws-described by Professors Norval Morris and Gordon Hawkins in their recent book as lithe over-reach of the criminal law frequently have significant counter--productive effects because they demean the law by their impotence . As Professors Harris and Hawkins state, with the possible exception of Sixteenth Century Geneva under John Calvin, America is the most moralistic country in terms of criminal law in the world, and this moralism is refleeted most significantly in the attempt to control sexual behavior. In virtually every state the criminal law is used in an ineffectual attempt to regulate the sexual relationships and activities of the citizens; indeed, it is as if the sex offense laws were designed to provide an enormous legislative chastity belt, prohibiting everything except "normal" coitus inside of wedlocke Again it should be emphasized that decriminalization is not condonation or encouragement; however, the criminal law should concern' itself with force, the threat of force, certain kinds of fraud in sexual matters and certain kinds of public sexual ----------------------- Page 148----------------------- activity which may constitute a nuisance. Beyond this, sex laws ( are unnecessary unenforceable and ineffective and, as we shall sec, self-defeating. Adultery or extra-marital intercourse is punishable virtually in every state with only one or two exceptionse The paucity of prosecutions in light of the most reliable statistical data as to the incidence of this "criminal ll conduct is in itself a compelling argument that such attempts to regulate sexual behavior are futile. Fornication, which is typically described in the criminal code of the Alaska Statutes (section 11.40.040) is an example of the anachronism of the law. what does it say for the integrity of ( our law when Dr. Kinsey reports that almost ninety percent of the men in the United States and over half of the women (or sixty percent of college educated women) are "crimina.is" under the definition of this statute. Does the attempt to regulate moral and ethical attitudes and conduct gain respect for the law in light of such statistics? Likewise, laws prohibiting so-called sodomy (or as it is defined in the Alaska statutes "unnatural crimes") are ineffective, anachronistic,incapable of enforcement and a source of legislative hypocrtSy. Consider this: The Alaska statutes provide imprison- ment in the penitentiary for up to ten years for oral copulation, even between husband and wife. This is undoubtedly a class of law's that are among the least enforced and the least enforceable of any in existance in the United States. Sodomy, as you know ----------------------- Page 149----------------------- has been interpreted to include all kinds of sexual activity which someone, somewhere, at one time or another, deems to be "unnatural" ContempOrary society now believes What was once considered "unnatural" is in reality completely normal. The majority of contemporary marriage manuals, courses in sex education, and counselors trained in sex guidance and in problems of sex and the family; stress natural freedom in the love play that accompanies a sexual relationship I could furnish an extensive bibliography of marriage manuals > written by experts in the field, which give profound testimony to this aspect of intimacy as being part of a normal, healthy relationship. Dr. Kinsey reports that: "Mouth genital contacts of some sort with the subject either the active or passibe member of the relation- ship occur in nearly sixty percent of the case histories of all males and a majority of all females." (. The accusation is frequently and erroneously made that the state has a right, or indeed an obligation, to prohibit this conduct by criminal sanctions. The trouble with this position is that it bears no relationship to the facts and is inconsistent with studies made on the subject. The Kinsey studies indicate that there is no increase in the incidence of so called "unnatural acts" when the sample was divided into decades of birth. Society's publicly proclaimed attitude on the subject has undergone a dramatic change, but the actual private behavior of the individual has remained almost constant. The data of Dr. Kinsey showed significant variations in ----------------------- Page 150----------------------- backgroung, but for both males and femeles of similar education born in each decade since nineteen hundred, kinsey concludes ( "there were suprisingly few differences". In enforcement of laws relating to "unnatural crimes," there is a significant disparity between heterosexual and homosexual activity. This is not to say there was a historical difference but rather to say a heterosexual police officer and a hetero- sexual judge find a homosexual "crime against nature" a good deal more "abominable and detestible" than a heterosexual one. This selective enforcement according to ones own prejudice and moral and religious views is, in itself, grounds for elimination of such criminalization. ( Actually, He Americans are, as a nation, more intolerant of homosexuality than almost any other country in the world" Dr. Kinsey states: "There appears to be no other major culture in the world in which public opinion and the statute law so severely penalize homosexual relationships as they do in the United States today. Attempts of society to legislate homosexuality out of existance are doomed to certain failure and may actually perpetuate and encourage this activity rather than diminish it." Persons more expert than I could testify as to whether the cause of this condition is genetic, cultural, psycho-chemical, or a combination of these and other factors; one thing, however, is clear and that is you cannot treat this condition by passing a law against its manifestations. It is not even / ~. necessary to determine whether this results from an ernotional aberration since a great percentage of our adult population have engaged in some form of homosexual activity at some time ----------------------- Page 151----------------------- academie. kinsey point out that homesexual contacts are not peculiar to the human but occur frequently in most mammalian ( speeics. The Kinsey studies show that a perfectly normal man or woman may be erotically attracted to or aroused by a member of the same sex, or that prolonged separation from the opposite sex, (as in prison or Some assignments in the armed services) may significantly increase homosexual activity. It should also be noted that sexual relations between males seems to be wide spread in certain cultures, i.e. Hoslem and Buddist cultures, but in our society the penalties (frequently death) for sodomy between males are surpassed· only by those for rape and murder. According to the most reliable data a minimum of thirty-seven percent of the total male population have had overt homosexual experience to the point ( of orgasm after puberty and this statistic is increased to fifty percent for men who remain single until the age thirty-five. Among females at least twenty percent of the total population have had overt homosexual experience prior to the age of thirty- five, and the percentage rises to twenty-six percent of those females still unmarried at age forty-five. For those who find these statistics shocking evidence of the immorality of the modern generation it must be again reported that, as with the data on heterosexual experiences cited above, males and females born prior to nineteen hundred and in each decade since/evidence almost identical percentages for homosexual activity. Although the older generation may have been shocked beyond words by any open discussion of this subject their actual sexual behavior was only a little different from our own today. ----------------------- Page 152----------------------- The criminal law, then, takes the position that a substantial percentage of the total population could be classified as " criminal" but the small number of prosecutions proves the disparity between moralistic direction and pragmatic enforcement. B . The next area that I would like to mention briefly is the question of the illegality and the unconstitutionality of the sections of the Alaska criminal statutes that we are discussing today. I do not intend to extensively reiterate the arguments which probable could be made quite persuasively by each of you who is an attorney and certainly by the legal researchers available to this committee. I would like to call attention, however, to the arguments raised in the much discussed case of ( criswold v. Connecticut, 381 U.S. 484. Hithout going into the subtleties of the applicability of the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution to conduct which is proscribed in the statutes under conSideration, I would like to comment on the "zones of privacy" that a majority of the court referred to in this case. The founding fathers of this country in framing the constitution were educated in the political theory of John Locke and the idea that the government should have strictly limited powers to interfere with the personal lives of individuals; that such powers could be justified only in terms of essential interest of the connnunity. In the Griswold case, the Supreme Court ----------------------- Page 153----------------------- 9 of the United States held that a state could not prohibit the use of contraceptives in the sexual relationship between husband and wife and the court observed that that case "concerned a relationship lying within the zone of privacy created by several fundamental guarantees" 381 U.S at 484. In a concurring opinion it was stated that: "The Ninth Amendment (the enumeration in the constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.) ••• lends strong support to the view that the liberty protected by Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments from infringement from the federal government or the states is not restricted to the rights specifically mentioned in the first eight amendments." The "zone of privacy" should also be extended to protect the consensual relationships, in private, between adults. As Professor Fried wrote in his article on Privacy,77 yale Law ( Journal; 475, at 479 (1968): "Privacy is not just one possible means among others to assure Some other value, but . . . it is necessarily related to ends and relations of the most fundamental sort: respect, love, friendship and trust. Privacy is not merely a good technique for furthering these fundamental relations; rather without privacy or the possibility of privacy they simply are inconceivable. A threat to privacy seems to threaten our very integrity as persons. To respect, love, trust, feel affection for others and to regard ourselves as the objects of love, trust and affection is a the very heart of our notion of ourselves a persons among persons." What is more private, more personal and should be more immune from intrusion by the state or others than one's personal, sexual consensual relationships. ----------------------- Page 154----------------------- 10 ( In addition to the "zones of privacy" that arc inherent in the Ninth Amendment penumbra, since the statutes under consideration reflect the religious view of the time when they were originally enacted, a serious question rises whether or not conformity with this religious standard of morality can be reconciled with the prohibition in the First Amendment to the Constitution regarding separation of church and state. Does not the "non- eStablishment clause" of the First Amendment affect statutes When one of their purposes or their primary effect would be to enforce a religious doctrine, as defined by major sects in the United States. The common law did not punish fornication as a crime but such ( was left to the ecclesiastical courts of Medieval England. Neither adultry nor fornication were indictable at common law and they were only held to be private wrongs for which the aggressor was answerable in a civil action for damages State v. Lash, 16 NJL 380, at 384 The obligation of the state to prohibit immoral conduct has been the center of a controversy since the scholars at the American Law Institute drafted the model penal code and since the British Wolfenden Commission. Both of these distinguished bodies recomended the legalization· of all private, non-violent, consensual sexual conduct / between adults. it should be noted that both the American Law Institute and the Wolfenden Commission state, respectively, that, "Such laws are inappropriate for government" and that ----------------------- Page 155----------------------- 11 One scholar observed as follows: "It appears from the constitutional position of the state that harm most consist of more then the immorality of the act. Since the state is not a moralistic institution but protects its citizens from unlawful interference of their rights and interests, government would transgress its powers it it attempted to correct the internal faults of its subject rather that eliminating its goals to prevention of injury of their lives, liberties, and properties interests." Esser; The principle of Harm in the Concept of Crime: A Comparitive Analysis of the Criminally Protected Legal Interests, 4 Duquesne University law Review 345, at 366. The statutes under consideration further might be violative of the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. It is ven- erable law that a statute, constitutional on its face, may be found invalid if it is enforced discriminatorily against a particular class of personse Yick Woe v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356 (1886), Although this discriminatory prosecution must be purposeful to be in violation of the Constitution, the disparity between conduct and· ( prosecution and the manner of enforcement against homosexuals raises serious questions as to such discrimination. In light of recent opinions as to obscenity, it seemS that the sections of the Alasla Criminal Code dealing With comic books are unconstitutional being in violation of the First and Fourteenth Amendments, both because of violation of the right of free speech and violation of due process due to overbreadth and vagueness. As to the need for these provisions, The Presidential Report of the Commission on Obscenity and Pornography argues more authoritatively and persuasively than I could for repeal. ----------------------- Page 156----------------------- 12 C. in addition to the philosophical and legal objections to the existance of these statutes, perhaps the most compelling reason for their repeal, and one of the least considered, is what I will call pragmatic objection. What are the practical consequences of leaving these antiquated, seldom enforced statutes as part of our body of law? Consider the disrespect these statutes engender not only for these specific provisions of the code but also for the law generally. The public can rightfully react as a collective Mr. Bumbl crying, "if tha is the law, Sir, then the law is an ass." The criminal law is designed to protect persons and property; as we have seen the statutes under consideration are designed to preserve morality and chasity. When the law assumes to dictate moral conduct it is doomed to failure. it is doomed to failure for the same reasons that the attempt to legislate prohibition was a fiasco. What is a person who is unlucky enough to be one of the few arrested, tried and convicted for these proscribed activities to think of the law when his conduct is engaged in by ninety percent of the population sometime in their lives Why should the law create examples like this of persons whose only real crime" was to get caught? The opportunity for blackmail, shake- downs, harassment, selective enforcement, revenge and other debased motives is rampant because the exposure and public condemnation and the disproportionate severity of the penalties make these particular statutes natural subjects for abuse. ----------------------- Page 157----------------------- 13 The second pregmatic renson for the repeal of these statutes ( is the diversion of resources which they cause from the primary and compelling purpose the criminal law. it behooves the legis- lature, I think, not to waste the valuable and limited resources of the community in chasing adulterers, fornicators, seducers, homosexuals ) "unnatural" copulators, comic book sellers and the like. These areas are best left to social controls and to civil remedies; nevertheless, with a soaring crime rate and limi ted resources the law still commands the overburdened police, Law enforcement agencies and courts to concern themselves with the moral and religious conformity directed by these statutes. Professors Horris and Hawkins, for this reason, give this highest priority by stating: 'We must strip off the moralistic excrescences on our criminal justice system so that it may concentrate on the essential. The prime function of the criminal law is to protect our person and our property; these purposes are now engulfed in a mass of other distracting, inefficiently per- formed, legislative duties. when the criminal law invades the spheres of private morality and social welfare, it exceeds its proper limits at the cost of neglecting its primary tasks. This unwarranted extension is expensive) ineffective, and criminogenic." I think we will also agree with further observation that the criminal law should at least allow man to exercise his inalien- able right to go to hell in his own fashion, provided he does not directly injure the person or property of another on the way. The criminal law is an inefficient instrument for imposing the good life on others. I think it improper, impolitic, and usually socially harmful for the law to intervene or attempt to regulate the private moral conduct of the citizen. As an ----------------------- Page 158----------------------- 14 instrument for coorcing men to virus the criminal law is singularly inept. it is also an unduly costly one, both in terms of the harm done and terms of the proper tasks of the law enforcemente. It has been estimated that if the law enforcement agents involved in the ineffectual efforts to control consensual homosexual contacts were diverted to an attempt to improve the current twenty percent national clearance rate for burglary it may not result in an immediate fall in burglary rates; however it is highly unlikely that there would be an increase in sodomy either for peoples sexual proclivities and patterns are among the least likely of their responses to be able to be controlled by law as the almost total failure of cures and treatment programs ( for homosexuals should have taught us. In the long run such strategic redeployment of resources could not but benefit society. Another substantial problem created by these statutes is due to the private nature of the activities. This requires law enforcers to use techniques generally abhorrent to our traditional values. Eavesdropping, informers and provocateurs become a style of investigation. After all, these are crimes without victims. There are no complaining witnesses, which invites enforcement by illegal means. Bribery, unreasonable searches) entrapment and other abuses are, then the natural consequence. And, I may ask, for what end? ----------------------- Page 159----------------------- 15 Still another counter-productive effect of these laws, most drammatically demonstrated in the case of homosexuals, is to create a sub-culture of those considered criminals under the law. The effect is to remove contacts with the dominant society and reinforce the proclivity. Perhaps this could be justified if it reduced the incidence of such conduct deemed harmful to society, but the most reliable data... is to the contrary. Not only does it not discourage such conduct but, on the contrary) is believed by some authorities to promote it. Virtually every authority in the field on sex and law recognize the need for change in the laws that apply to sexual conduct. These laws are frequently unenforced, unenforceable or neglected, which is reason enough for legislative repeal, so that the obliga- tion of the departments of government--the true separation (~ of powers--does not become confused, and neglect of enforcement does not usurp what is essentially a legislative prerogative. A cornmon sense view shared by many law enforcement authorities and eminent law committees take the position that laws concerning sexual behavior should be confined exclusively to three areas: I. Sexual acts that involve the use of force or the threat of force;. 2. Sexual acts performed in public; 3. Sexual acts involving minors. ----------------------- Page 160----------------------- There is virtual unanimity among scholars who have studied this problem that all other law relating to sexual behavior should be eliminated as being unenforecable, antiquated and generally not within the prerogative of law enforcement in the first place. why, in the face of these unanimous conclusion has there been so little legislative action to date. Thank you. BJ/jp ( \ ----------------------- Page 161----------------------- _ 718 K STRELT ANCHORAGE, ALASKA 99501 Harch 4, 1971 TELEPHONE 272·2571 Representative Genie Chance House of Representatives Pouch v Juneau, Alaska Dear Representative Chance: I am writing you in regard to the House Bill sponsored by Representatives Mike Rose, Willard Bowman, and Richard Whittaker regarding repeal of the Criminal Statutes in "sex crimes" which would include adultery, cohabiting in a state of adultery or fornication, unnatural crimes, and objectionable comic books. I think that these laws have no place in a civilized, enlightened, and hucane society. I am particularly concerned over those laws in regard to "unnatural crimes". This in particular puts a great stigma on homosexuals who have committed no crime to my way of thinking if they have relations with mem bers of the same sex Who are adult and consenting partners. Their lives have already been made quite miserable as I can testify, having treated a number of these unfortunate people, by the stigma applied to their deviation and helped by the medieval laws regarding this condition. They live in a constant state of guilt and fear, Which has colored their entire lives Whether or not they are conscious of it at the time. Many of these people are quite valuable members of society and all of them have human feelings like those who are not homosexual. Often they are in the forefront of helping others, holding good posi tions, all of which would be subject to severe censure were their sexual preferences known or were they to be arrested with a consenting partner because of these unjust and archaic laws. As a medical doctor, I urge you to vote for the abolition of these laws and I urge the members of your committee to join in making Alaska a truly outstanding state in its humanity and compassion regarding sex laws. It will serve as a marvelous example for the rest of this country and for many other places in this world. If I can be of any further assistance or give any kind of testimony or write any further letters, please do not hesitate to ask me. I shall be delighted to do so. Very truly yours, Martin Palmer, M.D. MP/gw ----------------------- Page 162----------------------- March 2, 1971 Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 1: 55 pm. with all members present. 179 Testimony was presented on House Bill 179, appropriating for a multi-purpose facility to the Nenana High School. Repre- sentative Swanson spoke first. Representative Swanson said that the kids' biggest gripe in Nenana is that there is no place for them to meet, no place to have dances, and no place to play ball. The communi ty center is a small building where basketball is played. There is no shower facility. All the physical education classes are held here. It is five blocks from the main school, which has caused the school children numerous colds. There have been some problems with influx of people from Fairbanks. Nenana- does-not have a place for kids' activities. They would do much better with all of the kids, Mr. Swanson felt, if they had a room where activities could be held. Mr. Dick Leath, Superintendent of Schools for Nenana, spoke next. Mr. Leath said the Nenana high school serves the military base near Nenana. Its population has increased 75% in four years. They have more students in the high school than in the lower grades. The high school is a regional high school. They will have a kindergarten this year for the first time. Their new facility will free two additional rooms in the high school. They will be able to expand their special education program which is now limited to eight students. The biggest problem now is that there is no adjoining physical education facility. There is no room in the high school that is large enough to hold an--assembly. The lack of a facility hinders the athletic program. Kids can only go into the community center during school hours. They cannot use the building during the months of April and May because of the Ice Classics. They need to change the structure of the curriculum in Nenana to include vo- cational education. The school program is largely terminal and the schools have been providing a purely academic program. This year them have a carpenter program and a child care class, but no facilities. One class is being held in the library and one is held in what is called the lunch room. Wood shop and industrial arts classes cannot meet because they were meeting in quonset hut and it got too cold. Nenana's real and personal property tax base is less than $2 million. The current $300,000 bond will go into 1998. The city is presently spending $71,000 for a new elementary school. The total cost will be $105,000. The city is willing to pay but they have reached a point where they can no longer reach the needs of the school. ----------------------- Page 163----------------------- Mr. jack Wigley, President of the Nenana School Board, spoke next. He said the parents do not want their kids walking the long distance in the cold and there is no place for the Kids to have dances, which the parents object to. Mr. Specking asked Mr. Leath what brings about the increase in the student load. Mr. Leath said that the boarding home program was initiated this year. they have 26 kids from the outlying village for this program. A large number of the kids come from the military base and are civilian personnel-- there are about 40 of these kids. Mr. Specking asked where the boarding home students stay. Mr. Leath said that one man has a dormitory facility composed of two duplex houses. this has nineteen kids in it. one other family has seven kids` Mr. Whittaker asked what happens to the money from the ice pool. Mr. Leath said some of it goes to the Winner. Mr. Swanson said. there is set up a percentage basis. Most of it is pure gambling. There are two scholarships set up. Mainly, it puts the people to work during April and May so there is almost 50% employ- ment during this time. Mr. Specking asked about the price of the proposed facility. Mr. Leath said he asked the architect who was hired to work on the elementary school for a proposal and this was the figure he gave. Mr. Leath said he was not sure this was enough. Dr. Hartman said that we might keep in mind that about half of the students that attend the school are not the responsibility of the city of Nenana. The state does provide tuition payments but this is not enough to build a new structure. Mr. Specking said he would like to know about the building cost and whether the Nenana people have any basis for this figure. Mr. Isaac of the Department of Education said they have estimated the square foot cost being $45 to $50 per square foot for the total cost of the structure. He believes the square foot cost could be $55 to $60 by the completion of the structure. Mr. Whittaker asked if the Department of Education is asking for other buildings for other communities. Dr. Hartman said five of them were taken care or last year. Nome currently has a critical roblem with their high school. Beyond that Craig and Klawock are the other problem areas but Nome and Nenana are the critical problems right now. Mrs. Chance asked what the pleasure of the committee is on this bill. Mr. Specking moved and asked unanimous consent that the committee recommend do-pass on this bill. Mrs. Chance, hearing no objection, said it was so ordered. ----------------------- Page 164----------------------- -3- HB 35 Mrs. Chance said the committee has received the CS on HB 35 back from Legislative Affairs and passed out copies. Dr. Hartman asked to take the copy back with them and discuss it before deciding. Mrs. Chance said this committee sub- stitute contained the recommendations from the Department and asked. if the committee members had any objection to passing out this bill today. Mr. Moses said that, according to this bill, Nenana could have two gyms. Mrs. Chance said that by the timethis bill gets to the Finance Committee they will have to decide which bill goes into law. Mr. Whittaker asked if this mearit the legislature would be approving projects or that the Department would be approving projects. Dr. Hartman said the approving power is referred to the Department. The urgent needs should be met; if a pro- ject has a low priority then it would not be funded. While members