topAlaska Health Policy Review
comprehensive, authoritative, nonpartisan

January 20, 2012 - Vol 6, Issue 2
In This Issue
Important Information about this Newsletter
Interview with Kimberly Stryker
Please Respect Our Copyright
Health Policy Calendar
Bill Watch: Bills on the Move
Bill Watch: Drugs
Bill Watch: Health Professional Workforce and Education
Bill Watch: Medical Assistance and Health Insurance
Bill Watch: Mental Health Issues
Bill Watch: State Boards and Issues
Bill Watch: Family Health Issues
Bill Watch: Worker's Compensation
Bill Watch: Public Safety
Bill Watch: General Health Policy
Bill Watch: Bill Tracking Methodology
AHPR Staff and Contributors
Subscribe Now to the Alaska Health Policy Review
Resources
CDC Food Safety Site

Alaska Restaurant Inspection Reports

Alaska Epidemiology Food Bulletins
From the Editor

Dear Reader,

 

Change is brewing at the Alaska Center for Public Policy, or perhaps I should say "change has brewed." Several months ago, in anticipation of transitioning into a geezer-friendly semi-retired lifestyle, I stepped down as executive director and eased into the newly created temporary position, director of programs. This move has allowed me to focus more on our policy projects and less on administration -- a direction in which I dearly want to go.

 

Our board of directors launched a search for a new executive director and, voila! Our new executive Director, Bob Lohr, started last week. "Who," you might ask, "is Bob Lohr?" In short he is a heck of a guy and, in my humble opinion, will take the Alaska Center for Public Policy to new heights. Here are a few highlights of his very formidable experience:

  • executive director at Rural Alaska Community Action Program, one of the largest non-profits in Alaska

  • director of the Alaska Division of Insurance

  • executive director, Alaska Public Utilities Commission

  • management systems officer for the Anchorage Municipality Office of Management and Budget

He is organized, compassionate, has vision, is very intelligent, has a sense of humor, and tells good stories. Who could ask for more? I think it will be great fun to work with Bob, so I intend to stick around ACPP for at least a few more months working part-time on transition issues and "special projects" (that means anything fun that he agrees to let me do). I also intend to tidy up my home office and put new little sticky bumpers on a few more of the kitchen cabinet doors.

 

Ah...the "golden years."

 

Lawrence D. Weiss PhD, MS   

Editor AHPR

[email protected] 

 

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Important Information about this Newsletter

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Interview With Kimberly Stryker, Part 2 

 

Kimberly Stryker is the manager of the Food Safety and Sanitation Program in the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. In Part 2 of this interview she discusses bake sale regulatory angst, body art and blood-borne pathogens, hazards of cooling foods, pending legislation of note, and other issues of interest. Part 1 of this interview was presented in the January 13, 2012 issue of AHPR. This interview was conducted on December 13, 2012, and has been edited for length and clarity.

 

TOPICSList of Selected Topics

 

Risk of Various Food Activities

Hair and Nail Shop Regulation   

Body Art Regulation  

Restaurant Inspection Jurisdiction 

Restaurant Inspections Per Year

Food Worker Cards 

Cases of Food Poisoning in Alaska 

Additional Resources Needed 

Legislation Affecting the Program 

 

RiskRisk of Various Food Activities  

 

AHPR: As a followup let me ask you a question about risk. It seems to me that on the face of it a more hazardous situation in terms of say, risk per customer, would be a situation where stuff is home-baked and it's completely unregulated or largely unregulated. It's set up outside the realm of a proper kitchen or refrigeration or whatever, and it's just sitting on tables in the open. Intuitively, it seems to me that the risk would be greater for some customer buying food there than it would be in a restaurant that's established, has trained staff and clean equipment in the backroom, and is inspected periodically.

 

Stryker: I think your point is a good one. What we're looking at -- sort of deregulating if you will, are things that don't require refrigeration for safety, or a time temperature, we call it. They couldn't be held out for four hours and then thrown out, or they don't need to be held at the right temperature. We didn't necessarily come to this point easily. It was a really tough decision but when people go into a restaurant, they fully expect that somebody is regulating that restaurant. When they see our permit on the wall, they expect that we're in there, and we're overseeing what's going on.

 

A lot of people have expressed angst, if you will, about having to meet regulations for what they consider to be very low risk activities -- baking cookies or muffins or something like that. We do allow schools to have bake sales, and PTAs and that kind of thing. We allow that without regulation as long as they don't go outside of the bake-sale arena, and that's what we're proposing -- is something similar, where it's very limited as to what we would allow to be processed in a home kitchen without regulation.  

 

We're also hoping that people will take advantage of approved kitchens. If your local church has an approved kitchen that they get a permit for from the municipality or from us, maybe you would use their kitchen instead of your home kitchen with the dogs and the cats and the kids. It's not a decision that we made lightly, but it's one that we felt was necessary because of our resources and our limited ability to really even get to our high risk establishments once a year.

Back to Selected Topics 

 

HAIRHair and Nail Shop Regulation 

 

AHPR: What kinds of public health hazards might hair and nails shops represent, and how do you regulate them?

 

Stryker: The hair and nails shops, we've kind of set out separately. They're basically such a low risk activity for us in terms of public health that we inspect them on a complaint only basis and that's very resource driven. Neither of those require a permit from us. They have licenses from Community and Economic Development, I believe, so we regulate them very minimally. We've set out the regulations, they're to follow the regulations, and that's the end of it. On the other hand, body art establishments we're statutorily required to inspect once a year and the hazards are much greater with blood-borne pathogens and that type of thing.

 

AHPR: I think that was my next question, tattoo and piercing shops.

 

Stryker: Yes.

 

AHPR: Is that what you mean? What do you call it?

 

Stryker: "Body art." We lump it together as body art, but you're right, it's tattooing and piercing.

 

AHPR: Okay, and blood-borne pathogens. How do you go about regulating those kinds of establishments?

 

Stryker: Well, again, we have a cooperative relationship with the licensing entities so the occupational licensing as well as the shop licensing takes place in that different department. But as part of their licensing requirements for the shop, they require that the operator can demonstrate that they have a "certificate of sanitary standards." It's not a permit, but it kind of is like one where we've gone in and done an inspection annually, and said this meets our minimum standards. Then they provide the certificate to get their license. That's how we regulate them, and of course we handle complaints and we go out and do investigations and we work with their investigator. If we get complaints that someone is operating in a shop that's not licensed or is a practitioner who's not licensed, the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers has their own investigator so we refer those complaints to them.

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BODYARTBody Art Regulation 

 

AHPR: I have to say body art is something I personally don't know much about. I have the impression that someone could go into a little kiosk in a mall, buy something and get pierced right there. First of all, is that true? And second of all, if it is, do you regulate them?

 

Stryker: That's not true. They could go into a mall and get their ears pierced, but that's going to be different from body piercing.

 

AHPR: Oh, I see.

 

Stryker: That is different and that has to take place in a shop that has a license to do that by a practitioner who has a license to do that activity. And that was something that, I believe it was 2001, is when the Legislature changed the law to require these types of things. The responsibility fell to our department and the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers to come up with this process. So it was quite a change, and like you I didn't know much about it, but I learned really quickly so that we could put the regulations together. And our regulations are based on a model from the National and Environmental Health Association. And they are admittedly probably a little out of date now because they've been in effect for about 10 years or so, but at the time they were pretty closely modeled after that.

 

AHPR: So in other words you're saying that with the proper licenses or certifications, somebody in a kiosk in a mall could pierce ears?

 

Stryker: Yes. Well, they don't have to have any sort of certifications or licenses to pierce ears unless they were using needles, but typically in those settings they are using guns.

 

AHPR: I don't know if you meant ears literally, but what about like a nose for example, a nostril?

 

Stryker: I meant ears literally.

 

AHPR: Ok, so they can't do noses.

 

Stryker: Or bellybuttons or your lips or anything else, or eyebrows.

Back to Selected Topics 

 

JurisdictionRestaurant Inspection Jurisdiction 

 

AHPR: We've talked tangentially about restaurants a number of times, and if you still have time I'd like to pursue restaurants in a little more detail because they're all over the place, and people like to eat. What restaurants is your program responsible for? In other words, is it the whole state? Is it the whole state minus Anchorage? What is your purview?

