Every issue of
Alaska Health Policy Review published during the legislative session will include a list of new health and/or health policy-related bills and resolutions introduced during the preceding week. Details for each new bill will include the bill number, short title, the name of the primary sponsor or sponsors (upper case letters), co-sponsors, cross sponsors (where applicable), and a brief description.
The information in today's issue of
Alaska Health Policy Review is current as of Thursday, February 27, 2014, at 1:00 PM.
HB 323 Licensing Radiologic Technologists
Sponsor: Rep. TUCK
Description: The bill requires licensing of occupations related to radiologic technology, radiation therapy, and nuclear medicine technology.
HB 324 Controlled Subst. Prescription Database
Sponsor: Rep. KELLER
Description: The bill allows third-party database providers to maintain the controlled substance database and to permit the submission of information by an employee of the pharmacist-in-charge regardless of whether the employee is a pharmacist or practitioner.
HB 328 Board/Licensing of Massage Therapists
Sponsors: Reps. NAGEAK, Tuck, Munoz
Description: The bill establishes a massage therapist board and licensing requirements.
HB 336 Alcohol Sales Near Schools/Church
Sponsor: Rep. TARR
Description: The bill extends to 400 feet the distance required between a school or church and establishments that sell alcohol.
HB 344 Invasive Aquatic Plant Species Control
Sponsor: Reps. OLSON, Chenault, Seaton
Description: The bill bars the import, sale, or release into the waters in Alaska of Elodea Canadensis (Canadian Waterweed or Pondweed).
HB 348 High-Risk Chemicals for Child Exposure
Sponsors: Reps. TARR, Kawasaki
Description: The bill directs the Department of Health & Social Services to identify chemicals of high concern to which children are at risk of exposure and to publish that list.
HB 355 Mental Health First Aid Training
Sponsor: Rep. TARR
Description: The bill establishes in the Department of Health & Social Services authorization to administer a Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training program to increase detection and appropriate response to mental illnesses and substance abuse issues.
HB 356 Advisory Committee on Wellness
Sponsor: Rep. SEATON
Description: The bill establishes an advisory committee on wellness to create incentives and methods to decrease the frequency and severity of disease among persons covered by a group health policy obtained through the Department of Administration.
HB 360 Regulation of Smoking
Sponsors: Reps. HOLMES, Olson, Millett, Edgmon, Higgins, P. Wilson, Gara
Description: The bill prohibits smoking in certain public locations in Alaska. Examples of such places are sports arenas, ferries, bus shelters, office buildings, and health care facilities.
HB 361 Licensing of Behavior Analysts
Sponsor: Rep. SADDLER
Description: The bill requires licensing of behavior analysts and sets forth licensing requirements.
HB 362 Synthetic Drugs
Sponsors: Reps. MILLETT, Tuck
Description: The bill prohibits the offer, display, marketing, advertising for sale, or sale of illicit synthetic drugs in Alaska.
HB 366 Involuntary Commitment
Sponsor: Rep. PRUITT
Description: The bill relates to reports of involuntary commitment.
HB 369 Immunity for Drug Related Offense
Sponsor: Rep. PRUITT
Description: The bill limits liability from criminal prosecution for a person who seeks medical assistance for a person experiencing a drug overdose.
HCR 19 Supporting Efforts of Recover Alaska
Sponsors: Rep. HERRON, Edgmon
Description: The resolution supports the efforts of Recover Alaska to reduce the effects of excessive alcohol consumption.
HCR 21 Child Abuse Prevention Month
Sponsos: Rep. TARR, Tuck
Description: The resolution proclaims April 2014 as Child Abuse Prevention Month.
HJR 29 Social Security Disability/SSI Appeals
Sponsor: Rep. HERRON
Description: The resolution supports the commitment of the Disability Law Center of Alaska to investigate and assess the integrity of the social security disability insurance and supplemental security income appeal process to insure that Alaskans with disabilities receive the benefits to which they are legally entitled.
SB 186 Controlled Substances Advisory Committee
Sponsors: Sen. DYSON, McGuire
Description: The bill requires the Controlled Substance Advisory Committee to meet at least twice a year.
SB 187 Child Welfare: Confidential Information
Sponsor: Sen. COGHILL
Description: The bill adds protections to minor children in contentious households and prohibits the publishing or distribution of audio or video recording of an interview of a child for a criminal or child protection investigation.
SB 188 Board/Licensing of Massage Therapists
Sponsor: Sen. EGAN, Ellis
Description: The bill establishes a Board of Massage Therapists and related licensure requirements.
SB 197 Naturally Occurring Asbestos
Sponsor: Sen. OLSON
Description: The bill extends the termination date to December 31, 2014 of the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities' interim project authorization regarding naturally occurring asbestos.
SB 198 Workers' Compensation Medical Fees
Sponsors: Sens. COGHILL, Giessel, Dyson
Description: The bill sets limits on the cost of medical treatment and services performed outside of Alaska.
SB 200 Wrongful Death of an Unborn Child
Sponsor: Sen. MCGUIRE
Description: The law allows a parent of an unborn child to bring action as plaintiff for the death of the child caused by a wrongful act or omission by another.
SB 204 Student Restraint, Seclusion, Psyc Drugs
Sponsor: Sen. COGHILL
Description: The bill requires that schools' restraint and seclusion policies be made available to students, parents, and the public.
SB 209 Regulation of Smoking
Sponsors: Sens. MICCICHE, Meyer, McGuire
Description: The bill prohibits smoking in certain public locations in Alaska. Examples of such places are sports arenas, ferries, bus shelters, office buildings, and health care facilities.
SJR 28 Vietnam Vets: Service-Related DiseasesSponsor: Sen. WIELECHOWSKI
Description: The resolution urges the U.S. Congress to pass S. 1602, the Toxic Exposure Research and Military Family Support Act of 2013.