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: Inhalants And Poisons Awareness Week
Passed Legislature! Leg. Resolve 5
Sponsored by
Requesting the Governor to declare March 16 - 22, 2003, to be Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week.
| House Concurrent Resolution 8 : Declares March 16 - 22, 2003, to be Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week. |
: Group Health Insurance For Private Groups
Passed Legislature! Await Transmit to Gov.
Sponsored by ,
An Act amending the definition of group health insurance, and allowing the Department of Administration to obtain a policy or policies of group health care insurance for employers that are small businesses, nonprofit organizations, special services organizations, or small associations for insurance purposes; and providing for an effective date.
Version: SCS CS HB10 (FIN)
Contact: John Bittner, 465-4930
Action: 05-08-04: Passed the Senate
House Bill 10 moved out of the Senate State Affairs Committee on Saturday. Sponsored by Rep. Cheryll Heinze (R-Anchorage) and Rep. Norman Rokeberg (R-Anchorage), HB 10 allows small businesses, nonprofit organizations, special services organizations, small associations, or self-employed individuals to create associations that can participate in group health insurance plans. These entities can then purchase health insurance coverage for their employees. HB 10 moves to the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee.
Amended to make date current.
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| House Bill 10 : Allows non-affiliated employers, including non-profit businesses and the self-employed, to be eligible for group health insurance, which allows employees to include dependent family members in their health insurance coverage. Now, a pool of non-affiliated employers can form an association to become eligible for group health coverage. |
: Health Care Services Directives
Passed Legislature! Await Transmit to Gov.
Sponsored by
An Act relating to health care decisions, including do not resuscitate orders and the donation of body parts, and to powers of attorney relating to health care, including the donation of body parts; and providing for an effective date.
Version: SCS HB 25 (JUD)
Contact: Linda Sylvester, 465-4963
Action: 05-02-04: Passed the Senate
HB 25 offers a comprehensive simplified alternative to the power of attorney enacted in Alaska in 1996 relating to health care services and directives for the terminally ill patient. Five simple directives request the patient's comprehensive details and instructions should they become incapacitated. These Five Wishes are: the person I want to make care decisions for me when I can't; the kind of medical treatment I want or don't want; how comfortable I want to be; how I want other people to treat me; and what I want my loved ones to know. Amended to provide guidelines for surrogate in DNR decisions and life sustaining procedures and refined DNR qualifications.
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[PDF - 18 Pages -
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| House Bill 25 : Offers a "comprehensive simplified" alternative to the power of attorney enacted in Alaska in 1996 relating to health care services and directives for the terminally ill patient. The legislation is comprehensive because it speaks to the details and instructions that patients put in place regarding their care should they become incapacitated. It is unique among all other living will and health agent forms because it looks to all of a patient’s needs: medical, personal, emotional and spiritual. |
: Labeling Of Prescribed Drugs
Passed Legislature! Await Transmit to Gov.
Sponsored by
An Act requiring pharmacists to include generic drug information on containers in which brand-name prescription drug orders are dispensed.
Version: CS HB 51 (HES)
Contact: Chris Knight, 465-6867
Action: 05-08-03: Passed the Senate
House Bill 51 moved out of the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee on Tuesday. Sponsored by Rep. Paul Seaton (R-Homer), HB 51 requires pharmacists to include the generic drug name on containers of a brand name drug. The requirement aims inform people of a brand name drug's generic name and prevent them from mistakenly overdosing on the same drug. House Bill 51 awaits assignment to its next Senate committee.
| | | House Bill 51 : Requires state pharmacists to include the generic drug name on containers of a brand name drug. The requirement aims to inform people of a brand name drug’s generic name and prevent them from mistakenly overdosing on the same drug. |
: Extend Board Of Midwives
Signed into Law! Chapter 16 SLA 03
Sponsored by the
An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives.
05-09-03 : The Alaska State Governor signed into law House Bill 71 on Friday. Sponsored by the House State Affairs Committee, HB 71 extends the Board of Midwives until June 30, 2007. Otherwise, the board terminates June 30, 2003 and must conclude its administrative operations within the following year. The board serves both to make sure people practicing midwifery are aware of the level of experience and education expected of them and to hold them accountable to an established standard of care.