 

Stryker: We do the entire state minus Anchorage for restaurants. Also, the Municipality of Anchorage handles grocery stores within their area. We refer to those generally as "markets." Restaurants and markets can run the gamut. It can be a deli at Carrs, or a sushi bar at Carrs or Fred Myer, whatever. So the only time that we'll handle a restaurant in the Municipality of Anchorage is if they also do processing and then all the processors fall under our purview.

 

AHPR: So how many inspectors do you have to inspect all these restaurants statewide minus Anchorage?

 

Stryker: We have 39 staff in our entire program and of those, 25 are capable of doing inspections. Last year we had 4,623 retail food establishments statewide. So this is restaurants, markets, and general food processors. We have -- it varies from year to year -- between 700 and 800 seafood processors. The rest of our facilities are going to be your public facilities but typically they're going to be very low-risk.

 

AHPR: When you say, I think the word you use was "inspected" 4,623 establishments, does that mean that an inspector was actually on site?

 

Stryker: No. That 4,623 is the number of facilities, not the number that we inspected over the last  

year.

 

AHPR: Is this total facilities in the state?

 

Stryker: That's total food facilities. That does not include seafood facilities, seafood processors.

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InspectionRestaurant Inspections Per Year 

 

AHPR: It sounds like there are 25 people could do inspections. How many facilities did they inspect, say, in the last year or last period of time?

 

Stryker: Last fiscal year we inspected 36 percent of our retail food or food establishments, at least one time, and that was 1,684.

 

AHPR: Would I interpret that to mean the average food facility is inspected once every three years? Is that how I would look at that?

 

Stryker: Yes. That would probably be pretty fair. Last year we inspected only 44 percent of our highest risk establishments, and 38 percent of our medium. So again, we try to prioritize our work and it's based on the complexity of the menu and a lot of other different factors. We're getting into our high risk facilities less than half the time.

 

AHPR: Please discuss what makes a facility "high risk?"

 

Stryker: Sure. It can be things like they serve a highly susceptible population. These would be your hospitals -- places that serve immune-compromised individuals. It could mean that they have what we call a complex menu, so in other words they cook the food, they may cool the food, and then re-heat it the next day, and lot of people do that with soups and other types of food. Every time that food runs through what we call the "danger zone," it creates more risk that it might be done improperly.

 

We do it through our digital health department, which is our database. Our staff assign the risk as they're issuing the permit. After they've gone through the plan review for the facility and they're issuing the permit, then they go through and they kind of fill this in. They "x" yes, no, whatever, and it spits out for them what's high, medium, low.

 

AHPR: What are typical findings in terms of being out of compliance in restaurant inspections? Is there such a thing as "typical findings?"

 

Stryker: There are. We actually have done what we call a risk factor survey, and that is something that the FDA has also done on a nationwide basis where we go out and we look at certain things, very specific things. And we're in the process of doing that this year -- very specific risk factors -- and we determine whether they're in or out of compliance. We're not looking at everything. We're not looking at floors, walls, and ceilings -- we're looking at behaviors. But the number one thing that people are out of compliance with is cooling the food properly, and if it's not cooled properly then it can grow bacteria, which can be awfully dangerous. Unfortunately, a lot of the things that are out of compliance the most are the things that make people sick.

 

One thing that we know is really important but it's difficult to observe is employee health. If people are going to work when they're sick -- and there's very little incentive in the food industry for people to stay home, they don't get insurance or sick days, and they need to work -- they go into work even if they're not feeling well and that can be real problematic.

Back to Selected Topics    

 

CardsFood Worker Cards 

 

AHPR: My next question is a little bit off to the side, but what is a "food worker card?"

 

Stryker: That's a great question. Several years ago now, we talked with the Legislature and we explained to them that we believe that educated food workers are the key to food safety. That a lot of people -- they want to do the right thing, they certainly don't want to do the wrong thing, but sometimes they don't know what that is. They [the Legislature] gave us specific authority to be able to require that folks have some basic education in food safety. I think it was the end of 2006 when it went into effect, we started to enforce the requirements.

 

Folks who work with food or food contact surfaces are required to pass a 20-question exam. We knew that this could be a real challenge in Alaska because there are people all over the state who are food workers, even in places that aren't in one of our ten office locations. We worked with a contractor to develop some test preparation materials, and they're available in several different languages through our website. People can download them. If they have slow connections they can download them at a lower resolution or they can contact us and we'll send them a CD.

 

People can do this test preparation and then they take this 20-question exam. If they get a 70 percent or greater on it they get their food worker card. We issue it and it's good for three years -- it's $10. We've issued over 90,000 cards since the program rolled out. Now that includes people who've renewed their cards because three years has obviously come and gone. What we hope to see over the long term is a general increase in compliance because more people will know what's going on.

 

The food worker cards are something that marries well with the requirement that folks have a certified food protection manager. This is someone who's not just taking a 20-question exam. They've gone through a course usually and they've passed a much more comprehensive exam. They're usually the people who are in charge, that can identify when something's out of control, and they can correct it right away.

 

AHPR: Is the food worker card required?

 

Stryker: It is required if folks are working with food or food contact surfaces, so it can be your dishwashers or your servers.

 

AHPR: Is this offered in different languages?


Stryker: It is. It's offered in several different languages. I used to know the number right off the top of my head. I think it's seven -- but Russian, Spanish, a variety of different languages -- and the test preparation as well as the test.

Back to Selected Topics   

 

PoinsoingCases of Food Poisoning in Alaska 

 

AHPR: Do you know how many food poisonings there are in Alaska at some period of time resulting from eating in restaurants?


Stryker: I can refer you to the Section of Epidemiology. We work with them quite closely if there's a report of a food borne illness outbreak. We work on the environmental part of it. If it's a people thing they work with people. If it's a facility-related thing, we're working together. If someone reports that they are sick, they're doing the human specimens whereas we're going into the facility and we're working with the operators to look at different policies and procedures and practices and that type of thing. The numbers of reported food borne illness outbreaks are on the [Alaska Health and Social Services Epidemiology] website.

 

Estimates suggest that for every one person who reports a food borne illness there are likely 25 others who were sick but didn't report. The CDC just recently came out with updated statistics. They had more sophisticated statistical analysis that they had done and they estimate that 1 in 6 Americans each year becomes ill with food borne illness. And that 128,000 of those are hospitalized and 3,000 die. As you can imagine, that results in billions of dollars in health care cost and lost productivity. It's a pretty big deal.

 

AHPR: And sick people.

 

Stryker: And very sick people, miserable people.  

Back to Selected Topics 

 

resourcesAdditional Resources Needed 

 

AHPR: In terms of your program, what parts of it could use additional resources? And if you got them, how would they be used?

 

Stryker: I'm sure that every program feels like they need more resources to do their work. I know that from an historical perspective, I've gone back and looked at reports from when Alaska was a territory to Congress and we've always had the same problems. Because we are providing these direct services -- we don't have local governments who are providing them -- we're stretched pretty thin. So the number of inspection staff and number of facilities might not look that scary in a different jurisdiction where every facility is on the road system, but for us it's not. When you factor in weather and just general travel, the travel dollars are significant in this program. Because we do lots of different activities in our program, like for example our shellfish activities, those are quite expensive. To try to pass the actual costs on to industry would break industry, so we don't recoup the cost through our fees. Resources for travel are huge. We have had some increases in staffing over the last couple of years and we think that's wonderful, we appreciate it. It is difficult to recruit and retain employees.

 

AHPR: Why is that?

 

Stryker: Well, we don't have a school of environmental health in Alaska that puts out educated folks to apply for these jobs. It usually either requires us to grow our own, which takes time and a lot of training and resource, or it requires us to seek folks from outside of Alaska. And sometimes we've been wildly successful with that, and other times folks who might have had a dream to come up here, get up here and they decide it's not for them and they leave us. That hurts because it takes a long time to replace a person and go through the training again. So you know, we have some inherent challenges but I would say that the travel dollars mean a lot to us because it helps us to be able to get that face time with our operators, which we need, and they need to see us.

 

AHPR: Do you get recruits from the UAA Master of Public Health Program?

 

Stryker: We've had a couple who had been on our staff who had gone through that program, but typically not recruits from the program, but it would be nice to have a better partnership with the University.

Back to Selected Topics    

 

LegislationLegislation Affecting the Program 

 

AHPR: And finally the last question, which you can answer to your level of your comfort. Are there any policies or legislation that are currently enforced or is being considered that may affect your program?