were looking over CS HB 35 Mrs. Chance passed out copies of the proposed model white cane law to see if the committee embers wanted to introduce this bill . Mr. Whittaker said he is a little concerned that the CS HB 35 does not tell the committee how to determine priorities. It seemed to him that most districts can make justificatfort for new buildings right now. He was not sure but what that might be the job of the legislature. Dr. Hartman said certainly they would have to have regulations in as effort to establish some priority arrangement . Mr. Van Haute said it is more flex- ible to handle this by regulation. He felt we could establish five or six elemental criteria that could take care of it. It would be possible to set up some criteria by which you could establish priorities where you could do this on a basis of need rather than politics. Mrs. Chance asked if the committee wanted to take more time to consider this bill. The consensus was yes. Mrs. Chance said we would take this bill up tomorrow so we can get it int? the hands of the Finance Committee. Mr. Whittaker said he would be happy to go ahead and intro- duce the white cane law as a committee on Mrs. Chance's recom- mendation. Mrs. Chance said she thought that if the committee wanted they COUld. introduce this with a committee report and not have it referred back to the committee. The consensus was that this was ok. Mr. Whittaker said, regardingCS HB 35, that he could not toierate giving the Department additional authority. It seemed to him that the Legislature is not solving the problems by giving them ----------------------- Page 165----------------------- -4- ( more money without reorganizing the Department. Mrs. Chance said another bill will be one requiring the Department of Educa- tion to establish standards for school construction. There is a large amount of passing the buck on this. Mr. Specking said he would like to see something that would control these archi- tects to create some basic standard. Mr. Whittaker said there is no innovation. Mr. Van Haute said they had a number of disasters before 1920 when buildings were not built with the help of an architect. The architect has the responsibility to test and supervise the construction. Mr. Whittaker asked if the Department of Education shouldn't standardize somewhat their designs. The state could save some money this way. Mr. Van Haute said the problem is not that they are radical. Mrs. Chance said we want to pass an act having them establish standards. Mr. Van Haute said one of the top priorities should be to correct the problems in the rural schools. Mrs. Crosby said she would add she would hate to think that the buildings would be completely standardized. There should be some latitude for the community to help decide what they want in a building to. meet their needs. Mrs. Chance said that on Monday, March 22 there will be a 2 p.m. meeting of both HWE committees and both Finance committees where the teachers from allover the state will testify Mrs. Chance asked, on House Bill No.4, if the committee would like to just change the name of the bill. Mr. Specking asked how we could make it palatable. Mr. Van Haute said that if it is an employment tax then call it such. Mr. Specking asked if it were possible to direct this money. Mrs. Chance said no, the money goes into the general fund. Mr. Moore asked about how much money the state collects on this. Mr. Specking said the figure was over a million dollars. Mr. Naughton said he would like to see a comparison of the cost of administering this money as compared to collecting the money as a raised income tax. Mrs. Chance asked Mr. Moses to report on the State School Board meeting held Friday in Anchorage. Mr. Moses said the main thing brought out was that they agreed that Sitka should take over the management of the new boarding home. In addition, they endorsed the group home concept. Mrs. Chance asked if we should start work on the BIA to get them to switch to the group homes. Mr. Moses said he would think this a good idea. Mr. Van Haute said that some of the group homes being constructed are actually boarding homes that are divided into small units. Mrs. Chance said Wednesday afternoon of next week we will be discussing this problem. Mr. Moses said there is a very strong feeling in the bush to getting the children closer to home to go to school. Mrs. Chance said that, in addition to BIA being present Wednes- day, we should have Jim Harper from Regional and Area High Schools. The Meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m. ----------------------- Page 166----------------------- page 1 of 2 NENANA PUBLIC SCHOOLS Office of the Superintendant ( P.O. BOX 127 NENANA, ALASKA 99760 JUSTIFICATION for HENANA MULTI-PURPOSE ROOH AND VOC. ED. FACILITY The Nenana City School District has the basic facilities with which to put forth a minimum educational program for grades one through twelve. The Nenana District, however, has a critical need for a multi-purpose room (gym) and a vocational ed- ucation facility for shop and home economics. This need has become critical during the past five school terms which has seen the enrollment in the Nenana Public Schools increase 31% from 184 students in September of 1966 to the present enrollment of 240 students at the end of the first quarter of the 1970-71 school term. This increase in student population has been primarily in high school where student enrollment has increased 75% from 64 students in Sept- ember of 1966 to 112 in October of 1970. Enrollmennt by Classes __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1966 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1st Quarter 14 13 13 17 18 14 21 10 29 18 7 10 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1970 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2st Quarter 17 12 12 16 13 15 19 19 31 32 28 20 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Special Education 1970 - 8 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ This increased enrollent in grades 9-12 has produces an acute need for physlcal education facilities, adequate seating space for assemblies and all other programs which require large seating capacity. The lack of a vocational education facility for a school program that only sends a small percentage of its' graduates each year to college and that has produced only two(2) four year graduates in the past ten (10) years indicates that the needs of a large segment of our school population are not being met. Our students are primarily headed for the labor market upon termination of their high school program and we are not providing them with a program that will allow then to acquire sale- able skills. The local school district is not unaware of these inadequacies, but rather because of its extremely low index of ability to pay has been unable to provide the nec- eSSary physical facilities which are needed to provide a more comprehensive educa- tional program. In order to insure a basic education program the local district has bonded itself for $300,OOO.00 for part of its present physical plant. This amount is consider· ably above the recommended 10% of its local tax base which shows a current evalua- on of $1,935,075.00 for both real and personal propertyo This bond will be re- . tired in 1998. The City of Nenana pays an amount of $18,500.00 annually toward this retirement. This money is derived from a local city sales tax of 2% and the ----------------------- Page 167----------------------- Page 2 of 2 R: Jutification for Nenana Multi-Purpose Room and VOC. Ed. Facility local school districtst share of the State Cigarette and Tobacco Tax. e City has no district school tax but is contributing an amount of money to the Bchool operational budget that is equal to a tax levy of 9 mils on our present evaluation. The City of Nenanais Public Schools serve as the area high school for all of those high school students who reside south of the North Star BOrough line on the Alaska High way Number 3 to the Rex Bridge some 30 miles South of Nenana. This area also includes the village of Anderson which adjoins the Clear BHEWS Hilitary Siteo The Nenana Public Schools has a very large number of out of district tuition stu- dents which number 137 out of a total of 240 students. This number of out of dis- trict students brings into the districtapproximately $50,000.00 from the State which is counted as local effort in lieu of taxes. This money goes into the opera- tional budget of the school and' is not for construction. The present school physical education program for grades one through twelve is being conducted in the local City Civic Center which is five blocks away from our school plant. This is a long distance for our students to waLk in the extreme weathert conditions that we have in Nenana- during the winter. This facility does not have adequate locker room and showers for the students to use before and after class. This is also the only facility available to us wich is large enough to allow our complete high school to have an assembly. Even then this necessitates the moving of ll2 students for 5 Blocks to accomplish this. This facility also is unavailable to us during the months of April and May due to City functions which demand its use. The school athletic program is severely handicapped by not having a gynnasium which a regulation facility. This not only handicaps our own teams, but those of visit- ing schools, as well. we, in Nenana, have a hard time convincing other teams to come to Nenana to play because of our lack of facilities. The local school board feels that we are entirely justified in requesting State help in acquiring these facilities. The 1970 Legislature made some direct grants to small school districts such as we have in Nenana, but unfortunately Nenana was not considered High enough on the priority lint for such aid, but we were led to believe by the Legislature, through the state Department of Education, that Nenana along with one or two other small districts would. be helped in a similiar manner this year. We certainly feel that we have made an outstanding contribution on the local level for a number of years now end that if anyone is given consideration Nenana should be in that group. The City of Nenana is in the process of planining for the construction of 3 class- rooms at the Gemini school, which presently houses grades 1 and 2. This vall allow us to begin a kindergarten next year and have grades K-4 together as an instructional unit. In moving grades 3 and 4 out of the main school building we will have more space for the high school program. The City feels that this building program is within their capability to fund. This report is respectfully submitted by School Superintendent, Richard W. Leath. Richard W. Leath ----------------------- Page 168----------------------- Attachment ( Nenana Public Schools Justification for Nenana Multi-Purpose Room and VOC. Ed. Facility _________________________________________________________________________________________ Number of students 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Sp.Ed 9 10 11 12 _________________________________________________________________________________________ 1966-Sept. 14 13 13 17 18 14 21 10 0 29 18 7 10 _________________________________________________________________________________________ 17 12 12 16 13 15 19 19 8 31 32 28 20 _________________________________________________________________________________________ Current Index of Ability to pay by scale used in State Foundation formula 97.9691 Current Bonded Indebtedness $290,000 00 0 Retirenent Date 1998 Local City Sales Tax For Schools 2% Current Real and Personal Property Evaluation $1,935,075.00 City Contribution to School Operational Budget is equal to 9 mils ( on above Evaluation Projected Enrollment for 1971-72 School Year 283 Total School Enrollment Increase from 1966-1970 is: 31% ~ High School Enrollment Increase from 1966-1970 is: 75% Estimated Construction Cost for Gym-Shop and Home Economics Facility 18,000 Sq. Ft. is $850.000.OO Testing-Design-Inspection and Supervisory Cost is: $70,000.00 This is Based on 1971 Construction Costs. ----------------------- Page 169----------------------- NENANA . ( Mailing Address: P. O. Box 177, Nenana, Alaska 99760 Business Phone: 832-5441 Classification: 1st Class City Form of Government: Mayor-Council Date of Incorporation: November 17, 1921 Population: 550 Date of Annual Elections: 2nd Tuesday in October Day of Regular Council Meetings: 2nd Tuesday each month Fiscal Year Begins: October 1 Fringe Benefits for Employees: Social Security, workmen's Compensation 1970 Property Evaluations: Real $950,000; Personal. $806,000 1970 Tax Rate: Real Property: 10 mills; Personal Property 10 mills Sales 2% Date of last property evaluation: December 1969 ( Municipally-owned utilities and other revenue producing facilities: Airport Growth through annexation last fiscal year: 100 Bonded indebtedness at end of last fiscal year: General Obligation Bonds: $290,001 Amount paid on bOnded indebtedness last fiscal year: G .0. $5,000 Principal" Interest $27,350 Estimated expenditures for capital improvements next fiscal year: $79,000 Major Anhual Revenue for last fiscal year: Property Taxes $16,326 Sales Tax 15,367 State Shared Taxes 10,000 Licenses & Permits 5,020 Utility Contributions 1,825 Sale of property'or Material 1,525 Aviation Fuel Tax 297 ----------------------- Page 170----------------------- Page 2 Municipal Officials: Term of Office: Mayor 2 years; Councilmen 1, 2, 3, years Officials now serving: Mayor, John B. Coghill; Council, Howard E. Holbert Milton Jauhola, Jay Moore, Dean Sawyer, Ray Brown, Norman Suckling Administrative Officers: Manager, John B. Coghill; Attorney, David Call; Clerk-Treasurer, Ann Johnson, Public Works Director, Milton Jauhola; Police-Fire Chief, Jay Moore; Assessor, Council; Health Officer, Howard Hoblert; Finance Director, NOrman Suckling; Airport Manager, Milton Jauhola; Ray Brown (special) Dean Sawyer (Education & Recreation) ----------------------- Page 171----------------------- This is Page 1 missing - noted while xeroxing 6 - 16 - 72 ----------------------- Page 172----------------------- -2- Mary Jane Hackwood, Department of Administration, Division of Retirement Benefits, spoke next on HB 173 She said the adminis- tration supports this bill. They would prefer to have the money paid to those who are physically or mentally handicapped before they reach the age of majority and suggest that on line 18, page 1 the committee insert the following amendment: between the words "retarded" and "whom" add "prior to reaching the age of majority," or words to that effect. It would not be neces- sary for the Department of Health and Welfare to certify this, she said in addition. Mrs. Chance said that this was done because of the definitions of "employable" which must co-incide with federal requirements as to how much disability was required. Mr. Moses moved and asked unanimous consent that an amendment regarding the age of majority suggestion be adopted by the com- mittee. Discussion followed and the amendment was adopted. Mr. Naughton moved and asked unanimous consent that the bill, as amended, be passed out of committee with a do-pass recommen- dation. It was so ordered. 4 Representative Mike Miller, sponsor of House Bill No.4, testi- fied on that bill. He said the money collected under authority of the related statutes goes right into the general fund so it is not a school tax. If the bill were exclusively a school tax he would not be requesting its repeal. At the time he proposed this bill he was hoping to work on repealing some more taxes for the state because there was a push for this because of all the oil revenues. The first taxes which should be repealed, Representative Miller said, were those that are not graduated such as the school tax. This tax hits everyone the same and is not fair. He would at least ask that this committee amend the name of the tax. He said we could raise the tax up to $20 and then give residents a 20% or 50% refund on it. It represents about half of 1% of the income tax. Mr. Specking said he would be in favor of passing this bill. Mr. Whittaker said he thought we should give the Finance Committee another tool by passing this bill out. Mr. Moses said he would suggest we pass this bill out with a recommenda- tion to the Finance Committee to raise the income tax. Mr. Naughton said he would go along with Mr. Mose's recommenda- tion. Mr. Specking said he would not think it is in order to recommend to the Finance Committee that they raise b the income tax. Mr .. Miller said he did not think that for just $1 million it would be worth it to raise the income tax. Mr. Moses said the HWE committee could recommend anything to the next committee. Mr. Miller said we could just send a cover letter a long to indicate our intent. Mr. Specking said he would guess that the adminis- tration is not even going to try to toy with the income tax. He said he would vote to do away with the school tax but he would not vote to indicate to them that they raise the income tax. ----------------------- Page 173----------------------- -3- Mrs. Chance suggested that the committee defer action on this until another day so wecan get an opinion from the Department of Revenue. HB 35 Mr. Whittaker said he did not think this bill is going to be funded this year. Mrs. Chance said we will defer action on this and we will look this matter over more. 125 Mrs. Chance said she is having a committee substitute drafted on this bill. Mr. Whittaker said we should get an answer for our request on the hiring of village volunteers for $1 a year. General discussion followed regarding several measures. Mr. Moore read a letter from Saint Mary's High School senior class regarding Title I grants for the senior class to visit Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau. Suggestions were made as to who should be contacted regarding this, including the Depart- ment of Education. The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m. (- Diana E. Hubbard, Secretary ----------------------- Page 174----------------------- March 4, 1971 Senator Lowell Thomas, Jr. called the meeting to order at 1:40 p.m. with senators Polland and Young present; representatives Moses, Colletta, Moore, Whittaker, Naugh- ton, and Specking present. . The purpose of the joint meeting was to hear testimony from school superintendents. In attendance to give tes- timony were: Page (Mat-Su), Overstreet (Juneau), Mont- gomery (Anchorage), Leath (Nenana), Taylor (Fairbanks), Hutchins (Valdez), Hartenberg (Kenai), Ally (Nome), Hall (Cordova).Senator Thomas asked them to testify on what they felt were priorities. Mr. Hall said he was interested in HB 201. It seemed to him that this is a function that the school board could handle through regulations. Mr. Montgomery said he was concerned about SB 9. This would be a very advantageous bill. There could be some advance purchase which would be of great merit. The rapid growth has been a real headache. This did not come up with the discussions with the Finance Committee. Also, the law that was passed last year regarding manda- tory negotiations: the teacher organizations are negotia- ting for all certificated employees except superintendents. ( He would question whether this portion of the bill should be mandatory. They would prefer a permissive clause rather than a mandatory clause. One bargaining agent cannot really bargain for both labor and management, Mr. Montgomery said. Senator Thomas asked what the real danger is. Mr. Mont- gomery said there is none yet but there is a possibility of one. Mr. Overstreet said the Juneau municipality is a home rule and it is the opinion of the assemblymen that they have the authority to do anything that is not specifically pro- hibited for them to do by statute. He said he felt that education is a state function. He is in favor of HB 187. Mr. Whittaker said there should be a municipal code put through, the legislature. He said there is a problem in terms of the theory of a home rule government. Robert Thomas of the Department of Education said SB 32 would bring the 3 and 4 year olds under the purview of the state. The Board of Child Development would be in the Department of Health and Welfare. Senator Thomas asked which one of the approaches to school bonding is better. Mr. Hall said 66 would be better for them because they are heavily bonded. The other one would be very good if they were not so heavily bonded. ----------------------- Page 175----------------------- -2- ( Regarding CS HB 35, Mr. Whittaker said there is another alternative which is funding the most immediate needs. One of the problems of HB 35 is that the community has the full authorization to decide priorities. Mr. Hall said that if you looked at it from the standpoint of what we had last year we are doing very well. Mr. Naughton asked if any of the superintendents had given any thought to having programs outside the walls of the building. Mr. Taylor said they have started to do this. They have double shifting now and have vocational educa- tion programs in places throughout the community. Mr. Naughton said it seemed to him the programs which are working away from the schools are the vocational education programs. Mr. Taylor agreed, saying that the emphasis is on vocational program primarily. Mr. Montgomery said they are using rental space also plus space for vocational education 'classes. They are using 66 relocatable classrooms plus some church basements. They feel the $1 million proposed'in SB9 would help but if they could have something like $40 million available to borrow at a low interest rate they could do quite a bit. $30 mil- lion is authorized but unobtainable as it is tied up in . ( the court . Senator Young said they have tried the old way and we have nothing to Idose by trying something like the tri-semester program. Discussion followed as to the pros and cons of this type of program. Mr. Taylor said adult education is another priority. He said they feel that state support would be helpful. This could be funded in the nature of voc end Senator Thomas asked if this couldn't be brought in under the supplemental program. Mr. Taylor said yes. Mr. Specking asked if they were thinking in terms of a lower level of education. Mr. Taylor said both lower and higher. Mr. Montgomery said many of the programs that will be suggested to the legislature will be very find and many will have a price tag and he asked us to look at these very carefully in light of the foundation. Mr. Ally said in Nome they are having to rent every available space in order to house the. students. Senator Young asked how soon the superintendents would have to know if the budget is to be cut in the school foundation program. Mr. Montgomery said this time of the year. Mr. Naughton asked, of the bills already filed, is there any consensus as to the top priority. House Bill 141 was the consensus. ----------------------- Page 176----------------------- -3- ( Mr. Hall said he was appreciative of the time that we have given to them. The joint hearing adjourned and, after a short recess, the House HWE committee reconvened to hear testimony from Mr. Harley Anders of the Veterans Administration regarding SB 76. Mr. Anders administers the G.I. bill. Mr. Anders and Senator Young clarified some miss understandings of language in the bill. The mechanics of procedure were discussed. Senator Young said it was not the intent of the bill to exclude non-residents from the 25% benefit, and he planned to take the bill to Legislative Affairs for re-drafting. Mr. Anders said that in November, a fairly typical month, there were 530 full-time students in all institutions of higher learning in Alaska. In January, an un-typical month, U of A has 182 full-time and part- time students receiving the G.I. bill. AMU had about 40, very few of which were part-time. Further testimony will be taken on this bill. Diana E. Hubbard, Secretary ( ----------------------- Page 177----------------------- March 5, 1971 Vice-Chairman Naughton called the meeting to order due to illness of Chairman Chance. The meeting becan at 1:30 p.m. and members Whittaker, Colletta, Moses, Specking and Moore were present. B 143 Mr. D.B. Calvin, State Employees Insurance Advisory Group, testified. He said a year ago the state contracted with the Life Underwriters so his capacity today is as a broker for the state. Mr. Whittaker asked him if he acted as a broker or as a con- sultant. Mr. Calvin answered both, as he changes benefits for the state in addition to his duties as consultant. The Life Underwriters Assoc. is widely spread throughout the state, Mr. Calvin said. The Advisory Group is a committee of five who meet to try, to decide what is best for the state. As a result of the increase in premium there were three benefite, improvements last year. The bulk of the increased premium, however, went to meet costs. They put the program out to bid with very few responses. Travellers Insurance won the bid. There are a number of benefits that could be added to the present program. Many new benefits are being added to program through- out the nation and the state. The employee is paying a portion of the cost of the plan. The plan the state has now is a strong health package at the present time. Dental plans have been in existance for about ten years. In devising a new plan such as this, the following are considera- tions: (1) Is .. there going to be a deductible. (2) Is the amount of payment going to be based on a schedule. (3) Will the plan pay 100% or a percentage of the maximum available. (4) What will the maximum payable be for one person in one year. Travellers Insurance has submitted three proposals: First.plan: This plan would provide a maximum of $600 coverage per individual per calendar year. It would pay 80% of the cost for most services for all types of dental procedure except for some work such as gold crowns which would pay only 50%. The dental benefits would be made a part of the state's eXisting medical plan. There would be no additional deductible for the dental set-up. Second plan: This plan offers $25 deductible for dental work, plus payment of 80% of costs up to a maximum of $600 per year. This is taken out of the major medical plan. Third plan: This approach follows a set fee schedule wherein the plan would pay that fee schedule no matter what the dentist charged. The schedule that has been offered is a rather good schedule, Mr. Calvin said. The maximum payable here again would be $600. ----------------------- Page 178----------------------- -2- ( Mr. Calvin said the first plan would require a premium of $5.33 to cover just the employee and an additional $7.61 to cover the family. Plan 2 would cost $6.02 for employee and $7.73 for family. Plan 3 would cost $7.34 for employee and $14.67 for family. These rates would cover everything except orthodontistry which would cost an additional $3.26 for those employees who have children with a maximum lifetime coverage of $1,000. The plan requiring the lowest premium is the easiest to install in the program now existing. Mr. Colletta said that in HB 143 the bill asks for a doubling in the amount that the state would pay. He asked what is the excess money for. Jon Carter answered, saying that they had assumed that the dental coverage would cost about $10 addition- al and it was their understanding that they would need $4 more to maintain the present plan under a possible rate increase. The rest of the money is for accidental death and dismember- ment benefits recently added. Mr. Colletta asked if at the present time the state contributes to the dependent coverage. Mr. Calvin said yes, somewhat. Mr. Colletta asked Mr. Carter if the employees as a group have desided which plan they want. Mr. Carter said the plan that they have asked for is a comparable plan to their health in- ( surance. Mr. Colletta asked what is the state's contribution to the cost of insuring a dependent. Mr. Calvin said the employee's share was increased July 1. Mr. Carter pointed out that the Department of Administration does the negotiating on the insurance plan. They could drop the figure of $35 to a lower figure. Mr. Calvin said that in order to make a group insurance plan work we have to have participation. The present plan requires 75% participation of all those eligible. The meeting adjourned at 2 p.m. Diana E. Hubbard, Secretary ----------------------- Page 179----------------------- March 8, 1971 Vice-Chairman Naughton called the meeting to order at 1:40 p.m. with members Moore, Moses, Whittaker and Specking present. 