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| House Bill 71 : Extends the Board of Midwives until June 30, 2007. The board serves both to make sure people practicing midwifery are aware of the level of experience and education expected of them and to hold them accountable to an established standard of care. Women seeking an alternative to hospital care for normal pregnancy and birth rely on the diligence of the board to enhance both the quality and accessibility of their healthcare. One notable enhancement: the board worked with the State of Alaska to establish Medicaid procedures for CDM services, thereby placing Alaska among eight states which both license their traditional midwives and provide Medicaid reimbursement for their services. |
: Extend Board Of Nursing
Signed into Law! Chapter 2 SLA 03
Sponsored by
An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Nursing.
03-27-03 : Governor Murkowski signed House Bill 74 into law on Thursday. Sponsored by Rep. Nancy Dahlstrom (R-Government Hill/Eagle River), HB 74 Extends the Board of Nursing to June 30, 2007. Otherwise the board would have terminated on June 30, 2003. The board establishes the minimum education and work experience requirements that individuals must meet to become licensed nurses or certified nursing aides. The board also investigates complaints against licensed professionals and takes disciplinary licensing action when appropriate.
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| House Bill 74 : Extends the Board of Nursing to June 30, 2007. Otherwise the board would have terminated on June 30, 2003. The board establishes the minimum education and work experience requirements that individuals must meet to become licensed nurses or certified nursing aides. The board also investigates complaints against licensed professionals and takes disciplinary licensing action when appropriate. |
: Clergy To Report Child Abuse
Passed House!
Sponsored by
An Act relating to reports by members of the clergy and custodians of clerical records who have reasonable cause to suspect that a child has suffered harm as a result of child abuse or neglect.
04-25-03 : The Alaska House of Representatives approved House Bill 92 by a vote of 32 to six on Friday. Sponsored by Rep. Bob Lynn (R-Anchorage), HB 92 adds clergy to the list of people mandated by law to report child abuse to the appropriate authorities.
HB 92 will moves to the Senate.
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| House Bill 92 : Adds clergy to the list of people mandated by law to report child abuse to the appropriate authorities. It is essential that children be protected from the abuse of sexual predators. Several classes of persons, such as nurses and teachers, are currently mandated to report actual or suspected child abuse to the appropriate authorities. The bill does recognize and address the unique character of “penitential communication”. HB 92 adds to the protection of child safety, and enhances the beneficial work and reputation of the faith community. |
: Marital & Family Therapists
Signed into Law! Chapter 152 SLA 03
Sponsored by
An Act relating to marital and family therapists.
05-18-03 : The Alaska State Senate unanimously approved House Bill 135 by a vote of 18 to zero on Sunday. Sponsored by Rep. Peggy Wilson (R-Wrangell), HB 135 adds the Board of Marital and Family Therapy to the list of boards that may request the Division of Occupational Licensing to contract for substance abuse treatment under licensed therapists. HB 135 also gives the Board of Marital and Family Therapy authority to order a licensed marital and family therapist to submit to a reasonable physical or mental examination if the board has credible evidence sufficient to conclude that the therapist's physical or mental capacity to practice safely is at issue, allows for individual client contact to be used as hours toward licensing, requires the therapist to communicate to a potential victim or law enforcement officer if a threat of imminent serious physical harm to an identified victim has been made by a client, and imposes disciplinary sanctions with regard to therapist sexual misconduct. After a reconsideration vote, HB 135 will move to the Senate for reconsideration.
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| House Bill 135 : Adds the Board of Marital and Family Therapy to the list of boards that may request the Division of Occupational Licensing to contract for substance abuse treatment under licensed therapists. HB 135 gives the Board of Marital and Family Therapy authority to order a licensed marital and family therapist to submit to a reasonable physical or mental examination if the board has credible evidence sufficient to conclude that the therapist’s physical or mental capacity to practice safely is at issue, allows for individual client contact to be used as hours toward licensing, requires the therapist to communicate to a potential victim or law enforcement officer if a threat of imminent serious physical harm to an identified victim has been made by a client, and imposes disciplinary sanctions with regard to therapist sexual misconduct. HB 135 not only brings parity to the mental health professions in the state, it also adds additional consumer protection for Alaskans seeking professional counsel. |
: Extend Board Of Storage Tank Assistance
Signed into Law! Chapter 33 SLA 03
Sponsored by the
Requested by the
An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Storage Tank Assistance; and providing for an effective date.