 

Stryker: Well, there are two pieces of legislation that are returning from last year. One is House Bill 202, which deals which home produced or home processed foods, and the other is House Bill 191. That would create a Department of Agriculture, where we currently don't have a department. We have a Division of Agriculture that's focused on resource development.

 

AHPR: So can you explain a little bit more how those two bills -- what they have to do with public health or food safety or something?

 

Stryker: Well, the home produced or the home processed food bill, House Bill 202, would basically put in statute what we're trying to do in regulation to expand exemptions. So that's something that affects directly our program. And then of course, Department of [Agriculture] -- there was some concern from farmers in particular. We regulate produce after it's been processed but raw produce is not something that's regulated in this state and I think there may have been some concern about that. I don't know a lot about that bill, but that's what I know. There are some folks who feel like their interest would be better representative over Department of [Agriculture].

 

AHPR: My prepared questions are done so is there anything else you would like to say to the readers of Alaska Health Policy Review in closing?

 

Stryker: Well you know what? One thing a lot of people think is that we don't do inspections or that we stopped doing inspections. And I do want people to know that we are out there and we are doing inspections. We don't do as many as we'd like in spite of our best efforts but we know that that's a really important part of our program.

 

AHPR: Thank you very much for taking the time to do this interview and inform us about these important issues.

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Health Policy Calendar 


This calendar of health policy-related meetings is current as of January 19, 2012, at 9:00 AM. Please visit the Alaska State Legislature's committee schedule for the most current legislative information, as the schedule is subject to change.

 

Monday through Thursday, January 23 - 26, 2012

What: 29th Annual Health Summit "Communicate, Cooperate, Collaborate: A Call to Action"

Where: Hotel Captain Cook, Anchorage, Alaska
Other information: Visit the
summit website

 

Thursday, January 26, 2012, 1:00 PM

What: House Transportation Standing Committee

Where: Juneau, Capitol 17

Other Information: HB 255 Prohibit Dialing or Texting While Driving; Teleconferenced

 

Friday, January 27, 2012 1:30 PM

What: Senate Judiciary Standing Committee

Where: Juneau, Beltz 105 (TS Building)

Other Information: SB 140 Cathinone Bath Salts; Teleconferenced

 

Friday, January 27, 2012 3:15 PM

What: House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee

Where: Juneau, Barnes 124

Other Information: SB 92 Dentists/Dental Hygienists/Assistants; Teleconferenced

 

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Bill Watch: Bills on the Move

The Alaska House and Senate members have two opportunities to issue a list of bills for the start of the legislative agenda. Often, these bills (referred to as prefiles) focus on issues or bills that did not pass during the previous session (i.e. a second attempt), or are additions/appeals to previous legislative action. We reported the first set of health policy-related prefiles in the last issue of AHPR. The second set of health policy-related prefiles, released on January 13, are listed below. Also listed below are the bills as introduced after the start of the 27th Legislature, which opened on January 17. The information is current as of January 19, at 4:00 PM.

Six new health policy-related bills were prefiled on January 13, 2012. All of the bills were read for the first time this week and referred to various committees.

HB 259 Pharmacy Audits

HB 262 No Required Pat Downs/Scans for Access

HB 266 Practice of Naturopathy

HB 270 Warning of Airport Pat Downs/Scans

HB 275 Retiree Benefits: Colorectal/Drug Benefits

SB 151 Fetal Alcohol Spec. Disorder as Mitigator

Health policy-related bills introduced after the start of the legislative session, read for the first time this week, and referred to various committees include:

HB 122 Naturopaths

HB 253 Cathinone Bath Salts

 HB 255 Prohibit Dialing or Texting While Driving

HB 257 Crime Victims Compensation

HB 285 Approp: Mental Health Budget

HB 288 Med. Assistance Eligibility: Prisoners

SB 137 Awareness & Prevention Training

SB 140 Cathinone Bath Salts

SB 144 State Immunization Program

SB 155 Extending Certain Boards & Commissions

SB 162 Approp: Mental Health Budget

SB 166 Laboratory Science Professional Licensing

SCR 16 Celiac Disease Awareness Month

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Bill Watch: Drugs

HB 7 Synthetic Cannabinoids as Schedule II
Committees and date of last action: PASSED, Effective Date 7/1/11
Sponsors: Reps. Munoz, Herron, Kerttula, Gatto, Lynn, Pruitt, Millet, Costello, Fairclough, Johansen, Johnson, Petersen, Doogan, Tuck, P. Wilson, and Thompson
Description: CSHB 7 (JUD) amends section 1. AS 11.71.160(f) by adding language and including 10 synthetic cannabinoids as schedule IIIA controlled substances. SCS CSHB 7 (JUD) changes the title to: "An Act classifying certain substances as schedule IIIA controlled substances and relating to penalties for possession of those substances; and providing for an effective date."

HB 42 Prescription Drug Discounts
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) HSS, 01/18/11
Sponsor: Rep. Guttenberg
Description: This bill directs the Department of Health and Social Services to conduct a study of the feasibility of providing discounted prescription drug pricing to every person in the state who is not otherwise covered by a prescription drug plan. The Department of Health and Social Services shall, after conducting the study, prepare a report summarizing the study and submit the report to the legislature on or before January 1, 2012.

HB 43 Prescriptions and Generic Drugs
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) HSS, 01/18/11
Sponsor: Rep. Guttenberg
Description: This bill amends state statute that directs pharmacists to substitute generic drugs for brand name drugs except under specific circumstances, and directs the Department of Health and Social Services to approve and maintain a publicly available list of therapeutically equivalent drugs.

HB 44 Prescription Drug Program
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) HSS, 01/18/11
Sponsor: Rep. Guttenberg
Description: This bill adds a new section to the uncodified law of the State of Alaska that expands the state's role as a participant in the prescription drug marketplace, negotiating voluntary rebates from drug companies, and, subject to appropriation, using the rebates to make prescription drugs more affordable to the medical assistance program and to state residents.

HB 45 Drug Marketing Costs
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) HSS, 01/18/11
Sponsor: Rep. Guttenberg
Description: This bill adds a new section to the uncodified law of the State of Alaska that requires manufacturers or labelers of prescription drugs dispensed in this state, with some exceptions, to report marketing costs to the Department of Health and Social Services, and directs the department to provide a written report every two years to the attorney general and the legislature that analyzes the information submitted to the department during the two previous fiscal years.

HB 47 Clinical Trials of Drugs/Biol. Products
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) HSS, 01/18/11
Sponsor: Rep. Guttenberg
Description: The Department of Health and Social Services commissioner is directed to establish and maintain a comprehensive repository of information regarding all clinical trials conducted in the state, with some exemptions, including information about the results of clinical trials, regardless of outcome, for access by the public, based on standards established by regulation and information available from the National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, and from all other credible sources.

HB 50 Access to Licensed Premises
Committees and date of last action: Referred to (H) JUD, 04/05/11
Sponsor: Rep. Saddler
Description: This bill amends Alaska statute in regard to access by persons under 21 years of age to a club's licensed premises when alcoholic beverages are present.

HB 116 Correct Spelling of Lorazepam/Oxymorphone
Committees and date of last action: PASSED, EFFECTIVE DATE 4/23/11
Sponsor: Rules by request of legislative council
Description: An act correcting the spelling in Alaska statute of the word " lorazepam" and providing for an effective date. HB 116 am reads, "An Act making corrective amendments to the Alaska Statutes as recommended by the revisor of statutes by correcting the spellings of 'oxymorphone' and 'lorazepam' and providing an applicability section; and providing for an effective date."

HB 153 Controlled Substances
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) JUD and FIN, 02/11/11
Sponsors: Reps. Johansen and Lynn
Description: This bill would add Salvia divinorum and Salvinorin A (Divinorin A) to the list of Schedule IIA controlled substances.

HB 167 Controlled Substances/Dextromethorphan
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) JUD and FIN, 02/23/11
Sponsor: Rep. Johansen by request
Description: This bill restricts the sale of products containing dextromethorphan in Alaska and makes violations a class B misdemeanor.

HB 218 Prescription Drug Specialty Tiers
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time in the House and referred to (H) HSS and L&C, 03/31/11
Sponsor: Health and Social Services
Description: Full title: "An Act prohibiting an insurer from using a drug formulary system of specialty tiers under certain circumstances."

HB 253 Cathinone Bath Salts
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) JUD and FIN, 01/17/12
Sponsors: Representative Stoltze
Description: "An Act classifying certain substances as schedule IIA controlled substances; and providing for an effective date."