188 Present to testify was Kay Smith, DPW Adoption Consultant. She said Alaska is one of the few states that does not have such a requirement as is specified in HE 188. There are a number of individual adoptions in Alaska. There are 171,000 individual adoptions nationwide. Of 11 states who allow such actions, 90% of the unrelated adoptions are by agencies. In nine states, including Alaska, there are 65% and less done. Only 20% of unrelated adoptions are by agencies in Alaska. The percentage is even higher when there is a step-parent involved. Only 1/5 of the adoptions have an agency involved. Mr. Specking pointed out that the adoptions are screened very well but not by a public agency. Mr. Naughton asked what the total number of adoptions in the past year was. Mrs. Smith said 789. Mr. Whittaker asked if there was a professional social worker who does investigations now. Mrs. Smith answered no, there are court social workers but they are not delegated to do adop- tion investigations. Mr. Whittaker asked if the Division would have any objections to an amendment saying the court could waive the investigation if there was just cause shown, such as the prospective adoptive parents living in a remote, inaccessible location. Mrs. Smith said she did not believe there is any place that is so remote that an investigation could not be held. Mr. Specking said he thought this is creating a stumbling block. Where does this leave us, he asked, with a person who goes out- side to adopt a child. Mrs. Smith answered that if the person goes to California the California authorities request an inves- tigation of the home from Alaska. She pointed out that this in- vestigative procedure would not be just delegated to the Depart- ment of Health and Welfare. Mr. Moses asked what would be wrong with a priest or minister making the investigation in isolated places. Mrs. Smith said nothing, but there should be some form of investigation by an impartial and preferably trained person. Mr. Whittaker said that it has been his experience that whenever he requests an investigation they are done very speedily. Mrs. Smith added that this would certainly take more personnel. Mr. Moore said there have been many cases where people have grown up without benefit of adoption. Mrs. Smith said a child has no legal rights under- the law if he is not legally adopted. Mr. Whittaker said as it is now the court receives a very biased ----------------------- Page 180----------------------- -2- report from the parents and does not know what is actually the case in the home. Mr. Specking said he did not see any reason why a report made by one of the recognized churches could not be valid. Mr. Whittaker said the court should have the right to determine who can do the report. Mr. Moses said if you left it up to the court it would not have to be made by a priest or minister. Mr. Moses moved and asked unanimous consent that the following amendment pass: delete "or a professional social worker in the employment of the court, and insert "or a designated agent of the court, He said this would leave it open to the court to choose who would do the investigation. Mr. Specking seconded the motion. Mrs. Smith said she felt this was a little too loose. She said that in the fiscal note she had prepared there were six new social worker positions for the adoption investigations: 4 in Anchorage, I in Nome, and I in Fairbanks. Mr. Moore asked for the question. The vote was 4 in favor of the amendment and I opposed. Mr. Moses moved this bill as amend- ed pass out of committee with a do-pass recommendation. Mr. Whittaker objected. There was no discussion. The vote was 4 in favor of passing the bill out and I opposed. Mr. Whittaker voted no recommendation. ( The meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m. Diana E. Hubbard, Secretary ----------------------- Page 181----------------------- March 9, 1971 Vice-Chairman Naughton called the meeting to order at 1:40 p.m. with members Whittaker, Moore, Moses and Specking present. 178 Mr. J.Ray Roody, Director of the Division of Licensing, spoke first regarding HB 178. He said they did have some suggestions about the way the bill is written. A copy of his testimony and fiscal note is attached (Attachment A). Mr. Cliff Judkins of the Alaska Environmental Health Associa- tion spoke next. He passed out copies of a proposed substi- tute for HB 178. In addition, he explained that this same bill was introduced two years ago and passed the House, then died in the Senate Rulea Committee. There are about 60 sanitarians practicing today in Alaska. The purpose of the bill, he said, is to provide a voluntary registration act. The bill does not require registration. An individual has to do quite a bit of studying to pass the examination. The examination fees would probably pay for the cost. Mr. Judkins then went through the recommendations for the benefit of the committee. A copy of the proposed substitute is at- tached (Attachment B). Mr. James Andereg, Director of the Division of Environmental Health, was next to speak. He indicated that it is their , judgement that registration will be good for this field. , He was in favor of Mr. Judkins proposals. Mr. Whittaker asked what the pay range for sanitarians is. Mr. Andereg answered that the starting salary for a Sanitarian II is around $968. L77 The State Fire Marshal, Mr. Wallace Dawson, spoke on HB.177. He said he was in favor of this bill. He said they have adopted similar material in their own regulations. Mr. Whittaker asked if he understood correctly that the Depart- ment of Public Safety has adopted this fire code. Mr. Daw- son said yes. Mr. Whittaker asked if this applies to all buildings right now. Mr. Dawson said yes--they adopted this code in February of this year. Mr. Whittaker asked what would happen if right now he had a "dangerous"' build- ing in Ketchikan. Mr. Dawson said they would follow up on a complaint and if they determine the building is dangerous it would be condemned. Mr. Whittaker said then there is really no reason for the borough to have this power too. Mr. Dawson said if it is a statute it carries much more' muscle than if it is merely an administrative regulation. Mr. Judkins spoke next. He passed out a copy of a proposed amendment to HB 177 and said we need.some authority because sometimes we have a six to eight month wait after condemning. Most of the problem, he said, is with delapitated buildings. ----------------------- Page 182----------------------- -2- ( Also, he said open wells are a problem. A copy of his suggested amendment is attached (Attachment C). The meeting adjourned at 3 p.m. ----------------------- Page 183----------------------- MEMORANDUM State of Alaska Department of Commerce 586-6093 Robert E. Butler Deputy Commissioner Department of Commerce DATE : February 19, 1971 SUBJECT: House Bill 178 FROM: J . Ray Roady Director Division of Occupational Licensing I have reviewed the attached HB 178 and have the following cornments to make. On page 1, Section 08.96.010 should be changed to read "five" san- itarians. The bill provides for three, but it is the opinion of this office that a three man board is too easily dominated by one member with a strong personality while five opinions will over- come that tendency and usually provide a more equitable decision or ruling - A section should be added to the effect that one member shall be appointed from each judicial District and one shall be appointed at large. Their term shall be 5 years. Change wording of Section 08.01.050 to read "The Department shall furnish the Board with administrative services as enumerated in 08 .. 01.080. " Page 4, line 6 should be changed to read $30.00 biennially for registration instead of $15.00 per year as drawn in the bill. We contacted all departments that employ sanitarians exclusive of Army and Air Force and have projected a figure of about 60 sanitarians who will probably be licensed under this Act. Anticipated revenue based on the $15,00 examination and $30.00 biennial registration fee would be $2700.00 for the first biennium and may be more or less in the future. The fiscal analysis is attached. JRR/jfb Attachment ----------------------- Page 184----------------------- COPIES: ___ THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE RAKING THE REQUEST ___ THE HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE STAFF ___ THE SEEATE FINANCE COMMITTEE STAFF ___ THE DIVISION OF BUDGET & MANAGEMENT ___ RETAIN A COPY FOR YOUR FILES Subject___________________HB__ _____178____________ __________________SB__________________ requested by_______________________________________________________________________________ referred to__________________________________________date of request_____________________ completion date requested___________________________date received________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ADMINISTRATION BOARD TOTAL EXPENDITURE DENTAIL FY FY FY ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 100 PERSONAL SERVICES $ 4698.00 $ $ 469 ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 200 TRAVEL 2795.00 279 ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 300 CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 960.00 685.00 164 ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 400 COMMODITIES 50.00 5 ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 500 EQUIPMENT 965.00 96 ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 600 LAND AND STRUCTURES ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ TOTAL $ 6673.00 $ 3480.00 $ 1015 ____________________________________________________________________________________________ FUNDING DETAIL ____________________________________________________________________________________________ FEDERAL RECEIPTS $ $ $ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ SPECIAL FUNDS ____________________________________________________________________________________________ UNRESTRICTED GENERAL FUND RECEIPTS ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Man Months Permanent Positions Temporary Positions ____________________________________________________________________________________________ FISSCAL ANALYSIS Administration Board Total 100 Licensing Examiner (1) Range 10 $4014.00 Employees Benefits 684.00 ________________________________________________ $4698.00 $ 4698.00 ________________________________________________ 200 5 MEMBERS, 3 meeting per year 5 MEMBERS, 3 day meetings, 3 per year $ 2795.00 $ 2795.00 _________________________________ 310 COMMUNICATIONS, TELEPHONE 150.00 100.00 250.00 320 ADVERTISMENTS 360.00 360.00 330 RENTAL OF EXAMINATIONS SPACE 810.00 100.00 910.00 350 POSTAGE 50.00 50.00 380 MONITOR FEES 75.00 75.00 __ _______________________________________________ $ 960.00 685.00 1645.00 __________________________________________________ 400 COMMODITIES 50.00 50.00 __________________________________________________ 500 IBM SELECTIVE TYPEWRITER 550.00 550.00 DESK 225.00 225.00 CHAIR 50.00 50.00 FILE CABINET 140.00 140.00 __________________________________________________ $ 965.00 $ 965.00 __________________________________________________ TOTAL $ 6673.00 $ 3480.00 $ 10153.00 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DRAFT PROPOSAL REVISING HOUSE BILL NO. A BILL for an Act entitled: "An Act relating to registration of qualified sani tarians." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: *Section 1. AS 08 is amended by adding a new chapter to read: CHAPTER 96. SANITARIANS ARTICLE 1. BOARD OF SANITARIAN EXAMINERS. \ Sec. 08.96.010. CREATION AND MEMBERSHIP OF BOARD OF SANITARIAN EXAMINERS. There is created the Board of sanitarian Examiners. it consists of ( three) five registered sanitarians. Sec. 08.96.010. APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE. The governor shall appoitnt the members of the board, with the confirmation of the legislature, for (staggered) terms of six years, except that terms of the initial appointed members shall be: one shall serve for two years, one shall serve for three years, one shall serve for four years, one shall serve for five years and one shall serve for six years, or until their successors are appointed. A member serves at the pleasure of the governor. Sec. 08.96.030. EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE BOARD. The commissioner of commerce is the executive secretary of the board. He may vote only to break a tie. Sec. 08.96.040. BOARD MEETINGS. the board shall hold a regular annual meeting. The board may hold special meetings at the call of the Chairman with prior approval of the governor. Sec. 08.96.050. DUTIES OF THE BOARD. The board shall (1) pass on qualifications of applications for registraction: (2) prepare and grade examinations: (3) after hearing, disapprove, reprimand, suspend or revoke. ----------------------- Page 186----------------------- the registration of an application or a registered sanitarian who has, in his professional capacity, conducted himself in a way likely to result ( in injury to the public health .. Sec .. 08.96.060.. BOARD REGULATIONS. The board shall adopt pro- cedural and substantive regulations necessacry to carry out the duties imposed on it by sec. 50 of this chapter. Sec. 08.96.070. DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT. The department shall furnish the board with administrative services, including renting space for holding examinations, proctaring examinations; printing examinations; printing and mailing registration certificates; sending notices, before December 1, of each year the registrations must be renewed; collecting fees and issuing receipts; keeping a current register of registrants; employing secretarial assistants; replying to routine requests for information; printing forms and informational bulletins; typing all matter to be reproduced; maintaining records and completed examinations; and keeping records of receipts and disbursements .. .Sec. 08.96.080. DEPARTMENT REGULATIONS. The department shall adopt procedural regulations necessary to carry out the duties imposed on it by sec. 70 of this chapter. Sec. 08.96.090 APPLICABILITY OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT. The Administrative Procedure Act (AS 44.62) applies to regulations and proceedings under this chapter. Sec. 08.96.100. COMPENSATION. Members of the board are entitled to per diem allowances and transportation expenses allowed by law and paid members of other state examining boards. ARTICLE 2. REGISTRATION. Sec. 08.96.120. REGISTRATION. No person may use the title "registered sanitarian", or use the abbreviation "R.S." after his name, unless he is registered under this chapter. ----------------------- Page 187----------------------- Sec. OB.96.130. EXAMINATION : A person who passes the examination ( given by the board is entitled to be registered as a sanitarian, subject to the provisions of sec. 03.96,50 of this chapter. Sec. 08.96.140 CONTENT OF EXAMINATION. The board (shall) may base examinations on recommendations of the American Public Health Association for sanitarians and shall so design them to disqualify a person whose lack of knowledge of physical biological, and sanitary sciences (would) might endanger the public health. Sec. 08.96.150. ADMINISTRATION OF EXAMINATION. The board shall offer examinations at least once a year and more frequently if it appears that more than three persons would take additional examinations. Examinations shall be so administered that one who grades a written, examination does not know whose paper he is grading. (The department ( shall maintain files of examination paper and shall make them available for public inspection.) Sec. 08.96.160. REEXAMINATION. A person Who fails an examination may apply for a subsequent examination, but shall pay the (registration) examination fee each time he applies. Sec. 08.96.170. QUALIFICATIOn FOR EXAMINATION. A person is entitled to take the examination if he (1) has been graduated from an accredited college or uni- versity with a bachelor's degree; and (2) has passed 45 quarter hours or 30 semester hours of academic work in basic (natural) biological or physical sciences; and (3) has completed application forms and returned them to the board; and (4) has paid the examination fee specified in sec. 190 of this chapter; and (5) has submitted at least three references ascertaining his ----------------------- Page 188----------------------- professinal or academic performance. ( Sec. 08.96.180. PERSONS EXEMPT FROM EXAMINATION. A person is entitled to be registered as a sanitarian without taking the examina- tion if, for a period of six months, on or before the effective date of this chapter, he (1) was employed full time as a sanitarian in Alaska, (or) and (2) has passed an Alaska civil service examination qualifying him as a sanitarian; and in either case,) (2) has applied for registration and paid the registration fee within 18 months of the effective date of this chapter. Sec. 08.96.190. FEES. The fee to take the examination is $30, the biennial registration fee is $30 Sec. 08.96.200. ANNUAL RENEWAL. A person who passes the examina- tion is registered without payment of further fee. To remain registered, ( a person must pay the (renewal) abiennial registration fee before February 1 of each year. The board shall renew a lapsed registration when. sartitarian whose registration has lapsed applies for renewal and pays accrued (renewal) biennial registration fees. A person whose registration has lapsed is entitled to have his registration renewed without taking an examination, unless his registration has lapsed more than one year, in which case he (is) may be required to take an examination on order of the board. Sec. 08.96.210. OUT-OF-STATE SANITARIAN. A person who is a registered or licensed sanitarian in another state is entitled to be registered as a sanitarian in Alaska without examination if he meets the requirements of sec. 170 of this chapter and if he passed an examination in the state in which he is registered that is substantially similar to the board's examination. 4 ----------------------- Page 189----------------------- ARTICLE 3. ENFORCEMENT Sec. 08.96. 30. INJUNCTION. When it appears that a person has engaged in or is about to engage in an act constituting a violation of sec. 120 of this chapter, the board, through its executive secretary, shall bring an action in the superior court to enjoin the act and to enforce compliance With sec. 120 of this chapter. ARTICLE 4. GENERAL PROVISIONS. Sec. 08.96.250. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter (1) "board" means the Board of Sanitnrian Examiners; (2) "department" means the Department of Commerce. *Sec. 2. The governor may appoint unregistered sanitarians to the board until at least three sanitarians have been registered. ----------------------- Page 190----------------------- IN THE___________________ BY- THE_______________ IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA SEVENTH LEGISLATURE - FIRST SESSION A BILL For an Act entitled: "An Act relating to the abatement of hazards and nuisances; and providing for an effective date. " BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: * Section 1. A.S. 07.15 is amended by adding a new section to read: Sec. 07.15.360. Abatement of Hazards and nuisances The first and second class borough in addition to the authority granted to them under 29.10.216 may, under the exercise of the area wide health power, provide by ordinance for the abatement of a safety hazard or public nuisance, and after hearing on 30 days notice to the owner or his agent, order or cause the abatement of the hazard or nuisance. However, the owner shall be given at least 30 days after the hearing within which to abate the hazard or nuisance before the borough may proceed to do so. if the borough abates, or causes the abatement of the hazard or nuisance, the cost is chargeable against the land as in the case of taxes. * Section 2. This Act takes effect on the day after its passage and approval or on the day it becomes law without approval. ----------------------- Page 191----------------------- March 10, 1971 ~ Chairman Hohman called the meeting to order at 8:15 p.m. with Finance Committee members Haugen, Wright and Degnan present; HWE Committee members Chairman Chance and Whittaker present. Present to testify were: Dr. Fred McGinnis, Commissioner of Health and Welfare and former President of Alaska Methodist University; Dean Beulah E. Miller, Dean of the College of Nurs- ing at AMU; D.V. Mechau, Assistant Director of Development at AMU; Mrs. Betty Kester, Executive Director of the Nurses Associa- tion;Dr. Donald Freedman,Director of the Division of Public Health. First to testify was Dr. McGinnis. He said the Department is presently undergoing a review of the budget under the Division of Public Health and there has been a pro-rated support of the AMU budget in not quite one-third of the full cost ratio. There is a three-way cooperative support program. There was no nurs- ing education in the state of Alaska other than the one at AMU. There may be begun in Anchorage soon a two-year Associate Arts degree nursing program. One of the first things that came up when they were planning the nursing program at AMU was that Alaska should be able to prepare nurses due to the lack of nursing personnel nationwide. They felt, as did nurses here in Alaska, that what should be done was a quality nursing pro- gram. For a three-year period of time there was an advisory committee which met and consul ted as to ",That the new program ( should be. They felt that Alaska should have a four-year pro- gram based collegiately. The program opened three years ago. There are between 31 and 35 students, mostly Alaskans, some Alaska natives. During the last months every university in the nation has been having financial trouble. The nursing program needs $170,000 to function next year. $50,000 comes from the state, leaving a $120,000 variation. When the school was in- formed there was a lack of funding, they had to make a decision. They saw no alternative but to phase out the program. Dr. McGinnis said he looked at the Health & Welfare budget to see if they could help with this problem. In addition, he has been looking into other means of assistance, specifically aid from private foundations (decision to be made by March 25), university seeking $4 million nationally, Title III money for nursing program (decision to be made by 10:24 AM 6/28/2013 10:25 itself indirectly contributes $98,000 in support funds (offices, library, in-kind contributions). Thirty thousand dollars is contributed in. teaching staff alone. The man who is rumored to be the choice for the new president has a proclivity for nurs­ ing and para-medical education so more emphasis may be placed on the nursing program if it is allowed to continue. Mr. Wright asked what will happen next year if the program gets the money this year. Dr. McGinnis said there will probably be four or five sources that will have to keep contributing to keep the program going. Mr. Wight pointed out that we are going to have to make a decision soon as to whether or not we are going to help and how we can help. Dr. McGinnis said the state aid could be increased for one year and then we could gather money for next year. He said if AMU has to phase out this program ----------------------- Page 192----------------------- -2- ( he was sure there will be another nursing program started, probably at U of A, and it would cost far more to the public to have to support it rather than to have to subsidize the program at AMU this year. Dean Miller spoke next. She passed out copies of the brochure for the nursing program and copies of the budget for next year. Mrs. Chance asked how many students are in the program right now. Dean Miller said there are presently 31 students. There are four in the third year, all of whom transferred during their second year; 12 in the second year; and 15 in the first year. In addition, there is one student at the Anchorage Community College whom they advise. Mrs. Chance asked what the cost is per student per year. Dean Miller said she d:i.d not have that figure available. According to the budget, however, the total cost to the school is $268,400 so each student's cost would be $8,658 per year. Mr. Degnan asked, regarding the budget, if this was only the cost to the University or did it take into account the tuition payments. Dean Miller said no income was figured into the budget, only expenditures. Mr. Degnan asked if any help could be obtained from the "Coopera- tive Agencies" listed on the back of the brochure. Dean Miller ( said the help from those agencies is primarily services like classroom.space. She said the School of Nursing has an agree- ment with the hospitals and other cooperating institutions not tb charge for the services of the student nurses and the insti- tutions will not charge for the use of their facilities. Mr. Whittaker asked how Dean Miller would characterize the program at AMU now. She answered that she had tried to make it the best program. One of the things that she did was ask nurses already in the state what they felt should be added to the program. They do not require a course in chemistry because they do not need it. They have an emphasis on health rather than illness early in the program. She said there was a lot of pres- sure to have a five-year program. They plan to go on to the four-year stage now. Mr. Whittaker asked what nurses generally do now about continuing their education. Dean Miller said she has a full-time faculty member and one of the secretaries devoted to studying this problem. Mr. Whittaker asked what the nurses do in the states. Dean Miller said they go to nursing seminars and programs and meetings. Mr. Whittaker asked if they envision some really meaningful route in continuing education in Alaska for nurses. Dean Miller said yes, they did plan one summer for 3 2-day work- shops. They had to divide it in two in Southeastern--one in Sitka and one in Juneau. There is a transportation problem with reaching all the people in Alaska. Mrs. Chance asked what the racial break-down is in the School of Nursing. The answer was 11 native, 20 caucasian, and one negro. ----------------------- Page 193----------------------- -3- Mr. Wright asked how many new students could be brought into the program each year. Dean Miller answered they hope they could take 20 to 25. The staff would be eight. For every increase of 10 it would take one more teacher. There would have to be 10 full-time faculty for a student body of 100. She said the attrition is around 1/3. She said she had hoped that if there were a two-year program them would consult with AMU so they could share classes. (Brochure: Attachment A; Budget: Attachment B) Mr. Mechau was next to speak. He said they need to continue to seek funds for the AMU program, seek funds to re-organize the program, and work out "an arrangement whereby an interim program could be worked out, or close down the BA degree program com- pletely. There may be some other alternatives. It seems to them that there are a number of possibilities. They have to be concerned about what is happening to funds for the next year. The administration did not know the Board of Regents would cut out the program until the Board meeting. They do not know for certain what the plans are for the ACC two-year nursing program. Mr. Mechau said that Dr. Davis said in part that the AMU wishes to make it clear that they want to see a BA degree continue in Alaska. They are most interested in seeing the program continue, more for the sake of the program and students than for any proprietary interests. Mr. Mechau read a portion of a memo to Dean Miller from Dr. Michael Saslow. Copy attached (Attach- ment C). Dr. Freedman spoke next. First, he mentioned the needs of the Division of Public Health for nursing staff in a continuing supply. Second, the state and the Department of Health and Welfare will gairt considerably from the continuation of the school. The cost to the Division of Public Health has not been computed with regards to the cost of turn-over of nurs- ing staff. Every time they go through the process of recruiting nurses from outside it is very costly, he said. The cost would be minimized if they would not have to go outside. They pay the cost of the transportation to the state. Third, the repu- tation of Alaska as far as the outside is concerned is at stake. Dr. Freedman said that when he is recruiting peoplp. they go through quite a bit of correspondence as regards what is avail- able to them in medical fields. They have lost many people because they cannot lure them up. A School of Nursing is a point in Alaska's favor. Mr. Whittaker asked what the $50,000 is that the state gives to AMU. Dr. Freedman said this includes certain types of training in the school. He said the state has never paid the full $50,000 across the board. The theory was that they would provide high class training for nursing stUdents. ( Mrs. Betty Kester spoke next. She said their Association did support a BA nursing program in Alaska. They have had no money to contribute to the program. ----------------------- Page 194----------------------- -4- Mr. Whittaker asked how many members the Association had. Mrs. Kester said there are about 1,200 RNS registered in Alaska, 340 of whom belong to the Association. Mr. Whittaker asked what the average nurses' salary is now. Mrs. Kester said it would depend on the type of work they were doing. Nurses at a hospital start at $450 to $500 and go up to $700 a month. The Division of Public Health nurses' salaries range from $9,000 plus to $14,000 to $15,000 on the top range. The Association stands for $8,500 for a starting salary for nurses in Alaska. The meeting adjourned at 10:25 p.m. Attachments (A, B, C) ----------------------- Page 195----------------------- ALASKA METHODISTE UNIVERSITY Anchorage, Alask BACHELOR of SCIENCE in NURSING DE GREE PROGRAM _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ GENERAL INFORMATION