05-29-03 : Gov. Murkowski signed HB 187 into law. Sponsored by the House Rules Committee by request of Joint Legislative Budget and Audit Committee, HB 187 extends the Board of Storage Tank Assistance to June 30, 2007. Otherwise the board will sunset on June 30, 2003. The board (BSTA) helps the owners and operators of underground storage tanks (UST's) to comply with state and federal regulations enacted in response to nationwide concern over possible contamination of drinking water from leaking tanks. These regulations cover areas including the design, construction and installation of new tanks, and tightened standards for the retrofitting of existing tanks.
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| House Bill 187 : Extends the Board of Storage Tank Assistance to June 30, 2007. The board (BSTA) helps the owners and operators of underground storage tanks (UST's) to comply with state and federal regulations enacted in response to nationwide concern over possible contamination of drinking water from leaking tanks. These regulations cover areas including the design, construction and installation of new tanks, and tightened standards for the retrofitting of existing tanks. |
: State Health Insurance Plan
Signed into Law! Chapter 102 SLA 03
Sponsored by
An Act relating to the state health insurance plan; and providing for an effective date.
Version: SCS CSHB 195 (L&C)
Contact: Heather Nobrega, 465-4968
Action: 05-21-04: Passed Legislature
HB 195 gives insurance companies the authority to offer an individual health insurance plan that does not provide coverage for all of the insurance mandates currently required in state statute, thus giving Alaskans a more affordable health insurance option.
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| | House Bill 195 : Gives insurance companies the authority to offer an individual health insurance plan that does not provide coverage for all of the insurance mandates currently required in state statute, thus giving Alaskans a more affordable health insurance option. HB 195 will make mandates an optional part of individual health insurance. Some examples of state health insurance mandates are: coverage for services of midwives, substance abuse treatment, and acupuncture. Current law requires that all insurance plans include these types of coverage; however, individual insurance underwriting is different from group insurance plans, which are not included in HB 195. Individual plans have higher premiums and are tailored to the person’s circumstances; therefore, a single man who buys individual health care does not need coverage for services of midwives. HB 195 also amends the Alaska Comprehensive Health Insurance Association (ACHIA) statutes to make certain Alaskans eligible for health care assistance under the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act of 2002 (TAA). The TAA will provide a 65-percent credit from the U.S. Department of Treasury for health insurance to Alaskans who lose their jobs because of foreign imports, such as oil or salmon. |
: Nurse Education Loan Repayment Program
Passed House!
Sponsored by
An Act relating to a student loan repayment program for nurses, and amending the duties of the Board of Nursing that relate to this program; and providing for an effective date.
05-15-03 : The Alaska House of Representatives unanimously approved House Bill 211 by a vote of 37 to zero on Thursday. Sponsored by Rep. Peggy Wilson (R-Wrangell), HB 211 establishes the Alaska Nurse Recruitment Loan Repayment Program to provide incentives for more nurses to work in Alaska. HB 211 moves to the Senate.
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| House Bill 211 : Establishes the Alaska Nurse Recruitment Loan Repayment Program as an incentive to attract new nurses to the state and encourage Alaskans to pursue nursing vocations in Alaska. The program offers up to $2,000 per year, not to exceed $10,000 to repay nursing loans. |
: Immunity For Providing Free Health Care
Passed Legislature! Await Transmit to Gov.
Sponsored by
An Act relating to immunity for free health care services provided by certain health care providers; and providing for an effective date.