HB 259 Pharmacy Audits
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) L&C and FIN, 01/17/12
Sponsors: Reps. Munoz and P. Wilson
Description: This bill establishes procedures and guidelines for auditing pharmacy records; and provides for an effective date.

SB 17 Classifying MDPV & Others as Sched. IA
Committees and date of last action: Heard in (H) HSS and referred to (H) JUD, then FIN, 02/11/11
Sponsor: Sen. Meyer
Description: Description: AS 11.71.150(b) is amended to include 10 synthetic cannabinoids as schedule IIA controlled substances.

SB 140 Cathinone Bath Salts
Committees and date of last action: Prefile released, 01/06/12
Sponsors: Senators Meyer, Giessel, and Olson
Description: This is the companion to HB 253. "An Act classifying certain substances as schedule IIA controlled substances; and providing for an effective date."

SCR 8 Suspend Uniform Rules for HB 7
Committee and date of last action: Awaiting transmittal to the governor, 04/17/11
Sponsor: Judiciary
Description: Under Rule 54, Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, the provisions of Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, regarding changes to the title of a bill, are suspended in consideration of House Bill No. 7, relating to classifying certain substances as schedule IIIA controlled substances.

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Bill Watch: Health Professional Workforce and Education

HB 28 Occ. Licenses: Temporary/Fees/Pawnbrokers
Committees and date of last action: PASSED, EFFECTIVE DATE 6/27/11
Sponsors: Reps. Thomas and Herron
Description: "An Act relating to temporary courtesy licenses for certain nonresident professionals and to a temporary exemption from fees and other licensing requirements for active duty members of the armed forces; authorizing temporary licenses for pawnbrokers not currently licensed by a municipality; and providing for an effective date" and adds language that pertains to current nonmunicipal pawnbrokers.

HB 38 University Institutes of Law and Medicine
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) EDC & FIN, 01/18/11
Sponsor: Rep. Kawasaki
Description: Alaska statute is amended to allow the University of Alaska to establish institutes of medicine and law.

HB 78 Incentives for Certain Medical Providers
Committees and date of last action: Heard in (H) HSS, where CSHB 78 (HSS) was adopted, passed out of committee, and was referred to (H) FIN, 03/18/11
Sponsors: Reps. Herron, Feige, Millett, Tuck, and Edgmon

Description: "An Act relating to dental hygienists, dentists, dental assistants, dental hygiene, and dentistry."

 

HB 122 Naturopaths
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) L&C, HSS, and FIN, 01/26/11
Sponsors: Reps. Munoz and Kerttula
Description: Establishes an Alaska Naturopathic Medical Board; authorizes medical assistance program coverage of naturopathic services; amends the definition of "practice of medicine;" and provides an effective date.

HB 266 Practice of Naturopathy
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) L&C, 01/17/12
Sponsors: Reps. Munoz, Tuck, Thompson, and Kerttula
Description: The Alaska Division of Occupational Licensing, who oversees the naturopathic profession in Alaska, adopted regulations in 1994 that "prescription drugs" do not include a "device or herbal or homeopathic remedy or dietetic substances in a form that is not a controlled substance" with further clarification that "herbal remedies" include the extract of a plant, tree, root, moss, fungus or other natural substance. The Alaska DOL asked medical suppliers in Alaska and the Lower 48 not to sell anything that is restricted by the prescription (Rx) legend to Naturopathic Doctors in Alaska. HB 266 codifies the status quo.

SB 92 Dentists/Dental Hygienists/Assistants
Committees and date of last action: Passed the Senate and transmitted to House, 4/7/11; referred to (H) L&C, 4/8/11
Sponsor: Sens. French and Davis
Description: HB 152 establishes a grant fund for health care providers serving seniors 65 years of age or over. The grants would provide payments to those providers that see seniors in a cost effective manner and expand access to health care for this underserved population. Companion bill to HB 152. CSSB 92 (FIN) changes page 9, lines 16 and 17, which was a correction of the federal agency: "The United States Indian Health Service," lines 23 through 28 corrected the cites to the federal law, a new section 31 is added to page 16, language in the bill applies to both dental hygienists and dentists.

SCR 10 Suspend Uniform Rules for HB 28
Committees and date of last action: PASSED, LEGISLATIVE RESOLVE 12, EFFECTIVE DATE 7/19/11
Sponsor: Labor & Commerce
Description: In consideration of House Bill No. 28 relating to temporary courtesy licenses for certain nonresident professionals and to a temporary exemption from fees and other licensing requirements for active duty members of the armed forces, the provisions of Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, regarding changes to the title of a bill, are suspended.


Bill Watch: Medical Assistance and Health Insurance

HB 1 Policy for Securing Health Care Services
Committees and date of last action: Passed the House and transmitted to the Senate, 4/11/11; Referred to (S) HSS, 04/12/11
Sponsors: Reps. Gatto, Seaton, Miller, and Herron
Description: Alaska statute is amended to add a new section that it is the policy of the State of Alaska that a person has the right to choose or decline any mode of obtaining health care services without penalty or threat of penalty. CSHB 1 (HSS) adds language to the final sentence: however, liability for the cost of health care services is not a penalty.

HB 11 Colonoscopy: Pub. Employee Retirees
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) L&C and FIN, 01/18/11
Sponsors: Reps. Gara, Gruenberg, Tuck, Holmes, Thompson, Kerttula, and Lynn and Munoz
Description: Alaska statute is amended to include colonoscopy coverage for retired public employees and other who receive benefits under AS 14.25.110, AS 22.25, AS 39.35, or former 8 AS 39.37.

HB 29 Public Retiree Medical Benefits Coverage
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) L&C and FIN, 01/18/11
Sponsors: Reps. Millet and Lynn
Description: Alaska statute is amended by adding a new paragraph that reads, "Preventive health services benefits provided to a person receiving retiree medical benefits under AS 14.25, AS 22.25, or AS 39.35 may not be less than the preventive health services medical benefits provided to the active members of the respective system."

HB 79 Ins. Coverage: Autism Spectrum Disorder
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) HSS, 01/18/11
Sponsors: Reps. Petersen, Kawasaki, Gruenberg, Gara, Kertulla, Johansen, Munoz, Millett, and Holmes
Description: HB 79 requires insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorders, describes the method for establishing a covered treatment plan, defines the covered treatment for those disorders, and provides an effective date.

HB 152 Grants for Seniors' Medical Care
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) HSS, 02/11/11
Sponsors: Reps. Gara, Kawasaki
Description: HB 152 establishes a grant fund for health care providers serving seniors 65 years of age or over. The grants would provide payments to those providers that see seniors in a cost effective manner and expand access to health care for this underserved population. Companion bill to SB 87.

HB 164 Insurance: Health Care and Other
Committees and date of last action: PASSED, EFFECTIVE DATE 6/23/11
Sponsor: House Labor & Commerce
Description: This bill is a compilation of various provisions to make changes to the Insurance Code to enhance, update, and provide uniformity with national standards to improve the regulation of the insurance industry. CSHB 164 clarifies bill language.

HB 209 Insurance Coverage for Tobacco Cessation
Committees and dates of last action: Read for the first time in the House, then referred to (H) HSS and L&C, 03/25/11
Sponsors: Reps. Herron, Kerttula
Description: A health care insurer that offers, issues for delivery, delivers, or renews a health care insurance plan in the state shall provide coverage for a minimum of two courses of tobacco cessation treatment during each plan year.

HB 211 Eye Drop Prescription Refills
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time in the House and referred to (H) HSS and L&C, 03/29/11
Sponsors: Rep. P. Wilson
Description: From the sponsor statement: HB 211 would require insurance coverage for prescription eye drops by authorizing a refill or renewal even when it is requested prior to the expiration of the intended period of use, limited to the amount of the remaining dosage initially prescribed.

HB 227 Drug Pricing: Medical Assist. Recipients
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time in the House and referred to (H) HSS and FIN, 04/05/11
Sponsor: Rep. Herron
Description: "An Act relating to generic drug pricing for medical assistance recipients; and providing for an effective date."

HB 275 Retiree Benefits: Colorectal/Drug Benefits
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) L&C and FIN, 01/17/12
Sponsors: Reps. Lynn and Gara
Description: This bill requires that a policy of group health insurance offered by the state and certain local governments include coverage for colorectal screening, allow retirees to choose between brand-name and generic drug products, and limit certain prescription drug benefit payments to an amount based on the cost of the generic drug product.