The first College of Nursing in the State of Alaska was established at Alaska Methodist University during 1968. The College offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program to qualified men and women. It is planned that the first degree will be conferred no earlier than 1972. The nursing program covers four academic years with a curriculum that in- cludes courses in the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities and nursing. Study at the University is expanded for the student to learn in a variety of settings. Selected, planhed experiences will be arranged with cooperating health agencies; those which have been involved in the plan- ning phase are listed below. Graduates will be eligible to take the legal- ly required licensing examination for becoming a registered nurse. NEW Starting September 1970 all programs at Alaska Methodist University are CURRICULUM structured into the 11-week, 4-week plan for each semester.During the 11- week term students take three courses simultaneously followed by the 4-week term when a project, independent study or seminar can be selected study. This provides students with opportunity to participate in learning activ- ities of their particular interests. In the nursing program all courses are selected from the College of Liberal Arts for the first three semesters while during the remaining five semesters the full time student enrolls in two nursing courses plus one other course for the 11-week term. It is anticipated that study during four of the five remaining 4-week terms will be in nursing. In addition, a total of eight activities from the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation are required. EXPENSES Requirements for admission to the College of Nursing are the same as for Alaska Methodist University. to be considered for admission to AMU, you must have graduated from high school with at least three units of English, two units of mathematics, one unit of a laboratory science and "c" average grade or better. You must take either the American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic aptitude Test (SAT). Exceptions are made only if high school equivalency is established and aptitude test scores indicate abil- ity to undertake college studies. EXPENSES If you live in the Anchorage area and will be commuting to the University, your expenses for tuition and fees will be $750 per semester. Room and board in a University residence" hall costs an addition $675 per semester. Financial aid is available and given on the basis of need. If you are in need of aid, you should apply as early as possible. ADMITIONAL For admission and financial aid For specific information about nursing request procedures; contact: and nursing education; contact: INFORMATION Norman L. Bristow Beulah E. Miller, R.N., Ed.D. Chief Admissions Counselor Dean, College of Nursing Alaska Methodist University Alaska Methodist University Anchorage, Alaska 99504 Anchorage, Alaska 99504 ----------------------- Page 196----------------------- Anchorage, Alaska 99504 COLLEGE OF NURSING FY 72 AMU State Federal Total Salaries ---- Faculty 140,000.00 8 Full Time (includes Dean) 3 Part Time (equivalent to 1 one course each) 2/2 Secretaries Benefits 12,600.00 9% of $140,000.00 Accreditation Visit 1,500.00 Consultants 2 x $600.00, fee and travel 1,200.00 Equipment 3,000.00 Supnlies & Development, Membership 2,000.00 Communications 1,000.00 Travel 6,000.00 Minning Expenses 2,500.00 2 new faculty Total Direct Costs 169,800.00 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ AHU Supnort Costs Offices: 10 Average 150 Sq/ft/rrio @ .20 $ 3,600 Library Support 5,000 Liberal Arts College (Pro Rata) 30,000 Overhead Costs * 1971 Auditors report of 60,000 * 1969 full year adjusted to reflect 10% increase from 1969 year. $98, 600 ----------------------- Page 197----------------------- III. Educational Approach, procedures and patterns for conversion of the neeas (II, above) into the desired results ( I, above) (1) Present Strategy and Proposed New Strategy: Analysis and recommendations, in the light of state's need. The present strategy for nursing education in Alaska is more a result of independent actions rather than one of careful planning and design. There are three institutional programs and an emerging statewide post-graduate contiming education program. The three insitutional programs include an-going one-year L.P.II. program at Anchorage Community College: a two-year R.II./A.D.N. program which is about to begin at Anchorage Community College; and a four-year R.N./B.S. program at Alaska Methodist University, also in anchorage, a program with serious and urgent problems of these faculty morale, finance,and institutional support. None of these programs are articulated, in the sense of an educational ladder paralleling a career ladder. That is to say, the year's training of a L.P.N. does not replace the first year of training in either the two-year R.N./A.D.N. program or the four-year R.N./B.S. program; and the two-year R.N./A.D.N. program does not replace the first two years of the R.N/B.s. program. It is obvious that this situation imposes severe counter-incentives upon students who enter and complete one of the shorter progroms. Yet, the shorted programs lead to more immediate involvement in patient care, and are less costly. therefore, the shorter programs. are more attractive to most students, many of whom, however, once they complete, are motivated to continue, either at once, or after a few years of work and saving, and then find themselves blocked and penalized in an arbitrary and needless fashion when they seek re-entry to education. There are two major factors in this situation here. first, there is no agreed commitment and plan, on the part of the administrative educational leadership of the three programs, for the establish- ment, within a short period of time ( say, one to two years) of a totally articulated educational design, such that the training of a nurses' aide is the same as, and replaces, the first part of the L.P.N. program that the L.P.N. program is the same as, and replaces, the first year of the A.D.N. program; and that the A.D.N. program is the same as, and replaces, the first two years of the B.S. program, One reason for the lack of commit- ment appears to be that the B.S. program, unlike the other two program, is not part of the University of Alasla system. Another reason is ignoranCe, on the part of the public and the legislature, of this situation and of the human and economic waste which it is creating. A third reason is that the leaders of the three programs have been unable to cooperate and do not share a sense of high priority for arranging a solution. Clear state- ments of position from the State Board of Nursing, the service and educational institutions, and the legislature would be helpful. -3- ----------------------- Page 198----------------------- March 4, 1971 ( To: Beulah E. Hiller, R.N., Ed .D. Dean, College of Nursing Alaska Hethodist University, and others officially concerned with nursing services and education in Alaska From: Michael G. Saslow, Ph.D. Coordinator of Health Projects Evaluation Program Staff Teaching Research Division Oregon State System of Higher Education Consultant to the Planning Project for Statewide Continuing Education of Nurses in Alaska, and Consultant to the Dean and Faculty of the College of Nursing, Alaska Methodist University Subject: Status and Future of Nurse Education in Alaska: Analysis and Recommendations Contents: I. Objective II. Needs (1) Community Needs (2) Students' Needs III. Educational Approach (1) Present Strategy and Proposed New Strategy (2) Implementation ----------------------- Page 199----------------------- I. Objective A set of nurse education progr@TIs, including a four-year program, in Alaska, to meet Alaskan needs. II. Needs (1) Community Needs for Health Services A. Public and professional agencies and organizations differentiate, in their expectations, between a R.N./A.D.N. (two-year graduate) and a R.N./B.S. (four-year graduate). B. State statute includes a differentiation, in terms of performance expectations, between the two-year and the four-year graduate. c. Differentiated, career-ladder staffing is an economically and professionally efficient way to meet Alaska's serious needs for health services. D. In a four-year program, time may be provided for the student to acquire and integrate scientific, social, and humanistic knowledge which could, potentially, result in more versatile professional practice, leadership, development, and teaching. In fact, there is little evidence that these needs are met by conventional baccalaureate programs in nursing. (2) Students' Needs A. The elementary and secondary school preparation of entering students is variable and unpredicatable. B. The entering students are strongly motivated towards service and human contact, and are not initially attracted to the acquisition, structuring, and integration of basic scientific, social, and humanistic knowledge. c. For economic and motivational reasons, long programs have more attrition than short ones. D. These problems are especially serious, because of problems of adequacy of preparation and cultural differences, for Alaskan students who aspire to serve and lead their people. Hovlever, there is a commitment by the State's educational institutions that Alaskans will enter and complete programs in the health occupations and professions, and that their competence upon graduation will meet reasonable standards. -2- ----------------------- Page 200----------------------- III. Educational Approach, procedures and patterns for conversion of the needs (II, above) into the desired results (I, above) ( (1) Present Strategy and Proposed New Strategy: Analysis and Recommendations, in the light of the State's needs. The present strategy for nursing education in Alaska is more a result of independent actions rather than one of careful planning and design. There are three institutional programs and an emerging statewide post-graduate continuing education program. The three insitutional programs include an on-going one-year L.P.N. program at Anchorage Community college; a two-year R.N./A.D.N. program which is about to begin at Anchorage Community College; and a four-year R.N./B.S. program at Alaska Methodist University, also in Anchorage, a program with serious and urgent problems of faculty morale, finance, and institutional support. None of these programs are articulated, in the sense of an educational ladder paralleling a career ladder. That is to say, the year's training of a L.P.N. does not replace the first year of training in either the two-year R.N./A.D.N. program or the four-year R.N ./B.S. program'; and the two-year R.N./A.D.N. program does not replace the first two years of the R.N ./B.S. program It is obvious that this situation imposes severe counter-incentives upon students who enter and complete one of the shorter programs. Yet, the shorter progranls lead to more immediate involvement in patient care, and are less costly. Therefore, the shorter programs are more attractive to most students, many of whom, however, once they complete, are motivated to continue, either at once, or after a few years of work and savings, and then find themselves blocked and penalized in an arbitrary and needless fashion when they seek re-entry to education. There are two-major, factors in this situation here. First, there is no agreed commitment and plan, on the part of the administrative educational leadership of the three programs, for the establish·· ment, within a short period of time (say, one to two years) of a totally articulated educational design, such that the training of a nurses' aide is the same as, and replaces, the first part of the L.P .N. program; that the L.P .N. program is the same as, and replaces, the first year of the A.D.N. program; and that the A.D.N" program is the same as, and replaces, the first two years of the B.S. program. One reason for the lack of commit- ment appears to be that the B.S. program, unlike the other two programs, is not part of the University of Alaska system. Another reason is ignorance, on the part of the public and the legislature, of this situation and of the human and economic waste which it is creating. A third reason is that the leaders of the three programs have been unable to cooperate and do not share a sense of high priority for arranging a solution. Clear state- ments of position from the State Board of Nursing, the service and educational institutions, and the legislature would be helpful. l -3- ----------------------- Page 201----------------------- In the face of such statements, nursing educational leadership would be forced to respond, either by making a credible commitment to design a remedy within a defined period of time," or by seeking alternative leadership. The second major factor which blocks the rational articulation of the three programs is the traditioflal design of B.S. programs in nursing. That design can be characterized as "basics early, practice "late." Since the shorter programs concentrate on practice, there is a real problem in moving L.P.N. and A.D.N. students into B.S. programs. Unless the four-year "basics early, practice late" design of the B.S. program can be shown to have clear advantages in terms of the graduate's performance, compared to a four-year "upside-down", practice early, basics late" design" there is no data-based support for continuing with the traditional design. it is assumed in the traditional design that "basics" should be learned before "practice," and that if the natural, physical, and social sciences, the arts, and the humanities, are taught before "practice" better practitioners and better human beings will result. It is assumed that early exposure to liberal arts survey courses will auto- matically result in the acquisition, structuring, and integration of the arts, humanities, and social sciences into the student's later practice as a professional. There is no evidence for this desirable, but assumed, not prpven, consequence. it is assumed that early exposure to the basic sciences must precede the student's active exploration of life as a practitioner; and that such early exposure will automatically lead to better decision-making as a practitioner There is no evidence for this desire'able, but assumed, not proven, consequence. It is at least as plausible to assert that only after active exposure to the work of a nurse, will the student see the point of, and be able and willing to integrate, the desirable basic science"principles and liberal arts perspective. if there were evidence, or even a convincing rationale, for the traditional B.S. design, it would not be easy to advocate changing that design in order to reduce the economic and human waste which it creates by erecting barriers to educational articulation. But there is no evidence, and the rationales of twenty to two hundred years ago are less and less convincing. Therefore, the recommendation is that the State Board of Nursing, as a conditton of State Board endorsement of each program, direct the leaders of all the nursing programs in the State to devise, with consultant assistance, within one year, a third and fourth year curriculum, which, in combination with a two-year A.D.N. program (in turn made up of a six-months' aide program, which is the first part of a one-year L.P.N. program, which is the first year of the A.D.N. program), will in fact have some promise of specifying and producing, in the four-year graduate, those integrations into performance and' understanding of the sciences and humanities which the conventi"onal, non-articulated programs have promised, but have largely failed, to produce. -4- ----------------------- Page 202----------------------- III. (2) Suggested Procedure for Implementation . A. That the State Board.of Nursing, the service and educational institutioLs, and the legislature, each require, as a condition of endorsement of any further request for funds by any of the nursing education programs in the state, that there be a written condition from all the programs to a specific work plan to establish , within two years, a totally articulated educational design. B. That the state Board of Nursing, as a condition of continued endorsement of each program, direct the leaders of all the nursing programs in the State, with consultant assistance, to devise, within one year, a well-specified, articulated, third and fourth year curriculum integrating scientific and humanistic knowledge with nursing practice. C. That the State Board of Nursing direct each specific degree' program to provide financially and educationally for the completion, by all currently enrolled students in each program, of that specific degree program, without penalties or inconveniences created by the planning and implementation of the new design. D. Available consultants in the region include Mrs. Diana Dean, R.N.', Ph.D., Director of the new articulated L.P.N.I A.D.N. program at Mt. Hood Community College, Gresham, Oregon; Mr. Michael G. Saslow, Ph.D., Coordinator of Health Projects, Evaluation Progrown Staff, Teaching Research Division, Oregon State System of Higher Education, Honmouth, Oregon; Miss Joan Stoddard, R.N., Health Specialist, Oregon State Department of Education, Salem, Oregon; and Mrs. Lucille Wood, R.N, M.S, 'Associate Director, Nursing Occupations, U.C.L.A., Allied Health Professions Project, who is producing the instructional units for a modular aide/ L.P.N.I A.D.N. program, under U. S. Office of Education sponsorship, on the basis of a recent task analysis. Financial support for the effort would have to be built into the funding of each of the programs. -5- ----------------------- Page 203----------------------- March 11, 1971 ( Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 1:45 p.m. with all members present. Testimony was presented by Mr. Warren Tiffany, BIA Assistant Area Director (Education). The question concerning the committee was redirection of BIA funds presently allocated to construction of dormitory facilities into grants to villages for construction of group home facilities. Mr. Tiffany said the only money which is available now is that which was appropriated for Mt. Edgecumbe. There are many dif- ficulties involved in order to get funding, Mr. Tiffany stated. If the allocation is going to be changed it can only be done with very great effort involving a resolution on the part of the state legislature and meetings with local people. As the money is not utilized it decreases at the rate of 10% a year. This money (for Mt. Edgecumbe) was appropriated in 1966 at which time it totalled $6 million. Part of this has already ~. been used in Kotzebue, Barrow, Bethel, Sitka and Fairbanks. About $1,900,000 each for Sitka and one other community. The BTA currently has planning money for dormitories in Fort Yukon, Tok and Dillingham. Beyond that, Mr. Tiffany said they are simply trying to keep requesting money for other projects. The construction effort on the part of the federal government is rather limited. The 1971-72 construction efforts are much smaller than they have been in recent years. Mrs. Chance- asked how much planning money Mr. Tiffany was talk- ing about. Mr. Tiffany answered $60,000. He said planning monies are designed to perndt,the processes of local involvement. The funding which is finally appropriated can be made on the basis of a firm design. Mrs. Chance asked how far the BIA is along in this planning pro- cess. Mr. Tiffany answered there have not been any significant meetings held. Some State Operated. School meetings have been held in Fort Yukon, Tok and Dillingham -- titles to Fort Yukon and Tok have been turned over to the state. Mrs. Chance asked if meetings have been held regarding the type of housing these people want. Dr. Cliff Hartman, Commissioner of Education, answered this question, saying that yes, this type of meeting has been held in the three communities. Mr. Moses said that in his district they have three schools that will be going into the 9th and 10th grades and what he was trying to determine was how to-go about getting some group homes in his area. It seems, he said, wrong to him to take the students from their homes when they could be closer to home. Mr. Tiffany said the BIA will continue to make their requests in line with the state policy. There are two ways to go: ask BIA to put the money into its construction program or seek direct line item appropria- tions from Congress. We have to provide for construction on federal property, he added. If the legislature could obtain by .~ ----------------------- Page 204----------------------- -2- direct appropriation a construction fund for a particular loca- tion you could also have within. that same authorization a flex- ibility to build it however you wanted it, he said. Mr. Moses asked iF this would be a faster method. Mr. Tiffany answered in the affirmative. It would not always be true, how- ever .. It would depend. No funds for construction have been appropriated since 1966. Mr. Naughton asked if there is very much input from the child- ren themselves in the planning stages. Mr. Tiffany said there has been some. Mr. Moses asked if there are any more dorms planned for Mt. Edgecumbe. Mr. Tiffany said no, the agreement which has been reached said that there would be no capital investment in Mt. Edgecumbe at present. Mrs. Chance asked how old the dorm is at Mt. Edgecumbe. Mr. Tiffany said there has been no constriction since the facilities were turned over in 1947 from the U.S. Navy. There are about 600 students living there, some of whom live in what used to be single teachers' living facilities which are similar to group homes. C. Mrs. Chance asked if there were dorms at Beltz. Mr. Tiffany said there is one dorm for 250 people. It is connected to the school by a tunnel of about 50 yards. Mrs. Chance asked how many adults per student are at Beltz. Mr. Tiffany said usu-ally there are 6 students per adult on shifts 24 hours a day. Mrs. Chance asked what the cost to operate the dorm at Beltz is. Mr. Tiffany answered about $3700 per pupil per year. The state is operating the dorms. Mrs. Chance asked if all the BIA does is build the facility and turn it over to the state. Mr. Tiffany said this was the arrangement when they built Beltz. Mrs. Chance asked at what point does the state step in. Mr. Tiffany said they have built the facilities for the state to take care of. They have provided for the costs of those facilities. Mr. Tiffany said.the cost is higher when you build a smaller facility~ He said the Bureau would be happy to do it the way the state wants provided the authorization were granted through Congress. Mr. Bowman asked if there are dorms to be built in Anchorage. Mr. Tiffany said that is the state's plan now. He said there is no BIA money appropriated for that. Dr. Hartman said the state is planning the dorms across from East High. There .( has been no planning beyond the acquisition of the site. Mr. Moore read a resolution from 53 villages in his area re- questing area high schools. Dr. Hartman ~aid they have set aside $2,600,000 to build a regional high school in St. Mary's. ----------------------- Page 205----------------------- -3- ( If they had assurances of money for a dorm they would have the architect start designing immediately. The problem is they cannot build a school without providing housing for students. Mr. ·Specking asked if some of the money allocated for school construction at St. Mary's could be used for construction of hous ing. Dr. Hartman explaj,ned that .,.--a-c-e-0Pd::it~g-to·,-an--A-t-W.r-n@.¥ -Geft·~-l,..!..s......opi..ni-e-&; the bond issue providing money for school construction did not allow for the money to be used for con- struction of housing facilities. Dr. Hartman said that for two years they have thought of having the students at area high schools going to the 10th grade in their area schools, then haveing the option of continuing in their school or transferring to one of the seven regional schools. He said he discussed it with the BTA two to three years ago and since that time has held discussions on the subject in various villages and the general consensus has been in favor of the idea. Mrs. Chance asked what other sources of funds the villages could use. Dr. Hartman suggested the Small Business Loans, but this was discounted. Mr. Van Houte said the impending native land claims will have quite an impact on this problem and will involve a major legis- lative decision on the problem at hand. The meeting adjourned at 3:20p.m. Diana E. Hubbard, Secretary ----------------------- Page 206----------------------- 1'1arch 15, 1971 Vice-Chairman Naughton called the meeting to order with members Moore, Colletta, Whittaker and Specking present. The meeting began at 1:45 p.m. 56 Mr. Naughton asked what the pleasure of the Committee was on the Otitus Media grant resolution. Mr. Specking said he moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee pass out this resolution with a do-pass recommendation. Mr. Naughton, hear- ing no objection, said it was so ordered. 17 Mr. Moore said there is money set aside for construction of a school at St. Mary's and the only thing that is holding up the building is the construction of a dormitory. Mr. Specking said he thought it was more important to build just a school, per- haps cutting costs, than to build a very expensive school and then have no money for dorm construction. Mr. Moore said he would like to hold onto this until he got further information. He said he wanted to contact the City Council of St. Mary's. Mr. Naughton said he thought it should be more clearly spelled out if it was wanting them to build a boarding facility in ad- dition to the school. Mr. Moore said he would like to talk with Dr. Hartman on this matter. Mr. Naughton said the Com- mittee would defer action on this bill until later. SBl,G Senator Young, prime sponsor of this bill, explained what the committee substitute would provide for, that the additions would provide an amount equal to 25% of the educational assis- tance already received by handicapped veterans. Mr. Whittaker said he moved the Committee adopt HCS for SB 76. Mr. Naughton, hearing no objection, said the committee substi- tute was adopted. Mr. Whittaker said he moved and asl{ed unani- mous consent that the committee pass out HCS SB 76 with a do- pass recommendation. Mr. Naughton, hearing no objection, said it was so ordered. 177 Mr. Whittaker said in the h~arings on HB 177 the people who testified were strong in terms of the need for this bill but the State Fire Marshall said that they have put these policies into effect by regulation within the Department of Public Safety. He said they could have this enacted into law if they asked the borough for it as an alternative to having state legislation pass~d. He moved to table the bill. Mr~ Naughton called for a voice vote in which no nays were heard. The bill was tabled. The meeting adjourned at 2:20 p.m. ----------------------- Page 207----------------------- March 16, 1971 ( Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 1:45 p.m. with members Whittaker, Naughton, Specking and Moore present. 277 First to testify ·was Representative Bradner regarding HB 277. He said this bill was requested by AAUP, Un~versity chapter. They felt that regents can dismiss any faculty member for any reason. There was a question about tenure arrangements. A problem regarding definition of the Nord "officer" came up. Mr. Bradner recommended holding the bill until such time as 'he could compile information on tenure. Mr. Bradner made it clear that this bill is not aimed toward any situation present or past at the University and is not aimed at the Board of Regents. Its ~urpose ~s to clarify exist- ing statutes. Under the present law, a professor could be re- moved for outspokenness. The faculty need the protection of their academic freedoms. Mrs. Julie Isaac spoke next. She is an alumna of the Univer- sity and said she represents no one other than herself. She proposed an amendment to encompass all employees, including non-professionals. She herself was dismissed from the Douglas Marine Station and consequently took steps to bring to light inequities between the University and state employees, e.g. hours, holidays. On Veteran's Day she ~ore a uniform to work and .posted a sign on her desk saying "Uni versi ty of Alaska-- Unfair to Employees." She obtained a lavryer! s opinion that University employees could be brought under the State system. At a meeting with U.S. Plywood Champion it was contended that they had Tlhired" an environmental panel. rv'!rs. Isaac asked questions that apparently proved embarrassing to two Univer- sity members on the panel, Dr. Wood and Dr. Kenneth Ray. Oceanographic study was transferred to the Douglas Marine Station with a $110,000 grant from U.S. Plywood Champion. She wrote a letter to Dr. Wood and the Board of Regents and stated answers were inadequate. None of the studies cited in the paper materialized. To this charge Dr. Wood replied that the newspaper must have quoted out of context and asked Mrs. Isaac to file a grievance, which she did, following the Univer- sity's grievance procedure. She was asked to come for a hear- ing before a panel composed of University personnel appointed by Dr .. Wood. The committee report maint ained that it was not her remarks at the public meeting June 18, 1970 that prompted her firing. Attached are copies of Mrs. Isaac's testimony. 