 Improves Foster Care Program; Vetoes Judicial Pay Withholding Bill June 22, 2002
HB 209, introduced on behalf of the Governor, establishes a foster care transition program that will help young adults make a healthy and successful move toward independent living once they leave foster care. The bill will allow the state to receive at least $500,000 annually in federal funds for ongoing services, including: education and vocational training; career and employment services; training in basic life skills; housing and utility assistance; mentoring and counseling; and other services to help Alaska's foster children achieve self-sufficiency. "Youth who leave the foster care system are often ill-prepared to live independently. By providing this kind of transitional support, the State of Alaska can greatly increase the odds that these youth become successful, self-sufficient members of their communities," Knowles said. The Department of Health and Social Services will design and implement the program. SB 161 was vetoed as it unconstitutionally withholds the salary of justices, judges, and magistrates based on the timeliness of their decisions. "While I believe it is desirable to encourage prompt judicial decisions, it is another matter to use unconstitutional means to achieve that end," Knowles said. "Existing law imposes a time limit for the judiciary to complete its business. It has worked for 40 years and should be left undisturbed." Other bills signed into law include: HB 106, introduced by the Governor, conforms state law to the federal Graham-Leach-Bliley Act for banks and financial institutions. It maintains opt-in language on customer information sharing to ensure privacy. HB 374 names the bridge on the Sterling Highway that crosses the Kenai River at Soldotna the "David Douthit Veterans' Memorial Bridge" in honor of the only Alaskan killed during Operation Desert Storm. SB 252, introduced by the Governor, re-authorizes the State Training and Employment Program. HB 402 allows the Department of Health and Social Services to exempt up to 25 percent of the current Alaska Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP) caseload from the 60-month limit on benefits. It also clarifies the distinction between ATAP cash benefits and self-sufficiency services provided by the program; allows ATAP recipients' food stamp allotments to be used for wage subsidies; increases the amount available for program diversion payments; and modifies the program's sanction policy. SB 37 authorizes collective negotiations between health care providers and health benefit plans on a limited number of health care issues, but it does not authorize any conduct that is not already allowed under existing law. SB 219 establishes a Navigable Waters Commission for Alaska to better coordinate land and water use planning and management. SB 222 requires slow drivers to yield to following traffic. SB 302 enlarges the pool of mental health clinicians from which state funded mental health provider agencies can hire to conduct evaluations for civil commitments. Included as "mental health professionals" are licensed marital and family therapists; licensed professional counselors; licensed clinical social workers, and persons who have a master's degree in mental health with one year working experience. SB 324 provides that a utility or electric operating entity owned and operated by a political subdivision of the state competing directly with a telecommunications utility is not subject to the Alaska Public Utilities Regulatory Act. HB 128 removes the pre-approval requirement for individual work permits for minors and allows the employer to notify the state within 7 days after employment has begun, but must be signed by the parent or guardian prior to the date the minor begins working. HB 157 creates the Revised Trust Company Act to enhance the process of formation, operation, supervision and regulation of trust companies in Alaska. HB 162 lengthens the period for which a Longevity Bonus recipient could be absent from the state before becoming ineligible for the bonus from 30 to 60 days. It also repeals the provision that permanently disqualifies a recipient if gone more than 90 continuous days, replacing it with permanent disqualification after a continuous 3-year absence. Recipients do not receive the bonus while out of state. HB 182 governs the franchise relationship between new motor vehicle dealers and manufacturers; increases the bonding requirement for motor vehicle dealers; and prohibits unfair and deceptive sales and advertising practices by motor vehicle dealers. HB 196 establishes in law a right to a cause of action for legal separation, requiring a report from the court system indicating the number of legal separations filed. HB 208 requires the Departments of Natural Resources and Fish and Game to offer for lease by public auction 60 sites suitable for suspended culture of shellfish; 20 sites for aquatic farming of clams; and 10 sites for aquatic farming of geoducks. HB 243 adds another requirement to the affirmative defense of reasonable mistake of age in defense of a charge of sexual abuse of a minor where the age of the complaining witness is an element of the offense. The bill requires the defendant to affirmatively prove that he or she undertook reasonable measures to verify that the victim was a certain age or older, in addition to reasonably believing that the victim was older. It eliminates the exception to the affirmative defense if the victim is less than 13 years old. HB 274 requires that the physician or surgeon in a worker's compensation exam be authorized to practice under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the exam occurs, rather than where the physician resides. Removes a long-time inconsistency between worker's compensation law and requirements of occupational licensing. HB 527 gives permission for oil and gas exploration and development in the Minto Flats State Game Refuge unless it is demonstrated that the activities would be incompatible with refuge purposes based on sound science or local traditional knowledge.
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