Version: SCS CSHB 260 (JUD)
Contact: Cameron Yourkowski, 465-3306
Action: 03-03-04: (S)JUD ==> (S)RSL
HB 260 extends the ability of licensed physicians and other health care providers to administer health care services free of charge. By exempting such services from malpractice liability, HB 260 would allow health care providers do donate their professional services at a lower personal cost. HB 260 will be especially helpful to retiring health professionals that wish to donate their services but do not still carry medical malpractice insurance. After a reconsideration vote, HB 260 will move to the Senate. Minor technical changes made in Senate Judiciary Committee.
| | | House Bill 260 : Extending the ability of licensed physicians and other health care providers to administer health care services free of charge. By exempting such services from malpractice liability, HB 260 would allow health care providers to donate their professional services at a lower personal cost. HB 260 will be especially helpful to retiring health professionals that wish to donate their services but do not still carry medical malpractice insurance. |
: Coastal Management Programs
Signed into Law! Chapter 24 SLA 03
Sponsored by the
Requested by
An Act relating to the Alaska coastal management program and to policies and procedures for consistency reviews and the rendering of consistency determinations under that program; relating to the functions of coastal resource service areas; creating an Alaska Coastal Program Evaluation Council; eliminating the Alaska Coastal Policy Council; annulling certain regulations relating to the Alaska coastal management program; relating to actions based on private nuisance; relating to zoning within a third class borough covered by the Alaska coastal management program; and providing for effective dates.
05-21-03 : Gov. Murkowski signed HB 191 into law. Sponsored by the House Rules Committee by recommendation of the governor, HB 191 seeks to streamline the Alaska Coastal Management Program by relying on existing state statutes and regulations as the enforceable policies of the ACMP. HB 191 first allows municipalities to retain their existing land use authorities to regulate private activity within their jurisdiction. Second, the bill authorizes the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), as the implementing agency, to adopt local ordinances as enforceable policies to be applied in consistency reviews of federal projects and Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) development. The DNR would consult with the local government when interpreting and applying the local ordinance as part of a consistency review. Third, the bill would specifically adopt certain existing coastal district policies for federal OCS development as state enforceable policies.
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| House Bill 191 : Streamlines the Alaska Coastal Management Program by relying on existing state statutes and regulations as the enforceable policies of the ACMP. HB 191 first allows municipalities to retain their existing land use authorities to regulate private activity within their jurisdiction. Second, the bill authorizes the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), as the implementing agency, to adopt local ordinances as enforceable policies to be applied in consistency reviews of federal projects and Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) development. The DNR will consult with the local government when interpreting and applying the local ordinance as part of a consistency review. Third, the bill specifically adopts certain existing coastal district policies for Federal OCS development as state enforceable policies. |
: Immunity For Providing Free Health Care
Passed Legislature! Await Transmit to Gov.
Sponsored by
An Act relating to immunity for free health care services provided by certain health care providers; and providing for an effective date.
Version: SCS CSHB 260 (JUD)
Contact: Cameron Yourkowski, 465-3306
Action: 03-03-04: (S)JUD ==> (S)RSL
HB 260 extends the ability of licensed physicians and other health care providers to administer health care services free of charge. By exempting such services from malpractice liability, HB 260 would allow health care providers do donate their professional services at a lower personal cost. HB 260 will be especially helpful to retiring health professionals that wish to donate their services but do not still carry medical malpractice insurance. After a reconsideration vote, HB 260 will move to the Senate. Minor technical changes made in Senate Judiciary Committee.
| | | House Bill 260 : Extending the ability of licensed physicians and other health care providers to administer health care services free of charge. By exempting such services from malpractice liability, HB 260 would allow health care providers to donate their professional services at a lower personal cost. HB 260 will be especially helpful to retiring health professionals that wish to donate their services but do not still carry medical malpractice insurance. |
: Pharmacist Licensing
Signed into Law! Chapter 140 SLA 03
Sponsored by
An Act relating to the licensure of pharmacists; and providing for an effective date.
07-10-03 : Governor Murkowski signed House Bill 270 into law. Sponsored by Rep. Nancy Dahlstrom (R-Anchorage/Birchwood), HB 270 gives the Board the authority to deny a license to a new applicant if they find that the applicant has committed fraud, deceit, falsely advertised, convicted of a felony, etc. as listed in Alaska statute.