HB 288 Med. Assistance Eligibility: Prisoners
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) HSS and FIN, 01/17/12
Sponsor: Rep. Keller
Description: "An Act prohibiting denial or withholding of medical assistance eligibility or coverage for a prisoner."

HJR 5 Const. Am: Health Care
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) HSS, JUD, and FIN, 01/18/11
Sponsor: Rep. Keller
Description: This resolution proposes amendment to the Constitution of the State of Alaska prohibiting passage of laws that interfere with direct payments for health care services and the right to purchase health care insurance from a privately owned company, and that compel a person to participate in a health care system.

SB 5 Medical Assistance Eligibility
Committees and date of last action: Referred to (S) RLS, 04/14/11
Sponsors: Sens. Davis, Ellis, French, and Wielechowski
Description: This bill amends Alaska statute to include specific optional groups of persons for whom the state may claim federal financial participation for medical assistance, and the state may require premiums or cost-sharing contributions from recipients eligible for benefits and whose household income is between 150 and 200 percent of the federal poverty line.

SB 70 Alaska Health Benefit Exchange
Committees and date of last action: Heard in (S) L&C where its replacement with CSSB 70 (FIN) was recommended, passed out of committee, and referred to (S) FIN, 03/23/11
Sponsors: Sens. French, Ellis, and Davis
Description: This bill would establish the Alaska Health Benefit Exchange, along with an effective date. This act is designed:                                                        
(1) to facilitate the purchase and sale of qualified health plans in the individual market in this state;                                                                                                  
(2) to establish a small business health options program exchange to assist qualified small employers in the state in enrolling employees in qualified health plans offered in the small group market;                                                                                            
(3) to provide consumer education and assist individuals with access to programs, credits, and cost-sharing reductions;                                                                        
(4) to reduce the number of uninsured Alaskans by creating an organized, transparent, and easy-to-navigate health insurance marketplace that offers a choice of high value health plans with low administrative costs for individuals and employers; and                                    
(5) that the Alaska Health Benefit Exchange Board recommend to the legislature and the Office of the Governor methods to keep premium costs low and risk pools strong in the health insurance market place.  
CSSB 70 (FIN) changes the makeup of the Alaska Health Benefit Exchange Board and other changes.

SB 74 Ins. Coverage: Autism Spectrum Disorder
Committees and date of last action: Referred to (S) RLS, 04/15/11
Sponsors: Sens. Ellis, French, and Wielechowski
Description: This bill requires insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorders, describes the method for establishing a covered treatment plan, defines the covered treatment for those disorders, and provides an effective date.

SB 81 Public Retiree Med. Benefits: Dependents
Committees and date of last action: Heard in (S) L&C, passed out of committee, and referred to (S) FIN, 03/16/11
Sponsors: Sens. Davis and Ellis
Description: This bill establishes a requirement that group life and health insurance benefits, in regard to dependents, may not be less than those benefits provided to active members.

SB 87 Grants for Seniors' Medical Care
Committees and date of last action: Passed in the Senate and transmitted to the House, 4/7/11; Referred to (H) L&C, 4/8/11
Sponsors: Sens. French, Ellis, and Davis
Description: SB 87 establishes a grant fund for health care providers serving seniors 65 years of age or over. The grants would provide payments to those providers that see seniors in a cost effective manner and expand access to health care for this underserved population. Companion bill to HB 152.

SB 118 Medicaid Reimbursement for Family Therapy
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time in the Senate and referred to (S) HSS, 04/01/11
Sponsor: Sen. Davis
Description: "An Act providing medical assistance reimbursement for the services of licensed marital and family therapists.


Bill Watch: Mental Health Issues

HB 109 Approp: Mental Health Budget
Committees and date of last action: PASSED, EFFECTIVE DATE 7/1/11
Sponsor: Rules by request of the governor
Description: This act, a companion bill to SB 48, appropriates $209 million to the state's integrated mental health programs for operating and capital expenses. CSHB 109 (FIN) amends funds for the Department of Education and Early Development, the Department of Health and Social Services divisions of Behavioral Health, Children's Services, Health Care Services, Juvenile Justice, Public Health, and Medicaid Services; and the Department of Natural Resources. SCS CSHB 109 (FIN)further amends the budget.

HB 285 Approp: Mental Health Budget
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) FIN with an accompanying letter from OMB and governor, 01/17/12
Sponsor: Rules by the request of the governor
Description: "An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date."

SB 48 Approp: Mental Health Budget
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (S) FIN, 01/19/11
Sponsor: Rules by request of the governor
Description: This Act appropriates $209 million to the state's integrated mental health programs for operating and capital expenses.

SB 52 Mental Health Care Insurance Benefit
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (S) FIN, L&C, and HSS, 01/19/11
Sponsor: Sen. Davis
Description: This bill would requires parity between health care coverage for mental health, alcoholism, and substance abuse benefits and other medical care benefits.

SB 55 Mental Health Patient Rights & Grievances
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (S) FIN and HSS, 01/19/11
Sponsor: Sen. Davis
Description: This bill would add the right of mental health patients to file a grievance under AS 47.30.855, and the right to a designated representative to assist in filing the grievance under AS 47.30.847.

SB 162 Approp: Mental Health Budget
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (S) FIN with an accompanying letter from OMB and governor, 01/17/12
Sponsor: Rules by the request of the governor
Description: "An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date."


Bill Watch: State Boards and Issues

HB 21 Suicide Prevention Council Members
Committees and date of last action: Heard in (H) HSS, passed out of committee, and was referred to (H) FIN, 03/16/11
Sponsors: Reps. Fairclough, Gardner, Johansen, Petersen, Kerttula, Tuck, Chenault, Saddler, and Herron
Description: This bill increases membership of the Statewide Suicide Prevention Council from 16 to 17 and creates an age requirement for the youth member. CSHB 21 further elaborates on requirements for military representative.

HB 46 Alaska Prescription Drug Task Force
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) HSS and FIN, 01/18/11
Sponsor: Rep. Guttenberg
Description: This bill adds a new section to the uncodified law of the State of Alaska that establishes the Alaska Prescription Drug Task Force in the Department of Health and Social Services.

HB 126 Board Extensions: Nurse/Dentist/Barbers
Committee and date of last action: VETOED BY THE GOVERNOR, 6/27/11
Sponsor: Rules by request of Legislative Budget and Audit
Description: Extends termination dates of certain boards, including the Board of Nursing and the Board of Dental Examiners, to June 30, 2019. CSHB 126 (FIN) eliminated the Regulatory Commission of Alaska and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board from the language in the bill.

HB 206 Extend Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
Committees and date of last action: CSHB 206(FIN) passed the House and was transmitted to the Senate where it was read for the first time and referred to (S) FIN, 04/11/11
Sponsor: Labor & Commerce
Description: HB 206 extends the life of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board until June 30, 2015; CSHB 206(FIN) changes the termination date to June 30, 2012.

HB 257 Crime Victims Compensation
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) STA and FIN, 01/17/12
Sponsor: Rep. Kerttula
Description: "An Act relating to time limitations on applications for compensation to victims of crime by the Violent Crimes Compensation Board."

SB 12 Extend Board of Nursing
Committees and date of last action: Heard in (S) HSS, fiscal note #1 was attached, and referred to (S) FIN, 02/04/11
Sponsor: Sen. Davis
Description: The bill amends Alaska statute to extend the Board of Nursing until June 30, 2019.

SB 59 Extend Board of Dental Examiners
Committees and date of last action: Heard in (S) L&C where its replacement with CSSB 59 (L&C) was recommended, Fiscal Note 1 was attached, then moved out of committee, and referred to (S) FIN on 02/02/11.
Sponsor: (S) L&C
Description: The bill extends "the termination date of the Board of Dental Examiners: and providing for an effective date."

SB 119 Athletic Trainer Licensing
Committees and date of last action: Referred to (S) FIN, 04/15/11
Sponsors: Sens. Meyer, McGuire, Ellis, and Menard
Description: "An Act relating to the licensing and regulation of athletic trainers."

SB 155 Extending Certain Boards & Commissions
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (S) L&C and FIN, 01/17/12
Sponsor: Rules by request of Leg Budget & Audit
Description: "An Act extending the termination dates of the Board of Nursing, the Board of Dental Examiners, the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers, the Big Game Commercial Services Board, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, and the Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety Commission; and providing for an effective date."

Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (S) L&C and FIN, 01/17/12
Sponsor: Sen. Davis
Description: "An Act relating to the licensing of medical laboratory science professionals; and providing for an effective date."

SCR 15 Suspend Uniform Rules for HB 126
Committees and date of last action: Awaiting transmittal to the governor, 04/19/11
Sponsor: Finance
Description: That under Rule 54, Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, the provisions of Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, regarding changes to the title of a bill, are suspended in consideration of House Bill No. 126, extending the termination dates of the Board of Nursing, the Board of Dental Examiners, and the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers.


Bill Watch: Family Health Issues

HB 15 Student Athlete Traumatic Brain Injuries
Committees and date of last action: PASSED, EFFECTIVE DATE 8/27/11
Sponsor: Reps. Doogan, Kerttula, Munoz, Gruenberg, and Johnson
Description: Uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended to add a new section that directs the governing body of a school district to consult with the Alaska School Activities Association to develop and publish guidelines and other information to educate coaches, student athletes, and parents of student athletes regarding the nature and risks of concussions and other traumatic brain injuries. CSHB 15 (EDC) changes the full title to "An Act relating to prevention and evaluation of and liability for concussions in student athletes," and adds a new section that requires schools to provide written information annually to parents or guardians about the nature and risks of concussion, and prohibits student participation in school athletic activities without a signed verification of receipt of that information by the parent or guardian.

HB 16 Extend Senior Benefits Payment Program
Committees and date of last action: PASSED, EFFECTIVE DATE 7/31/11
Sponsors: Reps. Hawker, Millett, Lynn, Gara, Tuck, Petersen, Herron, Kawasaki, Johnson, Holmes, Kerttula, Doogan, Joule, Seaton, Gruenberg, Olson, Munoz, Guttenberg, Miller, Gardner, Stoltze, Johansen, Edgmon, and Thomas; and Sens. Wielechowski, Meyer, Ellis, Paskvan, Egan, Davis, McGuire, Olson, Huggins, Wagoner, Giessel, Dyson, French, and Menard,
Description: Extends the Senior Benefits Payment Program to June 30, 2015.

HB 63 Flame Retardants and Toxic Chemicals
Committees and date of last action: Prefile released 1/7/11, read for the first time in the House, then referred to (H) L&C and FIN, 01/18/11
Sponsors: Reps. Holmes, Kawasaki, and Kerttual
Description: HB 63 will end the use of polybrominated fire retardants (PBDEs) in mattresses, upholstered furniture and the plastic housing of electronics in Alaska. In addition, it will give the Department of Environmental Conservation the authority to prohibit the use of other toxic flame retardants when safer alternatives exist. It will also allow the Department to participate with other states in learning about and sharing information on toxins.

HB 94 Student Athlete Traumatic Brain Injuries
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) EDC and HSS, 01/31/11
Sponsors: Reps. Johnson, Doogan, Millet, Munoz, and Kerttula
Description: Uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended to add a new section that directs the governing body of a school district to consult with the Alaska School Activities Association to develop and publish guidelines and other information to educate coaches, student athletes, and parents of student athletes regarding the nature and risks of concussions and other traumatic brain injuries.

HB 172 Banned Substances in Children's Products
Committee and date of last action: Read for the first time in the House and referred to (H) HSS and L&C
Sponsors: Reps. Kerttula and Kawasaki
Description: This bill prohibits the manufacture, sale, offer to sell, or otherwise commercially distribute goods and foods for children that contain bisphenol-A, and it sets a effective date of January 1, 2012.

HB 224 Sales of Nicotine Products to Minor
Committee and date of last action: Referred to (H)FIN, 04/14/11
Sponsor: Rep. Seaton
Description: Adds language throughout Section 1 AS 11.76.100(a) that prohibits selling or giving a product containing nicotine to a person under 19 years of age unless prescribed by a physician.

HCR 3 Senior Citizen Protections
Committees and date of last action: PASSED, LEGISLATIVE RESOLVE 14, EFFECTIVE DATE 7/19/11
Sponsors: Reps. Munoz, Herron, Millet, Kerttula, Lynn, Costello, Holmes, Fairclough, Gardner, Johansen, and Keller
Description: This resolution acknowledges that support and protection of older Alaskans is a societal responsibility, and it encourages and supports the efforts of programs in Alaska that work to improve the health and safety of older Alaskans. CSHCR 3 (HSS) adds language under BE IT RESOLVED (2) recognizes that family and community can provide an essential source of security and well-being for vulnerable older Alaskans; and (5) supports efforts by the Department of Health and Social Services to provide family services that enable independent living.

SB 3 Funding for School Meals
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time in the Senate and referred to (S) FIN; Reps. Kawasaki, Petersen, and Kerttula added their names as cross sponsors to the bill, 03/07/11
Sponsors: Sens. Wielechowski, Ellis, Davis, Egan, French, Kookesh, McGuire, Menard, Paskvan, Kawasaki, Petersen, Kerttula, Munoz, and Thomas
Description: This bill amends Alaska statute to add a new section that directs state funding to supplement the cost of lunch and breakfast provided to each student who is eligible for a free or reduced-price lunch under 42 U.S.C. 1771 - 1784.

SB 8 Student Questionnaires and Surveys
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time in the House and referred to (H) EDC and HSS, 04/04/11
Sponsor: Sen. Bettye Davis; cross sponsor: Rep. P. Wilson
Description: The purpose of this bill is to increase participation in the national biennial Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) in order to meet the minimum 60% participation required by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for the survey to be validated for assessment, recording and reporting of reliable results.

SB 22 Student Athlete Traumatic Brain Injuries
Committees and date of last action: Heard in (S) HSS, where its replacement with CSSB 22 (HSS) was recommended, passed out of committee, and referred to (S) FIN, 04/01/11
Sponsor: Sen. McGuire
Description: Uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended to add a new section that directs the governing body of a school district to consult with the Alaska School Activities Association to develop and publish guidelines and other information to educate coaches, student athletes, and parents of student athletes regarding the nature and risks of concussions and other traumatic brain injuries. CSSB 22 (HSS) changes the full title to "An Act relating to prevention and evaluation of and liability for concussions in student athletes," and adds a new section requires schools to provide written information annually to parents or guardians about the nature and risks of concussion, and prohibits student participation in school athletic activities without a signed verification of receipt of that information by the parent or guardian.

SB 137 Suicide Awareness & Prevention Training
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (S) EDC and FIN, 01/17/12
Sponsor: Senator Davis
Description: "An Act requiring suicide awareness and prevention training for certain school personnel."

SB 151 Fetal Alcohol Spec. Disorder as Mitigator
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (S) HSS and FIN, 01/17/12
Sponsor: Sen. Meyer
Description: "An Act relating to mitigation at sentencing in a criminal case for a defendant found by the court to have been affected by a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder."

SCR 12 Suspend Uniform Rules for HB 16
Committees and date of last action: Awaiting transmital to the governor, 04/16/11
Sponsor: Sen. Stedman
Description: Under Rule 54, Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, the provisions of Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, regarding changes to the title of a bill, are suspended in consideration of House Bill No. 16, extending senior benefits.  


Bill Watch: Worker's Compensation

HB 12 Workers' Compensation Advisory Council
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) L&C and FIN, 01/18/11
Sponsor: Rep. Olson
Description: This bill establishes a Workers' Compensation Advisory Council, describes the membership, and other particulars.

HB 13 Worker's Compensation: Medical Fees
Committees and date of last action: PASSED, EFFECTIVE DATE 9/29/11
Sponsors: Reps. Olson, Thomas, and T. Wilson
Description: Alaska statute is amended to adjust guidelines relating to fees and other charges for medical treatment or services connected with worker's compensation.

HB 232 Workers' Compensation for Firefighters
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time in the House and referred to the (H) L&C committee, 04/7/11
Sponsors: Reps. Stoltze and Millett
Description: "An Act amending the medical examination requirements for firefighters entitled to a presumption of compensability for a disability resulting from certain diseases."

SB 103 Workers' Compensation for Firefighters
Committees and date of last action: Referred to (S) FIN, 4/8/11
Sponsor: Judiciary
Description: SB 103 is, "An Act amending the medical examination requirements for firefighters entitled to a presumption of compensability for a disability resulting from certain diseases."

SB 116 Workers' Comp.: Coll Bargaining/Mediation
Committees and date of last action: Scheduled to be heard in (S)L&C, 01/19/12
Sponsor: Labor & Commerce
Description: "An Act offering mediation of disputed workers' compensation claims by a hearing officer or other classified employee of the division of workers' compensation and allowing collective bargaining agreements to supersede certain provisions of the Alaska Workers' Compensation Act; and providing for an effective date."