234 Representative Tillion testified on HB 234 and submitted lists of 25¢ licenses granted last year. He said this bill has two purposes: (1) Closer screening by putting it urider the Depart- ment of Health and Welfare. Presently there is no vay of screen- ing (see Koslosky~Palmer). (2) Matching fed~ral funds, Dingle- Johnson. The Health and Welfare Department buys licenses from the Fish and Game Department. There were 4,973 licenses sold ----------------------- Page 208----------------------- -2- ( last year. With the new law, only 2/3 of the licenses would be sold next year, considering the drop-off in military and youth purchases of 25~ licenses. Mr. Harris presented a different f'jigur8 of 5,031 licen.ses, plus he asked for a Clerk IV to handle coding and other work. Mr. Naughton asked if the administration of law would be as easy with $3600 included. The answer was no, they would pre- fer it as now. A fiscal note was brought. The money would come to the state, not the Health and Welfare Department, compensating for necessary appropriation for clerk. Mr. Naughton suggested eligibility for rather than recipient of welfare. ~ 21 HCR 21 was brought up and it was thought that the resolution needs to be redrafted to include all drugs. It was pointed out that it behooves the legislature to listen to young people. Mr. Whittaker found in the statutes that the University of Alaska is exempt from state personnel code. HB 610 (1970) possibly put everybody except those in research under the state merit system. The meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m. t ~/4/&~ Duncan Read, Administrative Asst. by Diana Hubbard, Secretary c ----------------------- Page 209----------------------- H\4lE Committee Testimony of: Julie He Isaac 3/16/1971 Ret HE No. 277 Mrs. Chance and members of the Committee: My name is Julie Harris Isaac. I live at 410 tfDa. street in Douglas. First of all, I run grateful for the opportunity to appear before you and speak in support of this bill. As an alumna of the University, a member of the Advisory Board for the Juneau-Douglas Community College and a former staff mamber of the Douglas Marine Station, Institute of Marine Science, I 'WOuld like to make it olear that I represent no one but myself. I am strongly in favor of HB No. 277 and strongly urge its support, for I think University officers should have the right to speak out and criticize ~~thout fear of retribution. However, I would urge that the bill be amended to encompass all University employees, including ( non-professionals ••• I have brought along a number of documents to support this recommendation and with your kind indulgence, I would like to submit them as a part of the record and e~~ound on them as follows •••••••••• ----------------------- Page 210----------------------- i'iS1.1 U I i:. OF MARINE SCIENCE' DOlJC.LAS MAfHNE S1;A4TJ..ON P.O. BOX MtiGX jL ':J DOUGLAS, ALASKA, 99824 UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ~JCX November 13, 19:n,)': Mrs. Julie H. Isaac Administrative Secretary Douglas Marine Station Douglas, Alaska 99824 Dear Mrs. Isaac: It is mandatory that an administrative officer in any public or private agency feel free to transmit in absolute confidence that in- formation essential to the growth and development of his department. I, as chief administrative officer at the Douglas Marine Station, do not feel free to do so. This is based upon my personally witnessing your public attack upon two University of Alaska administrators during the open hearing (Town Hall) conducted by the U. S. Plywood-Champion Company in·the Baranof Hotel in the middle of June. Subsequent to this public disclosure of your feelings toward the administration, you have pri- vately voiced your distrust of the Board of Regents, the President of the University and the Administration. Because of this attitude, I do not feel that you properly serve me or the University. You may resign if you wish. If not, then I inform you now your services to the University of Alaska are terminated within the allowable time designated by the University in notice of dismissal, two weeks. Further, as the Director of the Douglas Marine Station, I do not approve your serving as secretary to any faculty member of the University of Alaska at the Douglas Marine Station, based again upon the above cited co~flict of interest. Sincerely, r I~ Richard A. Nev~, Ph.D. Director RAN:ji cc: Dr. William R. Wood Dr. Kenneth M. Rae ""Dr. D. W. Hood '\,,;.- PI r:'Af;2 REPLY BY AIRMAIL ----------------------- Page 211----------------------- P. O. Box 223 Douglas, Alaska 99824 November 16, 1970 Dr. Richard A. Nev~, Director Douglas Marine Station P. O. Box 349 Douglas, Alaska 99824 Dear Dr. Nev~: Replying to your letter of the 13th in which you have given me the choice of resigning (presumably as of date) or terminating after two weeks' notice, this is to advise that presentiy it is my plan to go on annual leave, beginning November 30 and terminate at the end of the day, December 4---SUBJECT, however, to decision of the newly-created Grievance Committee. During these next two weeks, I shall hope to be able to acquaint my successor with my duties as administrative secretary, plus the additional duties of the administrative assistant that have devolved on me since he left. However strongly you may feel about my loyalty and trustworthiness, I still have a dedication to my job and to the University that transcends personal differences. Since you cite ltconflict of interestH on"my part as the underlying basis for your terminating my services, I find this ludicrous inasmuch as this is precisely the question I raised at the Town Hall meeting with reference to the two U. of A. administra- tors. Do I not have the right to raise questions, or is the privilege of academic freedom enjoyed only by the professional staff? It is now quite obvious that I misplaced my confidence in feeling that you had wanted to have a better understanding with your employees when I frankly discussed the whole chain of events from my Veteran's Day protest a year ago to the discussions I have had with the President and Board of Regents, including my reason for question- ing at the Town Hall open hearing. You may interpret my feelings regarding the University President, Board of Regents and Administration any way you wish, but Dr. Wood and the Regents are not unaware of my true feelings and my concern for the University. Anything I have said to you has been previously said to them---some of it twice. Furthermore, Dr. Wood has told me that the door to his office is always open. , \--- ----------------------- Page 212----------------------- To: Dr. Nev~ - 2 - November 16, 1970 I I can appreciate your feelings of frustration and hope that they will soon be resolved. In the meantime, I shall for the next two weeks continue to perform my duties as best I know how, regardless of our personal relationship. Very ;ruly ./ Secretary cc: Dr. Wm. R. Wood Dr. K. M. Rae Dr. D. W. Hood ----------------------- Page 213----------------------- I·~. 'I'! ., r!" •.•. ,. {)1? ~ '.' ,':.,., . .i... ~.: fJuJ.:i.0 Attaohod hereto ArB copios of sy tannin~tion letter of November 13, ( Tho -ccYr.1:inat.ion lotter aCC1J.S8S rue of tj,OYl ~ att:,; choU. h~reto and nlnde :t P~l"'t hereof I 'by rei·cr\.~ncCe) \'Thilo 1t is t·:cUe that I h~i'·.re dJ_~:~).g):'e8d lrlth the adminif;:tratj.on ties h~1ve been ont:!~roly OpE.ll ;3.nd Rb~\"-G bOD.rd [:xKi D.:-ce f'nll:y docu1nented e hc~~of by reference, ( other" than t.he C<)llcorn as tA eitizen in :f.sking the q.-u.E:s-t,ion poseclo I bGli Bve thv:t. as ~l.'n. Al:;:ts1<>~n f;.. ;·;d t'.$ ~Ul Arc.e:r.·:L0.an~ Clttsnding fj, public fCl"l.lm,· I h~·.. d every right to question cr~~;:t(Kl sonH:'f~-7hat of' [l furor :unong the Board of Regents and the President. Dr", vJood S80H?sd to indic:hte that thl,;) question \>n:-t$ emb&rrassin.r:; to them, which I cel"ttlinly did t not intende. If it v!C1,S emoarr<'lssing to th(~m" perhaps there \'J-ilS substft.nc~ to th 3 quest:ion after p...11 e- Th~ tv;'.) U 'not a question of" (~trustfi or Udistrustft but a simple one of Ctdis<1.2:rGe~t~ It I do not believe that I am required to agree ld:t.h t.he Board of Regents or the Presi"", dent of the Univers:i.ty on matters of. policy regarding non-professional ernployees . . or on matters of pilblic concern involving U0 s. FIY1';ood~.... Ch~lnpion Pa.pers, Inc" tf Yet~ Dr. Neve' st~tes that I have a uconflict of interest ~ \,rh:ich I deny. Since when is ita ttconi'lict of interest" to feel that University non..., professional Employees ~re entitled to the same benefits as other state employees? Since when is it :'iI. tf conflict of interesttt to exercise my right to ask the question, on invitation, vlhich I asked at the public hearing in Juneau on June 18, 19700 (See EYhlbit Co) ----------------------- Page 215----------------------- - 3 - Novcnbsr 20, 1970 For the foregoing reasons~ I sulxnj.t that t have 1x38:'1 t.ermin,'2tcd un.... ( Unj.:versity abridgos roy fr'8Bdorn of spoech, my rights of equal protection of the This st~ttement and the attached exhibits state my grievance., Since no sat:lsf~ctory sl-::ttlement could be re;:.ched beb\'"een me and my supervisor 1d.thin one (1) vfOrking d<::.y HS providc-d in Section 1 (A), this statEunBnt is to c6~r~ply with S'ection 1 (n), 1-1lrlch C~tlls for a gri$vanca corr~llitt.ee meeting 1.Jitrin t'Ho (2) w'ol'king days. I 1:"e,2.1ize this is tl short time a.nd I do not knc\·~ w'hether I am required to appear, but in 2.ny event, . I \'T111 'H8.i.ve appear.?ne0 in Fa.irbal".ks and ask that the matter be heard on ba.sis of the 'vlritten docu.ments .. If no sat.isfactol'Y settlement is reached, based on this grievanoe r ( gl."ievanoG be referred to the ItDirect,o:rii in accordanc(~ wi.th Soction 1 (C) of thE'! Gri~lanoe Proceduree If no ~;atisfactory settloment results from app(-)al to t.he Di.rector, I hereby exercise my right of final appeal in accordance 1r7ith Section 2 of the Grievance Procedure t?nd request the President of the Universi ty of Alaska to meet vU th li1l~ at. a mutually" agreeable t.ime on my final appeal. Hopefully, the m.;lt~ter 'Hill be settled at the present level, as J [-un su.re that a careful reading of the file~ my st.atement and the docu..m(,~nts will cornple~ely anSvi"er' ~ny e.:cs'Ur!l8nts in favor of my terminations for it is not .alleged th~.t I am incompet.ent, nor has arry other ch9.rge been leveled against me other than ff conflict of interest~ H I carmot over-e.,rnphasize that I 2.m ·l"Qciat,0 clarific~l.tivh of t.he; p-Jlicyo c It 118.5 inalc<..1tv·i th~i.t, it \-]"':',8 tno policy of t~o regents to p0~lit suel). (::..-"(;pJ.0Joes·· to aCC:0pt consult-irig foos p;'~0"T1C:Bd thoir l'lor:( cG.d l:ot into:.,... fore ,,,j:t.i ....;:,:1011" U~VG::S~.:cy as::;:ic:;c'QG':r::'s. EO;';<;;V01"~ .it vI,;';; unclc;.-~r u:-;.othc:." such pl"ofGss~lo:'1~l Cj~l)loycos ·HC~."0 on 10'::\"0 y,'hil0 pO:~:'fo;sning cor~sul·c:U.i.~ l':Ol"'!( whilo 'l"<'l":'y f~;o;T'.. tho Ur-i.ivo:..... .;;i-cyo It \,,~S cqu~lly uncloar v;net.hcl" or l'~t t.i'.LO i\,nds they :LoceiV0 for consuJ.ting ~orv·.Lcos ar0 trans.'l'.Lit/c,cd J~~ ·~ho U~1ivOl""si ty. Does tho Ur!iv0:-tsity maintain roc.:>:r·Qs on th0 fees profoGsiol"~:.:;l a'(.- ployaos rccoiV0 as consultarrl.s for: vlork po~fol'~ned a:wCtY fl"Onl tto U;:-UV01'~it:/~ vJ:"'1ilo I rt.Iil concorned c.bont tfio polioy on consulting foos a~d 'tvill ~wait, you~:" D.nsi-:or, T(lY chief :int.-ox-est.. is fo:c' tho UnivOX'5i ty a~~d its irr;.c.gc---- ·ti..nd ttrJ.0ss you:.... policy is eloa:!.'" .I tho public ~ I 1"661 the integrity of the vo UrJiv01"'sitys> particula:cly, :nlS, mo.y Do cOmprOi'llisod. ,. , L...../. 00: 'L0e;izl~t.iv0 Audit ----------------------- Page 220----------------------- ST/\TE>JF~\T BY JULIE ISAAC JUl~E;\U CnAYJj ER OF CO>f:fERCE TO~':~ HALL )rEE1'I0:G 6/18/70 ( - j I am Julie Isaac, employed as administrative secretary at the Douglas Marine Station, which is a part of the Institute of Marine Science of the University of Alaskae I speak for no one other than myself. Mine is a 3-part question and may seem irrelevant, but I hope you will bear me out. I will address my rema,rks first to Dr. Rae and Dr. Hood. Dr. Rae, as you know is Vice President for Research and Advanced Study at the University of Alaska, Bud Dr. Hood is Director of the Institute of Marine Science." Each of you is employed year round by the University and draw a fixed salary, the same as I do, a non-professional employee. ( I '{\lould li.ke to ask what is your status ~,1hen you serve on the environmental panel? Are you on personal leave ~rom the University and if not, I presume whatever compensation you receive is paid directly to the Universi ty? }fay I inquire into what fund it flows and '{vould an auditor be able to fo1101\1 this type of transaction? The June 9th issue of the Southeast Alaska Empire carried a story relating to various research projects that would be conducted from the Douglas Marine Station, beginning on or about July 1. Among these 'vas" Oceanographic studies of Berners Bay and "Echo Cove, $110,000, sponsored byU. S. PlY1\'ood-Champion Papers, Inc." Nm.] speaking strictly as a lay person with no scientific back- ground whatever, do you not feel that by the mere fact that our State" University will be conducting research for a private company which has .·l 7 hired. tv.. 0 of the University's top scientists to serve on this panel, gives rise to question the integrity of any research that the University may conduc t for the COlnpany. ----------------------- Page 221----------------------- V·/I LLI/\:v, Fl.. \\'000 pnLSI tJt:.tJ'" ( lJNI\'-l~l{SITlr ()l:' i"-Iu\_SI(..:\.. .. CO'FIC!: OF THE 'P=l>:SiDEN'T COLLEGE, ALASKA Decenl.ber 4, 1970 Mr s. Julie 1-1. Isaac 411 D Street Juneau, Alaska 99801 Dear Mrs. Isaac: In a.ccordance vlith the Cornplaint and Grievance Procedure for classified enl.ployees, as President of Lhe Univerf3ity I C.\.!n Tccluircd to rendc~r a: decision in \yriting to the parties involved \vithin five \vorking days after receiving the report. The enclosed report, dated December 4, 1970, indicates the rccoD1mendation of the Revic'vv Committee. Since I believe that all parties 'have had sufficient opportunity to express th,eir opinions, I concur \vith the findings of the Revie'w Committee. ';,--.- .:.. ~ Therefore, your ser-\Tices have been terminated effective at the close of business, I'\'oven1.ber 27, 1970. William R. Wood Pl'esident VlR\V:y Enclosure ----------------------- Page 222----------------------- ----------------------- Page 223----------------------- March 17, 1971 ( Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 1:40 p.m. with members Moore, Colletta, Whittaker and Specking present. 223 Discussion began with HB 223. Mrs. Chance said that in this bill we are mDving the child abuse laws from the criminal stat- utes. Dr. McCabe, Chief, Child Health Section, Department of Health and Welfare, spoke first. He said their basic concern when work- ing on the writing of the bill was to take child abuse out of the criminal code and stress prevention and protection of the child. The proposed revision would not put the parent in the position of being criminal. It makes it much easier to report a case of child abuse.' If the physician knows it will be han- dled as a rehabilitation rather than as a criminal case, it makes it easier for him to report the suspected abuse. Mrs. Chance asked if handling it this way gives the social worker and physician access to the family. Mrs. Elinor McLaughlin said it definitely does by stressing the fact that the physi-' cian or social worker reported the case because he or she had to and at no time was there any implication of guild. The question of who did the abuse does not arise as directly as it would if it were a criminal case. Many parents really do want help, she said. (~ Mrs. Chance said that the person who makes the report does not have to be identified, also making it easier for the handling of such cases. Dr. McCabe said that in practice the parent will have a good idea as to who reported the case. Mr. Whittaker asked who makes the investigation and the work to rehabilitate the parent. Mrs. McLaughlin said the Depart- ment of Health and Welfare would do this. Mr. Specking asked if what is emphasized is that the child stay with his parents and then the parents are rehabilitated. Dr. McCabe said with the diagnosis a clear cut case of child abuse the child is ill enough to be in the hospital and the law, hope- fully, would prevent the parents from removing the child. What is needed, he said, is a mechanism to keep the child in the hos- pital. What happens with the child after that depends on the investigation of the family. He said a majority of these severe- ly injured children have to be placed. He said the immediate problem is taken care of in this bill. Mr. Specking asked if under the present statutes the child is removed from the home. Mrs. McLaughlin said that yes and one way of taking care of this is to place the child and help the parent. They have put homemakers in the home in cases of child abuse. Mose parents who beat their children feel very guilty, <- she said. Mr. Whittaker asked what the behavior of the parent is directly after he has beaten a child. Mrs. McLaughlin said the attitude is always one of denial. Mr. Whittaker asked what happens after ..~ ----------------------- Page 224----------------------- -2- ( that stage. Mrs. McLaughlin said that the social worker or physician talks to the parents and finally the parents con- fess. Do they admit they need help or db they insist they are in charge of their family, Mr. Whittaker asked. Mrs. McLaughlin said she had had both cases. Most of the time the reaction is that the parent says he needs help. Mr. Colletta asked how many are repeaters. Dr. McCabe said this is one of the problems. The child is beaten until it gets so bad that it is taken to court. Mr. Colletta asked as the bill is written do we have any recourse to these people who are habitual beaters. Dr. McCabe said that under this bill there is no recourse. Duncan Read said a parent still could be prosecuted under charges of assault and battery. Dr. McCabe said that in another sense this bill improves the recourse to helping the child in that there is no need to prove that the person beats the child. Instead all that has to be found is that the child was beaten. Mr. Colletta asked if there is any way where the parent can rehabilitated or threatened with court procedings. His inter- pretation is that the bill takes care of the child and nowhere does it say that the parent must submit to counselling. Mr. Don Craddick, Public Defender, said he would answer this later. Mrs. McLaughlin .said you cannot really force rehabilitation on anyone. Even if you rehabilitate a person there is no guarantee that the person will not relapse. Bringing criminal procedings against a person will not necessarily help the person. Some- times it is essential to put the child in a home. Mrs. Chance mentioned Sec. 47.17.070 and asked at what point do you determine that you have gone as far as you can go and consider the rights of the child and stop protecting the rights of the parent. Mrs. McLaughlin said protecting the rights of the parent is protecting the rights of the child. They wanted to be sure that they are exploring every possibility berore taking the child away from the parents, she said. Mrs. Chance asked if additional language should be used indicating that if other courses have not worked the child would be taken away from the parents. Mr. Harris suggested that the situation could be reviewed by the court~:and the court could decide whether the child should continue in the situation or should be taken away from the home. Mr. Colletta asked if there is some part of the law that might be changed that would indicate the extent of the injury would justify taking the child away. Mr. Ousterhout said you can use medical evidence to prove battered child. Mrs. Chance said some of the Alaskan caseworkers are afraid we do not have adequate medical training to diagnosbatter- ed child. Dr. McCabe said he thought it was right to require ----------------------- Page 225----------------------- ( -3- a certain amount of training to determine this. He said we would have some limitation in our state. There is a distinct medi.cal diagnosis of battered child, and that is the whole point of this Iaw,--to be amle to- take the child away without proving someone guilty. All you have to prove on this law, he said, is that the child was battered. This makes it easier to get the child out of the dangerous situation. Duncan said the AMA has had reservations about the mandatory reporting of child abuse. Many states require them to testify more than they are willing to tell. They do not want to accuse someone. Part of the problem is that there are no national statistics on repeaters. There are 60,000 cases of child abuse each year. This is for children under the age of five. This accounts for more deaths in this age range than any other cause. Mrs. McLaughlin said there have been only seven cases in the past two years in Alaska. Mr. Ousterhout said there is very little ~ access to professional help. Services here in the state are very inequitable because of the remote villages. It is a very serious factor that a child can be protected in the city but not in the v:i.llage~) . Duncan pointed o"t that sj nce the ch-i Id a.buse lavls would be removed from the criminal code, the word "willful" which is presently used was taken out and substituted with "not by ac- cidental means.tT The Colorado Law Review uses the words "not explained by the available medical history as being accidental in nature. IT Don Craddick pointed out that the word "care" could be defined as ~nclud~ng neglect and abuse. Mrs. McLaughlin asked Mr. Craddick if there is a route that could be taken when the child is repeatedly beaten. Mr. Craddick said yes, the parent could be tried for assault and battery. Mr. Whittaker asked what Dr. McCabe considers physical injury. Dr. McCabe answered that physical injury is a very broad thing . and there is no single definition, and this depends on the physi- cian. Duncan said this is taken care of on line lL~, page 1, ft • ••neglect requiring the attention of a practitioner of the healing arts,. II Dr. McCabe said it was the intent of the bill to set some limits on what should be reported. Mr. Ouster- hout said he thought this bill covers the subject fairly well. Don Craddick was next to testify. He said he thought the concept of the bill was excellent but, as a lawyer, wanted to question and clarify some points. He said he was concerned as to why it is stated as mandatory that the professional persons report the abuse (Sec. 47.17.020). He suggested that perhaps this is ( a facade that the reporting person can duck behind if they need to maintain communication with the parents. However, it does not give a penalty for ~ot reporting. Therefore, he said the bill did not really mean "shall report the injury." He suggested that it needs something to put some teeth into it. ----------------------- Page 226----------------------- -4- ( Mrs. Chance said perhaps at this time the Committee could hear some response from the people who worked on the bill. Mrs. McLaughlin said the first thought was that the helpless child should be protected. Duncan said some people do not object to mandatory reporting but they do object to sanction (penalties). The only justification is that you can show it is part of their professional duty. Mr. Whittaker added that one problem is the overcoming of inertia. Second, there is a confidential relation- ship between doctor and patient and this helps solve the problem of the physician reporting in that it does give him an exclusion from confidentiality. Mr. Craddick said there might be a possible confusion between neglect and abuse. One line 13~ page 1, he suggested that the words "abuse or" be added after the second "physical" and before the. word neglect. He also suggested that the first "physical" be deleted and "or" be replaced by "through." The line v.,ould then read "by other than accidental means, of inJury through physical abuse or neglect:" Mr. Craddick said there does not seem to be a requirement of identity for the person reporting. Mrs. McLaughlin said that where she worked before they had highly organized child abuse statutes and they would get calls from people who would com- plain about a parent who beat their child but did not want their ( names involved. Mr. Craddick said that in the bill no one is held responsible, even the person making the report. He said that the first time this statute is tried in court it may be thrown out. Mr. Whittaker pointed out that as this thing is put together the person who calls up and reports the incident does not constitute enough evidence to remove the child from the home. It requires an investigation. Dr. McCabe asked if it would be practical to say that the person who reports it shall be kept in confidentiality. Mr. Whittaker said there may be a problem with a person who calls up just to harass someone. Mrs. McLaughlin said she had investigated many such reports where there was no real child abuse. Mr. Craddick said some legal advice was needed on this matter. Mr. Craddick said on line 14, page 3 the words "civil or criminal" shoud be inserted before "judicial proceedings." This would be in keeping with Sec. 47.17.050. Mrs. Chance asked on that same line if we should also include neglect. Both Mr. Craddick and Mr. Whittaker felt yes. Mr. Whittaker asked if this section were necessary_ Mr. Craddick explained a case where it would be necessary. He said the Legislature has the power so we can go ahead and do it. He said there is a matter of concern re- garding how far a parent can go in disciplining a child. He said this wo~ld be defined under this bill as "as far as neces- sary wo far as physical abuse does not require the attention of a physician." Mr. Craddick said he would be hesitant to have a presumption that a doctor is right in saying how or who did the injury. He said ----------------------- Page 227----------------------- -5- ( we could always put it in the statutes and leave it up to the court. Mr. Colletta said there should be some means of maKlng the par~nts cooperate. If a child is beaten and the parents can- not say how it happened then the parents should go to court. He suggested we should do something so the child will not have to go back to the same environment. r;lr. Craddick said he doubted if the Legislature could come up with a statute that would take care of this. He admitted he could be wrong, but unless there is some new approach the courts are going to have to rely on the implied confession (if parents refuse counselling or other forms of help). Mrs. Chance asked if~ under Sec. 47.17.070, the bill would continue the feeling that parental rights are protected too long. She asked if wording should be added to the effect that "if assistance is refused or there is no response to treatment. I. • "She asked if we should use that approach or the one that is used now. He said he did not think it is going to make much difference whether or not this is in the law. Duncan said they did want it stated that part of the purpose of this law is to help the family. Dr. McCabe said they were ( trying to protect the family group as well as the child. Mr. Craddick said he thought the courts require that you follow Sec. 47.17.070 anyway. ·1Vlr ..Craddick said regarding Secs. 47.17.040 and 47.17.070, he thought that only the Department of Health and Welfare could terminate parental rights. He did not think a local agency has the right to terminate parental rights. Mrs. Chance said that in discussing this with others, some of whom were people in the Anchorage Borough Health Department in Anchorage, they suggested that a borough which has health powers might also be one agency to take complaints and take the load off the state. Mr. Whittaker said that once the local agency has received the complaint the agency has to make a decision on whether the Department should handle it. He asked who has the rights to the child. Mrs. McLaughlin said only the Department of Health and Welfare. Mr. Stell asked if this is not covered in the Children's Court Procedings, Supreme Court Decision 89, Amendment 99. Mr. Craddick said he did not know. Mr. Colletta requested that the procedure be explained. Mrs. McLaughlin said that that after receiving the report of a com- ./ plaint, the caseworker would involve or attempt to involve the t -- parents in a conference where they would discuss the problem and the child. Mr. Craddick said that if they refuse to cooper- ate then it can be assumed that the parents are guilty. He said we have here a statutory scheme that will fill a void. ----------------------- Page 228----------------------- -6- .