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| House Bill 270 : Gives the Board the authority to deny a license to a new applicant if they find that the applicant has committed fraud, deceit, falsely advertised, convicted of a felony, etc. as listed in Alaska statute. |
: Inhalants And Poisons Awareness Week
Passed Legislature! Leg. Resolve 5
Sponsored by
Requesting the Governor to declare March 16 - 22, 2003, to be Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week.
| House Concurrent Resolution 8 : Declares March 16 - 22, 2003, to be Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week. |
: Abortion: Informed Consent; Information
Passed Legislature! Await Transmit to Gov.
Sponsored by
An Act relating to information and services available to pregnant women and other persons; and ensuring informed consent before an abortion may be performed, except in cases of medical emergency.
Version: CCS SB 30
Contact: Jason Hooley, 465-3762
Action: 05-11-04: Waiting transmittal to Governor
Requires that information be prepared and made available via the Internet to women seeking abortions on the medical risks of abortion and its alternatives, and where services can be sought, by geographic region. Requires a physician or other health care provider performing an abortion to obtain voluntary and informed consent as defined in the bill. Requires the Bureau of Vital Statistics to collect and record data on whether each reported patient requested and received a written copy of information on reproductive options required to be maintained on the Internet.
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[PDF - 1 Page - 29 KB]
| Senate Bill 30 : Enables women to make healthy, educated choices regarding their own individual and private circumstances, by establishing a website, maintained by the Department of Health and Social Services, where women and doctors can obtain information concerning reproductive choice. |
: Medicaid Costs And Crimes
Signed into Law! Chapter 66 SLA 03
Sponsored by
An Act relating to medical care and crimes relating to medical care, including medical care and crimes relating to the medical assistance program.
06-11-03 : Gov. Murkowski signed SB 41 into law. Sponsored by Sen. Lyda Green (R-Mat-Su), SB 41 provides the legal tools for the fiduciaries of the Medicaid program to establish program integrity and maintain maximum fiscal control.
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| Senate Bill 41 : Provides the legal tools for the fiduciaries of the Medicaid program to establish program integrity and maintain maximum fiscal control. |
: Medicaid For Breast & Cervical Cancer
Signed into Law! Chapter 9 SLA 03
Sponsored by
An Act relating to an optional group of persons eligible for medical assistance who require treatment for breast and cervical cancer; relating to cost sharing by those recipients under the medical assistance program; and providing for an effective date.
04-22-03 : Governor Murkowski signed Senate Bill 78 into law on Tuesday. Sponsored by Sen. Lyda Green (R-Mat-Su), SB 78 would remove the sunset provision of the 2001 legislation and allows for women who have been participating the program to continue, as well as allowing access to the program for women who will be diagnosed in the future.
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| Senate Bill 78 : Removes the sunset provision of the 2001 legislation and allows for women who have been participating the program to continue, as well as allowing access to the program for women who will be diagnosed in the future. |
: Pregnancy Alcohol Warning
Sponsored by
An Act relating to the posting and giving of certain warnings about drinking alcohol during pregnancy when selling or dispensing pregnancy testing kits, birth control devices, or birth control prescriptions.
04-23-03 : Senate Bill 156 moved out of the Senate Health, Education and Social Services Committee Wednesday. Sponsored by Sen. Fred Dyson (R-Eagle River), SB 156 would require a notification and informational warnings about Prenatal Alcohol Poisoning of unborn children to accompany products used by sexually active people including pregnancy testing kits, contraceptive devices, and birth control prescriptions.
SB 156 moves next to the .
| | | Senate Bill 156 : Requires a notification and informational warnings about Prenatal Alcohol Poisoning of unborn children to accompany products used by sexually active people including pregnancy testing kits, contraceptive devices, and birth control prescriptions. |
: Inpatient Psychiatric Services
Signed into Law! Chapter 137 SLA 2003
Sponsored by
An Act relating to inpatient psychiatric services for persons who are under 21 years of age and are either eligible for medical assistance or are in the custody of the Department of Health and Social Services.
07-10-03 : Governor Murkowski signed Senate Bill 157 into law. Sponsored by Sen. Lyda Green (R-Mat-Su), SB 157 would require the Department of Health and Social Services to use in state facilities, where available, for the psychiatric treatment of eligible persons.
| | | Senate Bill 157 : Requires the Department of Health and Social Services to use in-state facilities, where available, for the psychiatric treatment of eligible persons. |
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