Bill Watch: Public Safety

HB 22 No Cell Phone Use When Driving
Committees and date of last action: Heard in (H) TRA where its replacement by CSHB 22 (TRA) was recommended and referred to (H) JUD, 03/09/11
Sponsors: Reps. Munoz and Gruenberg
Description: HB 22 amends state statute by prohibiting the use of cellular telephones while driving except in hands-free mode and in emergencies to take effect July 1, 2011. CSHB 22 amends HB 22 by defining "hands-free mode" and limiting the use of hands-free mode to drivers over 18 years of age.

HB 35 Ban Cell Phone Use When Driving
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) TRA, JUD, and FIN, 01/18/11
Sponsor: Rep. Doogan
Description: This bill amends Alaska statute to prohibit cellular phone use while driving, with exceptions for emergencies, to take effect July 1, 2011.

HB 57 Bicycle Program
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) TRA and FIN, 01/18/11
Sponsor: Rep. Seaton
Description: This bills amends Alaska statute to authorize municipalities and nonprofit groups in Alaska to apply for grant money for programs that promote safe ridership and directs the Department of Transportation to establish grant programs.

HB 68 Ban Cell Phone Use When Driving
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) TRA, JUD, and FIN, 01/18/11
Sponsor: Rep. Gruenberg
Description: This bill amends Alaska statute to prohibit cellular phone use while driving, with exceptions for hands-free configuration and emergencies to take effect July 1, 2011. It adds that a peace officer may not stop or detain a motor vehicle to determine compliance with (a) of this section, or issue a citation for a violation of (a) of this section, unless the peace officer has probable cause to stop or detain the motor vehicle other than for a violation of this section.

HB 95 Seat Belt Violation Secondary Offense
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) TRA and JUD, 01/18/11
Sponsors: Reps. Wilson, Gardner, and Stoltze
Description: Amends Section 1. AS 28.05.095(e) to read, "(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a peace officer may not stop or detain a motor vehicle to determine compliance with (a) of this section issue a citation for a violation of (a) of this section, unless the peace officer has probable cause to stop or detain the motor vehicle other than for a violation of (a) of this section," and repeals Sec. 2. AS 28.05.095(f).

HB 128 Ban Cell Phone Use By Minors When Driving
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) TRA and JUD, 01/28/11
Sponsor: Rep. Gardner
Description: Amends AS 28.35 by adding a new section that prohibits drivers under 18 years of age from using a cell phone while driving a motor vehicle. A peace officer is not authorized to stop or detain a motor vehicle to determine compliance with this provision unless the officer has probable cause to stop or detain the vehicle for reasons other than violation of provision. Effective date is July 1, 2011.

HB 149 Driver's Licensing; Medical Conditions
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) STA and JUD, 02/09/11
Sponsor: Rep. Fairclough
Description: Section 2 AS 28.15 is amended by adding a new section that reads: Sec. 28.15.156 Duty to disclose certain medical conditions; reports to department by physicians and other persons regarding persons with certain medical conditions.

HB 150 Protection of Vulnerable Adults/Minors
Committees and date of last action: Heard in (H) JUD where its replacement with CSHB 150 (JUD) was recommended, passed out of committee, and referred to (H) FIN, 03/21/11
Sponsor: Rules by request of the governor
Description: From Governor Parnell's letter, "Financial exploitation of the elderly and other vulnerable adults is agrowing problem. Victims of financial exploitation may not need a guardian, but may need assistance stopping immediate misuse or theft of their money. ... With a temporary conservator, the vulnerable victim retains autonomy while receiving assistance. The ex parte relief from fraud procedure is similar to the existing domestic violence protection law, providing a means for vulnerable adults to independently obtain straightforward, expedited relief from immediate financial exploitation." CSHB 150 (JUD) clarifies reporting requirements, provisions for the interests of minors, and other language.

HB 183 Application of Village Safe Water Act
Committees and date of last action: Heard in (H) CRA, where its replacement with CSHB 183(CRA) was recommeded and referred to (H) FIN, 04/06/11
Sponsor: Rep. Dick
Description: From the sponsor statement: House Bill 183 amends the definition of "village" under the Village Safe Water Act. Currently an unincorporated community, a second class city, or a first class city with not more than 600 residents is elegible to receive a grant under the Village Safe Water Program. House Bill 183 amends definition to include a home rule city with less than 600 redidents; CSHB 183(CRA) changes language to be more inclusive of eligible places of residence.

HB 191 Department of Agriculture and Food
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time in the House and referred to the (H) Special Committee on Economic Development, Trade, & Tourism, and the Resources and Finance Committees, 03/11/11
Sponsors: Reps. Thompson, Kerttula, Tuck, Lynn, Dick, Miller, Munoz, and T. Wilson
Description: HB 191 was introduced at the request of the state-wide Alaska Farm Bureau. HB 191 establishes a new state Department of Agriculture and Food with the intent of using the current Division of Agriculture's budget. Currently, statutes and regulations that govern food, food products, land sales, loans, land development, and animals are spread between the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). HB 191 is an effort to stream-line government by bringing agriculture and agricultural foods products under the purview of one department.

HB 195 Pesticides and Broadcast Chemicals
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time in the House and referred to (H) RES, 03/16/11
Sponsor: Rep. Feige
Description: From the sponsor statement: This bill repeals the authority of the Department of Environmental Conservation to regulate application on public lands or with public funds pesticides and broadcast chemicals in a manner different than it requires of commercial applicators working on private property. It will not change the safety or licensing requirements for the application of pesticides or broadcast chemicals.

Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) RES and L&C
Sponsors: Dick and T. Wilson
Description: "An Act relating to the sale of food products by the producer to the consumer."

HB 238 Chemicals in Children's Products
Committee and date of last action: Read for the first time in the House and referred to (H) L&C and JUD, 04/14/11
Sponsors: Reps. Kawasaki, Petersen, and Kerttula
Description: Full title: "An Act relating to chemicals in children's products; and adding an unlawful act to the Alaska Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act."

HB 255 Prohibit Dialing or Texting While Driving
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) TRA, JUD, and FIN, 01/17/12
Sponsors: Reps. Gara, Thomas, Gatto, P. Wilson, Gruenberg, Tuck, and Costello
Description: "An Act prohibiting the driver of a motor vehicle from reading or typing a text message or other nonvoice message or communication on a cellular telephone, computer, or personal data assistant while driving a motor vehicle."

HB 262 No Required Pat Downs/Scans for Access
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) JUD and FIN, 01/17/12
Sponsor: Rep. Cissna
Description: "An Act relating to the offense of interference with access to public buildings or transportation facilities, when a person conditions access to a public building or transportation facility on consent to certain physical contact or to an electronic process that produces a picture of the private exposure of the person."

HB 270 Warning of Airport Pat Downs/Scans
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) TRA and FIN, 01/17/12
Sponsors: Reps. Cissna, Gruenberg, and Tuck
Description: "An Act requiring the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to require airports to post warning signs outside of security screening areas warning passengers that they are subject to searches of their bodies by physical touching and by electronic devices that emit radiation."

HCR 6 Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Committees and date of last action: Transmitted to governor, 04/06/11
Sponsors: Costello, Fairclough, Kerttula, Munoz, Millett, Holmes, P.Wilson, Cissna, Gardner, T.Wilson, Austerman, Johansen, Johnson, Stoltze, Tuck, Herron, Olson, Lynn, Seaton, and Pruitt; Cross-sponsors: Sens. McGuire, Meyer, Stedman, Davis, Egan, Ellis, Paskvan, Menard, Thomas, Coghill, Olson, Dyson, Huggins, Wagoner, French, and Giessel
Description: In conjunction with the Governor's "Choose Respect" campaign and strides made in the past few years, the intention of HCR 6 is to continue public education and heighten awareness of the debilitating effects of sexual assualt on Alaskans of all ages and walks of life.

HJR 17 Water and Waste Water Regulation
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time in the Senate and referred to (S) CRA, 04/06/11
Sponsor: Community & Regional Affairs
Description: From the sponsor statement: This resolution urges Congress to bring forth legislation that would direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide consistent and reasonable standards in their regulation of drinking water and wastewater discharge in Alaska. CSHJR 17 (CRA) updates funding amounts and dates page 2 lines 16 and 18, and on page 2, line 31, following "emergency" insert "or to make the regulations less burdensome for communities."