( We are trying to devise a scheme where we can help the child. Dr. McCabe said it is very hard to convict a parent criminally. Therefore, the majority of abused children will be returned to the parent. He said we have a·practical hang-up. Mr. Craddick said that if we can give the Department a tool to work with it will work 95% of the time, but it would be· very difficult to solve the problem 100%. Mrs. Chance said we would continue on this topic tomorrow and will go into REs 113 and 125. She passed out·copies of the sec- tion on juvenile delinquency from the book An Honest Politicians Guide to Crime Control. The Meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m. /) /J' f .-) ViMttL ,,LkR:Ud Diana E. Hubb rd, Secretary ----------------------- Page 229----------------------- March 18, 1971 ( Chairman Chance c8.11t:~d tIle mecti.ng to order at 1: 35 p. m. VIi th representatives Whittaker, Naughton, Colletta, Moore and Specking present. 223 Pirst to testify vrCts Keith Stell, RegIonal Administrator for the Division of Corrections. He spoke regarding Sect~ons 47.17.020 and 030 in HB 223. He thought there might be some conflict between tI'.L:ts and Supreme Court Order #'99. In 020 the question is lv-here does. the information go and vJhat is the pro- cedure for handling this information in (c) of 030. This would also include an officer of the Division of Corrections. In Order #99, Rule #4 this would seem to be in conflict with it. He said it was unclear in his mind what procedure would take place. He read Rule #4 of Order #99, which said any child who comes under ,the purview of Title 47 will be referred to an intake officer or a probation officer. Mr. Stell said that in Anchorage and Fairbanks they have designated intake officers. The policy is that a probation officer may also be an intake officer. Mr. Whittaker asked if this creates a problem. Mr. Stell said it would short-cut it to go directly to the Division of Welfare. It would be easier if the report would go to the appropriate agency directly. Mr. Craddick said he though that Court Rule was passed to facilitate handling of juvenile matters. The statute would take precedence over the Court Rule. 125 Mr. Stell said he was concerned that a parent can voluntarily place a child. He though there has been some comment about striking those words from HB 125. He thought the bill has some merit as re~ards to Welfare. The Division of Welfare's statement about not having federal matching funds if the child; is not placed in a foster home on a court order concerned him because they need the money to pay for the foster homes. Mrs. Chance asked if Mr. Stell thought HB 125 fits in with HB 223. Mr. Stell said he was wondering if the overall scheme is to develop the Youth Service Bureau. He thought probably HB 125 would make it easier for the Department of Health and Welfare to pl~ce a child. 113 Mr. Stell said they have many young people come to their atten- tion, especially girls, in situations where they are not delin~ quent but they are uncontrollable. They are concerned that this type of legislation take place. He said what we are going to do with this type of girl. She probably needs to be institu- tionalized for her own welfare. Another concern comes up. If you apply HB 113 you are institutionalizing kids for other than delinquency. A better approach would be to, in the absence of the ideal, expand the term delinquent. He read a letter from 'Judge Carlson to Judge Stewart indicating that there are children who need to be detained who have not committed a crime. Mrs~ Chance asked what Mr. Stell's recommendation is. He said that we should expand the term delinquent and forget about HB 113. ----------------------- Page 230----------------------- -2- ( Mrs. Chance asked what Mr. Stell's feeling was about the last ·part of the following sentence i1) HB 113: "the minor may be released from placement or detention and placed on probation on order of the court." This means that the Division of Cor- rections could not determine when the child should be released. Mr. Stell said he did not agree with this. 125 Mr. Harris read the Department's position paper and said this bill, HB 125, is one that confuses the issue. You would be removing a child from the home without ever going to court~ If you did not have the court·custody you could never put the child up for adoption. Mr. Whittaker said there was an error in the fiscal note of around $33,000. (position paper Attach. A) Jerry Ousterhout of the Bureau of Indian Affairs spoke next. He said this bill would include children who are in AFDC families who need care, and neglected children who have inadequate parents. He said this is hard to establish sometimes. The pre-delinquent. is another major group of children. These are all children who could benefit from voluntary placement. He said half of their caseload is composed of children who are waiting to be placed in foster homes for special schooling. Mr. Ousterhout passed out the caseload profile (Attachment B). He said there is no reason to expect a decrease in caseload or money expended. There ( is an increase in cost per case. They have the same rates as the Department of Health and Welfare. He said they have about 200 children who are in foster homes in order to receive special education. They have not had a staff increase for about five yea~s. Mrs. Chance asked how they account- ed for the decrease in children in foster homes and increase in children in institutions. Mr. Osterhout said they have to use receiving homes because of lack of foster homes. They are eliminating the possibility of using state institutions until a child commits a crime. Foster homes can take care of some, and they do not have a group facility as yet. The state would be assuming a good financial responsibility when they took over. Funds from Johnson-O'Malley and Social Service would be used. Mrs. Chance asked what the BIA procedure is in providing the voluntary placement. The answer~was that it is on the basis of need. They do not seek court custody as a means of providing foster care. Mr. Whittaker asked what would happen if this year passed and the Department decided that the case load in this area could only be 40 children. Would this change the BIA's position. Mr. Osterhout said he had no idea as to what the differences will be in terms of need for placement. He said the funds would go into the program on a contractual basis. Mr. Osterhout said they are almost 100% advisory. He would guarantee that the Bureau would be fully cooperative if the Legislature passed HB 125. Their staff would remain the same but there would be an increase in services available. ----------------------- Page 231----------------------- -3- f ( The state would become responsible for all foster care case loads. There are 303 Children per month and there are 83 requests per month for this type of service. The service is being provided adequately with going to court. Mrs. Chance said that if the BIA continued to provide the ser- .vice with state support the state money would be applied to service for native children only. Mr. Ousterhout said just because the BIA is presently picking it up does not excuse the eventual responsibility. They would not agree with the need for court custody. 125 Miss Kay Smith of the Division of Public Welfare said she was in favor of the voluntary placement of children. She said for social workers it is a very good tool. You have trouble getting parents to pay for the care of their children when the court has taken them away. Also, it is demeaning for a parent to have to give up custody of the child in order to request tem- porary care. The meeting adjourned at 3:25 p.m. ( Diana E. Hubbard, Secretary ----------------------- Page 232----------------------- 1_W~LIAM ~ ~CA~.CO'.r.~­ i, Dt~~Dl.lt'!l1f~ilC~~1f ()~" tHH~~~~ O..1"DII /,~nD \~r~ILCi'..\.tl~D~ / DIVISION OF PUBLIC WELfARE I POUCH H- JUNEAU 99801 February 10, 1971 DEPARTMENT POSITION PAPER RELATIVE TO House Bill 11125 The Department is of the opinion that this bill, amending the commit- ment by court order, is one which confuses the issue in working with parents and child. Philosophically, the State must keep in mind that the best interest of the child is to be desired. To name a few. in- stances where the child (and sometimes the parents) are more protected where court custody is the rule: c 1. The child is protected from the emotionally ill parent who may remove/him from a setting where he is thriving. 2. The child and parents rights are more nearly realized where the court -is the authority. 3. The parent is protected from the agency worker, because cases are reviewed periodically by the court where the parent.can be heard. 4. Medical treatment can. be obtained where needed, from the court if the parent cannot be found. 5. One agency should not have the total responsibility for child and parent without review by the courts. 6. This statute protects child and agency, where the parent makes a plan and then disappears. ~. . 7. Lack of court custody would deprive the State of federal matching funds in AFDC-FC. 8. The State would become responsible for the Bureau of Indian Affairs foster care caseload. { These are only a few arguments in support of the court having custody. ...... , '. EMcL:eej,. ----------------------- Page 233----------------------- c Tile lpnis Li til 1'0 (If tl1r Stilt(l pf r\lil~L~ . . F 1S(1.L Ii (n [ rirst SrssiOlI ... ~;C'J2/-lth St.r!tf' I (\rtit;.l;lhl\'rl (' ('.' I • I ., . TilE f:I~.:~I; [1[-.:, (\i· THL r()::'iIl~:T i'J\f~IiI(; Tllr Pi.('\[lf.~·l) !·r!IC!I V \., ! J _.~ • j-/:[: LEeI :..t.TI'.'E Fl~!'\IC[ C(~;'f:I T1T[~~' ~'lr~f' J f'('UCII Y ~~··-·'"'fl!L 1"'1 \'1 In:; 0:- 1'['!f1ffT (, i:F,:!r.lTj'UlT~ 1;(lUCII C '-~-Pllrdll /\ Copy FOr~ YUilf: fILES -~-----.---.------..--------.---.--------.-.---.----~--.-.•..-------.-...-.--- rU;JLF:~C i)r:"ThJL ~~~!itl,:~'Lr:,?t'!~;;~0~~·~., ~~~~~:I:~!~(:,~==~~:~~=l:~=~i,~_~~::t~~=:~;~-~~~ie~·~~._~~. -, -= I . I , __ ~~:P!:~~~j~;,~t;;,~;, _____ ..;.;,.._____. ____.j~~___~_"_l___."'_.. ,__L_.~_~____ r!::cr.1. f'.:JhLYSJ S Estimates of voluntary placements would be 400 children x $187.00 x 12 months or $897,600.00 for children in our own active case1oad. In addition, there would be 17.9 x $187.00 x 12 months from the Bureau of Indian Affairs case10ad or $33,473.00. TOTAL $897,600.00 33,473.00 $931,073.00 cost per year. - There would be no federal receipts forthcorning~ ----------------------- Page 234----------------------- JUNCAU tllU;A ClII LD \-l[Lf'ARE l( Cld.ld \·:(;lfo1"0 by r·lo11tll Cur:lulativ(' Tota.ls (in $1,000) •.~ ( 1•.' " FY lruly l\u.£1:. :'c:nt. (Jet ~ j-JeN. Dr!c. II an. F0h. r'~dr • Ju;-!·_~ J. 9 G 6 9 2 ~? 41 G3 --&~-)--10-6--- JLI?' .lL-PI 1tj 1. J20 19G"'7--~-28 53 '18 lOS ) 32 1~) ~lrtt cu18r~ly in the l;jst ten ycal's. 'l'hero are perh,~'ps forty articles, particularly on frxplorations, 7Jnd on contacts wi. th th(~ 11atives, which OUI?)lt to be useJul for non-;;{u3sian-spea~~ers interestGd in illaskan history. (/ .b:sti.mate of Gosts lndexing of .L1~US;:;iCi.Il-.n[l~t:;rican 0o.:..a.pfu'1Y 0oI'respondence ~2,OOO Tra'1slati on of dOClL'1lents pertinent to nati ve culture 4,000 Indexing and raicrofilming of Hussi an Orthodox Church records' rrranslati on of documents pertinent to nati v~ culture 5,000 Preparation of bi bliography of printed materials 1,000 Translation of documents pertinent to native culture ~,ooo These fi e;ures are con servati ve. More coul d be done, of course, "wi th larger sums; if the amount available were less f then the performance would be reduced, accordingly, though at least a beginning could be madee 'rhe figures would include typing costs, xeroxing or ID.icrofilming, and hiring of indi vi duals wi th particular skills, as for exatnple in reading certain di fficult Russian handwri ting, or for ai d in tr8J1s1ation. I f the person doing such vJOrk were to have to vi si t various centers, as in preparation of bi bliography fu'1d rlL.'1ning down rare printed sources, which are scc.ttered in '8 number of Ii braries {including Harvard, Yale, Columbia, ..New York .Public Library, Library of Congress, universities of California and of' t~ashi!l6tO.::l, and the ruaska .distorical Library) J then transportation and subsistence costs should. be added to the above, perhaps v5,OOO, again depending on the extent of the project. Ultimately, the search for materlal could also be extended to the Uni versi ty of Helsinl<::i Library, Finland, the libraries in Vlarsaw and 1"rague, and in fvloscow and .Leningrad. However, there is so much material in the RA Co. Correspondence and the Alaska Church Gollection, that that should. be made use of first-~ and holdin8s of printed materials in i'Jorth JJ.merican l4.braries could bear a great deal more research. From the above materials it should be possible to compile several volumes of translated documents. 1 hope that you are successful in getting a program of thi s nature adopted. Sincerely, O. ·'t!~A -r~« ' "~ard A. Pi-erce cc: Mrs. Nottingham, Hi storical Library', Juneau, Alaska ----------------------- Page 250----------------------- March 26, 1971 Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m. with all members present. 294 ~1r. Fred Bailey from the Anchorage Christian Science coromi ttee on publication for Alaska was present to testify on HB 294. He said under the present statutes they feel that they do not have the freedom that they should have. Healing is a very definite part of their religion. Many other states have similar laws to HB 294. The District of Columbia Court reform ,of 1970 has an exception for Christian Scientists, as does the Health Act of 1970. A bill identical to HB 294 was passed by the HOuse and the Senate last year and was vetoed by the Gover- nor. Mr. Whittaker asked what the Governor's objection was. Mr. Bailey said the Governbr f~~t as though it was a detriment and did not protect the children. Mr. Colletta asked how many Christian Scientists there are in Alaska. Mr. Bailey said the number is not available for public information. They do not publish the membership totals. Mr. Colletta asked if he could know about the faith itself. Mr. Bailey said it is based on the Bible. They follow very ( closely the method that Jesus used to heal, that of spiritual prayer. It is re-generating force of an individual. People are healed both physically and mentally. Th~ do not rely on the presence of a practitioner. r- ;(" Mr'. Moore asked what the intent Of\h~ bill was. Mr. Bailey said in the present statutes it relates to the definition of neglect in that a parent is negligent if it does not provide medical treatment. This is getting into an area that infringes upon their religious right. Mr. Robert Hahn, an Anchorage lawyer and a Christian Scientist, said he would like to add that they would like to be able to use prayer in lieu of medical treatment as generally defined. They are substituting their method through prayer. They do not tell anyone in their religion that thpy must do this. They do not prohibit calling a doctor. Mrs. Chance asked if they would please explain how a practition- er becomes accredited. Mr. Bailey said most practitioners have had many years of experience in their religion. They are of high moral standards and they have experienced many healings. They go through a short course and are listed in the Christian Science Journal. Mr. Hahn added that there is a 2 or 3 week course where the persort has a very concentrated period of study. The standards for accreditation are very high. The church wants no one practicing as a practitioner who does not do a good job. The federal government allows a medical deduction for the fees of a practitioner or a stay in a Christian Science sanitarium. ----------------------- Page 251----------------------- -2- ( Mr. Specking said he supports this bill and testified that he personally knew several Christian Scientists and felt the families demonstrated a complete and total devotion to their children when they were ill. These people are definitely not religious fanatics, he said. Mr. Colletta asked if in this bill the practitioner had to be called in to prevent accusations of neglect when a child was ill. Mrs. Chance said the physical presence of the practitioner is not. necessary. Mr. Naughton said this law that is presently on the books was written when medicine was the vogue arm of healing. Our real problem is with the word "medical" or "medicine. ff We could change that word to "health services" and give a definition of that. Discussion followed over the wording of the bill. Mr. Farrell said (k) gives the courts the freedom of thought that the child was receiving healing through spiritual means. ( Mr. Specking said he moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee pass out HB 294 with a do-pass recommendation. Mr. Colletta object$d, saying there were some other people who ~re going to be here next Thursday so we should wait. Mr. Farrell said we could arrange that those witnesses could testify before the Judiciary Gommittee on Thursday. Mr. Col- letta withdrew his objection. Without further objection, the bill passed. 3 4 Mrs. Chance read a letter from R.D. Stevenson, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Revenue, stating figures regarding HB 4. It included a suggestion for an amendment to change the effec- tive date. (Attachments A and B) Legislative Affairs drafted a committee substitute that would repeal the school tax and increase the mill rate on cigarettes to 3-1/2 mills or 4 more cents a pankage (12¢ a package). Mrs. Chance asked what the pleasure of the Committee was. Mr. Specking said he would sort of be inclined to seeing the school tax repeal bill tabled or have the amount of money supplanted by something else. Mrs~ Chance said the Cormnittee will call the Revenue Department llin on this. Mr. Whittaker said we should look into the possibility of changing the rate of tax on cigarettes that is designated for school use. Mrs. Chance mentioned a bill which was referred to the Committee today that says that the surplus funds in. the school foundation would go back to the general fund. It does not eliminate the ----------------------- Page 252----------------------- -3- surplus funds, but would affect only those funds that are not used. Again on HB 4, Mr. Moses said he thought we should raise the income tax 1/2% to 21%"." Mr. Specking was opposed to this .. The meeting adjourned at 3:05 p.m. ( ,~-- ----------------------- Page 253----------------------- C:,ll" __ .;.,, _\ rt (:~ ~ '~'_.J.,: ') (Ji TO: r R. D. SteVi..~Es:Jn Deputy Co~~issioner DATE Harch 5, 1971 FROM: Fred Boetsch) Director. y' SUBJECT:. School Tax Withholding Audit Division / f~' An employer is required to ,·Iithhold from an ewployee the $10.00 school tax during the first pay period of each year for that employee if the wages earned in that pay period exceed $25.00. It is quite possible that \vithholdingand payment of school tax \·;ould be required even though the employer Fere not required to ,;.rithhold for income tax purposes. It is also possible that an individual viould be liable for the school tax even though he '·Jere not iiable for individual inconle ta:xes for a given tax year. In order to illustrate this please refer to the table below. This ( indicates the maximum &20unt that an individual could earn during a month and yet there \,"'oulc.1 be no \·:ithholcling of Alaska incor:~e tax. It also indi.... ~ates th§ annual salary a person could earn without having income tax liability. Under eithe.r of these circumstances, hm-lever, it vlould be possible that the inc1ividual '('7ould be l~abl(: for school tax and the employer '-!QuId have been require.d to \·;rithhold school tax from his first pay period. Annual Honthly Salary Salary No IT Exemption No Liability '-1i thholding Standard Single 1 Less than $" 76 Less tllan-$l, 725 1:1arried 2 Less than $136 Less than $2,350 Married 4 Less than $2/+8 Less than $3,600 If you wish any further information please do not hesitate to contact me. FPB:mbc ----------------------- Page 254----------------------- ( WILlI/d,l A. EGAN. Governor OFFICE OF THE CG.',U.USS/O.WR :' fOUm S - JUNEAU 9>'801 l'~ arch 5; 1971 The Honorable Genie Cha~ce Chain;1a~} EO·_'.se Eealth, \':clfare and Education Committee Alaska State legis1a:ure State Capitol Building .Juneau, Alaska . In Re: House Bill :·~o·. 4, An Act repealing the so-called school tax, effective July 1, 1971 Dear Representative Chance: Your memorandum of Harch 4, 1971 addressed to 1-1r. Eric E. \\ohlforth, Commissioner of Revenue cO:lcerning House Bill :~o. 4 has been referred to the ,\'7ri ter fOl' reply. I Hill anSiver the questions raised in your memorandum in -the order that they appeared • .1. Hm·] much money is actually generated from the tax? During the past five fiscal years net collections of the school tax were as follows: Fiscal Year Net.Collections (Actual) ·6-30-70 $ 1,406,823 6-30-69 1,264,921 6-30-68 956,971 . 6-30-67 898,027 6-30-66 8"30,007 Projected revenues .for school tax fo~ the current fiscal year and the next five fiscal years are as follows: Fiscal Year Net Collections (Estimated) 6-30-71 $. 1,476, 100 6-30-72 1,564,700 6-30-73 l,658,600 6-30-74 1,758,100 6-30-75 1,828,400 6-30-76 1,901,500 ----------------------- Page 255----------------------- 1'1:.:rch 5, 1971 'lhe bulk of ~choul t<.n~-is collected by \vithllOlding from income L~·!:< n:ldis rc!'(;r LcJ ~lnc1 ll~J icJ \vi th ir:COlllC tax \rL thhcld [or \v,lge cnn~c:L's. 'fLc ~;(;li~cmi·doyt.'.d ;:md Fc:.dcrnl c11lplo~ic(;:; report and pay ( the school t:::~ ~1t the time of filing i.ndividual income tAX rctul~ns. Cost of collection of the school tax ([nel inc.ome tax ,-;n<-1 certain Ot1;..:'l" t~xcs -nduinistercd by our J\udit Division aml.)unt to appro:-:il:iatcly 9/10 of 1 cent for each dollar of collection. There is ~dditio~21 cost to collecting school tax and incomitax on the sane Hith:loldir.;:; tax ret'..:rns and the. S2me individual income tax returns as comp.::n:cd to collecting individual inc.ome only \·lithout school tax. The cost lies in the requireine.nt in the cashier's office for separate accounting for each type of reven:"lC; cc~dition.al ID:-I runs to determine school tax paid and income tax paid ,~e~ ?~ocessing refunds and considerable additional time spent by audit adjustmc21.ts in inC01l1e _tax returns vhere the onl~y item in question is the taxpayer1s school taxe If individual income tax were raised from 16% to 17% of the 1963 Federal rates, based on 1970-1971 projections, the 1% increase would bring additional revenues in amount of $2,226,000 or an amount in excess of school tax revenues anticipated for any fiscal year through 1976. The only actual cost '-]QuId be to print and distribute some 8,000. to 12,000 employers· withhold- ing tax guides as the tax rate change would likely hecessitate a change -in income tax withholding. For your further information, along the same trend of thought, a 4 cent increase in the cigarette tax from the present 8 cents a package to l2~ts a package would generate additional revenues in the amount of $1,625,332 annually. LikeWise, increasing the excise tax on beer from the present 25 cents a gallon to 50 cents a gallon would generate additional revenues in the amount of $1,41.3.,208 annually. 3. Is there any circumstance ,v-here the school tax is collected and the Alaska withholding tax is not? In the area of the very 10v.l income ,.vage ean1ers as \-vel1 as students 19 and over 'vho \-vork part-time and ot.hers who work part-time, there '-7ill be circumstances \ ect ill people to a. doc·tor or hosp:Ltt'11e Better r~~_dios» til'"O ,wy receiver and broadcaster or telr];phone arc !leceSSD.r'J for any eJ1o:i."'goncicH that the '\.dllage ntlght have beC8ttSe t..~e hospitti i[; fa:!." a;f;;:;ay CJ;;;."ld the p~~~tient h8.3 to ~...ave D. plane right av.ml'''.. L.1.ck of medic",:11 facilIties have .5.ncreased ·tJ1e percentage of illness iT! remot~ ctreas 1-\:1.t..nClUt su.r1.'ic:1E:nt h03:r-:~. tG.lB eo The ill llOll.1d have to be sent out of home to rec'Upcr~;:te fran "cheir ~_llnersc For inst.ance~ the Alaska llative l·!edical Cent.er wilwre na t:tVBD DJ.'"e sent frca~ rc:n.cte a.rcas. Fran il1vestments of the J.and ~..nd royalties fi"'crn t..'1e oil CQ'11PCl!'1i8S, the natiVG3 could improve theil· local hospitals and even t..he cl:unics in the villages. The clinics in 511la.ll villages are poorly supp:U.ed 't-u th 11l€dicrlne 2nd are la.eking in mtrses and professional help" The present ccnditions ar-e' getting frem. bad to worse in 'try vill(.).ge as i-rell as the surroundlng villages in Alask'.ao One problGrn is the problem of alcohollsma which is steadily 01'1 the rise.. Mlli'1Y people are drinking to e1:cesso They are spending hardcenrned money for booze tb.at could be spent in wiser uses. !'heyV don't core about 't.hei:r health» they just keep on 't-n.t.,11 their excessive cir".mki.n.g because they could.nllt stop. And that is the ca'"J.se of li'\o--er damage, serious dcfecttJ a."ld even death. Another ·one of t..he seriO'tlS ccndit.ions in the villa,ges is the r.10ntal illness. Marty 1'1..~tives have mental illneBs~ because of drinldng and poor nutr-lt.iono ~~hey need to be cured bu.t there is a shoX'tage of money to v!h1eh special doctors cO'l"ud treat t..hemo . ( The p:resent co:nditiona in nr..r vill~~ aren t t very good. A lot or people get ill and die before tt~ can reach a hospital. 'Besides ~ost hospitals need repail~s or botter dcct.ors or nurseso For ext! mple a a man from Holy Cross, last year" died of some kind of illne.ss inside of himo He ~Ja.s sent to the hospitlll £or the first time and returned. He said he had a good check=up and was getting sl\ing fine abmrta week·lfl;ter~ he buc;~r;le VE;'J."y ill a.."'ld was sent back -to Bethel Hospital nhere he diedo Another proIllel1l in my village is drinking. A lot of people drlnk and get crazy and Idl~ someone\> There are many heal-th problerlls in m:y village and not much that can be done about, it DoS t:hel~e are hardly any medical help in m:l v.Ulageo For i.nstanee rtq rn.em must have cracked or even broken her r'lbs ~rhen she fell down on the sled behind the snml mobileo A friend from Ennonak called Bethel Hospital for a plane to came inmediately. frJ.t they just didn't have tj.me to bring her to the hospital. I was so mad and so vlorried, that 't.;as during 'J'1t3" Christmas Vacat5..on and it l-msntt very tun at all. I would have felt at least a little better if my mom had gone to a hospitalo These are serious problems and can be oolved by wise decisions on what to do that is right for different problems that the natd.ves have" :.. ----------------------- Page 265----------------------- ( EDUCATIU:r The need of high schoo1s y ol{~l:12:1"t:.r'-:t·y schools / e..r:d vocational tra1ni!'.g are.us$l is v-er;r lBxge hsre :U~l l;'le.s'~:~i. ... ,-]hat ,.rouJ.d yCi'rlS'1lggc3st In th.o irrpl'ovdnen'~ of ~'1e dchcols? \10 TlEH)d !flOr'O tscchers i'o!" lrlgh sC!1001s r:nd ele!12nt~ry t..1u'ouehout the v:tlla[83. Also t. sona nc.w 1)uildings t3nd schools ,~ Hl'''e need.ed jj but carefhl ocr..sideration ShOll1d be givcnto their locations. 'llhere is ul-rroys a question ss to "rh;~!'e a r:C1; school :foJ,:tl1 be builtg and l!hat students fJ:~om Jehe area should attend the ed1col", A lal-'lg,e rrznhel~ c,)£ student.s from the S1nall villages have to loave tJ1~~11' hC.lI!lOO· to go to high schools.. l11ey have to go as far as Okl~.hom.a. t..o Get a high 5cho'Jl educr.t.:}O!1o J:!.ost L~tudent-3 do not like to leave their h~ng'~1'hey onl;.;r knmJ that they have to get. an educa.tion. They have a boarding ht!1i:e p::rog$:.pJ.u hel"s in Anchorage. 'll1e school we are going to is bi.g and more tllan hr.lf of the 8tudent9 8..'J.~e 'i<1hite people. Some of the M,tive :f>P..,.()pla do not ~i.ke t..o be around wili te peopleo SCllle of <~i.e white people alY the Stlperintendent of the. State""vpexlrted SehoolsoHe-:re is part of the 1ntel~e'W: question: w11a.t arc m08t of the condi·tion..'St of 1*..e high schools here in Alaska? an.'llfel.": T'l'1ey c;t1"a t.oo EntaIl, they lU'ae old~ B..."ld are very dangerous fire t.rapSa The Nti'ti',ra students have to tl"t-avel to these $cnools. li}1e schools here in Anchorage are modern a.'1d 't·roD.oeequ.ipped. These are the type of schools t'3e would llkG .to see here a.nd in t.he different villages. rt,l. '\tII....- quest:ton~ V'f11at "Hould you. ~uggest in theimprovem.ent o£ these schools? a.net·rerst Hore u3Rchers ~ ~md narr buildings. New b-uildings in different pJ.ac9s "ru."e badly l1eededo The students do not like to tlllavel £ar from their homes Co They like tAl stay close to home' as possible 0 ----------------------- Page 266----------------------- tS <- If) Vlit.h tho mor.:ey th.s.t comir!g :fran t::16 Native Land. Cla:tms and the oil royalties, ,,;e, the Ns:t.i ve pco}./le, c0tLld build ne":-r ro:.:dts frcl}l Nome to fairbanks. Tins l\lOtlld bring up prellts t,y build.ing motels, r:(;~st,an..rants it storBs, drl\"e-ins, th(~ntres t and gaG' fr~:1tions.. Beside8 t.rayc:lling by car is Ch:;;8.per than travel- ling by ai:t"o He cnn also rent CB.:,·S cut 'to tho totil"ists 1~rho come in from oth(,~:£' stJ.ks., In deing so, peolJle in Oi.rr st.ate c9nbe paid by building the roads, buildings:; and husinesses. This "my they ct:Ln li'VB decently~ and have more jobs for more people... Another bxample of the adva.ntage of roads is seen if" 1-10 haye trans:port"."3.tionto bring oil ec:.niFr}£;nt. f~C'om Fairbanks to the North S).Ol:- • 1:h1.8 Hill be che8.per and caslerthall by pla.ne.. vie could have refineris lO built ana process the oil in tl-he f8.ctor:I.es so th.a.t -v;e can be selling it right from our stat.e.. . It the highways wer(:1 btults it could be built ttll"Q'>J.gh., or near the ville:.ges. It can give t,.~e viJ..lagers a better H.ay of living:; and the othel" thingt. to con£'rtder isJ ~~hen the bighl¥a.ys al"e btu. 1tIt it C.!i.i1 be better means of transpor- tation and means of travelling and shipping freight. REcru~ATIOrrAL FACILITIES (. lle$ the native students of Dimond High School in Anchol~age, have been studying about RttraJ. Alaska v.nd disC11ssing the needs of some villages in the St.ate... One particular need is recrea:t.ional facilltas, such as, a youth ~eoo-p cent0:t'.. There are \I-illages YJ such as ours!p 'Hh1.ch need a youth centerb because teenagern have nothing to do ~ andne:ither do -t.he adults 0 4 l?unds could be used f01 many purposes like: a village 19se-'Ging hall) a game room for pool and. bingos a danoo hall 'Which could aleo serve for village festivals, ce..rniV"J..ls, and potlateh(~s.. It also ca..-, be used a.s a fire sta~Gion~ since there aro no fire g·~!rti-O!l3 in most villages)1 becaurH3 this is what we p..mJdo Recreational areas and facilities built by the school for the children don't have adequa.te playgrounds .. Host important of all~ the children need more things tp play -w1.th besides 1}hat they play with outside. Therees times when child- ren Cru1 it play o-mtside wheri ~;'e waather i8n @t 'Vlan.11e vie think nat1va young people need balls , bats $ tOYS!J and intramural equpment.. If the Native Land Claims is setiled)' you shouJ.d do something about the needs of the Alaskan Nat..ive Recreati.ona,l Facilities.. There are many other villages tha·t need gylus a.lone. Solet'a use our money wiseJy~ on the most important things our Alaskans and our villages need. ----------------------- Page 267----------------------- March 29, 1971 ( Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 1:45 p.m. with members Colletta, Specking, Whittaker, Moore and Moses present. 365 Mrs .. Chance explained HB 365, that this bill would be better house-keeping in that it would let any unused funds go back into the general fund. Mr. Whittaker moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee pass out HB 365 with a do-pass recommendation. Without objection, it was so ordered. 317 Representative Bradner, instigator of HB 317, explained that the Board of Regents have requested that the law be cleared in such a way that they can get a.liquor license ~or the campus if they see fit. The University area is quite a distance from the city of Fairbanks and until a few years ago there was no provision for zoning of any kind so they were granted a privileged zoning status. Two years ago they had to change the restrictions to less than two miles from the campus. Thp law was sought to be repealed but failed. The age for drinking has been reduced to age 19 and the kids can go to town and drink so the Board of Regents might want to let a drinking establishment be built into the new student union building. This will repeal the one-mile limit~ The local business community is in favor ( .. of it. Mrs. Chance said the Board of Regents unanimously endorsed the proposal that was presented to them regarding liquor on campus. She read the recommended policy for this, in addition to a Fairbanks 'Ne\'Js-Miner report .of the Grand Jury opinion in which they supported this concept. Mr. Specking asked if it had been considered to just make an exception for the University. Mr. Bradner said there is some problem in the business communities of Anchorage and College and this bill would clear everyth~ng up. Mr. Whittaker moved and asked unanimous consent that HB 317 pass out of Committee with a do-pass recommendation. Without objection, it was so ordered. 3 276 Mr. Bradner said HB 276 is meant to be a bill that supplements an original state grant to bring it up. Hospitals are one-time affairs. At times matching funds are not readily available. We raised almost $2 million in Fairbanks for our hospital and .we thought about the problem and it is obvious to come back to the state for help. . So they thought they would ask the state for up to 25% but.allow this to not be paid immediately. They would go for the Hill-Burton funds first but those sometimes l are not available. If this bill were in effect, 25% of the cost would be provided by local private funds (this is in the case of the Fairbanks hospital); 25% state funds; 50% federal funds. This b~ll could be tailored down as far as costs are concerned. ----------------------- Page 268----------------------- -2- ( A copy of the Hospital Association's proposed version of the bill was passed out and studied. Mrs. Chance aske.d if the recommended substitute would be alright with Mr. Bradner. Mr. Bradner liked the proposed substitute. Mrs. Chance said action on this bill would be deferred until tomorrow. ~R 17 Mr. Whittaker moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee pass out HCR 17 with a do-pass recommendation. Mr. Specking ob- jected for the purpose of reading the bill. Mr. Colletta said he had some information on this resolution. It might cause them to act a little faster on it if we got the ski club in Anchorage to provide instruction, he said. Mr. Colletta said he would have to call Anchorage to get the name of the ski club but he knew they were -willing to do _,this. Mr. Whittaker withdrew his motion so we could get the name of the ski club. He said we all know that we have problems around the state with regards to sports and the Department of Education does not encourage sports, he said. ~R 29 Mr. Specking said, with: regard to HCR 29, that it really is dif- ficult to research anything on Alaska after 1929. He moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee pass out HCR 29 with. a do-pass recommendation. Without objection, it was so ordered. Mr. Whittaker said the high school situation in Craig and Klawock is grim. The highway they want will make things better. They need some help from the Department of Education to prepare a study on this. Mr. Specking asked who owns the land where they want to build. Mr. Whittaker said the Forest Service owns it. There would be no problem in getting the land. By the time they are ready to move on this the land aquisition problem will be solved. Mr. Whittaker moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee pass out HCR 27 with a do-pass recommendation. Without objec- tion, it was s6 ordered. The meeting adjourned at 3:10 p.m. Diana E. Hubbard, Secretary ----------------------- Page 269----------------------- March 31, 1971 Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 1:40 p.m. with Representatives Moses, Moore, Colletta, Specking, Whittaker, Swanson, and M.Miller present. :B 224 Present to testify were Tom McLaughlin, Zoltan Szigethy, and Bruce Brunton of Region 10· HEkl in Seattle. Mr. McLaughlin said Region 10 includes Alaska. They are attempt- ing to put their system on a more systematic basis. The comments at a work session yesterday on HB 224 were both substantive and technical. All of their technical comments are now irrelevant because the bill was redrafted. Mr. Szigethy said they hope to take away from the very specified programs. There is a need for a greater amount of local decision making. They need to use the private sector. The planning grants would allow the community to develop comprehensive plans. He made some· general comments: (1) The notion of community services is a broad one and they encourage us to consider the wording. In the redraft this term is more narrowly defined; (2) A plan for community services may also be broad. There may be a need for some guidelines; (3) It is desirable to have a comprehensive plan prior to the delivery of programs. They have had bad experiences in giving out money without a plan; (4) The draft of the bill had in it the notion that an area planning council ( would be funded for 00e year to develop a plan. Their feeling is that it may take more than one year to develop a plan. The plan0ing grant should last more than one year. With regards to administration, they did not see a provision for a state plan for approving projects ~hich passed through an area planning council. We might have some sort of state planning in coordinating. There should be some coordination between the Governor's office and the departments. The agency which is to be designated as the area planning council should have local· participation in its agency. The board should be responsive to the breadth of the area services. Only a health-related agency would not be impartial. There is a need for dual approval of local programming--one by the Department and one by the CHACo Mr. Szigethy had two final comments: (1) When there is a specific problem where one project would serve people throughout the state but is planned by one agency; (2) With regards to pro- visions for the board "persons not engaged in providing services" --when one thinks about the involvement of local people there may be some conflict between agencies. Dick Gilbert was next to testify. He was representing Greater Anchorage Community Action Agency (GACAA), Alaska Children's Services, Chairman'of Comprehensive Health Planning Council, and President of Mental Health Association. He commended bill for favorable action. Mr. Gilbert related the feelings of the various organizations he represented. First, GACAA feels glad that the bill includes \'<....", ----------------------- Page 270----------------------- -2- the local people in the planning. They feel the need for services to be locally based and responsive to the needs of the community. CHPC feels very strongly about the plaJ~lnJ.ng that. is going into the bill. They feel there should be long-range planning. There also are glad about somecne to coordinate services. The Mental Health Association was enthusiastic about the pro- vision to provide state funding to match federal funding for community mental health centers. Alaska Childrens Services felt the emphasis on the private factor is very important. Also the emphasis on boards of people who are not professionals would be the best check and balance that could be provided. They would feel very strongly about the provision in this bill of preventative community services. They have too much of their funds where people have to suffer before • they can get help. Mr. Gilbert said the bill does limit the term "community services." He added that there are great numbers of people who want this bill passed. Anchorage has 90-some agencies that need to be coordinated. It would take about one year of planning to im- plement this. Dove. Kull, Director of the Alaska Homemakers Service, testified next. Their grant ends in September and they are in need of funding by the state and local governments. This type of co- ordinated,o'omprehensive local plan .would enable the people in the community to receive the kind of services they need. Dr. Fred McGinnis, Commissioner of Health and Welfare, testified ne~t, saying they believe this is the best version of thp bill yet (the one redrafted and presented today). They do feel that this legislation is of such importance that they would like to study it further. They believe the changes should be analyzed· very carefully. On page 2 Dr. McGinnis re~emphasized the view on "comprehensive planning for community services" and said the one year provision should be taken out as the grant should not be limited to one year. [Delete "and one time only" pg. 2, line 3J On page 3, line 20-22, Dr. McGinnis said that clarification was needed because while other departments may be involved, 47.40 addresses itself only to the Department of Health and Welfare and is quite limited. (_. On page 4, lines 26-29, Dr. McGinnis said they would recognize both a privilege and an obligation that will be very expensive. It is not a quick easy thing to provide local services. Dr. McGinnis felt the heed for coordination between the depart- ments and the Governor's office is very important. The office ----------------------- Page 271----------------------- -3- ( of planning should be involved also. They think it would strengthen the program. Mrs. Chance asked if this did not already exist as far as grants. Dr. McGinnis said in a great number of programs it does but not formally and not universally. It could be accomplished through regulations. Dwayne Carlson, President of Alaska State Foundation of Labor, AFL-CID, spoke next. He said he would want to go on record as supporting the bill. He thought also that the one-year provision on planning should be extended. Many of the areas that could have participated in revenue sharing last year, he said, did not and he had hopes that this would be corrected. Mr. Whittaker said he thought it would be good if we had a strong official position from RuraICAP. Mr. Carlson said there is a board meeting in Nome in May. Mrs. Chance said in the urban areas we felt they should be able to put up 25% but we did not want to make it restrictive to the villages. We would like to make it 90-10 there. She said there was some discussion over how flexible we should make it at the starting point. Mr. Swanson said their committee is working on a bill that relates ( to the area district proportions. He suggested using a copy of the map that is used for the local service roads. Mr. Whittaker said on page 3, sections (b), (c), and (d) should have separate numbers. He said planning is highly developed in places such as mental health. Many times planning has gone no further than just planning. We should assume that the ideas nad needs of the communities would change from year to year. He said he had not seen any planning that has not died after the master plan was presented and accepted. Mr. Harry Carter said the local council could be the grantee and contract with any other group to provide ther service. The organization of the local councils, purpose, amount of money available and the consideration of approval are all im- portant. He said he assumed the state-wide comprehensive health group would be the planning agency. Mrs. Chance asked if this would be placing the council in the position of a broker. Mr. McLaughlin said he did not know. Mr. Whittaker said bankruptcy is the only thing that brings us together to discuss our problems. Mr. Larry Sullivan, of the Office of Comprehensive Planning, was next to speak. He said their office reviews and comments on L various grant applications, among other things. It is an ad- visory committee, not a decision-making committee. He did not see now how he could fit into this picture as the planning committee. To develop a state health plan is very difficult. Their major task at this time should be to get all the agencies together and talk about priorities and see how we can dove-tail ----------------------- Page 272----------------------- -4- ( the programs. He said they have 25 members from as broad a representation as possible. One of the things they have over- looked is that when you are planning a constant re-evaluation is necessary_ After we get the small agencies established we could fund a regional, health planning agency. The meeting adjourned at 3:05 p.m. Diana E. Hubbard, Secretary ----------------------- Page 273----------------------- April 1, 1971 ( Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 1:40 p.m. with members Moore, Colletta, Naughton and Specking present. The purpose of the meeting was to talk with Commissioner Mc- Ginnis prior to the confirmation of appointees. Dr. HcGinnis said the Department has 26% or all the state employees with more than 1,400 authorized positions. The budget is around $5 million. Dr. McGinnis studied pre-law and theology at private universities and colleges, plus summer work on higher education at Berkeley and Harvard. He came to Alaska 21 years ago. He was in Juneau for four yearR, during which time he was chaplain of ·the Senate for two different years. From 1953 to 1959 he was Administrative Director of Methodist programs in Alaska. Three years before 1959 he was on the planning committee of Ar1U and became acting president in 1959 and president in 1960 until he was' appointed Commissioner of Health and Welfare earlier this year. The Univer- sity has almost 2,000 students, both full-and part-time. Mrs. Chance asked if Dr. McGinnis anticipated emphasis on changing programs within the Division of Corrections. Dr. McGinnis said we should start changing from penal institutions to correctional institutions in reality as well as on paper. There are some areas he felt need attention, such as the fact that the alcoholic ( is treated as a law-breaker rather than as a medical problem. We must create alternatives to jail. We want to deal with the fami.ly as a uni t rather than as indi viduals. Dr. McGinnis said further he did not think Alaska has worked as well as it might in strengthening the probationary program. We lock people up who are not a threat to society. There are people who must be in detention facilities. There are some very creative ways this can be approached. Mrs. Chance asked if he had some plans for changes in welfare programs. Dr. McGinnis said welfare is really an unmanagable mess but he thought we are going to have to see what is happening nationally first. Welfare reform measures are being considered. He said it bothered him that we treat families as little. bits and pieces rather than as a unit. One thing he plans to do right away is take a good look at the food stamp program as it needs help in the administration and when it comes to looking at the whole parcel it is very bewildering. We cannot abolish the laws or throw out programs but we can revise the procedure and make it more humane. People are caught in traps they find it difficult to get out of. Regarding the native population, Dr. McGinnis said public opinion seems to be making too much of the Native Land Claims settlement. We must find some way to deal more realistically with just the basic needs of the people. Part of our problem may be just an attitude problem on our part. By July 1, 1972 we will have a national program that will help aid these people·. Mrs. Chance asked if the Department was giving a~y thought at this time as to how to work out the relationship between the ----------------------- Page 274----------------------- -2- ( state departments and the natives when the Native Land Claims is settled. Dr. McGinnis said they are thinking about it but it is very difficult because of the many versions of the bill. They are concerned that the state continue its responsibilities. Mrs. Chance said there is growing concern on the needs of the family who is neither affluent enough to meet their needs nor can they qualify for assistance. Sh€ asked how to keep them from assuming the role of neglected. Dr. McGinnis said he wished he had the answer. He felt this is one of the great challenges to the nation and to the state. The one answer that has been proposed is that once the unemployable have been taken care of, theti no child should go to bed hungry. There should be some kind of a floor below which .people would never fall but there should be some incentive. The negative income tax may be a step. Mrs. Chance asked if Dr. McGinnis felt, because of his close relationship to AMU,there is a conflict of interest. Dr. Mc- Ginnis said he did not see how. Everybody goes from one job to another. There is little relationship between the Department of Health and Welfare and any private institution for higher education. (_ Mr. Specking asked if 12l:r. McGinnis foresaw any possibility for improvement of getting the welfare money to the recipient. Dr. McGinnis said he would hope so. Some improvements can be made there but there is an enorrnous involvement of federal programs. They are related to 70 or more different programs, some with federal stipulations. Much of the work is tied up with profes- sional people with case-loads twice that which is desirable. Mrs. Chance asked if there is anything now to have a study done on the Department to help stream-line it. Dr. McGinnis said he did not know of any plan right now to do this but it would probably be a good idea. ----------------------- Page 275----------------------- April 6, 1971 ( Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at the ungodly hour of 8:30 a.m. with members Moore, Specking and Whittaker present. 367 Mr. Van Haute explained that HE 367 is an act which would allow by permission the school district to continue the teacher retire- ment contributions if the teacher is on an educational leave of absence. There is nothing in the law that covers this so the Juneau school district asked for this piece of legislation. Mrs. Chance said she had some suggested language change which would say that the teacher would be pafng his own 7% and re- imbursing the district for its contribution. Mr. Whittaker said what would happen if we applied this to someone who goes out to get an advanced degree. Mr. Van Haute said he could make this same arrangement with the district. If he made $10,000 annually he would have to pay $1,200 for the retirement. This is aimed at one person, the head of the NEA Alaska. It can, however, be applied to others. Mr. Whittaker said he did not think he saw any problems with it. Mr. Specking said he was going to vote no recommendation. Mrs. Chance asked if the amendment should be included, saying this ties it down. Mr. Whittaker said he suspected this is the only thing any district would agree to anyway. ( Mr. Whittaker moved and asked unanimous consent that the amend~ ment be adopted. Without objection, it was so ordered. Mr. Whittaker moved and asked unanimous consent that HB 367 as amended pass out of the Committee with a do-pass r-commendation. Mr. Specking objected. Without further objection, it was so ordered. 224 Mr. Whittaker said we should keep this bill moving. He moved the Committee adopt the committee substitute. Without objection, it was so ordered. Mr. Whittaker moved and asked unanimous con- sent that the CS for HE 224 pass out of the Committee with a do- pass recommendation. Mr. Specking objected, saying he would vote no recommendation. Without further objection, it was so ordered. 223 Mr. Whittaker moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee adopt the committee substitute. Mr. Specking said he felt the provision for the parent or guardian receiving a copy of the case workers report should be left in. Without further objection, the Committee adopted the committee substitute. Mr. Whittaker moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee pass out CS for HB 223 with a do-pass recommendation. Mr. Specking said he woul vote do-pass with an amendment reading "parent or guardian respon- sible for the child" to receive a copy of the report. Without further objection, the bill was passed out of the Committee. Mr. ( Specking was assured that a copy of his suggest~d amendment and "\. the minutes of the meeting would accompany the bill when it was sent from the Committee. [All members of the Committee voted do- pass except Specking, who voted do-pass with amendment.] The meeting adjourned ----------------------- Page 276----------------------- ( , April 6, 1971 Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. with members Naughton, Moore, Moses, Colletta and Specking present. S SB 124 Mr. Moses moved and asked unanimous consent that the Com- mittee pass out CS SB 124 with a do-pass recommendation. With- out objection, it was so ordered. B 35 Mrs. Chance said we have a proposed committee substitute on HB 35. This CS would provide for project-by-project appropria- tions. This would allow the local governments to decide what kind of school they wanted and take it out of the hands of the state. It leaves full autonomy to the 19cal governments. Mr. Moses moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee adopt CS for HB 35. Without objection, it was so o~dered. Mr. Moses moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee pass out CS HB 35 with a do-pass recommendation. Without objection, it was so ordered. 'B 53 Mr. Naughton moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee pass out HB 53 with a do-pass recommendation. Without objection, it was so ordered. :B l( Mrs. Chance said she would suggest that we substitute SB 48 am ,B 4~-am as the CS·for HB 140. Mr~ Specking said increasing the council would require additional amounts of time and money. Mrs. Chance said they already have this number serving but they are not voting members. Mr. Naughton moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee adopt CS (SB 48 am) for HB 140. Mr. Specking objected for time to read the bill. After reading the bill, he said it appeared that we are changing the basic mandate and they are going to . be so loaded down with the broad plans that they cannot take care of what they are supposed to do. He said he was going to vote no recommendation. He withdrew his objection to adoption of the CS. Without further objection, the CS for HB 140 was adopted. Mr. Naughton moved and asked unanimous consent that CS for HB 140 be passed out of Committee with a do-pass recom- mendation. Mr. Specking objected, saying again he would vote no recommendation. Without further objection, it was so ordered. IB 125 Mrs. Chance explained the committee substitute which has not been drafted. Mr. Naughton moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee adopt as for HB 125. Without objection, it was so ordered. Mr. Naughton moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee pass out CS for HB 125 with a do- pass recommendation. Wi thout obj ect:ion, it was so. ordered. Mr. Naughton moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee adopt the CS ror HB 113. Without objection, it was so ordered. Mr. Naughton moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee pass out CS for HB 113 1'lith a do-pass recommendation. Without objection, it was EO ordered. ----------------------- Page 277----------------------- -2- Mr. Specking moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee pass out SCR 17 with a do-pass recommendation. Without objection it was so ordered. fR65 Mr. Naughton said he would like to amend HJR 65 so that the Bureau of the Budget in addition to the U.S. Congress would be requested to act on this. He saId that way there would be some coordination. Mrs. Chance said we could pass this out now as amended and then check for sure for the correct name of the Bureau of the Budget when we turn in the bill with the amendment. Mr. Specking said h~ thought the idea was good but that it might backfire. Mrs. Chance said tbat on page 2, line 2 this problem might be taken care of. Mr. Naughton decided to let the amendment go on the Bureau of the Budget. Mr. Moses moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee pass out HJR 65 with a do-pass recommendation. Without objection, it was so ordered. 