SB 86 Protection of Vulnerable Adults/Minors
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (S) JUD and FIN along with fiscal notes and letter from governor, 02/09/11
Sponsor: Rules by request of the governor
Description: From Governor Parnell's letter, "Financial exploitation of the elderly and other vulnerable adults is a growing problem. Victims of financial exploitation may not need a guardian, but may need assistance stopping immediate misuse or theft of their money. ... With a temporary conservator, the vulnerable victim retains autonomy while receiving assistance. The ex parte relief from fraud procedure is similar to the existing domestic violence protection law, providing a means for vulnerable adults to independently obtain straightforward, expedited relief from immediate financial exploitation."

SB 96 Application of Village Safe Water Act
Committees and date of last action: Heard in (S) CRA, where its replacement with CSSB 96 (CRA) was recommended, passed out of committee, and referred to (S) FIN, 03/23/11
Sponsor: Sen. Kookesh
Description: This bill would add home rule language to AS 46.07.080 that would allow home rule cities with a population between 25 and 600 residents to be eligible for grants under the Village Safe Water Act. CSSB 96 (CRA) changes language to be more inclusive of eligible places of residence.

SB 147 Water and Sewer Task Force
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (S) CRA and FIN, 01/17/12
Sponsor: Sen. Kookesh
Description: This bill creates a Water and Sewer Task Force within the Alaska legislative branch.


General Health Policy

HB 61 Advance Health Care Directives Registry
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (H) HSS, JUD, and FIN, 01/28/11
Sponsors: Reps. Holmes and Millet
Description: This bill amends a previous statute by adding that a health care facility will not be subject to civil or criminal liability in the event that they act in reliance to an advance health care directive or fail to check an advance health care directive registry for a patient in their facility. In addition, the bill proposes the establishment of an advance health care directive registry within the Department of Health and Social Services, where individuals or their guardians can file advance health directives. This registry would be confidential and may not be used for another purpose.

HB 233 Biometric Information for ID
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time in the House and referred to (H) HSS and JUD, 04/08/11
Sponsors: Reps. Gardner, Neuman, Tuck, Dick, Kerttula, Keller, Gara, Millett, Kawasaki,  Petersen, and Cissna
Description: "An Act relating to biometric information."

HCR 1 Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
Committees and date of last action: Passed the Senate, signed by the speaker and chief clerk, president and secretary of the Senate, and the engrossed and enrolled copies were transmitted to the office of the governor, 04/09/11
Sponsors: Reps. Petersen, Herron, Millet, Kerttula, Costello, Holmes, Fairclough, Tuck, Johansen, Pruitt, and Thompson
Description: Proclaims November 2011 as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. CSHCR1(HSS) adds language to the bill: WHEREAS smoking, obesity, family history of the disease, and diabetes are the leading known risk factors for pancreatic cancer.

HCR 5 Vitamin D Supplements
Committees and date of last action: Heard in (H) HSS where its replacement with CSHCR 5 (HSS) was recommended, passed out of committee, and referred to (H) RLS, 03/16/11
Sponsors: Reps. Seaton, Millet, Gruenberg, and Tuck
Description: Recognizing the importance of Vitamin D to human health, the Alaska State Legislature requests of the governor the establishment of a disease prevention model of health care in Alaska; encourages DHSS and health care providers to increase attention and promote awareness of the importance of Vitamin D; urges DHSS to provide Vitamin D to the elderly, pregnant women, and infants; and to investigate the use of Vitamin D supplementation as a replacement for the flu vaccine.

SB 14 Object to Providing Health Care Services
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (S) JUD and HSS, 01/19/11
Sponsors: Sens. Dyson and Coghill
Description: This bill amends Alaska statute to include accommodation and protection for health care providers' expressions of conscience pertaining to the delivery of a health care service.

SB 27 Flame Retardants and Toxic Chemicals
Committees and date of last action: Heard in (H) HSS where it was replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 27(HSS) "An Act relating to flame retardants and to the manufacture, sale, and distribution of products containing flame retardants; relating to a multistate chemicals clearinghouse; and providing for an effective date" and it was referred to the Senate Finance Committee, 03/01/11
Sponsor: Sen. Wielechowski
Description: Amends Alaska statute to prohibit the manufacture, sale, or distribution of products containing certain toxic chemicals in Alaska.

SB 98 Biometric Information for ID
Committees and date of last action: Heard in (S) STA where its replacement with CSSB 98 (STA) was recommended, passed out of committee, and referred to (S) JUD, 03/18/11
Sponsors: Sens. Wielechowski, Coghill, Ellis, Menard, McGuire, Giessel, Egan, Paskvan, Dyson, Wagoner, and Thomas
Description: SB 98 updates Alaska statutes to protect not only Alaskans' DNA, but all similar forms of biometric information. The term "biometric information" refers to any information about an individual based on their unique behavioral or physiological characteristics. The most commonly known forms of biometric information are a person's fingerprints and their DNA, but also includes such information as iris and retinal patterns, hand geometry, voice patterns, and facial characteristics. CSSB 98 (STA) adds language under the exemptions and definitions section.

SB 127 Fetal Alcohol Disorders Awareness Day
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (S) HSS, 04/14/11
Sponsor: Sen. Meyer
Description: Establishes September 9 each year as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day.

SB 144 State Immunization Program
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (S) HSS and FIN, 01/17/12
Sponsors: Senators Giessel and Olson
Description: "An Act temporarily reinstating the child and adult immunization program in the Department of Health and Social Services; and providing for an effective date."

SCR 1 Lupus Awareness Month
Committees and date of last action: Read for the second time in the Senate and passed with unanimous consent, and transmitted to the House, 04/06/11
Sponsor: Sen. Davis
Description: Proclaims May 2011 as Lupus Awareness Month.

SCR 7 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Day
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time in the House and referred to (H) HSS, 04/05/11
Sponsors: Sens. Meyer, Hoffman, McGuire, Menard, Paskvan, Davis, Egan, Kookesh, French, Wagoner, Dyson, and Ellis; cross sponors: Reps. Lynn, Keller, and Pruitt
Description: Proclaims September 9, 2011 as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Day.

SCR 16 Celiac Disease Awareness Month
Committees and date of last action: Read for the first time and referred to (S) STA, 01/17/12
Sponsor: Sen. Geissel
Description: Proclaiming May 2012 to be Celiac Disease Awareness Month.


Bill Watch: Bill Tracking Methodology

Bills listed here were selected based on a series of subjective criteria to determine whether they were "health-policy related." All bills currently sitting in the Senate and House Health and Social Services committees were examined, and any that obviously dealt with non-health-related education or social services issues were eliminated. Every other House and Senate committee was then examined for health-related bills, which were included in the final list.
 
After determining the full set of health-related bills still in committee or pre-filed for the new session, they were divided into several general categories. This was done to facilitate finding bills that dealt with certain key health policy issues and to make overall navigation of the list easier. The remaining bills were categorized as "general" health policy-related because of the wide range of subjects they covered.
 
The information listed for each bill includes the bill number, the short title, the primary sponsor or sponsors, the committee in which the last action on the bill took place, and the date on which the last action on the bill took place. A short summary of each bill is also included.
 
Abbreviations have been used for committee names. The committee names and their abbreviations are:

(H) HSS: House Health and Social Services Committee
(S) HSS: Senate Health and Social Services Committee
(H) L&C: House Labor & Commerce Committee
(S) L&C: Senate Labor & Commerce Committee
(H) EDC: House Education Committee
(S) EDC: Senate Education Committee
(H) FIN: House Finance Committee
(S) FIN: Senate Finance Committee
(H) JUD: House Judiciary Committee
(S) JUD: Senate Judiciary Committee
(H) STA: House State Affairs Committee
(S) STA: Senate State Affairs Committee
(S) RLS: Senate Rules Committee
(H) CRA: House Community and Regional Affairs Committee
(S) CRA: Senate Community and Regional Affairs Committee
(H) TRA: House Transportation Committee
(S) TRA: Senate Transportation Committee
(H) RES: House Resources Committee
(S) RES: Senate Resources Committee

AHPR Staff and Contributors

Lawrence D. Weiss
PhD, MS, Editor
Peter Knape, Communications Associate
Kelby Murphy, Contributor
Jeri Kopet,
Transcriptionist
Jacqui Yeagle, Proofreader

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