3 330 Mrs. Crosby said that individual school board members are being sued for specific sums for actions taken by them while they were acting as board members. This bill, HB 330, would mean that the individual board members would be protected from such suits ( while they were acting in their official capacities without negligence. Mr. Specking moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee pass out HB 330 with a do-pass recommenda- tion. Without objection, it was so ordered. -IB 292 Mrs. Chance said. a fiscal n6t-ewas needed on HB 292 so it will be held for another day. -I5 4 Mr. Moses said the tax study made in December of 1968 recommends repealing of the·school tax. There are 19 states that have a h~gher tobacco tax than Alaska~ The taxes range from 8¢ to 12¢ per pack. Mr. Specking moved that the Committee table HB 4. Both Mr. Naughton and Mr. Moses objected. The motion failed. Mr. Moses said the tax study recommended taxing all tobaccos, not just cigarettes. Forty percent of the wholesale value would equal 8¢. Mrs. Chance asked if Mr. Moses would have a CS drafted and bring it back to the Committee. Mr. Naughton pointed out that they needed to find out if we alter the tobacco tax law if it changes the dedication of those funds (they are presently dedicated to school construction and maintenance). Mr. Moses said there has been a change in the law since it was written and it did not affect the dedication clause. Mrs. Chance asked if the commi tteewould want to introduce a· resolution she had had drafted requesting the state to study social insurance. Mr. Specking said he would not want to ----------------------- Page 278----------------------- -3- ( recomnend that they make such a study. Mrs. Chance said they are almlng at the middle class in this resolution. These people who cannot qualify for welfare and who cannot afford care are those they are interested in. Mr. Moses asked who would pay for the insurance. Mrs. Chance said this would be part of the study. t·1r. Specking said he thoughti t would cost a lot of money to make this study. Mrs. Chance pointed out that if they do not have the money they will not make the study. Mr. Naughton said he would co-sponsor the resolution. B 276 Mr. Naughton said he would like more time to study the proposed CS for HB 276. Mrs. Chance said we would try to bring this and HB 4 up at the next meeting. The meeting adjourned at 3:05 p.m. (~- ----------------------- Page 279----------------------- April 9, 1971 Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 2:40 p.m. following the showing of the NET Journal film,"The Battered Child." Present were members Whittaker, Naughton and Colletta. B 292 Mr. Naughton moved and asked unanimous consent that the Com- mittee pass out HB 292 with a do-pass recommendation. Mr. Colletta asked if this will jeopardize HB 224. Mr. Whittaker said no, it will help 224~ He thought it is a basic rehabili- tation unit for any community that work can be done around. Without objection, the Committee passed out HB 292. B164 Mrs. Chance said this is the bill which would allow the prin- cipals to negotiate separately from the teachers groups if they so choose. There has been a suggestion that we add an amendment relating to grievances. The Committe~ decided to defer action on this until later in the meeting while eopies were being made of the proposed amendment. B 276 Mrs. Chance said the proposed committee substitute separates revenue sharing from the construction grant. Mr. Whittaker said we could raise this to $6,000 per facility. Mr. Naughton said that whatever figure it was it would still be 25% of the total. Mr. Whittaker moved and asked unanimous consent that we adopt ( CS for HB 276. Without objection, it was so ordered. Mr. Whittaker moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee pass out CS for HB 276 with a do-pass recommendation. Without objection, it was so ordered. :B 164 Mr. Naughton moved and asked unanimous consent that the Com- mittee adopt the proposed committee substitute for SB 164. Mr. Whittaker objected. Mrs. Crosby said the school boards have no objection to separate negotiations, but would prefer it weren't in the bill. Her objection would be to tying in this grievance procedure. This has a very definite bearing on the school boards. They would like to see this grievance procedure bit held until next year so they can discuss it further. Mr. Van Haute said a grievance procedure should be provided by each district. The purpose of this amendment is to spell it out. Mr. Whittaker asked what about saying that the school boards shall provide for grievance procedure. Mr. Van Haute said they need to have clari~ fication of some of these things. Mr. vlhi tt-aker wi thdrewhis obj ection . Without further obj ection, the Committee adopted the CS. Mr. Naughton moved the Committee pass out SB 164 with a unanimous do-pass recommendation. Without objection, it was so ordered. IB 356 Mrs. Chance explained that we had passed a resolution dealing / with the Wickersham collection of Alaska information, but had ,,-- failed to pass out the appropriation for same, HB 356. Mr. Wh~ttaker moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee pass out HB 356 with a do-pass recommendation. Without objection, it was 50 ordered. ----------------------- Page 280----------------------- April 12, 1971 ,( Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m. with all members present~ S SB 73 Dr. Frank Paul from the Division of Health, Department of Health and Welfare, testified on CS SB 73. Dr. Paul said over the past several years the physici~ns have felt ill at ease with the pre-marital exam. At first the law . stated that a physical exam would be required in addition to a blood test. The certificate stated that the individual tested was definitely free of venereal disease. This was not a true statement in some cases as some of the exams were not given and the physician sometimes could not state for certain that the person was not infected because it could have been in a primary st~ge of development. They have requested a change in the law. The ASMA and CHAC this winter requested that certain changes be made in the law. These changes are: (1) Section 1 states that there is the removal of the physical examination requirement. T;he physician simply states he has done the required tests and dis- cussed the results with the patient. (2) Osteopaths are brought in. (3) Steps are taken to broaden the base of the tests. Dr. Paul said we are on the brink of obtaining a test for gonorrhea. Instead of spelling out the requirement. for a test for syphillis, they allow for other diseases. Finally, instead of stating what ( tests would be required, they ask that the Department be granted the authority to change the required tests. This would prevent having to continually ask for a change in the law if a disease became more prevalent or became obsolete. Sections 2 through 7 bring the balance of the law into accord with the above-men- tioned changes. ~ection 8 is in reference to the examination of persons in custody. Mr. Whittaker said he thought we are making a mistake by referring to osteopaths. He was a little bit concerned that physicians have been giving only the standard test for syphillis instead of the full range of tests. Dr. Paul said the Department will be able to make the regulations. This way they can stay current with developments. Mr. Whittaker asked what a heritable disease is. Dr. Paul said this wculd be mental defects or mental retar- dation. Mrs. Chance a.sked if the term "abnormal test H was a cor- rect term. Dr. Paul said negative and positive are very clear- cut and cannot be accurately applied to the new tests where any- thing beyond a certain range in the new tests would be considered an "abnormal test." Mr. Whittaker asked how a disease was deter- mined to be hereditary. Dr. Paul said they are preparing for the future. They can do some of this type of testing now by dOing chromosome counts (carotyping). Mr. Whittaker asked how this is related to the family doctor who might not do a test with the same intent as that of the Department. Dr. Paul said the purpose is to make both partners aware of the problem. They arc still looking into the future and we will be able to pin the requirements down more. Mrs. Chance asked if the state would refuse to issue the marriage license if there is a disease. ----------------------- Page 281----------------------- -2- / , Dr. Paul said the person will be brought under treatment and will be counselled. There is no way they can stop the marriage~ The physicians 'first stand was to recommend that the tests be abandoned. Now, with the break-throughs, they want this bill. Mrs. Crosby asked a question: Does this do anything to the reciprocity between states? Dr. Paul said they did send out a letter of inquiry to all states. Ala&ka's lab results,would be accepted in other states. In states where physical exams are required, the individual would have to take the physical exam in addition to the blood test administered in Alaska. ,Mr. Whittaker moved and asked unanimous consent that the Com- mittee pass out CS SB 73 am w~th a do-pass recommendation. Mr. Specking voted no recommendation. Without further objection, the bill passed. CR 38 Mr. Whittaker suggested amending out the names of the insurance companies mentioned near the end of the bill and putting in wording to the effect that the state's actuary would work on the study. Mrs. Chance said that would be fine with her and that she would contact the Department of Administration on the appropriate language. Mr. Whittaker moved the amendment. Mrs. Chance noted no objection, so the amendment was adopted. Mr. Naughton moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee ( pass out HCR 38 as amended with a do-pass recommendation. With- out objection, it was so ordered. CS HE 4 Mr. Moses said the Revenue Department - estimated that 20% raise in the tobacco would raise $162,535.00. He said the latest figures showed 10 states with a lower tax rate than Alaska has now, 34 states with a higher tax rate, 22 states have a tax 'D on all tobacco products. A rise of 40% in the tobacco tax would rl come out a little bit above 8¢ a pack. It would raise about ~ $300,000. The tax would have to go to 50% to cover the o • ;;:0 o repeal of the school tax entirely. This would raise the tax ~o on a pack of cigarettes 10¢. It is not as easy to control the o 0'\ If\0 importation of tobacco products as it is to control the impor- o rl(\J tation of cigarettes. This does not affect the tobacco tax going m 0'\ into the school fund. Five cents a pack now goes into it. ~rl O-W- .r! .p.p Mrs. Chance felt we should amend the bill to read 50%. She asked .r! ~ if the committee substitute amended to read 50% should be adopted. 'DO 'D.o Mr. Moses moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee rom adopt the'committeesubstitute as amended. Mr. Colletta objected, <1>tH saying that it seemed more logical to raise the liquor tax. With- ...c:o .p <1> out further objection, the cs as amended was adopted. Mr. Moses 'D~ moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee pass out .r! ~ CS HB 4 as amended with a do-pass recommendation. Mr. Colletta ro<1> to ::? again objected, but, without further objection, the Committee tI2 'L, passed out the bill. (J) wm o The meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m. ' p _ ~<1> w .' 'rl . [JO/l1a. 6. t%i!tu?~l H ro ~H Diana E. Hubbard, Secretary ----------------------- Page 282----------------------- AprillJ~, 1971 ( Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 1:40 p.m. with all members present except Mr. Colletta. 8 122 Mrs. Chance said the Department's fiscal note showed this bill would provide $7~8l7,OO~ for 653 recipierits for one year. If Medicaide comes in this would cut the cost by 50%. The Depart- ment supports Senate Bill No. 14. S SBIL~ Senator Josephson said the constitution says the equal protection clause is not lawful. The cost for the whole program would be less than $4 million. This bill allows higher payments than the Tillion bi11 (HB 122. There is also an attempt to give some relief on taxes and license fees. Mrs. Chance asked for Duncan to obtain the average median of old age age assistance--this information would be available from the Department. 3 68 Mrs. Chance asked if the Committee would like to pass out SB 68 in addition to the HB 113 which had already been passed out so that one or the other of the two bills would get through the en- tire legislature before adjournment. Mr. Naughton moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee adopt the CS for SB 68. With- out objection it was so ordered. Mr. Naughton moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee pass out CS for SB 68 with (- a do-pass recommendation. Without objection, it was so ordered. 3 122 Mr. Tillion came to testify on HB 122 as the prime sponsor. He said he did not think this should be administered by the Welfare Department. The basic idea was two-fold: (1) Encourage people to stay in Alaska after they reached retirement age regardless of financial income. This would serve as a cost of living dif- ferential and help the economy of the state because that money would be spent in Alaska. (2) Many old timers are being ground down as the average old age assistance is not adequate. We should not encourage the stopping of production. Less than 5% of the people over 65 are earning over $6,000 a year. Tax relief tends to put a heavy burden on the municipalities and helps mainly those in the cities. He said he would like to base this aid on need but it would be unconstitutional to do so if there is a residence requirement. Mr. Specking said Senator Josephson had said there were consti- tutional problems with HB 122. Mr. Tillion said there are if it is pointed towards need. He said you are going to loose about $400,000 of matching funds with welfare programs if this bill is adopted, but fewer people will need those programs. Mr. Specking asked if more money was going to the recipient on HB 122. Mr. Tillion said yes, much money is spent in the Welfare Department. This does not touch the old age assistance act. There are people who do not comply. He snid his bill does not require continuous Alaska residency. He said welfare would be cheaper because it would not get as much money to the people. ----------------------- Page 283----------------------- -2- ( Mr. Moses asked if this could be justified when we are not educating our children. Mr. Tillion said he was not doing this as an either/or matter. Mr. Moses asked how much will,this cost 10 or 20 years from now. Mr. Tillion said it will be nine years before there is any major change in the number of recipients. In 10 years there will be a 40% increase. As of last year there were 2,400 people eligible for such assistance and not all of them would probably apply. Mr. Moses was con- cerned that the military retirees would get this assistance. Mr. Tillion said they would not. Mr. Moses said he could see that the small percentage of money drawn in the bush would soon be outnumbered by the recipients ~n the city. Mr. Tillion pointed out that the birth rate in the bush is higher than anywhere in the western hemisphere, although infant mortality takes down the number of natives actually surviving. He said after the native reaches 40 he generally lives to be as old as the white man. He said this bill will help in the bush. He said one of the big~assets for this is that if you have $1 million in a fund that cannot be spent, that money can be invested. Mr. Specking pointed out that this bill provides for probably the only direct benefit that the people of Alaska are going to get from the oil money. ( The meeting adjoul-'ned at 3:10 p.m. ----------------------- Page 284----------------------- April 15, 1971 Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 1:45 p.m. with ( all members but Colletta present. 3 122 Mrs. Chance said the Committee had received word that the average old age assistance paid out for March was $136.14. If the payments for aid to the blind and disabled were averaged in, the figure was $150.57. This figure represents only cash assistance. Mr. Naughton moved and asked unanimous consent that the Com- mittee adopt CS for SB 14 .as the CS to HB 122. Mr. Whittaker and Mr. Specking objected. Mr. Whittaker requested that copies of his proposed CS be passed out. Mr. Whittaker asked if there were enough votes to adopt CS for SB 14 as the CS to HB 122. Mrs. Chance said she thought there were. Mr. Whittaker asked for the question. Both Mr ". Whi ttaker and Mr. Specking voted no on adopting the CS. All others voted yes. Mr. Naughton moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee pass out CS for HB 122 with individual recommendations. Mr. Moses and Mr. Specking objected. The recommendations were as follows: Mrs. Chance: do-pass; Mr. Naughton: no recommendation; Mr. Whittaker: do not pass unless amended; Mr. Specking: do not pass unless returned to the original HB 122; Mr. Moore: no recommendation; Mr. Moses: do no~ pass. Mrs. Chance said that she had received word that five of 17 ( temporary employees selling food stamps have been discharged. Three of the five were in one office in Anchorage. Discussion followed. Mr. Whittaker said when the Committee has raised serious questions about the operation of the Department and particularly the selling of food stamps, and they turn around and do this, he felt it bears investigating. The meeting adjourned at 2:05 p.m. Diana E. Hubbard, Secretary l ----------------------- Page 285----------------------- April 16, 1971 ( Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 2:10 p.m. with members Colletta, Moore, Naughton, and Specking present. 3 264 Mrs. Chance showed petitions favoring HB 264 and mentioned several telegrams that had been received, all in favor of the passage of the bill. Sh~ also said that the Local Govern- ment Committee, which has had HB 264, recommended that it be referred to Finance. Mrs. Chance asked if the Committee would also be in favor of such a recommendation. Mr. Colletta indi- cated he would. Mrs. Crosby said she trusted that the school boards were on record as feeling this is completely out of line~ Mrs. Chance assured her that they were. Mr. Moore moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee pass out HB 264 with a do-pass recommendation and a referral to the Finance Committee .. Mr. Specking objected to the do- pass recommendation. Mrs. Chance asked if the Committee would like it to have no recommendation. The consensus was that it should be individual recommendations with a referral to the Finance Committee. The motion was amended and the bill passed out without objection with individual recommendations: Chance, Moore: do pass; Specking, Colletta: do not pass; Naughton: no recommendation. 3 17R Mr. Specking, referring to HB 178, said he disagreed with putting .( the Commissioner of Commerce on over 30 boards. Mrs. Chance said the purpose of having all these licensing and registration boards in the Department of Commerce is to keep them uniform. Mre Colletta asked if Dr. McGinnis has charge of the sanitarians now. Mrs. Chance said that their problem is that there is no way to establish qualifications for sanitarians. Mr. Colletta said that the federal government already has and the state will soon, request to be excluded from having to hire licensed people. Mrs. Chance asked if the Committee wanted to act on this bill. Mr. Naughton suggested that we wait to take action on it until later. Mr. Colletta suggested getting the Commissioner. of Health and Welfare to speak to the Committee on this matter. 3 415 Mrs. Chance explained that HB 415 raises the amount of money that each student can receive for each academic year from $750 to $2,500. It allows the student to receive these loans up to 6 years. It eliminates all grant provisions and eliminates all the forgiveness provisions. It also expands the loans to include vocational-technical schools. Th~s does not take care of the current situation at AMU. There is a question on the constitutionality of the cont~actual agreements authorization that was passed last session and which HB 52 funds. Mrs. Chance asked if the Committee wanted provisions in the bill so that a grant can be(made and do they want to allow the student the bene- fit of forgiveness provisions while he is giving the state the benefit of his education. Mr. Colletta said he would not agree with either of the questions. Mrs. Chance explained that when a student graduates from college he is not earning his greatest potential and, with the high cost of living in Alaska, he might not come back unless .some form of incentive were added, like the ----------------------- Page 286----------------------- -2- ( forgiveness provision. Mr. Naughton said he did not think the student were going to return because the money was loaned to them by Alaska. Mr. Colletta said he had enough faith in people that if he loaned someone some money they would come and pay it back and live in Alaska at the same time. Mrs. Chance said that under the present system they would allow that student to be forgiven $750 a year if he is living and working in Alaska. She said that if the Committee were interested they could have a CS drafted that will change the amount up to $2,500 from $750 and change the length of the loan from 4 years to six years. She also pointed out that Sec. 11~.40.801 is discriminatory. There was discussion on this point, and the members decided to discuss the bill later. The meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m. Diana E. Hubbard, Secretary ----------------------- Page 287----------------------- Apr11 20, 1971 ( Chairman Chance called the meeting to brder at 9:00 a.m. with all members present. S SB 15 Mrs. Chance said we passed a bill just like SB 15 ~arlier in the session but that bill is still in Finance. Mr. Specking moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee pass out CS SB 15 with a do-pass recommendation. Without objection, it ~as so ordered (Specking, Whittaker, Colletta, Moore, Chance present). B 436 Mr. Moore said he had a telegram and a letter from Alakanuk and he was aware of the current situation there. Alakanuk is moving from one side of the river to the other side and some of the familie c lJavc: been forces to love because of the erosion of the bar~~. J..~hey have had three people dro\~;rn in the river. rrhe ri ver ~s over 1600 feet wide and 30 to 40 feet deep. In the spring it is dangerous to cross. The children would have to go across it to go to school because the village is relocating across the river from the school. In spring and fall it is dangerous to cross the river. The housing in Alakanuk is very poor. There is no timber for 90 to 100 miles up-river. A lot of the housing is drift logs. There are about 450 people in Alakanuk now. The first school they constructed was for a warehouse. There are l30 students expected next year. They are going to move the village to the other side of the river from the school. There ( are 27 new homes on the other side of the river. They were planning to move about four years ago but did not because of the school. Now some of the families have been forced to move because of erosion. The airport is located on the other side from the school. These new houses will be from ASHA programR. The students are all e1e- rrentary students. They expect 160 students in 1972; they have about 110 now. The only thing that is holding the village up from moving to the other side of the river is the lack of a school on the other side. When the new school is constructed~all the families will move. The tide goes into Alakanuk and is some- times 4 feet deepo There is water on the top of the ice right now because of the spring thaw. The cost of the school is high because of the gym. There are about 3,000 people in the area who could use the gym. Mr~ Specking asked if the Department has made any long-range plans for the Alakanuk area. Mr. Moore said he had spoken with the Department and they had indicated there were none. He said the two villages. of Alakanuk and Emonok will incorporate together Boon but they will remain in the same loeations. Mr. Moore moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee pass out HB 436 with a do-pass recommendation. Without objection, ~t was so ordered. All were present except Moses. B ZC' Mr. Whittaker said the municipalities have tried several times to develop an insurance pool to save themselves money. i1/~tJ< IVIr. Colletta asked about amending it to say that any of the local areas participating in this program would direct the savings back in the schools. Mr. Whittaker said he thought this would be done. ----------------------- Page 288----------------------- -2- ( l\1r. Specking asked if Mr. lvhittaker would .object to calling this a municipal insurance program so the state would be out of it entirely. Mr. Whittaker felt this would not be necessary. There was discussion over the money saved going into the school funds and Mr. Whittaker felt this was not of too great a concern at the present time. He moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee pass out HE 424 with a do-pass recommendation. Without object~on, it was so ordered. All were present except lVIoses. ~ 406 Mrs. Chance said HB 406 is designed to allow WIeHE to make arrange- ments for the placement or student in states that are not part of the WIeHE contract. It would not affect Alaska's agreement with the other states in the WICHE program. Mr. Whittaker moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee pass out HE 406 with a do-pass recommendation. Without objection, it was so ordered. All were present exoept Moses and Naughton. ~ 415 Mrs. Chance said that HB 415 makes the statutes relating to scholarship loans, grants and contractual services strictly a loan program. There is no provision for grants or forgive- ness of loans. Mr. Whittaker asked if this wipes out HE 52. Mrs. Chance said no, this does not become effective until July 1 unless there is a suit aginst HE 52 in which case this does take effect when the Alaska Higher Education Commission says it should. Mr. Colletta said we should change five to six years on repayment. Mr. Specking moved and asked unanimous consent that the Com- mi ttee pass out HE 415 wi th a do--pass re"c'ommendation. Mr. Whittaker objected, saying we need to change it from five to six years on repayment and extend the extension for hard- ship cases. The question was called for and the motion failed. In favor were Specking and Colletta; opposed were Whittaker, Chance and Moore. Mr~ Whittaker moved and asked unanimous consent that the Com- mittee amend HB 415: line 17, page 2, change five to six; line 18, page 2, change two to five; add the forgiveness pro- visions that are currently in the law, and pass it out of Com- mittee with a do-pass recommendation. In favor were Chance, Whittaker, and Moore. Opposed were Specking and Colletta. Mb. Specking and Mr. Colletta voted do not pass as amended; Mrs.Chance voted do pass if amended further; Mr. Whittaker and .Mr. Moore voted do pass. The meeting adjourned at 10:10 a.m. j l tary ----------------------- Page 289----------------------- April 23, 1971 Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 2:45 p.m. with ( all memebers pre~ent . .426 A group of students in Anchorage got together to form what was essentially a hotel. They were going to charge $5 a night and call the organization a youth hostel'. This is contrary to youth hostel regulation. Mr. Whittaker asked how youth hostels are financed. He was told that capital expenses are contributed and operating expenses take care of themselves. The youth hostel in Juneau last year served over 400 persons, 76 of whom were tourists. It is affiliated with the interna- tional organization. One of the requirements for affiliation is that the houseparents meet the standards of local governing board. American Youth Hostels, Inc. and European Youth Hostels are related by an annual meeting with representatives from both organizations attending, plus the pass which a person buy~ for use in the hostels is good both in European hostels and American hostels. This makes it an international program. Mr~ Colletta indicated that the problem seemed to be the use of the words "youth hostel." He feared giving American Youth Hostels, (, Inc. a monompoly in providing this service. He suggested that rather than legislate this problem the Alaskan youth hostels could incorporate with the Department of Commerce. Mr. Whittaker said he intended to make a motion to remove the penalty provision. Rev. Shaffer, who was testifying on this bill, said there were 47 countries involved in this program. Mr. Specking indicated that he did .not object to the bill but did not feel it would accomplish the intent. The Committee decided to delay consideration. ~ 233 SB 233 is identical to HB 406. Mr. Naughton moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee pass out SB 233 with a do pass recommendation. Without objection, it was so ordered. ~ 226 The situation as it is now could preclude outside experts being called as court witnesses in Alaskan courts~ Mr. Whittaker gave as an example the court case going on presently where John Larson, a pathologist, could have been enjoined from testifying. He moved and asked unanimous consent that the Com- mittee pass out SB 226 with a 'do-pass recommendation. Without objection, it was so ordered. The meeting adjourned at 3:35 Diana E. Hubbard, Secretary ----------------------- Page 290----------------------- \ ) r..Aft:030 ~1971 Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. with all members present except Colletta. 42 Mr. Naughton moved arid asked unanim6us consent that the Com- mittee adopt HWE CSfor CSfor SB 42 and pass it out with a do-pass recommendation. Mr. Specking-objected, stating that he would sign the report no recommendation. Without further objection, the HWE CS was adopted and passed out. { 17 Mr. Specking mov:ed and.· asked unanimous consent that the Com- mittee pass out HCR 17 with a do-pass recommendation. Without objection, it was so ordered. The meeting adJourned at llilO a.m. ,( ) Dlana E. Hub~ecretary as dictated by Mrs. Chance ----------------------- Page 291----------------------- May 1, 1971 Chairman Chance called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m. with all members present. SB 201 Mr. Specking said he is against un-needed costs and he thought this bill, SB 201 is not going to serve any purpose. Mrs. Chance said she did not like the present name of the Depart- ment because it separates health from the other services and they are all inter-related. Names were suggested, such as Human Services and Human Resources. Mr. Whittaker moved the Committee amend SB 201 to read Depart- ment of Human Services. Mr. Specking objected. All were in favor of the amendment except Specking and Colletta. Mr. Whit- taker moved and asked'1unanimous consent that the Committee pass out SB 201 am HWE Committee with a do-pass recommendation. All were in favor of passing out the bill except 'Specking and Colletta. SB 201 was amended by the Committee and passed out. "Mrs. Chance read a letter from Margaret Wolfe asking for help for more money in the budget for welfare. She also said the Committee should begin working to influence the members of the freecon~erence committee bn the budget to let~ money be appropriated for welfare programs and the Division of Cor- rections which is also scheduled for a major cut-back. Dis- cussion followed on the best ways to accomplish this. The meeting adjourned at 11:50 a.m. ~ct:u~ Diana E. Hubbard, Secretary .